Latest news with #TerminalHigh-AltitudeAreaDefense
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Missile Defenses Heavily Depleted in Shielding Israel: report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The U.S. drew down a significant portion of its advanced anti-missile system to bolster Israel's defense against Iranian aerial attacks during a 12-day conflict in which Israel and the U.S. struck nuclear facilities and Iran retaliated with missile launches, according to defense news outlets and independent analysts. Newsweek has contacted the Pentagon for comment. Why It Matters Israel has long relied on the Lockheed Martin developed Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, known as the THAAD battery, for shielding against ballistic missiles from Iran or its proxy groups such as the Yemeni Houthis. The U.S. military operates seven THAAD batteries. An eighth, getting integrated into the Missile Defense Agency, is capable of tracking hypersonic missiles. The THAAD deployment to Israel is part of a broader challenge where supporting allies in conflict zones means using resources that could affect military readiness and future deployment. The THAAD systems employed in Guam are part of the Guam Defense mission and are integral to ensuring the protection of Guam and the United States. The THAAD systems employed in Guam are part of the Guam Defense mission and are integral to ensuring the protection of Guam and the United States. Capt. Frank Spatt/U.S. Army/DVIDS What To Know During the recent Israel-Iran conflict, the United States used an estimated 15 to 20 percent of its global THAAD missile interceptor stockpile, incurring unprecedented costs exceeding $800 million, according to the Bulgarian Military News and Military Watch Magazine outlets. Iran launched a major missile barrage on cities across Israel in response to attacks on its nuclear and military targets, prompting residents to seek shelter amid nationwide. They included older models such as the Ghadr and Emad, the medium-range Kheibar Shekan and the Fattah-1 hypersonic missile—which travels at up to Mach 15 and is hard to intercept. The U.S. restocked interceptor missiles for the THAAD system it deployed in Israel in 2024, amid concerns of shortage, The Wall Street Journal reported. A single THAAD interceptor costs about $12-15 million, according to estimates by multiple defense and news outlets. One open-intelligence analyst on X, formerly Twitter, estimated that the value of THAAD missiles used in the conflict exceeded $498 million. During the recent 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel (June 13–24, 2025), Israel deployed at least 39 THAAD interceptor missiles in one of the attack waves to counter Iranian missile strikes. This figure is based on an analysis of videos published by Jordanian photographer… — OSINTWarfare (@OSINTWarfare) June 26, 2025 The system intercepts short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase—just before impact. It covers a larger area than U.S.-made Patriot missile system and comprises a launcher, interceptor, radar, and fire control unit. The American THAAD system deployed to Israel failed to intercept Houthi missiles on two occasions in May. In one case, the projectile was brought down by Israel's Arrow long-range defense system; in the other, a missile struck near Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport. The U.S. also used the Patriot system and a Navy destroyer to help Israel shoot down incoming ballistic missiles from Iran, according to The Associated Press. Israel also has the Iron Dome system for protection from short-range artillery and rockets, such as those fired by Hamas and other Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip. As a series of direct confrontations escalated in 2024, Iran fired hundreds of ballistic missiles towards Israel, with the Pentagon saying it was deploying to Israel its advanced system battery to Israel, along some 100 U.S. troops. What People Are Saying Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) told The Wall Street Journal during the conflict: "Neither the U.S. nor the Israelis can continue to sit and intercept missiles all day. The Israelis and their friends need to move with all deliberate haste to do whatever needs to be done, because we cannot afford to sit and play catch." User @MenchOsint, an independent open-intelligence and military analyst wrote on X: "Moral of the story: After all these decades, Israel can't win a war without US direct support. Six-days war: US imposes embargo on arms on the region but secretly help Israel. Twelve-days war: US imposes sanctions on Iran & help Israel with Defense (THAAD) direct strikes, intelligence & arms supplies." User @AirPowerNEW1, an independent open-source analyst on X: "Assuming the US Army THAAD battery in Israel used up 50% more interceptors (39+20) than the video evidence used shows, it would mean roughly 10-15% of the US Army's inventory of THAAD missiles was likely used up over this 12 day period. While US Army has been buying small number of THAAD AURs lately to allow production deliveries to FMS customers, this could force some interesting discussions with KSA, UAE and future customers (Qatar)." What Happens Next Urgent restocking and manufacturing of THAAD interceptors will be needed, not only for Israel but for other other regions where they may be required, such as in the wider Middle East, the Pacific and Europe.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump's Golden Dome may need to factor in up-close drone attacks like Ukraine's stunning strikes, USAF general says
