Air Defense Archives - Page 18 of 385

Next-generation Stinger missile program details to emerge in upcoming budget request

Posted on March 10, 2023 by alert5

The U.S. Army has plans to develop a next-generation Stinger missile as a replacement for the current inventory, which is in decline. The Biden administration is expected to deliver its budget request to lawmakers soon, with additional details about the next-generation Stinger program expected to emerge. The Army plans to begin the design, development, and testing of a replacement missile in FY23, leading to the production of 10,000 M-SHORAD Inc 3 missiles beginning in FY27. The future missile will be launched from the Stinger Vehicle Universal Launcher to target rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft and Group 2-3 unmanned aircraft systems.

OKINAWA, Japan – A U.S. Army Green Beret with 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), fires a training round with the Stinger Missile System during a field exercise hosted by the Marine Low Altitude Air Defense Unit on Sept. 9, 2021 at Okinawa, Japan. This realistic training familiarizes Green Berets with the portable air-defense system and gives them the ability to rapidly deploy it in diverse environments across the Indo-Pacific. (This photo has been altered for security purposes.)

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JSDF deploys Type 03 surface-to-air missiles to Ishigaki Island

Posted on March 6, 2023March 6, 2023 by alert5

On Mar. 5, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) moved approximately 150 vehicles, including launchers for surface-to-ship and surface-to-air guided missiles, to its new base on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture, news media in Japan reported.

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Japan’s ruling parties agree to proposal to shot down balloons, drones

Posted on February 17, 2023 by alert5

Japan’s Ministry of Defense has proposed a relaxation of the self-defense force’s weapons use policy in response to the threat of foreign drones and balloons violating Japanese airspace. The country’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito Party have agreed to the proposal, which would allow for the use of weapons against drones and balloons that obstruct the safe flight of aircraft, even if such action doesn’t qualify as legitimate self-defense. The lawmakers were briefed on the proposal on Feb. 16 and approved the idea on the same day.

Chase Doak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Estonia and Latvia to jointly acquire medium-range air defense systems

Posted on February 12, 2023February 12, 2023 by alert5

Estonia and Latvia are taking a step forward in their defense capabilities by jointly procuring medium-range air defense systems. This move highlights the importance these neighboring countries place on ensuring their security and the effectiveness of their air defense. The procurement process will be based purely on the price and capabilities of the systems, which will be determined by the most economically advantageous and technically capable system in the market.

Soldatnytt from Oslo, Norway, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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F-22 shoots down “high-altitude object” over Alaska

Posted on February 11, 2023February 11, 2023 by alert5

The F-22 has fired another AIM-9X missile to shot down an aerial object. This time it took place over Alaska on Feb. 9. The Pentagon described it as unknown “high-altitude object.”

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