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Foreign Affairs Article on the Future of Assured Destruction

Foreign Affairs this month published a major article on the future of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) written by Keir A. Lieber, assistant professor at Notre Dame, and Daryl G. Press, associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania. The article argues that with the U.S. arsenal growing rapidly while Russia’s decays and China’s stays small, the era of MAD is over and the era of U.S. nuclear primacy has begun. Along these lines, Lieber and Press assert that Washington’s pursuit of nuclear primacy helps explain its missile-defense strategy. An excerpt:

Critics of missile defense argue that a national missile shield, such as the prototype the United States has deployed in Alaska and California, would be easily overwhelmed by a cloud of warheads and decoys launched by Russia or China. They are right: even a multilayered system with land-, air-, sea-, and space-based elements, is highly unlikely to protect the United States from a major nuclear attack. But they are wrong to conclude that such a missile-defense system is therefore worthless—as are the supporters of missile defense who argue that, for similar reasons, such a system could be of concern only to rogue states and terrorists and not to other major nuclear powers.

… The sort of missile defenses that the United States might plausibly deploy would be valuable primarily in an offensive context, not a defensive one—as an adjunct to a U.S. first-strike capability, not as a standalone shield. If the United States launched a nuclear attack against Russia (or China), the targeted country would be left with a tiny surviving arsenal—if any at all. At that point, even a relatively modest or inefficient missile-defense system might well be enough to protect against any retaliatory strikes, because the devastated enemy would have so few warheads and decoys left.

During the Cold War, Washington relied on its nuclear arsenal not only to deter nuclear strikes by its enemies but also to deter the Warsaw Pact from exploiting its conventional military superiority to attack Western Europe. … Now that such a mission is obsolete and the United States is beginning to regain nuclear primacy, however, Washington’s continued refusal to eschew a first strike and the country’s development of a limited missile-defense capability take on a new, and possibly more menacing, look. The most logical conclusions to make are that a nuclear-war-fighting capability remains a key component of the United States’ military doctrine and that nuclear primacy remains a goal of the United States.

 (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Analysis, Policy

The Guardian Reports on British Participation in Subcritical Nevada Test

The Guardian reports that Britain recently took part in a subcritical test of nuclear material in Nevada. The “Krakatau test,” as it was called, took place on February 23 and involved a detonation 300 m beneath the desert. The test was designed to demonstrate that Britain’s nuclear bombs have not deteriorated while in storage and will still go off should they ever be launched. Such subcritical tests are normal, as plutonium can undergo phase changes which can alter its behavior as it ages. The Guardian, however, speculates that the U.S. and Britain might use such tests to help develop next generation nuclear warheads. The U.S. has discussed the possibility of developing “robust nuclear earth penetrators,” otherwise known as “bunker-busters,” which would be able to destroy structures deep underground. Although the Bush administration’s funding to modify two existing nuclear warheads for earth penetration was blocked by Congress in 2005 and 2006, funding was approved for the Reliable Replacement Warhead program, which The Guardian hypothesizes might be a cover for new warhead development. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Analysis

MDA Launches Target Missile to Test Beale Missile Radar

The Missile Defense Agency today successfully tested an upgraded early warning radar located at Beale Air Force Base, California, which forms a part of the missile defense system being developed. A long-range Strategic Targets System (STARS) rocket was launched from the Kodiak Launch Complex on Kodiak Island, Alaska, and was successfully tracked by the Beale AFB radar during the exercise. Other news reports noted that the 35-foot long target missile was indeed launched, and its payload traveled 2,500 miles toward the California-Mexico border, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.
        An interceptor missile, such as the Ground Based Interceptors some of which are based at Vandenberg AFB, was not launched during the exercise, “but the test did include the launch of a simulated interceptor from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. using performance data from previous interceptor launches.”  (Article, Link) 

» Video by Missile Defense Agency of February 23 test

» MDA photos of test

» More stories on: Testing - American

» Missile system details for: Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Kodiak Launch Complex

Afghanistan Asks Pakistan to Rename Missiles

The BBC reports that Afghanistan has asked Pakistan to rename three of its missiles, the Haft-2 Abdali, the Ghauri, and the Ghaznavid, which are named after former Muslim conquerors that lived between the 11th and 18th centuries in what is now Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Pakistan, however, has refused to rename these missiles, despite objections from Kabul which claims that Pakistan has linked these historical figures with “tools of destruction and killing.” The Haft-2 Abdali missile is named after the founder of the powerful Durrani dynasty, which helped shape modern Afghanistan. The Ghauri missile is named after Mohammed Ghauri, who defeated a Rajput Hindu king in 1192 along what is now the Pakistan-India border. The Ghaznavid missile is named after Mahmud Ghaznavi, who conquered Punjab in 1021 and was never defeated on the battlefield. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Pakistan

