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KEI Missile Undergoes Wind-Tunnel Tests in Missouri

The Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) recently underwent a series of high-speed wind-tunnel tests in St. Louis, Missouri, reports Jane’s Missiles & Rockets. The tests were intended to acquire data on the interceptor’s aerodynamics, high-frequency pressure, and acoustics, which will be used to select the proper nose shape for the KEI.
        The KEI is the planned boost-phase interceptor component of the U.S. layered ballistic missile defense system. (Link) 

» More stories on: Technology, Testing - American

» Missile system details for: Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI)

Classified Section of China Report Said to Specify Missile Capabilities

An alleged “classified section” of the Pentagon’s 2005 China report may provide greater detail on China’s missile capabilities. The Taiwanese Central News Agency cites an article posted on a website which monitors Chinese weaponry(www.zgjunshi.com) as saying that the classified version of the Pentagon’s recent report on the military power of China specifies that the communist nation has nine brigades armed with ICBMs capable of reaching the U.S. Of these, three are armed with the road-mobile Dong Feng-31 (CSS-9), and the other six with the silo-based Dong Feng-5 (CSS-4). The website also claims that China’s 094 submarines, armed with strategic missiles, have undertaken sea trials and could become a less expensive way for China to deploy its ICBMs. The article’s claims are unconfirmed, and the Taipei-based Central News Agency notes that “It was unclear how reporters from the China-based website were able to gain access to secret Pentagon information.”
        The claims reported by the Taiwanese news service may, however, simply be a case of the Chinese demonstrating that the classified section of the document is within their reach, or perhaps of China making a statement about the report’s findings by means of an article posted online.  (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: China

» Missile details: CSS-4, CSS-9 (DF-31)

Pakistan: Missiles Can Penetrate Proposed Indian Defenses

Pakistan has stated its confidence that its nuclear armed missiles could penetrate India’s proposed missile defenses. At a media conference on Monday, President Gen. Pervez Musharraf claimed that the Patriot has a kill-probability of around 40 percent, meaning that 60 percent of Pakistani missiles would pass through such defenses. He also described that the Patriot is a Cold War defense system with a response time appropriate for the long distance between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, not the short distance between Pakistan and India—a rather problematic statement. Musharraf would seem to be underestimating the capabilities of the PAC systems, and ignoring India’s stated plans to develop its own, distinct, defense systems. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: India, Pakistan

» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2), Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)

Tang on General Zhu’s Nuclear Threat

Claremont Institute Fellow Ben Tang published an article in Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao responding to recent statements made by Chinese General Zhu Chenghu, who on July 14 asserted that China will use nuclear weapons against the U.S. if attacked during a confrontation over Taiwan.
        Tang clarifies that General Zhu’s remarks reflect Beijing’s strategy against the U.S., and should not be written off as the “personal opinion” of one man. Tang speculates that Zhu’s speech was purposely arranged by Beijing, which has done similar things in the past. In this situation, Chinese Communist Party leaders most likely deployed a medium ranking official to state what they themselves could not say publicly. (Article, Link) 

» July 15, 2005: The Washington Times: Chinese General Threatens Nuclear Use Against U.S.

» More stories on: Analysis, China

Japan May Deploy PAC-3 in March 2006

Japan may begin deploying its Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) surface-to-air missiles as early as March 2006 to counter the current threat from nearby ballistic missiles, whether from North Korea or China. The original plan was to begin the deployment in late FY 2006-2007—ending in March 2007. The Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun, however, recently cited government sources indicating that Tokyo is considering a sooner deployment due to the increasing missile threat from North Korea and China. The report comes one day after the Japanese parliament approved legislation that would allow a swifter response to ballistic missile attacks. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Deployment, Japan

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

Japan Approves Bill Authorizing Missile Intercept

Japan’s parliament has passed a major piece of legislation giving authority to its defense chief to shoot down incoming missiles. The bill allows the defense chief to act without additional approval of Japan’s prime minister or Cabinet. The bill is significant because Japan’s pacifist postwar constitution renounces the use of force to settle international disputes, which has been interpreted to preclude defensive action against missiles which may or may not be aimed at Japan. In recent years Japan has become increasingly concerned with the ballistic missile threat from North Korea and, along with the U.S., is currently researching a joint sea-based missile defense system. The bill passed both the upper and lower houses, meaning that the legislation will be enacted. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Allies, Japan

» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD

Obering on Ship-Launched Threat, Plans for Expansion

Lt. General Henry A. Obering III, director of the Missile Defense Agency, has expressed concern about the threat of short-range ballistic missiles launched from ships off the U.S. coast. Obering discussed the possibility of an enemy carrying a Scud or similar missile to within a few hundred miles of the U.S. coastline before launching it.
        Most worrisome is the proliferation of Scud-type missiles throughout the world, many of which have ranges of up to 500 km. “We expect to be surprised,” said Obering, noting the unconventional nature of terrorist attacks. MDA spokesman Rick Lehner is also cited as saying that some $20 million is in next year’s defense budget to study the threat.
        Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has noted the threat from ship-launched missiles on a number of occasions. General Obering’s comments are quite welcome, and raise the possibility of a significantly expanded missile defense effort capable of dealing with such attacks. The ground-based missile defense architecture currently being deployed in Alaska and California cannot do so. (More »»») 

» July 22, 2005: Washington Post: Obering: missile defenses could significantly expand to counter Chinese, Mideast threats

» More stories on: Ship-Launched Threat

Chinese Response to DoD Report

On Wednesday, Wang Faen and Ban Wei of the Chinese news agency Xinhau responded to the Pentagon’s 2005 “Report on the Military Power of the People’s Republic of China.” According to Wang and Ban, the U.S. “continues to wantonly create and play up the argument that China’s normal military development ‘poses a threat to the region and indeed to the United States,’ and again appears before the world with the features of Cold War mentality and power logic.” They claim that the real threat comes from the U.S., which has the highest military spending in the world; in contrast, China’s military spending is still at a relatively lower level. Wang and Ban also claim that the U.S. is “making a great fuss” about Taiwan “to help American arms manufacturers to expand their arms market and make more money, and at the same time to erect artificial obstacles to China’s reunification cause.” (Link) 

» More stories on: China

Minuteman Test from Vandenberg

The U.S. successfully test-launched a Minuteman III ballistic missile on July 21. The missile’s dummy warhead was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, and traveled more than 4,000 miles in 30 minutes, finally striking a pre-determined target at the Reagan Test Site in the Marshall Islands.
        The Minuteman III is an intercontinental-range, silo-based, solid propellant ballistic missile system, with a range of 13,000 km.  (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

Pentagon Releases Report on Chinese Military Power

The Pentagon has released its annual report to Congress on Chinese military power, which describes China at “a strategic crossroads.” The 45-page report covers a host of topics, including Chinese military strategy and doctrine, the effects of military modernization, and an assessment of the security situation in the Taiwan Strait. “Questions remain about the basic choices China’s leaders will make as China’s power and influence grow, particularly its military power.” Of particular note is attention to such themes as China’s defense spending, strategic missile forces, the increasing number of short range missiles deployed near Taiwan, space policy, and the threat posed by a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse. (More »»») 

» NY Times: China’s Military Geared to Deterring Taiwan, Report Says

» Text of 2004 DOD Report on Chinese Military Power

» More stories on: China, Chinese Missile Defenses, Space-Based Systems

» Missile details: CSS-2, CSS-2A, CSS-3, CSS-4, CSS-4A, CSS-5 Mod 2, CSS-5, CSS-9 (DF-31), CSS-NX-5 (JL-2)

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

Test of THAAD Radar

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system recently underwent a test of its radars, designed to determine their ability to track and detect objects. The radar successfully acquired, tracked, and classified two Orion missile targets. In the first attempt, the radar acquired and tracked both the inbound expended booster and the separated re-entry vehicle. The command, control, battle management and communications system then launched a simulated interceptor and provided acquisition and intercept support plan data to the radar. During the second target launch, the THAAD radar acquired, tracked and classified an inbound unitary missile.
        The MDA press release describes the THAAD radar “as the largest, most powerful mobile radar in the world” that is “capable of search, self-queuing, threat detection and object classification at extremely long ranges. It communicates with the THAAD interceptor missile to provide in-flight target updates.”
        The test took place at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico on June 17, 2005. It was the eighth test of the radar tracking a ballistic missile target, and all test objectives were met.  (Article, Link) 

» Missile system details for: Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)

