Following on Friday’s release of the images of the new Taepo Dong-1 missile model. Today I have some new image renders of the now finished Taepo Dong-1 model in the modeling program showing the missile now separated into its stages. To see the model in full screen click the thumb image below.
Source: U.S. Department of Defense
Press release No. 407-05 April 28, 2005
ARMY
Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., was awarded on April 26, 2005, a $262,397,900 modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for Arrowhead Units with Accompanying Initial Spares. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2007. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This was a sole source contract initiated on June 8, 2004. The Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-04-C-0302).
NAVY
Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control, Archbald, Pa., is being awarded a $31,796,000 firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of an estimated 16,000 Laser Guided Training Rounds and associated support equipment. Work will be performed in Archbald, Pa., and is expected to be completed in April 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under an electronic request for proposals; two offers were received. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-05-D-0020).
Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Sudbury, Mass., is being awarded a $6,446,134 modification under previously awarded contract (N00024-03-C-5117) to exercise an option for engineering technical services relative to production of the SPY-1D (V) AEGIS Weapon System (AWS) Transmitter Group and MK99 Fire Control System. Specifically, these requirements include Engineering Technical Services for: the AWS Transmitter Group (AN/SPY-1, AN/SPY-1D (V) and AWS MK 99 Fire Control System), Microwave Tube, Theater Ballistic Missile Defense (TDMD), Engineering Support Center Support, Configuration Control, Engineering Support Services, Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) (Provisioning/Supply Support, Planned Maintenance, Support and Test equipment, Technical Data, PHS&T) and Data. The AWS is the primary anti-air warfare defensive weapons system onboard Ticonderoga Class Cruisers (CG) and Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers (DDG). The heart of the AWS is the AN/SPY-1 Radar System, a three-dimensional, air/surface search and tracking radar. This high-powered radar is able to perform search, track and missile guidance functions simultaneously, with capability of over 100 targets. Work will be performed in Sudbury (90 percent) and Andover (10 percent), Mass., and is expected to be completed by May 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the
contracting activity.
To read the full press release follow this Link
Today I put the finishing touches onto the new IRBM missile model; this model is the North Koreans Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile. Here are a few pictures of the new model.
For more images of the new model check out the Gallery page.
Source: Air Force Space Command
On April the 20th General Lance W. Lord Commander, Air Force Space command gave a speech entitled “Strategic Deterrence: Evolving Our Mindset and Capabilities” at the National Defense University’s Congressional Seminar Series on Capitol Hill at the Capitol Hill Club, Washington D.C.
In the Speech he touched on some interesting points including the Air forces plans of converting some minuteman missiles from nuclear armed to high explosive war heads. These changes would allow these missiles to then be used in the ongoing war on terror if the need arose for a fast precision strike anywhere in the world with little warning. And also the work that is being done on modernizing our nuclear missile force, enabling the Minuteman III to carry the Peacekeeper Reentry Vehicle (RV), and retiring the older Mark 12 RV.
And so here are a few excerpts from his speech.
Transforming Our Mindset and Our Capabilities
Now I’m not here today to tell you the transformation in our Strategic Deterrence forces is complete. It is not.
We are in the midst along with our industry partners…of transforming our capabilities. There are members in this audience that know very well all the efforts underway to modernize our Minuteman III systems.
• We are replacing the electronics in our Minuteman III guidance set to bolster the ground and flight reliability for decades to come.
• We are extending booster life by re-pouring the solid propellant on stages one and two, and re-manufacturing stage three.
• We are modernizing two survivable communication paths from the President…through the SECDEF…to our ICBM forces. We plan to upgrade all of our sites by the end of this year.
• We are refurbishing component assemblies in the Minuteman III liquid propulsion post-boost vehicle.
• We’re enabling the Minuteman III to carry the Peacekeeper Reentry Vehicle (RV), and retiring the older Mark 12 RV.
• Finally, we continue to upgrade the safety and security of our Land Based Strategic Deterrent forces. In areas like…secure command and control, enhanced launcher entry procedures, and decreased security force response times.
We’ve started the modernization journey…and we’re taking these steps prudently!
