Thaad, SM-3 Tests Continue, GMD Grounded

 Two long-awaited intercept tests are slated for U.S. terminal and ship-based defenses in the coming months, but the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) campaign remains stalled for at least another year while engineers sort out a problem with the kill vehicle.

Short Range Air Launched Target Successfully Launched

The Missile Defense Agency successfully completed a flight test involving the launch of a Short Range Air Launched Target (SRALT) at the Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division-Point Mugu Sea Range, California. This flight test, designated FTX-17, successfully demonstrated an upgraded air launch and umbilical pull separation system, which had been redesigned to correct problems identified during previous tests.

Tobyhanna Strong On Radar Support

In the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, a large, white radome dominates the high ground at Tobyhanna Army Depot symbolizing the growing number of radars and sensors that depot personnel maintain for the military.

Luis Velez, left, and John Radzikowski set up a Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar system for rotation testing in an anechoic test chamber. Tobyhanna Army Depot employees conduct full organic repair on the entire AN/TPQ-48 LCMR system.

Radars at Tobyhanna run the gamut from Air Defense, Air Traffic Control, Ground Surveillance, Airborne, Shipborne, Range Threat systems and critical Counter Fire systems, supporting the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy.

Israel to join U.S. Mideast missile shield

Israel’s growing missile defenses will reportedly be integrated into the United States’ planned regional defense network — and could end up shielding Arab states that, in theory at least, are considered adversaries of the Jewish state.

MDAA Defender of the Month, April 2011 – Captain Kirby Atwell

Dear Members and Friends,

On behalf of all of our members, we are proud to announce the April 2011 Defender of the Month, Captain Kirby Atwell, United States Army. CPT Atwell is currently the Commander, 10th Missile Defense Detachment, 100th Missile Defense Brigade (GMD) / 94th AAMDC (FWD) in Shariki, Japan. He is the first Commander of the forward-based AN/TPY-2 Radar stationed there.

Captain Atwell is the National Guard’s 1st Quarter selection for MDAA’s Defender of the Month.

Click Here to View Our One-on-One Interview with Captain Atwell

Click Here to View Past MDAA Defender of the Month Recipients

Respectfully,

Riki Ellison
Chairman & Founder
Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance