Japan Ground Self Defense Force soldiers establish security after exiting an Assault Amphibian Vehicle, during Exercise Iron Fist 2017, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. on Feb. 25, 2017. US Marine Corps Photo
Long-range strike capabilities, building up amphibious forces, improved missile defense and deploying Aegis Ashore are steps Tokyo can take in deterring an aggressive North Korea at the same time, two of Japan’s leading security experts said Wednesday. Read More
U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD), and U.S. Navy Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) successfully conducted a flight test Feb. 3 2017. MDA Photo
In a year packed full of new strategic reviews being pushed out by the Pentagon, yet another new document is on the way.
While the Ballistic Missile Defense Review — expected to be released in the coming days — is the last of several reviews to emerge from the Pentagon over the past two months, in many ways it might have the most immediate effect, analysts say. Read More
The Technical Research and Development Institute (TRDI), Japan Ministry of Defense (MOD), and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, announced the successful completion of a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA flight test from the Point Mugu Sea Range, San Nicolas Island, California. Missile Defense Agency photo.
An SM-3 Block IIA missile test shot fired from an Aegis Ashore test site in Hawaii this week did not hit its target after a successful launch, Pentagon officials confirmed Thursday.
USNI News polled its writers, naval analysts and service members on what they consider the most important military and maritime stories in 2017.
The following is part of a series. Please also see Top Stories 2017: Navy Acquisition, Navy Operations, Marine Corps Operations, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Acquisition, International Operations and New Administration.
USS George Washington (CVN-73) with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kongo-class guided-missile destroyer JS Kirishima (DDG-174) on Nov. 18, 2014. US Navy Photo
The cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved the purchase of two Aegis Ashore missile defense systems this week to counter the threat of ballistic missiles from North Korea, though Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters that many specific details are still yet to be determined. Read More
U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD), and U.S. Navy Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) successfully conducted a flight test Feb. 3 (Hawaii Standard Time), resulting in the first intercept of a ballistic missile target using the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA off the west coast of Hawaii. US Navy Photo
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Taking out incoming missiles during the boost phase – the period just after launch – is something the military’s missile defense leadership is confident will occur in the not too distant future.
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD), and U.S. Navy sailors aboard USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) successfully conducted a flight test Feb. 3 (Hawaii Standard Time), resulting in the first intercept of a ballistic missile target using the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA off the west coast of Hawaii. MDA photo.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Aegis ballistic missile defense program is making steady improvements on both Navy ships and the Aegis Ashore system being installed as part of the enhanced European defense initiative, the director of the Missile Defense Agency said on Wednesday. Read More
Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Complex in Devesulu, Romania. MDA Photo
THE PENTAGON — Japan is giving further consideration to acquiring the Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense system following the Sunday test of a North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile, Japan’s defense minister told a Diet committee this week. Read More
Romanian Aegis Ashore site. U.S. Missile Defense Agency Photo
Aegis Ashore could become a model for missile defense against an aggressive North Korea in Japan, Guam and Hawaii, as well as in Europe to counter an Iranian threat, because it is adaptable and capable of carrying mixed load, a defense security expert said Wednesday. Read More
While the Washington and Moscow relationship is, “more tense, more difficult, more hostile” than it has ever been, an American think tank working with Russian counterparts believe it is possible to rebuild trust between the two by re-opening talks on issues large and small. Read More