Regarding the modernization of the ICBM missile force to carry conventional munitions
With the help of current technology…we can build a conventional system that can strike anywhere in the world, with great precision. We can use conventional munitions designed for surface or deeply buried targets.
General “Hoss” Cartwright (Our Commander of United States Strategic Command) and I talked a little bit about the conventional use of Ballistic Missiles at the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium in February. General Cartwright told the 1,000 plus member audience…he saw a great need for a capability that can reach anywhere in the world under an hour…with precise effects. (Based on the STRATCOM/CC’s comments at the AFA Orlando Symposium)
To help fill a growing capability gap…conventional missiles can hold hardened and deeply buried targets at risk. With all the same attributes we have become familiar with in the ICBM business….high reliability, nearly global response and amazing…almost unbelievable precision.
Critics suggest modifying large missiles with conventional weapons will blur the line between nuclear and conventional warfare.
No doubt about it, we must ensure our actions are not misinterpreted by the world. But the paradigm shift is happening. We need to bring our capabilities to the warfighter faster…and we are evaluating options to do just that.
A Safe and Secure Strategic Deterrent—a top AFSPC Priority
Commanders at every level understand you cannot go to war and win without space and missile capabilities. Therefore, the only priority higher than providing a safe and secure Strategic Deterrent Capability is Ensuring Space Superiority and Providing Desired Combat Effects for Joint Warfighting. Our top two priorities are tightly linked.
We’re also going through a major evaluation of our capabilities throughout the Department of Defense this year…in the Quadrennial Defense Review.
It’s no secret…this is a very “interesting” time for the services. Each service tends to gravitate to their core functions and key capabilities…the things they do best in providing joint Warfighting effects.
I certainly can’t predict the results of the QDR, but I can say this: Nuclear deterrence is a core Air Force mission and ICBMs are a core competency in our Department of Defense.
Our ICBMs perform a vital role by deterring attack and dissuading Traditional and Catastrophic threats. Our strategy is clear: Assure, Dissuade, Deter and Defeat!
So we need to replenish our aging Minuteman III capabilities and we are well on the road to doing just that.
When I was here at the seminar last year, I talked about our plans to kick off the Land Based Strategic Deterrence Analysis of Alternatives. Well, it’s almost complete and we are getting ready to brief the results up the chain in the Department of Defense.
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to address the National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. I had a very pointed message for the industry and government leaders in attendance. I told them space acquisition is not broken…it’s true the process is too slow…but it’s not broken.
“Broken” is when you have something that doesn’t work…and you don’t know why…that’s not the case with our acquisition process.
We have implemented a lot of process changes, established a new set of guidelines and we have one heck of team of professionals on our program teams.
The same is true in how we plan to acquire future Strategic Deterrence systems. The Land Based Strategic Deterrence mission area will thrive on a spiral acquisition approach.
This gives us the most flexibility to merge and leverage work for, with and from other programs, and also gives us additional time to buy down risks and secure necessary funding.
Land Based Strategic Deterrence is an incredible way to command the future. There are multiple potential spin-offs from an investment in this area. Capabilities that can be used for Missile Defense Agency missions, Prompt Global Strike, Joint Warfighting Space and Operationally Responsive Space mission areas.
We need to make sure Congress is fully aware of the multiple benefits derived from the development of future Land Based Strategic Deterrence capabilities.
I’ll lead the charge…but it will take a team effort to succeed. So we’re definitely committed to a safe and secure deterrent!
To read the the speech in full follow this Link
Source Defensenews
April 18, 2005
defensenews.com has run a news story on the increasing cooperation between Ukraine and the US on Missile defense and arms control, here is a short excerpt from the news post.
“Missile defense cooperation with Ukraine has been gaining momentum. In February, senior executives from Yuzhnoye, Ukraine’s missile design bureau, met with U.S. Defense Department officials to describe possible missile defense cooperative opportunities. Then in March, senior DoD officials met with their Ukrainian counterparts in Kiev to prepare for the April state visit and to discuss missile defense cooperation.
