Missile Defence

[buglerbilly]

Israel Upgrades Its Antimissile Plans

Feb 12, 2010



By David Eshel
Tel Aviv

The U.S. and Israel have started development of an upper-stage component to Israel’s Arrow-3 missile defense architecture. Arieh Herzog, director of Israel’s missile defense program, says the main element will be a highly maneuverable exoatmospheric interceptor that zeros in on an incoming missile.

The decision to add the component, which will be jointly developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Boeing, stems from a study conducted in 2006‑07 that identified a need for it in Israel’s ballistic missile defense system.

Meanwhile, given the urgent need to meet the growing ballistic missile threat from Iran, IAI is pressing ahead with the Arrow-3 antiballistic missile, the development of which is being funded partly by the U.S. IAI displayed a full-sized model of the two-stage Arrow-3 at the Paris air show last year. It is slightly smaller than the Arrow-2 missile in service, but is designed to engage and intercept clusters of hostile missiles at higher altitudes in the upper atmosphere. Uri Sinai, general manager of IAI’s missile division, says the Arrow-3 will be the world’s first multi*tiered, unified antimissile system, providing Israel’s Homa national missile-defense strategy with an effective exoatmospheric kill vehicle (KV).

Joseph Hasson, chief missile designer at IAI’s MLM systems integration division, presented the concept at a conference last year. The presentation suggested a revolution in exoatmospheric KV design, in which existing technologies will be used to achieve a high level of simplicity and effectiveness that has not been possible in similar weapons. Hasson and MLM colleague Galya Goldner have, in fact, patented the new KV.

The KV developed by the IAI team has an exceptionally broad divert capability. This means the kill vehicle will be able to maneuver in space and close in on a target at high speed, thus yielding a high probability of a kill. Unlike most KVs, which use liquid or gas propulsion, the Israeli KV will be propelled by an ordinary rocket motor equipped with a thrust-vectoring nozzle.

The KV will also be fitted with a gimbaled seeker for hemispheric coverage. By measuring the seeker’s line of sight relative to the vehicle’s motion, the KV will use proportional navigation to divert its course and line up exactly with the target’s flight path. Hasson says the concept is relatively simple, reliable and inexpensive, and is based on mature technologies. Furthermore, the KV’s divert capability and agility reduce the need for detection and tracking systems, which usually accompany remote sensor-assisted exoatmospheric kills.

Another presentation, by Idan Paiss, also from MLM, discussed imaging systems for ballistic missile interceptors. Paiss argued that a combined sensor using visible and infrared elements would be suitable for a ballistic missile intercept under all lighting conditions. When provided with the high-density arrays available today, such sensors could provide target detection, discrimination and tracking, as well as assist in line-of-sight measurement using star tracking.

The new upper-tier component will require the integration of longer-range detection, tracking and discrimination capability beyond what the Green Pine and advanced Green Pine radars used with Arrow-2 provide. Among the advanced sensors considered for Israel’s future multitier system are airborne electro-optical sensors deployed on high-flying unmanned aerial vehicles and enhanced Green Pine radars, as well as the AN/TPY-2 radar deployed in Israel and operated by U.S. forces.

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has asked Congress to approve an allocation of $120 million for U.S.-Israel cooperative missile-defense efforts.

“The U.S. and Israel have cooperated on missile defense for over 20 years,” Lt. Gen. Patrick O’Reilly, MDA director, told the House Armed Services subcommittee for strategic forces. “New joint programs have advanced this cooperation. The Arrow-3 promises to be an extremely capable system, more advanced than what we have attempted in the U.S. with our programs.”

Photo: Boeing

[buglerbilly]

Anti-Missile Initiative Edges Forward Slowly

Feb 16, 2010



By Michael A. Taverna
Lisbon

NATO members appear ready to approve deployment of a territorial ballistic missile defense (BMD) network in Europe, although the scope of the European contribution is uncertain.

At a missile defense conference here last week, experts from both sides of the Atlantic agreed that the Phased Adaptive Approach (PAA) adopted by the Obama administration facilitates a change in the NATO view. (3AF, the French aeronautics and astronautics society, organized the event.) The alliance has studied the feasibility of transforming its Active Layered Theater BMD (ALTBMD) into a system capable of defending European territory, but has so far not embraced the concept of territorial BMD.

The PAA strategy envisions deploying sea-based SM-3 Block 1A interceptors and AN/TYP-2 X-band radars capable of meeting short- and medium-range threats starting next year, and gradually adding land-based SM-3s and incremental upgrades to improve the system’s capability as the threat evolves (AW&ST Sept. 21, 2009, p. 22). The objective is for PAA to be able to counter intermediate-range missiles by 2018 and to afford some protection against ICBMs by the end of the decade. The approach is premised on the sharp growth in the quantity and quality of short- and medium-range missiles able to threaten Europe, and the likelihood that long-range missiles capable of reaching the U.S. will not emerge as a real threat until later.

The NATO territorial missile defense plan, known as ALTBMD Capability 2, would enable various short- and medium-range interceptors and sensors to be federated around an improved version of the alliance’s Air Command and Control System (ACCS). It could be fielded around 2017-18. “By shifting the focus from long-range to regional short- and medium-range threats, the new U.S. plan better matches the European view,” says Patrick Auroy, deputy head of the French armaments agency (DGA).

The consensus at the conference was that the alliance will take advantage of its next summit in Lisbon this fall to endorse BMD. “Parameters have changed since Strasbourg,” says Richard Froh, NATO’s deputy assistant secretary general for armaments, referring to the last NATO summit in France, when various factors, including the lack of a firm U.S. position, kept missile defense off the agenda. “With the threat increasingly visible, especially from Iran, it’s no longer a question of whether BMD is desirable, but how to make it work and affordable.”

The U.S. proposes to make PAA the fulcrum of the NATO capability as part of a broad cooperative BMD effort that could ultimately encompass Russia as well as Europe. On Feb. 4, Romania became the third NATO member, after Poland and the Czech Republic, to agree to host interceptor and radar sites. “We are not asking NATO nations to fund [PAA], remarks Frank Rose, deputy assistant secretary of State for defense policy and verification operations. “We are just asking them to fully fund *ALTBMD and ACCS and the modifications needed for Capability 2.”

However, with NATO in a funding crisis precipitated by the war in Afghanistan, Rose acknowledges it will be difficult for the alliance to find the money. Indeed, funding shortages have already held up final contracts needed to bring ALTBMD to an initial operating capability, planned for the end of 2010, and NATO heads recently had to work out supplemental funding and economy measures.

In the meantime, the U.S. is quietly encouraging NATO members to contribute components of the BMD network that could generate new high-tech jobs. In addition to the ACCS upgrade, in which NATO allies are already involved, Europe could supply an upper-layer endo*atmospheric interceptor that would complement the higher-altitude SM-3 along with detection and early warning systems. U.S. companies such as Aerojet are already collaborating with European contractors on certain aspects of the interceptor, which is expected to cost around €2.5 billion ($3.4 billion).

The U.S. is even holding out the prospect of a European contribution to the PAA. The best opportunities for cooperation lie in later phases of the program, particularly in the area of interceptors and airborne and space-based precision tracking sensors, where technologies remain to be defined, says Douglas Graham, vice president for advanced programs at Lockheed Martin Strategic and Missile Defense Systems. The Netherlands is proposing its Smart L radar for the SM‑3, while the contractors participating in France’s M51 ballistic missile—Astrium, Safran and SNPE—are looking for a role in the Block IIB missile analogous to that of Japan in the SM-3 Block IIA. The Astrium team aims to fly an experimental kill vehicle within five years.

But funding is not the only stumbling block. Edgar Buckley, senior vice president for European business development at Thales, says poor coordination linked to the dual air and missile defense aspects of ALTBMD has contributed heavily to contracting delays. He recommends shifting responsibility for BMD to Shape (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) to resolve the problem.

Moreover, the alliance will have to address information exchange, hardware interoperability and legal aspects, and the lack of a NATO space policy, notes Lt. Gen. F.W. Ploeger, executive director of NATO’s Joint Air Power Competence Center.

Military officials fear that further slippage in ALTBMD could make it harder to enlist political support for missile defense. “Even as things currently stand, PAA will be available a good six or seven years before ALTBMD Capability 2, meaning that during that time it will function under U.S. C2 auspices exclusively,” notes Beverley Seay, senior vice president of SAIC, which heads the consortium in charge of ALTBMD Capability 2 architecture studies.

So far, only France has made BMD a top priority, and even Paris has yet to translate this ambition into budget reality (AW&ST Jan. 25, p. 31). The French government is funding a beyond-the-horizon radar and early warning satellite demonstrators and plans to have operational versions of these systems in service by 2020. It has also funded research into an upper-layer interceptor derived from the Astor Block 1 and Block 1/NT theater missile defense system.

Any serious European missile defense effort would likely require strong backing from Germany (Europe’s second biggest space spender) as well as Italy and the U.K., France’s partners in the Aster program. Germany recently joined France and the U.K. in Nimble Titan, a global BMD wargame run by the U.S. Strategic Command. U.K. industry officials here said Britain is observing French moves closely within their expanding bilateral defense cooperation structure.

“It’s still early days, but we are seeing the beginning of reflection,” says one executive.

One project being discussed is an upgrade to the Samson radar that controls Aster batteries on the U.K.’s Type 45 air defense destroyer. Samson’s active array architecture is considered capable of supporting BMD applications. Trials to demonstrate a Samson BMD capability in conjunction with Aegis/SM-3 destroyers could be underway by 2015.

[buglerbilly]

Pentagon resists Army's desire to stop development of MEADS missile system

By Craig Whitlock

Washington Post Staff Writer

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Another battle is brewing at the Pentagon over a costly weapons program that many military leaders do not want but that so far has proven difficult to kill.

After several failed attempts, the Army is trying again to cancel a $19 billion missile defense system that the United States is developing in partnership with Italy and Germany. Known as the Medium Extended Air Defense System, or MEADS, it has been in the works for more than a decade and is designed to replace, in part, the Army's aging Patriot system.

But the Army says MEADS has become too expensive, is taking too long to produce and is difficult to manage because any changes in the program require German and Italian approval. "The system will not meet U.S. requirements or address the current and emerging threat without extensive and costly modifications," an internal Army staff memo concluded last month in recommending the cancellation of MEADS.

Despite the Army's concerns, however, the Pentagon is pushing ahead with MEADS and has requested $467 million from Congress to develop the system next year. Officials said a primary reason for sticking with the project is that it would be too expensive to stop. If the Defense Department were to cancel the system now, it would be required to pay $550 million to $1 billion in penalties to the contractors, an international consortium led by Lockheed Martin of Bethesda.

MEADS, which is scheduled to be delivered in 2018, is designed to intercept short-range and cruise missiles as well as shoot down planes and drones. Unlike the Patriot, the MEADS system is mobile and can be trucked around a battlefield, with its radar swiveling 360 degrees to track targets from any direction.

So far, the weapons system has escaped a drive by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates to curtail or eliminate conventional weapons programs that have been plagued by delays and soaring expenses, such as his decision last year to kill the F-22 fighter jet program.

Defense experts said cancellation could undercut the Pentagon's relations with Germany and Italy, which need to replace their own aging missile defense systems. Under a 2004 deal, the United States covers 58 percent of the development costs, with Germany covering 25 percent and Italy 17 percent.

The weapons system was designed to save money over the long run by spreading expenses among the NATO allies, said Baker Spring, a research fellow at the Heritage Foundation. Although the involvement of three countries has added a layer of complexity to the project, he said it was worth it to build a system that all the partners could use interchangeably on the battlefield.

"It's almost inconceivable to me that the U.S. military would be in an expeditionary operation where it won't be working with coalition partners in some form or another," Spring said.

The Army is scheduled to decide this week whether it will continue to oversee the development of MEADS or hand over responsibility to the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency. An Army spokesman declined to comment on those deliberations but denied that the service had made a final decision to try to kill MEADS.

"Right now, there is no decision to cancel that program," said the spokesman, Lt. Col. Jimmie E. Cummings Jr.

Lockheed Martin, which is developing MEADS along with contractors from Germany and Italy, noted that the Defense Department conducted an independent review of the missile-defense system last year and concluded that the program should proceed. German and Italian officials concurred in October after meeting with Pentagon officials.

"At a time of growing threats, MEADS represents the United States' first all-new air and missile defense system of its kind in decades and is the only such program in which allies are sharing the cost to develop a capability that each country needs," Lockheed Martin said in a statement.

John J. Young Jr., who served as undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics until April 2009, said that MEADS posed a conundrum for the Pentagon: a program that the Army does not want, that is not fully funded and that is growing in cost but a program for which the United States has international obligations to proceed.

He said defense officials didn't want to force MEADS on the Army, but they didn't have an easy way out. U.S. officials do not want to pay the termination costs on their own, and they can't get the Germans or Italians to share the burden, he explained, even though neither country has budgeted to continue MEADS past the design stage.

"In the Pentagon, it's pretty tough to make a program go when a service doesn't want to do it," Young said.

The main reason to continue MEADS, Young said, would be to uphold relations with two important NATO allies. But he questioned whether that was enough to override the Army's concerns about the rising expense of MEADS and its limited military usefulness.

"I just think it's a tall order to make the program hang together," he said. "I just don't know if there's a solution set in the middle of all that. Without a plan that all parties support, it is a bad use of taxpayer dollars."

[buglerbilly]

IDF tests missile defense systems

28 March 2010 , 12:34

Jonathan Urich


''After feeding all the data of the different systems into the computer, we ran different scenarios of missile attacks and examined the correct responses''. Photo: IDF Spokesperson

IAF conducted an exercise last week in order to compare the manner in which missile defense systems work together against missiles launched into Israel.

Last week, the Israel Air Force conducted a computerized trial run in order to test the joint operation of anti-missile defense systems. The exercise compared the manner in which missile defense systems work together against missiles launched into Israel, from both the Gaza Strip and other enemy countries. The trial run will allow the Air Force to evaluate which method works best in order to deal with various threats.

Lt. Col. Avi Cohen, head of the Air Force Defense Industry, referred to the exercise and said, "After feeding all the data of the different systems into the computer, we ran different scenarios of missile attacks and examined the correct responses – what happens when one system is not sufficient and how the alternate system backs it up, and how they all work together."

"Eventually we will need to examine critical points such as whether to control these systems from one or more operations rooms, what are the systems' operating ranges, and the synergy between them," he said.

Also in the trial run, Air Force Network Commander Brig. Gen. Doron Gavish said that “we are looking forward to build an active defense system aimed for better protection of the State of Israel.”

[buglerbilly]

China buys air defense systems from Russia

Dmitry Solovyov

MOSCOW

Mon, Mar 29 2010MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia has delivered 15 batteries of S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to China, Interfax news agency reported on Friday, under a contract analysts said could be worth as much as $2.25 billion.

China is a major buyer of Russian weapons, and the two countries say they are trying to forge a strategic partnership, though senior Russian officials are privately concerned about an increasingly assertive China.

Russia has delivered 15 S-300 batteries to China, Interfax news agency quoted Igor Ashurbeili, director general of Almaz Antei which makes the missiles, as saying.

"We have implemented a contract to deliver to China the newest system S-300," Ashurbeili said. He gave no details about the value of the deal. A spokesman for the plant was not immediately available for comment.

In Russia's armed forces, an S-300 battery normally consists of four truck-mounted installations, each with four missiles held in metal tubes.

Analysts said the contracts to deliver the S-300 to China were signed in the mid-2000s and that each battery usually costs about $120-$150 million. That indicates the value of the Chinese contract was about $1.80-$2.25 billion.

"The price for one S-300 battery varies between about $120 million and $150 million," said Konstantin Makiyenko, deputy head at the Moscow-based CAST defense think tank.

MORE ADVANCED SYSTEM

The S-300, known in the West as the SA-20, can shoot down cruise missiles and aircraft. The missiles have a range of 150 km (90 miles) or more and travel at over two km per second.

Russian arms exports rose to a post-Soviet record of $8.5 billion last year, with Algeria, India and China accounting for two thirds of deliveries. Syria, Venezuela, Malaysia and Vietnam accounted for another 20 percent of deliveries.

Moscow has said it plans to fulfill a contract to supply the S-300, nicknamed "the favorite" in Russia, to Iran, unnerving Israel and the United States.

The possible sale to Tehran of the S-300, which could protect Iran's nuclear facilities against air strikes, has become a sensitive issue in Russia's relations with Israel.

Russia has a more advanced air defense system, known as the S-400 "Triumph," and Ashurbeili said the country's armed forces were expected to receive the third battery of these "any day from now."

A senior Russian general said last year that Moscow was now developing a fifth-generation, surface-to-air missile, the S-500, which would be able to implement the tasks of both air and space defense.

Officials have said that the new system would be capable of engaging ballistic hypersonic targets flying at a speed of 5 km (3 miles) per second.

(Editing by Diana Abdallah)

[ARH v.3.1]

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Singapore_to_get_Israels_Iron_Dome_999.html

Singapore is reported to be acquiring Israel's new Iron Dome anti-missile air-defense system under a once-secret military cooperation pact with the Jewish state that dates to the 1960s.

Indeed, according to the Paris Intelligence Online Web site, Singapore helped finance the development of the system by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

It says that Iron Dome was always intended for the island, a key Asian shipping hub and one of the richest per capita states in the world, because of its strategic location as a trading center.

The Israeli air force, which runs the Jewish state's air defense network, completed test-firings of the system in January and the first battery is currently becoming operational.

Israeli media reports say the missiles, designed to shoot down hostile missiles with ranges of up to 25 miles, are being deployed along Israel's northern border with Lebanon.

There are growing fears of a new Middle Eastern war and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shiite movement in Lebanon, has an arsenal of up to 45,000 rockets and missiles, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has claimed.

Israel's defense links with largely Chinese Singapore go back to 1965, shortly after the island city-state, a former British colony off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, split from the Federation of Malaysia.

Singapore's founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, wanted to establish a military to defend Singapore, which has a landmass of only 274 square miles, since it was ringed by Muslim nations -- as is Israel.

He turned to the Jewish state, through the Israeli ambassador in Thailand, for help. Israel sent a military mission led by Maj. Gen. Rehavam Ze'evi, then deputy head of the military's operations branch. (Ze'evi was assassinated in Jerusalem by Palestinian gunmen in October 2001.)

Lee insisted on secrecy because he didn't want to antagonize his Muslim neighbors, Malaysia and Indonesia. The team of Israeli instructors arrived in October 1965. Lee wrote in his 2000 autobiography: "To disguise their presence, we called them 'Mexicans.' They looked swarthy enough."

Today, Singapore's armed forces, 72,500-strong, are considered one of the most advanced militaries in Southeast Asia.

Iron Dome will be a crucial element in Singapore's drive to build a defensive shield around one of the world's biggest and most important ports.

Israel is determining how many batteries of Iron Dome and two other systems that will make up its planned multi-layered missile shield, will be required. Each battery, which costs $50 million, can cover an area of around 60 square miles, which means 13 of them would be needed to cover all of Israel.

The Arrow-2 high-altitude anti-missile system, the only tier to be fully tested and established, cost some $2 billion to develop, largely with U.S. funds.

Israel shunned buying already developed U.S. systems, which would be cheaper. So far, the Defense Ministry has budgeted for one Iron Dome battery but will clearly need several more.

"So why develop such an expensive system, instead of acquiring Raytheon's cheaper Centurion system?" Intelligence Online asked.

"Some Israeli arms programs are too costly for the local market and are developed principally for export. Iron Dome is a typical example.

"From the outset, Iron Dome was always intended for Singapore, which helped finance its development," Intelligence Online explained. "Iron Dome will be battle-tested in Israel ahead of export to Singapore at a late date."

Singapore has bought Israeli weapons systems extensively over the years and Israeli defense companies regularly participate at the annual Singapore Air Show.

Israeli Aerospace Industries, state-owned flagship of Israel's defense industry, has sold Singapore the Barak-1 naval anti-aircraft system. Rafael's electronic warfare systems are widely deployed with the Singapore navy.

IAI upgraded the Singapore air force's old 1960s-era Northrop F-5 Tiger fighters, and with Elbit Systems and Singapore Aerospace won a contract in 1997 to modernize Turkey's fleet of F-5A/B and NF-5A/B aircraft fighter jets.

Singapore has also acquired unmanned aerial vehicles from Elbit and Rafael for surveillance to enhance maritime security in the Malacca Strait and the South China Sea.

[buglerbilly]

Somehow I keep on getting the whiff of Bovine Excretia even after reading this three times...........:bs

[buglerbilly]

Russian S-400 missiles to go into serial production


© RIA Novosti.Ilya Kramnik

12:36 30/04/2010

Russian long range ballistic missiles for S-400 Triumph surface-to-air missile systems will go into serial production in the autumn, a leading missile manufacturer said on Friday.

Earlier media reports said the S-400 missile system was incomplete as long range ballistic missiles, among others, had not been adopted for it.

"On December 26, 2009 the preliminary tests were finished and the missile was put forward for state tests," Kommersant daily quoted the general director of Almaz-Antei, Igor Ashurbeili, as saying.

"In the third quarter of 2010 we should finish them, along with combat duty launches, and then put it [the missile] into serial production in the fourth quarter," he added.

According to Ashurbeili, there were no technical failures or difficulties concerning the long range missile tests.

"The tests of S-400 missile lasted for about 3 years...We are bewildered by the bacchanalia of rumors and slander concerning the issue as an ordinary working process is going on," he continued.

Ashurbeili added that the situation regarding the production of missiles after 2012 is unclear as Almaz-Antei does not have "any signed contracts for 2012".

The S-400 Triumph boasts unique characteristics. It can destroy any air target, including aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cruise and ballistic missiles within a range of 400 kilometers and an altitude up to 30 kilometers. The system is almost three times more efficient than its Russian and foreign counterparts.

There are no plans so far to export the S-400. It will be produced only for the Russian Armed Forces. An additional two systems will be deployed by the end of 2010.

MOSCOW, April 30 (RIA Novosti)

[geof]

Delay in delivery of S-300 missiles a political game: MP
Tehran Times Political Desk


TEHRAN -- MP Kazem Jalali of the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee has said that Russia’s delay in delivering the S-300 missile system to Iran is a political game.


Contrary to what the Russians claim to be technical problem in the missiles, it seems that the delay is due to a political game, he told the Mehr News Agency on Tuesday.

Russian officials have claimed that the delay in the delivery of the S-300 missiles is due to a technical problem. But Moscow recently delivered 15 batteries of S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to China.

According to contracts signed by Iran and Russia, Moscow should have delivered the missiles four years ago, Jalali said.

Bushehr power plant should come on stream this spring

Jalali also expressed hope that the Bushehr nuclear power plant would come on stream this spring.

“Based on Moscow’s commitments, we expected the power plant to come on stream much earlier, and the Russians’ delay in this case is not justified,” he noted.

Obama’s remarks were a “serious gaffe”

The MP also said that U.S. President Barack Obama’s recent remarks were a “serious gaffe”.

Jalali stated that former U.S. president George W. Bush had also adopted radical positions toward Muslims but was compelled to revise his stances.

Obama made the remarks out of a combination of “inexperience” and “stupidity”, he noted

[buglerbilly]

The First Annual Israel Multinational Ballistic Missile Defense Conference & Exhibition

(Source: Israel Technology Group; issued May 3, 2010)

ISRAEL --- On May 5th and 6th, 2010 a select gathering of senior military representatives and defense industry professionals from around the world will present and share approaches and technologies as well as discuss a variety of critical means and methods focused on active missile defense. This special forum will discuss the aspects of the threat posed by missiles, as well as approaches and technological solutions that have been developed and are deployed in various hot spots around the globe.

The 2010 Israel Multinational Ballistic Missile Defense Conference and Exhibition, organized by IMDA – Israel Missile Defense Association, Technologies Group, and ISAA – Israel Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics, will take place at the AVENUE conference center, Airport City, Israel.

Participants include Frank A. Rose, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defense Policy and Verification Operations, US Department of State; Lieutenant General Manfred Lange, Vice Chief of Staff German Air Force; Brigadier General Giovanni Fantuzzi, Director, Plans & Policy, Italian Air Force General Staff; as well as a representative from the Bureau of Defense Policy, Japan Ministry of Defense; representatives of the Indian Ministry of Defense; NATO; and senior Israeli military, and defense industry professionals. Each will present their respective national perspectives concerning active defense against the growing threat of missiles.

“There is a growing urgency worldwide regarding the threat posed by missiles of all ranges and capabilities,” says Colonel (res.) Amnon Ben David, former Deputy Commander of Air Defense Forces in the IDF and conference moderator on behalf of Technologies Group. According to Ben David, a global shift from familiar conventional warfare to the war on terror, asymmetric fighting, and low intensity combat demand a new approach.

To that end, he points out that, “This conference will serve as a platform for decision makers and representatives of defense industries around the world to present various defense approaches, technological achievements and plans for the future… Without a truly international dialog, combined with keeping an open mind regarding a range of different approaches to the threat, it would be impossible for such a complex technological undertaking to maintain its requisite freshness of thinking and flexibility in development.”

In parallel to the conference, there will be an exhibition that will include Israel’s missile defense solutions including a first exhibit of Iron Dome’s command and control module. Additional displays will include the Arrow anti ballistic missile defense system (Arrow 2 and 3), Barak 8 anti ship-launched missile system, and many others.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Anti-rocket system in new budget

DAN OAKES AND TIM LESTER

May 8, 2010

TUESDAY'S federal budget will include funding for a critical rocket warning system to protect Australian troops in Afghanistan.

Confirmation that Defence will buy the Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) system comes as the Rudd government fights off claims it bungled the purchase, delaying the resolution of a ''life and death'' safety issue by months.

It also follows two recent insurgent rocket attacks on the coalition military base at Tarin Kowt where Australian forces are stationed. Early Thursday, three rockets were fired at the base, wounding one non-Australian civilian contractor.

Advertisement: Story continues belowA spokesman for Defence Minister John Faulkner confirmed yesterday that funding for C-RAM was ''being progressed in the context of the budget'', adding that the minister ''directed Defence to act on C-RAM in September last year''.

He says elements of the system should be in place by the end of the year.

The C-RAM system provides a ''sense and warn'' capability by detecting and tracking rocket, artillery and mortar fire in flight. It relies on audible and visual alarms to give military bases time to counter the attack.

According to opposition defence spokesman David Johnston, C-RAM's alarms provide ''a lifesaving 24 seconds for troops to find cover when an incoming rocket attack is detected.''

The opposition says it alerted the minister to the need for a C-RAM system in December last year.

Senator Johnston says the government had originally scheduled the C-RAM purchase for 2019, but the first of the two recent attacks in Tarin Kowt brought ''a panicked response from the Defence bureaucrats to get on the phone and place an immediate order to buy the urgently required warning system''.

He says the delay in ordering from C-RAM's manufacturer, Saab, means ''the Australian order goes to the bottom of the queue and won't be available for delivery for at least seven months''.

Senator Johnston accused Defence Materiel and Assistant Climate Change Minister Greg Combet of being ''asleep at the wheel and distracted by climate change and insulation batts for far too long [allowing] defence procurement [to] lapse into the bureaucratic black hole at Russell''.

''The levels and layers of bureaucracy within the defence procurement process are a sad indictment of the efforts of ministers Combet and Faulkner, who have allowed procurements to drag on and on with little result.''

Mr Faulkner's spokesman hit back, saying, ''Any suggestion that the government decided to purchase [C-RAM] because of rocket attacks on Tarin Kowt …is completely untrue, as is any suggestion that the government is acquiring a C-RAM system in response to suggestions from the opposition.''

[SteveJH]

Would this include an army take over of Navy Phalanx mounts or is it a completely new system?

[JimWH]

Would this include an army take over of Navy Phalanx mounts or is it a completely new system?
They seem to be describing a sensor suite rather than a true C-RAM (i.e. the "counter" part): they don't mention anything being used to intercept munitions and they specifically mention SAAB who don't (to the best of my knowledge) manufacture any C-RAM guns or missiles but do manufacture C-RAM radar systems. However, one presumes that one you've got a reliable Sensor system, buying an interceptor system (missile or gun based) become much easier since you've already got the CMS to run them.

[Gubler, A.]

They are buying the TPQ-48 "counter" mortar radar. It is a very lightweight (backpackable) radar with a 360 degree antenna (looks like a accordian pulled into a circle) that provides early warning for incoming shells. Faulkner directed Defence in September 2009 to launch a rapid acquisition.

Here are some pictures from Google Images:


Looks like...


Scale.

[buglerbilly]

Meet head of ‘Arrow 3’ development


Photo by: IAI Meet head of ‘Arrow 3’ development

By BEN HARMTAN

06/05/2010 23:15

Inbal Kreis: Defense industry not ‘old boys club.'

With Israel facing a variety of short- and long-range missile threats, one woman stands at the head of a program meant to provide the highest tier of protection from the most serious of threats.

Forty-four-year-old mother of three Inbal Kreis was appointed to head the “Arrow 3” development project at the Malam factory of the Israel Aerospace Industries in 2007, and has managed a large team of developers ever since.

Speaking on Thursday, a day after she gave a speech on “Multi-Layer Defense Analysis” to the first annual Israel Multinational Ballistic Missile Defense Conference and Exhibition in Tel Aviv, Kreis said that Israel’s missile defense systems are prepared to face “all types of threats.”

“We have an excellent [defense] system and we spend every hour [of] every day trying to improve it and make it more efficient,” she said.

The Arrow 3 is the third-generation of the Arrow anti-ballistic missile defense system, whose first model was first tested in the early ’90s, before its place was taken by the superior Arrow 2 system, which was deployed in 2000. The Arrow system is meant to provide Israel with theater-wide missile defense by intercepting ballistic missiles in the high stratosphere. The Arrow 3, which Kreis is in charge of developing, is meant to provide an extra tier of protection through the exoatmospheric interception of ballistic missiles.

In Kreis’s speech before the conference on Wednesday, she spoke about the challenges of an “active” defense system, and the role “multi-layer security” has in defending Israel from regional missile threats.

Kreis said she felt the conference, the first international meeting of its kind ever held in Israel, presented an interesting opportunity “to hear what people from outside of Israel think of Israel. All of us [in the Israeli industry] already know what the other Israelis think, it’s important that we hear people from abroad.”

A cursory look around the conference gave the impression that the missile defense and aeronautics industries are landscapes virtually bereft of women. Kreis said Thursday that while there aren’t many women in top positions in her field, she didn’t feel that the industry could be described as an ‘old boys club,’ and that gender has never been an issue for her.

“There are many women in the field who lead development groups and hold other positions. It’s not difficult to be a woman in this industry; it’s a non-issue for me.”

In terms of missile defense diplomacy, Kreis said that cooperation between the US and Israel on missile defense “has not changed whatsoever,” under the Obama administration, and stressed the importance of cooperation for both sides.

“It’s very difficult work, but it’s also a sort of service to the country. It’s doing something for the sake of Israel.”

“There hasn’t been any change whatsoever, our cooperation involves shared training and shared budgets and we have a firm connection with the Americans on this issue.”

Kreis added that the two countries “have set very clear milestones for the development of these programs and have met all of them.”

While working on such complicated systems that have been entrusted to protect Israelis from potential existential threats can be very stressful, Kreis says the knowledge she is helping defend Israel makes the job easier

[buglerbilly]

Raytheon, German Officials Discuss Patriot

By KATE BRANNEN

Published: 10 May 2010 15:36

Raytheon officials met last month with German Ministry of Defense representatives to respond to ministry questions about the Patriot missile defense program. The questions are part of an ongoing German analysis of Patriot as an alternative to the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS), a tri-national program that also includes the United States and Italy.

The German parliament's defense budget committee directed the ministry in March to study whether an improved Patriot system is a suitable alternative to MEADS and to submit its findings by June 30, said Tim Glaeser, Raytheon vice president for integrated air and missile defense.

The study is evaluating Patriot's availability, when it can be delivered, cost and operational capability.

Raytheon responded to a series of roughly 50 questions, Glaeser said. These questions followed up on a white paper Raytheon had submitted previously.

"One of the original criticisms when they reviewed our white paper from last year was that it was written specifically for the U.S. Army and the U.S. government," Glaeser said. "We wrote it as a thought piece at the request of the U.S. Army as to what modernization efforts we could do to Patriot to give the combatant commanders better capability if we fight tonight."

The Raytheon white paper, "An Effective, Affordable, and Rapidly Fielded Alternative Solution to AMD [Air and Missile Defense] Requirements," is dated Sept. 2, 2009.

The paper claims a modernized Patriot system can be delivered faster than MEADS and at a third of the cost.

In the meantime, the MEADS program faces some important decisions:

■ The program is scheduled for a system-level critical design review in August in Orlando, Fla. To date, the program has completed successful critical design reviews for its individual components.

■ In October, the national armaments directors from the participating countries will meet in Brussels to discuss the program, with Pentagon acquisition executive Ashton Carter attending.

■ In November, MEADS could be discussed during a NATO summit in Lisbon.

MEADS is managed by the NATO MEADS Management Agency, headquartered in Huntsville, Ala. The United States funds 58 percent of the program, 25 percent comes from Germany and Italy funds the remaining 17 percent. Lockheed Martin leads the international industry team developing the system.

MEADS is intended to replace Patriot systems in the United States, with initial operational capability planned for 2018.

Raytheon competed against Lockheed Martin to develop the MEADS system.

[buglerbilly]

Russia Upgrades Air Defenses

May 11, 2010



By Maxim Pyadushkin
Moscow

The Russian air force took delivery of the first Pantsyr-S short-range air-defense systems in March. The Pantsyrs will gradually replace the old Tunguska antiaircraft weapons. The first 10 systems were released from KBP Instrument Design Bureau’s assembly site in Tula and transported to Alabino, near Moscow, and will be part of the Victory Day parade in Red Square on May 9.

What’s unusual is that the first Pantsyr systems are being deployed to protect high-end surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) against aircraft, missiles and bombs.

The Pantsyr battery will be deployed to the 606th air-defense regiment in Elektrostal, near Moscow, says Lt. Gen. Sergey Razygraev, deputy commander of air defense. A few years ago this regiment became the first to get the new S-400 Triumf long-range SAMs that will now be guarded by the Pantsyrs. “Each S-400 system will be protected by three Pantsyr launch vehicles,” Razygraev says.

KBP started to develop the Pantsyr in the 1990s, basing it on the Tunguska missile-gun system. The new air-defense weapon is designed to provide short-range protection from air attack to military units and strategic military and industrial sites. Its main task, however, will be to guard long-range S-300 SAMs, Triumf’s predecessors. The first Pantsyr prototype was completed in 1994 and unveiled a year later at the MAKS air show in Zhukovsky. But then development was almost entirely suspended due to insufficient government funding.

The program was revived in the early 2000s when the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ordered 50 Pantsyr-S1 export-modified weapons for $734 million, with an option for 28 more. Pantsyr thus became the first new Russian weapon system designed for export. Under the contract, KBP should have completed development within two years and delivered the system in 2005. The deliveries were delayed, however, because designers completed an improved version in 2006.

The improvements include enhanced firepower and a new radar system. Pantsyr’s launch vehicle received 12 new short-range 57E6 (SA-22 Greyhound) surface-to-air guided missiles with a range of 20 km. (12.5 mi.), combined with two rapid-fire, 30-mm. 2A38M antiaircraft guns. The designers replaced Pantsyr’s tracking radar, initially designed by Phazatron-NIIR, with a new multifunction tracking radar—including a millimeter-range phased-array antenna designed by KBP—with a detection range of 28 km. The installation enables the system to increase the number of simultaneously tracked and engaged targets to four from two, while the track-initiation area was expanded in altitude to 15 km. from 10 km.

The system also has an ultra-high-frequency-band radar station that detects targets to 36 km. The new Pantsyr reportedly engages targets moving at 1,000 meters (3,280 ft.)/sec. (or Mach 3.5), at an altitude up to 15,000 meters and a range of 20,000 meters.

The early version was to be mounted on a tracked or wheeled chassis. The UAE opted for an 8 X 8 wheeled chassis from MAN of Germany. Another foreign component added to the Pantsyr-S1 was a thermal imaging system by Sagem of France. The Russian air force also specified the wheeled version, based on the locally produced 8 X 8 Kamaz-6350 platform.

Pantsyr’s trials started in 2006 with firings at the Kapustin Yar range in southern Russia, which tested the export version and the Russian air force system. Customer evaluation trials were conducted in the UAE in 2007. By that time KBP had increased its order backlog with Pantsyr contracts from Syria and Algeria. These countries preferred the weapon on the Kamaz wheeled chassis.

Syria reportedly became the first recipient of the weapon. Deliveries to the UAE began last year.

KBP plans more deliveries to the Russian military.

Credit: KBP

[buglerbilly]

Former air force chief: Russia's air defenses weak

By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV (AP) – 10 hours ago

MOSCOW — Russia is lagging 25 to 30 years behind the United States in developing prospective air defense weapons because of a meltdown of its defense industries, a former Russian air force chief said Thursday.

Retired Gen. Anatoly Kornukov said Russia has only a reduced capability to protect itself from an enemy attack — a statement that contrasted sharply with the government's claim that the nation's military are getting stronger following a post-Soviet decline.

The Defense Ministry has boasted about developing new S-400 air defense missile systems and proudly displayed some of them in Sunday's massive Victory Day parade on Red Square.

But Kornukov said that the military now has only two such systems, each including a radar, several launchers and support vehicles, and it was supposed to have 15.

He said the Soviet-designed S-300s have strong capabilities but are approaching retirement. "Their lifetime can't be expanded indefinitely," he said at a news conference.

Another component of the nation's air defense, fighter jets, have been increasingly grounded for lack of engines and parts, Kornukov added.

"Regrettably, our air defense forces only have a limited capability to protect the nation's security," Kornukov said.

Compared to the Soviet times, when the nation's air defense forces were capable of shooting down up to 98 out of every 100 intruding enemy planes, now it would only intercept 20 out of 100, he said.

"The situation is simply terrible," Kornukov said.

Asked whether the military is capable of fending off an attack from Iran or North Korea, he said that the Russian forces would likely find it difficult to shoot down a short-range missile fired by one of them.

Kornukov said Russia has fallen 25 to 30 years behind the U.S. in air defense technologies and would find it difficult to narrow the gap because of a meltdown of its defense industries which have been plagued by the loss of qualified personnel and key technologies.

"The industrial plants producing high-tech weapons are in a pitiful condition," Kornukov said.

Retired Col.-Gen. Anatoly Sitnov, who formerly was in charge of weapons procurement for the Defense Ministry, said the nation has lost up to 300 key industrial technologies in aviation and air defense. He said that Russian industries are increasingly falling behind in developing new materials, such as heat-resistant graphite needed to build new faster missiles.

Kornukov and Sitnov harshly criticized the government's military reforms, saying they have further crippled the nation's air defense capability by weakening coordination among different branches of the military.

The government has insisted that the reforms helped bolster the nation's military capability.

Kornukov said Russia's five-day war with Georgia in 2008 highlighted the weakness of the Russian military. Russian media said the military accidentally shot down at least one combat jet of its own in the conflict because of confusion and the lack of coordination between forces.

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

[buglerbilly]

U.S. House Panel Ups Missile Defense Spending

By WILLIAM MATTHEWS

Published: 13 May 2010 17:10

The U.S. House subcommittee that oversees missile defense programs voted May 12 to boost spending on them in 2011, disregarding the president's February budget request and more recent warnings from the defense secretary that defense spending must be restrained.

The House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee added $361.6 million to next year's defense budget to beef up ballistic missile defense programs. That includes $50 million for the airborne laser, a 15-year-old program so plagued by problems and delays that Defense Secretary Robert Gates canceled most of the program last year.

Overall, the subcommittee led by Rep. James Langevin, D-R.I., voted to spend $10.3 billion on missile defense programs in 2011. President Barack Obama had requested $9.9 billion.

Amendments seeking still more missile defense spending increases are likely when the full Armed Services Committee marks up the 2011 Defense Authorization Act on May 19, a House staffer said.

The extra spending ignores a May 8 warning from Gates that cuts to weapons programs likely will be necessary to keep from cutting force structure.

"Many of us argued that a top line increase [in missile defense spending] was necessary," said Rep. Michael Turner, R-Ohio. Among other things, "there was bipartisan concern" that the Obama administration's proposed $708.3 billion defense budget did not adequately fund Aegis ship-based and THAAD (theater high altitude area defense) missile interceptors, he said.

One-third of the missile defense increase - $133.6 million - goes to the Army to repair, upgrade and recertify Army PAC-3 Patriot Missiles and missile launchers, Langevin said. PAC-3s are defensive missiles designed to shoot down ballistic and cruise missiles.

Another $65 million is to buy AN/TPY-2 missile defense radars, and $50 million is to buy more Aegis Standard Missile-3s.

"These are good government moves that should reduce total production costs in the long run," Langevin said.

Airborne Laser Boost

The extra $50 million for the Airborne Laser would increase funding for that program to $149 million in 2011, said Travis Sharp, a defense budget analyst for the Center for a New American Security.

Begun in 1994, the Airborne Laser was supposed to be a Boeing 747 able to shoot down enemy missiles as they were being launched. The program consumed about $5 billion, but made halting progress until 2009, when Gates reduced it to a research program.

The subcommittee pumped money into another canceled program - TSAT, the transformational satellite program also killed by Gates last year. Lawmakers voted to spend $50 million so that communications technologies can continue to be developed.

Operationally Responsive Space - a program to quickly launch satellites – receives an extra $40 million to accelerate development.

And the Army receives $51.2 million for Defense Advanced GPS Receivers - another unfunded request.

The subcommittee added $88 million for a U.S.-Israeli missile defense program.

To help pay for these add-ons, the subcommittee cut $300 million from the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System, which is behind schedule and substantially over budget.

As it has for the past three years, the subcommittee denied a $40.9 million request for the High-Integrity Global Positioning System, and it cut $30 million from the Space Based Surveillance System, which is three years behind schedule, according to the Government Accountability Office.

Overall, unclassified space programs are cut by $182.2 million. That leaves them with a budget of $9.9 billion for 2011, Langevin said.

[buglerbilly]

Published 19:10 13.05.10
Latest update 19:10 13.05.10

Iron Dome defense system gets new backer: Barack Obama

U.S. agrees to fund anti-missile defense system, long delayed due to budgetary difficulties, beyond regular annual defense assistance afforded to Israel.

By Amos Harel, Haaretz.com

The budgetary difficulty that has been delaying Israel's armament with the anti-missile defense system Iron Dome has apparently been resolved. The Pentagon has issued a message to Israel's Defense Ministry that U.S. President Barack Obama has approved the transfer of special assistance totaling $205 million (just under NIS 800 million) for the purchase of more than ten Iron Dome batteries.


Anti-missile system Iron Dome, meant to protect Israeli towns from rocket attacks.
Photo by: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems LTD.

The Iron Dome missile defense system aced a test run in January, and event that convinced senior defense officials that the defense system was on its way to becoming operational and that it will be able to effectively protect against short-range missiles, such as Katyushas and Qassams, which often hit Israeli towns.

The project's first phase, which included development, test runs and the manufacture of two batteries, required a budget of NIS 800 million. The Israel Air Force has also trained a special new unit to operate the defense system.

However, the plan was not allotted an adequate budget. The Israel Defense Forces ducked away from funding the project with its budget, explaining that offensive readiness was a higher priority, and the Defense Ministry has been looking for other budgetary avenues. Among other things, Israel has struck a deal with an unnamed eastern Asian country (Singapore, according to a recent report in a French magazine) to participate in the funding of future phases in the project.

Israel has recently raised the possibility that the U.S. assist in the funding of the project by transferring a sum of money beyond the U.S.'s annual defense assistance. The request was reviewed closely during Defense Minister Ehud Barak's last visit to Washington earlier this month, and during talks between Barak and Obama and other senior American defense officials.

On Wednesday, Barak was notified that Israel's request had been granted. Director General of the Defense Ministry, Udi Shani, is currently in Washington to finalize the details. A senior Israeli defense official told Haaretz on Thursday that the U.S. assistance was "a breakthrough, which will significantly facilitate moving forward with the project. The question of funding has been, up until now, the main obstacle."

"The Americans were skeptical at first," the official continued. "But after they saw the results of the last test run they were impressed and became confident in the system's abilities." He added that the Defense Ministry has yet to decide how to allocate the funds. He stressed that it would be at least a year before a substantial number of batteries would be operational in Israel.

[buglerbilly]

Obama seeks $205 million for Israel rocket shield

WASHINGTON

Mon, May 3 2010WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will ask Congress to provide $205 million to Israel to spur production and deployment of a new short-range rocket defense system, administration officials said on Thursday.

Produced by Israeli state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., Iron Dome uses small radar-guided missiles to blow up Katyusha-style rockets with ranges of between 5 kilometers (3 miles) and 70 kilometer (45 miles), as well as mortar bombs, in mid-air.

Its development was spurred by the 2006 conflict in Lebanon with Hezbollah and the Gaza Strip war against Hamas a year ago. In both cases, Israeli towns within reach of short-range rockets were in some respects defenseless.

"The president recognizes the threat missiles and rockets fired by Hamas and Hezbollah pose to Israelis, and has therefore decided to seek funding from Congress to support the production of Israel's short range rocket defense system called Iron Dome," White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said.

Two Iron Dome batteries are under construction, an Israeli defense official said in February. Designed to be towed by vehicle, they will be available for any Israeli front at a few hours' notice.

Bryan Whitman, Pentagon spokesman, said it was the first direct U.S. investment in the Iron Dome system.

"This funding will expand what they can produce and deploy, and how quickly they're able to do it," he said.

The decision was made to pour funds into the system after U.S. officials observed tests last fall, officials said.

The money comes on top of annual U.S. assistance to Israel.

According to the State Department, U.S. military aid to Israel in 2009 totaled $2.55 billion. This will increase to $3 billion in 2012, and will total $3.15 billion a year from 2013 to 2018.

(Reporting by Adam Entous and Caren Bohan; Editing by Xavier Briand)

[buglerbilly]

Obama seeks $205 million for Israel rocket shield

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will ask Congress to provide $205 million to Israel to spur production and deployment of a new short-range rocket defense system, administration officials said on Thursday.

Produced by Israeli state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., Iron Dome uses small radar-guided missiles to blow up Katyusha-style rockets with ranges of between 5 kilometers (3 miles) and 70 kilometer (45 miles), as well as mortar bombs, in mid-air.

Its development was spurred by the 2006 conflict in Lebanon with Hezbollah and the Gaza Strip war against Hamas a year ago. In both cases, Israeli towns within reach of short-range rockets were in some respects defenseless.

"The president recognizes the threat missiles and rockets fired by Hamas and Hezbollah pose to Israelis, and has therefore decided to seek funding from Congress to support the production of Israel's short range rocket defense system called Iron Dome," White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said.

Two Iron Dome batteries are under construction, an Israeli defense official said in February. Designed to be towed by vehicle, they will be available for any Israeli front at a few hours' notice.

Bryan Whitman, Pentagon spokesman, said it was the first direct U.S. investment in the Iron Dome system.

"This funding will expand what they can produce and deploy, and how quickly they're able to do it," he said.

The decision was made to pour funds into the system after U.S. officials observed tests last fall, officials said.

The money comes on top of annual U.S. assistance to Israel.

According to the State Department, U.S. military aid to Israel in 2009 totaled $2.55 billion. This will increase to $3 billion in 2012, and will total $3.15 billion a year from 2013 to 2018.

(Reporting by Adam Entous and Caren Bohan; Editing by Xavier Briand)

[buglerbilly]

MEADS Program Achieves Major System Integration Milestones


PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) test

15:49 GMT, May 13, 2010 ORLANDO/MUNICH/ROME

The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) program has achieved several key system integration milestones and continues progress toward full system design approval in August 2010. To date, the program has successfully completed 75 percent of its Critical Design Review (CDR) approval events.

The MEADS program continues on pace to initiate flight tests at White Sands Missile Range in 2012. Recent major integration and test milestones accomplishments include:

• A unique system test capability has been integrated that enables hardware-in-the-loop testing of MEADS elements in a system configuration. Test engineers have completed integration of MEI Emulators with the MEADS End-to-End System Simulation, and they are now integrating a sensor processor and Tactical Operations Center configuration. This integration enables use of the MEADS battle management system and its plug-and-fight capabilities.

• Tactical software deliveries have begun in support of system integration.

• A MEADS Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) unit has begun testing at Pratica di Mare Air Force Base in Italy ahead of schedule.

• The first U.S. Integrated Launcher Electronics System (ILES) has been completed and delivered to Germany for integration on the MEADS Launcher.

• Multifunction Fire Control Radar antenna elevation and automatic leveling tests were completed successfully following integration onto an Italian Prime Mover.

• The PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE), the primary interceptor for MEADS, successfully intercepted a threat representative tactical ballistic missile target during a flight test in February. The PAC-3 MSE Missile variant incorporates threat-driven and technology-enabled hardware and software upgrades to defeat the advancing threat set.

• Flight test facility development will soon be initiated at White Sands Missile Range to support the MEADS flight tests.

“The MEADS program continues to demonstrate excellent progress. Over 900 exit criteria required for final design approval of the system have been demonstrated as we near full design approval for the MEADS system.” said MEADS International President Steve Barnoske.

“MEADS hardware is also rapidly coming together with an unparalleled capability to exercise system elements in the test environment. We’re beginning to implement our BMC4I as well, which is allowing us to vastly reduce risk before MEADS goes to the test range next year. The MEADS program remains on track to begin integration of MEIs at the end of 2010,” he said.

NAMEADSMA General Manager Gregory Kee said, “MEADS will provide superior capabilities with unprecedented flexibility compared to current systems. Its 360-degree rotating capability will absolutely bring value to the warfighter – both in situational awareness and in being able to address threats from any direction. It provides dramatically increased capabilities over what’s available today,”

[buglerbilly]

The reason for the rush to get IRON DOME into service...........

Israel Sees Increased Hezbollah Capability

May 17, 2010



By Alon Ben-David
Tel Aviv

Israel is growing increasingly concerned about the deployment of Syrian-made M-600 missiles in Lebanon that are capable of accurately striking any point in Israel.

The 600-mm. solid-fuel M-600, which carries a 500-kg. (1,100-lb.) warhead, is a Syrian improvement to Iran’s Fateh-110 missile and has a range of more than 300 km. (185 mi.). But perhaps more critically, the weapon is fitted with a GPS-aided inertial navigation system, giving it an accuracy of better than 200 meters (655 ft.) circular error probable (CEP). This means that half the missiles fired will fall within a 200-meter circle of the intended target.

While Israel has been exposed to rocket fire for some time, those weapons have been largely unguided, minimizing the extent of damage. With the M-600, that could now change.

The combat arm of the militant Hezbollah organization has already deployed around 200 M-600 missiles in Lebanon, according to data presented by Avner Raz, chairman of Israel Military Industries, who spoke at the first international anti-ballistic missile conference in Israel on May 5.

“With that missile, Hezbollah is turning from a terror threat to a military one,” Uzi Rubin, former director of Israel’s ballistic missile defense organization told Aviation Week. “Hezbollah could shut down electricity and airports in Israel, obstruct the operation of the Israeli air force or the mobilization of the reserve army, and even interfere with the functionality of the General Staff in Tel Aviv.”

What’s more, “the deployment of Scud missiles by Hezbollah in Lebanon is just the tip of the iceberg,” Brig. Gen. Yossi Baidatz, head of research at military intelligence (MI), told the Knesset on May 4.

Israel’s MI claims that Syria has supplied Hezbollah with its latest model of the indigenously produced Scud D short-range ballistic missile, which has a range of 700 km. and an accuracy of 500 meters CEP. But while the liquid-fuel Scud B requires a 1-hr. refueling before launch, which exposes it to air strikes, the M-600 can be fired without any preparation.

“The combination of the vast quantities of rockets and missiles deployed in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip with their constantly improving accuracy will have a considerable impact on any future [military] campaign,” says Raz.

With that threat in mind, the Israeli air force recently concluded a decade-long effort of redeploying most of its assets in southern bases, positioning them as far as possible from the Lebanese border for maximum protection. Fighter squadrons, which remain in northern and central Israel, are constantly training in emergency deployment to southern bases, should their home bases come under missile and rocket attacks.

Moreover, all essential units of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) across the military branches regularly undergo extensive training to be able to carry out their functions while under missile attack. The IDF also modified its methods of mobilizing the reserve army because of fears that its assembly areas will be showered with rockets.

Gen. Ilan Biran, chairman of Rafael Advanced Systems, warns that “the enormous amount of missiles that will be launched into Israel, even if all are conventionally armed, will create a new nonconventional threat.” (This week, the entire country will undergo a civil emergency drill simulating missile and rocket attacks from Lebanon, Syria, and Iran.)

In addition, Brig. Gen. Doron Gavish, commander of the air defense corps, worries that “with tens of thousands of rockets and missiles directed at Israel, our active defense systems will not be able to provide hermetic protection.”

The nation is still in the process of building its multi-layered missile defense alignment, with the second-tier system—called David’s Sling—designed to counter heavy rockets and missiles such as the M-600. David’s Sling is still under development by Rafael and Raytheon.

Funded jointly by the U.S. and Israel, David’s Sling is intended to counter rockets and ballistic missiles fired from a range of 70-400 km., as well as cruise missiles and gliding bombs. It is expected to achieve initial operational capability in 2013.

The IDF is currently deploying the first two batteries of the lower tier system—Iron Dome, which is designed to repel rockets from ranges of 4-70 km. Initially funded solely by Israel, the Iron Dome recently received a boost when the U.S. government agreed to provide $200 million to complete development and procure additional batteries.

Currently, Israel’s missile defense relies mostly on the operational Arrow-2 batteries and its Patriot PAC-2 systems. “To counter the M-600 threat, the Patriot could provide some protection,” said Rubin, “but we need to accelerate the development of the David’s Sling.”

Credit: Israel Defense Forces

[buglerbilly]

Missile Defenders Blast Critics After Interceptor Attack

By Nathan Hodge May 18, 2010 | 11:24 am



The Missile Defense Agency, the Pentagon directorate charged with developing anti-missile technology, might want to consider a new line of defense: Intercepting articles by critic Theodore Postol before they land in reporters’ inboxes.

Postol’s record as a missile-defense skeptic is well established: The MIT professor famously — and correctly — questioned the Army’s claims about the effectiveness of the Patriot air defense system, and he’s punched holes in a lot of assumptions about how things like Ground-based Midcourse Defense would work. Now he and a colleague are taking aim at the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3), the centerpiece of the Obama administration’s revamped missile defense plan.

Last week, Postol and George Lewis, a physicist who is the associate director of the Peace Studies program at Cornell, published a piece in Arms Control Today that questioned the effectiveness and the flight-test record of the SM-3. The pair suggesting that an adversary could easily thwart the interceptor with some simple countermeasures. The critique was picked up by reporters (including my wife) last week, but when the New York Times wrote it up today, it ended up as the top story in the Early Bird, the Pentagon’s clipping service. Ouch!

Richard Lehner, MDA’s chief spokesman, has now responded with a lengthy blog post that attempts to rebut Postol and Lewis. The main thrust of the argument? The physicists don’t know what we know. “Postol and Lewis apparently based their assessment on publicly released photos gleaned from a sensor mounted aboard the SM-3 and postulated what they perceived to be the interceptor’s impact point although they had no access to classified telemetry data showing the complete destruction of the target missiles, or subsequent sensor views of the intercept that were not publicly released so as not to reveal to potential adversaries exactly where the target missile was struck,” he wrote.

Lehner also pointed to the system’s most famous success: the use of a modified SM-3 system to shoot down a malfunctioning U.S. satellite.

Timing is everything, however. Back when the administration of George W. Bush was trying to sell a scheme to station missile-defense interceptors in Europe, Postol issued a technical critique that suggested that the system could be used to knock down Russian missiles. MDA scrambled to rebut the physicists’ claims. But the plan was eventually tabled. This latest article comes as the Obama administration rejiggers the whole approach to missile defense. MDA’s main focus is now on blocking short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, and it is pouring more money into SM-3 as well as the Army’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense.

It’s worth pointing out here that Postol is not categorically opposed to missile defense. Last year, he proposed putting missile-defense interceptors on long-range, stealthy drones as part of a “boost-phase” defense.

[PHOTO: U.S. Navy]

Read More http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/05/missile-defense-agency-blasts-critics-after-interceptor-attack/#more-24939#ixzz0oKPvJmN4

[buglerbilly]

Review Cites Flaws in U.S. Antimissile Program

By WILLIAM J. BROAD and DAVID E. SANGER

Published: May 17, 2010

Darcy Padilla for The New York Times


Theodore A. Postol at his home in Palo Alto, Calif. Dr. Postol said the SM-3 interceptor must shatter a warhead directly.


Navy Visual News Service
An SM-3 being launched over the Pacific Ocean in 2008. It was used to bring down a nonfunctioning satellite.


His confidence in the heart of the system, a rocket-powered interceptor known as the SM-3, was particularly notable because as a senator and presidential candidate he had previously criticized antimissile arms. But now, a new analysis being published by two antimissile critics, at M.I.T. and Cornell, casts doubt on the reliability of the new weapon.

Mr. Obama’s announcement of his new antimissile plan in September was based on the Pentagon’s assessment that the SM-3, or Standard Missile 3, had intercepted 84 percent of incoming targets in tests. But a re-examination of results from 10 of those apparently successful tests by Theodore A. Postol and George N. Lewis, being published this month, finds only one or two successful intercepts — for a success rate of 10 to 20 percent.

Most of the approaching warheads, they say, would have been knocked off course but not destroyed. While that might work against a conventionally armed missile, it suggests that a nuclear warhead might still detonate. At issue is whether the SM-3 needs to strike and destroy the warhead of a missile — as the Pentagon says on its Web site.

“The system is highly fragile and brittle and will intercept warheads only by accident, if ever,” said Dr. Postol, a former Pentagon science adviser who forcefully criticized the performance of the Patriot antimissile system in the 1991 Persian Gulf war.

In interviews and a statement, the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency strongly defended the SM-3s testing record, and said that the analysis by Dr. Postol, an M.I.T. physicist, and Dr. Lewis, a Cornell physicist, was fundamentally mistaken.

“The allegation is wrong,” Richard Lehner, an agency spokesman, said Wednesday. He said the SM-3 is “attaining test scores that many other Defense Department programs aspire to attain.”

Even so, the Pentagon later admitted that 4 of the 10 analyzed flight tests carried no mock warheads at all.

The White House declined to comment on the critique of the SM-3 and referred questions to the Pentagon.

The political implications of the critique are potentially large. Democrats, traditional critics of missile defense, have been largely silent about Mr. Obama’s enthusiasm for this new generation, which for the moment is aimed only at shorter- and mid-range missiles, rather than ones that fly between continents.

During the campaign, Mr. Obama repeatedly criticized what he called President George W. Bush’s haste to deploy unproven antimissile arms. He vowed that as president, he would assure that any defensive shield would meet rigorous standards of testing and effectiveness.

Since last fall, Mr. Obama’s antimissile goals have expanded to include not only countering Iranian missiles, but creating a rationale for deep cuts in the nation’s nuclear arsenal and ultimately for prompting foes to abandon their missile programs.

The deployment of the SM-3 is also seen as essential to convincing Israel that the United States has an effective technology to contain Iran, even if the Iranians obtain a nuclear weapon.

The dispute between the academics and the Pentagon centers on whether it is enough for a speeding interceptor to hit the body of a spent rocket moving through outer space or whether it must hit the attached warhead. Dr. Postol says the SM-3 interceptor must shatter the warhead directly, and public statements of the Pentagon agency seem to suggest that it agrees.

“The interceptors,” the agency Web site says in its basic explanation of antimissile goals, “ram the warhead at a very high closing speed, destroying the target.”

Skeptics generally hold that the antimissile job is so daunting — what the Pentagon calls hitting a bullet with a bullet — that managers and contractors easily fall prey to exaggerating test results.

But technologists call it increasingly doable. Compared with the Bush administration’s land-based system, the SM-3 is fairly small, quickly deployable on ships and has a better reputation.

The interceptor holds what the Pentagon calls an exoatmospheric kill vehicle. In space, it peers through a telescope to guide itself toward the target, sensing telltale heat emanations and using a computer brain to fire thruster jets. The kill vehicle slams into the target and destroys it by force of impact.

Dr. Postol’s critics see him as a pessimist blind to antimissile progress, and his defenders view him as a seer of technical oversight.

During the 1991 Gulf war, the Army put the success rate of the Patriot at over 80 percent in Saudi Arabia and 50 percent in Israel. But Dr. Postol found that brilliant displays of antimissile fire and thunder hid repeated failures of the interceptors to knock out speeding warheads.

The SM-3 analysis of Dr. Postol and Dr. Lewis, “A Flawed and Dangerous U.S. Missile Defense Plan,” appears in the May issue of Arms Control Today, a publication of the Arms Control Association, a private group in Washington.

The study examined video images that the SM-3 kill vehicle took a split second before striking the target and that the Missile Defense Agency subsequently made public. The analysis looked at 10 tests between 2002 and 2009 — all of which the agency hailed as successful intercepts.

But the scientists found that the kill vehicle hit the warhead only once or twice. The rest of the time, the interceptor struck the rocket body — a much larger target.

In combat, the scientists added, “the warhead would have not been destroyed, but would have continued toward the target.”

In an interview, Dr. Postol said the antimissile blow might cause a warhead to fall short or give it an added nudge, with the exact site of the weapon’s impact uncertain.

“It matters if it’s Wall Street or Brooklyn,” he said, “but we won’t know in advance.”

The Pentagon’s rebuttal included a written one vetted by Lt. Gen. Patrick J. O’Reilly, director of the Missile Defense Agency, as well the office of the secretary of defense. It called the analysis “flawed, inaccurate and misleading” and said the alleged SM-3 failures were all, in fact, successes that “did exactly what was expected” as the kill vehicles hit “within inches of the expected impact point.”

But it offered little discussion of whether striking the rocket body in flight tests was sufficient grounds to claim overall success — a seemingly important point given that much of the agency’s public testimony centers on the necessity of hitting warheads to ensure their destruction.

In a series of e-mail messages, Mr. Lehner of the Missile Defense Agency offered more information. On Wednesday, he said the rocket’s violent breakup also demolished the warhead. Asked if the agency had evidence, he replied Thursday that readings from test sensors “prove conclusively” that mock warheads “were destroyed and were no longer a threat.”

Mr. Lehner added, however, that target missiles in 4 test flights carried no mock warheads, but rather “a nosecone with a weight up front for ballast.” The 4 flights with no warheads — which Dr. Postol and Dr. Lewis included in their analysis of 10 interceptions by the SM-3 — included 3 early ones and a flight last July, the most recent in their analysis.

Informed of the Pentagon’s response, Dr. Postol said he had no idea about the lack of warheads. He also questioned whether the destroyed warheads represented military designs or frail impostors. Real nuclear warheads streaking through the void of space are extremely rugged objects, designed to withstand the fiery heat of atmospheric re-entry as well as intense buffeting and shaking.

“A mock warhead may be extremely fragile compared to a real one,” Dr. Postol said.

Mr. Lehner disagreed. On Friday he called the fragility claim “absolutely not true.”

Representative John F. Tierney, a Massachusetts Democrat who is chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform national security subcommittee, said in a statement that the SM-3 reanalysis raised serious questions.

“Congress will need to look into them further,” he said. “The American people deserve to know about the system’s actual capabilities and have a right to expect that their tax dollars are being spent effectively.”

[buglerbilly]

Written on May 18, 2010 at 8:48 am by jennifer.cragg

Missile Defense Agency Responds to New York Times Article

Richard Lehner, Missile Defense Agency

An article published in the May 17 edition of The New York Times cited an assessment by Dr. Ted Postol and Dr. George Lewis regarding testing of the Standard Missile -3 (SM-3) now deployed with the U.S. Navy.

This sea-based interceptor missile is designed to intercept and destroy short to medium-range ballistic missiles using “hit to kill” technology, which means that the interceptor collides directly with the target missile or warhead, and destroys the target using only the force of the collision. The allegation that target intercepts were reported as successful when they were not successful is wrong, and the data presented by the authors in the article is flawed, inaccurate and misleading.

In each successful intercept test the target missile was destroyed by the Aegis BMD/SM-3 system due to the extreme kinetic energy resulting from the “hit to kill” intercept. In each instance, the mission objective of “hit to kill” of the unitary or separating target was achieved.

Postol and Lewis apparently based their assessment on publicly released photos gleaned from a sensor mounted aboard the SM-3 and postulated what they perceived to be the interceptor’s impact point although they had no access to classified telemetry data showing the complete destruction of the target missiles, or subsequent sensor views of the intercept that were not publicly released so as not to reveal to potential adversaries exactly where the target missile was struck.

Actually, the publicly released videos, which can be seen at www.mda.mil/news/gallery_aegis.html, and from which the still photos were extracted, show infrared images from both interceptor and airborne sensors demonstrating the complete destruction of the target missiles.

All of the tests cited by the authors as “misses” were tests involving short-range unitary targets, when the warhead remains attached to the booster rocket. These tests were correctly described by the Missile Defense Agency as successful intercepts, because they successfully intercepted the target. Post-test analysis from collected telemetry showed that the interceptor’s kill vehicle impacted the target body or warhead within inches of the expected impact point that was calculated to maximize damage against a variety of warhead types.

The first three Aegis BMD tests (FM-2, FM-3, FM-4) conducted in 2002 are cited as “misses” based upon the assessments of Postol and Lewis. These tests were the very first intercept attempts of the Aegis missile defense SM-3 system using prototype interceptors, and the objective for each of these early tests was simply to determine if a ballistic missile target could be destroyed by a new interceptor, the SM-3, fired and guided by a ship at sea using “hit to kill” technology.

Since they were the first tests using prototype interceptors, expensive mock warheads weren’t used in the tests since specific lethality capability wasn’t a test objective—the objective was to hit the target missile. Contrary to the assertions of Postol and Lewis, all three tests resulted in successful target hits with the unitary ballistic missile target destroyed. This provided empirical evidence that ballistic missile intercepts could in fact be accomplished at sea using interceptors launched from Aegis ships.

After successful completion of these early developmental tests, the test program progressed from just “hitting the target” to one of determining lethality and proving the operationally configured Aegis SM-3 Block I and SM-3 Block 1A system. These tests were the MDA’s most comprehensive and realistic test series, resulting in the Operational Test and Evaluation Force’s October 2008 Evaluation Report stating that Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Block 04 3.6 System was operationally effective and suitable for transition to the Navy.

Since 2002, a total of 19 SM-3 missiles have been fired in 16 different test events resulting in 16 intercepts against threat-representative full-size and more challenging subscale unitary and full-size targets with separating warheads. In addition, a modified Aegis BMD/SM-3 system successfully destroyed a malfunctioning U.S. satellite by hitting the satellite in the right spot to negate the hazardous fuel tank at the highest closure rate of any ballistic missile defense technology ever attempted.

From 1991 through 2010 the Missile Defense Agency has conducted 66 full scale hit-to-kill lethality sled tests and 138 sub-scale hit-to-kill light gas gun tests covering all MDA interceptor types against nuclear, unitary chemical, chemical submunitions, biological bomblets and high-explosive submunition threats. Eighteen of these tests were specifically devoted to the current SM-3 kinetic warhead system. This extensive database of lethality testing has conclusively demonstrated that MDA’s weapon systems are highly lethal against ballistic missile threats when they engage within their accuracy and velocity specifications.

The authors of the SM-3 study cited only tests involving unitary targets, and chose not to cite the five successful intercepts in six attempts against separating targets, which, because of their increased speed and small size, pose a much more challenging target for the SM-3 than a much larger unitary target missile. They also did not mention the fact the system is successfully intercepting targets much smaller than probable threat missiles on a routine basis, and have attained test scores that many other Defense Department programs aspire to attain.

[buglerbilly]

Pentagon: Missile Critics Use ‘Wile E. Coyote’ Physics

By Nathan Hodge May 19, 2010 | 10:23 am



Last week, missile-defense critics Theodore Postol and George Lewis touched off a controversy after they questioned the Pentagon’s claims of test success for the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) interceptor. But in a roundtable yesterday with bloggers, Missile Defense Agency spokesman Rick Lehner suggested, in effect, that the two critics were relying on Looney Tunes physics to go after the program.

