MSMF 2009 Volume: 2 Issue: 5 (October)

The Third Site plan proposed in 2007 during the waning years of the George Bush administration was founded on a different threat matrix from Iran and U.S. technologies that were still maturing and unproven.

This administration’s new plan is designed to counter Iran’s rapidly evolving short- and medium-range ballistic missile capabilities and uses a combination of proven and evolving BMDS technologies. The key, initial systems in the administration’s plan are U.S. Aegis ships and forward-position Army AN/TPY-2 radars. The Obama administration’s plan for Europe also accelerates the need to collaborate with U.S. friends and partners on BMD. In particular, there is renewed hope that Japan will increase its co-development cost share for the SM-3 program.

Aegis ships with SM-3 missiles is a great transition to highlight my meeting with many of our readers and colleagues at the 12th Annual Space and Missile Defense Conference. Progress was reported across different community programs.

One development that continues to catch my eye is the evolving SM-3 (Land) program, which optimizes the efficiencies of systems either fielded or in spiral development. Raytheon’s SM-3 (Land) promises to be a new arrow in the warfighters’ quiver. I’d like to see more startup programs within BMDS and space portfolios use the SM-3 (Land) model to reduce risk and cost. Any takers?

As always, I look forward to your comments. 

Marty Kauchak, Editor This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it