11th Marine Regiment activates first long-range missile battery (25. Juli 2023)
In a historic event at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, the 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division activated the Marine Corps’ first long-range missile battery during a ceremony July 21.
The new battery, which falls directly under 11th Marines, is designed to enhance the division’s and the joint force’s long-range strike and eventually sea denial capability and lethality.
A U.S. Marine Corps Long Range Fires Launcher is staged for the activation ceremony for Long Range Missile Battery A, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 21, 2023.
U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Danish Defense Forces Train on SM-6 Missile Launcher Together
In a demonstration of ongoing commitment to transatlantic security and defense interoperability, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, in conjunction with the Danish Defense Forces, will be conducting advanced convoy protection drills using the state-of-the-art, modular SM-6 missile launcher beginning the week of Sept. 18 in Bornholm, Denmark.
The SM-6 missile system stands as a testament to advanced defense technology. It possesses the capability to intercept airborne threats, including the critical interception of ballistic missiles during their terminal phase of flight. The missile's dual-capability design ensures precision engagement of both stationary terrestrial targets and dynamic maritime adversaries. The containerized configuration of the SM-6 launcher augments the U.S. Navy's operational flexibility, facilitating rapid deployment and utilization in diverse theaters of operation, thereby underlining the commitment of the United States to ensure the security interests of itself and its allies.
ROGERS APPLAUDS WORK OF STRATEGIC POSTURE COMMISSION
U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, released a statement thanking the hard work of the Bipartisan Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States.
Additional U.S. theater nuclear capabilities will be necessary in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific
regions to deter adversary nuclear use and offset local conventional superiority. These additional
theater capabilities will need to be deployable, survivable, and variable in their available yield options.
[...]
The following strategic nuclear force posture modifications should be pursued with urgency:
Prepare to upload some or all of the nation’s hedge warheads;
Plan to deploy the Sentinel ICBM in a MIRVed configuration;
Increase the planned number of deployed Long-Range Standoff Weapons;
Increase the planned number of B-21 bombers and the tankers an expanded force would require;
Increase the planned production of Columbia SSBNs and their Trident ballistic missile systems, and accelerate development and deployment of D5 LE2;
Pursue the feasibility of fielding some portion of the future ICBM force in a road mobile
configuration;
Accelerate efforts to develop advanced countermeasures to adversary IAMD; and
Initiate planning and preparations for a portion of the future bomber fleet to be on continuous
alert status, in time for the B-21 Full Operational Capability (FOC) date.
[...]
The Commission recommends the following U.S. theater nuclear force posture modifications:
Develop and deploy theater nuclear delivery systems that have some or all of the following attributes:
Forward-deployed or deployable in the European and Asia-Pacific theaters;
Survivable against preemptive attack without force generation day-to-day;
A range of explosive yield options, including low yield;
Capable of penetrating advanced IAMD with high confidence; and
Ensure that USEUCOM and USINDOPACOM are capable of planning integrated nuclear-conventional operations in their respective areas of responsibility (AORs).
theoderich hat geschrieben: ↑Sa 16. Sep 2023, 15:49In a demonstration of ongoing commitment to transatlantic security and defense interoperability, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, in conjunction with the Danish Defense Forces, will be conducting advanced convoy protection drills using the state-of-the-art, modular SM-6 missile launcher beginning the week of Sept. 18 in Bornholm, Denmark.
The MK 70 Payload Delivery System (PDS) uses combat proven MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) technology to provide mid-range precision fires capabilities. The MK 70 enables rapid deployment of offensive capability to non-traditional platforms and locations.
Department of Defense Announces Pursuit of B61 Gravity Bomb Variant
Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced that the United States will pursue a modern variant of the B61 nuclear gravity bomb, designated the B61-13, pending Congressional authorization and appropriation.
The Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) would produce the B61-13. The decision to pursue this capability, which was undertaken in close collaboration with the NNSA, responds to the demands of a rapidly evolving security environment as described in the 2022 Nuclear Posture Review.
The B61-13 would be deliverable by modern aircraft, strengthening deterrence of adversaries and assurance of allies and partners by providing the President with additional options against certain harder and large-area military targets. It would replace some of the B61-7s in the current nuclear stockpile and have a yield similar to the B61-7, which is higher than that of the B61-12.
"The B61-13 represents a reasonable step to manage the challenges of a highly dynamic security environment," said Plumb. "While it provides us with additional flexibility, production of the B61-13 will not increase the overall number of weapons in our nuclear stockpile."
The B61-13 would take advantage of the current, established production capabilities supporting the B61-12, and would include the modern safety, security, and accuracy features of the B61-12.