Additionally, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency plans to conduct a U.S.-Ukraine missile defense workshop with Ukrainian experts in June to explore fundamental concepts in missile defense. These cooperative efforts seek to capitalize on Ukraine’s long-standing missile expertise and its newer sea-launch capabilities.
Yuzhnoye historically has been the primary producer of Russia’s strategic missiles and a major supplier of space launch vehicles, such as the Cyclone and Zenit systems. While this industry lagged after the Soviet collapse, Ukraine’s military and space launch industries remain a high priority for the country. Since 2002, more than 70 launches of Ukrainian-produced space launch vehicles have placed more than 150 satellites in orbit.”
To read the full news story follow this link
3rd annual Missile defense conference
On April 13th the 3rd annual Missile defense conference was held in Washington, D.C. more on the conference at this Link
Among the speakers speaking at the event was Riki Ellison; you can read his speech in full at this Link
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Adm. Walter F. Doran Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet: Aegis ready for limited defense operations in the Western Pacific
April 10, 2005
Source: San Diego Union Tribune
Q: What is the Navy’s role in ballistic missile defense with the Aegis system?
A: We are ready right now, the United States Navy in the Western Pacific, again 7th Fleet units, are ready for limited defense operations in the Western Pacific if we were required to do it. The sea-based ballistic missile defense is very much a real player. In fact, if you look back we have had very successful (interception) shots with the SM3 missile at the Pacific Missile Range.
To read the full Question and answer interview follow this Link
Possible Space Based Interceptors
Source: missilethreat.com
On April 9 Missilethreat.com ran the following news story from the Inside defense web site.
“Inside the Pentagon reports on April 7 that the Bush administration is considering the deployment of a limited constellation of space-based kinetic energy interceptors to protect the United States. Plans for such an initial capability, at the cost of some $673 million, are reportedly included in a set of Missile Defense Agency long-term budgetary assessments recently made public. The projects call for a limited capability of 50-100 satellites for a “thin boost/ascent defense against intercontinental range ballistic missiles.” Testing for such a program is reported to possibly begin in 2008 if it were funded by Congress, with possible deployment no sooner than 2016.
Space-based boost-phase interceptors are of course one of the most important elements of a layered missile defense, providing the most technically effective basis from which missiles can be destroyed. The report of plans for testing, however, is sure to provoke sharp criticism by those ideologically opposed to the weaponization of space.”
Source: Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
Press Release 8 April 2005
Air Force Lt. General Henry “Trey” Obering, Missile Defense Agency director, announced the successful completion today of a test involving the launch of a medium range target missile from an aircraft over the Pacific Ocean, an important exercise designed to evaluate the performance of air-launched targets for use in operationally realistic missile defense tests. Air-launched target will provide the capability to structure target missile trajectories during flight tests so that they are able to better replicate potential trajectories hostile ballistic missile could use during an attack of our homeland, our deployed forces and our allies and friends.
Air-launched target missiles allow the inclusion of more of the missile defense system during a test, particularly radars and other sensors that are located out of current test ranges, and thus not able to participate in some flight tests.
Missile Defense Agency completes Sea-Based Radar “Big Lift”
Source: Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
Press Release 4 April 2005
Air Force Lt. General Henry “Trey” Obering, Missile Defense Agency director, announced today the successful Completion of lifting and attaching a 4.6 million pound X-band radar to its sea-going platform. The 17 hour operation was completed April 3 at approximately 10:45 p.m. CDT at Kiewit Offshore Services, Corpus Christi, Texas, by a combined Boeing, Raytheon, Vertex RSI and Kiewit team.
To read the complete press release, follow this Link
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Standard Missile-3 Maneuvering System Successfully Tested
Source: Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
Press Release 4 April 2005
Air Force Lt. General Henry “Trey” Obering, Missile Defense Agency director, announced today that a design verification ground test of the Standerd Missile-3 Solid Divert and Attitude Control System Block IA design was successfully completed on March 30, 2005. The Solid Divert and Attitude Control System is used to control yaw, pitch and roll of the interceptor’s kinetic warhead during the final seconds of flight before intercepting an enemy ballistic missile.
To read the complete press release, follow this Link
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