Ukraine's covert drone attack on Sunday has implications for the US's Golden Dome, a top general said. Gen. David Allvin said the future US air defense network must be able to counter small drones. Effective defenses from cheap drones are still being developed. The US's ambitious Golden Dome air defense project may have to factor in the kind of drone threat demonstrated by Ukraine's recent Operation Spiderweb attack on Russia, according to a top US Air Force general. Gen. David Allvin, the USAF chief of staff, said on Tuesday that it was "fascinating" to consider that the Golden Dome would not only counter "the larger ballistic, cruise, hypersonic missiles but also some of these closer-in, more effective ones." Allvin was speaking at a conference three days after Ukraine unleashed a surprise attack on four air bases deep within Russia by sneaking the drones right up to the bases by truck and releasing them. The attack exploited the fact that Russia stores many of its military aircraft out on the tarmac, unprotected by hardened shelters that might have helped shield them from the drones. The Golden Dome, announced by President Donald Trump in May, is a planned layered air and missile defense system modeled loosely on Israel's missile shield, but is anticipated to include space-based satellite weapons for the first time. It's intended to detect and defeat the most advanced threat the US faces: Large numbers of ballistic missiles that could be armed with nuclear warheads. It must also face the newer threat of hypersonic missiles designed for erratic and high-speed flight that could evade existing air defenses. But Ukraine's attack , which used cheap drones at close range to make a deep strike, may force a rethink of the range of threats that the Golden Dome must defend — or be protected — against. "We'll see how the conversation gets stirred up again based on this strike," Allvin told conference attendees at the Center for a New American Security, adding: "But it shows us that seemingly impenetrable locations need to pay more attention." The space-based components of a future Golden Dome are safe from small drones. But that can't as easily be said for its land- and sea-based elements like early warning radars, ballistic missile defense warships and Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense systems. Effective defenses from cheap drones are still being developed out of the cauldrons of combat in Ukraine and Israel, and are likely to be a mixture of physical and electronic shielding with more short-range weapons, including lasers. Ukraine's fiery drone strike, which it claims destroyed or damaged at least 41 valuable bombers and fighter jets, hit sites thousands of miles into Russia that will likely have been considered less vulnerable to attack. The gambit has set analysts chattering about the wide-ranging ramifications of the tactic for both Russia and Ukraine's Western allies — particularly military sites far from the front lines. It's "only a matter of time" before NATO adversaries take up the tactic, Karl Rosander, the CEO and cofounder of the Swedish defence tech startup Nordic Air Defence, said. The attack has also, once again, raised concerns about the US' own air base safety, with many air bases still vulnerable to aerial attack. In this regard, the attack was "a sort of eyebrow-raising moment," Allvin added. "We've always known that hardening our bases is something that we need to do," he said, noting that this is within the DOD's budget. However, he said, "it's been a matter of resource prioritization." It's possible to make US air bases more defensible — some forward bases already are — but added that "if all we're doing is playing defense and we can't shoot back, then that's not a good use of our money." Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
Trump's Golden Dome may need to factor in up-close drone attacks like Ukraine's stunning strikes, USAF general says
The US's ambitious Golden Dome air defense project may have to factor in the kind of drone threat demonstrated by Ukraine's recent Operation Spiderweb attack on Russia, according to a top US Air Force general. Gen. David Allvin, the USAF chief of staff, said on Tuesday that it was "fascinating" to consider that the Golden Dome would not only counter "the larger ballistic, cruise, hypersonic missiles but also some of these closer-in, more effective ones." Allvin was speaking at a conference three days after Ukraine unleashed a surprise attack on four air bases deep within Russia by sneaking the drones right up to the bases by truck and releasing them. The attack exploited the fact that Russia stores many of its military aircraft out on the tarmac, unprotected by hardened shelters that might have helped shield them from the drones. The Golden Dome, announced by President Donald Trump in May, is a planned layered air and missile defense system modeled loosely on Israel's missile shield, but is anticipated to include space-based satellite weapons for the first time. It's intended to detect and defeat the most advanced threat the US faces: Large numbers of ballistic missiles that could be armed with nuclear warheads. It must also face the newer threat of hypersonic missiles designed for erratic and high-speed flight that could evade existing air defenses. But Ukraine's attack, which used cheap drones at close range to make a deep strike, may force a rethink of the range of threats that the Golden Dome must defend — or be protected — against. "We'll see how the conversation gets stirred up again based on this strike," Allvin told conference attendees at the Center for a New American Security, adding: "But it shows us that seemingly impenetrable locations need to pay more attention." The space-based components of a future Golden Dome are safe from small drones. But that can't as easily be said for its land- and sea-based elements like early warning radars, ballistic missile defense warships and Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense systems. Effective defenses from cheap drones are still being developed out of the cauldrons of combat in Ukraine and Israel, and are likely to be a mixture of physical and electronic shielding with more short-range weapons, including lasers. Ukraine's fiery drone strike, which it claims destroyed or damaged at least 41 valuable bombers and fighter jets, hit sites thousands of miles into Russia that will likely have been considered less vulnerable to attack. The gambit has set analysts chattering about the wide-ranging ramifications of the tactic for both Russia and Ukraine's Western allies — particularly military sites far from the front lines. It's "only a matter of time" before NATO adversaries take up the tactic, Karl Rosander, the CEO and cofounder of the Swedish defence tech startup Nordic Air Defence, said. The attack has also, once again, raised concerns about the US' own air base safety, with many air bases still vulnerable to aerial attack. In this regard, the attack was "a sort of eyebrow-raising moment," Allvin added. "We've always known that hardening our bases is something that we need to do," he said, noting that this is within the DOD's budget. However, he said, "it's been a matter of resource prioritization." It's possible to make US air bases more defensible — some forward bases already are — but added that "if all we're doing is playing defense and we can't shoot back, then that's not a good use of our money."
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The $8 billion US scramble to defend Guam from China has glaring problems
A new GAO report highlights challenges facing the defense of Guam. The watchdog said DoD hadn't determined personnel, deployment, or other requirements. The Army, in particular, has had installation and maintenance issues. The US military's plans for missile defenses on Guam are hitting major snags, per a new government watchdog report. The problems range from a lack of strategy or timeline for sustaining the defense systems, Army logistics and maintenance issues, and unknowns over the housing and base services they'll need. Last week, the US Government Accountability Office released a report documenting the challenges facing the Department of Defense in its plan to develop an enhanced missile defense capability for Guam, or the Guam Defense System. It's been a top priority as China has built up its missile forces, putting US submarines and airfields there on the frontlines of a conflict. The plan is to network interceptors, missiles, radars, and sensors to provide a 360-degree defense of the island, but the GAO said there are some holes. "DoD does not have a strategy that includes a timeline and a plan for determining when and how the lead organization — the military services or [Missile Defense Agency] — will assume responsibility for operating and sustaining those systems," the report said. DoD, GAO said, has suggested multiple military services could manage the GDS, further muddying a plan about who will take lead on what is one of the department's larger and more complicated integrated air defense networks. The GDS will involve 16 sites around Guam and is set for full installation between 2027 and 2032. It'll cost around $8 billion, Lt. Gen. Robert Rasch, the joint executive officer for GDS, told the US Senate Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee earlier this month. Per the GAO report, unanswered questions within DoD on who will operate and sustain GDS elements, and more broadly the number of personnel needed or a deployment schedule, has put the Army in a waiting position as they determine training, personnel, and facilities. Some other DoD organizations have done their own estimates for some of these areas, but there are broader limitations facing housing, schools, medical facilities, and supermarkets as well that can't be figured out until the Pentagon identifies how many service members it'll need, the report noted. The Army is also struggling to take care of its Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile battery that's been deployed to the island for over a decade because the service lacks infrastructure. Army officials from Task Force Talon and the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade told the GAO they've had difficulties getting approval from the Navy for building facilities on the island; after a typhoon hit the island in 2023, the Army relied on the Marine Corps for hangars to protect THAAD launchers and radars. The THAAD battery doesn't have a dedicated maintenance facility, and Army vehicles undergoing maintenance were spotted by the GAO under temporary tarps, not a permanent facility. And Task Force Talon told the GAO their soldiers rely on bottled