Committee on the Present Danger Publishes Missile Defense Report

The Committee on the Present Danger has released an important and very fine policy statement on ballistic missile defense: Missile Defense for the 21st Century.
        Despite the withdrawal from the ABM Treaty and some important preliminary steps by the Bush administration, “some of the most effective defense concepts, precluded by the ABM Treaty precisely because they offered the greatest promise as effective defenses, have not yet been emphasized in the on-going missile defense development activities. In particular, deploying mobile defensive systems and components offers benefits over proliferating fixed ground-based defenses. In particular, those as sea and in space can provide substantial improvements in effectiveness at lower cost and with reduced demands for overseas basing rights. Serious programs to develop and test the key technology to build such systems are required if the future defenses are to meet 21st century challenges, which include a proliferating and growing threat of ballistic missiles that can attack U.S. cities with weapons of mass destruction.”
        The report also emphasizes that sea-based interceptors, including those already or shortly available, would do well to meet the threat of a ship-launched missile. The report clearly notes, however, that “Space-based defenses are the optimum layered defense. Basing in space would maximize the ability of the defense to observe the developing threat and minimize the proximity between the defense and target to achieve an effective interception in all three phases of the attacking missile’s trajectory.
        The Committee’s report has three specific recommendations, namely to 1) empower the Navy to build and deploy more sea-based defenses, 2) initiate and fully fund a new program to test and deploy space-based defenses, and 3) educate the public, Congress, and our friends and allies to the threat and the potentiality of current technology to provide an effective global defense.
        The report lists as its lead author Henry Cooper, former director of the Strategic Defense Initiative and former ambassador and chief negotiator at Geneva defense and space talks with the Soviet Union. Robert Pfaltzgraff, William Van Cleave, and Lowell Wood are listed as reviewers and contributors. (Article, Link) 

» July 15, 2005: CPD Press Releases on missile defense policy statement

» More stories on: Analysis

Russian Crew Prepares to Operate Iskander-M System

Interfax-AVN reports that the first Russian battalion equipped with SS-26 Iskander-M tactical ballistic missile systems is nearly operational. According to the news service, the missile troops are currently completing their training at the Kapustin Yar test range (Astrakhan Region), and the missiles will soon be fielded in the Siberian Missile District. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russia

» Missile details: Taep'o-dong 2

Profile of Russian Saratov Missile Base

The Russian weekly Argumenty i Fakty recently profiled the Russian Saratov Missile Base, where the SS-27 Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile is deployed. The Topol-M represents the best in Russian ballistic missile technology, incorporating modern fuel and warhead designs, and featuring a range of 10,500 km. The Saratov base is operated by twelve regiments of the elite Strategic Missile Troops, most of whom have undergone twelve years of training (five at the university, and seven in the military). The profile also mentions the Topol-M’s much advertised ability to overcome the sort of missile defenses being deployed by the United States: “The US military have recently admitted that Topol-M has spoilt their ‘nuclear game’ and significantly reduced the efficiency of the US air [missile] defense on which billions of dollars have been spent.” An excerpt: (More »»») 

» More stories on: Russia

» Missile details: SS-N-6

Russia Pechora Defense Passes Test Against Cruise Missiles

The Russian Pechora 2-M surface-to-air missile has completed its field testing, reports Interfax-AVN. The Pechora 2-M is an upgraded version of the older S-125 (SA-3) system, largely designed to appeal to the export market. Notably, the Pechora features an increased capability against cruise missiles, as witnessed in 2003 when the missile was tested against the medium-range Strizh-2 and the low-altitude Strizh-3 target missiles. According to a statement by Russia’s Oboronitelnyye Sistemy company, the Pechora 2-M is now “ready for series production as a complete set in the interests of the Russian Defense Ministry and foreign customers.” The report specifies that over 70 missiles were launched during the test period, each allegedly hitting its target. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Cruise Missile Defenses, Russia

» Missile system details for: S-125 (SA-3 Goa)

Profile of Ukranian Air Defense Interceptors

Ukraine’s air defense interceptors have become obsolete, according to Ukrainian military expert Serhiy Honcharov. In an article posted on the Ukrainian web site Defense Express, Honcharov states that Ukraine is currently incapable of providing an effective defense against modern aircraft. He cites as an example the insignificance of Iraq’s multitude of old Russian-made SAMs during the 2003 Iraq War: “A large quantity of anti-aircraft weapons no longer ensures that their tasks are effectively accomplished, even when the most active use is made of them and high tactical and fire densities are created within the air defense system.” In addition, he notes that Ukraine has insufficient resources to buy newly developed air defense weapons or even more existing ones. Honcharov concludes that Ukraine must upgrade its best SAMs and withdraw the rest from use. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Former Soviet Republics

Possible Spread of Defensive Interceptors by Japan

Japanese-U.S. SM-3 sea-based interceptor missiles could be offered to third countries, reports the Japanese news agency Kyodo. According to General Yoshinori Ono, director of Japan’s Defense Agency, “If there is a request from the United States, it could be possible for those missiles to be provided to third countries under certain circumstances.” Ono’s statement follows Japan’s decision last year to end its decades-old ban on weapons exports. In December 2004, Japan stated that it could export missile parts to the U.S. under “strict controls” for national security, with exports to third countries to be considered on a case-to-case basis. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Allies, Japan

» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD

Chinese General Threatens Nuclear Use Against U.S.