» Missile details: Ghauri-3, Hatf 2

Turkey Moving Toward Decision on Defenses

Turkey is moving toward a decision on purchasing surface-to-air missiles to protect against missile attack from Syria and Iran, and, reports The New Anatolian. The Defense Industry’s Executive Committee will convene tomorrow to discuss high-altitude missile threats and to decide whether an initiative for the procurement of anti-long range missiles is necessary. Among the systems to be discussed are the U.S. Patriot, Russian S-300, and Israeli Arrow-2 anti-missile systems. Turkey already has an air defense system for medium-altitude attack (10-50 km), including Hawk systems that could be extended to 75 km, and low-altitude attack (4-8 km), including Stinger and Rapier missile batteries. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Policy

Taiwan to Resubmit Bid to Buy Patriots

Taiwan will resubmit its bid to buy Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) surface-to-air missile batteries from the U.S. On Wednesday, National Defense Minister Lee Jye said that the Defense Ministry’s plan will be resubmitted to the Legislative Yuan in March 2007, when the ban on such discussion expires. The current ban is the result of a failed referendum held in tandem with the 2004 Taiwanese presidential election, which stipulates that an issue cannot be put to referendum within three years of a previous one. During the past two years, the opposition-controlled legislature has blocked two bills submitted by the Democratic Progressive Party-led government asking for a special budget to buy six PAC-3 batteries from the U.S., as well as eight diesel-electric submarines and a squadron of 12 P-3C submarine-hunting aircraft.
        U.S. Representative Rob Simmons (R-CT) noted on Wednesday that Taiwan is “running out of time” on the U.S. arms procurement deal, as it is uncertain what the next administration’s stance will be on the issue. (Link) 

» More stories on: Allies, Taiwan

» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)

Poland and NATO in Missile Defense Talks

Polish and NATO officials met yesterday in Warsaw to discuss development of an anti-ballistic missile system, reports Agence France Presse. “Poland plays an important role in discussions with the alliance on missile defense,” stated Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO Secretary General, following his meeting with Polish Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz. (Article, Link) 

Boeing and IAI to Continue Work on Israeli Systems

Boeing and Israel Aircraft Industries have joined forces to develop a short-range ballistic missile defense system for Israel. Boeing and IAI previously worked together on the successful Arrow-2 interceptor project. Now, they will create an all-weather defense against short-range ballistic missiles and long-range artillery rockets. The Israel Missile Defense Organization will select an Israeli-U.S. industry team in March 2006 to complete the risk reduction phase of the project. Full-scale development and production will follow as a cooperative initiative between the IMDO and MDA.
        Missile defense is a high priority for Israel, which has had to withstand not only the Iraqi Scud launches of the Persian Gulf War, but numerous rocket attacks by Palestinian terrorists. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Israel

Pakistan Tests Hatf-2 SRBM

Pakistan successfully test-launched a Hatf-2 short-range nuclear-capable ballistic missile on February 19. The indigenously developed missile has a range of 200 km and is capable of carrying a 500 kg warhead payload containing nuclear, chemical, or conventional warheads. This was the missile’s second test; the first was conducted in March 2005. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Pakistan, Testing - Foreign

» Missile details: Hatf 2

U.S. Tests Minuteman-3 From Vandenberg

The U.S. Air Force today test launched a Minuteman-3 intercontinental ballistic missile. The unarmed missile took off at 12:01 a.m. from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, and hit a target 4,800 miles away on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The purpose of the test was to gather data on the weapon and determine whether the Mark-2 re-entry vehicle is effective on the Minuteman-3. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Testing - American

» Missile details: Minuteman I

» Missile system details for: Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site (RTS), Vandenberg Air Force Base

Commentary on Russian Claims

RIA Novosti political commentator Andrei Kislyakov writes that the U.S. ballistic missile defense system will become operational within years, thus providing a “credible capability,” but adds that “Russia has missiles that don’t care.” He continues with a description of the anti-BMD capabilities of the road-mobile Topol-M (SS-27) intercontinental ballistic missile:

While the U.S. is stepping up its effort to deploy early warning radars and interceptors as close to Russia’s borders as possible to detect missile launches and kill missiles at the boost stage of flight when they are the most vulnerable—and as long as the body and the warhead are still in one piece—the Topol-M, powered by three solid-propellant boosters, accelerates faster than earlier ICBMs and is accordingly less vulnerable to that kind of attack. The missile also has scores of auxiliary jets and a state-of-the-art flight control system that enables a 3D avoidance maneuver capability from the first seconds of flight.

And on top of everything else—in every sense—is the nuclear re-entry vehicle, in fact a ramjet-boosted supersonic cruise missile whose additional sustainer engine accelerates it to between Mach 4 and Mach 5 (Mach is the speed equal to the speed of sound in the air).

Such maneuverability renders a missile system a crucial surprise advantage, as the adversary cannot launch a fire-and-forget interceptor weapon because no anticipated point of contact is known or can be reliably calculated. Normally, the Topol-M carries one warhead but, unlike other strategic ICBMs, it can be easily upgraded with an advanced warhead carrying up to three independently targetable re-entry vehicles. The warhead fires off the vehicles in midcourse, changing direction twice a minute to fool warning radars as to where the charges are heading. Each vehicle is assigned an individual target at up to 100km (60 miles) from the separation point.

 (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Analysis, Maneuverable Warheads, Russia

» Missile details: SS-N-6

Aegis Cruiser Shiloh to be Based Near Japan in 2006

The U.S. Navy will deploy its Aegis cruiser Shiloh to Japan later this year, reports Kyodo. According to Admiral Gary Roughead, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the 9,600-ton Shiloh will replace a similar ship already stationed in Japan, and will be armed with Standard Missile-3 interceptors. The move falls in line with the Defense Department’s plan for a greater military presence in the Pacific, outlined in its Quadrennial Defense Review issued earlier this month. In the QDR, the Pentagon singled out China as having the “greatest potential” to compete with the United States militarily, while keeping its eye on North Korea’s threat of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism in Southeast Asia. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Deployment, Japan

» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD

Report: Iran Has Conducted Four Missile Tests in 2006

The German news agency DDP reports that Iran has conducted four missile tests since the beginning of 2006. Citing employees of Western security services, the report claims that Iran tested a modified intermediate-range ballistic missile, an air defense missile, a cruise missile, and an anti-tank missile. The modified intermediate-range missile is believed to have been a Shahab-3 with a range of 900 km. The report adds that Iran recently transferred several Shahab-3 missiles to neighborhoods surrounding the cities of Kermanshah and Hamad on its western border, from which it could reach targets in Israel (the distance from Kermanshah to Tel Aviv is 850 km). The air defense missile that was tested was an Iranian version of an as-of-yet unidentified Russian SAM, most likely the S-300, while the cruise missile was an Iranian version of the Chinese HY-2 Silkworm missile. The Silkworm apparently flew 150 km during the test, which would make it capable of reaching targets in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea. The report adds that Iran is attempting to acquire new engine components for these cruise missiles from Germany and Switzerland, which are then smuggled through Iranian cover firms registered in Dubai’s free trade zone in the United Arab Emirates. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Iran, Testing - Foreign

» Missile details: Shahab-6

MDA Test Plans for 2006

Defense Daily reports that MDA’s schedule for FY 2006 and 2007 includes tests of its Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD), Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (Aegis BMD), Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), and Patriot systems. The FY 2006 schedule comprises four GMD tests including one planned intercept, five THAAD tests against simulated and live targets, and two Aegis BMD flight tests. The agency also plans to conduct a critical measurements and countermeasures flight test, participate in two test launches of ICBMs, assist in a Japanese Cooperative Target test, and participate in three Israeli Arrow tests. The FY 2007 schedule includes three GMD tests, one THAAD flight test, two Aegis BMD flight tests, and one Patriot flight test. MDA will also take part in at least two ICBM flight tests and one Israeli Arrow flight test. (Link) 