This initiative follows several months of review and consideration. The fielding of the B61-13 is not in response to any specific current event; it reflects an ongoing assessment of a changing security environment.
USS Savannah Successfully Completes Live-Fire Demonstration (24. Oktober 2023)
USS Savannah (LCS 28) conducted a live-fire demonstration Oct 24 in the Eastern Pacific Ocean utilizing a containerized launching system that fired an SM-6 missile at a designated target. The exercise demonstrated the modularity and lethality of Littoral Combat Ships and the ability to successfully integrate a containerized weapons system to engage a surface target. The exercise will inform continued testing, evaluation and integration of containerized weapons systems on afloat platforms.
Russland hat heute die Ratifizierung des Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (№ 72-ФЗ «О ратификации Договора о всеобъемлющем запрещении ядерных испытаний») vom 27. Mai 2000 widerrufen. Das Gesetz wurde von der Duma am 18. Oktober angenommen und am 25. Oktober vom Föderationsrat genehmigt:
Подписан закон об отзыве ратификации Договора о всеобъемлющем запрещении ядерных испытаний
Army announces first Precision Strike Missiles delivery
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — The U.S. Army announced today the initial delivery of its next-generation Long Range Precision Fires missile.
The delivery of Precision Strike Missile Increment 1 Early Operational Capability missiles follows successful production qualification testing in November at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
The PrSM is the Army’s next-generation Long Range Precision Fires weapon. Launched from M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, it is capable of neutralizing targets at standoffs greater than 400 kilometers.
US Army’s Mid-Range Capability makes its first deployment in the Philippines for Salaknib 24
NORTHERN LUZON, Philippines – In a historic first, the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force successfully deployed the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system to Northern Luzon, Philippines, on April 11, 2024, as part of Exercise Salaknib 24. This landmark deployment marks a significant milestone for the new capability while enhancing interoperability, readiness, and defense capabilities in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Covering a journey of more than 8,000 miles in over 15 hours, the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) reached the Philippines aboard the C-17 Globemaster III airframe.
The 1MDTF’s MRC is a land-based, ground-launched system that enhances multi-domain fires. A versatile capability, the MRC Launcher can fire the Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) and the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM). The full configuration of MRC comprises a battery operations center, four launchers, prime movers, and modified trailers.
This budget line procures Battery 5 Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and Tomahawk missiles to meet the Army Total Munition Requirement (TMR)..
The Mid-Range Capability (MRC) is a road-mobile, C-17 transportable, ground-launched, long range precision fires weapon system that employs a mix of missiles capable of conducting multi-domain fires against specific threats to penetrate, disintegrate, and exploit targets critical to the Joint fight.
The Army will procure a total of five MRC Batteries and provide equipment to stand up institutional soldier training. Each Battery consists of four launchers equipped with a Vertical Launch System each capable of carrying four of the U.S. Navy's Tomahawk and/or Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) with a basic load of 16 missiles, a Battery Operations Center (BOC), a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle BOC Support Vehicle; and Battery reload capability.
Tomahawk missiles procured on Navy contracts will include The Block V modernized TACTOM missile that includes Navigation Communications (NAVCOMMs) upgrade and Advanced Communication Package (ACP). These TACTOM upgrades consist of the Integrated Single Box Solution (ISBS) radio, two new antennas and associated cabling, a new mid-body cover, changes to the aft-body structure and aft-body cover, and installation of the ACP. Beginning in FY 2025 the Army will procure both Block V and Block Va variants.
[...]
Justification:
FY 2025 funding of $144.941 millions supports the procurement of 32 TACTOMs and MK14 cannisters, along with a share of procurement obsolescence costs. This funding line is directly aligned to the Army Long-Range Precision Fires Modernization Priority, and the requirements of the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) Abbreviated-Capabilities Development Document, The Army intends to convert any price advantage created through Navy contract negotiations, other service procurement, and/or foreign military sales to support procurement of additional MRC munitions. These TACTOMs will be delivered in Block V (13) and Block Va (19) variants. The 19 Block Va kits will be procured on a separate contract and delivered to the production contract for assembly and acceptance testing.
FY 2025 funding of $88.096 million supports the procurement of MRC Battery 5 Ground Support Equipment to include (1) Battery Operations Center (BOC), (4) launcher Payload Deployment System (PDS), (1) Reload Capability, (1) BOC Support Vehicle, associated Government Furnished Equipment, and program management costs.
Increase in funding from $169.519 million in FY 2024 to $233.037 million in FY 2025 is due to procuring Battery 5 Ground Support Equipment with Missile Procurement, Army in FY 2025 as it transitions from RDT&E funding in FY 2024.