China is prepared to use nuclear weapons against the U.S. if attacked by Washington during a confrontation over Taiwan, a Chinese General reminded America in a recent press conference. Chinese General Zhu Chenghu is quoted as saying that, “If the Americans draw their missiles and position-guided ammunition on to the target zone on China’s territory, I think we will have to respond with nuclear weapons.” He added: “[We] will prepare ourselves for the destruction of all of the cities east of Xian. Of course the Americans will have to be prepared that hundreds … of cities will be destroyed by the Chinese.”
        The comment comes just as the Pentagon’s annual report on the military power of China is due to be released. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: China, Taiwan

New American SLBM Considered

The Navy is developing a new submarine-launched intermediate-range ballistic missile. According to Daniel Murphy, CEO of Alliant Techsystems, the idea is to create a weapon fast enough to strike easily relocatable insurgent targets in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lockheed Martin also received a contract for the 16 month study of the planned missile. As envisioned, the new SLBM could carry a 450 kg (1,000 lb) payload a distance of 1,900 km (1,200 miles) within 15 minutes of launch. By contrast, a cruise missile currently takes four hours to cover the same distance. The Navy hopes to conduct its first flight demonstration of the new SLBM in 2008 (Article, Link) 

Wood: Next President Must Continue Missile Defense

Lowell Wood, senior staff scientist at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, recently stated that the next U.S. president will have little choice other than to continue developing the current ballistic missile defense system. Quoted in a July 14 article in Defense Today, Wood emphasized that the next president will have to pursue missile defense, or else leave the nation at the mercy of hostile powers. Wood argued that regardless of who the next president is, the U.S. should follow three main objectives. First, it should create a “militarily effective system.” Second, the system should provide a “cost exchange advantage at the margin.” Third, it must be “robust in all plausible military environments,” meaning bad weather. In addition to these objectives, Wood warned against relying on what he termed “flimsy and readily countermeasured defenses,” which could be defeated by decoys or other such devices.
        Although Wood’s outline of the principles which should be followed is sound, it remains quite possible that a Democrat or even Republican administration could continue a lackluster or halfhearted missile defense program, which though nominally progressing would not provide the adequate layered and robust defenses necessary to truly defend the United States.  (Link) 

» More stories on: Analysis

South Korea Considering Buying Patriots from Germany

South Korea is considering buying second-hand Patriot missiles from Germany, reports the AFP. Klaus Von Sperber, director of international armament affairs in Germany’s defense ministry, recently traveled to Seoul to meet with Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-Ung and other Korean military officials. The AFP quotes a South Korean ministry official as saying, “The German official is in Seoul for talks on the sale of Patriot missiles deployed in his country.” South Korea hopes to phase out its aging arsenal of Nike surface-to-air missiles beginning in 2006. (Article, Link) 

» July 5, 2005: South Korea revives bid for Patriots

» More stories on: Allies, South Korea

» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2), Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)

Bulava Testing Again Delayed until 2006

Russia now plans to complete flight testing of the new Bulava (SS-NX-30) missile system in 2006, reports RIA-Novosti. The Bulava is the submarine-launched version of the Topol-M (SS-27), Russia’s most advanced ICBM. The Bulava will have a range of up to 8,000 km, and is capable of carrying up to 10 independently targetable nuclear warheads. The Bulava has experienced considerable delays in its testing program, however.
        Update: July 28, 2005: RIA Novosti quotes Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov saying that flight tests of the Bulava will begin before the end of 2005. Ivanov was speaking to journalists from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy. (Article, Link) 

» July 28, 2005: RIA Novosti says Bulava may be tested before end of year

» More stories on: Russia

» Missile details: SS-26

Russian SS-18 Silo Scrapped

Russia has demolished a silo-based ICBM launcher in Chelyabinsk, reports Itar-Tass. The scrapping was said to have been carried out according to the terms of the 1994 U.S.-Russian Strategic Arms Reductions Treaty (START-1). The silo-based launcher was designed to hold the SS-18 Satan ICBM (otherwise known as RS-20B Voyevoda), the largest of the fourth generation Soviet ICBMs and the only “heavy” missile allowed under the second Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT II). According to the report, an additional four silo-based launchers from the Kartaly region will be scrapped by the end of 2005. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Russia

» Missile details: SS-19 Mod 2

Russian SS-19 Stiletto Missile Profiled

RTR Russia TV (Moscow) recently profiled Russia’s SS-19 Stiletto intercontinental ballistic missile, otherwise known as the RS-18 UR-100. In particular, the report highlighted the SS-19’s ability to penetrate missile defense systems through the use of decoys and countermeasures. Nikolay Solovtsev, commander of Russia’s Strategic Missile Troops, had an important comment to make about its relation to missile defense: “It is not for nothing that this type of weapon was called Stiletto … This is a very threatening weapon … [It] can penetrate any anti-missile systems, including the ones yet to be designed.” Of course, the SS-19, as with any ballistic missile, can have no virtually no ability to evade a boost-phase missile defense interceptor.
        The SS-19 entered service in 1975 as the last of the fourth generation Soviet land-based missiles. It is capable of carrying six independently targetable nuclear warheads, and has a range of over 10,000 km. The SS-19 was most recently test-launched on August 11, 2004.  (Article, Link) 

» August 11, 2004: Russia test launches the SS-19

» More stories on: Russia

» Missile details: SS-21 A, SS-21 B

Russian-Indian BrahMos Cruise Missile Goes into Production

The joint Russian-Indian cruise missile BrahMos has entered production, reports Interfax-AVN. The collaborative project, which began in 1998, includes Russia’s Mashinostroyeniye Company and the Indian Defense Ministry’s Defense Research and Development Organization. Interfax-AVN quotes Aleksandr Maksichev, acting general director of Mashinostroyeniye, as stating, “Tests of the BrahMos missile have been successfully completed, and the first customer is the Indian navy. Serial manufacture has begun in Russia and India.” The initial batch of BrahMos missiles will number approximately 70. Maksichev emphasized that the BrahMos is an all-purpose missile: “The basic model is anti-ship but it could also be adapted for use against land targets. It could also be adapted for airborne platforms.” (Article, Link) 

» BrahMos official website

» More stories on: Cruise Missiles, India, Russia

South Korea Revives Request for Patriot Interceptors

South Korea intends to buy Patriot interceptor missiles to defend against North Korea, reports the AFP. South Korea hopes to phase out its aging arsenal of Nike surface-to-air missiles beginning in 2006, replacing them with new Patriots purchased from either the U.S., or second-hand ones from Germany. In 2000, Seoul came close to buying 48 Patriots from the U.S., but ultimately cancelled the purchase.
        The article does not specify whether Seoul intends to purchase the PAC-2 or the upgraded PAC-3.  (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Allies, South Korea

» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2), Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)

India Plans to Develop Indigenous Missile Defenses

India has declared that it plans to develop its own missile defense, reports the AFP. The article quotes Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee, that “There is no question of accepting [a] missile shield from anyone. …What we are interested in is developing our own missile program and we are doing that.” Mukherjee’s comments follow last week’s signing of a 10-year joint defense agreement between the U.S. and India, and previous reports that Washington plans to sell (or has already sold) Patriot Advanced Capability-3 interceptors to New Delhi. Mukherjee did not mention the PAC-3 in his statement. (Article, Link) 

» June 29, 2005: AFP on U.S.-India defense agreement

» June 15, 2005: The Indian Express on PAC-3 sales to India

» More stories on: Allies, India

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

Deep Impact Probe Uses “Star Wars” Technology

The Deep Impact spacecraft’s successful collision with the Tempel 1 comet on July 3 was largely the result of technology created by Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). Bruce Lieberman, writing in the San Diego Union-Tribune, notes the seemingly insurmountable obstacles overcome by NASA scientists and engineers: “Sending a spacecraft to a comet presents its own navigation challenges. But hitting one, at closing speeds of 23,000 mph, was a different ballgame.” As Lieberman notes, technology designed and developed under the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) program contributed to allow NASA engineers to meet the challenge of creating a spacecraft capable of colliding with a comet at such enormous speeds. (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: Space-Based Systems

Russia Tests Missile for Sale to China

Russia is testing a new anti-ship missile for export to China, according to a report by The Epoch Times. The report states that flight testing is currently underway on a variant of the Raduga Kh-59M (NATO AS-18 Kazoo) anti-ship missile, which is well suited for attacks against U.S. carriers. Russia began testing the Kh-59M in 2004 using a SU-30MK2 aircraft, a model that is already exported to Beijing. Smith notes that the modified Kh-59M has been fitted with an active radar seeker, advanced guidance systems, and a special computer interface allowing it to use targeting data from the Su-30MK2 fighter. The Kh-59M is said to have a range of 288 km (186 miles). (Article, Link) 

» More stories on: China, Russia, Testing - Foreign