MDA claims the SM-3 has a strong track record, hitting 84 percent of incoming targets in 16 different test events between 2002 and 2009. But the question Postol and Lewis raised was simple: Does hitting a target missile’s airframe, as opposed to its warhead, count as a hit? “In eight or nine of the 10 SM-3 intercept tests from 2002 to 2009 … the SM-3 kill vehicle failed to hit the warhead target directly,” they wrote. “This means that, in real combat, the warhead would have not been destroyed but would have continued toward the target and detonated in eight or nine of the 10 SM-3 experimental tests.”

In other words, the SM-3’s kill vehicle would punch right through the thin walls of the rocket body like a bullet zipping through an empty soda can, they argued.

So, is the SM-3’s success rate much lower than the Pentagon claims? Not so, said Lehner. “Contrary to what Doctors Postol and Lewis said, after being hit, the — well, the interceptor does not pass through the body of the — of the target missile,” he said. “That’s akin to, you know, Wile E. Coyote running through a glass or plate glass and leaving the exact outline of his body after he goes through.”


The SM-3’s kill vehicle “hits it so hard and so fast that the energy that comes from that collision is just simply too great and causes a catastrophic failure of the missile,” he added.

Still, it does matter where an interceptor hits. SM-3 is a “hit-to-kill” system: It relies on kinetic energy generated by collision to destroy its target, not an explosive charge. And as Lehner acknowledged, hitting the warhead does matter when you are up against a “separating target” (a medium-range, multistage ballistic missile like Iran’s Shahab-3) versus a “unitary target” like the short-range, single-stage Scud missile.

In tests against separating targets, Lehner said the SM-3 had a record of hitting five out of six. “That wasn’t mentioned in the story [The New York Times write-up of Postol and Lewis' claims] either, although the Times did have that information,” he said.

Either way, this isn’t likely to settle things. Lewis and Postol were trying to make a larger point about who, in the end, weighs the Pentagon’s claims when it comes to the performance of missile-defense systems. The test record, they argued, “is yet another example of why measures need to be taken to provide a truly independent source for the White House and Congress to confirm the veracity of claims being made by the MDA and others in the Defense Department.”

[Photo: ToastyKen/Flickr]

Read More http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/05/pentagon-missile-defense-critics-use-wile-e-coyote-physics/#more-24982#ixzz0oQ4oLALy

[buglerbilly]

NATO, Russia to link tactical anti-missile systems

The Associated Press

Wednesday, May 19, 2010; 11:15 AM

BRUSSELS -- NATO and Russia said on Wednesday they intend to boost efforts to develop a joint system to protect their troops from attack by short-range missiles.

Neither Russia nor NATO face imminent threats from such battlefield weapons. But cooperation in this field is seen as opening the way for the former Cold War rivals to work together on developing a much wider anti-missile system designed to protect Europe and North America against Iran's nascent long-range missile capability.

The Theater Missile Defense System used now by some NATO nations is based on upgraded versions of the U.S. Patriot anti-aircraft missiles. Russia has its own S-300 Gladiator short-range system.

The short-range battlefield systems are separate from President Barack Obama's proposal for a much more sophisticated ballistic missile defense system for Europe. NATO nations are likely to approve that at a summit next November in Lisbon, Portugal.

NATO has already urged Moscow to join into the wider, territorial missile defense system, identifying Iran's missile program as a threat to both Russia and NATO's 28 member states.

"More than 30 countries have or are developing ballistic missiles, not all of whom are friends. Iran is an obvious example," NATO spokesman James Appathurai said.

Typically, the range of battlefield missiles is about 300 kilometers (nearly 200 miles). While Iranian tactical weapons would be unable to reach either Russia or NATO countries, they could be employed against U.S. and NATO troops in neighboring Afghanistan and Iraq.

[buglerbilly]

US lawmakers back Israel missile defense aid
(AFP) – 7 hours ago



WASHINGTON — The US House of Representatives on Thursday overwhelmingly backed President Barack Obama's plans to help Israel deploy an anti-missile system, in an unmistakable election-year show of support.

By a 410-4 margin, lawmakers endorsed Obama's plan to give Israel 205 million dollars for its production of a short-range rocket defense system called "Iron Dome."

"With nearly every square inch of Israel at risk from rocket and missile attacks, we must ensure that our most important ally in the region has the tools to defend itself," said House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman.

"The looming threat of a nuclear-armed Iran, and the persistent threat posed by Iran's allies Hamas and Hezbollah, only serve to reinforce our longstanding commitment to Israel's security," the California Democrat added.

Israel completed tests in January on its Iron Dome system, designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells fired at Israel by Hamas and Hezbollah.

The next phase is to integrate the system into the army. Israel hopes the Iron Dome will help counter rocket fire from the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip and from Lebanon.

Palestinian militants have fired thousands of home-made rockets into southern Israel, prompting Israel's devastating assault on the Islamist Hamas in Gaza on December 27, 2008.

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah also fired some 4,000 rockets into northern Israel during a 2006 war with Israel. The group is believed to have an arsenal of some 40,000 rockets.

The vote did not actually free up any funds for Iron Dome, but put the US Congress on record as supporting the plan.

It came after ties between Israel and its key ally the United States were strained when plans for new Israeli settler homes in east Jerusalem were announced just as US Vice President Joe Biden visited the Jewish state.

Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved.

[buglerbilly]

IAF to test Arrow 3 early next year

By YAAKOV KATZ

05/27/2010 06:53



An interception test will likely take place in 2012.

The Israel Air Force will hold its first test of the Arrow 3, under development by Israel Aerospace Industries, in early 2011, officials said on Wednesday.

Jointly developed by IAI and Boeing in the US, the Arrow 3 will serve as Israel’s top-tier missile defense system, adding another layer of defense to that provided by the Arrow 2, which is already operational and deployed throughout Israel.

The initial test of the Arrow 3 will not include the interception of a mock enemy missile. An interception test will likely take place in 2012.

“The Arrow system can effectively counter all of the missile threats that exist in the region,” said Inbal Kreiss, the Arrow 3 project manager at IAI.

Kreiss, who spoke at the New Tech conference in Airport City on Wednesday, said that IAI was also modifying the existing Arrow missile launcher to accommodate the slightly smaller Arrow 3 interceptor. This will allow the launcher to also fire American-made SM3 missiles, which are currently used by the US Navy on its Aegis missile defense ships.

Meanwhile Wednesday, defense officials said that the $205 million in funding authorized by the US Congress for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system – developed to intercept short-range rockets – would enable the defense establishment to purchase an additional six batteries that could be deployed along the Gaza border.

Rafael has already manufactured two batteries that were delivered to the IAF, which is planning a final conclusive test of the Iron Dome in the coming weeks, following which it will be declared operational.

Officials said that the system could, in a future conflict, be deployed just south of Tel Aviv and along the Mediterranean coast to defend the city against Hamas long-range missiles, such as the Iranian Fajr 5, which it is believed to have obtained since Operation Cast Lead last year.

[buglerbilly]

UAE nears $7billion missile deal

Ivan Gale

Last Updated: June 03. 2010 11:38PM UAE / June 3. 2010 7:38PM GMT


The THAAD missile system will have its 14th test flight in Hawaii next month. US Missile Defense Agency via Bloomberg

The UAE is approaching a milestone in its plans to purchase the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) missile system for an estimated US$7 billion (Dh25.71bn) from the US, according to officials from the American defence company Lockheed Martin.

A sale would mark the first time the THAAD system has been exported by the US and underscore the deep ties forming between America and the Emirates.

The UAE could receive a “letter of agreement” from the US government later this summer after the two administrations made progress on their negotiations over the sensitive technology, said Dennis Cavin, the vice president of air and missile defence strategic initiatives at Lockheed.

“The UAE and the US have made solid strides in these last few months,” Mr Cavin said.

“We could expect that in the next three months the UAE would receive its letter of agreement.”

Although some observers have forecast that the multibillion-dollar sale could go through this year or next, Mr Cavin declined to comment, saying the matter was between the two governments.

THAAD missiles carry no warhead but instead rely on the kinetic energy of impact to take out targets at altitudes of up to 150km. The system would create another layer of protection for the Emirates beyond its plans to develop a Patriot-based missile shield.

The US Defence Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) has said the UAE could acquire three THAAD “fire units” equipped with a total of 147 anti-ballistic missiles, four radar sets, six fire and control communication stations and nine launchers.

In September 2008, the agency said: “This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.”

The deal is being structured as a foreign military sale, meaning the UAE will purchase the equipment from the US government directly rather than Lockheed, which is the principal defence contractor developing the programme. Raytheon is also a major partner in the proposed deal, contributing the radar component.

According to the DSCA, the US approval letter is a government-to-government agreement that identifies the defence articles and services that the US government proposes and also spells out the terms and conditions that will apply.

The THAAD system is still in development and will undergo its 14th test flight above Kauai island in Hawaii next month.

Air and missile defence is a growing focus for Gulf nations and the US as they seek to find ways of collaborating and matching up their various missile defence programmes, which include the Hawk, Patriot, Aegis and THAAD systems.

Themes such as “burden sharing” have been growing among the Gulf nations to provide their own defences, as well as integration.

Experts meeting at a conference in Abu Dhabi this week stressed that without integrating the various missile defence systems throughout the GCC, any incoming threat could be met with an inappropriate or insufficient response.

According to the US congressional research service, Gulf states purchased $88bn worth of arms between 1988 and 2007. Last year, the UAE became the fourth-largest arms importer in the world, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

[buglerbilly]

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

VIDEO: MDA's Two-Stage GBI Flies

Posted by Graham Warwick at 6/7/2010 2:37 PM CDT

A faster-reacting two-stage version of the US Missile Defense Agency's ground-based interceptor (GBI), originally conceived for the European missile defense shield, was flight tested from Vandenberg AFB, Calif., on June 6.

Although the US has abandoned its proposal to install 10 GBIs in Poland in favor of a "phased, adaptive approach" built around land- and sea-based Standard SM-3 missiles, the MDA is continuing to fund development of the two-stage GBI to keep its options open.



Photo: MDA

The interceptors now in the ground in Alaska and California have three stages, and removing the third stage reduces burn time and accommodates shorter engagement timelines. Orbital Sciences, which produces the interceptors for Ground-based Missile Defense system prime Boeing, says having two- and three-stage GBIs will provide the MDA with more flexibility in addressing emerging threats.

The interceptor used in Sunday's Booster Vertification Test-1 flight delivered an exoatmospheric kill vehicle into space, but the flight did not involve a target missile. A second test flight including an interception is planned.

[buglerbilly]

Russia moves to scrap Iran missile sale

By Anna Malpas (AFP) – 18 hours ago

MOSCOW — Russia signalled on Friday it was scrapping the controversial sale of S-300 missiles to Iran in a major shift the Kremlin said was needed after fresh UN sanctions over Tehran's nuclear programme.

"S-300 supplies to Iran fall under UN sanctions," a Kremlin source said in Tashkent where President Dmitry Medvedev was attending a summit of a regional security body led by Moscow and Beijing.

"Thus this type of weapon cannot be delivered to Iran," said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.

In a flurry of statements, a number of other senior Russian officials made clear that Moscow was changing tack on the missile deal, in the pipeline for years but strongly opposed by Israel and the United States.

"We will strictly and unswervingly follow the criteria and requirements in the resolution" Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in a statement posted on the foreign ministry website.

Separately, Konstantin Kosachev, the chairman of the State Duma's foreign affairs committee whose public pronouncements are known to reflect Kremlin policy thinking, said the S-300 sale had to be stopped.

"In the circumstances, I am opposed to fulfilling this contract," Kosachev said in remarks posted on his Internet blog and picked up by Russian media

He noted that that the UN resolution adopted Wednesday imposing fresh sanctions on Iran did not ban the sale of defensive weapons systems like the S-300 complex to the Islamic state.

But going ahead with the deal, long in the works, would "breach the spirit" of the resolution, he said.

Russia never made a secret of its deal to sell the powerful S-300 system to Iran and for years insisted that the move would in no way upset the balance of power in the Middle East.

However despite years of talking about it, Russia never went ahead with delivery of the system, which military experts said could have been used by Iran to provide medium-range anti-aircraft defenses of its nuclear facilities.

The United States on Thursday acknowledged that the latest UN sanctions did not explicitly ban the S-300 sale to Iran, but nonetheless heaped praise on Moscow for its "restraint" in not going ahead with the deal.

"Russia has exercised responsibility, restraint and has not delivered those missiles to Iran," said State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters in Washington on Thursday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the gathering in Tashkent, Iran's foreign minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, insisted that Iran's nuclear programme was peaceful.

"The peaceful use of nuclear energy -- is the inalienable right of all members of the (nuclear) non-proliferation treaty," he said at the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Uzbekistan.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad meanwhile lashed out Friday at the UN Security Council as a "tool of dictatorship" and said new UN sanctions over Tehran's nuclear programme "will have no effect."

"We have always said the Security Council is a tool in the hands of the United States. It is not democratic, it is a tool of dictatorship," the Iranian president told reporters in Shanghai.

The UN Security Council's fourth round of sanctions against Iran over its nuclear drive imposed broader military and financial restrictions on the Islamic republic.

Despite close economic and energy ties with the Islamic republic, Russia supported the latest round of sanctions.

The resolution bans the sale to Iran of eight new types of heavy weapons and applies new restrictions on Iranian investments abroad.

Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved.

[buglerbilly]

Boeing and Northrop Grumman Partner for Missile Defense Agency Contract Competition

(Source: Boeing Co.; issued June 14, 2010)

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. --- The Boeing Company and Northrop Grumman Corp. today announced a strategic partnership to pursue the competitive development and sustainment contract for future work on the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA).

"Boeing takes great pride in supporting the Missile Defense Agency on GMD, providing round-the-clock protection of the United States against attack by ballistic missiles, and we are pleased to join with Northrop Grumman in this competition for future development and support of this critical element of America's defense," said Greg Hyslop, vice president and general manager, Boeing Strategic Missile & Defense Systems.

"This partnership offers MDA the most experienced and responsive team, ready to adapt GMD to future needs and requirements. At the same time, this proven team will continue to offer the warfighter an unmatched level of mission readiness, availability and support -- affordably and with the lowest risk."

As part of the strategic partnership, Norm Tew, Boeing vice president and GMD program director, will serve as program manager of the Boeing-Northrop Grumman GMD team. Steve Owens, Northrop Grumman GMD program director, will be the team's deputy program manager.

Boeing will build on its experience of supporting the MDA as prime contractor for the development, deployment, integration and testing of the GMD weapon system since 2001. The Boeing-led team currently operates and sustains the deployed weapon system while developing and testing innovative technologies to provide greater reliability and meet its customer's evolving needs and requirements.

Northrop Grumman is responsible for designing and deploying the command-and-control systems that form the backbone of the GMD ground system, known as GMD Fire Control/Communications (GFCC) products. GFCC products connect and orchestrate GMD components that launch and guide interceptors in flight. Northrop Grumman has developed and sustained ground-based missile systems for more than 50 years and has been prime contractor for the U.S. Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) weapon system since 1997. Northrop Grumman has been part of the Boeing GMD team for more than 10 years.

"As Boeing's strategic partner, we bring the low risk of our domain expertise on GMD fire control and communications, and the robust systems management model of our leadership role on ICBMs," said Karen Williams, vice president of Air and Missile Defense Systems for Northrop Grumman's Information Systems sector. "Those are very powerful capabilities we can use to help the team bring GMD into a new era of efficiency, affordability and long-term partnership with MDA."

An integral element of the Global Ballistic Missile Defense System, GMD also consists of radars, other sensors, command-and-control facilities, communications terminals and a 20,000-mile fiber optic communications network. There are more than 20 operational interceptors at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., and at Fort Greely, Alaska, to defend the United States against long-range ballistic missile threats.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Russia to offer Turkey advanced surface-to-air missiles


S-400 surface-to-air missile systems

17:48 16/06/2010© RIA Novosti. Anton Denisov

Russia is ready to participate in a tender to offer Turkey S-300 and S-400 surface-to-air missile systems, the state-controlled arms exporter said on Wednesday.

"The Turkish military has a great need for S-300 and S-400 long-range missile defense systems," Rosoboronexport CEO Anatoly Isaikin said. "Russia has expressed its readiness to participate in a tender for the delivery of such systems."

He said leading SAM manufacturers from Western countries would participate in the tender "on a par with Russia."

He gave no indication as to what specific SAM modifications would be offered or the timeframe for the tender.

Turkish military experts have said Ankara is interested in the Russian missiles, which could effectively protect the country's southern borders.

The advanced version of the S-300 missile system, called S-300PMU1, has a range of over 150 kilometers (over 100 miles) and can intercept ballistic missiles and aircraft at low and high altitudes, making it effective in warding off air strikes.

The S-300V/Antey 2500 (SA-12 Gladiator/Giant) consists of a new command vehicle, an array of advanced radars and up to six loader vehicles assigned to each launcher.

The S-400 (SA-21 Growler) is capable of simultaneously engaging six targets to a range of 400 km (250 miles) and an altitude up to 30 kilometers, including aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.

MOSCOW, June 16 (RIA Novosti)

[buglerbilly]

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Fighter-Launched Interceptors Versus Ballistic Missiles

Posted by David A. Fulghum at 6/17/2010 7:36 AM CDT

An under-rated threat is the thousands of short-range ballistic missiles that are now in the inventories of major countries not bounded by missile control agreements, say U.S. defense planners.

That stockpile of missiles matches a huge hole in U.S. ballistic missile defenses. The problem area is boost phase – from launch to low space, about 320 mi. (400 km.) altitude. Study of boost-phase intercept (BPI) in the 1990s was abandoned because of the short range of fighter radars and missiles and the immature development of unmanned aircraft. But the idea of attacking during boost phase, when ballistic missiles are slow, hot targets, remains attractive to defense planners.

“Right now there is a gap because no weapons can engage there,” says Philip Pagliara, NCADE program manager for Raytheon Missile Systems. “We want to catch missiles where they are the most vulnerable. Studies found that the air-launched, hit-to-kill mission is operationally feasible and technically viable. So we think fighter aircraft and other highly mobile airborne assets give you flexibility to counter ballistic missile threats world-wide.”

The push for such a capability came from the warfighter community and there already is discussion of making the project an urgent-procurement, quantity buy.

Moreover, the fighter-radar-missile combination “would make a lot of sense for Asian countries” that fly the same aircraft as the U.S.,” says Arnie Victor, Director, F-15 Business Development, Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems. “There are a lot of concerns in the region since [North Korean] ballistic missiles were shot across Japan.”

Because of the location of ballistic missile launch sites, many of them would be within range of missiles launched from aircraft in international waters.

The U.S. Air Force and the Missile Defense Agency believe they are creating an air-launched, gap-filling solution. They, along with Raytheon, are considering a demonstration of the newest fighter-carried, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar in conjunction with an extended-range version of the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile.

“We’re basing this on the AMRAAM form factor and existing production components,” Pagliara says. “We’re adding some new components and integrating them into a missile that looks like an AMRAAM, but that can do a new mission – ballistic missile defense. The real key is that it uses logistics support that is already in place. If you can shoot an AMRAAM, you can shoot an NCADE. It meets all the requirements for internal carriage for those types of platforms [such as the stealthy F-22]. We have not shot NCADE from a UAV yet, but it is on our horizon.”

Raytheon, Darpa and Air Force officials will not discuss ranges, but those with insight into the technology say radar ranges vary from around 90 mi. with an F-16-size AESA radar to perhaps 150 mi. with an F-15 size antenna. Missile ranges are well over 100 mi. That kind of performance, mixed with new algorithms and advanced datalinks could subsequently make the combination of the faster, higher-flying F-22 and improved air-to-air missile a viable weapon against SRBMs in the terminal phase and possibly low-flying satellites, says a senior U.S. Air Force official.

The network-centric airborne defense element (NCADE) is a two-stage missile with an extended-range AMRAAM solid-fuel rocket motor as the first stage, a separation joint and a second stage with a divert attitude control system and guidance unit electronics and an AIM-9X seeker.

The second stage “gives us the altitude capability to increase the battlespace significantly,” Pagliara say. “It allows you to operate in the high endoatmospshere’s thinner air and exoatmosphere where there is no aerodynamic control. It also has an axial thruster so that you can maintain forward velocity.”

Research by the U.S. Air Force shows that short and medium range missiles are rapidly proliferating. For example, coalition forces intercepted and then released a ship-load of mobile Scud missiles and missile fuel being delivered to Yemen from North Korea in 2002. This year, Israeli officials reported Scuds were being delivered to Hezbollah. In countries other than China, Russia, the U.S. and those in NATO, there are about 5,500 SRBMs with ranges of less than 1,000 km. and 350 medium range ballistic missiles. That is considered a far greater concern than any threat from ICBMs.

Long-range, small-target, AESA radars made by Raytheon and Northrop Grumman are already or soon will be operational in various forms on the F-15C/E, F/A-18E/F, EA-18G, F-22 and F-35. These front-line fighters could operate in combat air patrols orbits within range of the ballistic missile launchers. But a longer-term solution would be to put the radars and missiles on larger unmanned aircraft like the turboprop-powered Predator B or the higher-flying, jet powered Predator C where they could fly 12-24 hr. orbits thereby offering more continuity of coverage and releasing aircrews for other missions.

[Gubler, A.]

and they specifically mention SAAB who don't (to the best of my knowledge) manufacture any C-RAM guns or missiles but do manufacture C-RAM radar systems.

Just catching up on my document reading earlier and came across the line that the C-RAM budget initiative will also include some of the SAAB Giraffe AMB radars as well as the manpack SRTEC radars. Which means we can junk those older WLRs we just wasted millions on upgrading and Army will have a very neat tactical air defence radar as well (AMB). This also explains why this C-RAM radars, C2 and warning only project will cost $300 million, AMBs don’t come cheap!

[buglerbilly]

Moscow Still Hasn't Delivered Air Defense Missiles to Iran

(Source: Voice of America news; issued June 23, 2010)

Iran has a deal to buy S-300 anti-aircraft missiles from Russia. But Moscow has not delivered them yet. The S-300 missile is a defensive weapon with a maximum range of about 200 kilometers.

"It's sort of similar to the American Patriot missile and it's bigger," explains Ivan Oerlich, with the Federation of American Scientists. "But it's specifically designed to be a broad-range, long-range defense system. It's not for close-in defense, but it's designed for aircraft, whether traveling at very high altitude or very low altitude, and to shoot down airplanes and cruise missiles. It's mobile. They can launch them off the back of a large truck and they carry several missiles. It means that it doesn't have a fixed location, and that makes it harder to destroy on the ground before it can be used."

System details

Matthew Clements with Jane's Defense Group - a British research firm - says it is not the most up-to-date Russian system, but it is quite sophisticated.

"Although there's been a lot of talk about the degradation of the Russian military capabilities since the end of the Soviet Union, in terms of air defense, this is one of the areas where they have held up in terms of the quality and expertise available," Clements says. "So it's a fairly advanced system."

Clements says in 2007, Russia signed a deal with Iran to provide Tehran with the S-300 missile.

"The actual, exact details of the deal itself have never really been released," he notes. "So it's not very clear exactly how many would be sold to Iran, although what we'd be looking at would be Iran trying to purchase enough to be able to defend its main strategic sites, such as its nuclear power station and other primary military sites."

Russian pull-back

But as of now, as John Parker with the National Defense University says [expressing his personal views], none have been sold to Iran.

"The Russians seemed to start to pull back on prospects for transferring really early last year - 2009 - just about the time that the Obama administration was talking about a 'reset' in relations with Russia," Parker said. "And since then the Russians have not gone forward with the transfers. In the latest United Nations Security Council resolution of June 9, it appears that technically the Russians would not be prevented from transferring the S-300s to Iran."

That resolution, with Russia's consent, imposed new sanctions on Iran over its attempts to build nuclear weapons. Parker says those sanctions include prohibiting the sale to Tehran of offensive weapons such as combat aircraft, battle tanks, attack helicopters and large caliber artillery systems.

"In terms of missiles, it says as defined for the purpose by the United Nation's Register for Conventional Arms," Parker said. "And there, ground-to-air defense missiles, air defensive missiles are not covered."

Delivery frozen

After some conflicting statements, senior Russian officials - including Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, during a meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy - said Moscow has decided to freeze delivery of the S-300 missiles to Tehran.

David Kramer, former senior State Department official in the George W. Bush administration, says Moscow is indicating its displeasure with Tehran's nuclear weapons program.

"I also hope it reflects a recognition in Moscow that should they transfer these missiles, it could lead to war," Kramer said. "Because I don't think Israel is going to stand by and let these missiles become operational in Iran without taking any military action. So I hope Russia understands that and realizes the implications of such a transfer."

Analysts say Iran must feel betrayed by Russia's decision -- first to vote in favor of stronger sanctions and second not to go through with the sale of S-300 missiles. But experts also say Tehran should not seem surprised by Russia's actions because over the past several years, relations between the two countries have considerably soured.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

U.S. to cooperate with Russia on global missile defense system



The United States is ready to cooperate with Russia toward the creation of a global missile defense system, the U.S. Ambassador to Russia said on Monday.

"We will continue this dialogue so that Russia and we can work together on the creation of a global missile defense system," John Beyrle said in Russian while speaking to students and staff at a Moscow university.

U.S.-Russia relations have seen a dramatic increase since Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama announced last year a new policy of resetting bilateral ties and overcoming Cold-War era set-backs.

Although Obama scrapped last September earlier plans to deploy missile defense elements in the Czech Republic and Poland, Washington has not given up on its European missile shield initiative.

In May, the United States opened a temporary military base in northern Poland, just 80 km (50 miles) from the border of Russia's Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad, in accordance with an agreement negotiated under former President George Bush in 2008 - a move which drew much criticism from Russia.

The United States is also in talks with Bulgaria and Romania on deploying elements of the U.S. missile shield on their territories from 2015.

MOSCOW, June 28 (RIA Novosti)

[buglerbilly]

THAAD Weapon System Achieves Lowest Endo Intercept to Date, Maintains 100% Success Rate

DALLAS, TX, June 29th, 2010



The Missile Defense Agency and Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] conducted a successful flight test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System today at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai, HI. This flight test was THAAD’s seventh intercept to date and proved the system’s ability to intercept a unitary target in the low endo-atmosphere.
There were many THAAD flight test program “firsts” accomplished during FTT-14, including the lowest endo–atmospheric intercept to date; use of fielded THAAD ground segment hardware and software from the THAAD production program; and the first live mission to demonstrate automatic engagement coordination between THAAD and Patriot.

In addition to Patriot, the flight test included participation by the C2BMC element. The C2BMC reported situational awareness to combatant commander displays monitoring the test.

Flight test objectives included demonstrating the integration of the THAAD Weapon System; intercepting the target at a highly stressing angle due to the high pressure environment of the endo-atmosphere; completing target acquisition and aimpoint selection by the interceptor’s seeker avionics flight software; and operating the radar, fire control and launcher by U.S. Army soldiers during the mission.

“Today’s successful low endo intercept further proves THAAD’s mission flexibility and capability,” said Tom McGrath, vice president and program manager for THAAD at Lockheed Martin. “The weapon system’s success is much to the credit of the U.S. Army soldiers’ superior performance in executing this mission and their dedication to 100 percent Mission Success.”

Since 2005, the program has completed 11 flight tests, with seven-for-seven intercepts. THAAD is the only missile defense system with the operational flexibility to intercept in both the endo- and exo-atmospheres to provide versatile capability to the Warfighter.

Two THAAD batteries have been activated at Ft. Bliss, TX. The first THAAD Battery (A-4 ADA Battery) was activated in May 2008. Soldiers from the battery recently completed the Force Development Exercise and began Limited User Testing in May in preparation for material release expected late this year. In October 2009, the U.S. Army activated the second THAAD Battery (A-2 ADA Battery). Unit training for this Battery began earlier this year.

A key element of the nation’s Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), THAAD is a Missile Defense Agency program, with the program office located in Huntsville, AL. The Agency is developing the BMDS to defend the United States, its deployed forces, friends and allies against ballistic missiles of all ranges and in all phases of flight.

[buglerbilly]

Poland foresees U.S. interceptors in place by 2018

01 Jul 2010 15:38:27 GMT

Source: Reuters

* SM-3 missiles designed to defend against Iranian attack

* Deployment part of revamped Obama missile shield

WARSAW, July 1 (Reuters) - The United States will deploy SM-3 interceptor missiles in Poland between 2015 and 2018 under its plan to defend NATO allies in Europe from possible Iranian attack, a Polish official said on Thursday.

The interceptors, which target short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, are part of President Barack Obama's revamped missile defence system.

They would replace Bush-era plans for Poland and the Czech Republic to host elements of an ambitious shield to defend against possible long-range attack from Iran.

"Poland's Defence Minister Bogdan Klich said the Americans promised to bring the SM-3s here after 2015 but definitely before 2018," defence spokesman Janusz Sejmej said.

Russia objected strongly to President George W. Bush's original missile shield plan but has expressed milder concern about the Obama proposals.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk signalled his government's readiness to participate in Obama's revamped system during a visit to Warsaw in October by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is due to visit Krakow, southern Poland, on Saturday where she and Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski will sign an amendment to the 2008 missile shield accord reached with the Bush administration.

Under a separate deal, the United States will send one of its Patriot missile batteries, accompanied by 100 personnel, from its permanent location in Germany to train Polish soldiers. The battery will be in Poland for a month in each quarter.

Poland has been rattled by Russia's more assertive foreign policy on the territory of the ex-Soviet Union, especially in Georgia, and the Patriot deal is seen as symbolically important in underlining U.S. commitment to its security.

Clinton's impending visit to Poland and the ex-Soviet republics of Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan is partly aimed at trying to allay their fears that Washington's effort to "reset" its relations with Moscow may be at their expense. [ID:nN30247975] (Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska; editing by Gareth Jones and Andrew Dobbie)

[buglerbilly]

BAE Systems Seeker Performs in Detecting Complex Target in Latest THAAD Test

(Source: BAE Systems; issued July 7, 2010)

KAUAI, Hawaii --- A BAE Systems seeker detected and destroyed a unitary target performing the lowest endo-atmospheric intercept to date for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense weapon system flight test program on June 28 at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii.

The test, conducted by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and Lockheed Martin the THAAD prime contractor and systems integrator verified the interceptor and other system components capability to detect and to intercept a unitary Short Range Ballistic Missile. The test also demonstrated the seeker’s ability to perform target acquisition and track-and-aim point selection by the interceptor’s seeker and its avionics flight software.

“This was the THAAD interceptor’s lowest endo intercept to date,” said Joe Colosimo, chief engineer for BAE Systems in Nashua, New Hampshire, where the THAAD seeker is built. “As the flight test program continues, the scenarios become more complex requiring our technology to perform on targets that will become more challenging to detect and hit.”

THAAD is designed to defend U.S. troops, allied forces, population centers and critical infrastructure against short to possibly intermediate-range ballistic missiles. BAE Systems worked on missile defense seekers since the late 1970s and achieved the first hit-to-kill intercept of a ballistic-missile target in 1984.

BAE Systems is a global defense, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. In 2009 BAE Systems reported sales of £22.4 billion (US$ 36.2 billion).

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Team To Boost NATO Ability To Track Missile Intercepts

By PIERRE TRAN

Published: 9 Jul 2010 10:32

PARIS - NATO commanders will get an interim capability to track launches and interception of enemy tactical ballistic missiles by the end of the year, ThalesRaytheonSystems said in a July 5 statement.

"ThalesRaytheonSystems (TRS) has been awarded a contract by NATO's Active Layered Theater Ballistic Missile Defence (ALTBMD) Program Office to provide the alliance commanders with real-time interim ballistic missile defence capabilities for deployed forces by the end of 2010," the.joint venture company said in a statement.

NATO announced the award of contracts worth 1.4 million euros ($1.77 million) to a team led by SAIC and TRS for the supply of components for a battlefield missile defense system, Reuters reported June 18.

TRS declined to give the value of its share of the contract.

The work consists of linking up radars of early warning frigates, Patriot and SAMP/T Aster missile batteries to give NATO combined air operations centers and the higher command a real time situational awareness of tactical ballistic missile threats.

The system aims to show the estimated launch point, predict impact point and track the engagement by counter missiles. Information is distributed around the system on Link 16 and joint range extension protocols.

The system is currently undergoing test in the Netherlands under the exercise Joint Project Optic Windmill.

"ThalesRaytheonSystems will deliver the Air Command and Control System (ACCS) Theatre Missile Defense (TMD) component of NATO's ALTBMD Interim Capability Step 2 Real-Time (InCa 2 RT)," TRS said. "This deployment will be the first operational use of NATO's ACCS LOC1 software, currently being developed by ThalesRaytheonSystems as the prime contractor."

The next step will be to deliver the initial operational capability of the active layered ballistic missile defense system to NATO, which will consist of an integration of national radars and interceptor missiles with a fully industrialized and operational command-and-control system.

On the agenda at a NATO summit in November is a plan to link up member states' missile defense capabilities to protect civilian populations, notably against a perceived threat of Iranian missile attack. The cost of that project is estimated at less than 200 million euros, Reuters reported.

The NATO project is seen as a step toward linking up with the U.S. sea-based missile defense system, relying on Aegis radars and SM-3 missiles.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:09/07/10

SOURCE:Flight International

US Missile Defense Agency offered Blue Sparrow targets

By Arie Egozi

Rafael and Raytheon are offering the Israeli company's Blue Sparrow air-launched target to the US Missile Defense Agency.

Developed for use in support of the Israel Aerospace Industries Arrow anti-ballistic missile system, the Blue Sparrow is being promoted to the MDA because some of its current targets have failed during tests, an industry source says.

The offer under consideration includes the launch of four Blue Sparrows from an adapted passenger aircraft. "This will allow us to test defence systems against salvoes of ballistic missiles," the source says.

The Blue Sparrow can simulate bulk chemical or high-explosive warheads, and is equipped with a GPS/INS navigation system. The advanced target has post-boost phase three axis attitude control system and a mid-air pointing capability.

Last year the French defence ministry purchased Black Sparrow systems from Rafael, with the type to be used soon in a planned test activity.

[buglerbilly]

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

S-500's 2020 Outlook

Posted by M Pyadushkin at 7/14/2010 7:59 AM CDT

The Russian military says it needs new S-500 long range air defense systems in the framework of a new procurement program lasting through 2020 to be approved by the government by the end of this year. The Defense Ministry will purchase S-500 systems until 2020, Air Force Commander Gen.-Col. Alexander Zelin said on Thursday, July 13. S-500 is being developed by Moscow-based Almaz-Antey company and is considered to be the next generation compared to current S-400 Triumf air defense missile systems.

S-500 will focus mainly on anti-ballistic defense. Although earlier the military said it will be a completely new system, the first deputy defense minister on armaments Vladimir Popovkin explained in July in his interview to Rossiyskaya Gazeta daily, that it will inherit 90% of S-400. The main difference will be its counter missile ability, capable to intercept battlefield, tactical and strategic missiles as well as missile’s warheads flying at hypersonic speed, said Popovkin.

The new weapon will complement the growing procurement of S-400 missiles. “Until 2020 we will purchase very significant amounts of S-400. It’s not to equip just five air defense regiments, but many more numbers”, explained Zelin. Under the current procurement program through 2015 the military plan to get 23 Triumf battalions. The first S-400 battalion was deployed near Moscow in 2007, the second one in 2008. According to Popovkin, five more battalions will be purchased in 2010. Theу will protect Moscow, but one ore two battalions may be deployed at Russia’s Far East.

[buglerbilly]

Israel To Deploy 'Iron Dome' In November

By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Published: 19 Jul 2010 16:46

JERUSALEM - Israel will deploy in November its anti-missile system designed to combat threats from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, the defense ministry said on July 19.



A rocket is fired from Iron Dome during a test in Israel in January. The system is designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells. (Israel Defense Ministry via AFP) "The Iron Dome interceptor, in conjunction with air force and anti-aircraft systems, successfully downed a large number of threats in fully operational mode," the ministry said in statement.

"The first two batteries will become operational in November 2010," it said adding that "the defense ministry will soon place orders for additional batteries."

The system is designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells, of which Hamas and the Hezbollah have fired thousands at Israel in the past.

The system is expected to be first deployed along the border of Hamas-run Gaza from where a daily barrage of home-made rockets fired at the Jewish state prompted Israel to launch a devastating 22-day offensive on December 27, 2008.

It will then be deployed on Israel's border with Lebanon, where the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired some 4,000 rockets into northern Israel during a 2006 war. Israel believes Hezbollah now has an arsenal of some 40,000 rockets.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak praised the developers for the short timeframe in which they had managed to make the system operational.

"We will act to actively deploy the batteries in the field as soon as possible," he said in the statement.

In May, U.S. President Barack Obama asked Congress to approve giving Israel $205 million to develop the system, on top of the billions of dollars in aid it gives Israel each year.

The Iron Dome will join the Arrow long-range ballistic missile defense system in an ambitious multi-layered program to protect Israeli cities from rockets and missiles fired from Lebanon, the Gaza Strip, Syria and Iran.

A third system specifically aimed at countering medium-range missiles is still in development.

[buglerbilly]

More on Iron Dome...........

Published 01:54 20.07.10
Latest update 01:54 20.07.10

Iron Dome completes final test round; system's deployment set for November

By Amos Harel

The "Iron Dome" short- and medium-range rocket-defense system successfully completed its last round of tests yesterday, the Defense Ministry and the IDF said. According to a statement, the tests, which included the interception of multiple missile barrages fired simultaneously, were a complete success, and the two existing batteries will join the Israel Air Force antiaircraft division in November. However, the army is yet to decide how many batteries to order from producer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, due to prohibitive costs.


Monday's test of the Iron Dome rocket-defense system. The military said the tests were highly successful.
Photo by: Defense Ministry

The final tests were carried out in the Negev this week, and followed another successful series of tests, completed in January. Officials at Rafael and in the Defense Ministry said they were particularly pleased with the Iron Dome's ability to simultaneously intercept a number of rockets from different directions and from different distances. The system is also capable of calculating an incoming rocket's trajectory, and can avoid firing an interceptor missile if the rocket is destined for an unpopulated area.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak promised yesterday that the defense establishment would work to have the Iron Dome batteries deployed within a short time.

The only budget ensured for the purchase of batteries, beyond the two existing ones, comes from American military aid. Recently, the Congress and the Obama administration confirmed a special aid package of $250 million to Israel, a sum that is meant to cover the purchase of up to nine Iron Dome batteries.

Each battery is estimated to cost between 40 and 50 million shekels, but funding will also be required for radar systems and interceptor missiles. Various estimates speak of a need for at least 20 batteries to cover the Galilee and the Negev, which face missile threats from Lebanon and Gaza, respectively.

The Defense Ministry released a video yesterday showing the interception of Grad-type and Qassam-like rockets. The interceptor missiles homed in on rockets flying along a dangerous trajectory and ignored others that didn't pose a threat.

The head of research and development at the ministry, Brig. Gen. Eitan Asher, said that in the latest experiment, the Iron Dome battery was for the first time operated by an air force crew and connected to air force control, command and communication systems. The battery is supposed to be able to shoot down rockets and missiles within a range of 4 to 75 kilometers, as well as mortar shells of a caliber as small as 120 millimeters, but no smaller.

The purchase of the batteries is expected to begin at the end of the year, but the training of enough anti-aircraft teams to operate the system may take longer. At the moment, the air force is training only crews from one battalion, which will only be able to operate a small number of batteries.

Although theoretically one Iron Dome battery should be able to defend a medium-sized town like Sderot, the air force may keep the batteries in bases, until and unless the situation escalates. That plan has been slammed by Negev mayors and council heads, who yesterday demanded to deploy the units as quickly as possible.

The question of costs becomes all the more pressing in view of the government's decision last week to cut 2.7 billion shekels from the defense budget, although the IDF already said it would oppose the use of its budget for purchase of the units. Some of the generals believe the units should be kept in air force bases even in the case of war, arguing the top priority in such a scenario would be allowing the continuation of IAF attacks and protecting strategically important sites.

The widespread deployment of the Iron Dome is not without political ramifications. The U.S. assistant secretary of State for political-military affairs, Andrew Shapiro, said in a lecture in Washington last week that missile interception systems would allow Israel to make tough decisions required for lasting peace - in other words, that Israel would be able to retreat from more territories, without fearing an increased threat from missiles.

[buglerbilly]

Israel Says Iron Dome Ready For Deployment; IDF Balks at Price Tag

With the number of Missiles aimed at Israel I would have thought it necessary to have a gun-based (C-RAM?) system in their tiered defence?

With considerable fanfare unusual for the highly secretive Israeli military, Israel’s Defense Ministry announced on Monday that the “Iron Dome” counter-rocket artillery mortar system was ready for operational deployment. Iron Dome combines detection and tracking radars with vertically launched guided interceptor missiles to blow out of the air incoming Katyusha rockets, which Hezbollah rained down on northern Israel in summer 2006, as well as smaller mortar rounds, launched with some frequency from Gaza into nearby Israeli towns.

The first two Iron Dome batteries will be deployed in November, the ministry said. Iron Dome has been in development for years, but was fast-tracked after the 2006 Lebanon War and the Gaza Strip war against Hamas 18 months ago. It is supposed to form the lowest level of a multi-tiered defensive system, targeting rockets, mortars and artillery rounds out to 70 kilometers; the Arrow anti-ballistic missile would form the top tier and tackle Scuds and the like.

An article in Israel’s Haaretz quotes an anonymous defense official gushing over the system’s performance in the recent tests:


Iron Dome, he said, when “faced with a volley of Grad-type Katyushas, fires a counter-volley and the interceptors are required to select and intercept specific Grads in this flying pack. It looked impossible, but they did the impossible,” he said. “Every missile picked the specific Grad it was asked to select and destroyed it. There’s no doubt this is historic.”

The Obama administration committed some $205 million to the system’s development this year. “Iron Dome fills a gap in Israel’s multi-tiered defense system,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Andrew Shapiro, speaking at Brookings earlier this month. “Israel has conducted thorough tests of Iron Dome components and we’ve conducted an evaluation of our own. We are confident that Iron Dome will provide improved defense for the people of Israel.”

Yet, the IDF is reluctant to buy it, grumbling over the cost of each Iron Dome intercept, estimated at nearly $50,000, compared to the estimated $500 cost of a Palestinian rocket. Press reports put Iron Dome development costs at $250 million, with each battery costing about $50 million.

Haaretz says IDF deputy chief of staff Benny Gantz was impressed with the Iron Dome tests, but thinks other countries should pick up the tab for the system, rather than have it come out of the IDF’s budget.

– Greg Grant

Image: Rafael

Read more: http://defensetech.org/2010/07/21/israel-says-iron-dome-ready-idf-balks-at-price-tag/#more-8331#ixzz0uNhSFD5Y
Defense.org

[buglerbilly]

Farnborough Air Show 2010

On site special coverage from the 2010 Farnborough International Air Show

Iron Dome Has Customers, Follow-Ons

Posted by Bill Sweetman at 7/23/2010 6:18 AM CDT

Rafael marketing vice-president Lova Drori says that the company's new Iron Dome counter-rocket system already has "quite a few" export customers, and that exports will start in parallel with deployment in Israel. As Noam Eshel reports in Ares, the system has completed its tests - after a remarkably short and intensive development program - and will be operational in November.

Iron Dome, originally designed to protect Israeli territory from rockets fired by terrorists in Gaza and elsewhere, has many other uses, Drori says. Those include the protection of critical infrastructure near the coast (Drori cites Japanese nuclear plants) and the defense of deployed military forces.

In the latter case, Rafael is proposing a combination of Iron Dome with the new Spike-NLOS high-precision, operator-in-loop missile, which has a similar range to the rocket weapons that Iron Dome is designed to destroy.

Drori says that Iron Dome is inherently superior to gun-based counter-rocket systems because it has a very high hit probability - 90 per cent with one round and 99 per cent with two - and because its specially developed, unique and still classified warhead "totally destroys" the incoming round. That eliminates the risk that a damaged rocket will miss its target but still cause casualties elsewhere.

"It's my personal belief", Drori says, that the basic technology in Iron Dome will find its way into new active defense systems for military vehicles, ships, helicopters and even aircraft. "Aircraft can no longer run away from missiles, either air-to-air or surface-to-air, and electronic warfare means are no longer good enough. But it should be easy to develop a small interceptor." Drori believes that an airborne missile interceptor system will be lighter, more practical and available sooner than a directed energy weapon.

[Deks]

Am I the only one to find this comical?



Haaretz says IDF deputy chief of staff Benny Gantz was impressed with the Iron Dome tests, but thinks other countries should pick up the tab for the system, rather than have it come out of the IDF’s budget.

[Gubler, A.]

Am I the only one to find this comical?

Things are often funny if you don't know abything about it.

[buglerbilly]

US to fully fund Arrow 3

By YAAKOV KATZ

07/25/2010 20:25



Cost of ballistic missile defense system likely to reach $100 million.

Israel and the United States signed an agreement on Sunday under which the Defense Ministry will receive full funding for the development and production of the Arrow 3 ballistic missile defense system.

The agreement was signed in Tel Aviv by head of the ministry’s MAFAT Research and Development Directorate, Brig.-Gen. Ofir Shoham, and the head of the US Missile Defense Agency, Lt.-Gen. Patrick O’Reilly.

In May 2009, the Obama administration said it would continue to support the Arrow project, as it had done since its inception over 20 years ago. However, Israel was concerned that the US would end the funding due to major cuts made to the US defense budget by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Development costs for the system are expected to reach some $100 million. The Arrow 3 will likely become operational in 2012-2013.

The Arrow 3 will be a longer-range version of the Arrow system currently in IDF operation, and will be capable of intercepting incoming missiles at higher altitudes and longer ranges. Israel and the US are also developing David’s Sling, a missile-based defense system for projectiles with a range of 70-250 kilometers.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Ehud Barak left for Washington on Sunday for meetings with top administration officials. Defense sources said the talks were the continuation of Israel’s ongoing strategic dialogue with the US and would focus on Iran, Hizbullah and the Palestinian peace process.

While in the US, Barak will also discuss Israeli plans to purchase of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). America is pressuring Israel to make a decision on the aircraft.

If Barak authorizes the move, Israel would become the first foreign customer to sign a contract to purchase the advanced stealth fighter jet.

Under the proposed deal, it would likely purchase one squadron of aircraft, which it would begin to receive in 2015 – assuming that the project does not encounter additional delays in its development.

[buglerbilly]

In Test, Indian Air Defense System Is On Target

By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI

Published: 26 Jul 2010 13:38

NEW DELHI - India's Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) system, which failed a test earlier this year, was more successful July 26: A PAD interceptor missile struck an incoming target missile at an altitude of 15 kilometers, according to a scientist from the government's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which is developing the missile defense program.

Fired from Wheeler Island off the Orissa coast near Dhamra, the interceptor "destroyed an incoming ballistic missile - a variant of the Prithvi II that lifted off from Launch Complex-III of the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-Sea." about 70 kilometers away across the sea, the scientist said.

In March, the PAD had failed a similar endo-atmospheric test when the target missile, a short-range Prithvi ballistic missile fired from a mobile launcher, deviated from its trajectory after traveling about 11 kilometers and fell into the sea, the DRDO scientist said.

The hypersonic interceptor missile did not receive the required command for takeoff from Wheeler Island during the March test, Defence Ministry sources said. But the DRDO scientist claimed the March test was not a failure as the interceptor missile's capabilities were not to blame.

The PAD system has undergone exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric tests. Its original Israeli-built Green Pine radar has been replaced with an indigenous system.

PAD Phase-I, which can kill an incoming ballistic missile at a height of 80 kilometers, is expected to be inducted into service in 15 months.

[buglerbilly]

Raytheon Joins Lockheed Team for GMD Competition

By KATE BRANNEN

Published: 5 Aug 2010 13:21

Lockheed Martin and Raytheon announced Aug. 5 that they will work together to compete for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) development and sustainment contract.

Earlier this summer, Lockheed announced Alaska-based partners, Alaska Aerospace Corp. and NANA Development Corp., as members of the team, for which Lockheed will be the prime contractor.

To date, Boeing has been the prime contractor for the GMD program, overseeing and integrating systems developed by other major defense subcontractors, including Raytheon and Northrop Grumman.

Now, the Missile Defense Agency is recompeting the program and is expected to release the final request for proposals within weeks, said Mathew Joyce, GMD vice president and program manager for Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., in a call with reporters.

Companies will have 60 days to submit their proposals, and the Missile Defense Agency is expected to select a winner in the first quarter of 2011, he said.

In June, Boeing announced that it is teaming with Northrop to pursue the multibillion-dollar contract.

"MDA has announced the value of the contract is approximately $600 million per year, with an additional period of performance of five years," Joyce said.

Raytheon and Lockheed officials noted their success in teaming up on Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense including Standard Missile-3, Patriot and Patriot Advanced Capability-3, and GMD Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle.

As a strategic partner to Lockheed Martin, Raytheon's role will include systems engineering, development, manufacturing, testing, training and operations and sustainment at all of the key GMD sites, according to a press release.

"Lockheed Martin will be the prime and Raytheon in that case would be a subcontractor, but the term that we've been using of strategic partnership really overwhelms that," said Frank Wyatt, Raytheon vice president of Air and Missile Defense Systems. Raytheon's work will "span the entire bandwidth of the program," he added.

"We're fully integrated across the board, so it's not a condition of we are a parts provider, we are a strategic partner across this entire operation," he said.

One of the goals of structuring the team this way is to reduce overhead costs, both Joyce and Wyatt said.

The companies will base their operations in Huntsville, Ala.

[buglerbilly]

U.S. Plans to Sell 209 Patriot Missiles to Kuwait

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Published: 11 Aug 2010 15:28

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon on Aug. 11 said it had notified Congress of a planned sale of Patriot missiles to Kuwait, which is looking to bolster its defenses against the threat from Iran.

"Kuwait needs these missiles to meet current and future threats of enemy air-to-ground weapons," the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.

The proposed sale, valued at $900 million, would "contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East," the statement said.

DSCA said it notified Congress on Aug. 10 of the possible transfer of 209 MIM-104E Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missile-T Missiles.

"The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," the statement said.

[buglerbilly]

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Big Decision Ahead for NATO and Missile Defense

Posted by Amy Butler at 8/17/2010 10:15 AM CDT

HUNTSVILLE, Ala -- A meeting of heads of state and top missile defense chiefs of NATO countries is set for November. One of the key questions to be addressed during the sessions at the NATO summit in Lisbon is whether the alliance will have a unified missile defense strategy and, if so, what it will look like.

The meeting comes as NATO countries face mounting financial problems, and missile defenses don't come cheap. The topic is one of many issues being discussed at the Space and Missile Defense Conference 2010 here.

If NATO adopts unified missile defense as a mission, the U.S. contribution is to be the phased adaptive approach (PAA) based on an incremental upgrades to the Aegis BMD system and Raytheon's SM-3 family of interceptors.

Talks are already in the works to find areas for basing the Aegis Ashore element, which would consist of the Aegis sensor and fire control system coupled with the SM-31A, 1B and later the larger diameter IIA. An ICBM killer, dubbed the SM-3IIB, is planned for fielding in 2020. Romania and Poland have offered to host interceptors.

Already a TPY-2 radar (from the Thaad system) is in place in Israel and a second one is likely to be placed in the Middle East; these are forward-based sensors designed to give the architecture an early cue in the event of an attack from Iran.

However, if NATO adopts the mission, major questions loom. They include how to link the command and control segments of NATO with the U.S. system, Northrop Grumman's Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS).

Officials at European Command are already conducting some joint exercises with countries there to begin to identify what needs to be done to create a European missile defense architecture, says Army Lt. Gen. John Gardner, EUCOM's deputy commander. Among them was a recent exercise with Germany and the Netherlands.

Also, the Juniper Cobra 10 exercise, a joint trial with Israel, was conducted last fall. During this exercise, officials experienced simulated missile attacks and executed a live fire event. Gardner says the experience highlighted some questions for policy, rules of engagement and command and control for the two nations.

[buglerbilly]

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Three Paths to Missile Defense

Posted by David A. Fulghum at 8/17/2010 2:47 PM CDT

Israel, the People’s Republic of China and the U.S. are all looking for a missile defense but each is taking a separate technology path.

Israel is developing specialized ground-based defenses such as Iron Dome that can deal with hundreds of short range ballistic missiles. China is buying one of the world’s biggest inventories of surface to air missiles (SAMs) – originally built to shoot down cruise missiles and aircraft. The U.S. is looking at small lasers and advanced air-to-air missiles that could be carried by unmanned aircraft.

While the details will not be clear until 2014-15, the Missile Defense Agency is pressing ahead with plans generated by a 10-years forecast that U.S. officials hope allies will support, adopt and help pay for.

In support of that forecast, the newly renamed Airborne Laser Test Platform – carrying a high-power, multi-megawatt chemical laser is conducting tests to prove it can predictably shoot down a target missile at ranges of over 100 mi.

“Last Feb. we had the first engagement against an actual threat missile,” says Lt. Gen. Patrick J. O’Reilly, commander of the Missile Defense Agency. “Now we’re trying to shoot it down at more than twice that range [of more than 50 mi.]. It was the first time we ever used lasers like this.”

Air Force scientists thought that they had discovered that the energy beam transmitted through the atmosphere at twice the anticipated range. They appear to be wrong. An additional test in June indicated that they have again underestimated the laser’s destructive range.

Another technology that falls within the 10-year scope of MDA predictions is Boost Phase Intercept (BPI) of enemy ballistic missiles shortly after launch.

“From a technical point of view, boost phase is the most attractive place to shoot down a missile,” O’Reilly says. “The challenges are timing, [position and the] Mach 9-10 interceptor missile speed you would need to shoot down a missile in the 2-4 minutes that it is boosting. The issue is practicality. How close do you have to be, and in what position? If you are on strip alert [in an aircraft with an interceptor missile] and the target missile has already launched, that’s a problem.”

But if manned aircraft are taken out of the formula, then there may be a way to make BPI a viable capability.

“We’re interested in remotely piloted vehicles,” Reilly says. “We’re studying that with the U.S. Air Force so that we can maximize the potential to have an aircraft at the right place and time to intercept. The challenge is to have faster missiles – which makes them big and gives you problems with finding aircraft to carry them – or to make more energetic missiles with different propellants. It is promising. But are we going to have boost phase interception in the next 4-5 years? I don’t see that.”

Israel’s missile defense system avoids the need for BPI because its borders are close to enemy launch sites. The problem there is the volume of enemy missiles they expect to absorb in any new conflict.

“I was in Israel a couple of weeks ago looking at “Iron Dome” [one of the lower-level defenses],” Reilly says. “It’s impressive, but when you look at the volume of missiles it will have to address it is quite challenging because the whole system has to operate within seconds in a very confusing environment. With Iron Dome, they are going to deploy a lot of them and deploy them right up front so it’s an attractive system for that.”

The Pentagon’s newly released 2010 annual report to Congress on military developments involving the People’s Republic of China provides some clues about how China is tackling the missile defense problem. It involves ships, surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), electronic warfare and computer network attack.

New PLA Navy ships reflect the leadership’s priority for an advanced anti-air warfare capability at sea which has historically been a weakness of the fleet, the report says.

The PLA Air Force is building an inventory of long-range, advanced SAM systems that is now one of the largest in the world, Pentagon analysts say. Over the past five years, China’s efforts have included the acquisition of a number of SA-20 PMU2 battalions, the most advanced SAM systems offered for export by Russia and the introduction of the indigenously designed HQ-9. Other systems include the SA-10 PMU1.

Chinese doctrine includes the “Joint Anti-Air Raid” campaign plan that involves air and missile defense as well as early warning and reconnaissance. It provides the basis for much of China’s planning for anti-access and area-denial operations over both China’s offensive and defensive forces in the event of war.

The Joint Anti-Air Raid campaign is strategically defensive, but includes attacks of enemy bases and naval forces at the operational and tactical levels.

[buglerbilly]

UPDATE 1-Lockheed offers warranty for missile interceptor

By Jim Wolf

WASHINGTON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) offered to assume additional liability to start production of part of the multibillion dollar U.S. shield against ballistic missiles, the head of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency said on Tuesday.

Army Lieutenant General Patrick O'Reilly told reporters he thought it was fair for Lockheed to take financial responsibility for costs related to any further production delays involving interceptor missiles for its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD.

"So I'm very open to do that with Lockheed," O'Reilly told a defense writers' breakfast, adding that the interceptor production was "badly needed."

Lockheed's initiative would come amid stepped-up efforts by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to get more bang for the Pentagon's buck. Gates is seeking to free more than $100 billion in overhead savings over five years to invest in forces in the field and modernizing their kit.

O'Reilly said the Missile Defense Agency was eyeing potential competitive bids worth as much as $37 billion over the next five years as it moves away from sole-source contracts.

Contractors are already jockeying for a potential $600 million annual contract to continue development and sustainment of the sole long-range missile defense, known as ground-based midcourse, or GMD.

A $419 million THAAD production contract has been withheld from Lockheed because a part made by a subcontractor has yet to pass all qualification tests. The piece is a safety device manufactured by Moog Inc (MOGa.N) called an optical block switch. It is designed to prevent accidental missile launch, said Richard Lehner, an agency spokesman.

O'Reilly said Lockheed, the Pentagon's No. 1 supplier by sales, had offered to assume liability for any stop-and-restart production line costs pending completion of the switch's qualification, expected in February.

Lockheed, the THAAD program's prime contractor, said it was confident that it had a solution in place that would clear the way for a production go-ahead next month.

"We have taken responsibility for delivering the successful optical block switch solution as promised," Cheryl Amerine, a company spokeswoman, said in an email to Reuters. She did not respond to questions about the company's increased risk.

Lockheed anticipates that delivery of its interceptors for the first THAAD battery will start in the fourth quarter of this calendar year, Amerine said.

O'Reilly said he had personally discussed the holdup with officials of the United Arab Emirates, which is seeking THAAD systems worth as much as $7 billion through a government-to-government sale and which would be the system's first overseas customer.

THAAD operates alongside other elements of the emerging missile shield, which the United States has said is designed to thwart attacks that could be launched by countries like Iran and North Korea.

THAAD interceptor deliveries originally were supposed to have begun in March. The first ground units were delivered to the U.S. Army about 18 months ago. They have been through extensive tests and are in "very good position to be ready to deploy" except for the interceptors, O'Reilly said.

The delayed production contract would cover 26 interceptors and a third and fourth THAAD batteries, using funds appropriated by Congress for this fiscal year. It also would include an option for another 22 interceptors using fiscal 2011 funds, Lehner said.

A spokeswoman for East Aurora, New York-based Moog, Ann Luhr, said her company was barred by contract from commenting on its programs as a subcontractor.

On another subject, O'Reilly said the Missile Defense Agency had concluded that an experimental airborne laser aboard a modified Boeing Co (BA.N) 747 had twice the range originally expected.

The chemical oxygen iodine laser is to be tested again early Wednesday at a California range after two delays, first tied to a problem with a target missile, then to a glitch in the targeting system's software, O'Reilly said.

The goal is to shoot down a target more than 100 miles away, twice the range demonstrated in a Feb. 11 test, and it may even have greater range than that, he said.

Last year, Gates reduced the Airborne Laser program as part of Pentagon budget belt-tightening.

Boeing provides the aircraft, battle management and overall systems integration. Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC.N) supplies the megawatt-class laser and Lockheed supplies the beam control and fire control systems.

(Editing by Toni Reinhold and Bernard Orr)

[buglerbilly]

Buy THAAD, Get Warranty

By Colin Clark Wednesday, August 18th, 2010 12:43 pm



When you buy a car, usually one of a family’s most expensive purchases, you get a warranty if it’s new or “certified.”

When the Pentagon buys weapons it rarely gets any kind of warranty. After all, these are complex systems, using advanced technology and they are, well, going to be used in war zones. It’s hard enough to get insurance as a war correspondent for your own self. A warranty on a tank or on body armor would be mighty hard to convince anyone to issue.

So when the head of the Missile Defense Agency told reporters that Lockheed will offer a warranty on the THAAD anti-missile system we could barely swallow our applewood bacon. Lt Gen. Patrick O’Reilly said he was also withholding a $419 million production contract until Lockheed demonstrates a safety switch built by subcontractor Moog will work as designed. It’s a pretty important device, meant to stop accidental launches. And, as O Reilly noted, it is built into the system at the beginning of the production line, so you can’t start the line in hopes the problem is addressed before the rest of the system makes it down the line.

The first international customer to get THAAD, the United Arab Emirates, plans to buy as much as $7 billion worth of the system and has been informed of the problems, O’Reilly said. He indicated that the Arab government is understanding.

These actions are symptoms of at least three factors afflicting the defense industry and the Pentagon. As several senior Pentagon acquisition officials have said in the last year, quality control has grown into a serious issue for prime contractors and their subs. Combine that with the painful budget crunch that seems to grow heavier with each passing month and you’ve got a Pentagon that feels empowered to squeeze contractors as hard as it can in pursuit of cost savings and to enforce contracts. And Lockheed Martin, THAAD’s maker, is willing to do a great deal to preserve revenue from the F-35 program and giving a warranty on another important program probably looked like a good and innovative way to keep the Pentagon happy. Warranties are unlikely to become a standard feature of most weapon systems, but it’s fair to say that companies are likely to show themselves much more flexible in their dealings with the government than has been the case since Sept. 11, 2001.

Read more: http://www.dodbuzz.com/2010/08/18/buy-thaad-get-warranty/#ixzz0x0NK6dg5

[buglerbilly]

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

O'Reilly Gives a Rare Peek at MDA Flight Test Plan

Posted by Amy Butler at 8/23/2010 6:34 AM CDT

The US Missile Defense Agency has laid out a new integrated test master plan for the trials that are needed to meet the plans for the Phased Adaptive Approach (PAA) defenses in Europe and to expand the US-based Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system.

MDA Director Army Lt. Gen. Patrick O’Reilly says that the current gap in tracking ballistic missiles – it occurs at the end of ascent and through midcourse – needs to be fixed by about 2016 in order to try to engage targets just after boost phase. The agency has long sought early intercept as it offers the chance to shoot-look-shoot, instead of just firing two interceptors off the same sensor data back to back. During a speech at the annual Space and Missile Defense Conference last week in Huntsville, O’Reilly said the likely scenario is not an intercept in boost, but to launch the interceptor in boost. This would hopefully allow for a kill just after boost phase and booster separation.

The addition of a TYP-2 radar in Europe – likely Turkey or Bulgaria – will help with this sensor problem. Also, MDA is developing an airborne IR pod to be used as an ascent phase tracker. O’Reilly says that the sensor could possibly track in midcourse, but studies are still under way.

Another key trial will be launching an SM-3 off of a TPY-2 track, since TPY-2s in Europe, Israel and possibly a second in the Middle East could be the first sensors to provide a track.

O’Reilly also says the system needs to be tested against mass raids as it is highly unlikely that any nation willing to hurl ballistic missiles at the U.S. or its allies will send just one weapon. More likely, many missiles will be fired, and they will be launched from different locations and differ in their ranges and targets.

During his speech, he gave a rare look at MDA’s flight test plans through Fiscal 2016. Key test dates are as follows:

• Aegis/SM-3 IA will attempt to intercept an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) in the third quarter of Fiscal 2011.

• SM-3 IA will try to intercept a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2012 as part of a trial in which Aegis, the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) and Patriot systems will engage multiple targets during the same event.

• In the second quarter of Fiscal 2011, Aegis/SM-3 IB will conduct a simulated exercise against a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) target and an actual intercept of an MRBM target during the same event.

• Four SM-3 IB tests are slated for Fiscal 2012. Two, each against SRBMs, are planned in the first quarter. In the third quarter, one intercept is slated against an IRBM with another against an SRBM.

• In the first quarter of Fiscal 2013, the IB will execute a series of three events. The first two will include multiple virtual intercepts designed to simulate a mass raid. The third is an intercept of an SRBM by two actual SM-3 IBs launched in a salvo.

• A Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) flight trial intercepting an IRBM is slated for the first quarter of Fiscal 2011.

• A GMD intercept test is slated for Fiscal 2012, including an IRBM target and a two-stage interceptor in the second quarter.

• GMD will counter an ICBM target in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2014, and more attempts are slated for the third quarter of Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2016.

[buglerbilly]

MEADS Edges Towards Critical Milestone

Kee: “MEADS addressed all requirements provided by the nations.”

Interview with Gregory L. Kee, General Manager, NATO MEADS Management Agency



07:52 GMT, August 30, 2010 The tri-national Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) programme is closing in on a final Critical Design Review. Major assemblies are now being integrated and tested in anticipation of the CDR, that will formally complete the design phase. The programme further demonstrates significant hardware progress toward flight tests in 2012. In an interview with MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, a media partner of defpro.com, Gregory L. Kee, General Manager, NATO MEADS Management Agency gives details and latest news.

Under development by Germany, Italy and the US, the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) is a ground-mobile air and missile defence system that will eventually being developed to replace the PATRIOT in the US, the HAWK and PATRIOT systems in Germany, and the NIKE HERCULES in Italy. It is the only medium-range air defence system that provides full 360° coverage for the warfighter.


MT: The US Army says that MEADS does not meet their requirements. Can you talk to me about that?

Kee: MEADS has addressed all requirements provided by the nations. It is important to recognise that the MEADS design requirements were set jointly by the US, Germany and Italy based on the increased need for coalition fighting and US experience with an aging PATRIOT system during both Iraq wars.

MEADS meets challenging requirements not addressed by any previous air and missile defence system. The system is easily deployed to a theatre and, once there, can keep pace with fast-moving manoeuvre forces. MEADS will be the only air and missile defence system able to roll off air transports with troops and almost immediately begin operations to protect manoeuvre forces and critical assets against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and manned aircraft.

MEADS is being built with open architecture and plug-and-fight, so it will have the ability to adapt to each of the three nation’s requirements. It will be interoperable with the other systems each of the participating nations uses and will operate effectively in a coalition environment. Looking even more broadly at NATO, MEADS will align and fit into the missile defence architecture that’s being developed for Europe.

MEADS addresses the limitations of the PATRIOT system, which began design and development in the late 1960s. Operation “Iraqi Freedom” and NATO operations in Afghanistan have underscored the need for the 360° protection that MEADS provides. The combination of 360° sensor operation, near-vertical launch capability, and the PAC-3 MSE missile gives MEADS a far greater defended area. MEADS advanced sensors see farther to make full use of PAC-3 MSE missile’s capabilities. MEADS sensors are also optimised for their functions; the UHF surveillance radar is optimised for efficient search over a very wide area, and the X-band multifunction fire control radar is optimised for very accurate tracking of today’s advanced threats.


MT: The Obama administration has focused on NATO and Trans-Atlantic armaments cooperation through its Ballistic Missile Defense Review and Phased Adaptive Approach. Does MEADS contribute any value?

Kee: Absolutely. From the beginning, MEADS has been a unique and far-reaching programme, tasked with demonstrating methodology to allow three NATO countries to share in development of a common system that enables interoperability for future coalition operations. As the US, Germany, and Italy develop MEADS, it has been shown to be a positive example of transatlantic cooperation. By working together to replace the aging missile systems of the three countries, we are accomplishing more with limited budget than each country could alone.

The MEADS programme continues to prove its value. The benefits of international cooperation are extending far beyond cost sharing (42% of the development costs are being covered by Germany with 25% and Italy with 17%), although European participation has freed up over $1.6 billion in budget authority that has been applied to other US defence needs. The contributions by German and Italian industry are world-class, and having such an advanced capability as MEADS in the hands of our allies ensures that the US will not need to respond unilaterally to every military crisis that threatens US citizens or interests worldwide.

Furthermore, having a shared system among coalition partners and within NATO promotes interoperability, cooperation, and exchange of information among allied forces. For these reasons, it is expected that MEADS will be purchased and fielded by many of our allies throughout NATO and elsewhere. MEADS is aligned to contribute to the European Phased Adaptive Approach.


MT: There was some recent Congressional language in the US that the programme was behind schedule. What is the current status of the system design?

Kee: The programme is on track to complete design approval and to begin test flights at White Sands Missile Range in 2012. Focus remains on completing the system-level Critical Design Review (CDR) in August 2010, which will be the last of 47 discrete design review events that have been held during the past two years. To date, more than 1,000 evaluation criteria required for final design approval of the system have been demonstrated. All major component designs for the radars, launcher, reloader, and battle manager are finalised and have been approved by the three nations.

Production of assemblies has already shown substantial progress as the programme moves into an integration and test phase in 2011. As noted in a March 2010 US Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, the MEADS programme's five critical technologies are fully mature ahead of CDR. In February, the MEADS interceptor, an advanced version of the current PAC-3 missile, successfully intercepted a threat-representative tactical ballistic missile target at White Sands Missile Range. The programme is now producing the radars, launchers, reloaders and battle managers needed for integration and test activities. Recent major integration and test milestones accomplishments include:

• A unique system test capability has been integrated that enables hardware-in-the-loop testing of MEADS elements in a system configuration. This integration enables use of the MEADS battle management system and its plug-and-fight capabilities;
• Tactical software deliveries have begun in support of system integration;
• A MEADS IFF unit is in test at Pratica di Mare Air Force Base in Italy;
• The first US Integrated Launcher Electronics System (ILES) has been completed and delivered to Germany for integration on the MEADS Launcher;
• The first Launcher Platform Group has been integrated onto an Italian prime mover and passed acceptance tests;
• Multifunction Fire Control Radar antenna elevation and automatic levelling tests were completed successfully following integration onto an Italian prime mover.


MT: What is the cost of the system?

Kee: Future MEADS production costs are expected be comparable to those of other air and missile defence systems while offering superior performance. Estimates being generated today have the benefit of actual costs for key components like the interceptor, transmit/receive modules for both radars, software, and launcher electronics. Additionally, operations and sustainment costs for MEADS are forecast to be nearly half of what it costs to maintain PATRIOT.

For example, MEADS requires far fewer soldiers and less equipment in a fire unit, but it protects more area than PATRIOT, with increased capability to handle more threats and at greater ranges. With MEADS mobility, range, and flexible architecture, far fewer MEADS units will be needed. For example, four PATRIOT units would be needed to provide the 360° protection of a single MEADS fire unit. Up to eight or more PATRIOT units would be needed to provide the range and coverage of a single MEADS fire unit.

MEADS benefits from reduced manpower needs, advanced prognostics, modular software, higher availability, and smaller, more fuel-efficient components. Since operations and sustainment costs of major weapons systems represent nearly 70% of the overall life cycle cost of a system, MEADS could potentially save user nations billions of dollars over the lifecycle of the system.


MT: Do you have any final thoughts?

Kee: I am optimistic that the nations will approve the next phase of the MEADS programme. MEADS’ 21st century open architecture allows operational mission-tailoring to the user. Based on our initial assessment, MEADS provides 3-8x greater firepower with 1/3 the force, resulting in dramatic operation and support cost savings over current systems. MEADS is also more transportable than PATRIOT. MEADS major elements and smaller vehicles weigh less and emplace more quickly than their PATRIOT counterparts, increasing airlift flexibility to get MEADS into the theatre and increasing mission flexibility once there.

Through MEADS plug-and-fight capabilities, nations gain the opportunity to easily and affordably integrate their own sensors or shooters into the MEADS open architecture. Existing stovepipe systems use a proprietary software-based battle manager that requires complex integration to incorporate additional capabilities. Germany will be the first nation to benefit from the MEADS open-architecture battle manager through integration of the IRIS-T SL missile into German MEADS fire units. MEADS is also the only terminal air and missile defence system using Mode V identification friend-or-foe (IFF) technology to help reduce fratricide.


MT: Mr Kee, thank you for this interview.

[buglerbilly]

MDA Plans Major Anti-Missile Programs

Aug 30, 2010



By Amy Butler
Huntsville, Ala.

The director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is in the early stages of engaging industry on a series of projects worth billions of dollars that will shape the nation’s defense architecture, but he continues to struggle with contractors building unreliable products.

Army Lt. Gen. Patrick O’Reilly is withholding a production contract worth up to $400 million for the next 48 Ter*minal High-Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) missiles because of a single part that failed qualification in June. Although a redesign is underway, he emphasizes that new systems require a “zero tolerance” for reliability shortcomings, and the delay is affecting readiness for operational units.

While struggling with some of today’s systems, new programs are essential to the emerging architecture envisioned by the Pentagon. At issue is spotty tracking of threat missiles. The goal is uninterrupted tracking of hostile weapons in order to engage them early in flight.

Among forthcoming technology demonstrations are efforts to field new midcourse tracking satellites, a long-range ICBM killer and a sensor pod for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) capable of tracking boosting ballistic missiles.

While the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense program will continue to be the mainstay to protect the U.S. from ballistic missile attack from North Korea and Iran, new systems are needed to complete the architecture and improve on the systems envisioned for protecting Europe. Among them is a 9-12-satellite Precision Tracking and Surveillance System (PTSS), which would provide ascent-phase midcourse tracking of ballistic missile targets. Today, operators lose sight of a target and are forced to reacquire it later in its flight.

David Burns of the MDA’s Advanced Technology Directorate says the agency seeks a “lighter, smaller, cheaper satellite” than those developed under the Space Tracking and Surveillance System built by Northrop Grumman and conceived in the 1990s. While STSS uses two sensors—one capable of plume detection in the short-wave infrared (IR) bands and another, a tracker, using short-, mid- and long-wave IR bands—PTSS will likely consist of a less complex design to simply address the ascent and midcourse tracking mission.

Industry executives say pursuing a system capable of self-initiated and executed birth-to-death tracking is too expensive in the current fiscal environment. Instead, they say, PTSS will be cued by other MDA sensors—such as X-band radars or other spaceborne IR sensors, including the Space-Based Infrared System.

The MDA issued a request for information from industry in April, and the objective is to initiate a prototyping effort for up to five contractors. Some or all of them could then be selected to influence the eventual prototype design, which is likely to be overseen by a government-funded laboratory.

Already, industry contenders are lining up, although teaming agreements have not yet been announced. Northrop Grumman/Raytheon, which built STSS, could continue its relationship. Meanwhile, for the first time, Boeing placed a small, generic model of a PTSS in its booth at the Space and Missile Defense Conference here this week, although company executives say specific details remain proprietary.

The MDA is also exploring the available technologies for an Airborne Infrared (ABIR) UAS pod, which could provide tracking of boosting ballistic missiles. General Atomics Reapers, with the Raytheon MTS-B electro-optical/IR/full-motion-video sensor, have proven that they can detect and track a boosting missile from greater than 1,000 km. (620 mi.) with “remarkable resolution,” O’Reilly says. The agency is doing the groundwork to see what qualities an objective sensor would need and how the data would be integrated into larger MDA sensor cueing and command-and-control architecture. The ultimate goal is to link all sensors and shooters into a networked system.

A specific ABIR fleet of UAS is cost-prohibitive, so now the focus is on designing the pod, which could be flown on an Air Force platform such as the Reaper, O’Reilly says. Global Hawk could be another option.

“An infrared seeker has limited ability to discriminate at that range, but it has great ability to track. So . . . it relieves the X-band radars from doing some of the long-range searching,” for threats, he says. “It is much more cost-effective to build a pod that you can just attach to any remotely piloted vehicle,” rather than focusing on designing the ABIR capability into a platform.

The first ABIR test that allowed for a Reaper to view a target took place in the spring of 2009, and each major MDA flight test since December has allowed for their participation.

The agency is also in the early stages of planning for a new ICBM-killer, now dubbed the SM-3 Block IIB, although it is not presumed that SM-3 manufacturer Raytheon will be the contractor.

The goal with this program is to field an ICBM killer that draws as much as possible from existing sensor and fire control architectures; in essence, MDA officials hope to avoid a new stovepipe and integrate the system into today’s design. The objective is a system that is “compliant” with the Aegis ship-based sensor and fire control; Aegis employs the SM-3 Block IA. However, Burns says the IIB need not comply with the confines of the MK 41 vertical launch system now placed in the eight-pack configuration on Aegis destroyers. Instead, bidders can simply design a new launch module as long as it fits into the MK 41’s footprint; the result could be fewer interceptors, each of which is larger in diameter and length. This would allow the missiles to go farther and faster.

MDA money will flow to three contractors for risk-reduction work on component technologies, including the kill vehicle (a smaller system could provide more velocity at booster separation), divert-and-attitude-control and sensor systems, says O’Reilly. A winner is expected 2013, with fielding slated for late 2020.

Meanwhile, failure of a Moog-built switch to pass qualification testing has prompted O’Reilly to withhold production approval for the $15-billion Thaad program, headed by Lockheed Martin.

The problem has held up deliveries of the first Thaad capability by about a year, according to one MDA official. Thaad is to provide terminal defenses from air and missile threats with an interceptor and sensor capable of better range than the PAC-3; the Thaad missile can also extend the reach of terminal defenses into the exoatmosphere.

“You can’t start a production line until 100% of the parts are ready to go,” O’Reilly said last week during the conference. “In a defensive system . . . if we shoot, and we fail because we have got a reliability problem, then we are in a much more desperate situation [than in an offensive operation]. We have less time. It is a much greater, stringent requirement for reliability in this business than in an offensive system.” Furthermore, the U.S. magazine of interceptors is thin—and made more so by this delay—so the idea of shooting excess missiles at a target is worrisome, he notes.

O’Reilly says he notified Lockheed Martin of the problem a year ago; the company offered other solutions that also failed to qualify. Now the focus is on a redesign, he says. “Lockheed is not resisting this,” he adds, although “it is very frustrating after 10 years of development of this version of Thaad [that] we are down to one small component.”

As prime contractor, Lockheed Martin is responsible for the quality of parts used in its systems, even if they come from a supplier such as Moog. The company offered through a warranty to pay for any “financial setbacks” the program could encounter in the future as a result of component problems.

“Lockheed Martin is working closely with the MDA to complete qualification testing of an optical block switch for the Thaad interceptor,” says *Cheryl Amerine, a company spokeswoman. “We are confident a solution is in place that will allow production to begin next month. We have taken responsibility for delivering the successful optical block switch solution as promised.” Prior to a production nod, three redesigned switches using new manufacturing processes must pass qualification testing, which is slated for this month. The full battery of qualification trials will not be complete until February, but Lockheed Martin has agreed to the warranty if a subsequent quality issue arises with the part after entering production.

The switch inhibits light from penetrating into the booster ignition motor; because the motor is triggered by light, it prevents an unintentional launch. An industry official says the requirement for the optical block switch was added in 2006; the current development phase of Thaad began in 2000. Prior to 2006, the requirement was for the use of “physical, electronic and software safety blocks to provide the necessary safety for the ignition. . . . The design, testing and qualification of the optical block manufacturing process took longer than we anticipated,” this official says.

Last year, Army Col. William Lamb, MDA’s Thaad program manager, told Aviation Week he thought the optical block issue was a relatively small challenge (AW&ST Aug. 17, 2009, p. 38).

So far, Lockheed Martin is on contract to produce the first 50 Thaad missiles, two of which are for testing. O’Reilly is holding up the next production contract for 48 more missiles, which will populate the No. 3 and 4 fire units. Several missiles have been developed but are awaiting the redesigned part for delivery, Amerine says. The switch can be retrofitted on existing missiles and can be added to weapons being built on the line.

This is not the first time O’Reilly has taken a contractor to task for performance. Earlier this year, he decided not to purchase any more air-launched targets made by Coleman Aerospace, which is owned by L-3 Communications. This target failed during a Thaad flight test, prompting an abort. O’Reilly says he is now purchasing this type of target from Lockheed Martin.

Coleman has been making changes to its program management and company leadership, and a flight test of the target is set for 2011 to determine its effectiveness for potential use in the future. If Coleman can prove it can produce a reliable target, it will be eligible to compete with Lockheed Martin. This is especially critical, as O’Reilly says the vast preponderance of MDA’s planned flight tests in the next five years call for these types of targets.

Photo: US Army

[buglerbilly]

$7bn missile purchase from Lockheed advances

Ivan Gale

Last Updated: September 02. 2010 11:06PM UAE / September 2. 2010 7:06PM GMT

Lockheed Martin, the US defence and aerospace giant, expects to finalise the sale of a sophisticated missile defence system to the UAE next year in a deal that could be worth up to US$7 billion (Dh25.7bn), the company’s chief executive said.

A deal for the theatre high altitude area defence (THAAD) system would be the first international sale of the sensitive defence technology and provide the UAE with an upper-altitude layer of missile defence in addition to a Patriot missile system to be delivered next year.

The projected sale is “probably the most significant international order opportunity” among missile defence systems for now, Robert Stevens, Lockheed’s chairman and chief executive, told a Morgan Stanley conference on Wednesday.

He expected the negotiation of the sale to be concluded between the US and UAE governments in the first half of next year.

“You should look for that as the next step in the international expansion of the missile defence portfolio,” Mr Stevens said.

THAAD has been under development by Lockheed Martin and subcontractors such as Raytheon and Boeing since 1992. A THAAD missile carries no explosive warhead but destroys its target with a direct impact at an altitude of up to 150km.

The system entered service in May 2008 with the US army at Fort Bliss.

The UAE is one of the world’s largest purchasers of defence technology and is the biggest customer of US defence companies. It has been interested in THAAD at least since 2007.

The US defence security co-operation agency has said the UAE can acquire three THAAD “fire units” equipped with a total of 147 anti-ballistic missiles, four radar sets, six fire-control communication stations and nine launchers.

The UAE has reportedly been notified that an optical switch has not passed testing, resulting in what is likely to be a six-month delay in production.

The Pentagon’s missile defence agency has withheld from Lockheed a $419 million THAAD missile-defence production contract because the part, which is made by the subcontractor Moog, has yet to pass all tests.

The component is an “optical block switch” designed to prevent accidental missile launch.

Army Lt Gen Patrick O’Reilly, the MDA chief, said Lockheed offered to foot the extra costs for production line interruptions pending completion of the switch’s qualification, which is expected in February.

Lockheed said last month it was confident it had a solution that would clear the way for a production go-ahead from the Pentagon this month.

* with Reuters

[buglerbilly]

Saudi Arms Deal Advances

White House to Notify Congress Soon of $60 Billion Package, Largest Ever for U.S.

By ADAM ENTOUS

The Obama administration is set to notify Congress of plans to offer advanced aircraft to Saudi Arabia worth up to $60 billion, the largest U.S. arms deal ever, and is in talks with the kingdom about potential naval and missile-defense upgrades that could be worth tens of billions of dollars more.

The administration plans to tout the $60 billion package as a major job creator—supporting at least 75,000 jobs, according to company estimates—and sees the sale of advanced fighter jets and military helicopters to key Middle Eastern ally Riyadh as part of a broader policy aimed at shoring up Arab allies against Iran.

The $60 billion in fighter jets and helicopters is the top-line amount requested by the Saudis, even though the kingdom is likely to commit initially to buying only about half that amount.

In a notification to Congress, expected to be submitted this week or next, the administration will authorize the Saudis to buy as many as 84 new F-15 fighters, upgrade 70 more, and purchase three types of helicopters—70 Apaches, 72 Black Hawks and 36 Little Birds, officials said.

The notification triggers a congressional review. Lawmakers could push for changes or seek to impose conditions, and potentially block the deal, though that is not expected.

On top of the $60 billion package of fighter jets and helicopters, U.S. officials are discussing a potential $30 billion package to upgrade Saudi Arabia's naval forces. An official described these as "discreet, bilateral conversations" in which no agreement has yet been reached. That deal could include littoral combat ships, surface vessels intended for operations close to shore, the official said.

Talks are also underway to expand Saudi Arabia's ballistic-missile defenses. The U.S. is encouraging the Saudis to buy systems known as THAAD—Terminal High Altitude Defense—and to upgrade its Patriot missiles to reduce the threat from Iranian rockets. U.S. officials said it was unclear how much this package would be worth.

The U.S. has sought to build up missile defense across the region, and the Saudi package could be similar to one in the United Arab Emirates, officials said. THAAD is built by Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Co. supplies the system's radar. THAAD is the first system designed to defend against short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles both inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere. It complements the lower-aimed Patriot missile defense system, providing a layered defense.

Lockheed officials have stated that they see serious export potential for the system in the Middle East, where a major concern exists about Iran's ballistic missile development.

The prospect for job growth could help build support in Congress for the $60 billion package, officials said. "It's a big economic sale for the U.S. and the argument is that it is better to create jobs here than in Europe," said one person close to the talks.

Boeing Co., which makes the F-15s, the Apaches and the Little Birds, believes the Saudi package would directly or indirectly support 77,000 jobs across 44 states. It is unclear how many jobs, if any, would be supported by the Saudi purchase of Black Hawks, made by Sikorsky. Production levels are already high at Sikorsky, which is owned by United Technologies Co.

The Saudis in recent years have broadened their acquisitions to include more European- and Russian-made weaponry. That thinking was partially behind Riyadh's 2007 deal to purchase dozens of Eurofighter fighter planes from BAE Systems PLC, Saudi officials said.

Pro-Israel lawmakers have voiced concerns in the past about arms sales to Saudi Arabia that they say may undercut Israel's military edge and provide support to a government with a poor human rights record.

U.S. officials say the Israelis are increasingly comfortable with the Saudi sale because the planes won't have certain long-range weapons systems. Also, the Israelis are in line to buy a more advanced fighter, the F-35, and should begin to receive them around the same time the Saudis are expected to start getting the F-15s. "We appreciate the administration's efforts to maintain Israel's qualitative military edge, and we expect to continue to discuss our concerns with the administration about the issues," said Michael Oren, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S.

The senior U.S. defense official said it was unclear what pieces of equipment in the $60 billion package the Saudis may decide not to purchase, but he described the F-15s as a priority item. "It's conceivable that the Saudis could come back for the whole $60 billion," the official said, but added, "They're balancing their own defense priorities."

The $60 billion deal will be stretched out over five to 10 years, depending on production schedules, training, and infrastructure improvements, officials said.

Anthony Cordesman, a scholar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the deal is so large and so complex, that changes are inevitable.

"The actual contract often is renegotiated because the Saudis are always going to push, we're always going to push, the Congress is going to push, the manufacturer is going to push. This is not the kind of negotiation where you've really agreed on the final details until you actually have put the final contract out," he said.

—Nathan Hodge contributed to this article.

[buglerbilly]

New Raz Radar System Revolutionizes Rocket Defense

(Source: Israel Defense Forces; issued Sept. 14, 2010)


The Raz radar system is able to immediately and accurately detect rocket launch sites and threat levels

The new Raz radar system was used for the first time by the Artillery Corps, as part of its comprehensive implementation by the Ranging Unit of the IDF Northern Command. A model of the system began its trial period during Operation Cast Lead, during which it successfully pinpointed rocket launching sites and the locations where the rockets would land.

Recently, the system completed a comprehensive round of trials in southern Israel, with the radar system proving to even more efficient and accurate, and of more operational ease, than was expected. Within the framework of these trials, a joint test was conducted with the Iron Dome defensive interception system of the Israeli Air Force, and strong compatibility between the two systems was displayed.

“This system has the capabilities to track airplanes and drones, which will provide comprehensive defense against long and short range threats,” an official from GOC Headquarters said.

The Raz radar, which will replace the Nuriyut system currently being used, is able to identify rocket launches, determine their threat level according to the ammunition fired, and it can then calculate the estimated pathway of the rockets, with a launching range of 150 kilometers.

Additionally, the radar can cope with numerous launches simultaneously. The Raz then sends the acquired information to command and control systems of GOC Headquarters and the IAF. Thus, the IDF would be able to swiftly acquire precise information about the rockets, and effectively halt the attacks.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Lockheed to develop fiber laser system

Published: Sept. 16, 2010 at 11:09 AM

BOTHELL, Wash., Sept. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. Army has tapped Lockheed Martin to design, develop, build and test a high-power fiber laser-based system suitable for military applications.

The award from the Army Space and Missile Defense Command is worth $14 million and includes options for the next six years. If all options are exercised the contracts total value would be $59 million.

The Robust Electric Laser Initiative program calls for a fiber laser architecture capable of producing the 100 kilowatts or more of high quality power needed for a broad range of military "speed-of-light" defensive applications on air, land and sea platforms.

Fiber lasers typically require less power and are more compact than chemical, gas and other types of lasers, the company said.

"We have leveraged the laser expertise from across Lockheed Martin to bring this new technology to the Army," said Dan Schultz, vice president of Lockheed Martin Ship and Aviation Systems. "Our system is a compact, lightweight and electrically driven system that can be used in a wide variety of applications and platforms and bring tremendous benefits to the Army and other military customers."

Contract work will be performed at the Lockheed Martin Aculight facility in Bothell, Wash., the company said.

[buglerbilly]

Lockheed Martin Gets Belated Nod For Thaad

Sep 20, 2010

By Amy Butler



Pentagon procurement chief Ashton Carter has approved production of Lockheed Martin’s Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system interceptors following a yearlong delay due to a faulty part.

Lockheed Martin was awarded the $298-million contract last week for 26 interceptors; these are the first missiles that will be used for the third and fourth Thaad batteries. Forty-eight missiles will be needed for these batteries and the remainder will be ordered in a subsequent lot.

The delay was caused by failure of the optical block sensor to pass qualification tests. Built by Moog, the sensor is designed to prevent accidental launch of the interceptor by keeping light from penetrating into the booster ignition motor, which is triggered by light. Missile Defense Agency Director Lt. Gen. Patrick O’Reilly said in August that he would not recommend a shift into production until the sensor were either fixed or passed preliminary testing on the path to being repaired; the first missiles were put on contract with research and development funding.

Early this month, Lockheed Martin officials tested the optical block switch in flight environments exceeding what is expected for use. “Testing completed [two weeks ago] was to validate that switch performance had not been impacted by the manufacturing process improvements implemented at the vendor, Moog,” Missile Defense Agency spokesman Rick Lehner says.

A production interceptor will be flight tested with the optical block switch next spring.

Lockheed Martin is on contract for the first 50 missiles, two of which were for testing. The 48 missiles slated for operational use in the first and second batteries are awaiting assembly until the optical block switch is ready. The contractual delivery date for these 48 missiles is June, but deliveries are now forecast for May 2012.

Photo: Lockheed Martin

[buglerbilly]

Delivery of the First SAMP-T to Luxeuil

(Source: French Air Force; issued Sept. 20, 2010)

(Issued in French only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)


An eight-cell launcher of the SAMP-T medium-range air-defense system, which has just entered operational service with the French air force. (Eurosam file photo)

On Monday, September 20, 2010, the air defense artillery squadron (EDSA) of Luxeuil Air Base took delivery of the first section of the Mamba medium range surface-to-air missile, also known as the Sol-Air Moyenne Portée Terrestre (SAMP-T).

A ceremony chaired by General Hugues Hendel, commander of the Air Force, will mark this unique event which was eagerly awaited by airmen of the EDSA squadron. They were trained on the SAMP-T in 2009, at the training center for air defense artillery (CFDSA) on Avord air force base, and thus will be the first to operate this new medium-range air defense system, considered as the most powerful in its class.

SAMP-T is designed to protect a point or an area against all threats, including tactical ballistic missiles within a radius of several tens of kilometers. It is capable of firing in bursts and can simultaneously manage up to engagements.

Developed jointly by France and Italy through the Eurosam joint venture company, the system achieved its first firing test in July 2008 on the Biscarosse (Landes) firing range.

This delivery is the first concrete step in the reorganization and modernization of France’s air-defense forces, decided by the Chief of Defence Staff in 2006.

Medium- and short-range air-defence weapon systems of are now operated by the Air Force systems, while very short-range systems are operated by the Army.

The arrival of the SAMP-T Mamba coincides with the transfer of tripod-mounted Mistral to the Army, and the decommissioning of Aspic end first-generation Crotale missiles.

Ultimately, ten sections of SAMP-T missiles will gradually re-equip the air force’s five air-defence squadrons, based at Mont-de-Marsan, Saint-Dizier, Avord, Istres and Luxeuil.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Published 14:47 21.09.10
Latest update 14:47 21.09.10

Iron Dome defense system could be deployed first in North, IDF chief hints

Two anti-rocket batteries will be ready for operational use in November, but may not be used against Gaza rockets, as initially thought.

By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz.com

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi hinted Tuesday that the army might choose to deploy its first batch of Iron Dome defense systems along the northern border when they become operational this coming November.

The advanced anti-rocket system, which intercepts the type of rockets used by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon, aced its final test-run over the summer.

Two Iron Dome defense systems have so far been manufactured, and will become operational for the Israel Air Force anti-aircraft division. It has long been assumed that the system would be used to protect Israeli communities in the Gaza envelope.

But Ashkenazi told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday that "it is not certain that the first operational batteries, which will be ready in November, will necessarily be deployed in the south of the country.

Haaretz revealed in February that IDF does not intend to deploy the Iron Dome system on the ground, even once the system is operationally ready to go online.

Initially, the IDF wants to position the system in an air force base and to train the crews that will be operating it. Defense officials would consider deploying the system in and around civilian communities near Gaza only at a later date.

Defense sources told Haaretz then that they believe the Defense Ministry is intentionally trying to lower expectations surrounding Iron Dome so as not to provide an opening for the local council chiefs to lobby for their immediate deployment in their towns. Ministry officials are concerned that expediting the development and deployment of Iron Dome is cost prohibitive.

U.S President Barack Obama in May asked Congress for $205 million to support the development of Iron Dome, which intercepts the type of rockets used by Palestinian militants in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The defense establishment has not yet determined how many Iron Dome systems it will ultimately purchase from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. - the manufacturer of the Iron Dome defense system.

Both Rafael and the Defense Ministry have voiced their satisfaction with the system's ability to intercept several rockets fired from different directions simultaneously.

Iron Dome is capable of calculating the trajectory of an incoming rocket and can be programmed to refrain from taking counter action if the enemy rocket is expected to strike an unpopulated area.

Iron Dome uses small radar-guided missiles to blow up Katyusha-style rockets with ranges of between 5 km (3 miles) and 70 km (45 miles), as well as mortar bombs, mid-air.

Its development was spurred by the 2006 conflict in Lebanon with Hezbollah and the Gaza Strip war against Hamas in the winter of 2008-9, when those Israeli towns within range were all-but defenseless against the rockets.

The two units the Defense Ministry said will begin operating by November are truck-towed and easily deployed to any of Israel's borders.

Israel envisages Iron Dome becoming the lowest level of a multi-tier aerial shield capped by Arrow, a partly U.S.-funded system which shoots down ballistic missiles above the atmosphere.

Each Iron Dome interception is estimated to cost $10,000 to $50,000. Pitted against estimated costs of cruder Palestinian rockets, as low as $500, that could bleed the defense budget, some analysts have argued.

[buglerbilly]

Russia Drops Plan To Supply Iran With S-300 Missiles

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Published: 22 Sep 2010 08:20

On again, off again, let's see what happens THIS time...............

MOSCOW - Russia has dropped plans to supply Iran with S-300 missiles because they are subject to international sanctions, a top general said Sept. 22, in the strongest confirmation yet of the leadership's intentions to put the controversial sale on ice.

"A decision has been taken not to supply the S-300 to Iran, they undoubtedly fall under sanctions," the chief of the general staff Nikolai Makarov said in an apparent reference to U.N. sanctions, the ITAR-TASS news agency reported.

"There was a decision by the leadership to stop the supply process; we are carrying it out," Makarov said.

Makarov however did not give a definite answer when asked if the missile contract itself would be nixed permanently.

"We will see, this will depend on Iran's behavior," the Interfax news agency quoted Makarov as saying.

The U.N. Security Council in June adopted a fourth round of sanctions against Iran over its nuclear drive, imposing broader military and financial restrictions on the Islamic republic.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had said in June that U.N. sanctions would not affect Russia's S-300 missile supplies to Iran, saying that the missiles were "defensive weapons" that did not fall under the terms of the sanctions.

Russia agreed the missile deal several years ago but has never delivered the weapons amid pressure from the U.S. and Israel, which fear they would dramatically improve Iran's defensive capabilities.

In June, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told French President Nicolas Sarkozy that Moscow would not sell the missiles to Iran in line with U.N. sanctions, a French official told reporters on the condition of anonymity at the time.

An aide to President Dmitry Medvedev said in June that the S-300 missile deal would likely be scrapped, but that a formal decision would come in a decree.

[buglerbilly]

Nyet! Russia Now Won’t Sell Badass Missile to Iran

By Spencer Ackerman September 22, 2010 | 7:38 pm



Less than a week ago, Defense Secretary Robert Gates shared a meal with his Russian counterpart aboard a riverboat on the Potomac. Today, Russia made an abrupt about-face on a big U.S. priority. Moscow is not going to sell Iran a highly advanced anti-aircraft missile system. The turnaround means Tehran is both more vulnerable to an attack — and, perhaps, a bit more isolated, diplomatically. You can hear the champagne bottles popping from Washington to Jerusalem.

Of course, it’s not clear that Gates or anyone else in the Obama administration — or the Israeli government, which we’ll come to in a second — is responsible for Russia’s move. But up until today, Moscow maintained that a long-standing contract to sell S-300 missiles to Iran didn’t violate new United Nations Security Council sanctions on weapons sales to the Iranians. The U.S. was none too pleased about that interpretation, though the State Department conceded it was technically correct. Now it looks like a moot point: President Dmitry Medvedev issued a decree today scrapping the missile deal.

It’s easy to see why the Iranians want the S-300. The current anti-aircraft material they purchased from Russia is the TOR M-1, which is good for shooting down airplanes, helicopters or missiles from about 10 kilometers away. But the S-300 is a serious upgrade: it’s what the Soviets used during the last decade of the Cold War to protect its key installations from NATO cruise missiles and bombers. Versions developed in the late 1990s have a range of 200 kilometers and can even take out some ballistic missiles. Defense analyst Dan Goure has described the S-300 as “a system that scares every Western air force.” Just the sort of thing you’d want to place around your illicit nuclear facilities, for instance, should they fall into the crosshairs of Israeli F-16s. (Or even U.S. warplanes.)

Naturally, Israel — which, at the least, wants Iran to fear the prospect of an Israeli bombardment — has long been on edge about a Russian S-300 sale to Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took a secret trip to Moscow last year shortly after the hijacking of a Russian cargo ship that might have been carrying Iran-bound S-300s. Like the U.S., Israel has made driving a wedge between the Russian and the mullahs a cardinal geopolitical priority, talking with Russian string-puller Vladimir Putin as well as Medvedev, and it’s put its military tech where its mouth is. The week before Russian Defense Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov dined with Gates, he inked a deal with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak to buy 36 Israeli surveillance drones.

Russia has been Iran’s big-power benefactor on matters technical and military for the past decade-plus. But over the past year, it’s been pulled in different directions by the U.S.’s “Reset” strategy, an aggressive diplomatic push to hug Russia tightly. The Russians voted for the additional U.N. sanctions on Iran but swore its contract to sell the S-300s was still in place, with the head of Russia’s state technology corporation insisting that only Medvedev could cancel the contract. Even while the Russians resisted conceding the sanctions covered the S-300, they vacillated all summer over whether to actually go through with the sale.

Accordingly, the revoked missile sale doesn’t represent a wholesale change in Russian-Iranian relations. Medvedev’s move “looks like a step in the right direction,” says Ariel Cohen, a Russia-and-Mideast watcher at the Heritage Foundation. But he cautions that it’s still not clear if Medvedev has actually nixed Iran’s entire contract for the missiles outright, and it’s possible that Russia could still move a missile sale through a traditional cutout like Belarus. Then there’s Russia’s extant deal to sell an anti-ship cruise missile, the P-800 Yakhont, to Iranian ally/Israeli foe Syria.

Still, the diplomatic isolation of Iran may have taken a step forward today — as did the viability of a military strike on Iran if diplomacy ultimately fails to stop Iranian nuclear-weapons development. Cohen says the blocked sale shows Israel’s “success in lobbying Mr. Putin directly” and wonders about any Gates-Serdyukov “quid pro quo,” since the volte-face on the S-300 “was announced right after” the rare Russian visit to the Pentagon. (Neither State Department nor Defense Department spokespeople responded to requests for comment.) Now to see whether the loss of the S-300s changes Iran’s nuclear gambit.

Photo: Novosti

Read More http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/09/nyet-russia-now-wont-sell-badass-missile-to-iran/#more-31526#ixzz10JFZ8SPm

[buglerbilly]

MEADS Program Officials Claim Lower Long-Term Costs

By KATE BRANNEN

Published: 22 Sep 2010 16:50

In making its case for the tri-national Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS), Lockheed Martin announced Sept. 22 that over the lifetime of the program, MEADS would be more affordable than already fielded air and missile defense systems.

Lockheed leads MEADS International, the industry team developing the system for the United States, Germany and Italy.

Because MEADS covers a larger area, thanks to its 360-degree radar, costs are significantly reduced, MEADS International President Steve Barnoske said in a conference call with reporters.

The three nations requested a life-cycle cost estimate, which includes how much it will cost to sustain the system. In a press release and in speaking to reporters, MEADS International provided general findings from its estimate, but did not provide any dollar figures.

According to Barnoske, MEADS can cover four to eight times the area covered by Raytheon's Patriot system, which MEADS is set to replace in the United States and Germany. This allows for a reduction in deployed personnel and equipment, and demand on airlift, he told reporters.

MEADS' operation and support costs represent half of the total cost of ownership, which, according to Lockheed, is less than other programs.

Other savings forecasts come from predictions about the reliability of the MEADS system. However, beyond the subsystem level, hardware is not yet available to begin formal reliability testing to substantiate such predictions, Barnoske said.

Savings also would be derived from automated fault detection, prognostics, two-level maintenance and a reduction in the number of system elements.

"Not only does MEADS get to the theater quicker and keep up with maneuver forces, it doesn't require nearly as many vehicles or personnel to provide better protection against 21st century threats," Barnoske said.

Tim Glaeser, Raytheon's vice president for integrated air and missile defense, said it is difficult to respond to these claims without seeing specific numbers.

"I can't give any counterpoint to operation and support costs because I don't have a baseline to compare to," he said.

On the other hand, Raytheon can provide figures on what it costs to operate the deployed Patriot system in any number of circumstances, he said.

Glaeser also said there is a difference between the system's coverage area and the area it can actually defend, referring to the distance the interceptor missile can fly. While the MEADS radar may be able to survey a wider area than the Patriot's radar, the distance at which each system's interceptor can hit a target is roughly the same, he said.

The U.S. funds 58 percent of MEADS, Germany 25 percent and Italy 17 percent.

[buglerbilly]

Missile-Killing Interceptors Eyed By Israel, U.S.

Sep 23, 2010



By David A. Fulghum
Tel Aviv and Washington

Killing tactical ballistic missiles so that explosive, biological or radioactive debris fall near a foe’s launch sites is a key problem for those mapping out defenses in an era of proliferating, short-range missiles and long-range rockets.

New concepts are taking two forms—striking enemy missiles while they are still in space, or destroying them in the first minute or two after launch. And it is becoming glaringly apparent that the solutions are different if the foe is nearby or far away.

Israel, for example, does not have a weapon that can be launched from an aircraft to catch enemy missiles when they are most vulnerable as slow and very bright targets during the first few minutes of flight.

The Israelis flirted with air-launched boost-phase intercept (BPI) in their MOAB UAV/missile program of the 1990s, and the U.S. had a parallel Raptor/Talon project. But both projects were shelved to await technology advances, including more energetic rocket motors, satellite-based battle management and smaller, lighter missile designs.

However, operational introduction into the Israeli arsenal of the advanced Arrow 3 interceptor missile and the Stunner interceptor for the David’s Sling system may open the door to a period of rapid development for air-launched weapons that can be carried by unmanned aircraft.

The Stunner interceptor, designed and built by Rafael in a cooperative program with Raytheon, is a low-cost design that targets threats such as cruise missiles, medium- and long-range artillery rockets and short-range ballistic missiles. It has two stages: The first is a solid-fuel, rocket motor booster; the second is a curious asymmetrical kill vehicle with advanced steering for increased agility. A three-pulse motor provides additional thrust at critical moments of flight. A multi-mode sensor package—electro-optical and millimeter wave, electronically scanned array radar—provides all-weather performance against small, maneuvering targets. The Stunner is larger than Raytheon’s AIM-120 medium-range air-to-air missile but smaller than the Arrow 3 interceptor.

As for Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) Arrow 3, it now forms the longest-range, highest-altitude (exoatmos*pheric) layer of Israel’s ballistic missile defenses. It is “half the size of Arrow 2 and 21 in. in diameter, [and] no other interceptor has the same kinetic capability or agility,” says a senior Israeli official with insight into the Arrow program. While Arrow 3 is a big step toward developing BPI, Israeli planners say they still need better unmanned aerial systems and much smaller, longer-range interceptor missiles.

“It could be used from aircraft, ships and submarines, but the obstacles are not small,” he says. “The main challenge is time-of-flight [from the orbiting aircraft to the boosting missile],” the official says. “It has to be faster and more agile so that it can divert to another target or change the interception point. Iran is 2,000 km. away. How fast can you predict its path? BPI is not that realistic right now.”

The speeds necessary for a long-range missile interceptor are variously predicted at 5-6 km. (3.1-3.9 mi.) per second. The airborne launch of such a system is acknowledged to offer the advantage of having less dense atmosphere to push through and a launch-speed advantage of around 300 mph. But for now it is considered more expensive than other missile defense options.

However, the threat is changing and may require a more advanced, long-range solution because the next generation of enemy ballistic missiles is expected require insurance that none can penetrate Israel’s air and space defenses.

“The main challenge is the requirement for zero leakage,” the Israeli official says. “Arrow 2 is effective against older, less sophisticated targets. Arrow 3 is more flexible [and at $2-3 million per copy, it is] an order of magnitude cheaper than [the American-built] SM-3 ship-based air defense missile. It mitigates the assumed threats from Iran and Syria, but future threats will require us to think about and develop new resources to address different missile types, scenarios and warheads.”

For example, ballistic missiles with nuclear, chemical or biological warheads should be destroyed quickly so that they fall back onto the country that launched them. That exposes the pressing need for Israeli or U.S. unmanned aircraft to orbit close enough to the Iranian border that missiles being launched in the east can be targeted early in flight.

“So far, there are no real programs for using Arrow 3 for BPI and ascent-phase intercept,” the Israeli official says. “However, the geography, detection, line-of-sight and time-of-flight issues are doable. Arrow 3 is a much more capable missile in flight. It can be carried by a fighter, but there is no requirement to do so.”

Raytheon has built and tested a modest BPI program for the U.S. Company researchers and engineers took parts from the AIM-120 and added the AIM-9X infrared seeker as well as a two-stage rocket motor for longer range and active maneuvering in the last stage of flight. The initial Network-Centric Air Defense Element (NCADE) version is designed for long-range rockets and short-range ballistic missiles, and it has shot down other missiles in a series of live-fire tests from F-16s.

The view of Israeli aerospace analysts is that BPI can be useful at relatively short ranges, but it is a much more difficult and perhaps too expensive solution for missile defense at 1,000-2,000-km. ranges.

“It’s an excellent idea as long as the target is in the atmosphere,” says Yoram Shimoni, group director of marketing for IAI’s Systems, Missiles and Space Group. “If you are not very close to the launch site—for example, 1,000 km. away—it doesn’t work if it’s an atmospheric-type air-to-air missile or even the NCADE or PAC-3. There is no way to [aerodynamically] steer above 70,000 ft.

“In a conflict with North Korea, the U.S. can hang out 20-40 mi. off the coast,” says an Israeli-based analyst. “The [North Koreans] have no significant airpower to shoot you down, so you can try to catch the missiles as they are being launched. That’s not the case with Iran,” which in a conflict could launch missiles at Israel from sites in the eastern part of the country that are more than 1,000 mi. away.

Photo credit: Raytheon

Image: Raytheon

[buglerbilly]

United States and Israel Sign Project Agreement for the David's Sling Defensive Weapon System

(Source: Missile Defense Agency; issued September 27, 2010)

The U.S. Department of Defense and the State of Israel today signed an agreement for the development of the David's Sling Weapon System. This agreement continues efforts initiated under the U.S.-Israel Short-Range Ballistic Missile Defense Project Agreement signed by both nations in 2008.

Signing on behalf of the United States was Army Lt. General Patrick J. O'Reilly, director of the Missile Defense Agency. Signing for the State of Israel were Rear Admiral Ophir Shoham, Director, Directorate of Defense Research and Development; Mr. Tzahi Malach, Department of Finance, Ministry of Defense; and Mr. Ehud Shani, Director General, Ministry of Defense.

The David's Sling Weapon System Project Agreement will advance efforts to develop an Israeli capability against short-range and theater ballistic missiles, large-caliber rockets, and cruise missiles.

Included in the project is the continued development of the Stunner Interceptor to provide lower-tier intercept capability for Israel's multi-layered missile defense system.

David's Sling will also address the threat posed by the types of inexpensive and easily-produced short-range missiles and rockets used during the 2006 Lebanon War, and will also advance low-altitude intercept technology and provide that technology to benefit U.S. and Israeli industry.

The signing of the project agreement demonstrates the continued commitment of the United States to the defense of Israel.

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[buglerbilly]

MEADS Demonstrates Interoperability with NATO Air Command and Control System in Joint Test

(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued September 27, 2010)

ORLANDO, Fla., MUNICH and ROME --- The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) battle management capability successfully demonstrated interoperability with the NATO Air Command and Control System (ACCS) during a Joint Project Optic Windmill (JPOW) test in July. The interface test was conducted using the Active Layer Theatre Ballistic Missile Defense (ALTBMD) Integration Test Bed being developed by NATO.

The test proved a key interoperability milestone for the MEADS, ALTBMD and ACCS programs, and is an early maturity demonstration for the MEADS battle management and command, control, computers, communication and intelligence (BMC4I) capability. MEADS is designed to interoperate with a wide range of platforms and command and control structures.

NATO's ALTBMD program is tasked with designing a theater missile defense architecture that will include MEADS as a key component. The NATO Air Command and Control System is the overarching tactical command and control element for NATO theater missile defense.

Through interoperability features designed into the system, MEADS will dramatically improve combat effectiveness and situational awareness, reducing the potential for fratricide. The result is air and missile defense designed for coalition warfare. MEADS units from the U.S., Germany or Italy will seamlessly integrate into each nation's, or NATO's, combat architecture as required.

MEADS International President Steve Barnoske noted, "Joint Project Optic Wind was an early opportunity to prove out the interoperability of the MEADS battle management architecture and its ability to serve as the integrating element for an air and missile defense task force. Open, modular software gives MEADS great flexibility to accommodate additional requirements."

NATO MEADS Management Agency General Manager Gregory Kee said, "The opportunity to work closely with the NATO ALTBMD office has allowed us to demonstrate this key interoperability milestone much sooner than previously planned. The combination of the ALTBMD architecture and the MEADS capability represents the highly effective air and missile defense system NATO has envisioned."

The integration event took place during the experiment phase of the NATO JPOW exercise, during which the MEADS battle management capability shared simulation and military communications data, including track reports for different tactical ballistic missile threats. The test represents the first time that the MEADS program has been authorized to exchange data outside of its three partner nations.

The JPOW tests exercise theater air and missile defense elements to develop and explore interoperability. They provide an opportunity to demonstrate new concepts, doctrine, tactics, technology and techniques.

Hardware designs for each MEADS Major End Item (MEI) were approved through the MEI level reviews in August 2009, clearing the program to fabricate end items. MEADS system elements are continuing integration and testing at system integration laboratories in the U.S. and Europe, and are on track for flight tests at White Sands Missile Range, NM, starting in 2012.

Under development by Germany, Italy and the United States, MEADS is a mobile system that will replace Patriot in the United States and Nike Hercules in Italy. It will also replace Patriot and the already retired Hawk system in Germany. The system is designed to permit full interoperability between the U.S. and allied forces, and it is the only medium-range air defense system to provide full 360-degree coverage.

MEADS will meet challenging new requirements not addressed by any previous or planned Air and Missile Defense system. The system will combine superior battlefield protection with extensive flexibility, allowing it to protect maneuver forces and critical assets against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft. It also provides an open architecture for 21st century air and missile defense system-of-system integration capabilities that allow operational mission-tailoring. MEADS is designed to provide greater firepower with less manpower than current systems, producing dramatic operation and support cost savings.

A multinational joint venture headquartered in Orlando, FL, MEADS International's participating companies are MBDA in Italy, LFK in Germany and Lockheed Martin in the United States. Today, 1,800 employees from these companies are developing MEADS, which is closely watched as a model program for collaborative transatlantic development.

The United States funds 58 percent of the MEADS program, and European partners Germany and Italy provide 25 percent and 17 percent respectively as partners in the NATO Medium Extended Air Defense System Management Organization (NAMEADSMO). Its program management agency NAMEADSMA is located in Huntsville, AL.

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[buglerbilly]

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

David's Sling Short Range Missile Defense Systems Enters a New Stage

Posted by Noam Eshel at 9/28/2010 3:36 PM CDT

Israel and the U.S. reiterated the agreement to continue their cooperative development of the David's Sling weapon system (also known as Magic Wand), extending the agreement signed in 2008, paving the way for the development of a Short-Range Ballistic Missile Defense Project. The new agreement provides the necessary funding for continued development of the system, considered imperative for Israel’s defense.

According to the Missile Defense Agency announcement, the David’s Sling Weapon System Project Agreement will advance efforts to develop Israel’s capability to intercept short-range and theater ballistic missiles, large-caliber rockets, and cruise missiles. It is capable of intercepting ballistic targets fired at distances of 70-250 km range. Developed as a relatively low cost weapon (compared to the Arrow 2 alternative) Rafael's Stunner missiles, which are part of the system, are designed with dual seeker enabling the missile to detect, track and home-in on its target under all visibility and weather conditions, within and beyond visual range. The new system will become the lower tier of the multi-layered missile defense system, integrating the Iron Dome Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) system, David's Sling, Arrow II Endo-Atmospheric missile interceptor and Arrow-3 Exo-Atmospheric missile interceptor, providing the upper-tier layer. Both Stunner and Arrow 3 are hit-to-kill missiles, while Iron Dome and Arrow II are designed to kill targets at close proximity.



The project continuation signed yesterday, September 27, will continue the development of the Stunner Interceptor made jointly by Rafael and Raytheon. The David's Sling system also comprises a command and control system developed by Rafael and mPrest (which also developed the Iron-Dome C3 system) and the IAI/Elta multi-mission radar, providing the primary sensor for the system.

David’s Sling will also address the threat posed by types of inexpensive and easily-produced short-range missiles and rockets, used during the 2006 Lebanon War, and will also advance low-altitude intercept technology providing that technology to benefit U.S. and Israeli industry.

The Stunner missile has already demonstrated successfully in test flights; the current phase will enable the team to expand testing of the entire system. As part of the original development schedule, the system could reach initial operational capability in 2013. Arrow 3 is also expected to become operational by the middle of the coming decade. Beyond the missile defense application, Israel is also considering using the Stunner missile as the next generation successor for its air/air missiles.

Credit: Rafael

[buglerbilly]

Army Move to Kill Air Defense System Leaves Other Services and Allies in the Lurch

(Source: Lexington Institute; issued September 30, 2010)

(© Lexington Institute; issued Sept. 30, 2010)

The Army's effort to trim its modernization portfolio is starting to produce a lot of casualties outside its ranks. Earlier this year the Army decided to kill its "non-line-of-sight" launch system even though development of the program was 90 percent complete, leaving the Navy to go it alone on what was expected to be the main weapon for the sea service's future Littoral Combat Ship. Reduced demand for the launch system means the Navy will need to spend much more money for each weapon, and may ultimately have to abandon it.

Now the Army has found another candidate for termination in its air defense community, and the fallout from that program's cancellation could be more far-reaching. The program is called SLAMRAAM, which stands for "surface launched advanced medium-range air-to-air missile." Basically, it's a truck-mounted version of the same radar-guided air combat missile carried by F-15 and F-22 fighters, designed to defeat airborne threats such as helicopters, unmanned aircraft, attack planes and cruise missiles -- anything that moves slower than a ballistic missile. The Army gave Raytheon a contract in 2004 to integrate the missile with a mobile launcher, radar and fire control unit so that its combat forces could be protected against a wide array of emerging aerial threats.

SLAMRAAM is supposed to fill a gap in air defense capabilities between the short-range Stinger and the long-range Patriot. Stingers are relatively cheap (about $80,000 each), but they have very limited range and don't always work when the weather is bad. Patriots are much more capable, but at $3 million per missile for the latest version, they often cost more than the airborne targets against which they are aimed. That's a problem, because the lower cost of attacking systems might enable an enemy to overwhelm a Patriot battery by simply exhausting its missiles.

In the parlance of military analysts, Patriot has an unfavorable "cost-exchange" ratio in some situations. SLAMRAAM was supposed to provide an air defense system that was much more capable than Stinger and much more affordable than Patriot.

Simple, right? Well, the other services certainly thought so. The Air Force signed an agreement with the Army for the defense of forward air bases on the assumption that something like SLAMRAAM would be available. The Marine Corps signed a similar agreement for the defense of its forward-deployed units. The Army National Guard was expecting to use SLAMRAAM to defend U.S. territory against cruise missile attack -- starting with the Washington, D.C. area, where existing air defense systems have become outdated. Several allies were also planning to buy SLAMRAAM, including Spain, the Netherlands, Canada and Australia.

But now the Army has decided it doesn't need SLAMRAAM, because the cruise missile threat is emerging more slowly than expected, and it is already funding the Patriot which can cope with pretty much any airborne threat that isn't a long-range ballistic missile. The Army's logic may have some validity in today's low-threat, fiscally-constrained environment, but it doesn't make sense over the longer haul.

For starters, it won't save much money because if SLAMRAAM doesn't get fielded the service will have to buy a lot more Patriots at $3 million a pop. And whatever money the Army does save will probably need to be spent finding alternative defensive options for the Air Force, Marines and National Guard.

Prime contractor Raytheon has come up with several ways of making the program more affordable. One is to substitute less costly Sidewinder missiles for some of the radar-guided missiles in the SLAMRAAM system. Another is to leverage foreign sales of the system to minimize Army procurement costs.

So far, the Army isn't responding. But when you look at all the players impacted by an Army termination of SLAMRAAM, you have to wonder whether the full consequences or costs of any such decision have been adequately weighed. This is why Army weapons decisions are reviewed by the Pentagon's acquisition chief and by the Congress -- to assure they make sense not just for the Army, but for all the warfighters with a stake in the outcome.

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[buglerbilly]

Russia to Refund Iran for Canceled Missile Deal (excerpt)

(Source: Voice of America news; issued October 7, 2010)

Russian officials say the country plans to reimburse Iran, after Moscow canceled the sale of an air defense missile system to Tehran. The announcement comes as the Russian president is on a one-day state visit to Cyprus.

In the scope of an $800 million contract brokered in 2005, Russia was obliged to send Iran at least five S-300 missile systems.

But last month, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev banned the sale of the missile systems following United Nations sanctions against such arms sales.

The U.N. imposed the sanctions in June for Iran's refusal to stop enriching uranium.

Mr. Medvedev also outlawed the sale of tanks, aircraft and sea vessels to Iran.

The proposed deal caused alarm in the United States and Israel as the S-300 can track 100 targets at once and fire on aircraft up to 75 miles away.

Possession of S-300 systems would have also boosted Iran's defense of its nuclear facilities against attack from the air. (end of excerpt)

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[buglerbilly]

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Rockets Are Biggest Threat to Israel, Not Ballistic Missiles

Posted by David A. Fulghum at 10/15/2010 12:07 AM CDT

Long-range ballistic missile are a new threat to Europe, but Israeli defense planners are more concerned about the rapid growth in lower-end rocket threats.

The biggest growth comes from the fact that regional adversaries are being equipped with inexpensive, but effective guidance systems that have tightened targeting errors to within 100-200 meters. That is high accuracy compared to Iraq’s rain of Scuds in 1991 that could predictably hit only large cities like Tel Aviv, Dhahran or Riyadh. They created public fears and political pressure, but had virtually no effect on the military conflict.

China also is participating in the exchange of missile technology. The Chinese DongFeng DF-11 missile was exported to Iran in 1995 and formed the basis of Iran’s Fateh (Conqueror) 110 missile. The Fateh 110 was, in turn, exported to Syria which used it as the basis for its M600 Zelzal missile.

“While everybody is concerned about the Scuds, they are no more problematic than the M600 missiles,” says an Israeli defense analyst. The warhead is not as big as the Scud-Ds and it cannot reach Beersheba to the south of Jerusalem, but it does have advantages.

“It is much, much more accurate,” he says. “[The Syrians] took the Iranian Fateh 110 rocket and improved them in Syria to the M600. The Syrians have many projects for building their own forces, but part of even the newest projects goes to Hezbollah. That is how those non-state organizations are getting strategic capabilities.”

“Syria is building up its rocket force and some are being transferred to Lebanon,” Herzog agrees. “Hezbollah [which occupies Southern Lebanon and has camps in Syria] is part of the government of Lebanon, but not part of the Lebanese army.

That home-grown rocket industry also helps reveal new aspects of the expanding growth of local and international missile proliferation.

“A decade ago, the primary threats were Scuds and Shahab 3, and artillery rockets were considered a military asset,” says Herzog. “But, [during the Lebanon conflict of] 2006 our neighbors found out they could use those [smaller] rockets as weapons of terror, and they have a huge stockpile of all kinds. The Syrians also have the latest Scud-D. Basically, we should expect the whole spectrum of threats from very short-range rockets like the Kassam and Katyusha to heaviest types like the Fatah 110.”

The weapon arsenals have their origins in North Korea, China and Russia. The technology is transferred to Iran and Syria (which have their own manufacturing capabilities) and then further proliferated to political organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas with armed forces that operate beyond the control of the countries they occupy. Weaponry is moved by train, aircraft, vehicle convoys and ships that are tracked by U.S. and Israeli satellites, manned and unmanned aircraft and agents monitoring the Red Sea, North Arabian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

South Korea’s National Intelligence Agency confirmed a Sept. report that North Korea has changed the names of some trading companies and falsified documents after United Nations trade sanctions were imposed in 2009, say press reports from Seoul. North Korea is also transporting arms exports through China using forged trade invoices including labeling rockets as oil boring machines, it says. A mining development trading company was allegedly among the companies changing names.

[I]With Robert Wall in London.

[buglerbilly]

A Third Antimissile Battery on its Way

14 October 2010 , 19:32


The new battery is expected to be put into operational use in the coming months. Photo: AIF

The Israeli Air Force is building a new antimissile battery to strengthen the aerial umbrella of defense

Bar Josephine Dadon, Bamachane

The Israeli Air Force is raising activity levels against the threat of long-range missiles: another antimissile battery called Arrow is currently being built at AIF arsenals. The new battery is expected to be put into operational use in the coming months, and will join the aerial umbrella of defense provided by the unit Herev Magen.

The antimissile battery’s new location was carefully chosen: officers of Herev Magen explained that before its location was ruled, certain physical variables had to be considered to determine its new placement – the center of the country. These variables in mind, it was clear that the chosen location allowed for the best defense against long-range threats coming from various directions.

With the announcement establishing the unit’s new abilities, the IDF will have three antimissile batteries providing security against ballistic missiles. The new battery will receive, among others, the new intercepting missile of the Arrow system, considered more accurate than previous missiles. Additionally, the battery will receive the new radar Oren Adir, its range reaching farther and its ability to identify the type of missiles fired at Israel stronger.

A management center for special shots fired will also be established at the chosen location, controlling the different deployment centers of Herev Magen in the Palmachim and Ein Shemer Air Force bases. “We will work in line with the new, advanced system, allowing communication between all radars including the new one”, explained the commander of the group creating the battery, Lt. Tomer Meirav.

[buglerbilly]

Agency Director Offers U.S. Missile Defense Outline

(Source: US Department of Defense; issued Oct. 15, 2010)

WASHINGTON --- “To have effective missile defense, you need more than one layer,” the director of the Defense Missile Agency said this week. During the Atlantic Council missile defense conference here Oct. 12, Army Lt. Gen. Patrick J. O’Reilly described the “phased, adaptive approach” policy for missile defense in Europe that President Barack Obama approved in 2009.

O’Reilly said the three layers of the approach will counter short-range, medium- and intermediate-range, and intercontinental ballistic missiles. O’Reilly then outlined the four phases of the U.S. missile defense policy for Europe.

Phase one, to be implemented between now through 2012, he said, calls for current, proven missile systems and sensors to be deployed at sea to protect Europe and deployed U.S. service members and their families.

During phase two, extending from 2012 through 2015, improved sea- and land-based systems now in development and testing will increase protection from short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, O’Reilly said.

Phase three, running from 2015 through 2018, will establish protection at sea and ashore from intermediate-range missiles, he said.

Phase four, extending from 2018 through 2020, will provide early-interception capability against medium- and intermediate-range missiles, he said, with a secondary capability to protect against intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The phased, adaptive approach is primarily designed to increase protection against medium-range and intermediate-range ballistic missiles traveling above the earth’s atmosphere, from ranges of 1,000 kilometers to 5,500 kilometers, or about 600 to 3,400 miles, O’Reilly said.

Phase-four capability, he said, will allow militaries to double the area they can protect, engage more than 50 missiles at once, and track hundreds of missiles at once. By phase four, O’Reilly said, intercepting enemy missiles won’t be a one-shot, one-kill requirement.

“We want to intercept those missiles as soon as possible after they’ve been launched,” he said. “You need a higher-speed interceptor and you also need a mobile launch system that can be in the right place at the right time.”

That capability will be in place by 2012, O’Reilly said. “It will give you the capability to intercept medium-range ballistic missiles [and] intermediate-range ballistic missiles very early in their flight,” he said. “If you miss with that early attempt, you have another opportunity to hit with the upper tier. If you miss with that, you have another opportunity to hit with the lower tier … the more shot opportunities, the higher probability of intercept.”

The primary components of the approach are systems already in place or in testing, O’Reilly said, as well as the planned future versions of those systems.

U.S. systems central to the phased, adaptive approach include sensors, software, and launcher and missile components, O’Reilly said. Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, an existing sea-based system, is slated for upgrade and expansion through phase four.

Aegis BMD incorporates computers, radar, and missiles to detect, track and destroy short- to intermediate-range missiles, he explained. Aegis BMD is currently aboard 21 U.S. Navy ships. Its future capabilities include longer range, improved early-intercept capability, increased number of ships and missiles, and an ashore capability.

The Army/Navy Transportable Radar Surveillance system, O’Reilly said, is a transportable X-band, high resolution, phased-array radar designed specifically for ballistic missile defense. It is capable of tracking all classes of ballistic missiles and identifying small objects at long distances.

The radar system, he added, provides surveillance, tracking, discrimination and fire control support for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense weapon system. The system will be augmented in phases three and four by sensor systems now being developed, capable of tracking and intercepting enemy ballistic missiles in boost phase at or near engine burnout.

The THAAD weapon system integrates launchers, interceptors, radar, fire control and communications units, and system-specific support equipment, O’Reilly said. Flight testing of the THAAD system began in late 2005, he said. To date, the system has a 100 percent mission success rate in flight testing, he noted, with 10 successful tests and six–for-six intercepts. The system will be fielded through phase four.

The Command, Control, Battle Management, and Communications program globally links, integrates and synchronizes individual missile defense elements, systems and operations, O’Reilly explained. It creates a layered missile defense capability, he said, that enables response to threats of all ranges in all phases of flight. The program is currently in use and will be updated and enhanced through phase four.

O’Reilly said NATO is developing its own system, known as ALTBMD: The Active Layered Theater Ballistic Missile Defense program. The program, he said, will upgrade, test and integrate NATO’s command and control systems and underlying communication network to enable effective information exchanges between various NATO and national missile defense systems. It also will provide complete coverage against tactical ballistic missiles with ranges up to 3,000 kilometers, or 1,864 miles.

At NATO’s discretion, O’Reilly said, U.S. missile defense systems will integrate with NATO and allied nations’ systems to strengthen their overall defense capability.

“Our NATO allies can determine how they want to contribute to [cruise missile and short-range ballistic missile] defense,” he said. “We have the upper layer. They can effectively deploy the lower layer for an effective defense.”

Missile defense will be a major topic of discussion at the NATO summit set for Nov. 19 and 20 in Lisbon, Portugal. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has declared missile defense a critical capability that the alliance must acquire.

At his monthly press briefing in Brussels Oct. 11, Rasmussen presented the agenda for the foreign and defense ministers’ meeting held there yesterday. The meeting was a preliminary session for the November summit.

“NATO should develop the capability to defend Europe from the threat of missile attack,” Rasmussen said. “More than 30 countries in the world have, or are acquiring, ballistic missiles, some of which can already reach Europe.”

Given the catastrophic effects a missile strike in Europe could have, Rasmussen said, NATO can’t afford not to have missile defense.

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[buglerbilly]

U.K. Supports NATO Missile Defense Role

Oct 28, 2010

By Robert Wall

PARIS — Although the U.K. has not made missile defense a major topic of discussion in its strategic thinking, the government is throwing its support behind an expanded role in this field for the NATO alliance.

Gerald Howarth, the Defense Ministry’s undersecretary of state for international security strategy, tells Parliament that “the government assesses NATO ballistic missile defense to be an important capability which could contribute to the defense of the U.K. and our NATO allies against potential future ballistic missile threats.” And, he adds, “we intend to support proposals to expand NATO’s ballistic missile defense role.”

NATO is due to discuss the issue of taking on a larger mandate for missile defense at its summit in Lisbon next month. France and the U.S. already have indicated their support for an expanded role, along with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen (Aerospace DAILY, Oct. 20).

U.K. backing is seen as potentially important because it could be needed to create a European program for participation in the missile shield, which in the U.K. would involve at least upgrading the radar on its Type 45 destroyers and buying an interceptor system.

[buglerbilly]

Israel Delays Deployment of Iron Dome

November 10, 2010

tamir_eshel

One assumes you defend with Iron Dome and shoot down the missile(s) at the same time flattening the launch site with Iron Flame, sort of a Complete Missile Defence!

While the first Iron Dome battalion continues its training toward achieving Initial Operational Capability, the military is reluctant to deploy the in positions protecting population centers near the Gaza strip as originally planned. Instead, the single system currently available will be stored at a central IAF base, ready for dispatch at short notice, to protect strategic targets or population centers that may come under attack by enemy short range rockets.

Preparation of the Iron Dome battalion has taken more time than originally planned, as training the crew manning these new systems has proven more complex than anticipated. The IDF has ordered two Iron Dome batteries, and the U.S. has agreed to fund the procurement of nine additional batteries.

While public debate in Israel has focused on the system’s inability to defeat salvos of short range rockets or mortar bombs, fired from ranges of few kilometers, the Air Force is more concerned with the fewer longer range rockets that could hit air force bases with relative high precision, limiting the air forces’ operational tempo and putting combat aircraft and other assets at risk. Equally important is the protection of strategic sites located throughout the country, primarily along the coastline.

As Iron Dome is well positioned to defeat such threats, in day, night and under inclement weather conditions, the IAF would better keep such assets under control rather than deploy them to forward positions protecting forward townships, from where it would be practically impossible to remove, once enemy missiles start falling…

Rafael has planning to introduce a very low cost surface/surface derivative of the Iron Dome missile system named 'Iron Flame'. This low cost missile will perform as a high precision surface-to-surface rocket, utilizing part of Iron Dome's Tamir missile guidance systems. The 'Iron Flame' missile will weigh several tens of kilograms, carrying a variety of warheads, including blast fragmentation and penetrating warheads, it will be able to deliver pinpoint attack with an effect of an artillery projectile at the ranges currently covered by tube artillery.

Rafael, on its part continues to develop the Iron Dome system, today introduced a surface/surface derivative of the system named ‘Iron Flame’. This low-cost, autonomous weapon system employs an Iron Dome interceptor stripped off its advanced proximity intercept seeker, retaining the high maneuverability, precision guidance and in-flight update capability. Packed with modular warhead and a variety of seekers to fit specific missions, ‘Iron Flame’ will carry fragmentation or penetrating warheads, providing precision attack capability to engage targets and answer calls for fire support by forces operating within its ‘circle of fire’. Rafael unveiled the new development at the ‘Fire and Combined Arms Warfare in Urban terrain’ international conference held this week by Israel’s Artillery Corps association in Zikhron Yaakov in Israel.

© Copyright 2010 - Defense Update

[buglerbilly]

DATE:16/11/10

SOURCE:Flight International

Israel to test Arrow-3 interceptor by mid-2011

By Arie Egozi

The first fly out of Israel's new Arrow-3 anti-ballistic missile interceptor will be performed by mid-2011.

Israel Aerospace Industries, which is developing the Arrow-3, is currently performing ground testing of the new missile, which will intercept incoming ballistic missiles using kinetic kill instead of proximity warhead detonation as with the operational Arrow-2.

Israeli sources say the Arrow-3 will be the most advanced ballistic missile interceptor in the world. They say it will be "very energetic" and have "super manoeuvrability", enabling it to change its trajectory to engage another target that was detected after launch.

The sources say the Arrow-3 will be deployed in parallel to the Arrow-2, and the type to be launched will be determined by the fire control system.

The need for a longer-range kinetic kill interceptor stems from the threat posed by Scud-type missiles with 400-600km (216-324nm) range that Syria deploys, and designs with a 2,000km range, like Iran's Shihab-type weapons.

The Arrow-3 will provide an additional layer in Israel's multi-layered defence system, which the nation has built to protect its territory from rockets and missiles.

Rafael's Iron Dome system has recently proved its capability to destroy salvos from short-range rockets. The company and Raytheon are also developing David's Sling, a system designed to intercept longer-range rockets like the Iranian-designed Fatah-110 by Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. The Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 missiles will provide the upper layer, with the two planned to work separately or together to improve interception probabilities.

[buglerbilly]

MBDA's Aster, the first European missile to successfully carry out a ballistic intercept

MBDA is celebrating the total success of an Aster missile firing carried out on 18th October 2010 by the DGA EM (Direction Générale de l’Armement - Essais de Missiles) in the Landes region of France. This firing deployed the Aster 30 Block 1 missile variant developed for the French Air Force’s Mamba medium range air defence system (also known as SAMP/T or Surface Air Moyenne Portée Terrestre) and optimised for the interception of aerial as well as ballistic threats.

The Aster missile family (which also includes the naval variants Aster 15 and Aster 30) constitutes the most important missile programme ever launched in Europe and the second largest defence programme managed by OCCAR after the A400M tactical transport aircraft. Having been taken up by three European countries and two export countries, today, the Aster family offers the largest installed base of European missile systems. The MBDA/Thales order book for this system includes a total of 55 naval and ground-based systems and more than 1,700 missiles scheduled for delivery.

Aster-based systems are operational today in ground or naval configurations for missions associated with the self-defence of aircraft carriers, self, local and fleet area defence when deployed from frigates and destroyers, ground-based area defence as well as the anti-air protection of deployed and projected forces.

The Aster missile is differentiated from all other current and future global products by its unequalled flexibility which enables it to counter saturating attack scenarios against low radar signature targets with the same probability of success whether at low or high altitude. Thanks to this flexibility, the system is equally relevant in defeating the traditional aerial threat as it is in countering more recent scenarios associated with asymmetric warfare or force projection.

In the Aster 30 Block 1 version, which today equips SAMP/T, the missile is capable of intercepting ballistic missiles of the 600km class, the class which constitute the main current threat. Incremental evolutions of the missile have already been proposed to counter the proliferating and growing global ballistic threat. These evolutions will be transferable to all systems currently deploying Aster 30.

“This is a historic event because Europe has just demonstrated that it knows how to achieve totally independently a defence capability against the theatre ballistic missile threat”, stated Antoine Bouvier, Chief Executive Officer of MBDA. “This success further confirms the option offered by MBDA and its partners, Thales and Safran, to incrementally evolve SAMP/T and Aster in order to face the evolving ballistic threat and to respond to the issue of European sovereignty”.