» More stories on: Policy

France Upgrading Nuclear Forces

France has modified its nuclear arsenal to increase the range and ability of its weapons, reports The Guardian. In particular, it has reduced the number of warheads per missile, which makes the missiles lighter and increases their range. France now also possesses altitude bombs, which detonate at high altitudes and create electromagnetic impulsions that are capable of knocking out electronic systems. The move comes weeks after President Jacques Chirac warned that states threatening France could face the “ultimate warning” of a nuclear retaliation, although he did refer to specific threats. The newspaper Libération speculates that “while potential targets are ‘secret,’ it is clear they include the Middle East or Asia.” However, French government sources claim that Chirac’s speech was not aimed specifically at Iran or at individual terrorist organizations. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Allies

Belarus to Deploy Four Batteries of S-300PS Defenses in March

Russia will deploy four S-300PS surface-to-air missile batteries in Belarus this March, according to Aytech Bizhev, deputy commander of the Russian Air Force. The deployment will extend the effective range of Russia’s western air-defense by 150 km (90 miles) and the detection of air targets by 400 km (250 miles). On Friday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov referred to the S-300PS missile units as “purely defensive” in an attempt to reassure NATO that the deployment was not directed against the western alliance. Belarus shares borders with NATO members Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. (Link) 

» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics, Russia

» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble)

Russia to Proceed with Tor-M1 Sales to Iran

Russia will proceed with supplying Tor-M1 anti-aircraft missile systems to Iran. In November, Moscow reached a $1 billion deal with Tehran, under which it would supply up to 30 systems to be used to defend Iran’s most important state and military facilities Isfahan, Bushehr, Tehran, and elsewhere. Despite international concern over Iran’s nuclear weapons program, Mikhail Dmitriev, director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, stated that “there is no reason not to fulfill this contract.” Dmitriev, however, categorically denied media reports that Russia was or is considering selling other weapons systems to Tehran, including S-300P surface-to-air missile systems batteries. (Link) 

» More stories on: Iran, Russia

Report: Israel Plans to Test New Missile

Middle East Newsline reports that Israel plans to launch a new type of two-stage, solid-fuel missile. The rocket is known as Magah, and is believed to be powered by a solid-fuel ramjet engine. According to the Technion, the Israel Institute of Technology, such an engine has never been tested in Israel or deployed anywhere the world. Alon Gany, head of the Magah project and a professor of aeronautical engineering at the Technion, stated that Magah “mark a technological breakthrough” and could help meet an emerging military requirement for advanced long-range missiles. (Link) 

» More stories on: Israel

Oberg on XS-111 Microsatellite Rendezvous Program

James Oberg of NBC News analyzes the U.S. Air Force’s Experimental Small Satellite 11 (XS-11) microsatellite, which completed a successful series of orbital rendezvous maneuvers with another satellite in September. The Lockheed Martin-built XSS-11 is a small spacecraft, roughly the size of a dishwasher and weighing only 300 pounds. It is managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory’s “Space Vehicles Directorate Integrated Space Experiments Division” at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and operated by the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center’s Detachment 12. The XSS-11 was launched aboard a modified Minuteman missile on April 11. It spent the next several months activating and exercising its sensors and guidance computers. The rendezvous exercises took place around the derelict upper stage of the modified missile. Program manager Vernon Baker stated that the XSS-11 made its first approach in late July at a distance of 1.6 km, and has since completed several other approaches, in one case coming as close as half a kilometer. More approaches are planned.
        If future tests are equally successful, the Pentagon hopes to modify the design of the microsatellite for a wide array of space missions. Oberg comments on the potential military applications of the XSS-11:

Two potential military missions in particular are worth considering for follow-on testing. … First, the U.S. needs a means of inspecting its own military satellites for external damage, either from accidental breakdown or from hostile activity, and a small “scout satellite” capable of detaching, flying around and reattaching itself could provide critical insights in diagnosing—or even warding off—such damage.

Secondly, a U.S. spacecraft near a foreign spacecraft could perform a number of highly valuable but entirely passive functions. Aside from a detailed physical inspection with a resolution far better than possible from a distance, an object in such a location would be able to intercept narrow-beam communications—radio, laser beam, whatever—that otherwise might elude ground-based sensors.

Such applications (and a few others that experts would not describe in detail) are of a fundamentally military nature, but are not “weapons” in any practical sense. They are neither illegal nor in any way destabilizing …

        Although not intended for missile defense applications, XSS-11 draws comparison to the deep-space probe “Clementine” that NASA launched in 1994. One year after the Clinton administration ended the Strategic Defense Initiative in 1993, Clementine used hardware that had been intended for the “Brilliant Pebbles” system, the top missile defense priority for the Reagan and Bush administrations. Brilliant Pebbles had been an attempt to deploy a 4,000-satellite constellation in low-Earth orbit that would fire high-velocity projectiles at long-range ballistic missiles launched from anywhere in the world. By “space qualifying” this hardware, Clementine proved that the Brilliant Pebbles technology worked, and that space-based missile defense was not a pie-in-the-sky fantasy as Reagan’s critics had claimed. The XSS-11 microsatellite project proves yet again that the technology for space-based missile defense exists. The XSS-11 rendezvous mission—an orbital maneuver that included locating a specific target and meeting it in space—is similar to the maneuvering required of a space-based interceptor.  (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Space-Based Systems

» Missile system details for: Brilliant Pebbles

RIA-Novosti Column on Putin Boasts

Viktor Litovkin, military commentator for RIA Novosti, argues that Russia’s newest missiles are “indeed unrivalled” and that President Vladimir Putin was correct in his recent boast that these weapons can penetrate any existing missile defense system. Litovkin contends that the SS-27 (Topol-M) ICBM and the SS-NX-30 (Bulava) SLBM pick up speed so fast upon launch that early warning systems monitoring the Earth’s surface from space do not have enough time to take appropriate countermeasures. He adds that these weapons are not “strictly ballistic” in their trajectories. They begin the midcourse phase ballistically, but can dive unexpectedly or maneuver to avoid destruction. In the terminal phase, both accelerate to hypersonic speeds that are beyond the limits of all operational and most future anti-missile defenses.
        Litovkin vigorously defends Putin’s decision to boast about Russia’s missile capabilities: “A man who governs a state with such a deterrent capability has reasons to be proud of it.” He takes issue with “the perception of this praise as muscle-flexing or saber-rattling, let alone drum-banging.” According to Litovkin, the Topol-M and the Bulava “have no particular targets and pose no threat to anyone.” Moreover, “Russia has never drawn its nuclear sword—and most likely never will—in a power game.” He adds that the continuous development and upgrade effort of the Strategic Missile Troops “in no way amounts to an arms race,” as Russia’s overall ballistic missile capability is being reduced. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Maneuverable Warheads, Russia

» Missile details: SS-N-6, SS-26

German Newspaper: Iran Tested Missile Secretly in January

The German daily Die Welt cites western intelligence sources as reporting that Iran secretly tested a new surface-to-surface ballistic missile last month. The purpose of the test, which allegedly took place on January 17, was to collect electronic and aerodynamic measurements from the long-range missile during its flight. The test was conducted by a 15-person engineering team under the direct control of the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and was attended by commanders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as well as some high-ranking employees of the Iranian aviation industry. Diplomatic sources in Iran are cited as saying the test was a success.
        The German news agency DDP speculates that the above-mentioned missile may have been the Shahab-4, an intermediate-range weapon similar to the older Shahab-3 except for its increased range of over 2,000 km (approx. 1,250 miles) and its improved accuracy based on more modern digital guidance systems. Although the Shahab-4 project has been shrouded in secrecy in recent years, it is most likely an attempt to make Iran’s missile program less dependent upon foreign materials. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Iran, Testing - Foreign

» Missile details: Shahab-6, Small ICBM

Jane’s M&R on Russian Tests of Modular Missile Radar

Jane’s Missiles and Rockets reports that Russia has begun testing a next-generation early-warning radar. The new system, designated Voronezh-DM, features a modular design, meaning that it will not require major construction work at planned locations, and therefore can be rapidly deployed to deal with new threats. In contrast, Russia’s existing Daryal (Pechora) radar in Azerbaijan and two Dnepr (Hen House) radars in Ukrainian Sevastopol and Mukachevo are massive structures located at fixed sites. The prototype Voronezh-DM, which was developed by the Scientific Research Institute of Long-Range Radio Communication, has been installed at a site near St. Petersburg, where it will become part of the missile defense of northwest Russia. In addition, Russia plans to deploy additional modular radars along its southern frontiers to cover the sectors currently monitored by the radars in Azerbaijan and Ukraine. This will end Russia’s current dependence on sites that lie outside of its territory. (Link) 

» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics, Russia, Detection and Tracking

Jane’s M&R on S-400 Deployments

The Russian Air Force is training its first air-defense missile regiment on the new S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system, reports Jane’s Missiles and Rockets. The regiment is expected to become combat ready later in 2006 at a location near Moscow. Eventually, all 35 regiments will be equipped with the new system, which will be used to protect large population centers, as well as military and industrial complexes. The S-400 is Russia’s most advanced SAM system, capable of destroying aircraft, cruise missiles, and short- and medium-range ballistic missiles at ranges of up to 400 kilometers. (Link) 

» More stories on: Russia, Russian Missile Defenses

» Missile system details for: S-400 (SA-20 Triumf)

Sieff on Bush’s SOTU Silence on Missile Defense

Martin Sieff, writing for the United Press International news agency, wonders why President Bush failed to mention U.S. ballistic missile defense in his recent State of the Union address on Tuesday. The year 2005 was "the year when, more than ever before, the American BMD system finally moved after nearly a quarter of a century from the realm of ‘Star Wars' visionary fantasy to that of hard military and engineering fact." It was a breakthrough year of successful tests, increased weapons and radar deployments, and more major nations than ever around the world committing billions of dollars to buy U.S. systems and develop complementary defense systems. Yet Bush did not say a word about any of it in the speech.
Sieff speculates that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's prominence could be fading. Rumsfeld was "the great cheerleader of BMD" and if he is replaced, his successor will be more concerned with Iraq, or perhaps launching a full-scale war against Iran. Sieff suggests that with the departure of Deputy Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and Under Secretary for Policy Douglas Feith, missile defense lost two of its biggest Pentagon supporters. Nevertheless, Sieff believes that Bush's silence on BMD Tuesday night "should not be interpreted as any weakening of political will or presaging any major cutback in resources on deploying it."
 (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Analysis

Russia Trying to Sell India on S-300 System

Russia has pitched its S-300 surface-to-air missile system to India, reports RIA-Novosti. Mikhail Sukachev, a representative of Russian state arms firm Rosoboronexport, recently spoke at the Defexpo arms show in New Delhi: “Russia has offered India to create a comprehensive air defense system using different air defenses, including S-300 missile systems of various modifications.” The news briefing came after Indian media reports named the U.S. Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) as the main competitor to the Russian S-300. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: India, Russia

» Missile system details for: S-300P (SA-10 Grumble), S-300V (SA-12A Gladiator, SA-12B Giant)

Lockheed Martin Delivers PAC-3s for Testing

Lockheed Martin recently delivered the first Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Stockpile Reliability Test (SRT) missiles to the U.S. Army, according to a press release. The delivery marked the beginning of Operations and Support phase of the PAC-3 program. During this phase, PAC-3 interceptor missiles are selected from the inventory and disassembled so that major components can be tested to ensure the missiles have maintained their combat readiness. (Link) 

» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)

Report: Chinese Base at Antarctica Can Disable U.S. Satellites

China last week announced its intention to build a high-frequency radar on the South Pole, reports East-Asia-Intel. The radar will be built at China’s Zhongshan Station, where Beijing has set up of a space environment lab. The high-frequency radar, which will consist of 20 antenna units, will have a range of approximately 3,000 km. Chinese officials told the news agency Xinhua that the station will be used to measure the polar space environment. However, U.S. defense analysts believe that the site could be used to disable U.S. satellites which pass over the South Pole.
        The 2005 Pentagon (annual) report on the military capabilities of China had noted that the country is “conducting research to develop ground-based laser ASAT [anti-satellite] weapons,” and that “Beijing has and will continue to enhance its satellite tracking and identification network—the first step in establishing a credible ASAT capability.” In coming years, it is possible that China could deploy ASAT weapons in Antarctica capable of blinding or disrupting U.S. satellites. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: China, Space-Based Systems

Putin Again Boasts Missiles Can Pierce Defenses

Russian President Vladimir Putin boasted on Tuesday January 31 that Russia has ballistic missiles capable of penetrating any missile defense system. At a news conference, Putin said,

Russia last year tested missile systems that no one in the world has and won’t have for a long time. These missile systems don’t represent a response to a missile defense system, but they are immune to that. They are hypersonic and capable of changing their flight path.

        Putin recently discussed the same “hypersonic” systems at a similar format of a press conference in September 2005, noting their ability to maneuver in course and altitude and evade ballistic missile defense such as those being developed by “partner countries,” a probable reference to the ground-based mid-course defenses being deployed by the United States.  (Article, Link) 

» Sep. 27, 2005: Putin on Hypersonic Maneuverable Warheads

» More stories on: Maneuverable Warheads, Russia

» Missile details: SS-N-6, SS-26