MDM: April 21 - April 27, 2020: IRGC Launches Noor Satellite into Space, MDA Releases RFP for NGI, and Tensions Rise in the Persian Gulf

MISSILE DEFENSE MONDAYS

April 21 - April 27, 2020

MDAA Virtual Congressional Roundtable

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THE WEEK IN BRIEF

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On Wednesday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran announced it launched a military satellite, called Noor, into orbit for the first time. This launch also revealed for the first time a new space launch vehicle (SLV) called the Qased, launched from a transport erector launcher. The Qased is reported to be a three stage missile, using both liquid fuel and solid fuel in different stages. Iran has claimed the Noor satellite reached an orbit of 425 kilometers above the Earth’s surface.

On Thursday, tensions continued to escalate between the U.S. and Iran in the Persian Gulf. U.S. President Trump and the Commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) traded threats to target each other’s ships operating in the region. This comes after 11 IRGC gunboats carried out “dangerous and harassing approaches” to U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels operating in Persian Gulf waters the previous week. Earlier in the week, the IRGC also claimed to have upgraded many of its anti-ship missile capabilities with ranges extended to 700 kilometers.

On Friday, the Missile Defense Agency released its request for proposals for the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI). The proposals are due July 31, though there might be some delays due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. From the proposals, two companies will be selected to compete for the final contract to build the interceptor, which MDA plans to deploy as early as 2028.

Click here to read all of the headlines from the week.

MDAA ALERTS

Welcome to the Jungle

When you walk the elephants in the jungle, you swim your hippos and roar your lions. While China was intimidating the South China Sea from its artificial islands , projecting power with its new aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, steaming through the Miyako Strait past Taiwan , and continuing...

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MDAA WEBSITE UPDATES AND FEATURES

Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD)

The Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System provides the capability to engage and destroy limited intermediate- and long-range ballistic missile threats in space to protect the...

Learn more about GMD.

Germany

Germany is the single largest capacity provider of ballistic missile defense in Europe. Germany does not possess nuclear weapons, nor would it be a threat even if it did.

Learn more about Germany's missile defenses.

Arrow (Israel)

The Arrow project began in the 1980s when its design was submitted to the United States in response to President Regan’s Strategic Defense Initiative. The system was promoted as a more effective theater missile defense system than the Patriot air defense platform.

Learn more about the Arrow system.

MISSILE DEFENDER OF THE WEEK

First Class Petty Officer

Mario Amaro

FCA1 Amaro is a native of San Antonio, Texas. He graduated from William Howard Taft High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in June of 2006. FCA1 Amaro’s sea assignments include Aegis Computer Technician/Work Center Supervisor on USS Monterey (CG 61) where he completed two deployments to the 6th Fleet AOR. His second sea assignment is Combat Systems Maintenance Manager Assistant and CF02 Work Center Supervisor onboard USS Lake Erie (CG 70), completing two deployments in the 5th and 7th Fleet AORs, including multiple Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) and Enforcement Coalition Cell tasking missions. His shore duty assignment was at Navy Recruiting District in San Francisco, California. As the Combat Systems Maintenance Manager Assistant, FCA1 Amaro works directly with the Systems Test Officer and CSMM in the coordination of all preventative and corrective maintenance for 20 workcenters from Combat Systems, Weapons and Operations departments. The only Aegis Weapons Supervisor Computer Technician onboard, FCA1 Amaro spearheaded all troubleshooting and repairs for the Aegis Computer Suite, resulting in a sustained 100% operability for every mission tasking presented to USS Lake Erie. He was sought out to troubleshoot more than 15 BMD computer casualties which allowed for the completion of a BMD certification, BMD Exercise (EX) 19-04 and two live 7th Fleet BMD tasking missions. FCA1 Amaro is the BMD Watch Officer for USS Lake Erie’s BMD Blue Team and completed more than 15 scenarios in the 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet AORs in preparation for USS Lake Erie’s upcoming sustainment BMDEX. FCA1 Amaro is Master Helmsman qualified and conducted more than 15 special evolutions with USS Lake Erie’s navigation team. He is the only junior sailor standing watch as Combat Systems Coordinator, Anti Air Warfare Coordinator, and BMD Watch Officer, all watch stations typically manned by E-7 and senior. He has also mentored and qualified 4 Master Helmsmen, 10 Combat System Officer of the Watch, 4 Combat Systems Coordinators, and 12 Anti-Air Warfare Supervisors. FCA1 Amaro is also completing his Bachelor’s of Science in Information and Technology through Pennsylvania State World Campus. He is married to Mayghen Amaro of California. His personal awards include the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards).