Aviation International News: The U.S. government has cleared Raytheon’s AN/TPY-2 ballistic missile defense radar for sale to several allies in its forward-based mode. The large but mobile and air-transportable X-band radar is already cleared for export as part of the Lockheed Martin Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system. But when it can be… read more
Al Monitor: Conceived as a means of deterring a nuclear strike by the Soviet Union or North Korea, missile defense is proving a useful tool in persuading the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf not to acquire nuclear weapons, according to a former head of US Strategic Command. Retired Marine Gen. James Cartwright, who also served… read more
Defense Security Cooperation Agency: The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea for Aegis Combat Systems and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.91 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale… read more
Forbes: The most important program the Pentagon has for assuring early warning of a missile attack is the Space Based Infrared System, or SBIRS (“Sibbers”). SBIRS is a constellation of four satellites parked in geosynchronous orbit above the equator, plus two additional sensors hosted on spy satellites that fly over the North Pole. Collectively, the… read more
Navy Times: The first sailors are now on station at the controversial missile defense shield in Romania, Navy Region Europe announced Monday. The sailors arrived last month as part of an initial wave that will “lay the groundwork for a full team deployment.” The announcement means the AEGIS Ashore missile defense facility in Deveselu is… read more
Reuters: The German government has decided to buy the MEADS missile defense system built by European defense group MBDA and Lockheed Martin Corp, instead of the Patriot system built by Raytheon Co, a German government source said late Monday, confirming reports in German and U.S. media. German television station ARD said the German army had… read more
Sputnik News: Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg pledged that Norway will increase its military spending in line with NATO policy, and also contribute to the NATO missile defense system, after a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday. “It is necessary for us to contribute to this,” Solberg told a press conference on Friday following the meeting. “As a committed NATO member, we should… read more
Defense News: Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a Scud missile fired on its territory by rebel forces in neighboring Yemen early Saturday as momentum gathers for peace talks in Switzerland next weekend. “The Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces intercepted it with a Patriot missile,” said a statement from the Saudi-led coalition which has been waging… read more
Sputnik News: WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Navy guided missile destroyer (DDG) is set to arrive in the Spanish city of Rota in fall 2015 to support ballistic defense efforts in Europe, US Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said during his speech at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). “On the other side of the world, we are moving four DDGs, we have three there now, the… read more
Aviation International News: Thales has revealed details of the ballistic missile early warning radar (BMEWS) that it is developing under contract to the French Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Onera, the French government aerospace research agency. The work is a first for Europe and has potential application to the NATO active layered theatre ballistic missile… read more