Tag Archives: Hawaii

VIDEO: MDA, Navy Down ICBM with Destroyer-Launched Missile Interceptor

VIDEO: MDA, Navy Down ICBM with Destroyer-Launched Missile Interceptor

A SM-3 Block IIA is launched from the USS John Finn, an Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System-equipped destroyer, Nov. 16, 2020, as part of Flight Test Aegis Weapons System-44 (FTM-44). MDA Photo

The Navy and the Missile Defense Agency proved that an Aegis ballistic missile defense ship could effectively take down an intercontinental ballistic missile and serve as a backup to a ground-based homeland defense interceptor, the MDA announced on Tuesday. Read More

MDA Head: Homeland Missile Defense Effort Needs Enhanced Network

MDA Head: Homeland Missile Defense Effort Needs Enhanced Network

A SM-6 Dual I fired from USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) during a Dec. 14, 2016 MDA BMD test. MDA Photo

To get to a layered, in-depth homeland missile defense system developing key networking and communications links between ballistic missile defense ships and at-shore installations is crucial, the head of the Missile Defense Agency said this week. Read More

MDA to Use Destroyer USS John Finn for Defense-of-Hawaii Missile Intercept Test

MDA to Use Destroyer USS John Finn for Defense-of-Hawaii Missile Intercept Test

A target missile was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Kauai, Hawaii during Flight Test Standard Missile-45. USS John Finn (DDG-113) detected and tracked the target missile with its onboard AN/SPY-1 radar using the Aegis Baseline 9.C2 weapon system. Upon acquiring and tracking the target, the ship launched an SM-3 Block IIA guided missile which intercepted the target. Missile Defense Agency Photo

This post has been updated to correct the home port of USS John Finn. It is based in San Diego, Calif.

The Missile Defense Agency is nearing its planned defense-of-Hawaii test event with an Arleigh Burke destroyer and a Standard Missile-3 Block IIA, to prove the ship can serve as a back-up to ground-based homeland defense systems if needed. Read More

Navy Issues Final Study Seeking Continued Use of Training Ranges Hawaii, California Ranges

Navy Issues Final Study Seeking Continued Use of Training Ranges Hawaii, California Ranges

Members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Royal New Zealand Navy jump from an MH-53E Sea Dragon, attached to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14, as a part of dive operations during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise off the coast of Southern California on July 13. 2018. US Navy Photo

The next five years of fleet training and testing in the Pacific waters off Hawaii and Southern California might affect marine life but shouldn’t have permanent, lasting harm to marine mammals, sea turtles and other sea life, the Navy concludes in a voluminous environmental document released last week. Read More

House Armed Services Committee Interested In Unmanned Aviation, Shipyard Readiness, Pacific Operations

House Armed Services Committee Interested In Unmanned Aviation, Shipyard Readiness, Pacific Operations

The guided-missile destroyers USS Russel (DDG 59), USS Chung Hoon (DDG 93) and the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) follow the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) during a show of force transit on Aug. 11, 2015. US Navy photo.

The House Armed Services Committee’s annual defense bill expresses lawmakers’ national security priorities through not only spending decisions but also through hundreds of pages of policies, “sense of Congress” statements and requests for more information.

The Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act being considered this week highlights this year’s emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region, on boosting offensive and defensive aviation capabilities to a next-generation level, and ensuring the Navy is ready to maintain and operate the fleet while preparing for tomorrow’s potential battles. Read More

PACOM Hearings Preview Spending Needs In Coming Years; Munitions, SSN Shortfalls Must Be Addressed

PACOM Hearings Preview Spending Needs In Coming Years; Munitions, SSN Shortfalls Must Be Addressed

Sailors aboard the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) stand topside as the submarine returns home to Guam on Dec. 8, 2016. Oklahoma City, one of four forward-deployed submarines homeported in Apra Harbor, returned to Guam this morning after an eight-month maintenance period known as Docking Selected Restricted Availability. US Navy Photo

U.S. Pacific Command operations were the focus of House and Senate armed services committee hearings this week, and PACOM commander Adm. Harry Harris’ testimony may have provided a glimpse at what he’d like to see in the Fiscal Year 2018 and beyond budget requests. Read More

Navy: Repairs to USS Arizona Memorial Dock Close to Complete, Could Open by Weekend

Navy: Repairs to USS Arizona Memorial Dock Close to Complete, Could Open by Weekend

US Navy Seabees conduct repairs on the USS Arizona Memorial on May 29, 2015. US National Park Service Photo

US Navy Seabees conduct repairs on the USS Arizona Memorial on May 29, 2015. US National Park Service Photo

Repairs to a floating dock at the USS Arizona Memorial that was damaged during the transit of an U.S. Navy hospital ship last week are almost completed and visitors could return to the memorial by Friday or Saturday, Navy Region Hawaii said in a statement late Wednesday night. Read More