Interceptor shield

Interceptor Shield Report

Nathan J Hunt

July 31, 2009

Last Morning on July 30, 2009 The Crew of the Navy’s USS Hopper demonstrated their preparedness training and ability to engage threats with the 19th successful test of the sea based missile defense system, the test also marks the 19th successful test of the system out 23 at sea test firings, the test also tested further improvements and  software upgrades of the ships Spy-1 radar system for facilitating the deployment and fielding of the more advanced SM-3 block1b and block-2 updated SM-3s that will have farther range and allow engagement of targets at longer stand off range and deeper inside conflict zones once deployed.

The test took place from the Pacific Range Missile Facility at Barking sands, Kauai, Hawaii. Taking part alongside the USS Hopper DDG 70 in last mornings test were the USS Lake Erie CG-70 and USS Destroyer O’Kane DDG 77.

Last mornings test comes at a time as tensions with North Korea Continue to simmer and underscores the United States ability and determination to engages ballistic missile threats from sea before they can reach the United States and serve as a warning to the countries of North Korea and Iran that even if they built ballistic missiles we will be able to engage and eliminate them before they can reach us and we will continue to field these systems.

Interceptor Shield Report

Nathan J Hunt

July 16, 2009

The Government of Russia has conducted a test launch of their new in development Bulava sub launched ballistic missile, but the missile self destructed a few moments into launch when the first stage of the missile suffered a critical failure, no date was released when the test was carried out that resulted in a failure. In recent years the Russian Government has been pushing to modernize their deterrent force by modernizing and replacing older systems or deploying newer systems. But so far the Bulava sub launched ballistic missile system has been plagued with a number of setbacks and test failures for, further information see previous IS news report on “Bulava” missile testing.

This newest failure of the Bulava missile could lead to reorganization of the program and spending shifts and a delay in the deployment to operational status of the Bulava missile system that was due to go on operational status and be fielded by the end of this year.

Interceptor Shield Report

Nathan J Hunt

July 7, 2009

The government of North Korea leading up to the fourth of July weekend conducted short range ground to ground missile tests launching 4 missiles on July 2nd  and on the 4th of July conducted seven suspected medium range scud type missile launches from the east coast of North Korea.

As provocative as these launches are the North has yet to launch their longest range Taepodong-2 that has been moved to a long range missile testing site and is awaiting assembly since this action could possibly tip the balance and lead to possible military action against the North.

The North Korean government has so far ignored all UN resolutions aimed at curbing their proliferation of ballistic missile and developing nuclear ability and as of to date seems determined to continue to field and test their systems nuclear and ballistic missile systems. The North actions are now effecting the government of SouthKorea and pushing them even publicly be discussing the action of fielding their own ballistic missile systems to be able to target the North, this action would be a step in the wrong direction and would just increase ballistic missile proliferation on the Korean Peninsula and place more emphasize on offensive missile systems and not on defense to counter these systems.

Missile defense since 2001 has been steadily improving and is a growing proven effectiveness against ballistic missile systems. The US should continue work a long side the South and help provide the needed systems to protect the South so they do not feel a push to acquire and field their own ballistic missile systems.

The North’s ballistic missile threat is not just a matter that effects the south but affects all of Asia and the United States as North Korea’s ability grows so does the threat posed to our allies and the United States.  The United States to be able to face this growing situation needs to continue to field and deploy systems to counter these rising threats and maintain a firm stance that we will not back down nor will we abandon our allies.