[buglerbilly]

Russia, West have 10 years for full accord on missile defense - Medvedev

12:08 GMT, November 30, 2010

MOSCOW | Russia and the West must reach a suitable agreement on the issue of missile defense in the next decade otherwise Moscow will have to adopt and deploy new strategic weapons, President Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday.

"We are facing the following alternative in the next ten years: either we reach an agreement on missile defense and create a fully-fledged joint mechanism of cooperation, or if we fail to do so, a new round of arms race will start, and we will have to adopt decisions on the deployment of new strategic weapons," Medvedev said.

Moscow has retained staunch opposition to the deployment of NATO missile-defense systems near its borders, claiming they would be a security threat and destroy the strategic balance of forces in Europe.

Medvedev said that the proposed European missile defense network must guarantee the security of all countries on the continent.

The president earlier said Russia was ready to participate in a joint missile defense shield in Europe only on principles of equality and responsibility.

Russia and NATO agreed at a recent NATO-Russia summit in Lisbon to formulate terms for missile defense cooperation by June 2011. (RIA Novosti)

[buglerbilly]

LFK Delivers First MEADS Launcher for System Integration and Test

(Source: Forecast International; issued December 15, 2010)

MUNICH --- Lenkflugkorpersyteme GmbH (MBDA Deutschland) reports that the first MEADS launcher has been delivered to Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) International. LFK bears lead responsibility for the MEADS launcher. The completed launcher prime item will advance to system integration with the initial MEADS battle manager and multifunction fire control radar at Pratica di Mare Air Force Base in Italy in early 2011. The MEADS system will begin flight testing at White Sands Missile Range in 2012.

The MEADS lightweight launcher is easily transportable, tactically mobile, and capable of rapid reload. The launcher is designed to carry up to eight PAC-3 MSE missiles and to achieve launch readiness in minimum time. MEADS, under development by Germany, Italy and the United States, includes the launcher, 360-degree fire control and surveillance radars, and a battle manager with "plug-and-fight" command and control abilities not found in current systems. MEADS will replace Patriot in the United States and Nike Hercules in Italy. It will replace Patriot and the retired Hawk system in Germany.

MEADS embodies a distributed architecture and modular components to increase flexibility in a number of operational configurations, and increased firepower with reduced personnel and logistics requirements. According to LFK, MEADS has been shown to defend up to eight times the coverage area with far fewer system assets. This allows for a substantial reduction in deployed personnel and equipment, and demand on airlift. One unique feature of MEADS is that the system can be configured to appropriately respond to specific threats. The rapid link-up of individual modules such as fire control radar, the battle manager, and the launcher using plug-and-fight capability is possible without interruption of ongoing operations.

According to Lt. Gen. Norbert Finster, Vice-Chief of Staff of the German Air Force, "MEADS will offer us the needed flexibility to react on different mission types with its netted and distributed approach. We see MEADS to become as a core element for our future AMD and of our possible NATO missile defense contribution."

MEADS International, a multinational joint venture headquartered in Orlando, Fla., is the prime contractor for MEADS. Major subcontractors and joint venture partners are MBDA in Italy, LFK (MBDA Deutschland) in Germany, and Lockheed Martin in the United States. The United States funds 58 percent of the MEADS program, and European partners Germany and Italy provide 25 percent and 17 percent, respectively, as partners in the NATO Medium Extended Air Defense System Management Organization (NAMEADSMO). Its program management agency NAMEADSMA is located in Huntsville, Ala.

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[buglerbilly]

First MEADS Battle Manager Ready for System Tests at Italian Air Force Base

(Source: MEADS International; issued December 20, 2010)

ORLANDO, Fla., MUNICH and ROME --- The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) program today displayed the first MEADS Battle Manager during ceremonies at MBDA Italia facilities in Fusaro, Italy.

The Battle Manager, configured on an ARIS Italian Prime Mover, will shortly be joined by other MEADS major end items at Pratica di Mare Air Force Base in Italy as part of system integration activities leading to flight tests at White Sands Missile Range, NM, in 2012.

Five more Battle Managers are being assembled to support integration, test and qualification activities for the flight test series.

Using standardized interfaces and a revolutionary network-centric open architecture, the MEADS Battle Manager can command and control both MEADS and non-MEADS sensors and launchers. Through a capability called "plug-and-fight," sensors, launchers, and other battle managers simply act as nodes on the MEADS network. A commander can dynamically add or subtract these elements as the situation dictates without shutting the system down. This unprecedented flexibility is a first for ground-based air and missile defense systems.

MEADS International Technical Director Claudio Ponzi said, "We're very proud of our battle manager team for achieving this significant milestone, which realizes the visionary requirements given to the MEADS program. The MEADS architecture and Battle Manager provide capability to integrate unlimited combinations of sensors and weapons into a single network."

With MEADS, a commander can dynamically extract MEADS elements to protect a fast-moving maneuver force. The Minimum Engagement Capability requires only one launcher, one battle manager, and one fire control radar. When more MEADS elements arrive, they automatically and seamlessly join the network and build out capability.

NAMEADSMA General Manager Gregory Kee said, "The MEADS Battle Manager will provide commanders with increased situational awareness, but more importantly, increased flexibility to tailor battle elements dynamically based on the battlefield situation. Additionally, MEADS will be interoperable with a wide range of legacy systems as well as current and future command and control systems, like NATO's Air Command and Control System."

MEADS was shown to defend up to 8 times the coverage area with far fewer system assets. This allows for a substantial reduction in deployed personnel and equipment, and demand on airlift.

In August, the MEADS program completed an extensive series of Critical Design Review events with a Summary Critical Design Review at MEADS International in Orlando, FL. The program is now focused on final build, integration and test activities leading to flight tests involving all system elements at White Sands Missile Range in 2012.

Under development by Germany, Italy and the United States, MEADS is a mobile system that will replace Patriot in the United States and Nike Hercules in Italy. It will replace Patriot and the retired Hawk system in Germany. The system is designed to permit full interoperability between the U.S. and allied forces, and it is the only medium-range air defense system to provide full 360-degree coverage.

MEADS will meet challenging new requirements not addressed by any previous or planned Air and Missile Defense system. The system will combine superior battlefield protection with extensive flexibility, allowing it to protect maneuver forces and critical assets against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft.

It also provides an open architecture for 21st century air and missile defense system-of-system integration capabilities that allow operational mission-tailoring. MEADS is designed to provide greater firepower with less manpower than current systems, producing dramatic operation and support cost savings.

MEADS International, a multinational joint venture headquartered in Orlando, FL, is the prime contractor for MEADS. Major subcontractors and joint venture partners are MBDA in Italy, LFK in Germany and Lockheed Martin in the United States. Today, 1,800 employees from these companies are completing development of MEADS, which is closely watched as a model program for collaborative transatlantic development.

The United States funds 58 percent of the MEADS program, and European partners Germany and Italy provide 25 percent and 17 percent respectively as partners in the NATO Medium Extended Air Defense System Management Organization (NAMEADSMO). Its program management agency NAMEADSMA is located in Huntsville, AL.

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[buglerbilly]

Published 02:07 16.12.10
Latest update 02:07 16.12.10

Iron Dome anti-rocket system was never meant to protect Israeli towns

Israelis misled into believing the development of Iron Dome would help defend them from attacks.

By Yossi Melman, Haaretz.com

The last few months have seen an increase in the number of Qassam rockets, mortar shells and Grad missiles fired at Israel from Gaza, according to a recent report by the Shin Bet security service. Yet the army and air force stubbornly refuse to activate the Iron Dome missile intercept system, which is supposed to protect Israeli towns near the Gaza border. A 12-barrel launcher successfully tested by the army months ago currently sits unused at an air force base in the south.

Dr. Nathan Farber, former head scientist of the missile division at Israel Military Industries, along with other experts, has said that deployment of the Iron Dome system would provide an excellent opportunity to test it under battle conditions, against real enemy rockets.

The army's insistent refusal to use the system has surprised many. It may be indicative of the possibility that the army has no intention to use the battery at all, or even just for the purpose for which it was developed: to defend Sderot and other southern towns.

Yossi Drucker, the project manager at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, may offer some clues as to the nature of the enormous bluff by the security establishment regarding Iron Dome's deployment.

Drucker has said that each intercept missile costs $100,000. It is as clear as day that there is no logic in spending the amount of money equal to the cost of a one-room Tel Aviv apartment to "kill" Qassams and Katyushas that cost a few hundred dollars each.

Drucker made the comment about three months ago in an interview at the television station of the American evangelical preacher and Israel supporter Pat Robertson. Rafael spokesman Amit Zimmer has refused to respond to Drucker's remarks.

The story of the Iron Dome initiative is an accurate reflection of the faulty decision-making process in the Israeli government, which features a bunch of bureaucrats in the defense ministry and in the military's weapons industry working secretly, without supervision, misleading the public and sometimes even government ministers. They are able to do this under the wing of army censorship, preventing a genuine, honest public debate - all in the name of national security.

The project was born in sin. For years, the defense ministry, the army and the air force refused to develop a missile-intercept system, saying that it would be a waste of money and that it preferred to invest in offensive systems, in particular airplanes and missiles.

Only after the Second Lebanon War in 2006, during which Hezbollah launched 4,000 rockets and missiles at Israel, did public pressure grow for the quick development or acquisition of an intercept system. Amir Peretz, the defense minister at the time, was the one who managed to insist and overcome the opposition of bureaucrats and army officers.

The decision to hand over the development of Iron Dome to Rafael was intended to compensate the company for its exclusion from an earlier and larger intercept project - the Arrow - which had been awarded a decade an half before to Israel Aircraft Industries.

One way or another, the Iron Dome initiative was started even before the government approved it. According to the state comptroller's report, Brig. Gen. Dan Gold (until a year ago the head of the weapons research and development administration ), decided on his own to fund the project, without the knowledge of the defense minister or the government.

At the same time, according to a French publication, Rafael secretly approached Singapore and persuaded the country to share the costs of development or promise to buy the system. This information was withheld from the public.

Rafael is currently involved in talking to sell the system to India, the U.S. and other countries. The involvement of Singapore and other nations in the project raises an important question. Perhaps the system was intended from the beginning as a moneymaker for Rafael, and not a defense project for Israel?

In interviews with Haaretz four years ago, Farber said that the assumption that the system is designed to protect the south is wrong. In hindsight, it seems he is right.

While Iron Dome was being developed, sources at Rafael admitted that the system would not be capable of intercepting short-range (four-and-a-half kilometer ) mortar fire and Qassams with 25 to 30 second launch-to-impact time spans.

On the basis of this announcement, the Israeli government decided to build shelters for residents in the south who live within 4.5 kilometers of Gaza.

However, the problem is not distance, but time. In half a minute, a Grad rocket can cover 12 to 13 kilometers over flat ground.

This has already occurred: a Grad rocket shot from Beit Lahia hit a shopping mall in Ashkelon. This means that Iron Dome can't intercept Qassam and Grads at all and shelters are needed for people living within 13 kilometers of the border with Gaza. Though Rafael engineers developed the Iron Dome with proper speed, the south was still exposed to Hamas rocket fire until after the campaign in Gaza at the end of 2008.

Suggestions for an intermediate solution until Iron Dome was ready, including cheaper and more accessible systems such as the Vulcan Phalanx, which has proved its ability to intercept missiles in Iraq and Afghanistan, or restarting the development of a laser canon, were rejected by defense ministry bureaucrats with lies.

There are suspicions that this was done out of the concern that the Vulcan and laser could actually work and their success would have torpedoed Iron Dome.

And here the story ends. In 2010, Rafael partially fulfilled its mission in record time. It developed a model which is stored at a southern Israel air force base, and a few more launchers at other bases. But the army refuses to deploy them to protect the home front.

GOC Northern Command Gadi Eizenkot recently made this point clear as day, stating that Iron Dome is not meant to defend civilians, but only army bases. In other words, an army general has admitted that everything that has been said to the public about the purpose of the billion shekel investment in the Iron Dome project to improve public security is one big lie.

The behavior of the army and the defense system in this affair is shamelessly cynical, proof of the contempt of bureaucrats and decision-makers for the public and its money, and who have the feeling that they can make fools of the public without being asked to give explanations and without taking responsibility for their actions.

[buglerbilly]

IDF postpones final tests of Iron Dome defense system

By YAAKOV KATZ, Jerusalem Post

12/29/2010 01:38


IAF hopes to have anti-rocket system operational soon; final tests expected to include interception of suspected Hamas missiles.

The IDF has postponed by several weeks the final tests of the Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system, which were scheduled to take place recently, due to delays in the final development stages.

After the tests, the much anticipated active protection system was supposed to be declared operational.

The IDF had planned to reach “initial operational capability” for the Iron Dome, developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, over the summer, but then postponed the date until November. The new target date has now been moved back by a few weeks.

The final tests are expected to include the interception of barrages of the various missiles and rockets that Hamas is believed to possess in the Gaza Strip, and will be very similar to the last round of tests held in July. The main difference will be that the Israel Air Force will operate the system during the tests, while the previous rounds were overseen by the Defense Ministry’s Research and Development Authority.

“The development process has not yet been completed,” IAF commander Maj.-Gen. Ido Nehushtan said on Tuesday.

“The moment it is completed, the system will be delivered to the air force for final tests before declaring it operational.”

An Iron Dome battery is made up of a multimission radar unit developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, capable of tracking several targets, as well as a missile launcher containing 20 interceptors developed by Rafael.

The system is designed to protect an area of approximately 100 sq.km. On Sunday, top IDF officers met with representatives of the defense companies involved to announce the cancellation of the tests and the additional delay in the planned target date for going operational.

Nehushtan said the IDF had yet to make a final decision regarding the deployment of the system, which is currently being stored at the Hatzor air base near Ashdod. A decision on whether to deploy it around the Gaza Strip would be made based on the operational requirements at any given time, he said.

The IAF has so far taken receipt of two Iron Dome batteries and is waiting to receive the $205 million pledged for the system by the Obama administration, which will enable the IAF to buy another two or three batteries as well as the accompanying interceptors.

[buglerbilly]

Lockheed Martin Completes Next-Generation Long-Range Surveillance Radar Demonstrations

(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued January 4, 2011)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. --- Lockheed Martin has successfully completed a capability demonstration in the latest phase of the U.S. Air Force's development of the next-generation mobile, long-range surveillance and ballistic missile defense radar.

The Dec. 16-17 demonstration for the Three-Dimensional Expeditionary Long-Range Radar (3DELRR) was the second and final required under a $25 million, 20-month technology development contract awarded in May 2009. Lockheed Martin completed an initial demonstration of critical technology elements in March 2010 and an initial preliminary design review in October 2010.

The 3DELRR will serve as the principal long-range, ground-based sensor for detecting, identifying, tracking, and reporting aircraft and missiles for the Air Force. The system will replace the Air Force's AN/TPS-75 air surveillance radar. The Marines also are evaluating the system as a replacement for their AN/TPS-59 ballistic missile defense radar.

"Lockheed Martin has made significant investments in 3DELRR to reduce risk and drive affordability," said program director Mark Mekker. "We have applied both new technology advances and our knowledge gained from decades of experience developing and maintaining 178 long-range surveillance radars currently operational around the world."

During the demonstration, Lockheed Martin unveiled a functioning system prototype to Air Force and Marine Corps officials as proof of the radar's maturity. The radar's design addresses 100 percent of 3DELRR requirements, including critical extended air surveillance reach for early warning from threats, such as aircraft and ballistic missiles.

The Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base, which is leading the acquisition for 3DELRR, plans to award one contract by early 2012 to complete the 3DELRR technology development and engineering manufacturing development phases.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 133,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's 2009 sales from continuing operations were $44.0 billion.

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[buglerbilly]

Another Delay for Iron Dome

(Source: Forecast International; issued January 7, 2011)

TEL AVIV --- The Iron Dome program is seeing another delay, as Israel has postponed final tests. This delay will push back deployment of Iron Dome. This system was developed to protect Israeli territory from short-range rockets and missiles fired by Hezbollah, the Lebanese terrorist group, and Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is developing the Iron Dome. Iron Dome is the bottom tier of a three-layer national air-defense shield. Israel did purchase two batteries, each with 20 interceptors, but these systems are in storage. The program is experiencing some financing difficulties.

The Arrow system defends against long-range, ballistic missile threats. The third layer of the shield is the David's Sling. This system is meant to counter medium-range missiles. Rafael is working on this system. David's Sling will be fielded in 2012.

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[buglerbilly]

Published: 01/17/11, 5:21 AM / Last Update: 01/17/11, 5:18 AM

IDF Successfully Tests "Magic Wand" Anti-Missile System

by Elad Benari

The IDF’s "Magic Wand" (Sharvit Kesamim) system for intercepting intermediate-range rockets was successfully tested last week, the BaMachane military magazine reports in its latest issue.

The tests took place in southern Israel last week and were conducted by the Defense Ministry and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems under the attack conditions that Israel expects. At the end of the experiments it was estimated that the system will become operational within several years.

Magic Wand is intended to deal with a wide range of threats, and is essentially designed to fill a gap between the Iron Dome system for short-range missiles, such as the Qassam, and the Arrow for long-range missiles such as the Iraqi Scud and the Iranian Shihab.

In preparation for the system becoming operational, the Israel Air Force will begin an extensive preparatory project that will be completed soon. “Before the system becomes operational, we must put together the entire support system and infrastructure, and prepare literature and training,” an Air Force officer involved in the subject told BaMachane.

Meanwhile, it was also reported that the Air Force is expected to declare Iron Dome operational within several months.

“The system is currently undergoing a rapid development process which has not yet been completed,” Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Ido Nehushtan said recently. “There are several processes that we need to finish. Then the system will be declared operational based on an assessment of the situation.”

(IsraelNationalNews.com)

[buglerbilly]

NATO Achieves First Step on Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence Capability

(Source: North Atlantic Treaty Organization; issued January 27, 2011)

On 27 January 2011, NATO’s first ever theatre ballistic missile defence (TBMD) capability has been handed over to NATO’s military commanders. The handover took place at the NATO Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) in Uedem, Germany, in the presence of NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero, and civil and military authorities from NATO and host nation Germany.

The NATO Combined Air Operations Centre demonstrated how this interim capability allows NATO commanders, for the first time ever, to do limited ballistic missile defence planning and exchange information with national ballistic missile defence assets.

“The handover of this interim capability marks an important step in NATO’s missile defence efforts,” said Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero. “In line with the NATO Lisbon Summit decision, this capability will be further expanded to form the cornerstone of a future missile defence system for the protection of territory and populations.”

“NATO commanders now have for the first time an initial, limited but integrated ability to manage a defence battle to protect deployed forces against ballistic missile attacks,” said Brigadier General Alessandro Pera, Head of the Active Layered Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence (ALTBMD) Programme Office. During a short ceremony, he handed over the capability to Major General Mark F. Ramsay, Deputy Chief of Staff Operations & Intelligence, representing the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) as the operational user of the capability.

A rigorous ‘ensemble’ test, held from 6 to 10 December 2010 at the Integration Test Bed hosted at the NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A) facilities in The Hague, verified the ability of the NATO Command and Control system to connect and direct a multinational coalition of weapon and sensor systems in a missile defence battle.

“This interim capability meets a first batch of military requirements and was delivered in time and within the budget envelope. It is a good example of phased programme implementation under the auspices of the Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD), combining NATO and national assets in a common architecture” said Patrick Auroy, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment and Chairman of the CNAD.

A Field Test followed immediately after the Ensemble Test at the capability’s first deployed location, the NATO Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, Germany. These two tests were the last in a series of tests of this interim capability, which also included ‘live fire’ tests off the coast of Crete, Greece in 2009. “The performance of the capability met its military requirements,” added General Alessandro Pera.

Weapon and sensor systems from five Allies – France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States - took part in the Ensemble Test, along with the NATO operators who will be using the capability.

This is an example of successful collaboration under the ALTBMD Programme Office, involving Allies, NATO military commanders, NATO Agencies such as NC3A and NACMA (NATO Air Command and Control System Management Agency), and the industry.

Under the ALTBMD Programme, NATO provides a command and control system that links sensors and interceptors from Nations into a capability that can protect deployed forces from ballistic missile attacks.

The ALTBMD Programme Office will continue to upgrade the NATO Command and Control System for Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence in incremental steps from 2013 to 2018, to field a more robust Final Operational Capability. In line with the Lisbon Summit decision of November 2010, the ALTBMD capability will also be expanded to protect not just deployed forces, but NATO European territories and populations as well.

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[buglerbilly]

DOD Needs to Address Planning and Implementation Challenges for Future Capabilities in Europe

(Source: Government Accountability Office; issued Jan. 27, 2011)

DOD has initiated multiple simultaneous efforts to implement European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) but faces three key management challenges—the lack of clear guidance, life-cycle cost estimates, and a fully integrated schedule—which may result in inefficient planning and execution, limited oversight, and increased cost and performance risks.

Since the September 2009 announcement of EPAA, stakeholders throughout DOD—including U.S. European Command, the Missile Defense Agency, and the military services—as well as the State Department, have taken steps to implement this policy, including considering options for the deployment of assets, requesting forces, preparing for testing, and analyzing infrastructure needs. However, effective planning requires clear guidance regarding desired end states and key BMD stakeholders, including the combatant commands and military services, believe that such guidance is not yet in place for EPAA.

Further, key principles for preparing cost estimates state that complete and credible estimates are important to support preparation of budget submissions over the short-term as well as to assess long-term affordability. DOD has not developed EPAA life-cycle cost estimates because it considers EPAA an adaptive approach that will change over time.

However, best practices for cost estimating include methods for developing valid cost estimates even with such uncertainties. These estimates could serve as a basis for DOD to assess its goal of fielding affordable and cost-effective ballistic missile defenses as well as determine if corrective actions are needed.

Finally, the EPAA phase schedule is not fully integrated with acquisition, infrastructure, and personnel activities that will need to be synchronized. As a result, DOD is at risk of incurring schedule slips, decreased performance, and increased cost as it implements the phases of EPAA.

DOD also faces planning challenges for EPAA because DOD has not yet established key operational performance metrics that would provide the combatant commands with needed visibility into the operational capabilities and limitations of the BMD system they intend to employ. DOD is incorporating some combatant commands’ requirements into BMD testing, in part, by having U.S. European Command participate in the test design process. However, the system’s desired performance is not yet defined using operationally relevant quantifiable metrics, such as how long and how well it can defend.

The combatant commands are attempting to define operational performance metrics to enable credible assessment of operational performance gaps. However, these metrics have yet to be finalized and implemented. Without a more complete understanding of BMD operational capabilities and limitations, the combatant commands face potential risk in EPAA operational planning.

(Click here for the full report (62 pages in PDF format) in the GAO website.

http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-220

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[buglerbilly]

MEADS Radar Completes Rotation Tests, Prepares To Move To Test Range

ORLANDO/MUNICH/ROME, January 31st, 2011 --

MEADS Photos







The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) program has successfully completed milestone tests as the first Multifunction Fire Control Radar (MFCR) advances toward system tests this year at Pratica di Mare air force base in Italy.

The advanced MEADS X-band MFCR employs active phased array technology using transmit/receive modules developed in Germany. The radar provides precision tracking and wideband discrimination and classification. It also incorporates advanced identification-friend-or-foe (IFF) sensors with improved capabilities to identify and type threats.

MEADS radars are designed to protect troops and assets on today’s 360-degree battlefield, where threats can attack from any direction. Sectored, piecemeal systems cannot defend assets completely because the direction of a missile attack is no longer certain in today’s asymmetrical battlefield. Even small slivers of unprotected airspace put warfighters in danger.

The MFCR subteam at LFK in Germany completed integration of the antenna array last year, clearing the way for assembly-level testing of the Transceiver Group. Coolant pressure testing was completed, and cooling distribution was demonstrated at the slip ring and antenna rotary joint. Final rotation tests at both 15 and 30 rpm were successfully completed.

MEADS International President Dave Berganini said, “The entire MEADS team is proud to see our first system elements moving to the test range. The first battle manager and launcher moved to the test range in Italy in December to initiate system tests. The MFCR will join them shortly. We are on the path to flight tests at White Sands in 2012.”

NAMEADSMA General Manager Gregory Kee said, “MEADS radars scan the complete perimeter to locate threats quickly and accurately. The X-band MFCR will improve target tracking and provide better performance in stressing clutter environments.”

In August 2010, the MEADS program completed an extensive series of Critical Design Review events with a Summary Critical Design Review at MEADS International in Orlando, FL. The program is now completing final build, integration and test activities leading to flight tests involving all system elements at White Sands Missile Range in 2012.

Under development by Germany, Italy and the United States, MEADS is a mobile system that will replace Patriot in the United States and Nike Hercules in Italy. It will replace Patriot and the retired Hawk system in Germany. The system is designed to permit full interoperability between the U.S. and allied forces, and it is the only medium-range air defense system to provide full 360-degree coverage.

MEADS will meet challenging new requirements not addressed by any previous or planned Air and Missile Defense system. The system will combine superior battlefield protection with extensive flexibility, allowing it to protect maneuver forces and critical assets against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft. It also provides an open architecture for 21st century air and missile defense system-of-system integration capabilities that allow operational mission-tailoring. MEADS is designed to provide greater firepower with less manpower than current systems, producing dramatic operation and support cost savings.

MEADS International, a multinational joint venture headquartered in Orlando, FL, is the prime contractor for MEADS. Major subcontractors and joint venture partners are MBDA in Italy, LFK in Germany and Lockheed Martin in the United States. Today, 1,800 employees from these companies are completing development of MEADS, which is closely watched as a model program for collaborative transatlantic development.

The United States funds 58 percent of the MEADS program, and European partners Germany and Italy provide 25 percent and 17 percent respectively as partners in the NATO Medium Extended Air Defense System Management Organization (NAMEADSMO). Its program management agency NAMEADSMA is located in Huntsville, AL.

Melissa Hilliard, (407) 356-5351
melissa.hilliard@lmco.com

[buglerbilly]

DoD Kills Dough For Tri-National MEADS

By Colin Clark Monday, February 14th, 2011 5:19 pm



The Pentagon announced today it would kill MEADS, an anti-missile program once declared the highest priority weapon system for the United States and its allies to build together.

The Army has tried several times before to kill the program, which uses the Patriot interceptor, but has always been overruled before by the Office of Secretary of Defense. Germany and Italy have made major political and industrial commitments in pursuit of MEADS and they will doubtless let America know just what they think of this decision.

Defense Comptroller Robert Hale said during today’s budget briefing that the partners could go ahead with the program, but the United States would not.

Lockheed, the main US company involved, has lobbied to keep the program alive in the face of an estimated $1 billion price increase. Congress had declined to act on MEADS until Defense Secretary Robert Gates made his decisions about what programs to cut. Now that Gates has decided, Congress seems unlikely to fight to restore funding for the program.

Read more: http://www.dodbuzz.com/2011/02/14/dod-kills-dough-for-tri-national-meads/#ixzz1DyhA8DHw

[buglerbilly]

Russia to deploy modern missile defense systems on disputed Kuril Islands


S-400 Triumf
© RIA Novosti. Sergey Razbakov, Sergey Beznosov 09:01 15/02/2011

The venom in various responses and counter-responses between Russia and Japan bemuses me.........like watching two obstinate children arguing over who's Father has a bigger dick..............

Moscow will deploy reinforcements to include short- and long-range air defense missile systems including the latest S-400 Triumf system to the southern Kuril Islands to protect Russia's sovereignty in the Far East, a high-ranking official in the General Staff of the armed forces said on Tuesday.

Military support with modern weaponry is a must for the security of the islands, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in a meeting last week with Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov and Regional Development Minister Viktor Basagrin.

Four sparsely populated islands (Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and Habomai) in the Kuril chain between Japan's northern island of Hokkaido and Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula were annexed by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II but are still claimed by Japan.

The dispute over the islands, called the Northern Territories in Japan, has prevented Russia and Japan from signing a formal peace treaty.

The General Staff official said S-400 missile defense systems could be deployed to the islands to protect them from possible attacks.

Prior to Medvedev's visit to one of the disputed islands in November, Japan voiced its concerns saying the arrival of the Russian leader could complicate bilateral relations, but Russia's Foreign Ministry rejected Tokyo's attempts to change Medvedev's plans saying he "defines the routes of trips across his country on his own."

The visit was the first trip by a head of state of Russia or the former Soviet Union to the South Kuril Islands.

Soon after landing on Kunashir Island, Medevedev uploaded on his Twitter account a photograph of Kunashir's landscape made by him with the note: "There are so many picturesque places in Russia. Kunashir."

Speaking during a rally in Tokyo on February 8, Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan called Medvedev's visit to the islands last November an "inexcusable rudeness," sparking an angry response from Moscow.

MOSCOW, February 15 (RIA Novosti)

[buglerbilly]

$2B Plus Cost Rise Doomed MEADS

By Colin Clark Tuesday, February 15th, 2011 5:36 pm



Always thought MEADS was a clusterf*#k in progress, this article just reinforces that view....................what the DoD was doing in the middle of this change-the-scope mellange , I thought they were supposed to have Overview, bemuses my simple Procurement Manager outlook?

The tri-national MEADS missile defense program was not doomed by by a US Army eager to save money but by a cost overun of close to $2 billion. MEADS development was supposed to cost roughly $4 billion, so this would have more than qualified for a Nunn-McCurdy breach and required OSD to certify the requirement was still valid and to reform the program. Because of its status as an international program, however, it was not subject to the Nunn-McCurdy provisions.

On top of that, a congressional source familiar with the program said there would have been “several hundred million” in additional costs to — incredible as it may seem for a program under development for more than a decade — make MEADS interoperable with Army command and control systems. And testing costs — probably worth more than $100 million — had not yet been budgeted for.

Given that the United States already fields the Patriot anti-missile system [pictured], and works closely with Israel on several others such as David’s Sling, the Army and OSD clearly calculated that the US would not be losing a crucial capability. However, MEADS was supposed to provide 360 degree coverage and defend a much larger area than Patriot. MEADS supporters also argued that the system’s life cycle costs would be much lower than existing capabilities. Those arguments now appear moot.

To avoid incurring what could be huge program termination costs (up to $1 billion) the Pentagon plans to fund MEADS in the next budget.

To get expert perspective on MEADS’ demise, we contacted Frank Cevasco, one of the top international defense consultants and someone who has closely followed MEADS for more than a decade. While a senior Pentagon official he and colleagues at OSD pushed the Army to create a program office to manage a future extended air defense program, which eventually became MEADS. He said he does not represent any of the companies involved in the program.

Cevasco said at least part of the cost overrun can be attributed to a plan to replace Patriot with MEADS on a one-for-one basis. “I was told that doesn’t make sense as a MEADS fire unit has substantially greater geographic coverage than Patriot. I agree there would be additional costs associated with integrating MEADS with a separate Army command and control system, a requirement that was levied on the program unilaterally by Army about two years ago. Moreover, a portion of the cost overruns and schedule slippages can be attributed to the Army and DoD technology disclosure community who refused to allow the MEADS industry team to share key technology. The matter was resolved but only after intervention by senior OSD officials and the passage of considerable time; and, time is money with major weapons system development programs,” he said in an email.

Bottom line for Cevasco: “Army has done its best from the every beginning to sabotage the program, preferring to develop a US-only solution funded by the US (with funds provided by the good fairy).”

What effect is the departure of the United States likely to have on MEADS. Here is the calculus of funding: the U.S. picks up 58 percent of the tab; Germany 25 percent and Italy 17 percent.

Given that MEADS was, once upon a time, the Pentagon’s top international program, the experience of the US with this program might be relevant to the current top international defense program, the Joint Strike Fighter. Interoperability is key to both and both have substantial portions built in allied countries. Cevasco has long experience with JSF as well, especially working with our allies.

He views the two programs “as very different.” The Air Force, in contrast to the Army, wants JSF and persuaded several other countries they should also want it. “USAF is in full control of the JSF program whereas Army shared management and decision making with Germany and Italy. USAF understands that by demanding full control of the JSF program it could secure only modest funding contributions from its partners—but the USAF believed JSF was sufficiently important to US national security interests that domestic funding would be forthcoming. And USAF/DoD advised its foreign partners from the beginning that some technology would be provided as ‘black boxes’ with anti-tamper protection,” Cevasco said. While some of the structural issues are clearly different, it does seem that MEADS may offer lessons for JSF, lessons on what not to do

Read more: http://www.dodbuzz.com/2011/02/15/2b-plus-cost-rise-doomed-meads/#ixzz1E5059fS3

[buglerbilly]

UPDATE 1-Germany will not pursue MEADS - govt

BERLIN | Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:16am EST

You'd have to think that SAMP-T would have a chance to replace but lack of funds for both Italy and Germany may preclude this..........

BERLIN Feb 16 (Reuters) - Germany will not pursue a multi-billion dollar missile defence programme known as MEADS beyond its development phase, the Defence Ministry said, after its partner the United States pulled out of further funding.

On Monday, the United States said it would stop funding the MEADS project after fiscal year 2013, calling it unaffordable in the current budget climate.

"With the closing of the planned development of MEADS ... between the United States, Germany and Italy,... a realisation or acquisition of MEADS will not be carried out in the foreseeable future," the Ministry told the budget committee in a letter seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

The letter was dated Feb 15.

Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) has led an international consortium developing the Medium Extended Air Defense System, or MEADS, in partnership with Italy and Germany.

But the project already came under pressure to be scrapped last year as part of efforts to cut up to 9.3 billion euros in defence spending by 2014.

The Pentagon said this week it remained concerned about the overall track record of the programme and might ordinarily have cancelled it but continuing the development phase until 2013 would avoid costly termination fees and benefit Germany and Italy.

In the letter, the ministry said it would make sure that the results of the MEADS development phase would be used as a basis for national programmes.

It would now evaluate a new approach to air and missile defence by year end and would talk to Italy, its European partner on MEADS, about those issues. (Reporting by Sabine Seibold; editing by Elaine Hardcastle)

[buglerbilly]

MEADS – Let’s Bury the Dead


The US DoD will not to fund MEADS beyond the current phase.

Comment by Dr. Ezio Bonsignore, Editor-at-Large

06:50 GMT, February 18, 2011 defpro.com | One would certainly understand, and to an extent accept and share, the anxiety about maintaining an adequate defence industrial base, with the relevant capabilities to become involved as partners, when not as prime contractor, in the development of high-tech weapon systems. By the same token, one would also acknowledge that multinational defence projects, and most particularly trans-Atlantic ones, have a political significance that transcends the importance of the end product in purely military terms, and would thus justify sticking to such a programme, even when its expected operational roles become increasingly murky.

But even so, there are limits to what the most elementary logic would accept and the taxpayer could be made to swallow. The US Defense Department’s (DoD) announcement that it will not be funding the MEADS air defence programme beyond the end of the current phase in 2013, and it will thus not pursue procurement of the system in an operational configuration, was the much overdue coup-de-grace to put a programme out of its misery that has been struggling in agony for much too long.

In diplomatic terms, it would certainly have been preferable for such a coup-de-grace to be administered in a coordinated and joint way, in the form of the three participating countries – the US, Germany and Italy – coming to a joint agreement to terminate the programme. But events over the past few months have shown that both Germany and Italy would not move in that direction on their own – in part out of subservience to the interests and desires of their respective industries, and in part due to a misplaced desire to hang for their dear life to the one and only remaining major trans-Atlantic defence cooperation programme. It was, thus, left to the Pentagon to make the fateful move.

The tentative notion that the two European countries could or, indeed, would try and continue the programme on their own was, of course, farcical. Germany has already promptly aligned itself on the US position – no funding after 2003, and no procurement – and the delay in an Italian response is due only to the fact that local politicians are currently pursuing much more momentous matters.

With MEADS now hopefully buried (or cremated, depending on your religious preferences) before its corpse starts to stink, the interesting question is what happens next, in both operational and industrial terms.

Irrespective of the original goals of the programme, MEADS had ended up in a dead-end whereby it would basically offer a relatively modest improvement in combat performance over the existing Patriot, but at a significantly added cost, while being more than outperformed by THAADS as regards pure ballistic missile defence applications. And, to say it in Lord Kelvin’s immortal words, “Spending extravagant amounts of money for marginal improvements is only acceptable in the fields of racehorses and fancy women.” MEADS had become a system intended to fill too small on operational niche to justify its cost.

Given this, there could be no notion of a successor system being developed anew along very much the same lines. Rather, attention will be focused on attempts at widening the operational envelope of already existing systems to cover MEAD’s, while (as regards Europe) struggling to find some sort of an operational use for the components that are already well advanced in development, including, most particularly, the radar. Indeed, this latter point is specifically mentioned in the German communiqué.

In industrial terms, champagne corks are most probably popping all over Waltham, as Raytheon may justifiably feel they have won their long battle to kill MEADS in favour of a proposed enhanced version of the Patriot PAC 3. But I’m not so sure about that. The US Army might, indeed, wish to go along that particular road, but it might as well rather decide that there is no real gap between PAC 3 and THAADS that would need to be filled, thank you. The Italian Air Force would most certainly adopt the same SAMP-T system that is already being fielded by the Italian Army. And what about the German Air Force? They are Raytheon’s prime commercial target, for sure. But, it so happens that the German communiqué says that discussions will be held with Italy (and not with the US!) to try and define a common post-MEADS future, hopefully by the end of the year.

The notion of Germany joining the Franco-Italian SAMP-T programme as a late comer is perhaps less unrealistic than it would seem, at first glance. And, such a move could even revitalize plans for an ABM-capable version of the ASTER missile that are currently on hold due to lack of French interest.

Interesting times.

----
By Dr. Ezio Bonsignore, Editor-at-Large

[buglerbilly]

UAE to sign $7-billion missile deal in spring, Lockheed says

By Stanley Carvalho and Mahmoud Habboush, Reuters February 20, 2011

ABU DHABI - The United Arab Emirates will finalize an estimated $7-billion deal to buy an advanced missile defence system from Lockheed Martin this spring, the first such export by the U.S. firm, a Lockheed official said on Sunday.

The UAE has been negotiating the acquisition of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, since late 2008, when the U.S. defence department announced the proposed sale.

"We are very close to finalizing documentation necessary to have a successful program for the UAE. This spring, the U.S. government will make an announcement," Dennis Cavin, vice-president, International Air & Missile Defence Strategic Initiatives for Lockheed Martin, told Reuters at a defence expo.

The deal was negotiated between the U.S. and the UAE governments directly. The United States government is expected to send a letter of agreement in the next few months, the Lockheed official said, after which the UAE could start negotiations with contractors on production schedules.

U.S. defence major Raytheon will support Lockheed in providing logistics and sustainment services.

UAE defence officials declined to comment on the deal. But sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Sunday the deal was in its final stages and could be sealed soon.

Thaad is a key element of the Ballistic Missile Defence System (BMDS), designed to defend troops, allied forces, population centres and critical infrastructure. The weapon system is fully integrated, comprising five major components: launchers, interceptors, a radar, Thaad fire control and communications and specific support equipment.

In late 2008, the UAE closed a deal with Lockheed Martin to buy advanced Patriot anti-missile systems. The UAE has started receiving the PAC-3, a Lockheed spokeswoman said on Sunday without elaborating.

The International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX), the region's largest military expo, opened on Sunday in the capital of the United Arab Emirates with about 1,060 companies participating.

© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette
Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/sign+billion+missile+deal+spring+Lockheed+says/4317450/story.html#ixzz1EeQ51f4K

[buglerbilly]

Joint U.S.-Israel Arrow Weapon System Intercepts Target During Successful Missile Defense Test

(Source: Missile Defense Agency; issued Feb. 22, 2011)


An Arrow interceptor shot down a target representative of potential ballistic missile threats facing Israel during its latest flight test overnight. (MDA file photo)

The joint U.S.-Israel Arrow Weapon System successfully intercepted a ballistic target missile during a flight test conducted today. This test is part of the Arrow System Improvement Program (ASIP) and was conducted jointly by the Israel Missile Defense Organization and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency at the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division-Pt. Mugu Sea Range.

At 10:30 p.m. local time (Pacific Standard Time), the target missile was launched from a Mobile Launch Platform (MLP) off the coast of California, within the Pt. Mugu test range. The target was representative of potential ballistic missile threats facing Israel.

The Arrow Weapon System’s Green Pine radar successfully detected and tracked the target and transferred information to the Citron Tree battle management control system. The Arrow Weapon System launched an interceptor missile which performed its planned trajectory and destroyed the target missile. The test represented a realistic scenario and all the elements of the weapon system performed in their operational configuration.

The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) and U.S. Department of Defense officials conducted the flight test. The main contractor for the integration and the development of the Arrow Weapon System is the MLM division of the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The “Green Pine” Radar is developed by ELTA Industries and the “Citron Tree” BMC is developed by Tadiran Electronic Systems, Ltd.

The success of the test is a major milestone in the development of the Arrow Weapon System and provides confidence in operational Israeli capabilities to defeat the developing ballistic missile threat.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

IDEX 2011: Raytheon explores MEADS upgrade for Patriot

February 23, 2011

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) has described plans to transfer technology from the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) over to its Patriot programme, despite claims from Lockheed Martin that its offering is still very much alive.

Speaking to Digital Battlespace at IDEX in Abu Dhabi, Raytheon IDS vice president for Patriot Programs Sanjay Kapoor said the company wanted to 'harvest technology' from the MEADS programme and integrate it into the Patriot air defence mission.

The news follows the US Department of Defense's (DoD) decision on 14 February to deny the MEADS programme the additional $1 billion required for its post Critical Design Review (CDR) stage.

'There are between six and seven technologies in the future we would like to integrate into Patriot, which could include the MEADS vertical launcher and some portion of the fire control radar,' Kapoor said.

However, he added that he was 'uncertain of the level of maturity' of the MEADS technology and told DB that Raytheon had not yet started talking to MEADS prime contractor Lockheed Martin or the US government.

However, MEADS international director for business development Marty Coyne told DB that the US DoD's decision did not mean the end of the programme and described how the German, Italian and US governments were now in the process of 'refocusing the [MEADS] design and development programme to take maximum advantage of [the programme's] original funding'.

This was based on the original $3.4 billion contract awarded in 2004 and extra funds had been required to overcome 'technical challenges' regarding the MEADS radar as well as extended flight testing.

'We are disappointed in the US decision but will work with the European parties to get the capability they need. Details are yet to be decided but we will continue onto the flight test at White Sands Missile Range in 2012; shorten the post-CDR programme; and add in a decision point for customers after the second flight test. Germany and Italy are on board and the US reserves the right to come back in two years,' Coyne told DB.

Referring to delivery of Patriot to the United Arab Emirates, Kapoor said shipments would begin in 2012 with the air defence system achieving an initial operating capability later in the same year. He added that a dozen flight tests would be conducted in the next six months as per the scheduled test programme.

By Andrew White, Abu Dhabi

[buglerbilly]

Despite Test Range Success – Iron Dome Is Not Operational Yet

February 23, 2011

tamir_eshel



Iron Dome seen here on one of its earlier firing tests, launched from a test rig. The recent flights were carried out from the system's multi-launcher firing assembly, designed for rapid deployment and autonomous operation in the field. Photo: Rafael
The Israel Air Force’s first Iron Dome counter Rocket, Artillery and Missile (C-RAM) system has passed a significant milestone last week, with the first Iron Dome battalion performing successful, intercepts of multiple targets simulating five different operational scenarios of threats fired at different trajectories and ranges. Following the successful induction process, the Iron-Dome battalion is expected to be announced operationally ready within the upcoming weeks – several months after the scheduled deployment plan.

According to Haaretz reporter Anshel Pfeffer, the IAF was in possession of the first of two Iron Dome batteries for a number of months already. Owing to a series of technical problems, initial operational capability was delayed, and is now expected to take place ‘within a number of weeks’. Some parts of the second battery have already been delivered to the IAF.

The IAF estimates that 13 Iron Dome systems will be required to effectively protect Israeli civilians from short-range missiles. It is not yet clear if and when the new battery will be deployed in southern Israel. The IAF currently plans on positioning the battery in the base and only deploying it upon demand. Despite that, members of the Knesset’s (Israel’s parliament) Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee demand the battery be positioned in the Israeli towns near the Gaza border.

In late 2010, the U.S. allocated $205 million for Iron Dome procurement; however, the actual funding has yet to be approved as part of U.S. federal 2011 budget.

© 2011 defense-update.com

[buglerbilly]

Delivery of S-300s to Venezuela on Hold

(Source: Forecast International; issued February 22, 2011)

NEWTOWN, Conn. --- The Special Programs Director for Russia's state-owned arms exporter Rosoboronexport, Nikolai Dimidyuk, reports that the delivery of S-300 missile defense systems to Venezuela will be delayed.

According to Dimidyuk, Venezuela has rescheduled the delivery several times but the contract will be fulfilled. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has been seeking to acquire Russian S-300 missile systems since 2008, but nothing further was heard until 2010 when Rosoboronexport confirmed that a contract was in place.

Since 2006, Russia and Venezuela have entered agreements for more than $6.6 billion in loans and equipment. Media reports regarding the potential procurements are always forthcoming, but information regarding actual transfer is harder to come by.

This is likely because the government of President Chavez wants to keep Venezuela's military inventory as secret as possible. However, this secrecy has many wondering if in fact the agreements are being carried out, or if it is Chavez's tool for creating fear in the region over Venezuela's potential capability.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Milestone Nears for European Missile Defense Plan

(Source: U.S Department of Defense; issued March 2, 2011)

WASHINGTON --- The U.S. plan to defend Europe from a rapidly increasing ballistic missile threat will reach a milestone next week with the first deployment of missile defense technology, a senior Defense Department official said yesterday.

“The ballistic missile threat is real, and it’s now,” said John F. Plumb, the Pentagon’s principal director for nuclear and missile defense policy, adding that the phased, adaptive approach to European missile defense is a capability designed to defend against that threat.

The USS Monterey -- equipped with systems to detect, track, engage and destroy ballistic missiles in flight -- will deploy next week from its home port of Norfolk, Va., for a six-month tour in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility, Plumb said.

The ship will participate in missile defense exercises and help to lay the foundation for future deployments, Plumb said, in “the first demonstration of our commitment to this … in a long series of deployments that will follow.”

President Barack Obama approved the phased, adaptive approach to European ballistic missile defense in 2009, and the NATO alliance agreed to the plan at its November 2010 summit in Lisbon, Portugal.

The approach will begin with existing technology and add more sophisticated systems now in development to build sea- and land-based missile defense systems in Europe throughout the rest of this decade, Plumb said.

“The first phase … involves ships, because we have sea-based missile defense capabilities now, as well as forward-based radar that can provide information to those ships,” he said.

The second phase will begin in 2015, he said, with the deployment of a land-based interceptor site in Romania. The interceptor, the Standard Missile-3 IB, or SM-3 IB, is in development now, Plumb said.

“That will be the first land-based deployment of this type of interceptor, and that will start to provide greater coverage for Europe,” he said.

The SM-3 IA already is deployed on ships around the world, he said, and two other variants of the interceptor, the IIA and IIB, are scheduled to be in place as part of phases 3 and 4 by 2020. Plumb said each version of the interceptor will defend against missiles of greater ranges and speeds.

The ballistic missile threat to Europe from the Middle East, particularly Iran, is a driving force behind the phased, adaptive approach, he said.

“[Iran] continues to pursue more and greater capabilities,” he said. “We need to have a way not only to deter them from using them, but also if deterrence fails to be able to intercept their missiles.”

While the phased, adaptive approach is currently under U.S. European Command’s authority, Plumb said, NATO agreed at the Lisbon summit to establish command-and-control systems allowing the alliance to take the lead in ballistic missile defense on the European continent.

“Europe is a big place,” he said. “The more you can cooperate, and the more assets other nations can contribute, the better the system can function.”

Those contributions may take the form of sensors, interceptors or land for sites, he said.

“The assets we’re deploying … would be the U.S. national contribution to the missile defense of Europe,” Plumb said. “As with any other NATO mission, individual nations voluntarily contribute assets, and [all] would work under a NATO command structure.”

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Interceptor missile scores a perfect 10
HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times

Bhubaneswar, March 06, 2011

First Published: 20:00 IST(6/3/2011)
Last Updated: 23:26 IST(6/3/2011)

India successfully tested an indigenously developed missile interception system by shooting down an incoming ballistic missile — a Prithvi variant — in Orissa on Sunday.

Prithvi, mimicking the enemy’s ballistic missile, was launched at 9.32 am from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Balasore district, about 170 km from Bhubaneswar.

The advanced air defence interceptor missile was fired from Wheeler Island off the coast of Bhadrak district, about 70 km from Chandipur, five minutes after the target missile was fired.

The missile-tracking network consisting of long-range and multi-function radars and other range sensors positioned at different locations detected and identified the incoming missile threat.

“The interceptor intercepted the ballistic missile at an altitude of 16km and blasted the missile (Prithvi) into pieces. It was a textbook launch and all the events and mission sequence took place as expected,” said ITR director SP Dash.

Dash termed the flight test as a major milestone in the history of the country’s ballistic missile defence programme.

Many scientists witnessed the flight test. VK Saraswat, scientific advisor to defence minister AK Antony, congratulated the DRDO scientists and staff for the successful operation.

[buglerbilly]

India Successfully Test-Fires Interceptor Missile

(Source: ddi Indian government news; issued March 6, 2011)


India’s Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor, shown here at a previous launch, today shot down a target missile for the fifth time in six attempts. (DRDO photo)

India successfully test-fired indigenously developed interceptor missile, capable of destroying any incoming hostile ballistic missile on Sunday from Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Wheeler Island off Orissa coast.

"Aimed at developing a fully-fledged multi-layer Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system, the trial was carried out from two launch sites of ITR off Orissa coast," defence sources said.

Describing the trial as successful, they said the whole exercise is to achieve "desired result with precision".

The 'hostile' target ballistic missile, a modified surface-to-surface 'Prithvi', was first lifted off from a mobile launcher around 0933 hours from the launch complex-3 of ITR at Chandipur-on-Sea, 15 km from Balasore.

Within four minutes, the interceptor, Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile positioned at Wheeler Island, about 70 km across sea from Chandipur received signals from long ranging tracking radars installed along the coastlines, and then travelled through the sky at a speed of 4.5 Mach to a definite altitude over the Bay to destroy it, sources said.

"After the launch of 'target' and 'hit' missiles from their launch sites, detailed results and the 'kill' effect of the interceptor were being ascertained by analysing data from multiple tracking sources," a Defence Research Development (DRDO) scientist said soon after both the missiles roared in to the skies leaving behind a thin white ribbon of smokes.

"While the interceptor designed for endo-atmospheric condition (up to 30 km altitude) is a seven-meter long and single stage solid rocket propelled guided missile, equipped with an inertial navigation system, a hi-tech computer and an electro-mechanical activator under command by the data uplinked from sophisticated ground based radars, the interceptor designed for exo-atmospheric condition is a two stage missile," sources said.

(ends)

India's Ballistic Missile Defence Test A ''Milestone'': Dr Saraswat

(Source: Domain-B; published May 7, 2011)

BHUBANESWAR --- In a clear indicator that the programme to develop an indigenous ballistic missile defence system is rapidly maturing, India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Sunday successfully tested a ballistic missile interception from its missile test facilities in the state of Orissa.

The 'interceptor' missile was fired from Wheeler Island off the Orissa coast near Dhamra in Bhadrak district, about 170km from here at 9.37am which successfully intercepted an incoming hostile missile fired five minutes earlier.

The 'hostile' missile was a specially modified Prithvi missile, fired from the Launch Complex III of the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-sea in Balasore district, about 70km away from Wheeler Island across the sea.

The incoming ''enemy'' ballistic missile was intercepted at an altitude of 16 km and was destroyed through ''a direct kill.'' The interceptor had a specially designed 'directional warhead'.

According to Dr VK Saraswat, director general, DRDO, and also scientific advisor to the defence minister, the interception ''had a copybook terminal homing, taking the interceptor very close to the incoming ballistic missile.''

The 'hostile 'missile simulated the 600-km range of a ballistic missile and the interceptor worked up near-hypersonic speeds. ''With this launch, we have perfected the interception in endo-atmosphere'' below an altitude of 50 km, Saraswat informed media. "It was a major milestone in the history of ballistic missile defence programme of the country," he said.

This is DRDO's sixth interceptor mission and five have been successful declared successes.

''Our BMD programme has matured and it is really ready now for integration into the air defence assets of the country. India is next only to the US, Russia, France and Israel, who have BMD capability,'' said Dr Sarawat. Dr Saraswat is also the architect of India's interceptor missile programme.

According to Dr Saraswat, the actual significance of this mission may lie in the fact that DRDO may have written ''history for the country in the arena of ballistic missile defence programme.''

Asked about China's capability, Dr Saraswat replied that ''China is still developing it.''

According to other senior DRDO officials, with this test the organisation had now entered the phase where it could ''look at multiple targets and multiple missiles. It has given us the confidence to go ahead with this kind of initiative.''

SP Dash, director of the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, said the test was tracked by various radars and sensors. All weapon system elements, including command and control, communication and radar, performed satisfactorily, he said.

"It was a fantastic mission. It successfully hit the target. The interceptor intercepted the ballistic missile and blasted it into pieces," Dash said.

"It was a textbook launch and all the events and mission sequence took place as expected. It was a major milestone in the history of ballistic missile defence programme of the country," he said.

Besides this successful test, the DRDO has so far tested its interceptor missile five times - 26 July 2010, 27 November 2006, 6 December 2007 and 6 March 2009. The trial in March 2010 was a failure.

DRDO officials said the entire mission went off in a copybook fashion and the trajectories of the both the missiles followed the pre-designated paths.

According to Avinash Chander, director of DRDO's Advanced Systems Laboratory, with Sunday's launch India had moved closer to the stage of having a credible ballistic missile defence system. ''Of course, we would need to do some more tests in the next one-two years. We now have the capability to intercept multiple missiles being fired at the same time,'' he said.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Northrop Grumman Submits Final Proposal Revision for Missile Defense Agency's Next Generation Aegis Missile

(Source: Northrop Grumman Corp.; issued March 4, 2011)

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. --- Northrop Grumman Corporation today announced it has submitted its final proposal revision for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Next Generation Aegis Missile (NGAM) concept definition and program planning procurement.

The new interceptor is a key element of the layered intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) defense of the nation and will be designed to engage intercontinental, intermediate-range and medium-range ballistic missile threats. MDA has said it plans to make multiple contract awards in early 2011 and plans to field the interceptor in the 2020 time frame.

"Northrop Grumman offers MDA an opportunity to put fresh, experienced eyes on the early ICBM intercept design challenge," said Duke Dufresne, sector vice president and general manager, Strike and Surveillance Systems Division for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. "We bring extensive design, development, testing and manufacturing experience from our ICBM and Kinetic Energy Interceptor programs. We're joined by a team of industry experts who have been at the forefront of every ballistic missile defense hit-to-kill interceptor program, including terminal high-altitude area defense, standard missile and ground-based mid-course defense systems. Together, we offer the unique combination of interceptor experience and innovation to develop the next generation of ballistic missile defense interceptors."

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

C-RAM Systems Become A Priority

Mar 11, 2011

By Andy Nativi
Genoa



Although rocket, artillery and mortar (RAM) attacks have not been as lethal in recent conflicts as improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and suicide bombings, they pose an ongoing threat to military installations, forward operating bases, infrastructure and civilian areas. Work underway in the U.S., Europe and Israel is focused on developing effective and economical counter-RAM systems that provide coverage and, importantly, a sense of security to troops and civilians.

Insurgents use RAM attacks as part of asymmetric warfare or as a tactic in terrorism. In many cases the weapons are crude and inaccurate, or outdated. In some instances, they are homemade. Israel, for example, has been the target of more than 10,000 rocket and mortar attacks from Gaza in recent years. While deaths and casualties have been low owing to the inaccuracy of the weapons, their chief objective is to terrorize and demoralize people living in targeted areas. Israel has attacked and destroyed rocket- and mortar-launching teams with aircraft and ground troops, but at a huge cost for each counterattack.

Most experts believe that an effective counter (C-RAM) system is one that provides a layered defense. The best strategy is to prevent an attack. Indeed, patrols and 24/7 surveillance make it difficult for attackers to reach a suitable firing position, especially given the limited range and precision of their weapons, even if some rockets, artillery fire and mortars have greater range.

If this fails, however, there is the active defense option, in which counter-fire is used to break up a sustained attack, and passive defense, which involves assets such as early-warning radar, ground sensors and airborne surveillance, and weapons that destroy incoming threats.

This combination of technology and weapons incorporated into a mobile system is generally the first choice of military planners for an effective C-RAM capability. The concept will eventually be extended to moving targets such as convoys. Lightweight, vehicle-mounted C-RAM systems, similar in operation to mobile air-defense platforms, are expected to become a reality in the near future, providing convoys with a defensive shield against attack, in much the same way that active defense systems guard tanks from rocket-propelled grenades and other weapons.

For the time being, however, the priority is to provide C‑RAM for fixed targets.

The first approach taken by the U.S. was to adapt Raytheon’s Phalanx, a close-in weapon system (CIWS) deployed by the U.S. Navy, which features a rapid-fire 20-mm Gatling gun. Similar land-based weapons have been used in the past, notably the M163 self-propelled, 20-mm Vulcan gun deployed for air defense by the U.S. Army; and the trailer-mounted M-167A1/A2, later brought to Pivads (Product Improvement Vulcan Air Defense System) configuration.

The Army rushed development of the Land-based Phalanx Weapon System (LPWS) in 2004 and deployment started the next year in Iraq. Named Centurion by Raytheon, the system is based on a standard Phalanx 1B CIWS, which is mounted on a trailer alongside a power-generation and control system, water-cooling station and ammunition reserve (1,550 rounds). The entire system weighs 24 tons—6.1 tons for the weapon and electronics.

Centurion is a strategically transportable, but not tactically mobile system. It is autonomous, having its own Ku-band acquisition and fire-control radar (known colloquially due to its white dome as R2-D2, the name of the Star Wars movie robot), a Flir thermal imaging sensor and a link to a forward area air-defense command-and-control system. The weapon has an M61A1 gun, which fires 3,000-4,500 rounds per minute. Typically, 400 rounds are fired in each engagement, either in bursts of 60 or 100 rounds, or in a continuous burst. The M940 MPT-SD ammunition, developed for the application, flies faster and thus has more range than the previous M246 HEI-TSD round due to improved aerodynamics. The MPT‑SD round flies 1,800 meters (5,900 ft.) in 3 sec., and 2,000 meters in 3.69 sec., and is designed to self-destruct after 3.8 sec.

U.S. and U.K. forces have deployed the LPWS in Iraq and Afghanistan. The system has proven its value in battle, intercepting hundreds of mortar rounds and rockets (insurgents generally do not use tube artillery). To increase its capabilities, the U.S. Army’s C-RAM program office has developed a network concept that links surveillance and counter-fire sensors over large areas that can cover several forward operating bases.

The sensors include the AN/TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-37 medium- and long-range radars from Northrop Grumman and ThalesRaytheon; SRCTec omni-directional weapon-location radar and AN/TPQ-48 lightweight counter-battery radar from SRC Inc.; and EQ-36 counter-fire target acquisition radar from Lockheed Martin. Northrop Grumman has fielded a similar network in Afghanistan. The networked sensors provide early warning of incoming attack, permitting the LPWS to make an early engagement, which can be done in a fully automatic mode.

The LPWS is only a gap-filler due to its limited range, and is also bulky and heavy. Less range means more systems are needed to cover a given area, with a reduced standoff distance and limited time window to engage a target. The system would be vulnerable to mass artillery attacks.

The Army is consequently investing in follow-on systems. Over the long term, an effective C-RAM system could use laser technology. The U.S. is conducting the Joint High Power Solid State Laser (JHPSSL) project, now in Phase 3, which has C-RAM applications. Several companies, including Raytheon, Boeing, Textron and Northrop Grumman, are working on laser-based C-RAM concepts. Raytheon envisions its Laser Area Defense System as a replacement for the LPWS—the company has tested a laser using the Centurion mount. Northrop Grumman has considerable experience in chemical lasers with the Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL), Mobile-THEL and Skyguard high-energy laser air-defense program. The company is working on a concept called Talon for a mobile, solid-state-laser C-RAM system.

For now, Centurion is the only operational system. While pursuing research on laser systems, the Army is working on a more conventional solution within the Extended Area Protection and Survivability Program (EAPS). This is a missile-based system, for which Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are competing (see p. 15). Flight trials start later this year, and the Army is targeting a Milestone B production decision no sooner than 2015. EAPS is also taking an alternative gun-based approach, with twin 50-mm ATK guns firing “smart” ammunition.

In Europe, C-RAM development takes several approaches. Rheinmetall’s Skyshield/Mantis system, which has been ordered by the German army under the name NBS (Nachstbereichsschutzsystem) and is set for deployment this year in Kunduz, Afghanistan, with a Luftwaffe air-defense squadron, is the first project nearing operational status. Development began in 2007 with a €48-million ($65-million) program funded by the German defense ministry. The weapon, which builds on the Skyshield air-defense system, was extensively tested in Turkey in 2009. The defense ministry awarded Rheinmetall a €110.8-million procurement contract for the first two systems, and a €13.8-million ammunition contract.

The NBS uses Rheinmetall’s 35 X 228-mm Millennium revolver gun, which fires a version of the Advanced High Efficiency and Destruction (Ahead) programmable round. The ammunition dispenses high-density submunitions that can penetrate and destroy thick-walled targets (e.g., 155-mm artillery rounds, 120-mm mortar bombs and heavy rockets). The gun fires high-muzzle-velocity rounds (more than 1,000 meters/sec.) at a rate of 1,000 rounds per minute. A system includes six guns, two unmanned search-and-track units with X-band radar and electro-optic sensors, and a command center. The light weight of each component facilitates transportation—a firing unit with two guns, radar and control center weighs less than 16 tons, while each gun turret is less than 4 tons. The powerful 35 X 228-mm NBS round offers major range and time-to-target benefits over the 20 X 102-mm Centurion round.

Another German company, KMW, is working on a C-RAM concept that exploits the massive 52 X 155-mm artillery gun in a mobile configuration, firing unguided but specialized C‑RAM ammunition.

Oto Melara of Italy, a unit of the Finmeccanica group, has two C-RAM projects: Porcupine, a lightweight system using the same 20-mm Gatling gun found on the LPWS, but purpose-built for the mission with a compact and lightweight integrated assembly; and Draco, also known as the Multirole Weapon System, which is based on a mobile version of the popular 76 X 62-mm Super Rapid naval gun and ammunition.

Israel, after a flirtation with laser weapons, has pursued C-RAM defense with a combination of missile-based systems that cover different threats in a layered approach. The lower tier is Rafael’s Iron Dome, with a range of 5-70 km (3-45 mi.). This consists of a multimode IAI/Elta radar, a command-and-control center and three launchers, each with 20 Tamir interceptor missiles. All components are transported on a 6 X 6 truck, ensuring high tactical mobility. Such a battery can protect an area of 100 sq. km (40 sq. mi.).

The first two batteries were delivered to the Israeli air force in July 2010, and a final operational test leading to initial operational capability was scheduled for last December, but postponed for unspecified technical reasons. It should be carried out early this year.

Rafael’s David’s Sling is the next step up in size. It is designed to defend against rockets and cruise missiles, and has a range of 40-300 km. Raytheon and Rafael are jointly developing the Stunner interceptor missile for David’s Sling. The system will not become operational before 2014.

No matter how C-RAM development progresses—whether guns, missiles, lasers or a combination of each proves most effective—only advanced militaries will be able to afford more than a few batteries. The cost of a C-RAM shield, even with economy writ large as a requirement, is immense compared with the cost of artillery, rockets and mortar bombs. One interception of a crude, homemade rocket by a missile-based C-RAM system can cost tens of thousands of dollars—which is one reason why Israel uses radar that computes where incoming RAM will land before intercepting the weapon. If the RAM threat is heading for open land, away from a populated area, a C‑RAM system will not be activated.

But as has been evident with counter-IED efforts, militaries will invest billions of dollars to neutralize a threat to personnel and facilities. It is thus expected that work will continue to enhance C-RAM technology despite the cost, until effective and reliable systems are operational.

Photo: Rheinmetall

[buglerbilly]

Defense Ministry looking to boost ties with South Korea

By YAAKOV KATZ

03/15/2011 02:35


Ministry in talks with Seoul about Iron Dome; Rafael, S. Korean companies considering establishment of joint ventures.

The Defense Ministry is tightening its ties with South Korea as it searches for new military alliances around the world in the face of the economic meltdown and growing political isolation.

Several defense industries have begun solidifying their presence in Seoul with Rafael opening a new marketing office recently in Bangkok to service South Korea as well as Vietnam. Rafael is also in talks with two South Korean companies about possible establishment of joint ventures.

“South Korea is extremely interested in Israeli products particularly due to the growing tension with North Korea,” a senior defense official said. “For us, it is beneficial since we are facing a drop in defense sales due to the recession and the upcoming US withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan.”

In recent months, a number of Israeli and South Korean delegations have visited each other’s country to discuss potential deals and to inspect new platforms.

In December, the South Korean military issued an urgent operational requirement to Rafael for guided anti-tank missile systems called Spike NLOS after the North Korean artillery attack on Yeonpyeong Island in November.

The Spike NLOS is one of the most sophisticated antitank weapons in the world and has a range of 25 kilometers and can engage targets during the day or at night and in adverse weather conditions.

In addition to Spike, the South Korean military is also in talks with the Defense Ministry about the Iron Dome, the short-range rocket defense system which was recently declared operational by the Israeli Air Force.

One official estimated that sales to South Korea could reach about $500 million a year.

The increase in sales to South Korea, though, will depend on the IAF’s upcoming decision on the identity of the new advanced fighter trainer it is looking to purchase.

The two candidates are Korea Aerospace Industries’ T-50 Golden Eagle or Italy’s Alenia Aermacchi M- 346 Master.

In 2009, Israel was the fourth largest exporter of weaponry and military platforms in the world behind the United States, Russia and France with defense exports that reached $7.5 billion. While new contracts signed in 2010 have yet to be accounted for, estimates within the Israeli defense establishment are that the number will be slightly lower than the previous year.

[buglerbilly]

Israel to Deploy 'Iron Dome' Anti-Rocket System

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Published: 25 Mar 2011 15:42

JERUSALEM - Israel will deploy its "Iron Dome" multi-million-dollar missile defense system in southern Israel for the first time next week in the wake of rocket attacks from Gaza, officials said March 25.

"I authorized the army to deploy in the next few days the first battery of 'Iron Dome' for an operational trial," Defence Minister Ehud Barak said as he toured the tense Gaza Strip border.

The order comes after a spate of rocket fire by Gaza militants in recent days, some of them striking deep into Israel.

The deployment of the Iron Dome interceptor, designed to combat short-range rocket threats from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, has been delayed until now with officials saying operating crews needed more training and suggestions the system was prohibitively expensive.

The system, developed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defence Systems with the help of U.S. funding, is designed to intercept rockets and artillery shells fired from a range of between four and 70 kilometres (three and 45 miles).

Each battery comprises detection and tracking radar, state-of-the-art fire control software and three launchers, each with 20 interceptor missiles, military sources said.

However, Barak said the deployment would be experimental and partial and complete protection could take years.

"The complete acquisition of Iron Dome will take a number of years, dependant on suitable funding," he said.

Militants in Gaza and those allied with Lebanon's Hezbollah militia have fired thousands of projectiles at Israel in the past.

The system will first be along the border of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, from where militants fired a daily barrage of home-made rockets prompting Israel to launch a devastating 22-day offensive in December 2008.

It will then be deployed along the Lebanese border, from where Hezbollah militants fired some 4,000 rockets into northern Israel during a 2006 war. It was that experience which prompted the development of Iron Dome.

Israel believes Hezbollah now has an arsenal of some 40,000 rockets.

In May, U.S. President Barack Obama asked Congress to give Israel 205 million dollars to develop the system, on top of the annual $3 billion Israel receives from Washington.

Iron Dome will join the Arrow long-range ballistic missile defense system in an ambitious multi-layered program to protect Israeli cities from rockets and missiles fired from Lebanon, the Gaza Strip, Syria and Iran.

A third system, known as David's Sling, it currently being developed with the aim of countering medium-range missiles.

[buglerbilly]

IDF deploys Iron Dome battery outside Beersheba

By YAAKOV KATZ, HERB KEINON AND REBECCA ANNA STOIL

03/28/2011 00:30


Photo by: Reuters

Mofaz: Israel can't hide behind missile defense system; PM: True answer to missile attacks is aggressive deterrence, preventive measures.

The IDF is preparing for an increase in rocket fire from the Gaza Strip as it expects Palestinian terror groups will try to test the Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system, which was deployed on Sunday for the first time outside Beersheba.

Brig.-Gen. Doron Gavish, commander of the IAF Air Defense Division tried to downplay expectations from the Iron Dome, which he described as providing “good but not hermetic” protection.

“The protection provided to the city is good, but this is still an operational test stage and it is not hermetic,” Gavish told reporters, at the site of the battery near Beersheba.

Gavish said that the deployment of the Iron Dome was part of the IDF’s wider strategy of using offensive as well as passive defensive means to combat Palestinian rocket fire from Gaza.

He said that despite the Iron Dome deployment, the public must continue to listen to the Home Front Command’s instructions regarding what to do in the event of a missile attack.

Gavish said that the battery would be mobile, moving according to operational requirements, and the decision to launch interceptors would be made by commanders at the battery in real time. It is possible that the second battery will be deployed near Ashkelon later this week.

There had been some hesitancy in the defense establishment about deploying the Iron Dome outside of Israeli cities. Some officials believed the system should be deployed outside of bases to provide the IAF with protection in the event of a larger conflict and allow for continued operations in the event of an attack.

Iron Dome is designed to defend against rockets at a range of 4-70 km. Each battery consists of a multi-mission radar manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries and three launchers, each equipped with 20 interceptors named Tamir.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu also tried to lower expectations that Iron Dome would provide complete security, telling the cabinet Sunday that the system could not protect every house, school and installation in the country.

“Israel has been under the threat of missile attack for 20 years, since the [first] Gulf War. I don’t want to create the illusion that Iron Dome, which we are deploying for the first time today, will provide a full or comprehensive answer,” he said.

Netanyahu said that the Iron Dome system was still in its experimental stages. He said the true answer to the missile attacks was a combination of aggressive deterrence, preventive measures and the resilience of the government and the people.

In any event, Netanyahu said, Israel holds Hamas responsible for anything that is fired from the Gaza Strip. He said that while Israel was not interested in escalating the situation, “we will not hesitate to use the might of the IDF against anyone who attacks our people.”

He reiterated that every country has both the right and the obligation to defend its citizens.

The prime minister said that, from a security point of view, the last two years – during which Israel adopted a policy of “systematic and consistent responses” to any attack – have been the quietest two years in the last decade.

But, he said, “In the last two weeks, various elements have tried to violate the quiet and the security to which we have become accustomed over the last two years. Naturally, we are interested in quiet and security.”

Defense Minister Ehud Barak, meanwhile, briefed the ministers on the situation in the South over the last two weeks, saying that the terror organizations have taken “harsh blows” over the last 10 days, with 13 terrorists killed by IDF action, dozens injured, and the terrorist infrastructure hit. During this period, four Palestinian civilians were also killed.

On Sunday, two Islamic Jihad terrorists were killed after the IAF struck a terror cell as it was planning to fire rockets into Israel from the northern Gaza Strip.

At the same time, Barak said, more than 100 mortar and rockets were fired on the South, leaving three people wounded, and a number of buildings damaged.

He said that while the Israeli fire was pinpointed and for the most part hit those targeted, the Palestinian fire was indiscriminate and aimed at large communities.

Regarding the deployment of Iron Dome, Barak said that it is not a “100 percent solution” but will gradually improve Israel’s defense.

Noting that in recent years Israel fortified school buildings in the communities near Gaza, Barak said it was not possible now to do the same to every school building in the country that is inside the widening missile range.

Vice Premier and Regional Development Minister Silvan Shalom told the cabinet that while Iron Dome is important, Israel cannot only think in terms of defensive measures, but must always keep on the table the option of going on the offensive.

“Unequivocal Israeli declarations about the possibility of a large-scale operation and targeted assassinations undoubtedly have a deterrent effect,” he said.

Members of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee had militant tones in their voices during a Sunday visit to the rocket-plagued south, with chairman Shaul Mofaz (Kadima) warning that “Israel cannot hide behind an Iron Dome. Everybody who harms our children must bear the consequences.”

Following the recent increase in rocket fire, the committee decided to hold its meeting in Beersheba, together with mayors of southern towns impacted by the rocket fire.

Mofaz said that the committee had come to show support for local government leaders “who are coping with the helplessness being demonstrated by the State of Israel.”

“The government’s policy is an incorrect one that has harmed Israel’s deterrence, which has declined since Operation Cast Lead,” Mofaz complained. “It is the terror organizations that have determined the quality of life in Israel in the most recent round of conflict.”

Beersheba Mayor Ruvik Danilovich told MKs that “it is impossible to continue to live in uncertainty and to maintain a routine when, at any given moment, a rocket could land on us. No country can accept this situation; it is impossible to gamble with residents’ lives.”

Danilovich said that he welcomed the government’s decision to deploy the Iron Dome rocket defense system in the South, but added that he understood that even the cutting-edge system “is not a hermetic seal.”

MK Avi Dichter (Kadima) described as an “error” the decision not to deploy more Iron Dome batteries to offer coverage to a larger area.

“Hamas is developing in Gaza the offensive abilities of a military organization and the State of Israel cannot allow itself a situation like this. It cannot be that the state does not manage to find NIS 40 million in funding, which could solve the entire problem of defense,” Dichter continued.

Danilovich’s colleague, Kiryat Malachi Mayor Moti Malcha, told the committee that he had a specific fear: the dangers of the 70 tons of ammonia currently being stored in the city.

“If one rocket hits the containers, half of the city disappears. I was promised that they would be secured, but nothing has been done,” said Malcha.

“I believe that the best defense is offense, but if there isn’t an offensive, then at least offer defense,” complained MK Arye Eldad (National Union).

“While we argue about the nature of our response, armored trucks continue to shuttle money to Gaza from Israel.”

[buglerbilly]

Another report on this deployment with better pics and video..............

IDF Pre-Deploys Iron Dome C-RAM in an Effort to Contain Palestinain Rocket Attacks

March 27, 2011noam_eshelNo comments


The first Iron Dome anti-rocket system, deployed on itsf first 'operational evaluation' near Beer Sheva in the Israeli Negev desert. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense Update.,

Reluctant to embark on a major retaliatory campaign against Gaza, the Israel Air Force was directed to pre-deploy the ‘Iron Dome’ counter-rocket, artillery and mortar (C-RAM) defense system, despite the military reluctance for such move, before the unit is fully prepared. The current fielding is defined as an ‘operational evaluation’ prior to becoming ‘fully operational capable’.

Israeli decision makers are aware that deploying this defensive capability could encourage Palestinian attempts to challenge the system, in an effort to demoralize the Israeli population (Similar to the Palestinian attempts to hit Israel’s hetherto ‘undefeated’ Merkava tanks in the Gaza strip in the early 2000s, which led to destroying three merkava tanks by Palestinian ‘mega IEDs’.) Prime minister netanyahu announced tha the defensive capability alone will not be sufficient and an effective defense requires a combination of offensive, defensive means maintaining effective deterrance, strength and resolve of the population and government’ However, if the Palestinians will cease their attacks at this point, the deployment could achieve its purpuse in stemming the current escalation without excessive use of force.


A Tamir interceptor about to hit a Grad-type rocket on one of the Iron Dome intercept test, January 2010. Photo: Rafael

The first ‘Iron Dome’ unit, one of two batteries operating with IAF 947 Battalion ‘Iron Dome’ was deployed in the outskirts of the Negev capital Beer Sheva; the second battery is said to be deployed near Ashkelon, north of Gaza.

Iron Dome was designed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, as a defensive short-range rocket interceptor, operating with extremely short response time. The system has selective target engagement capability, enabling the system to automatically engage targets posing significant risk while ignoring targets which are aimed to hit empty areas. The system relies on threat warning systems providing early warning for the civil population in the area. It also accurately localizes the launch point of all rockets and mortars fired, providing the IDF an accurate targeting data for counter-attack.


The first Iron Dome unit was fielded today at the outskirts of Beer Sheva protecting the Negev Capital. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update.

While Iron Dome has repeatedly demonstrated its capability in operational testing, the full system has not been fielded operationally yet, although elements of the network have been located in the area for evaluation.

Although the system was designed to cover a relatively wide area, the current deployment is not meant to provide a broad defense in the area, sites could be relocated often to match operational requirements. the Iron Dome battery comprises a radar, command, control and communications battle management module and remotely operated launch units, positioned at different locations to provide the best coverage of the defensed area.

The Israelis hesitated about deploying the system prior to possessing adequate quantities of systems, to prevent Palestinian challenging the system, by firing salvos of rockets thus rapidly escalating the situation which is quite fragile as is.

According to Brigadier General Doron Gavish, commander, Air Defense Forces, the active defense is a part of a new concept the air defense and the IDF is evaluating. “The first part of this concept is attacking capabilities, the second is alert capabilities. Obviously passive defense is very important, as well as the active defense phase. Gavish said the current ‘Iron Dome’ deployment is part of the comprehensive response in dealing with continuous ballistic rocket attacks, and an important part of its ‘active defense’ capability. ”We are accelerating this operational test in order to be ready as fast as we can with the first systems that will be deployed in the next few weeks.” Gavish said. In the recent tests conducted by the air defense forces last month the units themselves performed the firing and scored impressive results. “During these tests we were shooting against variety of threats, some of them represented those we saw lately being shot at Israel.”



“We are moving from testing and training on the system to evaluating the system operational conditions.” Gavish said. “The evaluation test taking place in the southern part of Israel began today and will last for several weeks” general Gavish said. The units will practice deployment at several sites, with movement between positions being part of the evaluation itself. Testing Iron Dome against real threats, in stressing combat conditions will place the unit, and the entire new C-RAM active-defense in the limelight of the media, political and in fact, the entire world.

Gavish tried to play down the role of this event in the current fragile situation with the Palestinians ”This evaluation test was planned anyhow. Because of what we saw in recent weeks we decided to accelerate this phases; from what we saw in testing, Iron Dome is a very capable system. But it is important to highlight that that for the next weeks we are still in the evaluation phase. This system is designed to defend Israel for next coming years as we build this capability, buy more fire units and enhance its capabilities in order to defend the Israeli population.”



© 2011 defense-update.com

[buglerbilly]

PLA claims breakthrough in camouflage technology research


Chinese air defense system.

Oh yes and it leaps tall buildings as well..................

14:34 GMT, March 28, 2011 On March 27, the reporter learned from the General Staff Headquarters (GSH) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) that a breakthrough was made in the research upon the national defense camouflage technology against guided weapon strike. The Research of Camouflage Technology for Civil Air Defense Works against Precision Strike and Camouflage Emergency Preplan recently won the Military Scientific and Technological Progress Award.

Project Leader Wang Jijun said that the research subject met the urgent need for camouflage technology to protect key parts of civil air defense works against precision strike.

Wang Jijun added that the technical result could be applied to all types of camouflage for civil air defense works, and the new materials, new products and the corresponding construction techniques developed through the research project could also be widely applied into multi-band temporary camouflage and fast and permanent camouflage for the civil air defense works, promoting the product commercialization and equipment-like application of civil air defense works’ camouflage.

During the research, an engineer design and research institute of the PLA GSH put the technology into trial application and evaluated upon the camouflage effect, made the camouflage layer dovetail into the background in terms of the form, texture, color distribution, spectral reflection, radar wave scattering and so on. Moreover, it developed stone-like camouflage paint with good spectral camouflage function and composite camouflage material featuring multi-band compatibility, making the civil air defense works unobtrusive at all against the mountains and urban elements.

In addition, the research institute has through three years of endeavor developed a high air flow closed valve which is a major protective device in the ventilation system of defense works.

"The newly developed high air flow closed valve which adopts the form of a butterfly valve can be opened and closed manually and electrically, and allows local and remote control," said Yang Jie, head of the project. A ventilation function test has been conducted on the valve, and a resistance performance test has been conducted in the simulator of nuclear explosion.

The institute said the trial application proved that the technological breakthrough could effectively reduce ventilation resistance, feature good bearing and obturation capacities, and reduce the wear between the sealing surfaces and increase the reliability and service life of the sealing.

It is learned that such technological fruits will be widely used in construction and renovation of the civil air defense works.

----
Zhao Jie, PLA Daily

[buglerbilly]

Lockheed Stresses New Interest in Meads

Mar 29, 2011

By Andrea Shalal-Esa/Reuters



The international consortium developing the $3.4 billion Meads air and missile defense program for the U.S., Germany and Italy says it could sign on a fourth foreign partner by next year, according to a senior executive with the Lockheed Martin-led group.

The U.S. last month said it would stop funding the U.S.-European Medium Extended Air Defense System, or Meads, after fiscal 2013, calling it unaffordable in the current budget climate. Germany issued a similar statement, but it has also said itis open to fielding a Meads-derived missile defense system pending the outcome of the development program.

As Aviation Week reported March 21, Mike Trotsky, Lockheed vice president of air and missile defense, said talks are ongoing with other nations that have expressed interest in participating in production, although he declined to identify them. A formal agreement could come in 1-2 years, according to Trotsky.

Marty Coyne, director of business development for the Orlando, Fla.-based Meads venture, said he remained convinced that the system offered unique capabilities to defend against a growing threat, and said he had personally met with officials from several other countries in Europe and the Middle East that wanted to participate.

He also declined to give any details, but said the Meads system had aced a critical design review last August and still offered capabilities that were needed around the world.

“In the Middle East, there are countries that are absolutely in harm’s way,” Coyne told Reuters March 28. “They understand the threat posed by Iran.”

Israel has developed its own Arrow missile defense system with U.S. help, but that is geared to address long-range ballistic missiles, not the shorter- and medium-range threats that are the focus of Meads.

Coyne said all three partner countries had approved a revamped plan for the program hammered out after the Pentagon decision, which removed nearly $1 billion in funding for coming years that had been added during a 2008 restructuring.

As Aviation Week reported recently, key officials have agreed to truncate the program’s flight-test plan in light of the Obama administration’s decision to walk away from the effort without buying any units. The three countries now plan to conduct only two flight trials of the new air- and missile-defense system; one against an air-breathing target and another to shoot down a tactical ballistic missile. This new schedule will cut tests from the previous plan, largely to maintain the anticipated $3.5 billion ceiling, Trotsky said. Despite the turn of events, Trotsky claimed “the program is not dead-ended.”

The change means the program will not be able to carry out the seven flight tests that were planned, but it will still move forward this year with another test that does not involve intercepting an enemy missile, followed by actual intercept tests in 2012 and 2013, Coyne said.

Meads officials say the system can defend up to eight times the area of current systems with fewer system elements for less money than it would cost to upgrade existing systems. Unlike other systems, it also offers 360-degree protection.

Coyne said the MEADS team was even more determined now to get through flight tests and prove the capability of the system, and the additional possible foreign partners were watching closely.

He said Lockheed and the consortium remained convinced that the U.S. would continue the program in the end.

In an information paper released last month, the Pentagon said the Meads program had shown marked improvement in recent years after a rough start, but it could not justify spending up to $1.6 billion on the program from 2012 to 2017.

Washington said it would still continue the program’s development up to a cost ceiling of $4 billion to ensure development of a meaningful capability for Germany and Italy, and maintain a future option for the United States.

(Aviation Week contributed to this article. Edited by Michael Bruno)

© 2011 Thomson Reuters. Click for Restrictions.

[buglerbilly]

Lockheed Martin Awarded $789.8 Million THAAD Production Contract



DALLAS, TX, March 30th, 2011 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] has received a production contract totaling $789.8 million to produce the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System for the Missile Defense Agency.

The contract includes $694.9 million and for the production of 48 THAAD interceptors, six THAAD launchers, four fire control units and additional support equipment. An option for additional launchers in the amount of $94.8 million was also award for a total value of $789.8 million. These components will be employed by THAAD Batteries 3 and 4 for the U.S. Army. Delivery to Batteries 3 and 4 will be completed in 2013.

“We have great confidence in the production plans established to deliver the THAAD weapon system to the warfighter as soon as possible,” said Tom McGrath, vice president and program manager for THAAD at Lockheed Martin. “Lockheed Martin remains focused on ensuring THAAD is reliable, affordable and effective.”

THAAD interceptors are produced at Lockheed Martin’s Pike County Facility in Troy, Ala. The launchers and fire control units are produced at the company’s Camden, Ark., facility. A contract for the delivery of the first two U.S. Army Batteries was awarded to Lockheed Martin in late 2006.

Since 2005, the THAAD development program has completed 11 flight tests, with seven intercepts in seven attempts. THAAD is the only missile defense system with the operational flexibility to intercept in both the endo- and exo-atmospheres to provide versatile capability to the warfighter.

Two THAAD batteries have been activated at Fort Bliss, Texas. The first THAAD Battery (A-4 ADA Battery) was activated in May 2008. In October 2009, the U.S. Army activated the second THAAD Battery (A-2 ADA Battery). Unit training for this Battery began earlier this year.

A key element of the nation’s Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), THAAD is a Missile Defense Agency program, with the program office located in Huntsville, Ala. The Agency is developing the BMDS to defend the United States, its deployed forces, friends and allies against ballistic missiles of all ranges and in all phases of flight.

Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including the first operational hit-to-kill interceptor. It also has considerable experience in interceptor design and production, infrared seekers, command and control/battle management, and communications, precision pointing and tracking optics, as well as radar and signal processing. The company makes significant contributions to all major U.S. missile defense systems and participates in several global missile defense partnerships.






THAAD flight tests are operated by U.S. Army soldiers. The entire flight test takes 7 soldiers to operate; 2 soldiers for the launcher, 3 soldiers for the TFCC, and 2 soldiers for the radar.


The THAAD has activated two Batteries to date from the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, 11th BDE. There are 99 soldiers per THAAD Battery.


THAAD delivered the First Battery to the Warfighter in 2009. The system is currently undergoing operational testing at Ft. Bliss to support a material release of the weapons system.

[McDethWivFries]

Would the ADF ever look at something like that or are our AWDs going to do all that?

[ARH v.3.1]

AWD's are all that is really needed in the greater scheme of things. We're never likely to deploy ground units anywhere requiring their own ballistic missile defence.

[ADMk2]

Nah the digs can just dig a shell scrape. They'll be right...

:)

[buglerbilly]

Israel to deploy four more 'Iron Dome' anti-rocket defences

(AFP) – 20 hours ago


Israeli soldiers stand next to a launcher, part of the "Iron Dome" missile defence system

JERUSALEM — Israel is planning to deploy four more batteries of its "Iron Dome" short-range missile defence system, Defence Minister Ehud Barak said on Sunday.

Speaking on military radio, Barak said: "With the financial help of the Americans, we hope to equip ourselves with four new 'Iron Dome' batteries so we will have six in operation in the next two years."

He added that a second battery would soon be operational on the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip.

The first battery of the unique multi-million dollar system came into operation a week ago, stationed outside the southern city of Beersheva, in the Negev desert, just days after it was hit by several Grad rockets fired from the Gaza Strip amid a rise in tensions and tit-for-tat violence.

The system, the first of its kind in the world and still at the experimental stage, is not yet able to provide complete protection against the hundreds of rockets fired from Gaza into southern Israel, officials have said.

The system, developed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defence Sysems with the help of US funding, is designed to intercept rockets and artillery shells fired from a range of between four and 70 kilometres (three and 45 miles).

Each battery comprises detection and tracking radar, state-of-the-art fire control software and three launchers, each with 20 interceptor missiles, military sources said.

Militants in Gaza and Lebanon's Hezbollah militia have fired thousands of projectiles at Israel in the past.

According to plans, the system will first be deployed along the border of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, from where militants fired a daily barrage of improvised rockets prompting Israel to launch a devastating 22-day offensive in December 2008.

It will then be deployed along the Lebanese border, from where Hezbollah militants fired some 4,000 rockets into northern Israel during a 2006 war. It was that experience which prompted the development of Iron Dome.

Israel believes Hezbollah now has an arsenal of some 40,000 rockets.

But a complete deployment is expected to take several years.

In May last year, US President Barack Obama asked Congress to give Israel 205 million dollars to develop the system, on top of the annual three billion dollars Israel receives from Washington.

Iron Dome will join the Arrow long-range ballistic missile defence system in an ambitious multi-layered programme to protect Israeli cities from rockets and missiles fired from Lebanon, the Gaza Strip, Syria and Iran.

A third system, known as David's Sling, is currently being developed with the aim of countering medium-range missiles.

Copyright © 2011 AFP. All rights reserved

[Gubler, A.]

just days after it was hit by several Grad rockets fired from the Gaza Strip amid a rise in tensions and tit-for-tat violence.

Tit for tat? What a load of crap. The Palestinians initiate violence by firing rockets indiscriminately at Israeli civilian targets. The Israelis directly target the Palestinian rocket units in response in an attempt to deter further attacks.

If it was “tit for tat” then the Israelis would just be lobbing random shells and bombs at residential sites in Gaza and initiating a far share of such attacks whenever they felt like. This is another horrid example of people basing analysis on a very shallow view so as they miss all the important details.

[buglerbilly]

Iron Dome works in combat, intercepts Katyusha rocket

By YAAKOV KATZ , the Jeruslaem Post

04/07/2011 19:58



Rocket defense system sees first operational success south of Ashkelon; Follows heavy barrage of rockets, mortars from Gaza Strip.

The Iron Dome counter-rocket defense system intercepted a Grad-model Katyusha rocket fired from the Gaza Strip on Thursday, proving its capabilities in combat for the first time.

IDF sources said the rocket was detected shortly after it was launched in the direction of Ashkelon, south of which a battery was deployed on Monday.

Two Tamir interceptors were fired at the Katyusha and the first intercepted it, a senior Israel Air Force officer said.

“This is a historic achievement and the first time in the world that a short-range rocket was shot down in this way,” one defense official said.

The first Iron Dome battery was deployed outside Beersheba late last month after Hamas and Islamic Jihad fired more than 100 rockets and mortar shells into Israel in less than a week. The IAF said it planned to keep the Iron Dome in its current positions but would move the batteries to other cities within range of Palestinian rocket fire over the coming weeks.

Israel plans to increase the number of operational batteries to six in the coming years; the Obama administration has pledged $205 million to cover the purchase of more rocket defense systems. The Defense Ministry recently completed negotiations with Iron Dome manufacturer Rafael Advanced Defense Systems about the upcoming deal.

Sources in the air force said the Iron Dome was still undergoing an operational evaluation but would continue to be activated in the event of attacks from the Gaza Strip.

Former defense minister and Labor Party MK Amir Peretz, who made the decision to develop the Iron Dome, hailed the success and said that it was the result of “well-trained young soldiers who were prepared for their mission.”

[buglerbilly]

Rocket War: 36,000 DIY Missiles vs. Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’

By Adam Rawnsley April 8, 2011 | 3:45 pm



Israel is once again under rocket attack. But the few weapons being flung at it from their enemies in the south — Hamas — could be just a preview of a much larger rocket war in the north, courtesy of Hezbollah. Israel’s response to the missile threat: a next-gen rocket-blaster and a covert program of sabotage and assassination.

WikiLeaks shared some of its classified State Department cables with the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. In the cables published today, Israeli intelligence officials tell their American diplomats they expect Hezbollah will launch between 24,000 to 36,000 rockets against it for over two months. That would be a big step up from the 2006 war which lasted 34 days and saw 4,000 rockets hit Israel. Israeli officials quoted in the cables also said that they expect the rocket fire to reach farther into Israel, saying that the terrorist group will target Tel Aviv, which wasn’t hit during the last round of fighting.

To mitigate some of Hezbollah’s missile threat, Israel is expected to deploy its Iron Dome anti-rocket missiles on its northern border with Lebanon alongside its Arrow long range ballistic missile defense system. In the meantime, Israel has rushed Iron Dome to the southern border with Gaza last month to meet Hamas’ rocket fire. Since then, it has scored its first successes, taking out two rockets yesterday and three today headed towards the southern city of Ashkelon. But Iron Dome’s protection comes at a price. The advanced radar-guided system uses missiles to knock out cheap, sometimes DIY rockets at short range — and costs at least $25,000 per missile fired and $50 million per battery. Facing an arsenal of thousands of Hezbollah rockets up north, Iron Dome could quickly rack up a hefty bill in the event of another war.

Israel is also turning to covert operations to disrupt Hamas’s supply of rockets. The Washington Times‘ Eli Lake reported late yesterday that an attack on a Hamas arms convoy in Sudan this week, the assassination of a Hamas official in Dubai in 2010 and the kidnapping of a Palestinian engineer in Europe, said to have designed rockets for Hamas, were all part of a covert Israeli policy of “intelligence-based prevention” against Hamas. During the last Gaza war, Israel struggled between its desire to project a ferocious deterrent image and still be seen as being responsible in its targeting practices. The aim of the new covert policy, Lake reports, is to avoid some of the condemnation Israel faced for the deaths of civilians during the Gaza war by narrowing its focus on select Hamas figures abroad.

Photo: Flickr/Amir Farshad Ebrahimi

[Gubler, A.]

Iron Dome in action:



You can see the impact clouds appear briefly before the camerwoman scans back to the launch clouds. System appears to be working very well against the Hamas rocket barrage.

[buglerbilly]

First FSAF - SAMP/T Section On Duty

(Source: OCCAR; undated, April 2011)

During the last quarter, after the first SAMP/T section was put on duty by the FR Air Force, the first SAMP/T section has been transferred to the Italian Army (December 2010) and the second SAMP/T section has been transferred to the French Air Force (March 2011).

In particular, after the first SAMP/T section assigned to SERVANCE squadron of the Air Base 116 at Luxeuil-Saint Sauveur (East of France), the FSAF PD delivered in March the first missiles ASTER 30 (ground version) and the second operational section to the EDSA 12.950 TURSAN squadron at Mont–de-Marsan. After two months practice, this section MAMBA, name assigned by the FR AF to the SAMP/T system, will shortly be deployed.

On the Italian side, the first SAMP/T section has been assigned to the Air defense Artillery Command (COMACA) in Sabaudia in order to continue with unit preparation.

The FSAF PD's current challenge is to deliver the system sections and the related support to the Fr AF and to the Italian Army in accordance with their progressive operational capability implementation plan.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

DATE:12/04/11

SOURCE:Flight International

Israel to order more Iron Dome systems

By Arie Egozi

The Israeli government is likely to approve funds to acquire more Iron Dome mobile air defence systems from Rafael, following the equipment's early strong performance in shooting down rockets launched from the Gaza strip.

An initial two systems have been deployed by the Israeli air force. One of these performed its first intercept on 7 April, when it destroyed a BM-21 Grad 122mm rocket near the city of Ashqelon.

Another eight rockets were intercepted over the following few days, while others with a trajectory projected to land in open, unpopulated areas were ignored.

The Israeli government is expected to request that the USA approve an emergency procurement worth $250 million, with this to allow the air force to order at least four more Iron Dome systems.

However, one source suggests that the follow-on acquisition will be made regardless of whether money is secured from Washington, noting: "This system changes the situation completely, and we need more". Sources indicate that 13 Iron Dome systems would be required to defend all "sensitive areas" in Israel from attack by short-range rockets and artillery shells.

Each system comprises a tracking radar, battle management and weapons control unit, missile firing unit and interceptors which can be launched at threats from a distance of up to 70km (38nm) away.

Foreign sources suggest that Singapore has already purchased the Iron Dome system. International interest is likely to increase now that the equipment has succeeded in its first real-world intercepts.

[buglerbilly]

2011/04/12 15:00 KST

S. Korea to complete building own missile defense system by 2015

SEOUL, April 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's military will complete building its own missile defense system by 2015 that is designed to intercept ballistic missiles from North Korea, the defense ministry said Tuesday, amid high tensions following the North's two deadly attacks last year.

South Korea, which has ruled out joining the U.S.-led global missile defense system, has gradually built the independent, low-tier missile defense shield since 2006 by acquiring Patriot missiles and long-range early warning radars.

The Korea Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system is aimed at allowing the South's military to track and intercept incoming ballistic missiles and cruise missiles from North Korea.

"By 2015, the military will complete building the KAMD system to shoot down the enemy's ballistic missiles," the Defense Ministry said in a report sent to the National Assembly.

The move is a part of the military's mid-term plans to bolster its defense capabilities against North Korea's focus on unconventional or "asymmetric" warfare, the report said.

With the help of ship-to-air missile systems from Aegis-equipped destroyers and modified Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) interceptors, the KAMD system would enable the South's military to engage the North's low-flying, short and medium-range missiles, ministry officials said.

The South's military will also consider purchasing an aerial tanker to strengthen its air defense, it said.

North Korea has deployed hundreds of short-range Scud missiles with a range of up to 500 kilometers. The North succeeded in test-firing Rodong missiles with a range of 1,300 kilometers in the 1990s and also deployed them for operational purposes, according to the ministry.

In 2006, North Korea test-launched a long-range Taepodong-2 missile, but it exploded 40 seconds after launch. Another Taepodong-2 traveled some 3,200 km and landed in the Pacific in 2009.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high after North Korea torpedoed a South Korean warship and shelled a southern border island last year that resulted in 50 people, including two civilians, being killed.

The defense ministry said last month that South Korea will deploy advanced spy drones and stealth fighter jets at an early date. South Korea had originally planned to introduce the unmanned spy drones by 2015.

kdh@yna.co.kr

(END)

[buglerbilly]

Hareetz.com
Published 18:38 12.04.11
Latest update 18:38 12.04.11

Israel speeds up third Iron Dome battery in wake of Gaza attacks

Additional anti-missile system would be ready in 6 months; recent rocket, mortar volleys also prompt Netanyahu to OK shelters for Ashkelon educational institutions.

By Yanir Yagna and Anshel Pfeffer

The Israel Defense Forces announced Tuesday it would accelerate the introduction of a third Iron Dome anti-rocket battery, following weeks of intensified conflicts along Israel's border with the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

The IDF's announcement came on Sunday after the cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, discussed ways to speed up the process of protecting Negev communities from Gaza rocket fire.


Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with IAF chief Maj.-Gen. Ido Nehushtan during a visit to an Iron Dome defense system near Ashkelon, April 10, 2011.
Photo by: Reuters

At the meeting, Netanyahu decided to allocate funding to purchase four more batteries of the Iron Dome missile defense system.

The U.S. Congress recently approved over $200 million in funding for Iron Dome, but Netanyahu said Israel would allocate the budget immediately rather than waiting for the American funds to come through.

On Tuesday, IDF officials indicated that the security establishment intended on taking a series of steps geared at ensuring that the third Iron Dome battery would become available in six months, instead of the expected 18-month waiting period.

According to the new plan, launchers from existing systems would be combined with other components that had already been manufactured in order to speed up the battery's production.

In that way, the first operational Iron Dome battalion would come into being within six months, with batteries that could then be deployed in the south or in other arenas.

Furthermore, the IDF intends to equip itself with three other batteries by the end of 2012.

The IDF is to finalize its long-term Iron Dome acquisition program – nicknamed "Halamish" – within a few months, which would indicate the final number of systems to be introduced into the military.

Israel Air Force officials estimate the number of Iron Dome systems needed to cover threatened areas at thirteen.

Also on Tuesday, and in light of recent fighting along the Gaza border, Netanyahu told Ashkelon Mayor Benny Vaknin that additional fortified structures that provide shelter from rocket fire will be placed in educational institutions in the city.

The allocation of additional fortified structures in Ashkelon comes after a long struggle by the city municipality as well as parents in the city, who petitioned the High Court last year over the lack these structures.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:28/04/11

SOURCE:Flight International

Rafael develops 'Silver Sparrow' target missile

By Arie Egozi

Rafael has developed a new advanced target called the "Silver Sparrow" that will be used as part of Israel's Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missile interceptor programme.

The third generation of Rafael's target missiles, the new design follows earlier systems called Black Sparrow and Blue Sparrow. It is intended to test the performance of Israel Aerospace Industries' new Arrow 3 interceptor, which will perform its first fly-out next year.

The Arrow 3 is a totally new missile that will intercept incoming ballistic missiles using a kinetic kill technique, instead of proximity warhead detonation, as used in Israel's current Arrow 2 system.

Little is known about the design of the Arrow 3, but sources have previously said it will be "very energetic" and have "super-manoeuvrability", enabling it to change its trajectory to engage another target detected after launch.

Sources say Israel's Arrow 3s will be deployed in parallel with its Arrow 2 system, and the type of missile launched will be determined by the fire control system.

The need for a longer-range kinetic kill interceptor stems from the threat posed to Israel by the Scud-type missiles with a 216-325nm (400-600km) range that Syria deploys and weapons with a 1,080nm range, such as Iran's Shihab series.

Israel's air force recently fielded its first two batteries of Rafael-produced Iron Dome missiles to protect the country against attack by unguided short-range rockets.

[buglerbilly]

United States Ballistic Missile Defense Site at Deveselu Air Base in Romania

Fact Sheet

Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance

May 3, 2011

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The United States and Romania jointly selected the Deveselu Air Base near Caracal, Romania, to host a U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System which employs the SM-3 interceptor (also referred to as the “Aegis Ashore System”). The deployment to Romania is anticipated to occur in the 2015 timeframe as part of the second phase of the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) – the U.S. national contribution to a NATO missile defense architecture.

The EPAA will provide protection of NATO European territories and populations, and augment protection of the United States, against the increasing threats posed by the proliferation of ballistic missiles from the Middle East. At the November 2010 NATO Summit, the Alliance welcomed the EPAA as a U.S. national contribution to the NATO missile defense capability.

Technical Aspects of the United States Ballistic Missile Defense System in Romania

The site will consist of a radar deckhouse and associated Aegis command, control, and communications suite. Separately, it will house a number of launch modules containing SM-3 interceptors.

Personnel can live and work safely near the Aegis radar system. The United States has safely operated the Aegis Radar Test site in Moorestown, New Jersey for over 30 years without any danger to people or the environment.

SM-3 interceptors are for defensive purposes only and have no offensive capability. They carry no explosive warheads of any type, and rely on their kinetic energy to collide with and destroy incoming enemy ballistic missile warheads.

The Aegis Ashore configuration of the ballistic missile defense system will be thoroughly tested at a specialized test center at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) in Hawaii starting in 2014.

Proposed Characteristics of the United States Ballistic Missile Defense System in Romania

The U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense site is approximately 430 acres (175 hectares) and is located within the existing Romanian Air Base at Deveselu.

An estimated 200 military, government civilians, and support contractors will be required to operate the U.S. facility at the site.

Potential Debris from Intercept

SM-3 Interceptors based in Romania will not be used for flight tests, and will be launched only in defense against an actual attack.

The risk of damage or injury from an intercept and debris are small and pose little threat to people and property. The alternative (allowing a threat warhead to impact its target) likely would result in far more severe consequences.

Proven Defensive Capabilities

The Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense system incorporates decades of reliable and effective operations of the Aegis ship-based system into its design and test program.

The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System has been proven effective through repeated testing. Since 2002, the system has been successful in 21 of 25 flight tests with the SM-3 interceptor.

[buglerbilly]

Patriot Test Fires PAC-3 MSE Missile

TEWKSBURY, Mass., May 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Patriot Air and Missile Defense System successfully test fired Lockheed Martin's PAC-3 MSE (Missile Segment Enhancement) missile recently at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.

"This demonstration of Lockheed Martin's MSE missile with the Patriot system builds on the family of combat-proven GEM and PAC-3 interceptors already available with Patriot and continues a rich history of integrating new technologies and capabilities," said Sanjay Kapoor, vice president for Patriot Programs at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS).

Raytheon IDS is the prime contractor for both domestic and international Patriot Air and Missile Defense Systems and system integrator for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles.

[buglerbilly]

Negotiators and Experts Finalize Text of Agreement on Deployment of US Missile System in Romania

(Source: Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; issued May 5, 2011)

On 4 May 2011 Bucharest hosted the seventh round of Romanian-US bilateral negotiations on deployment, in the territory of Romania, of elements of the American missile defence system in Europe. The two delegations at the new round were headed by State Secretary Bogdan Aurescu and Ellen Tauscher, US Under Secretary of State for arms control and international security.

Following the negotiations conducted during separate meetings of the two heads of delegations and during subsequent meetings in the plenum, the two delegations put the finishing touches on the text of the Agreement between Romania and the United States of America on deployment of a US missile defense system in Romania (agreed on ad referendum by the delegations of negotiators and experts).

Conditions have thus been put in place for the Agreement to be initialed in the ensuing period and for starting the procedures with a view to signing it. Negotiations will nevertheless continue on the Implementation Arrangements.

On the occasion of the negotiations, which proceeded in a very open atmosphere, in the spirit of the bilateral Strategic Partnership, technical and legal aspects left pending at the previous round were approached, related to both the draft Agreement and to the instruments for its implementation. Moreover, views were exchanged on the stage reached in developing NATO’s missile defence system.

The decisive progress obtained during the seventh round was possible owing to the sides’ political will, to the professionalism and constructive approach that characterized the work of the two countries’ negotiators, motivated by awareness of the special importance of this strategic project for Romania, the USA and NATO.

BACKGROUND NOTES

The seventh round of negotiations took place during the Romanian visit, on 3-4 May 2011, of US Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Ellen Tauscher.

The schedule of the US official’s visit here included reception by the President of Romania, a meeting with local authorities at Slatina Prefecture, a visit to Deveselu air base, a meeting – initiated by the MFA jointly with the US Embassy in Bucharest – at the Parliament of Romania, with the participation of the chief negotiators of the two countries, reception by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, a separate meeting of the heads of the negotiating teams, and the actual round of negotiations on the Agreement. (ends)

Teodor Baconschi – Ellen Tauscher Meeting

(Source: Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; issued May 4, 2011)

Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi met, on 4 May 2011, with Ellen Tauscher, US Under Secretary of State for arms control and international security, during the latter’s visit to Romania over 2-4 May.

The visit of the US official takes place in the context of the public announcement about the location in Romania where elements of the US missile defence system in Europe are to be sited and of the new round of negotiations on the Agreement on Romania’s participation in the American anti-missile system.

The talks focused on the Romanian-US bilateral relations, on the ways of developing the strategic partnership between Romania and the United States, and on the deployment in Romania of elements of the missile defence system.

Minister Baconschi’s dialogue with the American official provided the occasion for an in-depth analysis of the stage and prospects for deepening and consolidating the bilateral strategic partnership.

Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi also spoke in favour of closer Romanian-US cooperation in the international arena, in areas of shared interest. The Romanian dignitary underscored the fact that finalizing the Agreement on deployment in Romania of elements of the American missile defence system would give a fresh impetus to bilateral relations, particularly with respect to substantiating the top-level political dialogue.

Concurrently, the head of the Romanian diplomacy welcomed the important stage success of the US in the struggle against terrorism and assured the American side that Romania would stick to its commitments on participating in actions in theaters of operation.

BACKGROUND NOTE:

On 3 May the President of Romania made public the decision of the Supreme National Defense Council on deployment of certain elements of the American missile defense system at the Deveselu military base in Olt County.

The announcement refers to an important stage-related decision, following the substantial progress made during the six previous negotiation rounds – on 17 June, 26-27 July, 17 September and 14 December 2010 and on 8 March and 6 April 2011.

On 4 February 2010, the Supreme National Defense Council approved acceptance of the invitation from the American side, transmitted by US President Barack Obama, for Romania to participate in the American missile defense system in Europe.

The system is developed according to a phased adaptive approach of a nature to guarantee full coverage of the Romanian territory against possible threats from short- and medium-range missiles.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Report: Israel To Invest $1 Billion In Iron Dome

Agence France-Presse

Published: 9 May 2011 10:27

JERUSALEM - Israel plans to invest $1 billion in the development and production of batteries for its Iron Dome rocket interception system, a top Israeli defense official said in an interview published Monday.

Defence Ministry director-general Major General Udi Shani told the daily Haaretz newspaper that five countries have already expressed interest in the system, which was successfully deployed during a rise in rocket fire from Gaza in early April.

But Shani, in his first interview since his appointment in January 2010, warned that the system's capacity must be put in perspective.

"We need to adjust expectations in relation to Iron Dome," he told Haaretz.

"We have [accomplished] a significant achievement in reaching operational capacity sooner than expected, but this is not a system that can ensure the interception of every rocket in every situation."

Shani said Israel would invest heavily in the system, which is developed by the Haifa-based Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, in addition to receiving US funds to boost Iron Dome's capacity.

"We are talking about [having] 10-15 Iron Dome batteries. We will invest nearly $1 billion in this. This is the goal, in addition to the $205 million that the U.S. government has authorized," he said.

Shani did not specify the length of the period over which the investment would be spread.

Israel deployed the first battery of the unique multimillion dollar system on March 27 outside the southern desert city of Beersheva, after it was hit by Grad rockets fired from Gaza.

On April 4, the system was also deployed around the southern port city of Ashkelon.

The system, the first of its kind in the world and still at the experimental stage, is not yet able to provide complete protection, but it successfully brought down a number of rockets fired from Gaza in April in what was the first time it had been used in an actual combat scenario.

Designed to intercept rockets and artillery shells fired from a range of between four and 70 kilometers, Iron Dome is part of an ambitious multilayered defense program to protect towns and cities.

Two other systems make up the program - the Arrow long-range ballistic missile defense system and the so-called David's Sling or Magic Wand system, which is intended to counter medium-range missiles.

Shani said Israel plans to invest another $1 billion in David's Sling over five years, and that the system should have its first operational capacity by 2012.

[buglerbilly]

Medvedev Presses U.S. on Missile Defense

16 May 2011

Reuters

President Dmitry Medvedev issued a new call for Russia to have an equal role in a European missile defense system Saturday, two weeks before the United States is expected to confirm Poland's role in the system.

"A European missile defense system can become truly effective and sustainable only in the case of equal participation of Russia," the Kremlin press service said in a statement Saturday, citing a letter by Medvedev to members of the NATO-Russia Council.

In November, after years of disagreement, NATO and Russia agreed to cooperate on building a common defense system against missiles fired by countries seen by the West as "rogue states," such as Iran.

But Russia and NATO remain in dispute over the implementation of the system. While NATO would like to see it and Russia develop two separate shields that exchange information, Russia argues for a single joint system.

President Barack Obama pleased Russia in 2009 by scrapping the previous U.S. administration's plans to base interceptors for long-range missiles in Poland and a powerful radar in the Czech Republic. The United States has said it plans to deploy shorter-range interceptors in Eastern Europe.

A surprise decision several weeks ago by Washington to base anti-missile interceptors in Romania angered Russian officials, who said Obama was pressing ahead with missile-shield plans despite promises of cooperation with Moscow.

Medvedev's statement on Saturday came two weeks before Obama is due to visit Poland, where he is expected to confirm a deployment of American fighter jets and discuss basing interceptor missiles there.

On Monday, a group of Russia's experts, headed by Moscow's envoy to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, is to discuss the development of the European missile system.

Medvedev also said in the statement on Saturday that the deployed missile system cannot be directed against any of the parties and cannot undermine strategic stability.

Medvedev and Obama are likely to talk about the future of the European missile defense system on the sidelines of a Group of Eight summit in France later this month.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday that he and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had agreed at a meeting Thursday "that it is necessary to give a political impulse to the work of experts" discussing the issue in order to be able to report progress to Obama and Medvedev at the G8 summit.

[buglerbilly]

Turkey refuses to expel Russia, China from defense competition

Monday, May 16, 2011

ÜMİT ENGİNSOY

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

Turkey's bid to acquire long-range missile and air defense is triggering hot debates as the NATO member country includes Chinese and Russian options on the list of probable buyers. Western experts insist the Russian and the Chinese systems are not compatible with NATO systems


A US partnership between Raytheon and Lockheed Martin is competing for Turkey's long-range missile program with its Patriot-related systems. Hürriyet photo.

Chinese and Russian companies eyeing Turkey’s multibillion-dollar program to acquire long-range missile and air defense will not be excluded from the contest despite Western criticism, Turkey’s procurement chief has said.

Western critics have claimed that the selection of either the Chinese or the Russian firm could compromise NATO’s intelligence and security procedures.

“The two systems [Russian and Chinese ones] will stay among our options; there’s no need to exclude them,” Murad Bayar, the head of the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries, Turkey’s procurement agency, told the Hürriyet Daily News.

Turkey’s choice on this large program is expected to be announced late this year or early next year. Bayar said Turkey would probably not issue a short list before its final decision is made.

One of the competing companies in the ongoing contest for Turkey’s national contract is the U.S. partnership between Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, with their Patriot Advanced Capability-3, or PAC-3, systems. Russia’s Rosoboronexport is marketing the S300 and S400 while China Precision Machinery Export-Import Corp., or CPMIEC, is offering its HQ-9. The Italian-French Eurosam, maker of the SAMP/T Aster 30, is also trying to market its product.

Some Western experts say that since the Russian and the Chinese systems are not compatible with NATO systems, their victory could provide them with access to classified NATO information, and as a result may endanger the alliance’s procedures.

“If, say, the Chinese win the competition, their systems will be in interaction, directly or indirectly, with NATO’s intelligence systems, and this may lead to the leak of critical NATO information to the Chinese, albeit inadvertently. So this is dangerous,” one Western expert said.

“There are technical ways to prevent the Chinese and the Russians from getting access to NATO information, but this would drastically raise the price,” the expert said. “One explanation is that Turkey itself doesn’t plan to select the Chinese or Russian alternatives, but is still retaining them among the options to put pressure on the Americans and the Europeans to curb their prices.”

Turkish and NATO systems

Turkey’s long-range air and missile defense systems program, T-Loramids, has been designed to counter both enemy aircraft and missiles.

Separately, under a NATO plan approved during a summit meeting in Lisbon in November, the Western alliance will create a collective defense system against potential incoming ballistic missiles from rogue countries. Ankara agreed to the decision only after NATO accepted a Turkish request that Iran or other countries would not be specifically mentioned as potential sources of threat.

NATO now seeks to deploy special X-band radars in Turkish territory for early detection of missiles launched from the region.

Ideally, in the event of such a launch, U.S.-made SM-3 interceptors – based on U.S. Aegis destroyers to be deployed in the eastern Mediterranean and possibly in Romania – would then be fired to hit the incoming missile mid-flight.

Turkey’s national air defense system will be independent and separate from the NATO missile shield. But since both systems are, by nature, anti-ballistic missile schemes and both are supposed to protect Turkish soil, they will have to be integrated in some way.

The United States and some of its Western partners are opposed to the integration of any Russian or Chinese system into the NATO missile shield. “American officials already have said that non-NATO elements would cause serious interoperability problems,” said one Turkish diplomat.

The governments of the competing companies are also involved in a diplomatic campaign to woo Turkey.

According to a release of highly classified U.S. diplomatic correspondences by the whistleblower website WikiLeaks, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has lobbied Turkish counterparts to select the U.S.-built PAC-3.

In a Feb. 16, 2010, cable sent to Washington by then-U.S. Ambassador to Ankara James Jeffrey, Gates was quoted as saying “nothing can compete with the PAC-3 when it comes to capabilities.”

[buglerbilly]

Next-Generation Air Defense: No Hits and All Misses (excerpt)

(Source: National Defense Magazine blog; posted May 16, 2011)

For anyone curious about the dark side of weapon procurement programs, look no further than MEADS.

The Medium Extended Air Defense System — in development since 1999 by Germany, Italy and the United States — was conceived as a mobile air defense system designed to replace the aging Patriot. The United States has been responsible for funding 58 percent of the development costs, with Germany covering 25 percent and Italy 17 percent.

More than a decade and $3 billion later, MEADS International, the prime contractor, says it needs more time and money to complete the development. But the Pentagon decided to pull the plug.

Like many other programs in the Pentagon’s acquisition trash heap, MEADS is an example of how the Pentagon spends billions of dollars on new weapon designs that never materialize. The cancellation of MEADS, however, has been far more controversial than others because the Defense Department says it must continue to spend $804 million over the next two years to avoid penalties.

“It's unbelievable the amount of money we're spending for a weapon system that's over budget but apparently going to shut down. And we've got nothing to show for it. And we may have to pay another $804 million just to close it out. I don't get it,” gripes Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., during an Armed Services Committee hearing on weapon acquisitions.

Brown’s singling out of MEADS as a poster child for Pentagon waste has drawn attention because Brown represents the state that would stand to lose thousands of jobs if MEADS ever reached fruition. The prime contractor for the system it would replace, Patriot, is The Raytheon Co., based in Tewskbury, Mass.

Dave Berganini, president of MEADS International, which is owned by Lockheed Martin Corp., has indirectly pointed fingers at Raytheon for having contributed to MEADS’ woes. “The predominant delay in the program is due to a protest by the losing contractor, Raytheon. It lasted two years and disrupted the multinational funding stream for five years,” Berganini writes in an article published in National Defense this month.

A Raytheon spokesman says the company, for now, prefers to not comment on Berganini’s allegations.

Raytheon did in fact protest the 1998 award of MEADS to Lockheed Martin, but it is hard to see how a protest that occurred more than 12 years ago, and held up the program for nine months, is the reason why MEADS is at least six years behind in delivering a working prototype.

A Defense Department report says MEADS “system design and development,” and flight tests are scheduled to be completed by 2012. But based on the latest review, the Pentagon estimated that MEADS needs 30 additional months and another billion dollars. That would push initial production of the system until 2017 at the earliest. Under the original schedule, the system was to have been in operation by 2008.

The initial plan was to field 48 batteries by 2034, at a cost of $17 billion.

What is now raising hackles on Capitol Hill is that the Pentagon has acknowledged that MEADS is in a deep hole, but apparently wants to keep digging. The Obama administration requested $804 million for MEADS development over the next two years, but announced it would stop short of fielding the system.

The reason behind this odd decision is that, under the U.S. agreement with MEADS partners Germany and Italy, a unilateral withdrawal would incur costly fines. There is also a penalty to be paid to the contractor, which is standard practice when the government ends a contract for convenience. So the Pentagon decided that, instead of paying $800 million in penalties, it would continue to fund MEADS until development is completed.

Berganini says the $804 million for the next two years will be enough for three flight tests. After that, the program would need $1 billion more from the United States to enter production.

He contends that MEADS must go forward because the 40-year-old Patriot system is costly to maintain. “Placed side by side with MEADS, the U.S. military would need five times the manpower and 10 times the transport planes to deploy Patriot in a crisis and defend the same area,” he says. (end of excerpt)

Click here for the full story, on the National Defense website.

http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?List=7c996cd7-cbb4-4018-baf8-8825eada7aa2&ID=418&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20nationaldefensemagazine%2Fy MdZ%20%28National%20Defense%20Magazine%20Blog%20Fe ed%29

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Pentagon Agency Halts Kill Vehicle Production

By MARCUS WEISGERBER

Published: 25 May 2011 16:18

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency has suspended production of the latest version of the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV), part of the Ground Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) anti-ballistic-missile system, while it looks into a 2010 flight test failure, said the agency's director, Army Lt. Gen. Patrick O'Reilly.

In May 25 testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense panel, O'Reilly also said a plan to shift program oversight of the Army's Patriot air and missile defense system to MDA could be in place as soon as 2013.

The GMD interceptor missile, which failed during the final moments of a December test, was an upgraded version of the currently deployed GMD system. This upgraded version includes a new EKV, the Raytheon-built component that intercepts an incoming missile in space.

The suspension will last until required design modifications are completed and verified, and the agency has diverted 2011 GMD funding to expedite the modifications.

The GMD program had two test failures in 2010. The first involved EKV quality control.

"We have identified and confirmed that we had an error in the assembly process of the new EKV," O'Reilly said during the May 25 hearing.

He said the problem was fixed by revising the factory's inspection processes.

O'Reilly said the agency has seen no problems in older-model EKVs currently deployed on older GMD systems, nor are there problems with the GMD booster.

As for the December test, O'Reilly did not say what the problem was.

"We have completed almost all of the ground testing to confirm what the problem was and have identified that problem," he said. "We're now in the process of correcting the problem, confirming it on the ground, but the nature of these type of problems make it very difficult to confirm in ground testing."

Investigators have found "one flaw, which … we are aggressively working to resolve it and prove it," O'Reilly said.

MDA will conduct "extensive ground testing" this summer and a non-intercept test with an upgraded EKV, and it will repeat the failed intercept test in 2012.

A Raytheon spokesman deferred comments to Boeing, the GMD program's prime contractor. A Boeing spokeswoman was not immediately available for comment.

In March, Boeing's top program official said he believes the problem was solely with the EKV.

Norm Tew, a Boeing vice president and the company's GMD program director, said during a March briefing that the December test was "the cleanest, most picture-perfect flight" conducted "up until the last few seconds."

GMD is designed to protect the United States from long-range ballistic missiles, particularly from North Korea and Iran.

Patriot Transfer

The plan to transfer the Patriot program, first discussed in April 2010, would relieve the Army of certain budgetary responsibilities while providing more stable funding to the program, service officials said at the time.

"The particular proposal we have made for the Army's case is literally to take their leadership that does currently oversee Patriot," O'Reilly said. "They would become part of the Missile Defense Agency, but still … have rating responsibilities to the Army."

The transfer is still being deliberated, and a final decision has not been made, he said.

The Army and MDA also had considered transferring the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) during the last year. But since then, the Defense Department has announced that the MEADS program would come to an end in 2013 because the United States will not move forward with production.

MEADS also involves Germany and Italy. The program's prime contractor is MEADS International, a consortium of Lockheed Martin and MBDA, the European missile company.

MEADS was planned to replace the Patriot system. Pentagon officials have said that due to MEADS delays, the Patriot system needed upgrades. But the Pentagon could not afford to upgrade Patriot and buy MEADS at the same time.

[buglerbilly]

US to help Israel buy 4 more Iron Dome interceptors


Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd R) speaks with air force chief Major-General Ido Nehushtan (L) as Defence Minister Ehud Barak (R) stands behind him during a visit to an Iron Dome unit in the coastal city of Ashkelon, north of the Gaza Strip April 10, 2011.
Credit: Reuters/Amir Cohen

By Jim Wolf

WASHINGTON | Thu May 26, 2011 6:17am IST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon is planning to help Israel buy four more Iron Dome short-range anti-rocket batteries, the head of the Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency said on Wednesday.

"In our budget, we have a proposal to assist with procurement of four more batteries," Army Lieutenant General Patrick O'Reilly, the agency's director, told the U.S. Senate Appropriations Defense subcommittee.

The batteries consist of a mobile air defense system with a radar-guided interceptor missile launched from a truck-sized firing platform.

O'Reilly was referring to fiscal 2011 funding of $203.8 million added last June at the request of President Barack Obama, agency spokesman Richard Lehner said in an email. The goal was to spur production and deployment of the system, the first direct U.S. investment in the project.

Israel began deploying $50-million Iron Dome units two months ago to counter Katyusha-style rockets fired at population centers from Palestinian territory. The first was set up near Beersheba, a southern city twice hit by rockets during a March flare-up of cross-border violence.

A second was deployed last month to the coastal city of Ashkelon, north of the Gaza Strip ruled by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.

On April 7, the system successfully intercepted a rocket from Gaza for the first time, followed by at least seven other intercepts, the Israeli military said. Its development was spurred by the 2006 conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip war against Hamas in 2008 and 2009.

O'Reilly said he considered Iron Dome to have been "highly effective" in combat. But Israel faced a "daunting task" because of the volume of short-range rockets and missiles it faces, he said.

"This is one which the United States benefits from understanding and studying exactly how they've been successful with the Iron Dome system," he said. U.S. troops could face similar threats from a combat zone, O'Reilly added.

Obama in his 2012 budget request asked the U.S. Congress for $106.1 million for U.S.-Israeli joint missile defense programs, including improvements to the Arrow ballistic missile shield and David's Sling. Unlike these two programs, the development of Iron Dome was a unilateral Israeli project.

The Iron Dome's radar-guided interceptor missile is built by state-owned Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. It is designed to destroy in mid-air rockets and mortar bombs that have ranges of 5 km (3 miles) to 70 km (45 miles).

Declassified video of two Iron Dome intercepts was screened in Washington this week at the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committe, a pro-Israeli lobby group.

(Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

[buglerbilly]

Army Receives First THAAD Missiles

(Source: U.S Army; issued May 27, 2011)

ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. --- Lockheed Martin delivered the first two Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Missiles to the U.S. Army, capping off years of planning and development.

The two missiles arrived at Anniston Defense Munitions Center May 16 and were quickly taken to the ammunition bunker that will be their home until the need arises to ship them to the warfighter.

The THAAD missile is a U.S. Army missile system designed to intercept and destroy short, medium and intermediate ballistic missiles. The THAAD missile uses kinetic energy to destroy its target, meaning it does not carry a warhead like traditional missiles, but makes a direct hit and destroys the enemy missile.

ADMC will be responsible for maintaining, shipping and escorting the missiles to their destination.

This has required extensive training and preparation by the employees of ADMC to ensure mission success.

Representatives from various DOD agencies, such as the Missile Defense Agency and Army Aviation and Missile Command, who had a part in the planning, testing and production of the THAAD missile, were on-hand to witness this historic moment.

“Our new mission to receive, store and ship THAADs is a great example of how the team here at ADMC can work with our customers to provide outstanding and unique munitions services to ensure ADMC remains a valuable asset to the warfighter,” said ADMC Commander Lt. Col. Randall DeLong.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

More on this replacement of the HAWK missile system.................

Israel to switch Hawks for David’s Sling

By tamir_eshel on May 30, 2011 9:13 pm

After half a century of service, and numerous upgrades, the Israeli air force is finally considering phasing out the Raytheon MIM-23 Hawk surface-to-air missiles, replacing it with with David’s Sling, an air defense missile system being developed in Israel and the U.S., by a joint venture between Raytheon and Rafael Advances Defense Systems. Israel has 17 operational batteries of MIM-23B Improved Hawk missiles. Each battery has three launchers carrying three missiles each. Each David’s Sling launcher holds 16 missiles. The battery also relies on a complex network of target acquisition, tracking and guidance radars. Davis’d sling can be operated with networked, distributed assets, relying on two multi-role phased-array radars and command section, supporting a number of fire units.

According to Israeli news sources, the Israel Air Force is expecting to receive the first elements of a David’s Sling unit in 2012, and deploy the new systems in a phased program in the following years. David Sling is being developed as part of the country’s multi-layered air and missile defense system, comprising the Iron Dome and David’s Sling, designed to intercept short and medium range rockets, and Arrow II and Arrow III, tasked against ballistic missile threats. David’s Sling will also provide secondary air defense capability, alongside the Raytheon MIM-104 Patriot air defense missiles.

David’s Sling employs the new Stunner interceptor missile developed by Rafael. According to company sources, the Stunner, currently undergoing flight testing, will introduce new capabilities in terms of maneuverability, range and versatility, as it was designed to defeat both air breathing (aircraft/cruise missiles) and maneuvering or ballistic threats (missiles, long range rockets), thus combining high speed, long range and end-game maneuverability. The original requirement of the Israel Ministry of Defense was for a missile capable of defeating ballistic missiles and rockets launched from ranges of 70 – 300 km. Among the missiles falling under this category are the Iranian/Syrian M600, Zelzal, Fajr and Fateh 110, all are deployed with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

In addition to the advanced rocket motor, the missile uses an unique multi-modal seeker providing the missile superior counter-countermeasures, all-weather capability and maintains precision aim-point selection at end-game. The built-in datalink communications enables the missile to receive targeting updates and retasking in flight while the warhead is uniquely designed to destroy the wide target set it was designed to defeat. The Stunner was designed from the baseline to be used as an air/air missile, sized and weighed for internal carriage inside the F-35 weapon’s bay. However, the cooperation agreement between Rafael and Raytheon is yet to cover this application.

The integration of David’s Sling into the nation-wide multi-layered missile defense system represents a departure from current air defense network, whereas the ‘active defense’ component will have to ‘coexist’ with military and civil aviation airspace, rather than control restricted airspaces. To enable such integration, Rafael is developing an integrated command and control center that integrating the ‘air picture’ of friendly and hostile aircraft, threat missile tracks, and feed from the airspace management system, developing full situation control for managing and allocating targets for multiple units, operating different types of missiles (Iron Dome, David’s Sling or other assets). Rafael will demonstrate this new concept and the David’s Sling, at the Paris Air Show next month.

Copyright © 2011 Defense Update. All Rights Reserved.

[buglerbilly]

Magic Wand defense system slated for test run

Defense establishment says mid-range anti-missile system to become operational sooner than expected

Hanan Greenberg Published: 05.31.11, 21:21 / Israel News

Defense establishment sources said Tuesday that Magic Wand – the IDF's mid-range anti-missile system – is likely to become operational sooner than expected.

"Over the next few months we will be conducting full-system test runs and we may declare Magic Wand fully operational in the very near future," Colonel (Res.) Pini Yungman, who heads the project for RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems, said.

Yungman presented the system's defensive capabilities for the first time Tuesday, in a New Tech conference on military developments.

While refraining from giving an estimated date in which Magic Wand would become fully operational, Yungman said its development was progressing much faster than originally planned.

The system, he said, may become a part of the IDF's home front defense deployment as early as 2013, meeting the threat posed by Hezbollah's Katyusha rockets, for example.

"The system would be able to tackle threats which are currently considered only potential. The purpose is to be able to target all short-range missiles, as well as cruise-missiles and targets the Hetz Missile System opts to defer."

The system, he added, will also give the military the option to change a missile's course in mid-flight.

Magic Wand is set to become Iron Dome's complementary defense system, and along with the Hetz and Patriot defense systems, to protect Israel in its entirety from the threat of missile attacks.

[buglerbilly]

Award Date For Missile Defense Contract Slips

Jun 8, 2011

By Amy Butler



The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is extending the time needed to review proposals from contractors vying for a contract worth up to $10 billion for 10 years of work sustaining the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) missile shield system.

Lockheed Martin/Raytheon and Boeing/Northrop Grumman are locked in a duel for the work. MDA had planned for a downselect in early summer; this is now slated for November.

“The source selection authority has determined that it is in the best interest of the government to ensure rigorous and comprehensive proposals by industry, and evaluation by the government, by extending the anticipated award date into November of this year,” according to a statement from Rick Lehner, MDA spokesman.

Officials from both teams say that they have been answering questions from MDA on their proposals. This is a normal process designed to ensure the agency understands each proposal.

Lehner notes that the contract amounts will be proposed by the bidders. The initial contract period of seven years has been estimated at about $600 million annually; total value could reach $10 billion if all options are exercised.

The contract would cover sustainment of the GMD system (including oversight of the interceptors and sensors), development of new capabilities, flight testing and disposal of outdated components. GMD includes a host of sensors across the globe and interceptors at Fort Greely, Alaska, and Vandenberg AFB, Calif. It is designed to protect much of United States from an ICBM attack from North Korea or Iran.

Boeing, which was the lead in designing the system, is the incumbent. However, MDA has at times been unhappy with the company’s management of the program. GMD production is currently on hold pending results from a failure review board. A Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) failed in two attempts in 2010 to destroy a Lockheed Martin LV-2 target. Fixes to the GBI’s Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV), made by Raytheon, are now under review.

MDA Director Army Lt. Gen. Patrick O’Reilly says that a non-intercept characterization test could take place early next year to run the EKV fixes through their paces. An intercept attempt, which would be the third for this head-on hit-to-kill scenario, could follow late in 2012. The EKV used is an upgraded version, though officials decline to outline its specific capabilities.

Stakes are high in the GMD sustainment contract competition. The loser will likely be edged out of a significant, and potentially lucrative, piece of the missile defense market. The winner, by contrast, could have a foothold for 10 years.

Photo: Boeing

[buglerbilly]

Gates: ‘Genuine interest’ in Russia on missile defense

By Philip Ewing Thursday, June 9th, 2011 3:38 pm



The proposed American and European missile defense shield is a reliable boogeyman in Russian politics, as we’ve written before, but Secretary Gates said Thursday he believes there’s a real chance that Moscow and the West will eventually come to an accord. Speaking after a top-level NATO meeting in Brussels, Belgium, Gates acknowledged that it’s one of the thorniest points of contention, and he had no breakthroughs to report — but there is some progress:

Said Gates:


One of the key issues in the NATO-Russia relationship is missile defense, and in a separate bilateral meeting with Russian Minister of Defense Serdyukov, we reviewed the active efforts of our defense teams to lay the practical groundwork for cooperation on missile defense in Europe. While I had hoped we would be ready to move ahead on this subject in the NATO-Russia Council, it is clear that we will need more time. The Department of Defense remains committed to working with the Russian Ministry of Defense in support of our Presidents’ instructions at Deauville, and it was encouraging to hear the strong consensus support at the NATO-Russia Council for practical cooperation on missile defense directed against threats from outside Europe, such as Iran, and not against each other.

That might not sound like much, but in diplo-speak, it would be forward progress for the Russians to officially agree that a Euro-missile defense system is for Iran and not their own nuclear arsenal.

Gates said in response to a reporter’s question that he believes the Russians do have some “genuine interest” in an agreement on missile defense — as opposed to just using it as an outrage line for domestic audiences. We can get to the finish line from here, he suggested:


I think that the Russians have questions about — particularly the longer-term nature of the — of the missile defense capability. I do think they’re serious. I have — from the very first meetings I had in Russia with President — then President Putin in 2007 through my meetings with President Medvedev earlier this year and my meetings with Minister Serdyukov, I think that they have responded with interest in our suggestions in terms of how information sharing might work, how we might to work together on this. I still think there are those in Russia who are skeptical of our motives. And so I think that we just need to keep working at this.

I think that the proposals for the data centers that were first made by the Russians some months ago and that we’ve since elaborated and that I conveyed back to them in more concrete terms when I was in Moscow — I think there’s genuine interest in that. And I think there is genuine interest in the joint analysis of the missile threat that we’ve — that we’ve agreed to do.

So I think we just have to take this a step at a step — a step at a time. I think that the Russians have a long history of hostility and wariness about missile defense, and so I just think we have to keep working at it with them.

Read more: http://www.dodbuzz.com/2011/06/09/gates-genuine-interest-in-russia-on-missile-defense/#ixzz1Oq4GgQb3
DoDBuzz.com

[buglerbilly]

Taiwan Rejects Further Advanced Radar System Price Hikes

(Source: China News Agency; issued June 14, 2011)

Taiwan will no longer tolerate continuing price increases for two advanced long-range early warning radar systems being purchased from the United States, a Ministry of National Defense spokesman said Tuesday.

"The Air Force has protested the price increases many times, and the Defense Ministry has chosen not to be taken for a ride," said MND spokesman Lo Shao-ho.

Lo said the defense ministry has repeatedly protested to Raytheon, the systems' supplier, over the price increases.

It has also asked the Pentagon to tell the company to exercise restraint after the Air Force was notified earlier this year of a third price increase since the project was approved in 2003, this time for an additional US$200 million, he added.

The two long-range early warning radar systems -- approved by the Legislative Yuan in 2003 at a cost of NT$30.4 billion (US$1.05 billion) -- were originally scheduled to be built and become operational at the end of 2011.

According to a United Daily News report Tuesday, the price of the radar systems had previously been increased by a total of NT$6.2 billion in 2008 and 2010.

The radar systems are designed to monitor ballistic missiles and cruise missiles and to act as a forward position for the U.S. ballistic missile defense system, according to the report.

The paper said Taiwan does not actually need the advanced radar systems, which have a detection range exceeding 3,000 kilometers, because Taiwan's main military threat comes from only about 1,000 kilometers away across the Taiwan Strait, the report said.

"To put it in a nutshell, under the radar procurement program, Taiwan serves as a sentry for the United States, but the sentry has to pay for its own costs and pay the boss' bills too," the daily said.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

S. Korea eyes Iron Dome system

Following rising tensions with Pyongyang, Seoul sends defense acquisition program official to Israel to look into joint arms deals

Udi Etsion Published: 06.19.11, 07:37 / Israel Business


Iron Dome in action Photo: AFP

South Korea is planning to turn Israel into its main arms supplier, following recent border incidents with its northern communist neighbor.

Kwon Oh-bong, the vice commissioner of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) in Seoul, visited Israel recently and revealed initial details about the growing cooperation in a conversation with the Yedioth Ahronoth daily.

During the visit, Kwon toured the defense industries and met with senior Defense Ministry officials. In his visit to Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the South Korean official expressed an interest in the Irom Dome rocket interception system, which was activated successfully in southern Israel recently.

"The security situation and threats faced by Israel and South Korea are very similar," says Kwon. "We are constantly boosting our readiness against North Korea, and we're exposed to the types of incidents and local provocations Israel is familiar with too.

"We too are under a major threat of artillery, missiles and rockets, and we were briefed on Rafael's air defense system. It's a very interesting weapons system and we'll consider it."

Kwon also visited Israel Aerospace Industries, Elisra and Elbit, which are already involved in South Korea's T-50 trainer and assault aircraft project. Based on the F-16, the plane is competing against Italy's Aermacchi M-326 in a bid issued by the Israel Air Force for an advance trainer aircraft to replace the old-fashioned Skyhawk.

The IAI's Elta produces the radar for the plane's assault version, Elisra produces its electronic warfare system, and Elbit – some of the avionics systems.

According to Kwon, "Israeli companies already produce advance systems for the T-50, which has already been purchased by our air force and could contribute to your air force as well. If Israel does purchase the aircraft, Israeli companies will be able to take part in its production. When the Defense Ministry and Air Force select the next trainer aircraft, they should have the future potential cooperation in mind."

Acquisitions of close to $400M

The Korean interest focuses on missile and aerial systems made in Israel. In the past two years, the South Koreans made acquisitions of close to $400 million in Israel, and major deals are still being negotiated between the two countries.

"The South Korean defense budget stands at $30 billion, and the military acquisition budget stands at $10 billion and grows as time goes by on the backdrop of the situation.

"In the past few years we have purchased in Israel the Green Pine radar and the Harpy UAV. The United States has been our main arms supplier for years, but in recent years Israel has become a key acquisition source together with European countries."

Meanwhile, a South Korean delegation which visited Israel at the same time looked into potential collaborations with the Defense Ministry in the areas of security research and development.

"I was very impressed by the fact that 90% of Israel's defense industry activity is designated for exports. This shows how competitive and advanced it is. South Korea also has an extensive and competitive defense industry, which could find partners in Israel."

[buglerbilly]

Anti-Missile Makers Square Off

Posted by Bradley Peniston | June 20th, 2011 | Paris Air Show 2011

By DAVE MAJUMDAR • PARIS — Lockheed Martin is calling for an independent cost estimate of its tri-national Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS), one that can be compared to the U.S. Army’s Raytheon Patriot air defense system.

“We have done analysis that suggests that MEADS will literally save the U.S. government billions of dollars,” Marty Coyne, Lockheed’s MEADS business development director, told reporters here June 20. “We think it makes sense for an independent cost estimate.”

Coyne suggested that the Government Accountability Office conduct such a review to inform Congress.

Recently, the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee members have pushed to eliminate funding for the program after the Pentagon said it would not procure the system for deployment.

The Defense Department had requested money to complete development of the program. The U.S. provides 58 percent of the roughly $4 billion in planned funding, Germany, 25; and Italy 17.

Coyne said that the MEADS system would actually cost less to procure and operate than sustaining and modernizing the Army’s existing Patriot missile system, while providing a far more modern and more capable system. For example, he said, MEADS can track and engage targets in any direction.

Raytheon Begs to Differ

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems chief Tom Kennedy, who was also here, disputed the Lockheed claims.

The Patriot has been upgraded many times since its inception and modernization efforts especially during the past three years have drastically improved the system. The new Patriot is fully open architecture, Kennedy said.

“This isn’t your grandfather’s Patriot,” he said. “I think with all the upgrades the U.S. Army has decided to it does what it needs to do and it has abandoned MEADS.”

He noted that the Patriot, having been in the Army inventory in some form since the 1980s, has an existing logistical pipeline and knowledge base within the service.

He conceded that Patriot can cover at best 270 degrees, using two radars.

Part of the issue is politics, Kennedy said. The MEADS program has the two partner nations which factors into the debate, but he noted that the Patriot has 12 foreign allies who participate in the program.

[buglerbilly]

Second MEADS Launcher Passes Key Acceptance Test

(Source: MEADS International; issued June 20, 2011)

ORLANDO, Fla., MUNICH, and ROME --- The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) successfully passed another hardware milestone when its second Launcher Platform Group (LPG) completed formal acceptance testing during March in Dello, Italy.

MEADS is a ground-mobile air and missile defense system that incorporates the hit-to-kill PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) Missile, 360-degree radars, netted-distributed battle management/communication centers and high-firepower launchers. The system combines superior battlefield protection with extensive flexibility, allowing it to protect forces and critical assets against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft.

Designed by MBDA Italia and produced by subcontractor ATIB, the tested LPG is carried on a German MAN Prime Mover. Following integration with an Integrated Launcher Electronics System, Launcher Power System and Internal Communication System (MICS), the completed launcher will begin system-level integration with other MEADS elements. MEADS is scheduled to begin flight tests at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. later this year.

The lightweight MEADS launchers are easily transportable and tactically mobile. Each carries up to eight PAC-3 MSE Missiles and achieves launch readiness in minimum time. A Palletized Load Handling and Elevation System allows MEADS launchers to autonomously and rapidly reload.

During the acceptance tests, the LPG demonstrated compliance with all expected capabilities, including:

-- Automatic missile upload/offload reload that is unmatched among existing air defense systems
-- Verification of LPG emplacement from 'road march' configuration to 'ready-to-fire' position and back
-- Quick and automatic detachment of main components from the prime mover in preparation for helicopter transport.

Through improvements in range, interoperability, mobility and full 360-degree defense capability against the evolving threat, MEADS improves capability to defend troops and critical assets. MEADS defends up to eight times the coverage area with far fewer system assets. This allows for a substantial reduction in deployed personnel and equipment, with less demand for airlift.

MEADS International, a multinational joint venture headquartered in Orlando, Fla., is the prime contractor for the MEADS system. Major subcontractors and joint venture partners are MBDA in Italy, LFK in Germany and Lockheed Martin in the United States.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Monday, June 20, 2011, 11:59 PM (posted 21/06)

Israeli Company Rafael presents the Iron Dome rockets missile defense system at Paris Air Show 2011.

Defense of the home front and population centres from short to medium range missile and rockets threats is now a strategic imperative. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., Israel is taking a leading position as a skilled developer and manufacturer of advanced weapons systems in the Air Defense market. Rafael is offering now a complete air and missile defense system of system solution (RAD-SOS).


Iron Dome short/medium range air defense system against missile and rockets at Paris Air Show 2011

Rafael's Air Defense system of systems (RAD-SOS) provides a complete solution ensuring tactical overmatch against a broad spectrum of air and missile threats. The RAD-SOS is based on a multi-layered concept that has been designed to provide optimum protection against all current and future airborne threats.

The layered concept consists of two separate double-tiered systems that cope effectively with two different types of threats. These separate systems are modular, yet provide maximum interoperability and connectivity.

The Iron Dome is the only dual mission system in the world that provides an effective defense solution for countering rockets, artillery & mortars (C-RAM) as well as aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, PGMs. The system is an effective system for countering C-RAM threats with ranges of up to 70 km and for VSHORAD protection (up to 10 km). The system operates in all weather conditions, including low clouds, rain, dust storms or fog.

Iron Dome can handle multiple threats simultaneously and efficiently. The system enables effective and selective handling of critical threats aimed at the defended zone to reduce unnecessary launches. The system uses a unique interceptor with a special warhead that detonates any target in the air within seconds.

If the estimated rocket trajectory poses a critical threat, a command is given within seconds and an interceptor is launched against the threat.
The interceptor receives trajectory updates from the BMC via uplink communication. The interceptor approaches the target and uses its radar seeker to acquire the target and guides the interceptor within passing distance. The target warhead is detonated over a neutral area, therefore reducing collateral damage to the protected area.

[buglerbilly]

RAFAEL Highlights Flexible Response in Air & Missile Defense

By noam_eshel on June 21, 2011 9:52 pm


Iron dome is shown for the first time in its new mobile configuration. Photo: Tamir Eshel, DEfense-Update

Missile technology is one of the highlights of RAFAEl’s display at this year’s Paris Airshow. The company displays here a range of air defense missiles – including Stunner, heading for full system-testing this year, the Iron Dome Counter-rocket missile system, recently combat- proven in Southern Israel and the Medium Range Spyder, shown here as a complete mobile system. Airborne ordnance on display includes precision guided air/ground weapons (the Spice family), multi-purpose guided missiles (Spike family) and air/air missiles (Python and Derby missiles).


Rafael's Missiles Family. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update

“Our system philosophy provides users with maximum flexibility to employ their assets achieving mission success, even under changing conditions” said VP Lova Drori, “our solutions are employing several levels of flexibility, maximizing effectiveness and reducing ‘cost per effective kill’. This concept enables users to gain maximum utility from such systems, without compromising on effectiveness and level of protection.” For example, the Spyder system automatically selects the least costly interceptor for each target, by launching a Python missile as a priority available, reserving the more expensive Derby missiles for more challenging intercepts. The ratio between Python and Derby missiles contained in the system can also be changed dynamically, to reflect changing operational needs. A different approach is employed in the Iron Dome system, which automatically prioritizes intercept strategies and decisions, based on projected impact points, ignoring targets that pose no risk (projected to hit empty areas). David Sling employs other optimization techniques, such as assigning targets across distributed fire units, as part of a multi-layered defense system.


Lova Drori, Rafael's Executive VP Marketing. Credit: Rafael

“The development of the Iron Dome has demonstrated the unique capability of Rafael to expedite new solutions, meeting urgent operational requirements in record time. While offering breakthrough capability of intercepting rockets in flight, Iron Dome does not represent a technological breakthrough. We could not develop new technologies on such a short program, therefore, we have used technologies and methods that were already available in-house. Through the development of Iron Dome these elements were matured, tested and integrated into the system. To deal with high risks, we examined different solutions in parallel processes, enabling designers some flexibility to meet the tight schedule. This unmatched scientific base enables Rafael to provide unique solutions at relatively low risk and short time. The operational success of Iron Dome and Trophy clearly demonstrates that Rafael is well positioned to take-on such challenges. Overall, we invested about US$ 60 million in the development, in order to meet the tight development and production schedule” Drori stressed.

“Iron Dome offers a unique solution to an uncommon problem, yet we see a potential to export these systems to countries seeking protection of strategic and critical facilities, especially along coastal sites and offshore.” Drori said, “They can also protect forward, temporary bases, primarily peacekeeping and forward deployments in unstable areas. For these applications, Rafael will expand its system solutions with complementary capabilities addressing short range threats.”

Copyright © 2011 Defense Update. All Rights Reserved.

[buglerbilly]

Iron Dome heads north



One anti-missile system battery deployed in Haifa as part of testing process. Batteries slated to be installed in various other locations including in Central Israel

Hanan Greenberg Published: 06.27.11, 20:24 / Israel News

The Iron Dome anti-missile has reached the Haifa region as part of its operational testing process.

Its deployment in Haifa is meant to test the battery's various systems and the connection between the radar and interception devices.

Two Iron Dome batteries were deployed in various points in Israel's south following mounting tensions on the Gaza border, including in Beersheba, Ashdod and Sderot.

Military elements said that the IDF continues to test various operational aspects on all sectors to achieve maximum readiness in states of emergency.

According to plans, Iron Dome batteries will be deployed in other locations including in Central Israel. The Air Force is due to receive a third battery in the coming months, and a fourth is expected within two years.

The system's main advantage is its portability and can be moved from one sector to another within hours.

The IDF Spokesman's Unit said: "The Iron Dome continues its introduction process. The battery's location was decided by the relevant elements, according to a status evaluation and the changing security state."

[buglerbilly]

IAF upgrading Patriot missile defense system

By YAAKOV KATZ, Jerusalem Post

07/10/2011 03:46


Photo by: REUTERS

Upgrades will include the installation of new software as well as hardware changes to the radar system that accompanies the system.

The air force has approved a set of upgrades for its Patriot missile defense system that will boost its interception capabilities, IAF sources say.

The upgrades will include the installation of new software as well as hardware changes to the radar system that accompanies the system, which Israel first received from the United States ahead of the First Gulf War in 1991.

The upgrades will enable the IAF to one day receive PAC-3 missiles, a more advanced version of the interceptor currently used by Israel that is already in service in the United States.

The PAC-3 is believed to be capable of intercepting most of Syria's missiles. It is an improved version of the PAC-2 in terms of coverage and lethality.

The PAC-3 has an interceptor missile that uses a hit-to-kill system rather than an exploding warhead used by the PAC-2. The PAC-3 missile is also smaller, so using it 16 missile could be fired from Israel’s current launchers instead of just four PAC- 2 interceptors.

“The upgrades will see improvements in the system’s ability to detect and intercept missiles that could not have intercepted before,” an IAF source said.

The Patriot serves as Israel’s defense system against medium-range missiles, while the Iron Dome anti-rocket system is used against short-range ones and the Arrow-2 is designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles.

The IAF plans to replace the Patriot with the David’s Sling, a missile system under development by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the Massachusetts-based Raytheon Company to defend against Iranian missiles such as the M600, Zelzal, Fajr and Fateh 110 that Hezbollah in Lebanon has, as well as against other missiles with ranges between 70 and 300 kilometers.

The IAF plans to establish a battalion that will operate the David’s Sling in the near future, so it will be ready to receive the missile defense system in 2012 when it is expected to become operational.

David’s Sling uses an interceptor called Stunner, fitted into a launcher that can hold 16 missiles. It works together with an advanced phased-array radar made by Israel Aerospace Industries.

[buglerbilly]

Germany Objects To Congressional Meads Cut

Jul 15, 2011

By Jen DiMascio



The decision by three of four defense committees in the U.S. Congress to cut funding for the Medium Extended Air Defense System (Meads) is facing blowback from Germany, one of the three international partners developing the missile defense system.

President Obama’s budget request for fiscal 2012 and 2013 includes $804 million to honor the nation’s agreement with Germany and Italy to finish development work on the program, despite the fact that the U.S. Army has no plans to buy the missile.

The Senate Armed Services Committee last month was the latest to clobber the Army-run program, voting to zero out the 2012 request of $406.6 million, knowing that the move could prompt a unilateral withdrawal from the multinational agreement and termination costs of $690 million to be paid to the Lockheed Martin-led industry team. The bill urges the Pentagon to work with Germany and Italy to see whether the agreement can be renegotiated by harvesting existing technology out of the program, according to a committee report.

But Germany is pointing out that the U.S. has agreed to keep working on the missile and needs to honor its commitments. Pulling out of Meads ahead of schedule would cause problems across the Atlantic, says the German ministerial director of armaments in a letter to the Pentagon’s acquisition chief obtained by Aviation Week.

“Joint termination of the current Meads development is not an option for Germany,” says Detlef Selhausen in the letter. “It would, additionally, be difficult to reconcile any joint termination with German budgetary law.” (See charts pp. 6-8.)

Further, a U.S. withdrawal from the agreement would “endanger two core aspects of our common objectives that are extremely important for Germany — the controlled archiving of the resulting development data (Technical Data Package), and the preparation of European industry for national or multinational follow-on activities.”

Photo: Lockheed Martin

[buglerbilly]

Future of Russian missile defense to be based in air


Future of Russian missile defense to be based in air
© RIA Novosti. Valery Melnikov11:50 15/08/2011MOSCOW, August 15 (RIA Novosti)

Russia's next generation missile defense systems which are currently under development will be based not on the ground but in the air, former chief designer of Almaz-Antei corporation Igor Ashurbeili said.

"The successor missile that will replace the S-500 (expected to enter service in 2015) won't be land-based but air-based," Ashurbeili said.

He explained that air-based firepower involves placing weapons on a flying platform, in other words, on a plane. "This will be an aircraft that will fly, control the field and not only track targets, but strike them," Ashurbeili said.

Ashurbeili expressed his opinion that the aerospace defense firepower will within the next 20-25 years be based on scientific and technological potential, followed by the modernization of four anti-aircraft missile systems and complexes: the Morfey (short-range), the Vityaz (mid-range), the S-400 (long-range) and the S-500(missile defenses).

[buglerbilly]

Talk of the Day -- Political dogfight takes toll on arms purchase

2011/08/15 20:27:44



Bickering between the country's two major political camps back in 2004 has taken its toll on the military's plan to procure two additional Patriot PAC III anti-missile batteries from the United States, a local newspaper reported Monday.

The United Daily News (UDN) cited military sources as saying that the Obama administration approved in January 2010 the sale of two additional Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC) III anti-missile systems to Taiwan, but the military has not yet signed the deal because the cost exceeds its budget by 40 percent.

The paper said the U.S. authorities have informed the military that if no progress is made on the project by the end of this year, the previously quoted prices for the systems would be invalidated and that the new prices could be even higher.

The following is an excerpt of the UDN report on the issue:

In January 2004, the then ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) announced it would hold a nationwide referendum along with the presidential election to be held on March 20 that year.

The first question in the referendum was asking the voters whether the country should beef up its anti-missile defense capability. Although most of those who cast ballots in the referendum supported the initiative, the referendum was deemed invalid in accordance with the country's Referendum Act because less than half of eligible voters bothered to take part in the vote.

Following the vote, the Kuomintang, which led a coalition that had a majority in the Legislature, boycotted the budget bill for the PAC III anti-missile batteries on the grounds that the Referendum Act stipulated that a topic that failed in a referendum could not be put up for a vote for another three years.

As a result, the roughly NT$120 billion (US$4.14 billion) in funding for the purchase of six Patriot anti-missile batteries did not clear the legislative floor until 2007 -- three years after the 2004 referendum veto.

Military sources said that when the Bush administration agreed to sell Taiwan four Patriot PAC III systems in 2008, the price far exceeded the budget proposed in 2004. Four batteries almost used up the budget set aside for the procurement of six batteries.

Therefore, since the Obama administration agreed to sell the remaining two systems in January 2010, the military has had difficulty raising enough money to strike the deal.

According to the sources, the military has tried to lobby the Pentagon to lower the price for the last two batteries on several occasions, but little progress has been made so far.

The sources said the military will have to increase its budget to cover the cost for procuring the remaining two advanced anti-missile batteries and that the delivery may also be deferred.

Air Force sources said they are speeding up administrative procedures for the procurement project.

Political analysts said Taiwanese politicians set the worst example between 2004 and 2007 by treating defensive weapon procurements as a political football. Politicians are now quiet about their past failings and apparently feel no remorse for letting taxpayers pay for their bickering.

According to the analysts, the international arms market tends to be a seller's market and weapons prices usually rise by 3.5 percent to 5 percent annually. The United States is the only country in the world that dares to ignore China's pressure and sell defensive weapons to Taiwan. Local politicians should keep this in mind and never again use arms procurement deals as pawns for political infighting, the analysts said.

The PAC-3 is a surface-to-air guided missile defense system that builds upon the existing Patriot air defense infrastructure (used most notably during the Persian Gulf War in 1991).

The new fully operational PAC-3 provides advanced capability against enemy cruise missiles, aircraft, and unlike previous systems, tactical ballistic missiles. (Aug. 15, 2011)

(By Sofia Wu) enditem/ls
Focus Taiwan News Channel

[buglerbilly]

Raytheon Teams with Rafael to Market Iron Dome Weapon System

Aug 16, 2011

TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd have teamed to market the Iron Dome weapon system in the United States. Rafael developed the original Iron Dome to provide protection against rockets, artillery and mortar attacks.

The program has completed flight test trials, and the weapon system is currently used in Israeli population centers to protect against terrorist rocket attacks based on an Israeli Ministry of Defence decision.

"Iron Dome complements other Raytheon weapons that provide intercept capabilities to the U.S. Army's Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar initiative at forward operating bases," said Mike Booen, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Advanced Security and Directed Energy Systems product line. "Iron Dome can be seamlessly integrated with Raytheon's C-RAM systems to complete the layered defense."

Raytheon and Rafael are also teaming on the David Sling Weapon System, which is a mobile, land-based missile defense program, and the Blue Sparrow missile defense targets program.

"The Iron Dome teaming builds on our decade-long, ongoing cooperation with Raytheon Missile Systems to provide air and missile defense solutions," said David Stemer, Rafael executive vice president and general manager of Rafael's Missile Division. "Iron Dome delivers a leap-ahead, affordable capability for future customers."

[buglerbilly]

Russia stops producing famous S-300 anti-missile systems

Published: 15 August, 2011, 22:16

The country has given up the production of its most popular arms exports, the S-300 long-range surface-to-air missile systems.

The rockets have been used worldwide to protect large potential targets, such as military bases and even cities.

The last air-based missile complex for the Russian Army was produced in 1994. Since then Russia has only exported them to customer countries.

The rockets have been quite popular in Eastern Europe and Asia; among those who have bought the S-300 missiles in bulk are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Venezuela and Syria. China bought the license to produce them under their own name.

The main reason for Russia stopping production was the decreasing demand, meaning it became unprofitable for the country to build the missiles.

Iran was among the last potential buyers. The country wanted to purchase five battalions of S-300s worth $8 million. The idea, however, did not appeal to many world powers. The UN Security Council imposed new sanctions against Iran and its controversial nuclear program that forbade any countries to sell arms to Iran, so Russia also gave up on the idea of making a deal with the outcast.

Now Russia is ready to replace the ground-based systems the army is currently using.

“The next generation of missile-defense systems which will replace the S-500 complexes (expected to enter service by 2016) will not be ground, but air-based,” said co-chairman of Russia’s Expert Air and Space Defense Council, Igor Ashurbeili. “They are already being developed and tested.”

Initially, it was thought that Moscow’s S-500 would join NATO’s anti-missile shield, but Washington never expressed enough interest in the project. As time goes by, there are less and less chances that the new missiles will end up in Europe.

However, Russia is planning to replace the air defense systems around Moscow and other major cities with brand new S-500 missiles by 2050.

“The S-400 and S-500 are very versatile systems,” military analyst Igor Khokhlov told RT. “They are able to hit not only aircraft and cruise missiles like classic air- defense systems, but also ballistic missiles, naval and ground targets. While the S-500 is only in development, the S-400 missile has three different missiles to cover its operational envelope and longest distances of up to 400 kilometers which is far beyond any system in the world.”

[buglerbilly]

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Pics: MEADS TOC'S Show Debut

Posted by Amy Butler at 8/17/2011 5:56 AM CDT

Lockheed Martin unveiled the mobile Medium Extended Air Defense System (Meads) tactical ops center at the annual Space and Missile Defense Conference here in Huntsville, Ala., this week.

This is only a stone's throw away from where the U.S. Army led the Pentagon's involvement in the trinational program, and from the Army office that will be responsible for closing down U.S. participation as development winds up. The Pentagon opted in February to finish out development in 2014, meeting its obligations to Italy and Germany for this phase. But, there will be no US dollars for production if the Pentagon gets its way.

This has not stopped Lockheed from redoubling efforts on Capitol Hill to revive U.S. interest in Meads. And, the debut of the TOC here is a not-so-subtle reminder of the system's capabilities for leaders attending the conference this week.

Still, however, the push may be difficult enough even to render Lockheed's powerful lobby useless in Washington.

This piece of hardware (below) will be used for the first ever Meads flight test at White Sands Missile Range. This flight, slated for November, will involve launch of the PAC-3 MSE interceptor out of a MEADS launcher (not pictured here) for a unique maneuver. The launcher erects at a 70-deg. angle, says Marty Coyne, a Lockheed Martin official. And, the MSE missile will be launched and conduct an "over-the-shoulder" maneuver, meaning it will do a 360-deg. turnaround. There will be no actual target or intercept for this test; additionally it will not include the German-made 360-deg. radar (which will come in later for flight testing).


photos: Amy Butler/AWST



The first intercept attempt will pit MEADS against an air breather next year; the system will attempt a hit-to-kill engagement against a theater ballistic missile in 2013, says Gregory Kee, general manager of the Nato MEADS Management Agency.

The MEADS TOC contains three operator positions inside, two of which are pictured here.





The vehicle is designed to universally fit on the chassis of Italian, German and US vehicles. It is also designed to wirelessly connect into the MEADS architecture.

The program recently completed a design review of the C4I for MEADS, which includes the software backbone for the MEADS TOC.

[buglerbilly]

MEADS Program Completes Successful BMC4I Software Review

(Source: MEADS International; issued August 16, 2011

ORLANDO, Fla., MUNICH and ROME --- The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) program has successfully completed a Battle Management Command, Control, Communications and Computers and Intelligence (BMC4I) software design review in Huntsville, Ala.

The review validated software design and functionalities needed for upcoming MEADS flight tests and demonstrations. This is another important milestone as the program matures to deliver needed air and missile defense capabilities.

MEADS is a next-generation, ground-mobile air and missile defense system that incorporates the hit-to-kill PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement Missile, 360-degree radars, netted and distributed battle management and high-firepower launchers. The system combines superior battlefield protection with new flexibility to protect forces and critical assets against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft.

MEADS International President Dave Berganini said, "The MEADS BMC4I continues to demonstrate progress toward an on-time delivery of software for our upcoming flight tests, especially in its External Message Processing, Performance Analysis, Safety and Algorithm Development elements. The system is making needed progress for a successful intercept flight test in 2012 that will demonstrate the greater defensive coverage and 360-degree capability that is unique to MEADS."

Using standardized interfaces and a revolutionary network-centric open architecture, the MEADS Battle Manager can command and control both MEADS and non-MEADS sensors and launchers. Its plug-and-fight capability lets sensors, launchers and other battle managers simply act as nodes on the MEADS network. A commander can dynamically add or subtract these elements as the situation dictates without shutting the system down. This unprecedented flexibility is a first for ground-based air and missile defense systems.

NAMEADSMA General Manager Gregory Kee said, "The MEADS Battle Manager will provide commanders with increased situational awareness, but more importantly, increased flexibility to tailor battle elements dynamically based on the battlefield situation. Additionally, MEADS will be interoperable with a wide range of legacy systems as well as current and future command and control systems, like NATO's Air Command and Control System."

These capabilities allow a commander to dynamically extract MEADS elements to protect a fast-moving maneuver force. The Minimum Engagement Capability requires only one launcher, one battle manager and one fire control radar. As more MEADS elements arrive, they automatically and seamlessly join the network and expand the air and missile defense coverage.

MEADS improves capability to defend troops and critical assets through improvements in range, interoperability, mobility and full 360-degree defense capability against the evolving threat. It can defend up to eight times the coverage area of current sectored systems while using far fewer system assets. This capability enables MEADS to significantly reduce demand for deployed personnel and equipment, which reduces demand for airlift.

MEADS International, a multinational joint venture headquartered in Orlando, Fla., is the prime contractor for the MEADS system. Major subcontractors and joint venture partners are MBDA in Italy, LFK in Germany and Lockheed Martin in the United States.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

NATO Eyes IOC For BMD Shield Next Spring

Aug 17, 2011

By Amy Butler



HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — A key test is slated next week leading up to a planned declaration of initial operational capability (IOC) for NATO ballistic missile defenses next spring, says Lt. Gen. Friedrich Ploeger, a German officer and deputy for NATO’s allied air command based in Germany.

During this test, a target missile will be launched from Crete, and an actual interceptor will be dispatched as well. The goal is to allow the system to track the interceptor and test linkages between the U.S. battle management command and control architecture and NATO’s system, called ATLBMD. He did not identify which interceptor will be used.

A second trial is also slated prior to the planned IOC declaration, which is hoped for in advance of the April summit planned for member countries, Ploeger told an Aug. 16 luncheon audience at the 2011 Space and Missile Defense conference here.

Ploeger acknowledges that the NATO missile defenses are few, and linking them together will be a major task as the alliance moves forward after declaring missile defense a key mission last fall.

Many of the capabilities offered by NATO for a collective defense in Europe are in the lower tier, or shorter range. They were largely designed to support deployed forces, rather than for a homeland defense mission.

Ploeger suggests that one way to contribute an upper-tier defense would be for the alliance to cooperatively purchase Raytheon SM-3 interceptors, which are used for defenses from U.S. Aegis ships. German and Dutch frigates, he suggests, could be equipped with the missiles and add to the capabilities against longer-range threats that the U.S. can provide. And the existing sensors on these frigates can be an additive capability to the long-range sensor network eyed in the U.S. Phased Adaptive Approach.

The general also acknowledged that much is still to be decided for the command and control structure to ensure the alliance can quickly respond in the event of an attack.

Photo: MDA

[buglerbilly]

Published 03:23 22.08.11
Latest update 03:23 22.08.11

Israeli defense sources: Gaza terror groups changing tactics to avoid Iron Dome system

Terror groups attempt to break through the intercept system's defenses by firing a particularly large volley of rockets at Be'er Sheva, where one of the batteries is deployed.

By Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz.com

The terror organizations in the Gaza Strip have changed their rocket-launch tactics in an attempt to evade the two Iron Dome anti-missile batteries deployed by the Israel Air Force in southern Israel, security sources say. The new tactics include aiming more frequently at areas beyond the Iron Dome protection range.

On Saturday, the terror groups attempted to break through the intercept system's defenses by firing a particularly large volley of rockets at Be'er Sheva, where one of the batteries is deployed. The Defense Ministry, for its part, has accelerated its timetable in order to double the number of available batteries within six months.


An Iron Dome rocket being launched to intercept a missile near Be’er Sheva on Sunday August 21, 2011.
Photo by: AP

The IAF's Air Defense Corps intercepted 15 of the rockets launched from the Gaza Strip since Thursday. Iron Dome is capable of determining which rockets are liable to hit populated areas, and intercepts those rockets only in order not to waste the expensive intercept missiles on incoming rockets that will land in uninhabited areas.

After the Palestinian launch teams realized that the intercept systems deployed in the past two weeks around Ashkelon and Be'er Sheva provided near-perfect protection from rockets, they began targeting Ashdod and Ofakim more frequently. And when they did aim at Be'er Sheva on Saturday night, they did not fire one or two rockets, as in the past, but rather a volley of seven rockets almost simultaneously. Iron Dome intercepted five of them successfully, but one penetrated the defense system, exploding in a residential area and killing Yossi Shushan.

IAF officers Sunday spoke of the steep learning curve for Iron Dome, whose operational deployment was greatly accelerated in order to provide protection for communities in the south. They said that when additional batteries were deployed, the system's performance would improve, as adjacent batteries would be able to help one other in the event of particularly large volleys of rockets.

Brig. Gen. Doron Gavish, commander of the IAF's Air Defense Corps, said Sunday that his soldiers had detected all of the rockets launched from Gaza and had transmitted early warnings to the Home Front Command, which, in turn, alerted residents.

"We said in advance that this wasn't a hermetic system," Gavish said last night, adding that the air defense units were learning on the fly and improving the performance of Iron Dome while operating it.

"This is the first system of its kind anywhere in the world; it is in its first operational test; and we've already intercepted a large number of rockets targeting Israeli communities, saving many civilian lives," Gavish said.

Even before the recent escalation in the south, the Defense Ministry decided to accelerate the production timetable for additional Iron Dome batteries. As a result, the ministry and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which manufactures the system, hope to deliver a third battery to the IAF in September, with a fourth scheduled for delivery within the next six months. The air force has already trained additional air defense operators for these batteries.

Two more batteries are scheduled for delivery to the IAF by the end of 2012, bring the total number of operational Iron Dome systems to six.

Most of the budget for the four new batteries is covered by a special allocation of $205 million earmarked for the program by the U.S. administration.

[buglerbilly]

DATE:23/08/11

SOURCE:Flight International

Israel to deploy third Iron Dome following more intercepts

By Arie Egozi

The Israeli air force will deploy its third Rafael-produced Iron Dome mobile air defence system in September, the nation's government has announced.

Using a current two batteries, the air force has succeeded in intercepting 90% of the BM-21 Grad 122mm and Kassam rockets that have been launched into Israel from the Gaza Strip.

They have destroyed 20 rockets that had assumed a trajectory likely to come down on populated areas, while others judged as not posing a risk were ignored.

Israel fielded its first Iron Dome near Ashqelon in early April.

According to an emergency plan its air force will by the end of 2013 operate nine systems, to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells.

The US administration recently approved a special $205 million budget for the emergency procurement.

Each Iron Dome system features a tracking radar, battle management and weapons control unit and a missile firing unit armed with interceptors capable of tackling threats over a range of up to 70km (38nm).

These are intended to avoid collateral damage by detonating the target's warhead well away from the defended area.

According to foreign sources, Singapore has already purchased the Iron Dome system, with other countries also showing interest following its successful real-life intercepts.

Raytheon, on 16 August, announced that it has teamed with Rafael to offer the equipment for use by the US military.

"Iron Dome complements other Raytheon weapons that provide intercept capabilities to the US Army's counter rocket, artillery and mortar initiative at forward operating bases," said Mike Booen, vice president of Raytheon missile systems' advanced security and directed energy systems product line.

[buglerbilly]

Defense Minister: Two More Iron Dome Batteries to Be Acquired

(Source: Israel Defense Force; dated Aug 21, web-posted Aug. 22, 2011)

Defense Minister Ehud Barak visited an Iron Dome battery in southern Israel on Sunday (August 21). The battery successfully intercepted around ten rockets launched at Israel by terrorists in the Gaza Strip.

Barak mentioned that Israel has two operational Iron Dome batteries and that two additional batteries will be added in the near future.

Barak noted that Israel plans to have nine Iron Dome batteries by the end of 2013.

"This emergency situation may last for several more days and we will operate as necessary," Barak said.

"Several days elapsed since the terrorist attacks last Thursday," Barak said. "The IDF has been forcefully striking those responsible for the rocket fire from Gaza at communities in southern Israel. Most of the terrorists responsible for the attacks were killed in swift operations and we've been attacking terror sites and terrorist cells operating in Gaza."

(ends)

Iron Dome Sees Israel Ramp up, Raytheon Partnership for US Market

(Source: Rafael; issued Aug 17, 2011)

On August 16, 2011, Rafael and Raytheon announced a partnership to market the Iron Dome system in the United States. This rocket interception system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is now deployed in Israel to protect civilian population from rockets, mortar and 155 mm artillery fired by Hamas. It has an all-weather range of up to 70 km (43.5 miles).

To make the system mobile, the detection/tracking radar and battle management/control parts of the system are carried on trucks, while the missile firing unit is mounted on a trailer.

Iron Dome was selected by Israel’s government as its short range defensive solution back in 2007. At the time other options were also on the table such as the THEL/Skyguard laser-based system.

In February 2010 IAI announced a $50 million export contract for the radar component of the Iron Dome system. After the US Congress approved $205M in military aid to procure up to 10 Iron Dome batteries, Israel said that it would start deploying the systems by the end of that year.

The IDF announced in April 2011 that the Iron Dome battery deployed in Be’er Sheba intercepted two rockets fired from the Gaza Strip at night. However, beyond the initial investment, at issue is the cost asymmetry between improvised rockets at maybe $500 a pop vs. intercepts estimated to cost $50K+ each.

More broadly, which approach to take for missile defense has been a subject of intense debate in Israel for years. This cost vs. benefit public discussion is still very much alive.

On August 7, 2011, Israel’s High Court of Justice answered a petition from a group of towns in the Gaza area by ruling in favor of the Defense Ministry which refuses to fund Iron Dome systems in all towns more than 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) from the Gaza Strip.

For larger, longer-range threats, IAI has developed the Arrow theater missile defense system with Boeing.

-ends

[buglerbilly]

Rafael to double Iron Dome production

The Iron Dome batteries at Ashkelon and Beersheva have intercepted over 90% of rockets that would have hit populated areas.

23 August 11 16:55, Yuval Azoulai

Sources inform ''Globes'' that Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. will invest tens of millions of shekels in the coming months to open a second production line for the Iron Dome's Tamir missiles, which intercept the Kassam and Grad rockets fired at Israel from Gaza.
The Ministry of Defense is in talks to speed up production and procure the Tamir missiles, partly in view of the latest round of confrontation in Gaza, which involved the firing of scores of rockets against Israeli cities from Ashdod to Beersheva.

The Israel Air Force's two operational Iron Dome batteries are based at Ashkelon and Beersheva. They intercepted over 90% of the rockets that would have hit populated areas, over the past few days, including an estimated 25 Grad rockets.

Rafael has just one production line for the Tamir interceptor missiles. Future operational needs, as well as the plan to establish two more Iron Dome batteries by the end of the year, necessitate the doubling of the missile production. Rafael is due to deliver the third Iron Dome battery to the Air Force in three weeks, and it will probably be based in Ashdod, which was inadequately protected against Grad rockets in last week's fighting.

The fourth battery is due to be ready by the end of the year, and it will probably be based in Sderot, which has been the target of Qassam rockets fired by terrorists in Gaza since the start of the second intifada in October 2000.

The Air Force Air Defense Network plans to have at least nine Iron Dome batteries nationwide by 2013. A special US aid grant of $205 million will finance the procurement of four batteries.

A Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee report estimates that 13 Iron Dome batteries are needed to protect threatened areas nationwide. Each battery costs $50 million, including the innovative radar systems developed by Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) (TASE: ARSP.B1) unit Elta Systems.

Each Tamir interceptor missile reportedly costs $70,000-100,000.

While Iron Dome was under development, many sources were skeptical about the economic feasibility of developing an advanced anti-missile system, since the price of rockets it is designed to intercept can be as low as a few hundred dollars. Iron Dome's baptism of fire came in April, when it successfully intercepted a Grad rocket targeting Ashkelon. Defense source said that the system's success may have prevented two subsequent confrontations from escalating, because if there was extensive damage or casualties, public pressure could have pushed the government into authorizing an assault on Gaza similar to Operation Cast Lead in the winter of 2009.

Iron Dome's operational success has drawn the attention of several armies. It is the first system of its kind in the world, and was developed in the quite fast time of three and a half years. Iron Dome and the Tamir missile have been displayed at several arms shows around the world, and the Ministry of Defense has said that exports would lower the price of the system, enabling more procurements.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 23, 2011

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2011

[buglerbilly]

US Missile Defense Agency Testing Reaper as Missile Hunter

Posted on August 24, 2011 by The Editor

The General Atomics Reaper may eventually go from hunting terrorists to hunting hostile ballistic missiles. It may get a new mission as a frontline cueing system for the burgeoning U.S. missile defence architecture. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) officials say the Reaper and its Raytheon MTS-B sensor are showing promise.

The system could plug a long-time gap by providing firing quality data to facilitate early intercept of ballistic missiles. MDA is exploring the technology and operational concepts for using electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) -equipped UAS to eventually achieve “launch-on-remote” capabilities with Aegis ship- and land-based SM-3 interceptors. This means the fidelity of UAS data would need to be high enough for commanders to launch an interceptor before Aegis radars capture the target.

UAS orbits could be placed to provide a “picket fence” of sensors if an area is expected to have hostile ballistic missile activity, says Tim Carey, vice president of intelligence for Raytheon. MDA officials say data from early experiments show that “just a few orbits can provide substantial sensor coverage” for various regions.

The interim solution for MDA is to test and possibly field the Airborne Infrared system (ABIR), a UAS carrying the proper EO/IR sensors to support early intercept operations (a kill before a hostile missile reaches apogee), improved target discrimination and enhanced handling of the threat of missile raids (tens or more missiles fired nearly simultaneously).

Since 2009, MDA has conducted 10 flight tests in which ABIR was used for data collection. Six of these trials were observed using MTS-B-equipped Reapers and the remainder featured risk-reduction tests using ground-based sensors (see chart, p. 43). For these trials, at least two Reapers are needed to provide “stereo tracking.” Each EO/IR sensor provides a “flat” view, but triangulating the target provides higher-fidelity data.

A main objective in the trials has been to expose the MTS-B—which includes visible, shortwave IR and mid-wave IR sensors—to various scenarios and targets, from short-range to intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Today, X-band radars—the AN/TPY‑2 and Sea-Based X-Band—are used for early tracking. Carey notes that the ABIR experiments are the first time EO/IR data have contributed to generating firing-quality data early in flight. (IR sensors typically provide only a cue to ground- and sea-based X-band radars.)

The MDA has purchased four MTS‑Bs for ABIR experimentation, two last year and two this year, Carey adds. MDA is contributing to a larger Pentagon effort to develop the two-colour MTS‑C; this will add a long-wave IR detection capability. While the short- and mid-wave bands are optimal during launch and rocket burn, a long-wave detector is better for tracking cold bodies, such as missiles after burnout, or plumes and exhaust.

Early tests were highly manpower intensive; targets were acquired by hand and tracked by people. Software has been developed to automate that process. But officials need to develop an operational concept of how many UAS must be orbiting in what locations for an optimum chance of achieving early launch data if there is an unpredicted hostile launch.

Through fiscal 2012, MDA has requested $178.5 million for ABIR. Depending on results of the flight trials, the agency plans to make a development and fielding decision around 2014.

Source: Aviation Week

[buglerbilly]

UAE said to trim planned US missile-defense purchase

First Posted: 8/24/11 07:33 PM ET Updated: 8/24/11 07:38 PM ET

By Jim Wolf

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates has trimmed what had been billed as a possible $7 billion purchase of an advanced U.S. missile defense system but there are no major obstacles to its completion, Lockheed Martin Corp's lead executive on the deal said Wednesday.

UAE officials have identified some elements of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense "that they think they can do without right now," Dennis Cavin, a Lockheed vice president for missile defense programs, told Reuters.

The system would be designed to defend against ballistic missiles that could be fired by Iran, which is at odds with the West over its nuclear program.

Iran has test-fired missiles that it says are capable of hitting its arch foe, Israel, and U.S. bases in the Middle East.

The UAE would be the first overseas buyer of THAAD, the only system in any countries' arsenal said to be capable of thwarting short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles both inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere. Raytheon Co builds its radar.

Cavin said he now expected the UAE to sign a deal with the U.S. government for THAAD, as the Lockheed-built system is known, within a few months, later than he had previously projected.

"They have made some adjustments," he told Reuters after updating reporters on the company's missile defense programs along with three other Lockheed executives.

He declined to spell out the scope of the scaleback but said that "they haven't cut in half the number of systems they're buying."

The contract will be worth less than the roughly $7 billion potential value cited in a formal notification to the U.S. Congress sent in September 2008, Cavin said. That notice said the UAE had requested three THAAD "fire units" with 147 THAAD missiles, four THAAD radar sets, six communications systems, nine launchers and related gear.

Cavin in a February 20 interview with Reuters during an arms bazaar in Abu Dhabi, had predicted that a government-to-government deal for the system would be completed last spring.

He told reporters Wednesday it was taking longer "but there has been no major hitch" in the negotiations with the UAE involving the U.S. government and an industry team.

"We're making progress," he said. A spokesman for the UAE embassy in Washington could not be reached immediately for comment.

The UAE's purchase is expected to clear the way for a THAAD sale to Saudi Arabia, said Riki Ellison, who heads the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, a nonpartisan booster group.

Such overseas sales are making missile-defense systems more affordable for the United States, Cavin said.

Exports of Lockheed's Patriot PAC-3 missiles, for instance, had reduced their costs to U.S. taxpayers by $482 million, or about 11 percent of the $4.2 billion spent on PAC-3 production since 2006, Craig Vanbebber, a Lockheed spokesman, said in an email to Reuters amplifying on Cavin's remarks.

(Reporting by Jim Wolf; Editing by )

[buglerbilly]

Lockheed Martin hopeful for continuing MEADS funding

August 25, 2011



Lockheed Martin is ‘optimistic’ that funding will continue for the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) programme beyond the two years that the tri-national agreement is scheduled to continue for.

The NATO-led programme aims to replace the ageing Patriot missile in the US and Germany, and the Nike Hercules in Italy.

The current MoU between the three nations covers the next two years of development, although no decision has yet been made as to whether or not the programme will continue.

‘We’re optimistic [that the contract will be extended], but we have to stay focused on the contract,’ a representative from Lockheed Martin said at a missile defence briefing on 24 August.

However, if all three nations carry out their responsibilities until the end of the contract, they will own rights to the technology that has been developed.

MEADS is designed for easy deployment, and incorporates the Lockheed Martin PAC-3 (Patriot Advanced Capability) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missile, as well as 360 degree surveillance and fire control sensors, netted-distributed battle management/communication centres and high-firepower launchers.

As well as Lockheed Martin, MBDA Italia and LFK (LenkFlugKorpersysteme) in Germany also participate in the development of the missile.

The United States funds 58% of the MEADS programme, and Germany and Italy provide 25% and 17% respectively

This year announcements from Germany and the US said that they are to only fund the programme until development, and the contract will come to an end unless somebody chooses to go forward with it past the two years, Lockheed Martin said.

There are three upcoming flights scheduled: one in November, a flight test next year, and a tactical ballistic missile test in 2013. A lightweight launcher will also be released in November.

The US has committed $406 million to the programme for 2012, and the same again in 2013, Lockheed Martin told the briefing.

Meanwhile, in an effort to save on costs, $428 million in ‘actual savings’ have been made since 2006 on the Patriot programme.

‘Affordability is not cutting corners on safety…or delivering inferior solutions,’ the representative warned.

The PAC-3 missile is also still being tested, and another test is due at the end of the year.

Lockheed Martin said international demand is strong for the missile, with it now having five customers: Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Taiwan, and the UAE, and 1,100 PAC-3 missiles have been produced to date

‘The more customers, the more affordable it is,’ the representative proclaimed.

Beth Stevenson, London

[buglerbilly]

New Delhi could have anti-missile shield by 2014

Ajai Shukla / New Delhi August 29, 2011, 0:45 IST

WHY oh WHY do the Indians come out with PURILE BS like this?!!! They couldn't get thru the Red Tape in 3 years never mind have a fully-commissioned system.............what garbage! :poundit

According to a new Pentagon report on China’s military, Beijing has paid India a sort of compliment. The People’s Liberation Army now targets India with its best and latest nuclear-tipped missiles, the solid-fuel Dongfeng-21 (NATO designation: CSS-5) medium range ballistic missile (IRBM), tipped with a 250-kiloton nuclear warhead that would flatten a large part of Delhi. Until now, India had been considered deserving only of China’s oldest and most decrepit missile, the primitive, liquid-fuelled Dongfeng-3 (NATO designation CSS-2).

India’s defence establishment is taking this new threat seriously, as also that posed by Pakistan’s nuclear-tipped MRBMs — like the Ghauri-2 and the Shaheen-2 — which can strike targets 2300 kilometres away. In an exclusive interview with Business Standard, the Defence R&D Organisation’s chief missile scientist has announced that, within three years, India will have a fully deployed missile-defence shield to safeguard a city like New Delhi from missile-borne nuclear attack.

Termed an anti-ballistic missile (ABM) shield, this complex system has been in the making since 1996. The DRDO is satisfied with the system’s ability to detect and track an incoming missile, and then launch an interceptor missile to destroy it while it is still in space (exo-atmospheric interception). If that misses, there is a second interceptor that homes in on the enemy missile while it is in the upper atmosphere (endo-atmospheric interception). In internationally watched tests, these interceptors have been tested thrice each.

But only now has the DRDO announced that a fully integrated ABM system is close to deployment. Says Dr Avinash Chander, the DRDO’s Chief Controller for Missiles and Strategic Systems; “We can deploy an effective ABM system for a single city within 3 years from now. We can definitely ensure the safety of one city in that time frame. After that, the [ABM shield for] other cities will follow.”

Chander will not confirm that Delhi will receive India’s first ABM shield but, given Delhi’s vulnerability to MRBMs from Pakistan and China, and its status as the capital city, experts predict that it will almost certainly be the first city to be safeguarded.

“We are planning more ABM trials in a month or two. Both exo and endo-atmospheric interceptors are doing well in development. We already have a demonstrated capability against enemy missiles that are fired from up to 2000 kilometres away. After some more trials we will be going into deployment mode. The ground systems and the missiles are going to be available… there is no issue,” says Chander.

The sophistication of an ABM system depends upon the range of the incoming enemy missile. The longer the range of the incoming missile, the faster it travels and the more difficult it is to it detect and shoot it down. The missiles that currently target India — the Shaheen; the Ghauri; and the Dongfeng-21 — can all be successfully intercepted, says the DRDO.

“Pakistan can only target India with missiles that have ranges of less than 3000 kilometers, otherwise the missile will overshoot India. Our ABM system will be capable of detecting and shooting down incoming missiles from those ranges,” says Chander.

However China, with its arsenal of longer-range intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and the geographical space to launch missiles from thousands of kilometres away, is capable of defeating India’s ABM system in its current form. The DRDO says that it will gradually enhance the ABM system to enable the interception of longer-range missiles.

For now, deployment is on track, says the DRDO’s missile chief. The radar network that is needed to detect an incoming enemy missile is already being sited. This includes a Long Range Tracking Radar (LRTR), which Bangalore-based Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) has developed in collaboration with Israeli company, ELTA. The LRTR picks up incoming missiles at ranges out to 300 kilometres.

The ABM system also has a “guidance radar”, which tracks the incoming missile in its terminal phase and guides the interceptor missile onto the target. The DRDO developed the guidance radar in collaboration with French company, Thales. In addition, ABM systems also use satellite-based detection systems to detect enemy missile launches.

ABM systems are controversial; strategists argue that they destabilise a nuclear balance, incentivising the production of more nuclear weapons to defeat an enemy’s ABM shield. Indeed, Pakistan now has the world’s fastest growing nuclear arsenal after it aggressively expanded its Khushab reactor complex to produce more plutonium for bombs.

[buglerbilly]

How Many Iron Domes Does Beer Sheva Need?


An Iron Dome battery deployed in Israel. (Photo: IDF, Ori Shifrin)

Iron Dome batteries have already intercepted some 18 rockets fired into Israel

07:08 GMT, August 29, 2011 Recent events have placed the Iron Dome system back on the public agenda. In a barrage that continued for several days following the terror attack in Eilat, over one hundred Grad and Qassam rockets – aimed at Beer Sheva, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Sderot, Kiryat Gat, Gedera, Kiryat Malachi, and adjacent towns – landed in Israel.

Two recently deployed Iron Dome batteries, one in Beer Sheva and the other in Ashkelon, operated during this barrage and managed to intercept some eighteen rockets fired at the two cities. However, alongside this success – one that the heads of the defense establishment and security industries can rightly be proud of – there is also a feeling of disappointment, as some of the rockets caused damage to property and took a human toll, with one fatality in Beer Sheva and a number of injuries elsewhere.

The first responses to these results were predictable. Besides announcements about debriefings at the technical level that will be carried out within the combat units themselves in cooperation with industry representatives, the heads of the defense establishment stressed that Israel still does not have enough batteries. Defense Minister Ehud Barak noted that two additional batteries are scheduled to be incorporated into the fighting forces within the next few months, and added that he has called for a national effort to increase acquisitions, the final goal being the deployment of nine batteries by the end of 2013. Even this ORBAT is smaller than what is needed according to the defense establishment, which would like to see the deployment of fifteen batteries.

The Iron Dome system, supposed to intercept short-range (5-70 km) artillery rockets, is new in service, innovative, and unique. There is nothing like it anywhere in the world, neither already in operational use nor even in development. One Iron Dome battery includes radar, a fire control center, and three launchers, each carrying twenty Tamir interceptors. One battery is supposed to protect an area of up 150 sq km (equivalent to a circle with a 7-km radius). The process of its development was amazingly short relative to other sophisticated weapon systems. The system is experiencing some growing pains, and technical debriefings will help improve its future use. These improvements will be facilitated by the close cooperation between the units operating the system and the system developers and manufacturers.

The heads of the defense establishment are correct in saying that two batteries are not enough to protect all civilian targets, and certainly one battery is not enough to protect a city the size of Beer Sheva, the second largest city in Israel in terms of area – 117.5 sq km.

However, the “failure” in Beer Sheva is more than a technical problem or system immaturity, or a function of too few batteries or interceptors. Rather, the failure stems from the fact that there isn’t – and indeed cannot be – any system good enough to provide 100 percent protection. Specifically, a system such as Iron Dome has limitations in terms of the protection it can provide; there is also a limit to the area it can protect (its “footprint”). A statement such as “a battery is capable of protecting an area of 150 sq km” does not indicate the shape of that area (e.g., it is not necessarily a circle), nor does it say that there is equal protection extended to every spot within that area. The interception capability for any given point within the area depends on components such as the speed of the intercepted rockets, their altitude, and their particular flight trajectory.

More importantly, the defensive capabilities are limited to the number of interceptions the system can undertake at any given moment. If more rockets are launched at the protected area than the battery can handle, some will necessarily penetrate. Technical improvements or improved training or drilling of the personnel manning the batteries may alter this fact, but they cannot change the principle: the protective system has a saturation point.

What, then, is the significance of this data? When the target being protected is a city, the operational benefit of deploying the system is relatively small, because although deploying a battery to protect a civilian area will surely reduce the number of casualties and the damage to property, the residents of the protected city will not feel the difference. They will still have to heed Home Front Command announcements and will still have to run to protected locations the moment they hear the siren, because rockets will still fall within city limits. Israel’s experience shows that it takes only a few rockets to disrupt the normal routine. By contrast, Iron Dome batteries can make a significant operational difference in defending non-civilian targets, especially in an era in which the threat is gradually changing from unguided, imprecise rockets, representing a “statistical” weapon, to guided rockets and missiles with growing accuracy. The acquisition of the latter may make the enemy change tactics. There is little point in firing precision rockets (apparently more expensive) in a spray over an entire city. There is, however, great point in firing them at selected strategic targets, whose area is usually small: army bases, power stations, transportation hubs, and other strategic infrastructure installations. It will be easier to protect these types of targets, precisely because they are smaller, and protecting these important targets may make a real operational difference.

However, the Iron Dome system is first and foremost a political system. The heads of the IDF did not understand this when for years they were opposed to its development. They knew the operational considerations, but did not understand that political leaders in a democratic country would find it very difficult to tell the citizens that the technical capabilities for protecting them existed but they were deciding against putting them in place. Once the system was delivered to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the army demanded it be deployed not to protect the cities but rather to position it to protect certain locations as dictated by the needs of the hour. Only directives from the political echelon forced the army to change its position. There is no better illustration of this point than the number of appeals presented by municipal leaders before the Supreme Court regarding deployment of the Iron Dome system.

So too for the demand to acquire another nine or fifteen Iron Dome systems, and so too for the David’s Sling system still in development: the reasons for the development of these systems are first political and only then operational. Such considerations will determine the number of deployed systems and their locations, and in the set of considerations about protecting the civilian home front, these are indeed important factors.

----
Yiftah Shapir, Institute for National Security Studies (INSS)
(INSS Insight No. 277)

[buglerbilly]

Turkey backs Nato missile defence shield against Iran

Turkey has dropped its opposition to Nato’s missile defence system aimed at countering ballistic missile threats from neighbouring Iran by agreeing to host American early warning radar stations.

11:55AM BST 02 Sep 2011

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Friday that negotiations over the Alliance’s anti-missile shield had reached “their final stages.”

“It is anticipated that the early warning radar system allocated by the US for Nato will be deployed in our country,” said a statement.

“Turkey’s hosting of this element will constitute our country’s contribution to the defence system being developed in the framework of Nato’s new strategic concept. It will strengthen Nato’s defence capacity and our national defence system.”

Last November, Nato leaders approved a new mission statement for the Western military Alliance, committing among other things to missile defence.

Nato’s “ Strategic Concept” for the coming decade, approved at a summit in Lisbon, confirmed its core task of defending its territory and the commitment to collective defence of its 28 members.

Turkey, with Nato’s second biggest military, has a geo-strategic importance to the Alliance dating back to its role as a front-line state in the Cold War era. But its value to Nato has risen as Middle East states with anti-Western policies, like Iran, have developed their missile capabilities.

Until Friday, Turkey, which has cultivated close ties with its neighbour Iran, had threatened to block the deal if Tehran is explicitly named as a threat to be countered by the Nato system.

Ankara had also been at odds with the US and EU over their stance toward Iran’s nuclear programme, arguing for a diplomatic solution to the standoff instead of sanctions.

But the agreement over hosting the Nato radar comes at a time when Turkey and Iran appear to be differing on their approach toward Syria, with Turkey becoming increasingly critical of Iranian ally Syria’s brutal suppression of anti-regime protests.

Under the Nato plans, a limited system of US anti-missile interceptors and radars already planned for Europe - to include interceptors in Romania and Poland as well as the radar in Turkey - would be linked to expanded European-owned missile defences. That would create a broad system that protects every Nato country against medium-range missile attack.

Russia opposes the planned system, which it worries could threaten its own nuclear missiles or undermine their deterrence capability.

Russia agreed to consider a Nato proposal last year to cooperate on the missile shield, but insisted the system be run jointly. Nato rejected that demand and no compromise has been found yet.

[buglerbilly]

MEADS Integrated Launcher Electronics System Completes First Simulated Missile Launch

(Source: Lockheed Martin; issued Sept. 13, 2011)

ORLANDO, Fla. --- The Medium Extended Air Defense System's (MEADS) Integrated Launcher Electronics System (ILES) recently executed a simulated missile launch, marking another in a series of significant test accomplishments.

The successful ILES test moves the MEADS program closer to its first major test event in November at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

MEADS International Vice President Volker Weidemann said, "The ILES tests confirm increasing readiness for our upcoming flight tests, which will demonstrate the greater defensive coverage and 360-degree capability unique to MEADS. No other air and missile defense system provides the protection and lethality of MEADS."

MEADS is a next-generation, ground-mobile air and missile defense system that incorporates the hit-to-kill Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) Missile, 360-degree radars, netted and distributed battle management and high-firepower launchers. The system combines superior battlefield protection with new flexibility to protect forces and critical assets against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft.

Earlier this year, the ILES was delivered to a Lockheed Martin laboratory, where it was evaluated for flight test readiness. Within the first two months at the lab, the ILES was able to power up a simulated PAC-3 MSE missile, check the missile's health status and fire the missile batteries.

Less than four months after arriving at the laboratory, the ILES and missile performed the complete pre-launch sequence for the first time. Then, after receiving a command launch message, the ILES powered up a MEADS missile, ignited the batteries, and gave the motor ignition command, enabling the missile to execute a simulated launch.

The test sequence makes use of a software model battle manager and other ground equipment. A sophisticated real-time simulation provides target and track data, and integration and evaluation software emulates communications between the battle manager and the launcher. Integration work will continue in preparation for an initial flight test scheduled for November.

MEADS International President Dave Berganini said, "In partnership with our European teammates, we are confident we can demonstrate the increased coverage and lower ownership costs that MEADS was designed to provide. Unlike other systems, MEADS can see and eliminate 21st century threats from further away and without any blind spots."

MEADS improves capability to defend troops and critical assets through improvements in range, interoperability, mobility and full 360-degree defense capability against the evolving threat. MEADS defends up to eight times the coverage area with far fewer system assets and significantly reduces demand for deployed personnel and equipment, which reduces demand for airlift.

MEADS International, a multinational joint venture headquartered in Orlando, Fla., is the prime contractor for the MEADS system. Major subcontractors and joint venture partners are MBDA in Italy, LFK in Germany and Lockheed Martin in the United States.

- ENDS -

[buglerbilly]

Patriot Missiles Useless as Radar Out of Order



Three of the eight radars at eight Patriot missile batteries have been suspended for a few months due to malfunction, it emerged on Sunday. Once they break down, radars become incapable of guiding Patriot missiles toward targets. Simply put, malfunctioning radars render the Patriot missile system useless.

The Patriot missiles, a surface-to-air missile capable of intercepting enemy aircraft or missiles in midair, were deployed under the Air Force's "SAM-X" next-generation air-defense missile project and are the South Korean military's key air-defense weapons.

The military spent W1.36 trillion (US$1=W1,109) on the deployment of Patriot missiles at eight batteries in 2009 in efforts to establish a Korean air and missile defense system capable of intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles. Each Patriot battery consists of six missile launch pads and a radar.

But according to Grand National Party lawmaker Kim Jang-soo, three of the eight target tracking radars are out of service -- one since its power supply broke down in March; another after its compressor broke down in April; and the third after its "identification, friend or foe" system broke down in March and its frequency generator went out of order in June.

Of 32,149 Patriot system parts it intended to acquire from Germany, the military had procured only 10 percent or 3,142 parts by July. It also lacks a proper maintenance float program in place.

"We plan to put the radars into full operation by early next year," an Air Force spokesman said. "But problems can occur because they are now in limited operation. We're going to import parts to replace the ones that caused the breakdowns by year's end."

The Air Force had been wanting to procure Patriot missiles since the mid-1980s, but the plan was delayed by budget problems. After some twists and turns, it began buying cheap second-hand Patriot missiles from the German military in 2006. To build a complete Patriot system of its own, the Air Force used the PAC-2 GEM+ system, which has limited intercept capabilities, for the launch pads and the new U.S.-made PAC-3 system for ground control. Through this "patch-up," the Air Force was able to save nearly W1 trillion, but it has faced persistent problems including the current debacle, experts believe.

Earlier, it was revealed that counter-battery radars used to locate the sources of North Korean long-range artillery fire also break down often, seriously hampering the South's defenses.

The old counter-battery radar TPQ-36 system broke down 98 times and the newer TPQ-37 60 times over the past five years.

englishnews@chosun.com / Sep. 19, 2011 12:45 KST

[buglerbilly]

MBDA Germany Prepares the Way for C- RAM Laser Weapon System

(Source: MBDA; issued Sept. 22, 2011)



The ability to direct 10 kW laser power over a long distance and reach a target with a high quality beam is a decisive forward step. MBDA Germany has conducted several successful tests with its laser demonstrator. This is evidence of major progress in terms of achieving a C-RAM (Counter Rocket, Artillery, Mortar) laser weapon system. The results also confirm MBDA Germany’s leading position in Europe in this domain.

For the first time, 10 kW laser power reached a moving target located more than two kilometres away while retaining a high quality beam. The tracking of dynamic objects and the effects on the object were demonstrated over a distance of more than 2,300 m and an altitude differential of 1,000 m under real-life environmental conditions.

These results are of major significance. The successful combating of RAM munitions is of major importance for the protection of soldiers in the field. However, this also represents several technical challenges. Defence against RAM munitions is only possible to a limited extent with current cannon systems or missiles. These difficulties arise from the high speed of artillery munitions, the small signatures of mortar munitions, the required combat distance in excess of 1,000 m and the necessary combat velocity. In this respect, laser weapons are exceptionally well suited for use against RAM munitions.

However, since countermeasures against RAM must be carried out within a few seconds, it is necessary to achieve high laser power and a high quality laser beam against a fast moving target at distances of between 1,000 m and 3,000 m. This is the only way to guarantee the protection of a field camp using such a laser weapon.

The experts at MBDA Germany have now proven that their laser demonstrator is already able to deliver high laser power and a high quality laser beam at a moving target over long distances. Currently, it is only possible with the geometric coupling principle that has been patented by MBDA Germany. This therefore lays the groundwork for the development of a C- RAM laser weapon system.

A European consortium led by MBDA Germany has been developing the major aspects of the system in a study being conducted on behalf of the European Defence Agency (EDA) since 2009. Integration investigations with appropriate hardware have also been carried out. The final selection of a platform for the laser weapon system will be made once all the relevant conditions have been established. This process is currently underway in close consultation with users and suppliers.

The successful tests by MBDA Germany have been conducted on behalf of the German Federal Office for Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) at the latter’s WTD 52 testing site.

MBDA Germany comprises LFK-Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH together with its subsidiaries (TDW and Bayern-Chemie). As a part of Europe’s MBDA Group, MBDA Germany employs around 1,300 persons at its sites in Schrobenhausen, Unterschleissheim, Ulm and Aschau am Inn.

With industrial facilities in four European countries and within the USA, in 2010 MBDA achieved a turnover of 2.8 billion euros with an order book of 10.8 billion euros. With more than 90 armed forces customers in the world, MBDA is a world leader in missiles and missile systems. MBDA is jointly held by BAE Systems (37.5%), EADS (37.5%) and Finmeccanica (25%).

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Russian company returns prepayment to Iran for S-300

Political Desk

On Line: 24 September 2011 19:08
In Print: Sunday 25 September 2011

Rosoboronexport has turned out in a biggest financial loss over the last four years after returning a $167 million in prepayment to Iran for unfulfilled supply of S-300 air defense missile systems, Rosoboronexport Head Anatoliy Isaikin said in an interview with Kommersant Daily.

"The unrealized delivery of S-300 to Iran has been the largest financial loss for our company [since the beginning of his leadership in 2007]," Isaikin said. "We owed Tehran the prepayment of $167 million."

He noted that a commitment to return the prepayment enters in contracts with any country.

"According to a contract, a customer, in this case Iran, sends a prepayment to a Russian enterprise, which produce military products, and this prepayment is intended for launch of the production," Isaikin said.

"In its turn, Rosoboronexport gives a guarantee to return this prepayment in case of unforeseen circumstances. This refers to force majeure circumstances, such as the UN Security Council’s sanctions. It has happened. Therefore, we should return this amount and we have done it."

This is not a very big amount, however this is a loss for the company, he stressed.

The contract to supply Iran with the missile system was signed at the end of 2007. Russia was to supply five divisions' worth of S-300PMU-1 for $800 million. Russia canceled the contract to supply Tehran with S-300 systems because of UN sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

On Sept. 22, 2010, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree banning the transfer of S-300 missiles, armored vehicles, combat aircrafts, helicopters and ships to Iran.

This is envisaged by a presidential decree on measures to implement UN Security Council resolution 1929, dated June 9, 2010.

On June 20, 2011, Isaikin allowed the possibility of resuming negotiations with Iran on the S-300 after lifting UN sanctions.

Early September, Iran has appealed to the International Court of Arbitration over Russia’s refusal to implement a contract for the supply of the S-300 systems to Iran.

(Source: Trend News Agency)

[buglerbilly]

Israel's Iron Dome gains anti-aircraft role

Arie Egozi Tel Aviv

4 hours ago

Source: Flight

I'd always assumed it had in any case.........:shrug

The "Iron Dome" system deployed to protect the Israeli population from short-range rockets is also efficient against aircraft up to an altitude of 32,800ft (10,000m).

A Rafael source said that during the deployment of the first three systems the Israeli air force has learned about the extra capability.

"It will serve as another layer in our anti-aircraft deployment that consists of upgraded Hawk and Patriot missiles," the source said.

In the past few months, Iron Dome batteries have intercepted more than 90% of the BM-21 Grad and Kassam rockets launched from Gaza into Israel.

A mobile defence system aimed at intercepting short-range rockets and artillery shells, Iron Dome avoids causing collateral damage by detonating a target warhead away from the defended area. Its interceptor has an effective range up to 70km (38nm), according to Rafael.

Foreign sources have indicated that Singapore has already purchased the Iron Dome system, with other countries also likely to show interest.

[buglerbilly]

Tehran Mullahs to Putin: See You in Court!

By Adam Rawnsley October 3, 2011 | 11:00 am



More Iranian farce.................

Iran’s tussle with Russia over a missile deal gone awry reached soap opera territory long ago. After months of smack talk, the Mullahs have now got their money back from their erstwhile business partners in Moscow. But they don’t have their prized S-300 air defense missile. So now they’re pledging to carry on against Russia with the vilest of all asymmetric warfare tactics: a court battle.

Russia’s Rosoboronexport has now forked over Iran’s $167 million prepayment on the canceled sale of S-300 air defense missiles. In August, it said it was making good on threats to sue the Russians over the sale and launching a lawsuit at the International Court of Arbitration. Its money returned, though, Iran is still feeling feisty and litigious.

“We have received our prepayment from Russia, but we have sent our complaint to the International Court of Arbitration to receive compensation,” Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi told Iranian state news on Wednesday. In other words, thanks for the cash, but we’d still like to see the global equivalent of Judge Judy.

Russia first agreed to sell Iran its long-range S-300 in 2007, but the deal dragged on for years without an actual missile handover. The Bush administration tried to sway Russia against the sale. The Obama White House also tried its hand following a diplomatic “reset” with Russia and allied pressure against the deal. In 2010, Russia finally said nyet and canceled the sale, citing U.N. sanctions on Iran as prohibiting transfer of the missiles.