water due to the lack of clean drinking water in the area. All of this contributed to, the report said, "morale challenges" facing soldiers and Army civilians. The Army's plans to improve these issues have included establishing an office for managing the service's presence on Guam, signing an agreement for negotiating installation support of facilities, and having Army planners present in Guam for further discussions. Pentagon officials, experts, and lawmakers in Washington have continued raising the alarm about the threat of China's massive missile arsenal to Guam. There has been a call from the Army for more air defenses with deeper magazines and concerns among US lawmakers about the vulnerability of US bases in the Indo-Pacific. China's People's Liberation Army Rocket Force boasts thousands of missiles, including the DF-26, a solid-fueled intermediate-range ballistic missile nicknamed the "Guam Express" because it can reach the island that's some 2,500 miles from Beijing. While Chinese ballistic missiles haven't been tested in combat, conflict experts have said the US could face a threat unlike anything it's seen before if it were to go to war with China. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
27-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
The $8 billion US scramble to defend Guam from China has glaring problems
The US military's plans for missile defenses on Guam are hitting major snags, per a new government watchdog report. The problems range from a lack of strategy or timeline for sustaining the defense systems, Army logistics and maintenance issues, and unknowns over the housing and base services they'll need. Last week, the US Government Accountability Office released a report documenting the challenges facing the Department of Defense in its plan to develop an enhanced missile defense capability for Guam, or the Guam Defense System. It's been a top priority as China has built up its missile forces, putting US submarines and airfields there on the frontlines of a conflict. The plan is to network interceptors, missiles, radars, and sensors to provide a 360-degree defense of the island, but the GAO said there are some holes. "DoD does not have a strategy that includes a timeline and a plan for determining when and how the lead organization — the military services or [Missile Defense Agency] — will assume responsibility for operating and sustaining those systems," the report said. DoD, GAO said, has suggested multiple military services could manage the GDS, further muddying a plan about who will take lead on what is one of the department's larger and more complicated integrated air defense networks. The GDS will involve 16 sites around Guam and is set for full installation between 2027 and 2032. It'll cost around $8 billion, Lt. Gen. Robert Rasch, the joint executive officer for GDS, told the US Senate Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee earlier this month. Per the GAO report, unanswered questions within DoD on who will operate and sustain GDS elements, and more broadly the number of personnel needed or a deployment schedule, has put the Army in a waiting position as they determine training, personnel, and facilities. Some other DoD organizations have done their own estimates for some of these areas, but there are broader limitations facing housing, schools, medical facilities, and supermarkets as well that can't be figured out until the Pentagon identifies how many service members it'll need, the report noted. The Army is also struggling to take care of its Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile battery that's been deployed to the island for over a decade because the service lacks infrastructure. Army officials from Task Force Talon and the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade told the GAO they've had difficulties getting approval from the Navy for building facilities on the island; after a typhoon hit the island in 2023, the Army relied on the Marine Corps for hangars to protect THAAD launchers and radars. The THAAD battery doesn't have a dedicated maintenance facility, and Army vehicles undergoing maintenance were spotted by the GAO under temporary tarps, not a permanent facility. And Task Force Talon told the GAO their soldiers rely on bottled water due to the lack of clean drinking water in the area. All of this contributed to, the report said, "morale challenges" facing soldiers and Army civilians. The Army's plans to improve these issues have included establishing an office for managing the service's presence on Guam, signing an agreement for negotiating installation support of facilities, and having Army planners present in Guam for further discussions. Pentagon officials, experts, and lawmakers in Washington have continued raising the alarm about the threat of China's massive missile arsenal to Guam. There has been a call from the Army for more air defenses with deeper magazines and concerns among US lawmakers about the vulnerability of US bases in the Indo-Pacific. China's People's Liberation Army Rocket Force boasts thousands of missiles, including the DF-26, a solid-fueled intermediate-range ballistic missile nicknamed the "Guam Express" because it can reach the island that's some 2,500 miles from Beijing. While Chinese ballistic missiles haven't been tested in combat, conflict experts have said the US could face a threat unlike anything it's seen before if it were to go to war with China.
