Airborne Combat Engineer

Russia can't give up on Cold War

Russia successfully tested new missile R-500, the capacity of which allows to destroy any defense system including most recent perspective ballistic missile defense systems.

Pravda

The article doesn't explain exactly HOW this missile can defeat defense systems, nor how that feature was tested. Sounds like a bluff.

Here's an idea: Let's run joint tests to develop Russia's missiles and our anti-missile defense systems. The tests would be more realistic for both programs.

World's smallest fire-and-forget missile

U.S. Navy officials say they have conducted the first successful demonstration –- against a moving target -- of what they contend is the world’s smallest, fire-and-forget, precision guided missile. The Spike, a 5.3 lb., 25-in. long, 2.25-in. diameter missile, used its electro-optical imaging seeker to acquire, track and hit a target moving at 30 mph at a range of over 750 yds. during a test by the Navy’s Air Warfare Center Weapons Div. at China Lake, Calif. A man can carry two of them in a backpack.

According to the Military.com article, this is part of a family of missiles developed by Rafael.

[Ares @ Aviation Week] [Military.com]

Technovelgy wonders how long it will be before there's a bullet which will track in on a specific person, as in the movie Runway.

An 18NOV2006 A-C-E post noted Israel is working on a nanotech robot no bigger than a hornet to track down and eliminate individuals (and mentioned the "smart bullet" in the movie).

Pentagon to share with Russia

The Pentagon plans to station 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and a targeting radar in the Czech Republic, countries that lie close to Russian territory and during the Cold War were under Moscow's control.

Russia, increasingly emboldened by new oil wealth, has strongly opposed the plans. It regards them as an encroachment into Moscow's sphere of influence that could raise tensions and spark an arms race.

Ahead of Gates's visit, the United States has assembled a package of incentives aimed at allaying Russian concerns, said officials travelling with the defence secretary.

[AFP]

These incentives, already presented last week, include an offer to share missile warning data and cooperate in developing and testing missile defence technology with the Russians.

Anti-ship missile simulator

A year ago, the U.S. Navy began production of 39 high-speed anti-ship missile simulators. The GQM-163A Coyote SSST (Supersonic Sea-Skimming Target) is a 31 foot long missile with a combination solid fuel rocket, and ramjet propulsion. It has a range of 110 kilometers and, because of the ramjet, a top speed of over 2,600 kilometers an hour. The Coyote is meant to give U.S. Navy a realistic simulation of an attack by similar Russian anti-ship missiles. (which are also large and fast, and used by other nations as well.) The GQM-163A costs $515,000 each, and about one a month will be built.

The GQM-163A will be used as a stand-in for the Russian 3M54 (also known as the SS-N-27, Sizzler or Klub) anti-ship missile. Weighing two tons, and fired from a 533mm (21 inch) torpedo tube on a Kilo class sub, the 3M54 has a 440 pound warhead. The anti-ship version speeds up to 3,000 kilometers an hour during its last minute or so of its flight, and has a range of 300 kilometers.

[Strategy Page]

Brits get "60km Sniper" in the 'Stan

Following a series of trials, the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) by Lockheed Martin has been declared fit for deployment with British troops in Afghanistan later this year.

Nicknamed the "60km sniper" by trials troops, the Global Positioning System (GPS) guided rockets contain the latest advanced computer technology giving them unsurpassed accuracy out to a range of over 60 kilometres. Armed with a 200lb high explosive warhead the improved missile will mean more targets can be engaged with a lower risk of collateral damage and smaller logistical burden.

 

(Lockheed Martin says 180lbs and 70km)

[Defense World]

The US used the twelve-pack MLRS M270 launchers in OIF, and has now combat tested and ordered (in late January) a more mobile, C-130 transportable, 6-pack version, the HIMARS, which can also fire the GMLRS GPS-guided missile. See continuation.

Cruise missiles for everyone

"... another shift in the balance of global military power is occurring as missile technology--particularly, the cruise missile technology that was a hallmark feature of U.S. military supremacy--is being democratized."

[Technology Review]

Successful ABM test

[LINK] MDA (pdf)

A test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system was successful in meeting all test objectives. The test took place at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, and involved the successful launch of the THAAD interceptor missile from its mobile launcher.

While it wasn't part to the test objective, a Hera target missile was intercepted.

Missile Defense Agency 2006 Aegis budget justification

[LINK] MDA pdf document (79 pages)

Quite posssibly more than you want or need to know. See page 79 for summary of program costs through 2011.

Does prove yesterday's test was scheduled some time ago, and NOT as a reaction to NK's possible test launch.