The three-decade-old S-300 isn’t the most advanced air defense system in the world, but it would be a big improvement over Iran’s existing air defense. They can take down airborne targets like fighter jets, and later versions of the missile have a range of up to 200 kilometers. That’s enough to give countries like the U.S. and Israel pause when considering a strike on the country’s nuclear systems — hence the pressure on Russia not to sell.

But why cry over spoiled milk, Iran? You claimed last week that you’re nearing production on that backyard version of the S-300. Or could it be that your homebrew air defenses aren’t any more likely to conjur an S-300 capability than your lawsuit?

Photo: Wikipedia.org

[buglerbilly]

Missile Defense Momentum Builds In Europe

Oct 4, 2011

By Robert Wall, Amy Svitak, Amy Butler
London, Paris, Washington



Europe will never match the U.S.’s passion for missile defense; but step-by-step, Washington’s NATO partners are moving to build up capacities that could augment and expand the shield the Pentagon is creating.

Progress will be slow and incremental, though, and—in terms of budget expenditure—will remain a mere fraction of what the U.S. commits to the mission area.

Nevertheless, there is clear momentum in Europe to do more, even if the main motivator is industrial base considerations: France wants to ensure that its missile sector does not lose out to U.S. rivals in providing interceptors to European and other forces, and the Netherlands wants to sustain advanced naval radar capacities.

In the NATO context, budgets are less important than symbolic steps, and this is underscored by the members’ recent move to award a €2.5 million ($3.4 million) contract to an industry team led by Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC), which will define the first elements of a plan that will enlarge the theater missile defense system to cover NATO territory and populations in Europe. Last year, NATO decided that it wanted to protect territory instead of just deployed forces. It was a long political battle, so this study effort—no matter how paltry the funding—has significant implications for the alliance’s future.

Work under the year-long effort is to be performed at the NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency in The Hague, and “the results will then be taken forward for implementation in the NATO command-and-control network to broaden the capabilities of the NATO commander well beyond those demonstrated recently in missile defense testing between the U.S. and NATO elements last month,” the organization said in announcing the contract.

Alessandro Pera, manager for the Active Layered Theater Ballistic Missile Defense (ALTBMD) program—the command, control and communications backbone for the alliance’s missile shield—says that under the new contract award, “we will work as a team with our industry and national partners, in close consultation with both the NATO military and relevant NATO committees, to ensure we get the job done.”

The NATO contract follows a November 2010 decision at the Lisbon summit to provide the alliance with an additional layer of capability to protect Europe.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands, which has had a longtime interest in a missile shield, is pressing ahead to build up its own capacities. The Dutch defense ministry plans to expand the capabilities of the Thales Smart-L radar on Dutch frigates to take on BMD roles. The program’s value is estimated at €100-250 million, including logistics support and spares.

Other European navies using the sensor may follow the Dutch lead.

Dutch Defense Minister Hans Hillen notes that the Smart-L effort would help address the BMD sensor shortage within the NATO alliance. Citing NATO’s decision last year to take a more expansive approach to BMD, Hillen says Smart-L could give the ALTBMD command-and-control backbone the required long-range target-detection information. The sensor also could provide accurate launch-point detection analysis to help identify where a threat originates.

The Netherlands has already carried out a sensor trial for the expanded role in cooperation with the U.S. Navy. The move does not include the purchase of Raytheon Standard Missile SM-3 interceptors.

Both hardware and software modifications to the combat management system are needed. All four De Zeven Provincien-class frigates would be modified to ensure that two can be deployed, even as one is in maintenance and the fourth is being readied for operations.

Thales is due to complete a series of studies to prepare for the acquisition of the upgrade in the third quarter of 2012. The goal is to have the first frigates ready for operations in 2017. All four should be upgraded by the end of that year.

Although the Netherlands is leading the program, other Smart-L users, including the German navy and Denmark, have been monitoring the effort. France also has shown interest in the system, Hillen said in a letter to legislators.

France also wants to upgrade its Aster 30 interceptor to give it a basic BMD capability, although a formal contract has not been awarded.

In addition, Astrium Space Transportation, the prime contractor for France’s missile defense program, has already proposed a plan to validate the underlying technology for a €1 billion missile defense system dubbed Exoguard. The unsolicited proposal aims to achieve a flight test of an in-space interceptor around mid-decade at a cost of €225 million. Such a system would “wisely complement the U.S. Phased Adaptive Approach in terms of interception capability,” according to Astrium spokeswoman Astrid Emerit, who adds that the French armaments agency is reviewing the Exoguard proposal.

In the meantime, Emerit says the high-level requirements definition called for under the recently awarded NATO contract is to be conducted independently of national contributions to the expanded missile defense architecture. However, “the next steps will give an opportunity to incorporate the systems provided by the nations—early warning, sensors and interceptors—into the NATO architecture and under NATO command and control,” she says.

Gen. Mark Welsh, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, acknowledges the difficulties that NATO faces in sorting out burden-sharing for the missile defense mission.

“The cost of this terrifies the countries,” he tells Aviation Week.

Welsh suggests that NATO countries adopt a more holistic approach to supporting the mission, such as considering common funding and purchases, contributing medical forces in the event of an attack, or providing decontamination expertise following a chemical or biological event.

“There are lots of things they can do if they would look at things with a little bit broader scope than they have,” says Welsh. “Many of the nations can contribute in ways, for example, in offensive operations. Many have capabilities that would allow us to go in and strike a missile site before it launches an attack, if NATO ever made that decision.”

In the meantime, he says, the alliance needs to stay focused on setting up a command-and-control system rather than worrying about sensors and weapons.

“We are at step zero right now trying to build this,” he declares, adding that the alliance is awaiting approval to deploy an interim operational capability in May that would facilitate data exchanges between the disparate command-and-control systems operated by NATO and the U.S.

“The first step is connectivity, we still have to prove that,” he maintains. “To me, the idea is to prove you can do command and control, get a clear commitment to move forward on expansion of the capability, and then worry about the sensors and then the weapons. Without the sensors, the weapons don’t matter.”

An actual flight test pitting a German Patriot terminal defense battery against a short-range missile target is scheduled for November, according to Welsh. During the trial in the eastern Mediterranean, a U.S. Aegis cruiser will provide target tracking.

Raytheon, meanwhile, is still fighting to win a foothold for its Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) in Europe. The company continues its push to persuade continental navies to embrace the SM-3 Block 1B for missile defense roles, and says it has largely validated the dual-mode data link that would be key to the concept.

The data link would feature both S-and X-band capability—the former to support the Aegis radar system used by the U.S. and others, and the latter for the Smart-L/APAR (active phased array radar) combination used, for instance, by the Dutch navy. Testing has gone beyond the brassboard stage in the 18 months of company-funded work, says Wes Kremer, Raytheon vice president for air and missile defense systems. Another 6-8 months of engineering activity would be needed, largely to reduce the size of the data link to what is needed for missile integration. All the waveforms that the data link has to support have been validated, says Kremer.

Raytheon’s current goal is centered on gaining the backing of the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark.

On the industry side, Thales in the Netherlands would play a key role in integrating the missile with the radar system, says Kremer. The Dutch also could be instrumental if a missile-pooling concept being proposed for European navies take off.

The SM-3 Block 1B recently flew its first intercept test but failed to hit the target. Kremer says the review group has just begun the data analysis and large amounts of telemetry are available.

Separately, ThalesRaytheonSystems says it has completed factory system tests of NATO’s Air Command and Control System (ACCS), which eventually is to grow to have a BMD role. Development of ACCS suffered large delays owing to software development problems, but company officials say the baseline capability is now ready for trials at NATO’s Test and Validation Facility and at national sites.

Photo: US Navy

[buglerbilly]

NATO Plans Interim Missile Defense Capability

Oct 4, 2011

By Robert Wall



LONDON — When defense ministers from NATO member states meet this week in Brussels, missile defense will be on the agenda. And while concrete decisions are not expected, Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen hopes to be ready to declare some meaningful progress next year.

“Step by step, NATO’s territorial missile defense is becoming a reality,” he tells reporters in advance of the defense ministerial. He says he is hopeful that at the time the heads of government of NATO members meet next year in Chicago, the alliance will be ready “to declare an interim operational capability.”

Poland, Romania and Turkey already have agreed to host elements of the U.S.-European Phase Adaptive Approach — a key element of the NATO concept — and Rasmussen says others will be asked this week to prepare commitments.

More broadly, the ministers are likely to discuss the report from an Allied Command Transformation task force exploring potential areas of increased cooperation. Rasmussen has been pushing for more cooperation as part of his “Smart Defense” agenda and says he will work with governments in the coming months to identify projects they may be ready to lead. Program decisions are not expected this week, he notes.

Moreover, a decision by NATO to terminate military operations over Libya remains in limbo. Although Rasmussen says NATO is ready to stop its efforts as soon as the situation on the ground allows, he does not expect this week’s meeting to reach that conclusion.

Photo: Luftwaffe

[buglerbilly]

Wednesday, October 5, 2011, 10:45 AM

First prototype of the new Russian air defense missile system S-500 will be ready and tested by 2015.

The development of Russia's formidable S-500 air defense system is lagging behind schedule by at least two years, the Izvestia daily said on Wednesday, October 5, 2011, citing a defense industry source. According to the source, the first prototypes will be ready and tested by 2015, while the deliveries to the Russian army could start in 2017 at the earliest.


Russian S-500 TEL (77P6) launcher vehicle air defense missile system line drawing

"The production cycle of this system is about two years. Therefore, even if the prototypes are ready by 2015, the military will not receive production models earlier than in 2017," the source said.

A source in the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that the earlier announced schedule of S-500 deliveries in 2015 was "too optimistic," as the prototypes should have already been undergoing field tests to meet the deadlines.

The S-500, a long-range air defense missile system, is expected to become the backbone of a unified aerospace defense system being formed in Russia.

The system is expected to have an extended range of up to 600 km (over 370 miles) and simultaneously engage up to 10 targets.

The Russian military has demanded that the system must be capable of intercepting ballistic missiles and hypersonic cruise missiles and plans to order at least ten S-500 battalions for the future Russian Aerospace Defense.

[buglerbilly]

THAAD Hits Two Targets on the First Unit’s Operational Qualification Test


The U.S. Army Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system performed a successful intercept October 5, 2011, scoring simultaneous kills of two targets. Photo: Lockheed Martin

The U.S. Army Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system performed a successful intercept today, scoring almost simultaneous kill of two targets. The test was conducted at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) on Kauai, Hawaii, as part of the The test, part of the first THAAD unit’s initial operational qualification phase. During the mission, the first THAAD missile intercepted an air-launched short-range ballistic missile target. The second THAAD missile intercepted a sea-launched short-range ballistic missile target a short time later.

The first THAAD unit, Alpha Battery, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade deployed from its home base at Fort Bliss, Texas, in mid-August, operating at the PMRF under the control of the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command during the flight test. In order to make this a realistic tactical environment, the soldiers did not know what day or time the mission would occur. Since 2005, the program has completed 12 flight tests, with nine-for-nine intercepts. the first THAAD battery was activated in 2008.

[buglerbilly]

India studying NATO offer on joining missile programme

T. S. Subramanian

DRDO is getting ready to launch Agni-II Prime

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's (NATO) invitation to India in the first week of September to be a partner in its ballistic missile defence (BMD) programme is being analysed, according to V.K. Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister.

“We are analysing the report. It is under consideration,” he said on September 30 after the successful launch of the Agni-II ballistic missile from the Wheeler Island on the Orissa coast.

India has so far conducted six interceptor missile tests as part of its quest to establish a credible shield against ballistic missiles launched from adversarial countries. Of these, five interceptor tests, including the first three in a row, were successful.

The first interceptor missile test took place in November 2006.

These six tests featured a missile launched from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur on the Orissa coast, mimicking the path of a ballistic missile coming from an “enemy country” and an interceptor launched from the Wheeler Island destroying the incoming missile in mid-flight.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is the author of India's BMD programme and Dr. Saraswat is the programme's architect. He is DRDO Director-General.

Ballistic clash

A top DRDO official had described an interceptor destroying an incoming ballistic missile in mid-flight as “hitting a bullet with a bullet.”

After three successful test-flights of Shourya, Prithvi-II and Agni-II missiles, all surface-to-surface missiles, on September 24, 26 and 30, the DRDO is getting ready to launch Agni-II Prime from the Wheeler Island. “The two stages of Agni-II Prime, their rocket motors and the re-entry vehicle are ready,” the DRDO Director-General said.

Tessy Thomas, Project Director, Agni-II Prime, said: “We are flying” the Agni-II Prime in the first week of November and that “everything is ready” for the launch. The two-stage missile has a range of 3,000 km.

It will lift off from a road-mobile launcher, that is, a huge truck. Ms. Thomas was confident that a problem in the control system of Agni-II Prime in its maiden flight in December 2010 would be overcome this time.

The DRDO is also busy with the maiden launch of the Agni-V ballistic missile in December. The three-stage, surface-to-surface missile can take out targets 5,000 km away.

On schedule

“Agni-V is on schedule. We will launch it as announced by the Raksha Mantri [Defence Minister A.K. Antony] by the end of this year,” said Avinash Chander, Chief Controller (Missiles and Strategic Systems), DRDO. “All the sub-systems have been tested.”

Both the Agni-II Prime and Agni-V can carry nuclear warheads.

[buglerbilly]

IDF warns of budget cut repercussions

Security establishment officials say NIS 3 billion defense budget slash, approved by the Cabinet as part of Trajtenberg Report, will halt development of missile defense systems, ground large number of jets, tanks; call it 'matter of life or death'

Yoav Zitun Published: 10.09.11, 21:48 / Israel News


Will Iron Dome suffer slowdown? Photo: Eyal Fisher

Budget Wars- Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Sunday warned Cabinet members against approving the socioeconomic reforms recommended by the Trajtenberg Committee, but despite his best efforts, the report passed by a large majority, with 21 ministers voting in favor and eight voting against it.

As part of the committee's financial reallocation, the defense establishment will face a budget cut of some NIS 3 billion, which it claims will amount to some NIS 9 billion in reality, and will slow down the development of missile defense systems, and also significantly limit the number of military drills, equipment and ammunition stockpiles.

IDF sources predicted that the new, trimmed-down budget will slow down the development of the Iron Dome missile defense system, and enable the deployment of only six batteries throughout the country.

The development of the Magic Wand defense system for medium-range missiles and Arrow 2 and 3, designed to thwart long-range missiles, officials warned, might come to a complete halt.


IDF Chief Benny Gantz, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Miniter
Matan Vilnai (Photo: Eli Elgarat)

Security establishment officials are also concerned that the budget cut will lead to an "operational grounding" of some one third of all IAF jets, as well as some 20% of IDF tanks.

The Navy, officials added, is also expected to suffer a cutback of up to a fifth of its operations, and the military's cyber warfare program will also most likely be put on ice.

The officials claimed that leaders of the socioeconomic protest movement did not include the reduction of military expenditures on their list of demands, and that they probably did not realize it was "a matter of life or death."

IDF sources also stressed that between 2003 and 2009, the wages of military personnel did not increase, and suggested that if governmental offices and the public sector would have maintained a similar financial responsibilty, some NIS 53 billion could have been saved.

[buglerbilly]

Meads Prepares For Critical November Test

Oct 12, 2011

By Andy Nativi



GENOA, Italy — The fate of Lockheed Martin’s Medium Extended Air Defense System (Meads) is far from assured, but the chances it will at least persist through its development phase are increasing.

One decisive event is the upcoming flight test, the first of a planned series of three. After integration and testing at Pratica di Mare in Italy, and then at Lockheed Martin facilities in Dallas, the Meads battery was moved to White Sands, N.M., in preparation for the Nov. 17 test.

The goal is to demonstrate the system’s unique ability to fire a missile to address threats from any direction (Aerospace DAILY, Aug. 17). But the demonstration actually could be a pass/fail test for the whole program.

Further flight tests are scheduled in 2012 and 2013. Although the original program called for seven tests in this phase, the effort was cut to keep it within the $3.4 billion ceiling of the restructured development program.

The missile defense effort was a hot target on Capitol Hill this year. Both House defense committees made cuts to the program, while the Senate Armed Services Committee sought to eliminate all funding for the trinational effort.

While supporters and enemies of Meads are still battling in Congress, in Europe the two international partners — Germany and Italy — are pledging support not only to complete system development, but also to proceed into the production phase in 2014.

In Italy, the defense ministry’s procurement chief took the unusual step of issuing a public statement confirming his country’s commitment to the program, arguing that Meads “is a latest-generation system which [will have no] rival for the next decades and will provide complete anti-ballistic [missile] defense for deployed forces as well as for civilian targets during major events” (Aerospace DAILY, July 20).

On Oct. 12, the so-called “5 power” meeting in Brussels is expected to see the formal approval of an updated Meads program schedule and goals that were defined in February at the level of the partners’ national armament directors. The Italian statement also refers to letters of support for Meads written by the U.S. Army’s deputy chief of staff and the head of U.S. European Command.

It also points out that there are other nations interested in being involved in Meads as partners. Indeed, Italy want Meads as the cornerstone of its anti-air/anti-ballistic missile capabilities. At least three batteries are planned by the Italian air force (the initial requirement was for nine batteries, which was repeatedly cut down to its current level of three).

The Italian defense ministry also is considering backup plans in case the program is torpedoed by the U.S. either before it completes development or just prior to a production decision. At a minimum, Italy wants to preserve as much as possible of the technologies developed for Meads. A European variant of the system is one of the alternatives being evaluated.

But for the time being, every effort is being made to assure Meads’ survival. The Italian undersecretary of defense, Guido Crosetto, wrote a strongly worded letter to his U.S. counterparts pointing out that if the U.S. decides unilaterally to end the development, it will have to pay the full termination costs alone.

Some military sources say it seems incongruous that the U.S. is asking its European partners to spend money on missile defense, while at the same time it plans to kill the most advanced trans-Atlantic missile defense cooperation program.

Photo: Lockheed Martin

[buglerbilly]

First MEADS battle manager begins integration testing

October 13, 2011

MEADS International (MI) has begun integration testing on the first completed Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) battle manager at the MEADS Verification Facility in Orlando, Fla.

The MEADS battle manager controls a revolutionary network-centric open architecture that allows any combination of sensors and launchers to be organized into a single air and missile defense battle element. Through a capability called "plug-and-fight," sensors, shooters or other battle managers act as nodes on the network. From the MEADS battle manager, a commander can add or subtract nodes as the situation dictates without shutting down the system.

The battle manager completed acceptance testing in May at MBDA in Fusaro, Italy, and arrived in Orlando in early July.

MI President David Berganini said, "The MEADS system is ready to prove what it can do. MEADS will demonstrate coverage and flexibility that other systems cannot provide, including complete 360-degree defense that protects our warfighters against next-generation threats. While able to defend up to eight times the area of current systems, MEADS is also designed to reduce operation and support costs."

System elements are on schedule for an initial launch test at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) later this year.

Using the MEADS system stimulator, which consists of multiple special test equipment units for integration and test to emulate the external environment of a MEADS fire unit, MI will simulate scenarios that exercise all functions for the first intercept flight test in 2012. The MEADS battle manager will configure the other major end items and receive Surveillance Radar tracks for simulated threats, cue the Multifunction Fire Control Radar, send launch commands, and complete interceptor launches and target intercepts. When integration test goals have been met, this entire suite of hardware will be shipped to WSMR to support the flight test program.

MI Systems Engineering, Integration and Test Team Director Norbert Wuehrer said, "Using our end-to-end simulation lets us test more rigorously and significantly reduces risk prior to deploying to White Sands Missile Range."

The MEADS system combines superior battlefield protection with new flexibility to protect forces and critical assets against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft. It improves capability to defend troops and critical assets through improvements in range, interoperability, mobility and full 360-degree defense capability against the evolving threat. MEADS defends up to eight times the coverage area with far fewer system assets and significantly reduces demand for deployed personnel and equipment, which reduces demand for airlift.

Source: Lockheed Martin

[buglerbilly]

MDA: Missile Interceptor Not Ready For Space Flight

By Carlo Munoz

Published: October 17, 2011



Washington: The stress and strain of flying through outer space proved too much for a futuristic Pentagon weapon, causing it to fail a key test flight last December.

Pressure caused by "outer space-related dynamic environments" on the Missile Defense Agency's Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) wreaked havoc on the weapon's control system, causing it to fly off course moments before hitting its target, according to an MDA statement released today.

The EKV is a defensive weapon designed to take out enemy ballistic missiles in mid-flight. It is a key element in the Pentagon's Ground-Based Midcourse Defense program.

The weapon used during last December's failed flight test was a more advanced version of the EKV already in place at missile defense locations in California and Alaska, according to the release.

During the test, a ballistic missile outfitted with an EKV, launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., was supposed to knock out a dummy missile target launched from MDA's test site on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

The EKV-equipped missile was on track to hit the target missile up until the final moments before impact, MDA officials explained. Right then, a "guidance error" in the EKV caused it to miss the target missile as both missiles flew through the upper reaches of outer space.

Both weapons ended up crashing somewhere in the Pacific ocean.

In the aftermath of the failed test, MDA engineers concluded that glitches in the EKV's guidance system were not caused by design or "quality control" problems with the weapon itself. The guidance system failed because it could not withstand the space portion of the test flight, according to MDA.

Further study showed that the guidance system problems found on the test weapon did not affect the EKV's currently in the continental United States, agency officials pointed out.

"Corrective design steps are being pursued and tested on the ground" to find out which aspects of the space flight damaged the weapon's guidance system. Agency officials plan to begin a new round of testing by next spring, according to the statement.

[buglerbilly]

Phased Adaptive Missile Systems Late, Costly Says Critic

By Otto Kreisher

Published: October 18, 2011



Washington: A veteran Republican defense official played the skunk at the garden party today, raising serious technical and financial doubts about the Obama administration's approach to ballistic missile defense for Europe after the Missile Defense Agency director and a top State Department official praised the program.

Dov Zakheim, a senior Defense Department official under two GOP presidents, said there was no "serious analysis" to show that Obama's European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) was better than George W. Bush's "Third Site" plan, which would have extended the U.S. national missile defense system to Europe.

Zakheim expressed strong doubts that either the U.S. or NATO could afford EPAA with the growing economic and budget crisis hitting both.

He also questioned the technical aspects of EPAA and the rigid time line that would have the system able to defend Europe and the U.S. by 2020. And he challenged the claim by Army Lt. Gen. Patrick O'Reilly, MDA director, of great progress made, with three NATO members agreeing to host key parts of the system and the first phase set to be operational early next year.

Zakheim pointed out that the SM-3 block IB missile planned for the first ground-based defensive component failed its first flight test, probably forcing a delay in the 2015 deployment. He also pointed to U.S. officials having told Japan they were slowing down the more advanced missile they were co-developing for EPAA.
Delays mean higher cost, he said.

Ellen Tauscher, undersecretary of state for arms control, echoed O'Reilly's rosy view of EPAA progress, but conceded one of her top priorities, getting Russia to cooperate in the European missile defense, was not successful. Tauscher said an agreement would be "a real game changer" in relations with Russia.

She said the U.S. refused to sign a "legally binding" document stating that EPAA could not hinder Moscow's offensive missile system, but was willing to provide a written statement that appeared to provide a similar view.

[buglerbilly]

Pentagon Review Cites Raytheon Warhead Flaw

Oct 18, 2011

By Jim Wolf/Reuters
WASHINGTON

An advanced guidance system on a Raytheon warhead failed during a December 2010 intercept test of the U.S. Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system because of a design flaw that could be detected only in outer space, the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency said Monday.

“The design issue could only reveal itself in the environment of outer space, not during ground testing,” Richard Lehner, an MDA spokesman, said in an email. He said he could not be more specific.

Integration of components and deliveries of the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) were suspended early this year. [As Aviation Week reported in August, the GMD campaign remained stalled for at least another year while engineers sorted out a problem with the kill vehicle. (See AW&ST, Aug. 22, 2011, p.24)]

They are still on hold at least until a post-mission assessment of a non-intercept flight test planned for next spring, Lehner said.

John Patterson, a spokesman for Raytheon’s missile systems business unit, referred a request for company comment back to MDA.

The EKV’s guidance system had a fault related to “outer space-related dynamic environments” that caused the warhead to fail in the final seconds of the Dec. 15 test, an independent “failure review” board found, according to a public MDA statement.

“There is no indication of any quality control problem as the cause of the failure,” it said.

The warhead used in the December test was an advanced version of the operational EKV now deployed on ground-based interceptors housed in silos at Fort Greely, Alaska, and Vandenberg AFB, Calif.

Boeing, the GMD prime contractor, worked closely with the failure review board and has “high confidence in the findings,” said Scott Day, a company spokesman.

The MDA said deployed EKVs “do not have this design issue.”

Asked which company supplies the guidance system that failed, Lehner wrote: “I cannot say, since the component is classified.”

Corrective design steps are being pursued and tested on the ground and in a non-intercept test scheduled for late next spring, the MDA statement said.

Assuming the non-intercept test succeeds, the previously failed intercept test will be repeated later next year, it added.

GMD is the leading U.S. shield against long-range ballistic missiles that could be tipped with chemical, biological or nuclear warheads. The system was shaped initially to thwart missiles that could be fired by North Korea, then Iran.

A new version of Raytheon’s Standard Missile-3 interceptor, known as Block 1B, used in the overarching shield’s sea-based layer failed in its first test on April 15.

The current version of the SM-3—the SM-3 Block 1A—has had 22 successful intercepts out of 27 at-sea attempts since the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense flight testing began in 2002, MDA said at the time.

[buglerbilly]

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Germany Joins U.S. In Exiting MEADS

Posted by Robert Wall at 10/21/2011 11:51 AM CDT

Bye bye MEADS..............

As part of the German government's review of defense modernization spending, the defense ministry says it will forgo the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS).

In effect, Germany joins the U.S. in wanting to cease its involvement in the program. Italian defense officials had signaled they wanted to continue, but will not be in a position to do so alone.

MEADS has been near the termination point before, and always managed to hang on. But the headwind this time is particularly strong and the end may be near for the Lockheed Martin/MBDA effort. Industry officials were hoping a test next month could help change the minds of planners, but that seems increasingly unlikely.

The German move is good news for the Pentagon. If it alone were to walk away from MEADS, it would have owed partners large amounts of money to finish off the program. But if all the partners opt out, that would not be the case.

The cuts the German defense ministry plans also include a reduction of Eurofighter Typhoons, with the current procurement to be limited to 140 units, 37 fewer than initially planned.

The German government also is making good on its threat to curtail helicopter procurements. For instance, 42 NH90 transport helicopters will be cut from the procurement plan, capping the buy at 80 rotorcraft. Additionally, 40 Tiger attack helicopters will be cut, effectively halving the procurement objective.

But the fleet of existing aircraft also is being reduced. The Tornado fleet will be reduced to 85 aircraft from 185, and 20 Transalls will also be retired to leave a fleet of 60.

The Euro Hawk, recently unveiled publicly in Germany before the first prototype is delivered to the air force next year, would apparently be exempted, with five still to be acquired.

Germany also has reduced its A400M buy. Initially the government shaved seven aircraft from its plan to buy 60 airlifters, but parliament has told the military to shed 13 more aircraft and operate only 40 A400Ms. No further adjustments were made in the latest planning move, but the figure of 40 airlifters was confirmed.

The German government says it is making the adjustments to free up money that is now locked into legacy programs to enable it to make acquisitions for current needs.

Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere met with industry officials this week to discuss the plan. More discussions with industry over the cuts are slated for next month.

[buglerbilly]

Via Defense Update.com..................

Iron Dome in Action: A Preliminary Evaluation

This study prepared by Uzi Rubin was released by Begin-Saadat Center for Strategic Studies (BESA), October 24, 2011.

Summary: The “Iron Dome” anti-rocket active defense system was first used by Israel in April 2011 with great technical success. This prompted defense officials to finally make public the strategic objectives and limitations of the system, which, until then, had not been divulged. It also expanded the public debate on missile defense from one that focused on the
threat to Sderot and the Gaza envelope communities to a debate that included the threat of longer range rockets on larger cities deep within Israel. It can reasonably be concluded that the Iron Dome system has succeeded in saving lives and reducing damages, thus providing more flexibility to the political leadership for containing the fighting with the Hamas government in Gaza.

Israel’s new “Iron Dome” anti-rocket active defense system made its operational debut in southern Israel in two rounds of escalation in the fighting along the Gaza strip (April and August 2011). The development of active defense systems in Israel that started with Arrow in the early 1990′s and in which Iron Dome is the latest chapter has always been accompanied by acrimonious public debate and behind-the-doors battles within the defense establishment. These battles have been mainly between the political leadership and the professional military echelons – which resisted the diversion of resources from offensive to defensive weapons.

This operational debut of Iron Dome, which can be characterized as a technical success, provides an opportunity to evaluate its performance and the degree to which it fulfilled its expectations. There exists a significant degree of ambiguity about the technical and strategic expectations from the system, since Israel’s defense establishment never specified them publicly. Similarly there exists significant ambiguity about the actual performance of the system in battle, as practically no official data was released. Yet the very appearance of Iron Dome on the battlefield generated world-wide interest and was widely reported in Israel and abroad. The wealth of public domain reports permits a preliminary evaluation of its performance and implications.

Objectives and Goals

The shock of the 2006 Lebanon War was a catalyst for Israel’s decision to develop an anti-rocket system. In February 2007, Iron Dome was selected as the preferred system, though by that time, daily life in northern Israel had returned to normal. In the south, however, the tempo of the rocket offensive from Gaza was increasing. Accordingly, the public debate on Iron Dome revolved around its effectiveness in the lower limit of its capacity – namely rockets fired from 4 km away – and its ability to destroy mortar shells. Sderot, the city that suffered most from increasing Qassam rocket attacks, was the focal point of discussions on Iron Dome. The public debate barely touched on the need to defend larger cities deeper within Israel, despite the fact that longer range rockets from Gaza had been targeting Ashkelon since mid-2006.

Initially, much uncertainty surrounded Iron Dome’s role in the overall response strategy to the rocket and missile threat on Israel. Its fundamental goals – what was it expected to defend against, who or what would be defended, and what were the required defense levels – were withheld from the public. From its laconic statements one might have concluded that the defense establishment saw the role of Iron Dome as limited to the defense of the Gaza envelope against Qassams.

For example, at the end of 2007, Ehud Barak, Israel’s Minister of Defense, assumed that “within two and a half years we will be able to deploy the first system in Sderot.”1 It was only after the initial success of Iron Dome in April 2011 that senior officials in Israel’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) elaborated on its strategic objectives and limitations. Brig. Gen. (res.) Ophir Shoham, Director of the Ministry of Defense (MOD) Directorate for Research and Development (known by its acronym MAFAT), said that the system’s strategic goal is to allow the political leadership room for maneuver and to provide an alternative to escalation.2

Then-head of MAFAT’s R&D Division Brig. Gen. Danny Gold stated more specifically that the rationale for the system was threefold: ethical, economic and strategic. Ethically, the system represents the state’s obligation to protect citizens’ life and property. Economically, the system prevents the paralysis of the nation’s economy. And strategically, “[the system] is a response to the main threat from the enemy” – a way to “avoid costly military operations and allow the political leadership to have alternative courses of actions other than escalation.”3

As for the defensive capacity of Iron Dome, the program’s manager at Rafael, Yossi Drucker, warned that no system guarantees 100 percent protection. The head of the MOD program office, Lieutenant Colonel C. similarly cautioned, “No system is hermetic; the citizens should avoid complacency,”4 and Israel’s Minister of Defense Ehud Barak warned that “(Iron Dome) does not provide a 100 percent answer.”5 In a wider perspective, MAFAT Director Ophir Shoham declared that “We do not presume to shoot down thousands of rockets. Rather, we aim to minimize the damage and let the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) do other things…”6 Such objectives are much wider than simply protecting the town of Sderot.

It is unclear whether such MOD considerations played a role in the decision to launch the development of Iron Dome in February 2007 or whether they were adopted only more recently. It is reasonable to assume, however, that such or similar arguments were made behind the scenes during the acerbic confrontations between the High Command and the political leadership about the need for active defense in general and Iron Dome in particular. Be it as it may, Iron Dome is now officially tasked to fulfill three goals: Protecting Israeli life and property, providing new flexibility to the political leadership, and giving the IDF extra time to prepare for offensive operations

Iron Dome in Action

The first operational use of Iron Dome in April 2011 was in reaction to an escalation in rocket attacks from Gaza on Israeli targets. After the IDF’s offensive responses failed to stop the accelerated and deep-reaching attacks, a decision was made to deploy one of two available Iron Dome batteries over Beersheba. At this time, Iron Dome was not yet declared to have Initial Operational Capability. The deployment was completed on March 23, 2011 and was called an “operational experiment.” As tensions continued to rise and with exchanges of fire along the Gaza border, the second available battery was deployed on April 4, near Ashkelon.

On April 7, as revenge for the targeted killing of three senior operatives, Hamas fired an anti-tank missile at an Israeli school bus, killing a 16-year-old boy. In response, the IDF ratcheted up its attacks on Palestinian targets while Gaza terrorist groups (not Hamas) launched long-range rockets at Ashkelon. The Iron Dome battery that had been deployed there achieved its first interception of a Palestinian rocket that day. Over the next couple of days, Iron Dome successfully destroyed several other rockets launched at Ashkelon, while the other battery, stationed in Beersheba, was first activated on April 8, destroying at least one Grad rocket aimed at the city. Media sources reported that the new system had destroyed eight of the nine rockets that it engaged. (According to the director of MAFAT, the success rate was nine out of 10). On April 11, the Palestinians declared a ceasefire and southern Israel returned to a state of tense calm.

The next period of escalation began on August 18, 2011 when Palestinian terrorists attacked several vehicles on the highway to Eilat, killing eight Israelis. In swift retaliation the IDF killed five senior operatives of the Popular Resistance Committees, held responsible by Israel for the cross-border raid. This led to an intensified rocket offensive from Gaza on Ashkelon, Beersheba and other areas deep within Israel. The two batteries defending Beersheba and Ashkelon destroyed a significant number of incoming rockets (but rockets fired at Ashdod, Kiryat Gat, Kiryat Malachi and other towns were not engaged because no additional batteries were available).

On August 20, the Palestinians fired the largest yet salvo of rockets (the media reported 11 simultaneous launches) at Beersheba. While many of the rockets were destroyed in mid-air, one penetrated the defense screen, killing an Israeli civilian and wounding 10. The next day, another three salvoes were fired at Beersheba. No Israeli was injured, but one rocket hit an empty school that was likely located within the protective radius of Iron Dome. Seemingly then, this rocket managed to penetrate the defense screen.

The Palestinians declared another ceasefire on August 28, but the targeted killing of an Islamic Jihad operative spurred renewed rocket fire. This did not cause any further casualties in Israel and several more rockets were successfully intercepted. The IDF reacted with restraint and the rocket fire subsided after several days. According to the media, Iron Dome destroyed between 18 and 20 rockets during this period of escalation, but the Israeli defense establishment declined to provide official information on the success rate. The sole official statement came from Israel’s ambassador to the US, who cited an 85 percent success rate.7

Evaluating Iron Dome’s Technical Performance

It seems that the achievements of Iron Dome in April pleasantly surprised the IDF and the Israeli public, yet its performance in August somewhat disappointed the public (but not the IDF). The initial successes created an unjustified perception among the public of a hermetic, leak-proof defense system. The few rockets that subsequently penetrated the system during the August fighting dispelled this perception and caused a degree of disillusionment.

In the absence of official figures, our system performance evaluation must rely on indirect evidence. A total of 300 to 350 rockets of all kinds were fired by the Palestinians at Israeli targets near Gaza and deeper into Israel in the course of the two cycles of violence. Only one Israeli was killed, which means then that the effective lethality of the rockets in the two events was 300 rockets per fatality (RPF).8

The lethality of the Gaza rockets during the eight-year (2001-2009) offensive on the Gaza envelope communities averaged 254 RPF9 – however, when the 300th rocket hit Israel, four fatalities had already been incurred, hence the initial RPF stood at 75. In the 2006 Lebanon War, the initial RPF stood at 50 (it later dropped to 75).

In both cases, initial lethality was higher than the average since it took some time for the public to comply with civil defense instructions and take shelter upon alerts. Media reports on the public’s behavior during the two cycles of escalation in 2011 show that it resembled the initial pattern of the eight-year rocket offensive, with a sizable proportion of the public failing to take cover. Hence, it is legitimate to compare the effective lethality of the April and August 2011 cycles of attacks to the initial lethality of the two previous campaigns. From this perspective, the initial lethality in the 2011 escalations with an RPF of 300 was extraordinarily low.10 Since this cannot be attributed to public discipline or compliance with civil defense instructions,11 it must have been Iron Dome’s effectiveness that reduced the rockets’ lethality by about two thirds. It seems, then, that Iron Dome has achieved a significant technical success.

Israeli and Palestinian Reactions

Initial reports of Iron Dome’s success in April 2011 were received with some skepticism in Israel and even attributed by some commentators to pure luck. Nevertheless, when the April escalation ended with no Israeli casualties and the full extent of Iron Dome’s capabilities was realized, euphoria prevailed.

Throughout this round of escalation, the pattern of rocket attacks from Gaza was markedly different than in the past. Sderot, previously a magnet for Qassam attacks, enjoyed relative calm, suffering only one rocket impact throughout the April fighting. The Palestinians, instead, evidently preferred to launch longer range rockets at larger cities deeper within Israel. This facilitated the task of Iron Dome since it had to deal with longer range targets.

During the next cycle of violence in August, the Palestinians maintained their new policy of attacking larger, more distant cities. Sderot was “neglected” once again, with only two rocket impacts. It seems that the Palestinians chose this time to attack cities defended by Iron Dome in order to probe its weaknesses and attempt to penetrate its defensive screen, thereby gaining “points” among constituents for any Israeli casualties. The heavy salvo on Beersheba on August 20 – that may well have been aimed at the equidistant, undefended city of Ashdod – lends credence to this theory.

The public responses in Israel following this second cycle of escalation were more muted than previously. This time, praises for the system’s performance were accompanied by some criticism. Reuven Pedatzur, a Haaretz defense analyst and a long-time critic of missile defense in Israel (and abroad), declared that the Iron Dome concept collapsed because, among other things, “it was shown that civilians under attack could not maintain their daily life without fear”.12 A similar sentiment was expressed by former Israeli Minister of Defense Moshe Arens, who lauded the system’s technical achievement but pointed out that despite the active defense, “the rockets forced the residents of southern Israel to run for shelter.”13

Considering the warning of senior defense officials that Iron Dome cannot provide a hermetic, leak proof shield and the constant pleading by the Homeland Defense Command for the public to take cover even in cities defended by Iron Dome, it is difficult to see why both critics nurtured the mistaken notion that Iron Dome was supposed to provide “normal daily life without fear” under rocket fire.

Israel’s defense establishment continued praising the system after the August events while mayors in southern Israel clamored for Iron Dome’s deployment to their cities as it evoked a sense of security.14 Defense Minister Ehud Barak ordered the prompt deployment of a third Iron Dome battery to Ashdod and promised a fourth battery would be delivered by the end of 2011. It seems then that both the defense establishment and the general public regarded Iron Dome’s performance in the August fighting as a success, despite the Beer Sheba casualties. It also appears that the IDF overcame its historical distaste for missile defense, embracing Iron Dome with some enthusiasm.

Palestinian officials kept silent about the debut of an active defense system in the arena. Yet some sense of the mood in Gaza can be deduced from media reports on Gazans’ reactions. A Palestinian resident of Beit Lahia was quoted as saying: “People in the northern Gaza Strip can clearly see Iron Dome in action. The uselessness of our rockets was never as evident to the people as it is now.”15

Strategic Implications

About two months after the April 2011 fighting, a senior Israel Air Force officer declared, “The success of Iron Dome saved the IDF another major operation in Gaza.”16 In his view, the successful performance of the system provided decision makers with an added degree of freedom and gave them an alternative to a major offensive action. The enemy did not achieve its goal, became frustrated and ceased firing. The IDF has apparently concluded that its newly introduced active defense arm achieved its strategic goals: protecting Israeli life and property, providing new flexibility to the political leadership, and giving the IDF extra time to prepare for offensive operations. In the view of the above quoted officer, there was one further achievement: A dissuasive effect that was brought about by the enemy’s sense of frustration, motivating him to cease his fire.

It is still too early to judge how accurate this evaluation is. Iron Dome did indeed save lives and protect property. It can also be reasonably concluded that the low number of civilian casualties allowed the political leadership to act with restraint and minimize its aerial attacks on Gaza, thereby reducing collateral damage and containing the situation.

However, it is hard to see how Israel would otherwise have risked a major ground offensive in Gaza when the collapse of the Mubarak regime has strained it relations with Egypt, when Israel was gearing up for a diplomatic battle over the Palestinian UN bid for statehood, and when the political damage from Operation Cast Lead was still fresh in mind.

As for the alleged dissuasive effect of Iron Dome, this did not prevent Palestinian armed organizations in Gaza from launching large-scale rocket attacks in August. In fact, Iron Dome may have challenged them to ratchet up their fire in an effort to break through the defensive shield.

Another lesson from the two recent periods of escalation was the race between the offense and defense. The lively public debate about Iron Dome focused exclusively on its capability to defend Sderot and other Gaza envelope communities, neglecting the growing threat on larger cities deeper within Israel. It is now clear that the system’s architects were correct in designing it against both the shorter and longer range threats.

In conclusion, the jury is still out on the full implications of active defense for the Israeli-Palestinian battlefield. More data must be gathered (hopefully not too soon). Nevertheless, having already saved the lives of Israeli civilians and soldiers, and having helped the political leadership contain the fighting – which apparently it did – Iron Dome has already made a significant contribution to Israel’s security.

Uzi Rubin was head of the Israel Ministry of Defense “Arrow” defense program against long-range missiles, and is the author of the recent BESA Center study: The Missile Threat from Gaza: From Nuisance to Strategic Threat.

BESA Perspectives is published through the generosity of the Greg Rosshandler Family.

[buglerbilly]

Lightweight MEADS Launcher Arrives at White Sands for Initial Flight Test

(Source: MEADS International; issued Oct. 24, 2011)



ORLANDO, Fla., MUNICH and ROME --- After completing extensive system integration testing, the first Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) launcher has arrived at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., ready to demonstrate its advanced capabilities.

The lightweight MEADS launcher is easily transportable, tactically mobile and capable of rapid reload. It carries up to eight PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) Missiles and achieves launch readiness in minimum time.

Through improvements in range, interoperability, mobility and full 360-degree defense capability against the evolving threat, MEADS improves the ability to defend troops, friends and allies in critical areas around the globe.

At White Sands Missile Range, MEADS will demonstrate an unprecedented over-the-shoulder launch of a PAC-3 MSE against a simulated target that attacks from behind. The test will demonstrate a 360-degree capability that current air and missile defense systems cannot provide. 360-degree coverage is necessary to protect soldiers and critical assets from highly maneuverable cruise missiles and easily re-locatable short- and medium-range tactical ballistic missiles. Integration and checkout tests are continuing in preparation for a November flight test.

"The lightweight MEADS launcher is one of the most advanced mobile launchers in existence today, and it is easily adaptable to different nations' vehicles," said NATO MEADS Management Agency (NAMEADSMA) General Manager Gregory Kee. "With this upcoming test, we will demonstrate the ability to launch an interceptor 360 degrees from a single launcher thereby providing more capability to the warfighter at a lower cost to protect our soldiers against a growing air and missile threat."

Using its 360-degree defensive capability and advanced radars, MEADS will defend up to eight times the coverage area of other systems while using far fewer system assets. This reduces deployed personnel, equipment and demand for airlift to a fraction of that for current systems.

"MEADS can see and intercept 21st century threats from farther away without blind spots," said MEADS International President Dave Berganini. "MEADS' open architecture with non-proprietary software and ‘plug-and-fight' capability allows for flexible unit configurations and growth potential. A digital design with modern hardware and software ensures high reliability rates and dramatically reduces operational and support costs."

The MEADS system combines superior battlefield protection with new flexibility to protect forces and critical assets against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft. It improves capability to defend troops and critical assets through improvements in range, interoperability, mobility and full 360-degree defense capability against the evolving threat.

MEADS International, a multinational joint venture headquartered in Orlando, Fla., is the prime contractor for the MEADS system. Major subcontractors and joint venture partners are MBDA in Italy, LFK in Germany and Lockheed Martin in the United States. The MEADS program management agency NAMEADSMA is located in Huntsville, Ala.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

IDF sets up Magic Wand Unit

Air Force lays groundwork for new operational unit that will protect central Israel against medium, long-range missiles aimed at country's 'soft belly'

Yoav Zitun Published: 10.26.11, 14:42 / Israel News

Video at source here: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4139576,00.html

The IDF is perparing to establish a new unit that will address missile threats on densely populated areas in central Israel.

After the deployment of the Iron Dome missile defense system, which has provided southern Israel with limited yet efficient protection from Qassam and Grad missiles, the defense establishment is forging ahead with developing the Magic Wand system, designed to thwart mid and long-rage missiles.

Over the past few weeks, the Air Force has completed laying the groundwork for the Magic Wand Unit, which will operate the new missile defense system.

An official with the IAF noted that the unit's personnel were already working alongside the defense industries, which are developing the system, in order to ensure its compatibility with the operational needs on the ground.

Magic Wand will be able to operate under all weather conditions, and its own intercepting missiles will be capable of changing course in mid-flight. The system is mostly designed against long-range missiles fired from Gaza and Lebanon.

Like the Iron Dome defense system, Magic Wand will also be deployed according to operational needs and Israel's current threats.

The information about the launching of a missile from enemy territory will be delivered to the Magic Wand system from the ballistic imaging center, which can detect the launching of projectiles toward Israel from all fronts, and determine which defense system should be activated.

Defend Israel's 'soft belly'

According to defense establishment assessments, Hamas and Hezbollah already possess medium-range missiles, which can reach Israel's "soft belly" and can potentially be intercepted by the Magic Wand system. Defense officials are not ruling out the possibility that these missiles could be used against Israel should another conflict erupt.

The Magic Wand system will also be able to intercept long-range missiles, including the Iranian Shahab, if it is not intercepted in space beforehand.

The price for a single Magic Wand projectile can reach up to $1 million, but the defense establishment stressed that the cost in damages created by a missile that could be intercepted by the system, is greater.

Since the deployment of Iron Dome, the IDF has reported a sharp increase in demand for operational positions relating to the defense system, and is estimating that the Magic Wand will also become especially popular among new recruits.

The Iron Dome and Magic Wand are two of the three systems Israel is developing and deploying as part of its multilayered missile and rocket defense apparatus. A third system – "Arrow 3" – is designed to thwart ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere, which carry nuclear heads.

[buglerbilly]

National Armaments Directors Approve MEADS Program Continuation Plan

(Source: MEADS International; issued November 3, 2011)

ORLANDO, Fla., MUNICH and ROME --- The National Armaments Directors of Germany, Italy and the United States approved a contract amendment that funds two flight intercept tests of the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS).

The amended contract also provides for a Launcher Missile Characterization Test and a Sensor Characterization Test before the MEADS Design and Development contract ends in 2014. The program remains within the funding limit authorized by the three nations in the 2004 MEADS Memorandum of Understanding.

MEADS International President Dave Berganini said, "We remain focused on executing the flight tests approved by the National Armaments Directors on time and on budget. Our goal is to demonstrate the advanced capabilities of MEADS, including its open, network-centric architecture, non-proprietary software and plug-and-fight capabilities."

This fall, MEADS will conduct a launcher missile characterization test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. To demonstrate the 360-degree engagement capability of the MEADS launcher, the test includes an unprecedented over-the-shoulder launch of a Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement Missile against a simulated target that attacks from a rear quadrant.

Two intercept flight tests are included in the remaining contract scope of work. A first intercept test against an air-breathing threat is planned for White Sands Missile Range in late 2012.

In late 2013, MEADS will conduct a tactical ballistic missile intercept test, preceded by a sensor characterization test. The test series will also demonstrate engage-on-remote, plug-and-fight capabilities, netted/distributed functionality and interoperability through Link 16.

MEADS International, a multinational joint venture headquartered in Orlando, Fla., is the prime contractor for the MEADS system. Major subcontractors and joint venture partners are MBDA in Italy, LFK in Germany and Lockheed Martin in the United States.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

NATO outlines ACCS roadmap

07 November 2011 - 6:00 by Beth Stevenson



A NATO official has clarified that the UK has not been ruled out of the Air Command and Control System (ACCS) programme despite pulling out of the first phase three years ago.

Speaking at a media briefing at a NATO base in Glons, Belgium on 3 November, Enzo Montalti, Deputy GM for the NATO ACCS Management Agency (NACMA), said that the UK was part of the first replication until three years ago when it 'chose to freeze its entities' for political and economic reasons.

Described by Montalti as 'a political step forward in the integration of the alliance', the ACCS is the 'most important NATO common funded programme', adding that it was essentially a single system for air and missile defence.

The ACCS involves two main entities: Combined air operations centres (CAOCs) and ARS (air control centres, RAP production centres and sensor fusion posts), with the former tasking and the latter executing targets.

The UK is expected to be part of the CAOC site in Uedom, Germany, and through the programme every participating nation will have its own ARS, but not necessarily its own CAOC.

The 'phased approach' development of the system has just entered the system training (ST) 1-2 phase of the programme, following completion of ST 1-1 some 18 months ago, and the factory system testing in September, which was simulation-based.

This latest phase is expected to finish in February, after which ST-2 will be conducted at all the validation sites, and then ST-3 by 2013 when all of these sites will be tested together.

By 2013 the validation stage of the programme should be completed, which incorporates Belgium, France, Germany and Italy, and an IOC is expected for these nations by 2015.

ACCS LOC 1 (level of capability 1), or Replication 1, has seen all contracts for the first 12 nations having been signed bar Germany, and this is the phase that the UK was originally a part of.

There are plans to add a further ten NATO nations during the Replication 2 phase of the programme, which will see the 'same quality and functionality' of systems, but will be cheaper for NATO and the nations because it will be an established system by that point. This phase is expected to happen between 2014 and 2018.

The programme was first initiated by NATO in the 1970s, but a contract was not signed until 1999, with the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 providing a further catalyst towards the development of an integrated air and missile C2 system.

Prior to the development of the ACCS, 'a very large number of systems were used and this was not very good for integration', Montalti explained. 'It is a good improvement for sharing manpower.'

[buglerbilly]

Lockheed Martin to Modernize 29 U.S. Air Force Early Warning Long-Range Surveillance Radars



SYRACUSE, N.Y., November 7th, 2011 -- The U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] $46.8 million in contract options to begin modernizing 29 long-range radars which provide advanced warning and air traffic control surveillance over North America’s airspace.

Under initial options of the Essential Parts Replacement Program (EPRP) contract, Lockheed Martin will complete engineering planning and begin to upgrade 29 geographically disbursed AN/FPS-117 long-range surveillance radars. Expected follow-on contract options will replace and update all the radars’ signal and data processors to current commercial technology standards, cost effectively extending their operational lives thru 2025.

These FPS-117 radars were originally installed by Lockheed Martin in the early 1980s as part of the Seek Igloo North Warning program. The company has provided several technology upgrades since then.

“Our open architecture approach to L-Band radars provides commonality in supporting and sustaining a fleet of more than 175 long-range radars operational around the world,” said Frank Mekker, EPRP program manager for Lockheed Martin’s Mission Systems & Sensors business. “Signal processing upgrades like EPRP are leveraged across this fleet, including the TPS-59, FPS-117, TPS-77, and even our Three Dimensional Expeditionary Long Range Radar (3DELRR), to provide significant lifecycle cost savings for our customers.”

In recent years, Lockheed Martin has successfully completed similar radar modernizations at sites in the United Kingdom, Germany, Romania and Kuwait.

Under the EPRP contract, Lockheed Martin will modernize 15 radars in Alaska, 11 in Canada, and one each in Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Utah, which are part of the Air Force’s Atmospheric Early Warning System, by 2014. The contract also includes replacement of the radar site’s secondary surveillance radar, used for air traffic control purposes. The EPRP acquisition is being led by the Ogden Air Logistics Center of the Air Force Material Command at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

The NATO-certified AN/FPS-117 radar is the world’s most widely used three-dimensional, solid-state radar. Today, FPS-117 and TPS-77, a transportable version of the 117, radar systems are operational in 25 countries. Capable of operating completely unmanned, many have performed for years in remote, inhospitable areas and in a wide range of operational environments.

Lockheed Martin’s FPS-117 L-band radar provides continuous high-quality surveillance on air targets at ranges out to 250 miles. The radar offers superior performance even in high clutter environments thanks to its solid-state design and L-band operation. The AN/FPS-117's advanced pencil beam architecture provides exceptional detection and tracking, as well as outstanding adaptability to changing environmental conditions.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.

Media Contact: Chip Eschenfelder, 315-456-3328; email, chip.eschenfelder@lmco.com

[buglerbilly]

Taiwan to complete long-range surveillance radar program next year

Central News Agency

2011-11-10 04:21 PM

Taipei, Nov. 10 (CNA) Taiwan will complete a long-range surveillance radar system next year, a move to boost the nation's air defenses in the face of military threat from China, officials said Thursday. The construction of the long-range early warning Surveillance Radar Program (SRP) is set to be fully completed at a military site in Hsinchu County of northern Taiwan in November 2012, said Deputy Defense Minister Chao Shih-chang at a legislative session. Chao also downplayed concerns that the new radar system may fail to integrate with Taiwan's Patriot missile launch system and link to the Heng Shan Military Command Center, a military emergency facility also located in the north.

"The preliminary tests have showed that there are no problems with the integration between the systems," Chao said at the Legislature's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee. Chao's remarks came in response to questions by legislators who expressed concern about the complete integration of the radar and the Patriot missile systems. Noting that China deploys more than 1,000 missiles targeting Taiwan, Chao said such a radar system is necessary to help strengthen the country's combat readiness in the event of Chinese attack.

The deputy minister's comments were a response to legislator Chang Hsien-yao of the ruling Kuomintang who asked why Taiwan is the only country that has purchased the radar system from the United States. The radar system was originally set to be completed by the end of this year, but the completion of the project has to be postponed due to some construction problems, according to the Ministry of National Defense. (By Elaine Hou)

[buglerbilly]

UAE to Build Integrated Air Ops Center in 2012

By PIERRE TRAN

Published: 12 Nov 2011 09:50

DUBAI - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) plans to build an integrated air operations center next year as part of a layered ballistic missile defense system, the deputy commander of the UAE Air Force and Air Defense said Nov. 12.

The air operations center would control air defense and missile assets, as part of preparations for an "emerging missile threat," Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Naser Al Alawi told an air chiefs conference organized by conference and consulting company Inegma, and held ahead of the Dubai Airshow's Nov. 13 opening.

The air operations center would be a "force multiplier," Al Alawi said.

A layered missile defense would offer "upper and lower" level protection, he said.

The UAE has orders for interceptors at the upper level, namely the Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Patriot advanced capability (PAC-3) missiles from Lockheed Martin.

On the new air operations center, Lockheed Martin and ThalesRaytheonSystems are competing to win a contract, reported to be worth $1 billion, for delivering the integrated air and missile defense system, which is seen as a defense against Iranian threats.

A system that included interceptors against lower level threats and which might afford protection against saturation attacks appeared to open up opportunities for European missile maker MBDA.

"A versatility of interception is the right answer to multi-threat and saturation attacks," MBDA chief executive Antoine Bouvier said on the sidelines of the conference. "A segmentation of interception is not."

A multi-threat environment consists of attacks from aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, with a possible mass launch of the latter weapon.

"Is an upper level only the right answer to a globalized threat?" Bouvier asked.

An upgraded version of MBDA's Aster missile, the NT1 due to be developed by 2015, could help counter the lower level threats and saturation missile attacks, he said.

Al Alawi's remarks appeared to confirm a move by the UAE toward a greater layered approach in its air and missile defense system, Bouvier said.

The UAE has reportedly cut a 2008 planned purchase to 96 THAAD missiles from 144, two AN/TPY-2 radars from four, and two batteries from three. That procurement also included six communications units and nine launchers. If all options had been exercised, the deal would have been worth $6.95 billion.

The UAE also signed up for the PAC-3 missile in a deal valued at over $1.8 billion over the life of the program.

[buglerbilly]

11-14-2011 19:12

Korea to independently upgrade Patriot software

By Lee Tae-hoon

The Air Force plans to improve key software for its Patriot missile system, a ground-based missile and air-defense platform, without outsourcing from the U.S. government, saving more than $10 million.

Lt. Col. Lim Jae-woon, an official of the air-defense bureau of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), said that the U.S. government offered in September to install advanced software that operates Korea’s Master Control and Report Center (MCRC) through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

“The U.S. proposed that it would upgrade the software at 15 billion won ($13.4 million) through the FMS, but we declined,” Lim said. “Instead, the Air Force Information Operations Center will lead the software development with a budget of 500 million won, while receiving 1.6 billion-won worth of technology transfer.”

The DAPA official said the Air Force has accumulated sufficient technology in relevant areas to upgrade MCRC software without a third party and his agency estimates that the Air Force will save roughly 12.9 billion won.

The MCRC at Osan Air Base, south of Seoul, monitors activities of North Korean aircraft and ballistic missiles and operates guided weapons to intercept them, including the Patriot Advanced Capability 2 system and Hawk missiles.

Lim said the software upgrade will significantly improve the MCRC’s capabilities to communicate and give instructions to lower air-defense units that operate the Integrated Command and Control (ICC) system via high speed Link 16 datalinks, a military tactical data exchange network.

Lim added this will also prevent a potential leak of Korea’s own technology and reduce the estimated duration of the revamping by about nine months.

The move came as Korea seeks to develop its own version of advanced Patriot missiles to counter North Korean ballistic missiles.

Seoul plans to outline the ambitious development plan early next year.

In 2007, the military purchased 48 secondhand PAC-2 systems from Germany but they are optimized primarily for engagements against aircraft with limited capability to deter missiles.

The PAC-2 missile detonates its explosive fragmentation warhead as it approaches near the target, knocking it off course with its blast fragmentation.

Lim said Korea will be able to upgrade the existing Patriot equipment to a PAC-3 Configuration 3 system capable of launching PAC-3 hit-to-kill missiles for around 200 billion won.

leeth@koreatimes.co.kr

[buglerbilly]

17 Nov. 2011

NATOs Missile Defence the first live-fire test



Uploaded by NATOCOMMUNITY on Nov 17, 2011
Exercise Rapid Arrow, the first live fire exercise testing NATO's Missile Defence System.
http://www.nato.int/

During the German-led exercise Rapid Arrow 2011, the NATO Active Layered Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence Interim Capability (ALTBMD) was succesfully tested. Until now ballistic missile threats were only simulated and did not include firing a real interceptor missile. This time an actual interceptor missile was launched against a target area.

"At the moment there are no indications and warnings that tensions are high, that we are under the threat of a ballistic missile attack. But we could use it if the situation would change,"� General Friedrich Ploeger explains. As Deputy Commander of the Allied Air Command Headquarters at Ramstein, the exercise allowed him to practice his role in engaging ballistic missile threats, as one of the Allied commanders.

Speed is of the essence

During the exercise the radar of the US ship The USS Sullivans picked up a target missile and passed that information to a German Patriot Battery at the NATO Missile Firing Installation in Crete, to help it conduct an intercept. Since this communication involves the NATO Command and Control structure, the exercise showed that there’s no delay in the information flow between the US and the NATO Missile Defence systems.

"As this whole event only lasted about five minutes from the launch of the target missile to the final engagement, it also shows how critical a good C2 system is to the overall Command and Control process. Because time is very limited, we cannot pick up the phone and dial some number and try to get some people who we need to talk to. Everything must be functioning perfectly and working perfectly in order to really do Command and Control of missile defence,"� General Ploeger says.

Missile Defence network

The live fire test, in which the target was successfully acquired and destroyed, is an important step in the development of NATOs Missile Defence capability. The system consists of the sum of national missile defence assets, networked together. According to Major General (ret) Alessandro Pera, head of NATOs Active Layered Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence (ALTBMD) Program, it is a good example of NATOs multinational approach:

"Together it is more effective than the single sum of the individual assets that the nations provide. So, this is a real example of how we can perform a better mission with the contributions of the single individual countries that by themselves would not be able to perform the entire spectrum of the mission to defend NATO from ballistic missiles,"� Says Major General Pera.

According to Pera the live fire exercise operationally validated NATOs Missile Defence system. The next step is to improve and broaden the Missile Defence protection from protecting NATO military forces to also protecting its territory and populations.

“Up until now we have been dealing with the defence of forces. For the defence of forces there are some criteria. Forces are for example trained and are, to a certain extent, hardened, can be dispersed. Obviously the population and territorial cities are not, so we need to have different criteria to deal also with these additional requirements,� he says.

That way the civilian population can also be alerted and warned in case of a missile threat.

[buglerbilly]

Tuesday, November 22, 2011, 01:44 PM

Future Russian army aerospace defense units will have the capacity to intercept hypersonic targets.

The Russian aerospace defense system, which will be completed in December 2011, will have the ability to intercept all types of missiles, including hypersonic, said Tuesday, November 22, 2011, the Russian Minister of Defense, Anatoly Serdyukov, during a meeting.



Russian army is now equipped with the latest generation of S-400 air defence missile, and in the future with the new S-500.

"The integration of all new defense systems give the ability to intercept all targets, also those moving at hypersonic speeds, bothin the air or in space," said the minister.

He added that the creation of aerospace defense forces was to be completed before the December 1, 2011.

"They bring together the efforts and capabilities of air defense systems, warning missile attacks and control of space," said a senior military official.

[buglerbilly]

Medvedev: Russia May Target US Missile Shield

November 23, 2011

Associated Press|by Vladimir Isachenkov

MOSCOW - Russia's president threatened on Wednesday to deploy missiles to target the U.S. missile shield in Europe if Washington fails to assuage Moscow's concerns about its plans, a harsh warning that reflected deep cracks in U.S.-Russian ties despite President Barack Obama's efforts to "reset" relations with the Kremlin.

Dmitry Medvedev said he still hopes for a deal with the U.S. on missile defense, but he strongly accused Washington and its NATO allies of ignoring Russia's worries. He said that Russia will have to take military countermeasures if the U.S. continues to build the shield without legal guarantees that it will not be aimed against Russia.

The U.S. has repeatedly assured Russia that its proposed missile defense system wouldn't be directed against Russia's nuclear forces, and the Pentagon did that again Wednesday.

"I do think it's worth reiterating that the European missile defense system that we've been working very hard on with our allies and with Russia over the last few years is not aimed at Russia," said Capt. John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman. "It is ... designed to help deter and defeat the ballistic missile threat to Europe and to our allies from Iran."

But Medvedev said Moscow will not be satisfied by simple declarations and wants a binding agreement. He said, "When we propose to put in on paper in the form of precise and clear legal obligations, we hear a strong refusal."

Medvedev warned that Russia will station missiles in its westernmost Kaliningrad region and other areas, if the U.S. continues its plans without offering firm and specific pledges that the shield isn't directed at its nuclear forces. He didn't say whether the missiles would carry conventional or nuclear warheads.

The U.S. missile defense dispute has long tarnished ties between Moscow and Washington. The Obama administration has repeatedly said the shield is needed to fend off a potential threat from Iran, but Russia fears that it could erode the deterrent potential of its nuclear forces.

"If our partners tackle the issue of taking our legitimate security interests into account in an honest and responsible way, I'm sure we will be able to come to an agreement," Medvedev said. "But if they propose that we `cooperate,' or, to say it honestly, work against our own interests, we won't be able to reach common ground."

Moscow has agreed to consider a proposal NATO made last fall to cooperate on the missile shield, but the talks have been deadlocked over how the system should be operated. Russia has insisted that it should be run jointly, which NATO has rejected.

Medvedev also warned that Moscow may opt out of the New START arms control deal with the United States and halt other arms control talks, if the U.S. proceeds with the missile shield without meeting Russia's demand. The Americans had hoped that the START treaty would stimulate progress in further ambitious arms control efforts, but such talks have stalled because of tension over the missile plan.

While the New START doesn't prevent the U.S. from building new missile defense systems, Russia has said it could withdraw from the treaty if it feels threatened by such a system in future.

Medvedev reaffirmed that warning Wednesday, saying that Russia may opt out of the treaty because of an "inalienable link between strategic offensive and defensive weapons."

The New START has been a key achievement of Obama's policy of improving relations with Moscow, which had suffered badly under the George W. Bush administration.

"It's impossible to do a reset using old software, it's necessary to develop a new one," Medvedev's envoy to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, said at a news conference.

The U.S. plan calls for placing land- and sea-based radars and interceptors in European locations, including Romania and Poland, over the next decade and upgrading them over time.

Medvedev said that Russia will carefully watch the development of the U.S. shield and take countermeasures if Washington continues to ignore Russia's concerns. He warned that Moscow would deploy short-range Iskander missiles in Kaliningrad, a Baltic Sea region bordering Poland, and place weapons in other areas in Russia's west and south to target U.S. missile defense sites. Medvedev said Russia would put a new early warning radar in Kaliningrad.

He said that as part of its response Russia would also equip its intercontinental nuclear missiles with systems that would allow them to penetrate prospective missile defenses and would develop ways to knock down the missile shield's control and information facilities.

Igor Korotchenko, a Moscow-based military expert, was quoted by the state RIA Novosti news agency as saying that the latter would mean targeting missile defense radars and command structures with missiles and bombers. "That will make the entire system useless," he said.

Medvedev and other Russian leaders have made similar threats in the past, and the latest statement appears to be aimed at the domestic audience ahead of Dec. 4 parliamentary elections.

Medvedev, who is set to step down to allow Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to reclaim the presidency in March's election, leads the ruling United Russia party list in the parliamentary vote. A stern warning to the U.S. and NATO issued by Medvedev seems to be directed at rallying nationalist votes in the polls.

Rogozin, Russia's NATO envoy, said the Kremlin won't follow the example of Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and take unwritten promises from the West.

"The current political leadership can't act like Gorbachev, and it wants written obligations secured by ratification documents," Rogozin said.

Medvedev's statement was intended to encourage the U.S. and NATO to take Russia seriously at the missile defense talks, Rogozin said. He added that the Russian negotiators were annoyed by the U.S. "openly lying" about its missile defense plans.

"We won't allow them to treat us like fools," he said. "Nuclear deterrent forces aren't a joke."

----

Associated Press writers Nataliya Vasilyeva in Moscow and Pauline Jelinek in Washington contributed to this report.

© Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

[buglerbilly]

IDF upgrades Patriot missile defense battery

By YAAKOV KATZ, Jerusalem Post

11/27/2011 03:02

New battery part of effort to improve defense against new potential conflicts in the region.

Israel recently received a new Patriot missile defense battery as part of a bid to improve its defenses in face of potential new conflicts in the region.

The battery arrived in Israel over a month ago. Its arrival was first revealed in Yediot Aharonot on Friday. The new battery will be dismantled and parts will be used to upgrade existing batteries already deployed throughout the country.

The Patriot currently serves as the mid-tier component of Israel’s multi-layered missile defense system. Short-range rockets are intercepted by the Iron Dome and the Arrow 2 is the top tier, designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles.

In July, the IAF announced that it was upgrading the Patriot with new software updates and hardware changes. The purpose of the upgrade is to enable the Patriot launchers and accompanying components to operate the system’s new generation of interceptors which are used by the new generation Patriot called PAC 3.

Israel’s existing launchers can fire four missiles, and once upgraded to accommodate PAC 3 interceptors, they will be able to fire 16 missiles each: four missiles in each of the launcher’s four canisters.

The IAF eventually plans on phasing out the Patriot missile systems and replacing them with the David’s Sling, a missile defense system currently under development by Rafael and the US-based Raytheon.

David’s Sling is expected to have a longer range than the Patriot and will also one day replace the Hawk surface-to-air missile systems in air defense missions.

[buglerbilly]

Russia Activates Missile Warning System Near EU

Agence France-Presse

Published: 29 Nov 2011 11:47

MOSCOW – Russia on Nov. 29 activated a radar warning system against incoming missiles in its exclave of Kaliningrad on the borders of the EU, in response to Western plans for a U.S. missile shield in Europe.

President Dmitry Medvedev announced that the Voronezh-DM station was moving on to immediate combat readiness, days after threatening to deploy missiles in Kaliningrad amid a growing dispute with the West.

"I expect that this step will be seen by our partners as the first signal of the readiness of our country to make an adequate response to the threats which the (Western) missile shield poses for our strategic nuclear forces," Medvedev said.

Using rhetoric reminiscent of the Cold War, he added: "If this signal is not heard, we will deploy other methods of protection including the taking of tough countermeasures and the deployment of strike forces."

Medvedev said last week Russia was prepared to deploy Iskander missiles, which officials say have a range of up to 500 kilometres (310 miles), in the Kaliningrad exclave that borders EU members Poland and Lithuania.

Romania and Poland have agreed to host part of a revamped U.S. missile shield which Washington said is aimed solely at "rogue" states like Iran but Moscow believes would also target its own capability.

NATO member Turkey has decided to host an early warning radar at a military facility near Malatya in the southeast as part of the missile defence system.

Medvedev, who visited Kaliningrad to sign the decree on activating the station, said Russia needed to hear more than promises from the West to resolve the standoff.

"Verbal statements do not guarantee our interests. If other steps are made then of course we are ready to listen," Medvedev added in a statement quoted by Russian news agencies from Kaliningrad.

"We can no longer be content with verbal promises that the (U.S. missile shield) system is not aimed against Russia. These are empty statements and do not guarantee our security."

But he said that the activation of the Kaliningrad station "does not close the door for dialogue" with the United States on missile defense.

Kaliningrad is part of the former German East Prussia region that was annexed by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II and remains one of Moscow's prime territorial strategic assets.

The RIA Novosti news agency quoted Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov as saying that the station could keep track of 500 objects at a range of up to 6,000 kilometers.

The move comes in the run-up to legislative elections on Dec. 4, where Medvedev is leading the list of the ruling United Russia party amid an atmosphere of growing nationalism in Russia.

Medvedev has championed a reset of relations with the United States under President Barack Obama. But Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who traditionally has a more prickly relationship with the West, is set to become president in 2012.

An analyst said the decision to activate the system was important but had to be seen in a domestic context.

"Data from this station will allow Russia's leadership to make a decision about a retaliatory nuclear strike, should such a hypothetical need arise," said Mikhail Khodaryonok, editor of journal "Aerospace Defence."

But he described the announcement as mainly "pre-election rhetoric" given that both the U.S. missile shield and the Russian system are defensive in nature.

"You would really need to have a vivid imagination to link it to the U.S. missile defense system."

[buglerbilly]

Germany Lends Air-Defense Radar to Israel

By BARBARA OPALL-ROME

Published: 29 Nov 2011 15:14

TEL AVIV - Germany recently delivered a Patriot air defense radar to Israel as a cost-free loaner pending conclusion of a three- to four-year refurbishment in the United States of Israel's own AN/MPQ-53 radars for its PAC-2 force.

German, U.S. and Israeli sources confirmed the trilateral cooperation, aimed at filling potential gaps in Israeli air defense coverage while Israel Air Force radars are being serviced at Fort Sill, Okla.

The loaner radar provided by the German Bundeswehr arrived here in mid-October, shortly before the first of three Israeli Patriot radar sets was shipped to the United States for servicing. The German delivery marks an expansion of strategic cooperation with Israel, which received two full-up Patriot PAC-2 batteries from Luftwaffe stocks in 2003 in the run-up to the U.S.-led coalition war in Iraq.

Sources said it will take about a year to replace aging components of each radar, extend service life, and improve its ability to interoperate with U.S. European Command's Patriot batteries that participate in biannual U.S.-Israel exercises and could be rushed here for emergency deployment during wartime.

The refurbishment program is estimated at $15 million and will be funded through annual U.S. Foreign Military Financing (FMF) assistance to Israel. Israeli and German officials confirmed that the German loaner radar would remain here until the upgrade program is complete and all Israeli radars are redeployed and integrated with other elements of the Air Force's Air Defense Force.

"Germany has contributed to the air defense system of Israel since 2003 with the loan of two Patriot systems. Additional components are temporarily on loan to maintain the operational capability of the systems," said Lt. Col. Holger Neumann, a German MoD spokesman.

An Israel Air Force officer emphasized that the recently launched Patriot radar upgrade is more logistical in nature and is not aimed at converting Israel's PAC-2 air defense force to the PAC-3 ballistic missile intercepting configuration.

Israel has no plans to procure PAC-3 missile interceptors from Lockheed Martin, he said. Instead, the Air Defense Force is looking to deploy the David's Sling air and missile defense system now in development by Rafael and Raytheon.

Nevertheless, the Air Force officer said Israel "is looking very closely" at a so-called Config-3 program that would render its existing PAC-2 force more capable of operating with PAC-3 intercepting batteries.

No decision has been made on the estimated $60 million Config-3 program with Raytheon, producers of the Patriot radar, engagement control stations, launching units, and improved PAC-2 interceptor missiles.

[buglerbilly]

U.S. mulls Israeli anti-rocket system buy

Published: Dec. 2, 2011 at 12:27 PM



TEL AVIV, Israel, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army will decide in the next few weeks whether it will buy Israel's Iron Dome anti-rocket defense system, developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, to protect bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Rafael and the U.S. Raytheon Co., which produces the Patriot air-defense system, teamed in August to market Iron Dome, currently used to defend against Palestinian rockets, in the United States.

Iron Dome is designed to counter rockets and artillery shells with a range of 2-43 miles. It's the first system of its type to be used in combat.

Yossi Druker, head of Rafael's Air-to-Air Directorate, said Wednesday that the winner of the tender issued by the Pentagon is expected to be announced in January.

"Iron Dome is said to be compatible with the U.S. Army's Counter-Rocket and Artillery and Mortar system, or C-RAM, as part of layered defense for military bases," The Jerusalem Post observed.

Iron Dome made its combat debut in April in southern Israel against Palestinian rockets and the military says it has notched a success rate of 85 percent against Palestinian rockets it sought to intercept.

The system's computer can distinguish which rockets will hit populated areas and those that won't. It only fires on those that endanger Israeli lives.

The Israeli air force, which is responsible for air defense, has three Iron Dome batteries operational, primarily in the south to counter short-range rockets fired by militants from the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

But the military acknowledges that it needs 15-20 Iron Dome batteries to effectively provide protection from short-range missiles and rockets along the northern border with Lebanon and the southern frontier with Gaza.

So the Israelis may find themselves on the horns of a dilemma if the Americans decide they want Iron Dome: Who will get priority, homeland defense or developing a potentially lucrative export market for this unique system, the first operational short-range air-defense system in the world?

The Israelis say they face missile threats on several fronts, from Syria, Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas and its allies in Gaza.

These threats range from intermediate-range ballistic missiles from Iran and Syria, with shorter-range weapons from Hezbollah and the Palestinians.

The nightmare scenario is that if a new conflict erupts in the Middle East, every inch of the Jewish state will be exposed to a sustained and unprecedented bombardment by these foes.

Military planners say this could last for weeks, with up to 200 missiles and rockets a day hammering Israel, including the massive urban conurbation around Tel Aviv in the center of the country.

Every Iron Dome battery will be needed but Israel's defense industry, like those in the United States and Europe, is increasingly dependent on export sales to keep production lines rolling amid global cutbacks in defense spending.

Singapore has reportedly bought Iron Dome, although no details are available and the Israeli Defense Ministry hasn't confirmed the sale. India and South Korea have also shown interest.

The air force expects to take delivery of David's Sling, another anti-missile system developed by Rafael, within the next year, Brig. Gen. Doron Gavish, commander of the air force's Air Defense Division, said Thursday.

This system, also known as Magic Wand, is designed as the middle-tier of Israel's planned multilayer missile defense shield. It's designed to counter missiles and rockets with ranges of 25-185 miles.

Meantime, The Jerusalem Post reports that state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries is building a third battery of the Arrow-2 high-altitude, long-range missile interceptor to be deployed near Tel Aviv.

The Israeli air force has two Arrow batteries deployed in southern and northern Israel. The system is designed to counter Iran's Shehab-3b, Sejjil-2 and Soviet-designed Scud ballistic missiles. Syria also has Scuds.

Central Israel was chosen for the site of the new battery "because it provides the best protection for long-range threats which Israel faces from a number of directions," a military spokesman said.

IAI and Boeing in the United States are developing the Arrow-3, which will extend the range and altitude of the missile, which allows it to intercept ballistic missiles earlier in their trajectory and further from Israel.

The Arrow-3's first fly-out test is scheduled within the next few months. The United States contributed the bulk of the funds to develop the Arrow system.



© 2011 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2011/12/02/US-mulls-Israeli-anti-rocket-system-buy/UPI-65101322846837/#ixzz1fQLi3A1H

[buglerbilly]

Air Defence Looks to the Future

(Source: French General Directorate of Armaments; dated Dec. 1, 2011)

(Issued in French only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)


A French air force Eurosam Mamba system has scored a direct hit on a ballistic missile target flying at over 1,000 m/s and at a range of over 10 km. (DGA photo)

The air force has successfully carried out the first interception of a theater ballistic missile-type threat on November 14 thanks to the sensors and systems deployed by DGA at its Biscarrosse missile range.

DGA had carried out the first engagement of a similar threat in October 2010.

This firing of an Aster 30 missile from a Système Sol-Air Moyenne Portée Terrestre (surface-to-air, medium-range ground-based air-defence system, or SAMP/T) operated by the air force trials wing, CEAM, is a major milestone for the French air force’s air-defence capabilities.

This successful firing complements a previous one, in September, when the “Servance” air-defence squadron deployed at Luxeuil-les-Bains (air base n° 116) intercepted a target representative of a conventional threat (i.e., an attacking aircraft).

The SAMP/T is a French-Italian system – the first one in Europe – capable of such performance. Christened Mamba in French air force service, the system will allow the French air force, by the summer of 2012, to assume full responsibility for the air defence of French forces deployed overseas.

It will also be used to defend high-value targets on French territory.

According to the current program, DGA is to deliver ten SAMP/T systems to the French air force.

(EDITOR’S NOTE: A separate release by the French air force adds that the target, launched from a fighter aircraft, “had the same characteristics as a theater ballistic missile, and that it was intercepted at a range of 10 kilometers while it was traveling at a speed of over 1,000 meters per second.)

(ends)

A New Premiere for Eurosam SAMP/T

(Source: Eurosam; issued Dec. 2, 2011)

On 14 November, A French Air Force Mamba (SAMP/T) system successfully intercepted a target representative of a ballistic missile. The event took place off the DGA missile testing range (CELM), on the French South-West coast.

The Mamba fire control system was cued via DGA means, until its Arabel Multi-Function Radar started tracking the target. The Aster 30 missile was launched and guided by the Mamba fire control system, then it autonomously destroyed the target with a direct hit.

This was the second, successful, ATBM firing with a SAMP/T system, after the one which took place on 18 October 2010, on which occasion SAMP/T premiered an all-European anti-ballistic capability.

This week’s firing was the first ATBM intercept by a French Air Force crew, and also the first Mamba firing since the system has been formally declared operational by French Air Force, on 12 October 2011.

It is a series of continuous successes with SAMP/T firings, since its qualification started:

-- Qualification firings, with industry crew, on 26 July 2005, 20 December 2005 and 14 November 2006.
-- Evaluation firings by Italian Army, on 22 and 26 May 2008
-- Evaluation firing by French Air Force, on 3 July 2008
-- Test firing, with industrial crew, on 8 December 2008
-- ATBM firing, with industrial crew, on October 18 2010
-- Operational training firing by the French Air Force, on 1 September 2011

The French Air Force currently owns 7 Mamba systems; whilst the Italian Army owns 3 systems.

SAMP/T (christened Mamba by the French Air Force) is the cornerstone of Italy and France’s contributions to the North Atlantic Alliance tactical ballistic missile defence capability.

Both Nations are procuring SAMP/T through a common Programme Office managed by OCCAR, the European procurement agency.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

YouTubeHD: South Korea unveils KM-SAM

Posted in Air Force on December 16th, 2011

South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development has unveiled the KM-SAM missile system that was developed with help from Almaz and Antey Concern. The system is named Chun Koong and will replace South Korea’s HAWK missiles.

Korea Succeeds in Developing Its First Domestic Mid-Range Surface-to-Air Missile

This is "Chun Koong " translated in English as "the heaven's arrow" Korea's first self-developed, medium-range, surface-to-air missile system.
It is capable of simultaneously targeting hundreds of aircraft flying as high as 15 kilometers above the ground.



Uploaded by koreatubes on Dec 15, 2011

VERY nice looking bit of kit...........it'll be interesting to see how it matches up to SAMP-T and/or Israeli Systems and/or USA systems?

[Interview : Lee Hee-cherl, Program director Agency for Defense Development]
"The system's target accuracy is much higher, and its reliability and mobility are much better, so it has numerous advantages."

Chun Koong's state-of-the-art, multi-radar system is capable of doing the job of five radars.

And its verticle missile launcher system allows the guided missile to fire up and move into different directions without having to turn the vehicle underneath.

[Interview : Kim Han-ul, chkim@arirang.co.kr]
"When these replace the American-made HAWK missile systems that are currently being used by the Korean Air Force it is expected to generate billions of US dollars in profit." ed:mark

Officials say it will generate profits four-and-a-half times the amount of money that was spent in research and development for the system.

And they expect profits generated from the system, including cost savings and potential exports, to hover around 3.7 trillion won or about 3.2 billion US dollars.

Korean companies who participated in this 5-year-long project have high hopes for the future.

[Interview : Hwang Ho-sung. Vice President LIG Nex1 R&D Lab]
"Chun Koong's development is complete and it starts production next year, so it will contribute to job creation and company profit."

The Agency for Defense Development says "Chun Koong" is an all-in-one solution, one that offers all that guided missile technology can offer, which will make it an attractive item for Korea's defense exports.

Officials hope that Korea's latest missile system will give its national defense industry a competitive edge.

Kim Han-ul, Arirang News, Daejeon.

DEC 15, 2011
Reporter : chkim@arirangtv.com

[buglerbilly]

A bit more on this from Defense Update................

Cheongung – a New MR-SAM for the South Korean Multi-Tier Defense System

Tamir Eshel December 17, 2011 14:03


Cheongung (MR-SAM) anti-aircraft missile from South Korea

The growing threat of missile attack by North Korea has concerned Seoul for decades, but only recently defensive systems are showing progress, with interceptor technology becoming available on the domestic and world market. Last week the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) of South Korea unveiled the Cheongung – a new medium-range Surface to air Missile system designed to beef up the country’s air and missile defense.



Missiles deployed by North Korea are covering the entire area of the South, Pyongyang has deployed more than 600 short-range Scud missiles north of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), with a range of 320 to 500 kilometers. In addition, 200 Rodong missiles positioned inland have a range of 1,300 kilometers, reaching every point in the South. North Korean Intermediate range ballistic missiles can also reach Russia, China, Japan and Alaska.

Until recently Seoul relied primarily on the U.S. air defense umbrella, comprising Raytheon’s latest version MIM-23 Hawk XXI and ex-German MIM-104 Patriot PAC-2 missiles. Air and missile defense is augmented by the Navy’s AEGIS cruisers and destroyers, providing ad-hoc anti-missile defense.

To defend against North Korean missiles and rocket attacks the Republic of Korea is eying a three-tier aerial and missile defense system to integrate radars, missile interceptors of different types through a unified battle management system. Preliminary study on missile shield system to be completed by year-end.

Seoul principal air defense layer operates six batteries of Patriot PAC-2 GEM/T missiles along with 24 Hawk XXI batteries. These assets are more capable to defend against aircraft than hit ballistic missiles. Two missile interceptor/air defense programs currently underway in Russia will be transferred for production in Korea, one covering extended range and high altitude, and another handling the middle-tier zone.

The first is the medium-range air defense system known as KM-SAM, developed in Russia by the Almaz Design Bureau, in association with an industry team from Korea lead by Samsung Thales. This team included missile builder LIG Nex1 and platform manufacturer Doosan DST. Further localization and industrialization were done in South Korea, making the new weapon system an indigenous program.

The new SAM called ‘Cheongung’ (Iron Hawk) can intercept targets at altitude up to 15 km and at a range of about 40 km. LIG Nex1 plans to begin production in 2012 and according to the original schedule, begin replacing the first MIM-23 Hawk batteries beginning 2013. Following the induction of the new Cheongung Seoul plans to offer the missile for export. Seoul estimates the market potential of such missiles at over US$2.3 billion. Apparently, the Russian Company that developed the system, Almaz Antey, thought the same as they kept the program alive after transferring the prototypes to Korea. The Russian version known as Vityaz could be ready to replace first generation S-300PS (5V55R) missiles, covering a similar intercept envelope, by the end of their service in 2015.

A Cheongung battery comprises a fire control center, a multi-function radar and up to eight fire units, each carrying eight missiles in ready to launch configuration. It is designed to engage multiple targets simultaneously while tracking (hundred?) additional targets. The key for this capability are the compact multi-function radar developed by Thales-Samsung. Target data and intercept commands are transferred to the missile just prior to firing, with mid-course updates relayed in flight. The vertically launched missile is designed for high maneuverability withstanding loads of up to 50g. It weighs 400 kg, and uses INS guidance with midcourse updates, with active-homing RF seeker for terminal guidance. The multi-function radar is a 3D plannar active array system operating in the X band, it rotates at a rate of 40 rpm and covers up to 80 degrees in elevation.

The upper tier interceptor will be designed intercept ballistic missiles, offering capabilities similar to the American THAAD missile. This new missile is expected to be based on the Russian S-400 technology; it is designated Cheolmae 4-H, and will offer a range of 150 km and ceiling of about 200,000 ft, offering performance levels twice superior to the Patriot and future Cheolmae II missiles. This project is expected to cost around $812 million.

The Korean Navy is also planning to deploy anti-ballistic missile capability on its new KDX AEGIS destroyers. Unlike Tokyo, that has entered the U.S. SM-3 ABM program as a development partner, Seoul preferred to go its own way and develop its won version of a missile interceptor under ‘Project Guardian’, at an investment of about US$1 billion.

The baseline for Seoul’s future the missile defense capability are two EL/M-2080 ‘Super Green Pine’ radars, ordered from Israel’s IAI Elta in 2009. The radars will be able to detect hostile missiles 800 km away, providing missile defense assets ample early warning for response. These radars will also integrate with the SPY-1 radars of the AEGIS KDX destroyers to provide the situational picture for the Korea Air and Missile Defense center (KAMD) beginning next year.

[buglerbilly]

Monday, December 19, 2011, 10:40 AM

Raytheon Awarded $685.7 Million for New Missile Patriot Systems for Taiwan Army

Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has received a $685.7 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract for additional new fire units of the combat-proven Patriot Air and Missile Defense System for Taiwan.


Taiwanese military truck loading Patriot 2 missile in Taipei (Archive image)

"Our partnership with Taiwan dates back more than 45 years, and we are committed to providing Taiwan with the best air and missile defense system capability available," said Sanjay Kapoor, vice president for Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems business (IDS).

Patriot is the world's most capable air and missile defense system, protecting against a full range of advanced threats, including aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. It is the system of choice for 12 nations around the globe.

Taiwanese armed forces are currently equipped with three batteries of PAC-2 patriot missile system with 200 missiles, which will be upgraded soon to PAC-3 level.

Raytheon is the prime contractor for both domestic and international Patriot Air and Missile Defense Systems and system integrator for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles.Taiwanese armed forces are currently equipped with three batteries of PAC-2 patriot missile system with 200 missiles, which will be upgraded soon to PAC-3 level.

[buglerbilly]

Lawmakers Boost Israeli Missile Defense

Dec 20, 2011

By Jen DiMascio



U.S. lawmakers are continuing their support for Israel’s missile defense efforts, providing $236 million in fiscal 2012 for continued development of three programs — an increase of 123% over what President Barack Obama had asked for.

The plus-up comes despite a reduction of $21 billion in the overall U.S. military budget, and with lawmakers noting that the request represents a $100 million decrease in funding from the previous year.

“The conferees find the request insufficient and provide an additional $129,600,000 to address Israel’s security requirements,” lawmakers noted in the conference report on the bill, which has yet to be signed into law by Obama. He has until Dec. 23 to sign the bill, as the government is running on a short-term continuing resolution to allow for technical fixes.

The bill provides an additional $13 million for the Arrow-3 medium-range interceptor developed by Israel Aerospace Industries. It provides a $47 million boost for the Arrow System Improvement Program. And lawmakers added $69 million for the David’s Sling weapon system designed by Raytheon and Rafael to counter long-range rockets and cruise missiles.

Photo: Architect of the Capitol

[buglerbilly]

Finland Launches Probe into China-Bound Missiles

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Published: 21 Dec 2011 10:53

HELSINKI - Finland has launched a probe after 69 surface-to-air Patriot missiles were found in a ship bound for the Chinese port city of Shanghai, police said.

"An investigation found 69 Patriot missiles, explosive material and propelling charges," a police statement said.

The missiles, produced by Raytheon, were discovered following a customs search on the British-registered Thor Liberty, owned by Danish firm Thorco, at the port of Kotka, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) from Helsinki.

Finnish customs are investigating the case as one of illegal export of defense material.

"There are grounds for customs to open an investigation into crime concerning the export of these items to third countries," head of Finnish customs anti-crime unit Petri Lounatmaa said.

Finnish law requires permission from defense officials to move such material across the country's borders.

Lounatmaa noted that Finnish police, who are part of the investigating team, will investigate any other possible misconduct in the case.

A team of customs, police and defense force experts conducted a detailed probe of the ship's cargo Dec. 21 when routine checks by Finland's traffic safety authority revealed a load of 150 tons of improperly packed nitroguanidine - a low-sensitivity explosive with a high detonation speed.

Police and customs are now conducting further investigations to determine the reason for the military cache.

"We have started questioning the crew. ... As the investigation continues, decisions will be made about possible arrests," Lounatmaa said.

The customs official said that there were about 32 crew members on board the vessel, and that questioning could continue into Dec. 23.

Thorco managing director Thomas Mikkelsen expressed surprise, saying from Denmark that he was unaware of the case.

Another company official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the ship had been detained in Finland and said the missiles could have been loaded on to the vessel by mistake.

[buglerbilly]

Shroud of Mystery Surrounds Missile Shipment

(Source: Finnish Broadcasting Corp. YLE; posted Dec. 22, 2011)

Wednesday's seizure by Finnish Customs officials of a cargo of explosives and high-tech missiles aboard a Manx-flagged ship has aroused a number of questions. Not only is the final intended destination of the 69 American-made Patriot missiles still unclear, it is being asked why such a valuable cargo was poorly packed and shipped with faulty documents.

The Patriot missiles, purchased from Germany, were on their way to Asia via the Finnish port of Kotka. Finnish Customs and the National Bureau of Investigation are trying to determine who ordered the weapons, who sold them and exactly where they were headed.

Their journey was interrupted when a spot check of the cargo aboard the M/S Thor Liberty showed that the shipment lacked a permit from the Ministry of Defence that is required for the export or transit of military materiel.

Customs and police turned their attention to the vessel after being informed by the Finnish Transport Safety Agency (TraFi) that it had received advance information that it was possibly carrying explosives.

Arms shipments transit Finnish territorial waters regularly, but few ships with such cargoes sail without the proper documentation.

"Exceptional incident"

"This incident is exceptional because of the amount of the materials and the type. Personally I cannot remember a case of this magnitude in recent years," head of Finnish customs anti-crime unit Petri Lounatmaa told YLE.

The transport of explosives back and forth across the Gulf of Finland has raised safety concerns. Emergency Services in Kotka set up a one-kilometre restricted zone around the vessel while its cargo was being handled by officials. Even so, the ship had already carried 150 tonnes of improperly secured explosives across the Gulf of Finland without informing anyone.

"When this huge amount of explosives are being transported and safety measures are not observed, it does indeed arouse suspicious and concerns," says Lounatmaa. (ends)

Finland Seizes Unauthorised Shipment of Patriot Missiles

(Source: STT Finnish government news; issued Dec. 22, 2011)

The Finnish government said Wednesday it had ordered the Defence Forces to seize 69 US-made Patriot surface-to-air missiles from MS Thor Liberty, a ship detained in port in Kotka in southeastern Finland since last week.

The government also revealed that the missiles had been listed as fireworks on the manifest. The ship lacks permits to enter a Finnish port with arms cargo.

Päivi Räsänen (cd), the Finnish interior minister, said she believed the incident was unique in Finnish history.

Räsänen confirmed that the missiles were in the possession of the military and that about 150 tonnes of military-grade explosive propellant remained onboard.

"My understanding is that the fate of the missiles is undecided," Räsänen said.

Räsänen added that Finnish authories had contacted their counterparts in Germany where the missiles had been loaded.

The government believes the missiles were to be shipped to South Korea and the propellant to China.

The Finnish police and Customs have launched an investigation into the incident, with the captain and first officer questioned suspected of arms export and seaworthiness offences.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

2 Held After Missiles Found On Ship In Finnish Port

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Published: 22 Dec 2011 14:11

HELSINKI - Finnish authorities have detained two Ukrainians over 69 surface-to-air Patriot missiles found on board a ship that docked in Finland en route to China, customs officials said.

"The ship's captain and the first mate have been detained," said Petri Lounatmaa, head of the Finnish customs anti-crime unit.

Finnish customs are investigating the case as one of illegal export of defense material.

The missiles, produced by Raytheon, were discovered following a customs search on the British-registered Thor Liberty, owned by Danish firm Thorco, at the Finnish port of Kotka, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) from Helsinki.

A German defense ministry spokesman said the Patriot missiles came from the German military and were destined for South Korea.

He said it was a "legal sale on the basis of an accord between two states at the government level." He said the transaction had received an official export authorization and was reported to customs authorities.

Finnish police have said the ship's destination was the Chinese port of Shanghai.

Lounatmaa said Thor Liberty's first officers and crew of about 30 were all Ukrainians, and that interrogations were underway.

He said investigators would be looking more closely into the intended destination of the vessel and its cargo, which also included propellant charges for the missiles and 150 tons of explosives.

Port officials have relocated the vessel to a separate berth at the Kotka port.

Finnish customs have confiscated the missiles, and "the Finnish military are taking care of their transportation and storage," Lounatmaa said.

Finnish law requires permission from defense officials to move such material across the country's borders.

[buglerbilly]

US Congress approves further $235m for Israeli anti-missile programs

The money is for the Raytheon-Rafael David's Sling and for IAI's Arrow 3.

25 December 11 15:56, Yuval Azoulai

The US Congress has decided to allocate $235 million for the continued development of Israel's anti-missile systems. The money, which will soon be transferred to Israel, will be used for the further development of the David Sling system against short and medium-range missiles and rockets developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. and Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), and for the next generation Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missile system, being developed by Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) (TASE: ARSP.B1). IAI will probably begin testing of the Arrow 3 in mid-2012.

When the Arrow 3 becomes operational, it will be capable of intercepting incoming ballistic missiles while they are still in space, which will improve Israel's readiness in the event of an attack by missiles carrying unconventional warheads.

Minister of Defense Ehud Barak said, "The aid from Congress is the next level in the strengthening of defense ties between Israel and the US. The further development of anti-missile programs will help Israel to better prepare for attacks against it, thereby strengthening Israel’s security."

Congress made the decision despite the serious economic situation in the US, and despite pending cuts in the US defense budget. Nonetheless, the US administration is ensuring the continuation of $3 billion in annual military aid to Israel.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 25, 2011

[pdf27]

Love the way missile defence is destabilizing if the US does it but great if Israel does it ;)

[buglerbilly]

Ship held after missiles discovery cleared to travel again

MS Thor Liberty had docked in Finnish port of Kotka when police found and seized missiles and explosives

Associated Press

guardian.co.uk, Monday 26 December 2011 16.37 GMT


The British-registered MS Thor Liberty is docked in Kotka, Finland Photograph: Kimmo Mantyla/AFP/Getty Images

A British-registered ship that was held in a Finnish port after authorities discovered 69 surface-to-air missiles and 160 tons of explosives onboard has been given permission to travel again but without those materials or its captain, a port official said on Monday.

The MS Thor Liberty was heading to China and had docked in the southern Finnish port of Kotka to pick up anchor chains when police discovered and seized the missiles and explosive piric acid on board last week.

The Patriot missiles were an official shipment from Germany to South Korea, while the Finnish authorities said the explosives were a legitimate shipment for China. However, police said the missiles lacked proper transit documents and the explosives were not safely stored.

The military has destroyed some of the cargo, while other pieces were being repacked in a safer way, Markku Koskinen, the director of traffic operations at the port of Kotka, told the Associated Press. He said he did not know exactly which pieces had been disposed of.

The ship's Ukrainian captain and first mate were taken into custody on suspicion of violating weapons export laws, and have not been cleared to leave the country. Eleven other crew members were on the ship.

Koskinen said the vessel's travel ban was lifted on Monday afternoon, but could not say whether it would leave without its captain or whether the intention was still to travel to China.

"She can sail, but customs is still holding the cargo and the [detained] crew isn't allowed to leave Finland," he added.

[buglerbilly]

Ship carrying missiles trying to avoid typhoon

2011-12-27 18:44

A Britain-registered ship carrying missiles to South Korea has been detained in Finland after trying to avoid a typhoon, a South Korean official said Tuesday.

According to the official with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the ship Thor Liberty, which was delivering 69 Patriot missiles from Germany to South Korea, was impounded in Kotka, southern Finland, on Dec. 15.

The vessel had left a northern German port of Emden on Dec. 13.

The official said it was en route to South Korea before forecast of a typhoon forced it to seek safe harbor in Finland.

The ship didn’t have proper transit documents for Finland, since it hadn’t initially planned to stop there, according to the official. News reports have said Finnish authorities detained the ship and its Ukrainian captain and first mate after discovering 69 surface-to-air missiles and about 150 tons of explosives aboard.

The official said Finnish officials at first mistook missiles for disguised illegal weapons, despite the lettering “rockets” on their containers.

“The customs officials there admitted their mistakes later,” the official said. “They’ve asked for the necessary documents for the missiles.”

The official also said Choi Seong-gyu, head of the DAPA’s international contracts department, and an official at South Korea’s Embassy in Finland will visit the Kotka port on Wednesday to submit transit documents and discuss a further itinerary for the shipment.

News reports said Tuesday Finland has allowed the Thor Liberty to leave, but without the weapons or the Ukrainian crew members, who are under suspicion of violating weapons export laws.

It wasn’t immediately clear which pieces of cargo had been removed and which had been repackaged.

A German defense ministry spokesman said the Patriot missiles, by U.S. company Raytheon, came from the German military and their shipment represented “a legal sale” based on a deal between Germany and South Korea “at the government level.”

(Yonhap News)

[buglerbilly]

South Korea wants impounded missiles "as early as possible"

published yesterday Dec 28 07:18 PM


Finnish officials believe it may be weeks before the Patriot missiles are on their way again.
Image: YLE Kymenlaakso

South Korea hopes that a shipment of Patriot missiles it purchased from Germany, but are currently impounded in Finland, will be turned over as soon as possible. The South Korean Ambassador to Helsinki told YLE that he believes that the interruption of the shipment was the result of poor communication among the European parties involved.

Long standing arms sales deals between Germany and South Korea got a new twist just before Christmas when the ship carrying the most recent shipment of missiles was held up by Finnish officials when it called at the port of Kotka.

The missile shipment itself was legal, but lacked the transit papers needed to be moved in and out of Finnish territory. The vessel, the Thor Liberty, is still in Kotka and the missiles it was carrying are being stored elsewhere.

South Korean Ambassador Dongsun Park told YLE on Wednesday that his country would like to take delivery of the missiles without further delay.

"The delay has caused some little inconvenience. Of course, we Koreans would like to have them as early as possible for the safety of the country and for peace of the country," said Park.

Communication problems

Ambassador Park speculated that the reasons for the seizure of the missiles by Finnish authorities are to be found in garbled communications.

"It's a European operation up to now. The point origin is in Europe. It's a European shipping company and the port the materials are in is in Finland. So I think you don't speak the same language, even among Europeans."

The vessel is also carrying a large consignment of explosives. Finnish authorities are investigating whether or not they are military materials. If they are, they as well require the proper transit documents.

According to available information, the explosives were being shipped to a different address in Asia than the missiles. Ambassador Park stressed that South Korea has nothing to do with the explosives aboard the Thor Liberty.

Solely defensive

The news of the Patriot missiles being seized in Finland hit world headlines only a few days after the announcement of the death of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il. However, Ambassador Park denied any connection.

"This is, after all, for peace and stability and even for prosperity in the sense that this is a trade between the EU and Korea. These are purely defensive materials, not any offensive materials. So, good for peace, good for stability, good for our prosperity."

Finnish officials believe it may still be weeks before the Patriot missiles are on their way toward South Korea again. The country's ambassador to Helsinki would like the matter squared away as quickly as possible.

"Koreans are impatient people and very efficient people, but I think Finnish people are more efficient than many Koreans, so we hope for an early delivery".

YLE

[buglerbilly]

Disaster averted: Iron Dome missiles fall off truck

By JPOST.COM STAFF

12/29/2011 09:56


Photo by: NIR ELIAS / Reuters

20 interceptors are damaged when soldiers fail to properly secure them; Iron Dome operations suspended during investigation.

A serious and expensive accident occurred this week in the Air Force unit responsible for the Iron Dome rocket defense system in the South. Twenty Iron Dome interceptor missiles fell several meters, causing damage to the missiles but no injuries.

The accident occurred when the missiles were improperly secured while being loaded onto a truck for maintenance, Israel Radio reported.

A number of soldiers and officers were nearby but none were injured. The rockets are built with a safety mechanism to ensure they only explode when fired at a rocket.

The missiles were damaged and will be removed from the active arsenal, according to the report. Each interceptor costs around $50,000 and usually two are fired at rockets slated for interception, putting the monetary cost of the accident at roughly $1 million.

The IDF ordered an immediate investigation into the incident, which senior officials called a case of severe negligence by soldiers and commanders who ignored safety procedures, the IDF Spokesman told Israel Radio. The Iron Dome system will be suspended until the initial investigation is completed.

Israel currently has three Iron Dome batteries deployed in the South and a fourth is slated to be deployed in early 2012. The system has intercepted dozens of rockets since the beginning of the year.

Thursday's incident follows reports that the United States Army is set to decide on the possible purchase of the Iron Dome counter-rocket defense system. The system, developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, has already been sold to Singapore, according to foreign reports.

The US Army is interested in using the Iron Dome outside bases in Iraq and Afghanistan that could potentially be targeted by Katyusha rockets. The US military has discovered 107 mm. Katyushas in Iraq in the past. The initial deal is valued at $100 million, but could reach several-hundred-million dollars over a number of years.

Yaakov Katz contributed to this report.

[buglerbilly]

UAE Said to Sign Lockheed Thaad Pact Valued to $3.49 Billion

By Tony Capaccio - Dec 30, 2011 5:47 AM GMT+0800 .


The PAC-3 Missile is a small, highly agile, kinetic kill interceptor for defense against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and air-breathing threats. Photograph: Lockheed Martin

Undefinitized? Is that the same as "undefined"................Jeez the abuse of the English language continues! And don't some smart fart tell me this is a Contract Law word because it should be plain English contract or not............fuckin' prick Lawyers!

The U.S. and the United Arab Emirates have signed a deal valued at as much as $3.49 billion for the first international sale of Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT)’s newest missile interceptor, according to government officials.

The initial installment of a so-called “undefinitized contract action” is valued at about $1.96 billion, according to a U.S. government official. The Pentagon may announce the contract action as soon as next week, said the official, who wasn’t authorized to discuss the signing prior to its announcement.

The interceptors are a centerpiece of the regional defense that the Obama administration plans to deploy in the Middle East against Iran’s medium- and long-range ballistic missiles. Batteries of land-based interceptors would be linked with the U.S. Navy’s detection systems on Aegis-class destroyers and cruisers.

Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, or Thaad, missile interceptors are produced in Troy, Alabama, and the fire control equipment and launchers are made in Camden, Arkansas. Lockheed Martin is based in Bethesda, Maryland.

Raytheon Co. (RTN), of Waltham, Massachusetts, provides the radar, and Honeywell Inc. (HON), of Morris Township, New Jersey, makes the missile’s mission computer. Aerojet, part of GenCorp Inc. (GY), based in Rancho Cordova, California, makes the Thaad rocket motor. The U.S. subsidiary of the U.K.’s BAE Systems Plc (BA/) produces the missile seeker.

Lockheed Comment

Lockheed Martin spokeswoman Jennifer Whitlow said the company was continuing to work with the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency on the contract. She declined to discuss the timing of any announcement.

Shares of Lockheed closed at $81.52, up 58 cents or .72 percent on the New York Stock Exchange.

The UAE would be the first Thaad international buyer. In September 2008, when it was first proposed for congressional approval, the Pentagon said the deal would be valued at as much as $6.95 billion if all options were exercised.

In August 2010 the UAE scaled back the sale by about one- third. It “adjusted its requirement” to 96 interceptors from 144.

The UAE also reduced its purchase -- from four to two -- of Raytheon’s AN/TPY-2 mobile search and tracking radar. The new radar plan supports two missile batteries, rather than three, according to a Missile Defense Agency document.

To contact the reporter on this story: Tony Capaccio in Washington at acapaccio@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Mark Silva at msilva34@bloomberg.net

[buglerbilly]

Finland to Widen Missile Shipment Inquiry: Customs

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Published: 30 Dec 2011 10:50

Fer f*#k's sake! Someone in Finnish Customs is making a right meal of this............monumental waste of time and effort! :cuckoo

HELSINKI - Finland wants to widen an inquiry into the illegal transit of 69 Patriot missiles through its territory aboard a regular merchant vessel, Finnish customs said Dec. 30.

Two Ukrainians - the ship's captain and the first mate - remained in Finland and were subject to a travel ban during the ongoing investigation.

"Next week ... we will want to hear more suspects or persons of interest in the case. It is possible there may be others of interest," the head of the Finnish customs anti-crime unit, Petri Lounatmaa, told AFP.

The surface-to-air missiles, produced by U.S. firm Raytheon, were discovered last week on the British-registered Thor Liberty docked in the southeastern Finnish port of Kotka and bound for the Chinese port city of Shanghai, according to Finnish police. Finnish customs are investigating the case as one of illegal export of defense material.

Lounatmaa said customs and police investigators had "been in contact with several countries" and the information gathered would help them "focus ... investigations in the right direction."

He declined to provide any details on the nature of the information received, noting only that some of it had come in the form of intelligence briefs.

More official information would be needed as evidence if the case goes to criminal proceedings, he said.

Last week, a German defense ministry spokesman said the missiles came from the German military and were destined for South Korea, not China. He said it was a "legal sale on the basis of an accord between two states at the government level" and that export authorizations were in order.

However, a senior Finnish defense ministry official said Finland had not received any transit license application for the missiles from Germany.

On Dec. 26, Finnish transport safety officials cleared the Thor Liberty to leave Finland, after the missiles and most of the cargo of 150 tons of explosives had been unloaded from the vessel.

However, the vessel remained grounded by the travel ban on its first officers.

[buglerbilly]

Finland Grants Transit Permit for Patriot Missiles

By MATTI HUUHTANEN Associated Press

HELSINKI January 4, 2012 (AP)

The Finnish government on Wednesday authorized the transport of 69 impounded Patriot missiles en route to South Korea from Germany on a British-registered cargo boat.

The M/S Thor Liberty, which arrived in Finland last month from Germany to load a shipment of anchor chains and paper machine parts for China, was held in port after authorities discovered the surface-to-air missiles and 160 tons of explosive picric acid.

Police impounded the cargo and launched an investigation after port handlers reported that the explosives, also headed for China, were inadequately packed and that the missiles did not have the required transit documents.

Government officials on Wednesday said they had studied the case and decided to grant the Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration a re-export license. It has until the end of August to ship the missiles from Finland.

"There was no reason to delay anymore," Finnish Defense Minister Stefan Wallin said. "Everything is in order."

Earlier, the German Defense Ministry said the cargo of missiles was an official shipment that was fully declared and had all necessary clearings from German authorities.

Also, Finnish officials have said that the picric acid could be shipped once it is safely packed.

However, despite the government decision on Wednesday it was not clear when the boat would be able to sail pending the outcome of the police investigation. Police declined comment on the investigation.

[buglerbilly]

Israel and U.S. to Hold Joint Missile Drill

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Published: 5 Jan 2012 19:17

JERUSALEM - Israel and the United States are to hold a joint missile defense exercise, the Israeli military said late Jan. 5.

Although the exercise, codenamed "Austere Challenge 12," comes at a time of spiraling regional tensions over Iran's suspected nuclear arms program, the army said the maneuvers were planned in advance.

"The exercise scenario involves notional, simulated events as well as some field training and is not in response to any real-world event," the military said in a written response to an AFP query

"The U.S. European Command and the Israel Defence Forces periodically conduct routine exercises in Israel. These exercises, which are part of along-standing strategic partnership, are planned in advance and part of a routine training cycle designed to improve the interoperability of our defence systems."

It did not say when the exercise would take place. Local media said that it would get underway in the spring and would be the biggest ever joint maneuvers between the two allies.

Israel and the United States have a longstanding strategic alliance and are jointly developing the Arrow anti ballistic missile system.

In November the Jewish state staged a major civil defense drill in the Tel Aviv region aimed at simulating a response to conventional and non-conventional missile attacks.

Although Iran says its nuclear program is for civilian use only, the international community believes it is striving to acquire nuclear arms and Israel says that it is a prime target of the Islamic republic.

Iran has threatened to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world's oil flows, if it is hit with sanctions, and has warned the United States not to send an aircraft carrier back into the Gulf.

Last week it test-fired three missiles during war games east of the strait at the entrance to the Gulf.

[buglerbilly]

Raytheon Awarded $30 Million for New Missile Defense Interceptor

Stunner will provide ballistic missile defense at a tactical missile cost

TUCSON, Ariz., Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) received a $30.2 million contract from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems for continued development of the Stunner interceptor. Stunner is an advanced, multi-mission, multi-platform interceptor designed for integration into current and planned air and missile defense systems.

"The Stunner interceptor redefines the performance/cost value equation for terminal missile defense," said Mike Booen, vice president of Advanced Security and Directed Energy Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems. "Stunner will provide all weather, hit-to-kill performance at a tactical missile price."

Raytheon will use the funding for fabrication of the missile's subsystem hardware including safety devices and guidance electronics. The new contract will also fund flight tests and low-rate initial production of the Stunner interceptor.

"The Stunner program is an excellent example of how Raytheon partners globally," added Booen. "The interceptor will be deployed initially in Israel and will eventually provide a missile defense solution for other allied nations worldwide."

About Stunner

Part of the David's Sling Weapon System, Stunner is designed to defeat a variety of short-range ballistic missiles, large caliber rockets and cruise missiles.

Raytheon and Rafael signed a teaming agreement in 2009 to develop and produce the Stunner interceptor.

The first Stunner intercept flight test is planned for 2012.

[buglerbilly]

U.S.: 'We Will Get Missile Defense Agreement' With Russia

By MARCUS WEISGERBER

Published: 12 Jan 2012 17:29

The United States will hold "strategic stability talks" with Russia in the coming months with the goal of finding mutual areas of cooperation, including a controversial missile defense shield in Eastern Europe.

Ellen Tauscher, U.S. undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, is optimistic that the United States, NATO and Russia could find a common ground for the missile defense site.

"We will get a missile defense agreement for cooperation with Russia," Tauscher said bluntly during a Jan. 12 breakfast with reporters in Washington.

Asked when such an agreement could occur, she said, "Can't tell you."

For years, the U.S. has not been able to get Russia to sign on to its plan to install a European-based missile defense system is designed to intercept Iranian-launched, medium-range intercontinental ballistic missiles.

"The Russians are just like everybody else. They don't like to be invited to a dinner party and arrive during the dessert. Almost everything else that you work with on European security has been settled; settled, decided and worked on together by others for decades," Tauscher said. "The only thing that's new where you can actually bring the Russians in is missile defense."

The U.S. missile shield plans calls for Raytheon SM-3 interceptor sites in Romania and Poland and the installation of a radar site in Turkey.

NATO plans to declare an interim operational capability for the missile defense shield during meetings in Chicago in May, Gen. Stéphane Abrial, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, said this week during a taping of This Week in Defense News.

Gen. Mieczysław Cieniuch, chief of the general staff of the Polish Armed Forces, said he believes an agreement between the U.S., NATO and Russia is possible.

"I don't think we have no chance to reach an agreement," Cieniuch said in a Jan. 9 interview, while in Washington. "I still think that we have a chance to reach agreement, with NATO-Russia, the U.S.-Russi, and we can build this missile defense system for the benefits of all of Europe."

During the planned talks, Washington and Moscow are expected to discuss a "baker's dozen" of issues where the countries could work together, including missile defense, cybersecurity and conventional armed forces, Tauscher said.

"We are going to have these strategic stability talks this year so that we can actually come out the other side of it with a greater understanding of what mutually assured stability means to the Russians, what it means to us," she said.

In order for the missile defense pact to work, the U.S. must give Russia assurances, Tauscher said.

"I cannot give them assurances that look like limitations, I can't look like I'm limiting the system," she said. "I'm not going to limit the system; we've made it very clear. We're going to deploy all four parts of the system and it's going to be responsive to the threat."

Observation of the missile defense system in use is key to reaching an agreement.

"The only way they're going to be reassured that SM-3 Block-1A and [Block-]1B and future systems and the system itself does not undercut their strategic deterrent is to sit with us in the tent in NATO and see what we're doing," Tauscher said. "It will only be their own eyes and ears. They have to live it."

"Is it a political leap of faith? Yes. Are they ready to do it? No," she continued. "But we're hoping that these strategic stability talks over the next eight months will start to kind of loosen these old ties that have been binding everybody into the old way of thinking."

Still it may take a while before the two sides see eye-to-eye as both Russia and the United States are also in the midst of presidential elections, which once complete, could help identify the players on both sides of the negotiations.

[buglerbilly]

Israel, US cancel missile defense drill

By YAAKOV KATZ, Jeruslaem Post

01/15/2012 14:15

“Austere Challenge” was billed as largest such drill in country's history; officials cite technical, logistical issues.

Israel and the US canceled a missile defense drill, billed as the largest ever in the country's history, planned for the spring, senior military officials said Sunday.

Initially scheduled for April and called "Austere Challenge," the drill was supposed to see the deployment of thousands of US troops and various sophisticated US military equipment in Israel.

In recent weeks, Defense Minister Ehud Barak's office has held talks with the Pentagon about the possibility of canceling the drill.

Senior military officers told The Jerusalem Post that the drill scheduled for April has been canceled, while defense officials said that it was possible that it would be held later in 2012.

The drill, expected to involve the deployment of thousands of US troops in Israel, was scheduled to last around a week and mark the first time that a top US military commander would participate in the simulations.

The parties were scheduled to simulate missile defense scenarios with the objective of creating a high level of interoperability so that, if needed, US missile defense systems would be able to work with Israeli systems during a conflict.

Officials refused to elaborate on the reasons behind talks to postpone or cancel the drill, but said they were mostly "technical and logistical."

Talks about postponing the drill took the Americans, as well as the Israeli Air Defense division, responsible for missile defense, by surprise. Just last Thursday, top IAF officers had said that the drill was scheduled for this spring.

This year’s drill was expected to be unique in its size and scope and also mark the first time that commander of the US European Command, Adm. James Stavridis, would participate in the simulations. In the event of war, the EUCOM commander will be responsible for approving Israeli requests to deploy US missile defense systems in Israel.

The planned drill had caused tension in the region amid concern that Israel is planning an attack against Iran's nuclear facilities in the near future, and therefore is bolstering its defenses together with the US.

It is possible that talks about postponing the drill can also be contributed to increased American concern that an Israeli strike is being planned.

Later this week, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz will fly to Brussels for a meeting of NATO military commanders and will return to Israel on Thursday to greet Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, who will be arriving in Tel Aviv for his first official visit.

[buglerbilly]

US examines MEADS funding

18 January 2012 - 11:57 by Beth Stevenson in London, UK



Slightly strange picture to use, the front vehicle is the US-based FMTV 6x6 MEADS control centre, the other truck is the Italian Iveco semi-trailer for the MEADS rocket/missile launcher. The Germans use another truck again (MAN-based?)

Lockheed Martin has revealed that discussions will begin 'this week' with regards to the 2013 congressional requirements for the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS).

Mike Trotsky, Lockheed Martin VP for air and missile defence, told a media briefing in London on 17 January, that armaments directors for the three partner nations are set to discuss 2013 requirements this week. The company produces the US element of the NATO-managed programme that aims to replace ageing missiles in Germany, Italy and the US.

'The instructions we have received from OSD [Office of the Secretary of Defense] are that they are going to go forward and satisfy the congressional requirements for showing a re-structured programme that will result in significant technologies from MEADs being transitioned into US programmes,' Trotsky explained.

'That will free up the money in this year's president's budget, and we will have another congressional drill in this coming year for the FY13 promise. And that's being discussed between the armaments directors of all the countries, Germany, Italy and the US, this week.'

In November MEADS demonstrated its ability to engage and defeat a target coming from any direction, including a single launcher. This was the first flight test held at White Sands missile range, and demonstrated an 'unprecedented over the shoulder launch of a PAC 3 MSE [Missile Segment Enhancement] missile against a simulated target attacking from behind', Trotsky said.

This test was one of three flight tests proved by the national armaments directors of the three nations and in June was part of a revised set of development objectives for the system.

'In this year, 2012, we will continue major end item integration, in anticipation of moving the White Sands missile range for more flight tests,' Trotsky explained.

In August the company said it was 'optimistic' that funding for the programme would continue beyond the two years that the tri-national agreement was scheduled for.

The next year will see integration tests for the system, Trotsky said, which will involve marrying up the individual radars, including the surveillance and multi-function control types, plus the launcher and the battle management C4I (BMC4I).

This will happen at a combination of European test ranges in Italy, after which the equipment will be moved over to White Sands missile range for flight tests that will take place towards the end of this year through to the middle of next year.

MEADS is designed for easy deployment, and incorporates the Lockheed Martin PAC-3 (Patriot Advanced Capability) MSE missile, as well as 360 degree surveillance and fire control sensors, netted-distributed battle management/communication centres and high-firepower launchers.

As well as Lockheed Martin, MBDA Italia and LFK (LenkFlugKorpersysteme) in Germany also participate in the development of the missile.

Trotsky also highlighted other company achievements in 2011, including a $1.96 billion contract from the Missile Defence Agency (MDA) and the UAE to produce its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon system, as well as the first FMS of the system.

[buglerbilly]

This is the full side-on shot of the Italian missile launcher........

[buglerbilly]

Thursday, January 19, 2012, 12:37 AM

China wants to buy S-400 ground to air defence missile system from Russia.

China wants to buy S-400 anti-aircraft missile launchers from Russia, Vasily Kashin from the Center for Strategy and Technology Analysis told Interfax-AVN on Monday, January 16, 2012. "China has expressed its interest in buying S-400 systems. As far as I understand, Russia is reserved about this deal," he said.


Russian made S-400 ground-to-air defence missile system

Russian officials said many times that the deliveries of the new system, S-400 'Triumf', to foreign partners, among them China, would begun after the demand from the national armed forces was met in full. "Not only China but also some other countries are interested in this weapon. Yet our priority is domestic defense orders and the state armament program," the expert said.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in its annual report last year that Russia wished to supply S-400 launchers, Ilyushin Il-476 transport jets and Sukhoi Su-33 ship-based jets to China at fair prices despite its concerns about the Chinese possible copying of defense technologies and prospective rivalry on the global market.

The S-400 'Triumf' of the Almaz-Antei Concern is built for highly efficient protection of key political, administrative, economic and military sites from air strikes, strategic, cruise, tactical and operative tactical ballistic missiles and medium-range ballistic missiles.

It can destroy air targets on the range of up to 250 kilometers and hits non-strategic ballistic missiles on the range of up to 60 kilometers.

The aerodynamic target destruction altitude varies from 0.01 to 27 kilometers, and the indicator is 2/7 for ballistic targets. The maximum speed of the destroyed target is 4,800 meters per second. The system simultaneously locks on 6 targets with 72 missiles. It takes five minutes to deploy the system.

[buglerbilly]

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Ramstein To Raise Missile Defense Awareness

Posted by Nicholas Fiorenza at 1/23/2012 10:47 AM CST

NATO's air command in Ramstein, Germany, is being equipped with an interim capability to produce an integrated air and missile situational awareness picture. The NATO Air Command and Control System Management Agency (NACMA) today signed a €3 million contract on behalf of the NATO Active Layered Theater Ballistic Missile Defense Programme Office with ThalesRaytheonSystems to deliver a ballistic missile defense interim capability element at the command, the NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A) announced.


Communication van (NC3A photo)

Implementation of the contract within the next three months will provide Ramstein the same air and missile situational awareness as the NATO combined air operations center (CAOC) in Uedem, also in Germany, giving NATO the capability to conduct 24/7 territorial missile defense operations while simultaneously deploying a theater missile defense command and control capability to any theater of operations. It will also improve the ability of a NATO commander to plan and shape a missile defense mission by monitoring and reporting ballistic missile defense events to key NATO locations in collaboration with US forces, according to the NC3A. The contract will replicate at Ramstein the operational hardware and software of the existing NATO interim theater ballistic missile defense capability currently provided by a communications van deployed at the CAOC in Uedem based on the latest configuration of the NATO Air Command and Control System (ACCS).

The NC3A said implementation of the contract will be an important step towards NATO's objective of declaring an interim missile defense capability at its Chicago summit in May.

[buglerbilly]

Talks with Russia on missile defence stalled - NATO

Thu Jan 26, 2012 3:24pm GMT

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Talks with Russia over NATO's planned missile defence system are failing to progress, the head of NATO said on Thursday, diminishing the likelihood of a summit with Moscow at the NATO summit in May.

NATO is developing the system to counter threats from states such as Iran. But Moscow is seeking legal guarantees that it is not aimed at limiting Russia's strategic nuclear capability, and wants joint control of how the system is used. NATO has declined these demands.

"I still hope we will be able to reach an agreement with Russia on missile defence cooperation," NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told a news briefing.

"However, I also have to make it clear that we have not made much progress so far."

Russia is concerned about plans to station elements of the missile defence system near Russia, in NATO member states Poland, Romania and Turkey.

These elements would include radar that would have coverage extending into Russian territory, something that might give NATO the potential to tamper with Russian defence systems.

Russia has threatened to deploy missiles and radar near NATO territory to counter the system if an agreement to cooperate cannot be reached.

NATO has been pushing for an agreement in time for a summit of NATO leaders to be held in Chicago from May 20-21, which Russia would attend if there was a deal in prospect.

"Maybe we will not have a clarified situation until a few weeks before the summit," Rasmussen said.

"We still keep it as an option to have a NATO-Russia summit in Chicago. But if there's no deal, probably there will be no (NATO-Russia) summit."

(Reporting By Sebastian Moffett; Editing by David Brunnstrom)

© Thomson Reuters 2012 All rights reserved

[buglerbilly]

IAI, Boeing Ready Arrow For Export — to S. Korea?

Jan. 30, 2012 - 01:44PM

By BARBARA OPALL-ROME

TEL AVIV — Armed with marketing approval by their respective governments, a U.S.-Israeli industrial team plans to offer the Arrow weapon system to South Korea as a first, potential export of the joint ballistic-missile defense system.

Executives from Boeing and state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), partners in production of the Israeli-designed Arrow-2 and planned Arrow-3 interceptors, said Boeing would lead marketing and negotiating in South Korea.

The potential deal, estimated to exceed $1 billion, would ultimately be concluded between the U.S. and South Korean governments and managed as a Pentagon Foreign Military Sale, defense and industry sources here said.

“There’s still a long way to go, but we and our Israeli partners are working very persistently to be able to provide this phenomenal capability to South Korea, an important U.S. ally,” Roger Krone, president of Boeing Network & Space Systems, said during a recent visit here.

Last week, Boeing and IAI announced an agreement to expand their 10-year partnership beyond joint development and production of Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 interceptors for Israel’s defense needs.

The Jan. 23 announcement did not name countries to be targeted by the new strategic agreement. It noted that the agreement “aims to explore and develop new opportunities in the missile defense arena.”

IAI President Itzhak Nissan heralded the agreement as “the next logical step in our relationship with Boeing, and a strong opportunity for both companies to play a bigger role in the missile defense market.”

“The Arrow program demonstrates Boeing’s commitment to develop international missile defense partnerships around the globe,” Krone said in the joint announcement.

Similarly, Greg Hyslop, vice president and general manager of Boeing Strategic Missile and Defense Systems, said the Boeing-IAI partnership “has produced an innovative, versatile and affordable advanced missile defense capability.”

During a visit here last month, Krone declined to speculate when the South Korean Defense Ministry would request proposals or which competitors might respond.

He also wouldn’t say whether Boeing-IAI would bid the operational Arrow-2 or the smaller, less expensive, exo-atmospheric Arrow-3, now in development and scheduled for its first fly-out test later this year.

Defense and industry sources noted that South Korean military planners late last year launched a so-called assessment of alternatives that included Arrow-2, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, the Patriot PAC-3 and the Russian S-300 and S-400 systems.

South Korea bought 48 used PAC-3 launch modules, radars and missiles, including the Patriot Anti-Tactical Missile and Guidance Enhanced Missile Plus (GEM+) from Germany.

In 2009, Seoul’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration decided to buy two EL/M-2080 Green Pine radars — the same radars supporting Israel’s Arrow-based national missile defense system — from Elta Systems, an IAI subsidiary. Operational deployment of the radars is slated for this year.

The radars will be part of South Korea’s Air and Missile Defense-Cell, a key component of the nation’s low-tier air and missile defense system to counter the threat posed by North Korea’s low-flying, short- and intermediate-range missiles, officials said.

While Israel is pushing ahead with the sale of the Arrow, the South Korean government has made no effort to introduce a high-altitude interceptor because of fears over potential backlash from neighboring countries, including China.

And South Korea has been on track to build its own low-tier and medium-range missile defense systems. Last month, the state-funded Agency for Defense Development unveiled the Cheongung system, a medium-range surface-to-air missile system.

For the longer term, defense and industry sources here said India is a potential export market for the U.S.-Israeli AWS, given the Pentagon’s willingness to restart missile defense cooperation talks with New Delhi.

A potential sale or joint production of missile defense systems was an agenda item for the U.S.-Indian strategic dialogue that began in 2003, but the talks were suspended in 2008. During a visit this month to New Delhi, Robert Scher, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense for South and Southeast Asia, offered to revive such talks, a Pentagon spokeswoman confirmed.

“We are really open to it. This is something we ask them if they are interested in,” Scher was quoted as saying in a Jan. 19 report by the Press Trust of India.

Asked to clarify Scher’s reported remarks, Navy Cmdr. Leslie Hull-Ryde, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said, “We have not discussed ballistic-missile defense cooperation since 2008 and are currently focused on a range of other higher priorities, including maritime security. However, should India express interest in restarting discussions on [ballistic missile defense], we would be prepared to discuss it.”

U.S. and Israeli sources said neither the U.S. government nor Israel’s Ministry of Defense has approved any marketing efforts or technical discussions on potential Arrow exports to India. Nevertheless, they note that India has the need, potential funding and the favorable political standing with Washington and Tel Aviv to support such a deal.

Israeli industry sources noted that India bought the Arrow’s Green Pine radars in support of a two-tier, indigenous intercepting system based on the Prithvi missile. In the past decade, Israeli exports to India have accounted for nearly $2 billion annually, including radars, air-launched missiles, tank upgrades, and land- and ship-based air defense systems.

“If the U.S. government allows ballistic-missile defense exports to India, it will represent a very inviting prospect for the IAI-Boeing team,” said Uzi Rubin, a former director of Israel’s Missile Defense Organization. “I don’t see the U.S. refusing us the opportunity to export Arrow if the other U.S. systems are allowed to compete.”

Jung Sung-ki contributed to this report from Seoul.

[buglerbilly]

Israel Readies Test Of Integrated Air Defense

Feb 8, 2012

By David Eshel
Tel Aviv



Israeli air force air and missile defenses are to be combined and reorganized to better protect the entire nation. Under this doctrine, defense of Israel’s skies will combine all forces designated to intercept enemy aircraft with all the assets allocated to intercept missiles, regardless of range. The multilayered, active defense will be run by a centralized interception-management center, which will also provide the common air picture that enables aircraft and interceptor missiles to safely coexist.

The philosophy of active defense—grouping the air, rocket and missile defense capabilities—underpins the new defensive concept, which also includes early-warning, passive defense and counter-strike capabilities. The air force’s operational structure will be similar to that used for aircraft, with the entire air-defense layout operating according to tasks assigned to units, rather than according to geographic deployment.

The new formation of the air-defense command reflects the fact that Israel’s air and missile defense assets must share the sky with fighters, helicopters, transports and unmanned aircraft, and coexist with civilian aviation flying national and international routes. Under old operational concepts, surface-to-air (SAM) sites were assigned “restricted zones” to protect strategic sites during wartime, leaving air force fighters to secure the majority of Israel’s airspace.

Now, modern active defenses are called on to maintain constant alert and initiate target engagement at very long distances, with missile trajectories passing safely through “live” airspace. With assets allocated throughout the country and covering extremely long ranges, the air-defense command will be able to better defend Israeli airspace, regardless of where its weapons are deployed.

Based on the current inventory of air-defense systems, the new deployment will maintain one air-defense wing and one rocket and missile-defense wing. The air-defense assets currently deployed are the MIM-23 Improved Hawk PIP3 and MIM-104 Patriot, both produced by Raytheon. Tactical air defenses are provided by MIM-92A Stinger missiles deployed on improved M163 mobile air defense guns.

The missile-defense wing maintains two principal assets, the Sword Shield unit operating the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Arrow 2 ASIP (improved versions from the Arrow System Improvement Program, or ASIP) since 1998, and the new Iron Dome unit, equipped with three Rafael Iron Dome counter-rocket, artillery and missile (C-RAM) systems.

The two systems were developed in Israel to meet specific requirements, distinctive to Israel at the time. The Arrow was designed to intercept Scud-type medium-range ballistic missiles, acquired by Iraq and Syria, while the Iron Dome, operational since 2011, was developed to defend against terrorist rocket attacks.

The Arrow 2 is designed to intercept ballistic missiles as they reenter the atmosphere in their terminal phase. Unlike the modern air-defense missiles employing hit-to-kill interceptors, the Arrow 2 introduced an “aimable” warhead to increase hit probability when passing the target at extremely high closing speed. The Arrow 2 ASIP represents the latest evolution of the Arrow system, capable of intercepting faster targets, launched from longer ranges. This capability was demonstrated in February 2011 against a target representing an Iranian Shahab 3 missile.

The next step in its evolution is the Arrow 3 exo-atmospheric missile interceptor, currently in development and about to undergo its first test. With a thrust-vectoring kill vehicle designed for hit-to-kill intercept, Arrow 3 will provide the upper tier in Israeli missile defenses, engaging hostile missiles in space, in their midcourse phase. The upper-layer intercept will significantly improve the defensive capability of the integrated system. The missile will be operated with existing Arrow assets, implementing the more flexible “shoot-shoot-look-shoot” intercept strategy over the linear “shoot-look-shoot” strategy currently guiding the Arrow.

Another important change will take place in 2013, as the new David’s Sling missile system, in final developmental testing at Rafael, reaches initial operational capability (IOC). Unlike the task-specific Arrow 2 and Iron Dome, David’s Sling was developed as a flexible, multipurpose weapon system capable of engaging aircraft, cruise missiles, ballistic and guided missiles. The interceptor missile is designed for land-based, maritime and airborne applications. A common missile, called Stunner, is fitted with a dual-band imaging infrared and radio-frequency seeker, as well as a multi-pulse rocket motor enabling all-weather operation and powerful kinematics, including endgame maneuverability at extended ranges.

David’s Sling will initially deploy with the air force’s air-defense wing, replacing the Hawk missiles. The air force’s is planning to field even more systems, as Patriot systems are phased out, enabling the air-defense command to fully integrate into the airspace defense with the new networked assets.

The Stunner missile has been demonstrated in test flights and the current phase will enable the team to expand testing of the entire system under the original development schedule. The system could reach IOC in 2013.

The system’s primary role will be to intercept medium- and long-range ballistic and guided rockets, such as the Fajr-5 and M-600, a Syrian copy of the Iranian Fateh-110, carrying half-ton warheads. These threats have a range of about 300 km (185 mi.). Other targets to be taken out by David’s Sling are intermediate-range ballistic missiles such as the Iranian BM-25, and the new Yakhont supersonic cruise missile, recently introduced by Syria.

The Yakhont threat would be held at risk by another air defense system developed in Israel—IAI’s Barak 8. The missile is designed to replace the existing Barak 1 point defense missile system deployed on the Israeli Saar 5 corvettes, providing extended networked air-defense protecting naval forces or offshore installations over a large area. Unlike the Arrow and David’s Sling, Barak 8 was developed without U.S. support and was designed primarily for the export market. Conceived mainly as a naval air-defense missile, Barak 8 is the cornerstone of the Indian Medium- and Long-Range SAM (MR-SAM/LR-SAM), a collaborative project undertaken by IAI and the Indian Defense Research & Development Organization (DRDO). The missile’s first flight test was in 2010 and the entire system is scheduled to enter developmental testing in Israel and India early this year. The weapon qualification program will include eight test firings.

Elements of the system have been delivered to India for installation on the new Kolkata-class (Project 15A) guided missile destroyers. The Israeli navy is trailing with its Saar 5B modernization plan, lacking a clear decision on the platform, contractor and weapon system. Promoting the system as a potential replacement of the existing Barak 1, IAI has developed a smaller assembly employing electronically scanning radar using a rotating single-plane design.

An important asset enabling full integration is the early warning and selective interception capability introduced with Israel’s new missile and C-RAM systems. Versions of the EL/M-2084 multimission target-acquisition radars operated with Iron Dome units, and to be included with future David’s Sling systems, detect and project the impact points of targets as soon as tracks are initiated.

Using phased-array technology, these radars support the different defensive layers, including early warning, providing for rapid alert for the civil population. The ability to predict an incoming missile’s impact point minutes before it actually strikes is key to Israel’s ability to deal with the affordability challenge of active defense. Secondly, this capability enables the missile defense units to ignore those rockets that will fall in open areas, focusing their attention and interceptor assets only at those targets posing the highest risk. It also enables the system to engage high-priority targets with more than one missile and at several points along its trajectory, maximizing the probability of interceptions.

The Israel air force is planning to deploy a fourth battery of Iron Dome in coming months and is mulling stationing it in Haifa Bay to protect Israel’s industrial hub. The defense ministry has a budget to manufacture an additional three Iron Dome batteries by the end of 2012. IAF operational requirements call for the deployment of about a dozen batteries along Israel’s northern and southern borders. Furthermore, Rafael is also proposing a seeker-less version of Iron Dome called Iron Flame to be used in counter-fire missions, attacking the launch sites of terrorists’ multiple-launch rocket systems.

With Iran considered by U.S. and Israeli intelligence to be on its way to obtaining a nuclear weapon, the allies are planning to hold their largest-ever joint exercise aimed at testing their common defense against ballistic missiles. The joint drills, dubbed Juniper Cobra and Austere Challenge, were to take place early this year but now are scheduled to take place in April or May, or possibly later. They will simulate Israel’s ballistic missile defense in action as part of a coalition operation.

The U.S. plans to deploy the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) system for the drills. In such a scenario, Thaad could complement the Israeli Arrow missiles with high-altitude capabilities. In its U.S. deployment, Thaad complements the lower-altitude domain of the Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC‑3) antimissile system. The drills also will include the establishment of an Israeli command post at U.S. European Command headquarters in Germany.

Photo: IDF