hard.copy Update: 11 Sept 98

ARTICLE CITATIONS FROM COMMERCIALLY PUBLISHED JOURNALS AND NEWSLETTERS.

THAAD Missile Assessment Reports Due This Month. Aerospace Daily, Sep 09, 1998, p 388

LtGen Lyles expects to receive a number of reports compiled by industry experts on the status of the THAAD missile. Special review teams were tasked by THAAD missile prime Lockheed Martin to evaluate the program, and were assembled after the missile failed in its fifth intercept attempt in May.

Descriptors, Keywords: THAAD Lockheed Martin missile test intercept Lyles

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 01

 

Senate Again Refuses To Clear NMD Vote. Aerospace Daily, Sep 10, 1998, p 391-392

The Senate refused for the second time to clear the way for a vote on a bill making it US policy to deploy "as soon as technologically feasible" a limited NMD. The vote was identical to May 13th, with the same four Democrats joining 5 Republicans in the Senate. Most Democrats supported the administration's approach, making a decision to deploy NMD in 2000, with deployment itself taking place in 2003, if necessary.

Descriptors, Keywords: NMD deployment vote 2000 2003 Senate

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 02

 

House Republicans Call For End To ABM Treaty. Aerospace Daily, Sep 10, 1998, p 392

The House Republican Policy Committee called for an abandonment of the ABM Treaty on September 9, and pushed for NMD system. The Committee stressed that they now have backing from a number of defense officials. The Committee has assembled a special advisory board comprised of former defense officials, ambassadors and other experts, to review global events of the past few weeks and recommend policy initiatives to House members.

Descriptors, Keywords: ABM Treaty House Republican Special Advisory Board NMD

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 03

 

Failures Have Added $360M To Cost Of THAAD, BMDO Reports. Aerospace Daily, Sep 04, 1998, p 368

Flight test failures of the THAAD missile have added $360m to the cost of the program, according to BMDO. BMDO may opt to hold off on all future flight tests of THAAD until new, better missiles are built, a process requiring 18 months.

Descriptors, Keywords: THAAD Failure Cost BMDO Testing Evaluation

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 04

 

North Korea Claims Taepo Dong I Orbited A Satellite. Aerospace Daily, Sep 08, 1998, p 377

On September 4, North Korea claimed that it launched a domestic satellite aboard the Taepo Dong I missile. The official Korean Central News Agency claimed it was a product of 100% local technology.

Descriptors, Keywords: North Korea Missile Launch Taepo Dong I orbit satellite

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 05

 

CBO Says US, Russia Can Be Sharing Early Warning Data In A Year. Aerospace Daily, Sep 08, 1998, p 376

According to a CBO assessment for Sen Tom Daschle (D-SD), an agreement signed by Pres Clinton and Russian Pres Boris Yeltsin agree to share US early warning data on missile launches which can be put in place within a year at a relatively low cost.

Descriptors, Keywords: CBO Assessment US Russia Missile Launch Early Warning

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 06

 

DoD May Be Years From Information Superiority, GAO Says. Aerospace Daily, Sep 08, 1998, p 375

A GAO report concludes that the Pentagon may be several years from achieving information superiority because the pace of progress being made to establish command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) architecture. GAO recommends three milestones toward establishing the goal of information superiority, and DoD responding in a draft report concurred.

Descriptors, Keywords: GAO C4ISR DoD information superiority

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 07

 

Pentagon Developing MASINT Architecture. Aerospace Daily, Sep 08, 1998, p 375-376

The DoD is developing an architecture for Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT) as part of a larger effort to more efficiently manage the collection of sensitive information. MASINT data are gathered from a variety of platforms to give insight into threats, signature and counter measure requirements.

Descriptors, Keywords: MASINT Architecture DoD Common Vision Standards Technology Investment Intelligence

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 08

 

Levin Sees No Loss Of Votes In Senate Ballot On NMD Policy. Aerospace Daily, Sep 09, 1998, p 383

The Senate votes today on a bill making it a policy in the US to deploy as soon as technologically feasible a NMD. SASC member Sen Carl Levin (D-MI) does not expect to lose any Democrats who opposed the measure the first time.

Descriptors, Keywords: Senate US Policy Levin NMD Deploy Technology Feasibility

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 09

 

Taepo Dong Test Fallout: Senate Limits Energy Funds For North Korea. Aerospace Daily, Sep 09, 1998, p 388

The Senate approved by a 90 to 3 vote a $12.6b FY99 foreign operations appropriations bill after restricting $35m for North Korean energy development in reaction to Monday's test by North Korea of a Taepo Dong I multi-stage ballistic missile.

Descriptors, Keywords: Senate FY99 Appropriation Sanctions Restrictions North Korea Taepo Dong I Multi Stage Ballistic Missile I Launch

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 10

 

BMDO Spending $18M To Prep Systems For Y2K. Aerospace Daily, Sep 10, 1998, p 398

BMDO has spent $18m to date, preparing weapons and other network support systems for potential Y2K computer problems. Costs are expected to increase according to Emily Andrew, program manager for Y2K.

Descriptors, Keywords: BMDO Y2K Mission Critical Weapon Support

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 11

 

Thiokol Will Lead Project To Recycle Russian Missile Fuel. Aerospace Daily, Sep 11, 1998, p 404

Russian and US companies have agreed to launch a major project in March 1999 to recycle fuel from Russian ballistic missiles.

Descriptors, Keywords: Thiokol Russia US Recycle Fuel Ballistic Missile

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 12

 

US Hasn't Spotted North Korean Satellite. Aerospace Daily, Sep 10, 1998, p 393

The US military has been unable to confirm North Korea's claims that it launched a satellite last week when it fired the Taepo Dong I missile. The US Space Command is leading the effort.

Descriptors, Keywords: North Korea Taepo Dong I missile launch satellite US Space Command

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 13

 

Advanced Anti-Radar Guided Missile Is Shown. Aerospace Daily, Sep 10, 1998, p 393

The future Advanced Anti-Radar Guided Missile (AARGM), still in early developmental stages, is described. The AARGM is being developed by the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division.

Descriptors, Keywords: Advanced Anti-Radar Guided Missile AARGM Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Long Range Ramjet Power Enemy Ground Radar

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 14

 

Anti-Missile Effort Faces Big Problems. Aviation Week & Space Technology. Joseph C. Anselmo, Sep 07, 1998, pp 57-58

Because the remaining THAAD interceptor missiles in BMDO's inventory were manufactured in the same batch as those that failed, officials are considering procurement of a new interceptor. However, new missiles couldn't be built and readied for flight tests for a least 18-24 months, and up to 36 months by some estimates, BMDO's chief, LtGen Lyles told defense reporters last week. A further delay in the program might upset missile defense proponents in Congress.

Descriptors, Keywords: THAAD Missile Inventory Program Decision

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 15

 

Missile Test Extends North Korea's Reach. Aviation Week & Space Technology.

Joseph C. Anselmo, Robert Wall, Eiichiro Sekigawa, Sep 07, 1998, pp 56-57

North Korea's Aug. 31 flight test of the two stage Taepo Dong 1 missile, whose second stage overflew northern Japan, marks a significant advance in its efforts to acquire an ICBM-range booster. The Taepo Dong 1 was liquid fueled and 25 meters (82 ft.) tall. The first stage was a four-engine No Dong missile. The second stage was a single-engine Scud-class booster. US officials estimated the vehicle had a warhead capability of 3,000 lb and could carry conventional weapons or WMD, including nuclear weapons.

Descriptors, Keywords: North Korea Taepo Dong 1 Hawdaegun Missile Test Facility Japan

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 16

 

Nuclear Risks Mount In Besieged Russia. Aviation Week & Space Technology. Paul Mann, Sep 07, 1998, pp 60-61, 64

The likeliest nuclear security breach at the moment, US defense experts believe, is the diversion by corrupt insiders of a few feebly protected and easily transported tactical nuclear weapons, of which the Russian military has thousands. But US experts also warn that if the "meltdown" of political authority is not stanched quickly, a strategic risk looms: chances increase that an ill-paid, poorly maintained military, and its vast nuclear armory, could fracture along regional lines in a manner reminiscent of the 1991 Soviet breakup.

Descriptors, Keywords: Russian Nuclear Arsenal SDF Strategic Deterrent Forces Aleksandr I. Lebed

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 17

 

Inhofe, Joint Chiefs Disagree On NMD. BMD Monitor, Sep 04, 1998, p 298

Sen James Inhofe (R-OK) believes "a firm decision to deploy a limited national missile defense system should not be further postponed, and breaking out from under the arbitrary and outdated constraints of the ABM Treaty is long overdue."

Descriptors, Keywords: Inhofe Rumsfeld Commission weapons 3+3 NMD ICBM destruction rogue

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 18

 

TRW Starts Work On Demo SBIRS Low Satellites. BMD Monitor, Sep 04, 1998, p 302

TRW has begun assembly, integration and test of the Space-based Infrared System-Low (SBIRS-Low) Flight Demonstration System (FDS) satellites. The work will be completed early next year and includes integrating the avionics, propulsion and electrical subsystems and mating them with the sensor payload built by Raytheon into the two FDS spacecraft buses.

Descriptors, Keywords: SBIRS-Low FDS satellites TRW ballistic missile strategic avionics propulsion sensor boost

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 19

 

ABL Opens The Door To DE Weapons. BMD Monitor, Sep 04, 1998, p 294

These are some of the beliefs of Col Mike Booen and why he feels ABL opens the door to direct energy weapons.

Descriptors, Keywords: Airborne Laser ABL energy weapons missile airborne warning command system AWACS joint surveillance target attack radar system JSTARS THAAD Patriot

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 20

 

US Supports N. Korean Agreement Despite Missile Test. BMD Monitor, Sep 04, 1998, p 296

The United States is still confident North Korea will live up to its agreement to freeze its nuclear reactor program which produced weapons grade material, despite the destabilizing effect of its Taepo Dong I missile test Aug 31.

Descriptors, Keywords: Taepo Dong I missile test North Korea United States defense system TMD nation

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 21

 

Summit Agreement On Arms Control, EW. BMD Monitor, Sep 04, 1998, p 295

Pres Clinton and Pres Yeltsin concluded the US-Russia Summit September 2 by signing two security agreements, on early warning and to reduce plutonium stocks. The two leaders created seven working groups on export controls to further strengthen Russia's ability to halt the spread of dangerous weapons.

Descriptors, Keywords: Russia US Clinton Yeltsin plutonium stocks nuclear weapons ballistic missiles

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 22

 

Excerpts From Atomic Audit. Bulletin of Atomic Scientist. Stephen I. Schwartz, Sep 01, 1998, pp 36-43

These are some of the excerpts taken from the report "Atomic Audit".

Descriptors, Keywords: atomic audit nuclear missile Davy Crockett Eisenhower Truman

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 23

 

Lopez: Comms, TBMD, Sea-Based UAVs Among Top Priorities. Defense Daily. Frank Wolfe, Sep 10, 1998, pp 1-2

According to Adm Lopez, CINC of the US Naval Forces, Europe and Allied Forces, Southern Europe, as the US military continues to put an emphasis on joint and coalition operations, communications and computers interoperability will loom large as a priority.

Descriptors, Keywords: Lopez TBMD Sea-Based UAV

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 24

 

Cohen Urged To Retain THAAD Program. Defense Daily. Frank Wolfe, Sep 09, 1998, pp 3-4

A letter signed by 14 Republican senators is urging SecDef Cohen to retain the THAAD program which has failed to intercept a target in five test shots so far. Pakistan's testing of its Ghauri missile last April, Iran's testing of its Shahab-3 missile on July 17, and North Korea's testing of its two-stage Taepo Dong 1 missile on August 31 "underscore the importance of fielding, as rapidly as technology permits, highly effective missile defense systems like THAAD and Navy Theater-Wide," according to the senators' letter.

Descriptors, Keywords: Republican senators THAAD Cohen letter Navy Theater-Wide threat Pakistan Iran North Korea

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 25

 

Senate Fails Again In Attempt To Bring Up NMD Bill. Defense Daily. Sheila Foote, Sep 09, 1998, p 1

For the second time this year, the Senate failed by one vote to garner the 60 votes needed to bring up a bill mandating the US commit to deploying a national missile defense (NMD) system as soon as technology permits. Democratic opponents of the bill reiterated the views of the Clinton administration that committing to deploying an NMD system could do more harm than good by potentially jeopardizing the Russian Duma's ratification of the START II nuclear arms reduction treaty.

Descriptors, Keywords: Senate NMD bill deployment proliferation WMD

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 26

 

House Leaders Call For US Withdrawal From ABM Treaty. Defense Daily. Sheila Foote, Sep 10, 1998, pp 7-8

House Republican leaders called yesterday for the US to back out of the ABM Treaty, which they said is harming the United States' ability to defend itself.

Descriptors, Keywords: House Republicans US ABM Treaty missile defense

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 27

 

Defense Watch: No Site Yet. Defense Daily, Sep 08, 1998, p 1

LtGen Lyles, Director, BMDO, told reporters that no decision has been made, or will be in the near future, for the deployment site of the NMD system. Whatever site is chosen it is likely to raise concerns about the ABM Treaty. For now though, all Lyles will say regarding the ABM Treaty is that it has not "inhibited or degraded" any BMDO programs. Lyles also said that he still reports to Pentagon acquisition chief Jacques Gansler, although some sources say that Gansler is considering changing that and having Lyles report to the Director of Defense Research and Engineering (DDRE), Hans Mark.

Descriptors, Keywords: Lyles ABM Treaty NMD site Gansler Mark deployment DDRE

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 28

 

Shelton Wants 'Hard Look' At THAAD. Defense Daily. George Cahlink, Sep 11, 1998, p 1

Army Gen Shelton, Chairman, JCS, believes the Pentagon should take a "hard look" at the THAAD missile system and then decide whether it's worth developing. Shelton said some parts of THAAD have worked very well, although "the missile system itself has not performed well." He said he is not close enough to the program to label THAAD a "complete failure." OSD is currently reviewing the missile defense system.

Descriptors, Keywords: Shelton THAAD OSD missile system evaluation

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 29

 

DSB Panel To Study Global Defense Consolidation. Defense Daily. Vago Muradian, Sep 09, 1998, p 5

A newly convened panel of the Defense Science Board is preparing to launch a study of how the Pentagon should view international defense consolidation. The assessment will be headed by Don Hicks and should be completed in about one year.

Descriptors, Keywords: DSB global defense consolidation Hicks international assessment

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 30

 

Spaceport Wants Use Of Minuteman Motors. Defense News, Aug 31, 1998, p 2

The Spaceport Florida Authority is asking the US Air Force for excess Minuteman missile motors for use in launching suborbital payloads for educational institutions.

Descriptors, Keywords: suborbital payloads Minuteman missile motors

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 31

 

Despite Failures, Army Officials Remain Confident In THAAD. Defense News. Jane McHuge, Sep 07, 1998, p 36

Soldiers who have fired the Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor missile seem undaunted by the system's repeated failures in test launches. They are confident that eventually the system will succeed.

Descriptors, Keywords: THAAD artillery ballistic missile Liberatore target

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 32

 

BMDO May Allow Kill Vehicle Contract Without Fly-Off. Defense News. Lisa Burgess, Sep 07, 1998, p 28

Boeing Co. may be allowed to choose a subcontractor for the program's Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV without fly-out - despite the fact that Boeing itself is one of only two competitors. But top officials at Pentagon's BMDO argue forgoing an EKV fly-off will help speed development of the controversial National Missile Defense network being designed to protect the United States against missile attack. Unless directed otherwise by BMDO, Boeing will make its downselect for EKV around February or March.

Descriptors, Keywords: National missile defense NMD exoatmospheric kill vehicle EKV Lyles subcontractor deploy

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 33

 

Warning Shot? Defense News, Sep 07, 1998, p 42

The failure of the United Nations and the United States to stand up against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems has emboldened rogue states and terrorists everywhere.

Descriptors, Keywords: United Nations United States Taepo Dong 1 weapons mass destruction North Korea cruise missiles nuclear chemical biological

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 34

 

Harris To Make Terminal For NMD Interceptor. Defense News, Aug 31, 1998, p 25

Two divisions of the Harris Corp. will develop a data terminal used in the command, communications and control system of the US National Missile Defense (NMD) program.

Descriptors, Keywords: missile defense terminal data NMD ballistic interceptors

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 35

 

Missile Attacks Could Spark New Anti-Terrorist Tactics. Defense News. Robert Holzer, David Mulholland, Aug 31, 1998, p 22

The shift in US policy inherent in the Aug 20 attacks on terrorist sites in Sudan and Afghanistan likely will drive new technologies and lead the Pentagon to revise its warfare tactics, experts say.

Descriptors, Keywords: cruise missiles Afghanistan Sudan Pentagon policy Antiterrorist UAV attacks

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 36

 

Russian Economic Crisis May Put Nukes On Summit Back Burner. Defense News. Lisa Burgess, Aug 31, 1998, p 6

Russia's deepening economic and political crisis could knock nuclear proliferation, export control and other national security issues off the agenda during Sep 1-2 summit between US Pres Bill Clinton and Russian Pres Boris Yeltsin, according to US officials.

Descriptors, Keywords: summit nuclear proliferation official economic START II US Russia

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 37

 

Global Hawk Readies For Next Tests. Defense News, Sep 07, 1998, p 2

A recent test of the Global Hawk unmanned air vehicle (UAV) paves the way for more rapid testing in the future and for sensor payload testing this fall, said Chuck Heber, head of strategic UAV's at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Descriptors, Keywords: Global Hawk unmanned air vehicle UAV test payload DARPA

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 38

 

US Navy Pursues Two-Pronged Missile Path. Defense News. Robert Holzer, p 4, 42

The Navy will pursue the Land Attack Standard Missile (LASM) developed by Raytheon Co.'s Defense Systems segment instead of the Naval Tactical Missile System (NTACMS) offered by Lockheed Martin Vought Systems. At the same time, the service still is planning to develop a new missile for use on the DD-21 destroyer that will be fielded by 2006, service officials said.

Descriptors, Keywords: Navy Land Attack Standard Missile LASM Naval Tactical Missile System NTACMS missile DD-21

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 39

 

Missile Defense vs. Terror: New Terrorism Has Many Faces, Including Ballistic. Defense News. John Carey, Aug 31, 1998, p 27

Many agree with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's statement, said on NBC "Today" show concerning terrorism as being a big threat to the US and the world entering the 21st century. If the new terrorism includes weapons of mass destruction (nuclear, biological and chemical weapons), with or without ballistic missiles, the situation has numerous threatening facets.

Descriptors, Keywords: weapons mass destruction chemical biological nuclear ballistic missiles national leaders North Korea Pakistan Iraq Iran US

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 40

 

Pakistan Will Learn Little From Tomahawk. Defense News. Eric Kulisch, Aug 31, 1998, p 2

This brief article touches on the fact that Pakistan's recovery of the Tomahawk cruise missile serves no real purpose for them due to its valued technology.

Descriptors, Keywords: Tomahawk missile technology Navy cruise

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 41

 

Experts Downplay Impact Of US-Russia Summit Pacts. Defense News. Simon Saradzhyan, Sep 07, 1998, p 16

Russian Pres Boris Yeltsin and US Pres Bill Clinton inked two arms control pacts during their summit last week, but analysts said the two embattled leaders achieved little, if any, real progress in tackling mutual security problems.

Descriptors, Keywords: summit Clinton Yeltsin START II Chernomyrdin weapon grade plutonium strategic arms reduction treaty warheads

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 42

 

Bin Laden Could Have Anti-Aircraft Missiles. Defense Week, Sep 08, 1998, p 13

A recent report by the Congressional Research Service, the research arm of the US Congress, says that the network of alleged terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden may possess sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles that could be a threat to the world's airlines.

Descriptors, Keywords: CRS Congressional Research Service bin Laden terrorist anti-aircraft missile threat airlines report

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 43

 

Plutonium Plan Settled, But Not Financing. Defense Week. George Lobsenz, Sep 08, 1998, p 3

In an historic agreement providing badly needed political momentum to a key nuclear arms control initiative, President Clinton and Russian President Yeltsin last week formally committed the two countries to disposing of 50 metric tons of surplus weapons-grade plutonium apiece.

Descriptors, Keywords: Clinton Yeltsin plutonium nuclear arms control initiative

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 44

 

Top Tester Doesn't Like Chances For Next THAAD Shot. Defense Week. John Donnelly, Sep 08, 1998, p 2

Sources say that four weeks ago a US official, speaking unofficially, told executives at Lockheed Martin Corp. to be prepared for a "stop work" order on its THAAD missile. Although the order never came, the story illustrates how precarious things are for Lockheed's THAAD program, which is zero for five in attempts to intercept test targets.

Descriptors, Keywords: THAAD warning stop work antimissile interceptor test flight failure

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 45

 

Jury Still Out On Civil GPS Signals. Defense Week. Bill Carey, Sep 08, 1998, p 3

The interagency board charged with overseeing military and civilian use of the US military's Global Positioning System (GPS) continues to wrangle over new frequency allocations the Clinton administration has promised to make available to civilian users of the satellite navigation system.

Descriptors, Keywords: GPS Global Positioning System military civilian use satellite navigation

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 46

 

CIA: Iraq Could Restart Doomsday Lines 'Overnight'. Defense Week. John Donnelly, Sep 08, 1998, p 1, 12

If United Nations inspectors end up halting their inspections of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, Baghdad could resume production of certain dangerous chemical agents within weeks and could restart production lines for biological warfare weapons "virtually overnight," according to the latest unclassified CIA assessment.

Descriptors, Keywords: CIA UN Iraq assessment inspections weapons mass destruction WMD biological warfare

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 47

 

Pentagon Resists Reordering Budget Priorities. Defense Week. David Ruppe, Sep 08, 1998, pp 1, 15

Some of the Pentagon's most senior leaders are calling for a revolutionary reordering of America's defense priorities to meet the new security challenges and goals projected for the 21st century. However, no leader has taken the politically sensitive step of stating publicly which current weapons development programs should be reduced or cut to make that happen.

Descriptors, Keywords: DoD Pentagon budget priority defense weapons reduction

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 48

 

Nichols To Develop Antimissile Sensors. Defense News, Sep 07, 1998, p 40

Nichols Research Corp will help develop sensors for new missile defense systems for the Pentagon's Ballistic Missile Defense Organization.

Descriptors, Keywords: sensor technology ballistic missile attack radar infrared

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 49

 

Joint Israeli-American Missile Defense Hearing Set For Mid-September. Inside Missile Defense. Michael C. Sirak, Sep 02, 1998, p 3

The Israeli-American interparliamentary group established in early June to facilitate a more substantial dialogue between the two countries on missile defense and other security issues will kick off its formal activities later this month with a joint hearing held by Israeli Knesset and House and Senate members in Washington.

Descriptors, Keywords: Israel US missile defense joint hearing Knesset Senate House

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 50

 

Lawmakers, National Security Council Clash At North Korea Briefing. Inside Missile Defense. Keith J. Costa, Sep 02, 1998, pp 41-42

The revelation that North Korea (DPRK) may be ramping up its nuclear weapons program was the subject of an acrimonious meeting between House lawmakers and nearly the entire National Security Council last month. Republican leaders voiced concern the Clinton administration has not been straightforward with information on Pyongyang's compliance with the 1994 US-North Korean Agreed Framework.

Descriptors, Keywords: Republicans North Korea National Security Council briefing Clinton nuclear weapons facility

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 51

 

Pentagon Makes Major Funding Increases In Chem-Bio Defense Programs. Inside Missile Defense. Darcia R. Harris, Sep 02, 1998, pp 37-38

In the wake of last month's strike on alleged terrorist facilities, the Pentagon is adding hundreds of millions of dollars to its 2000 through 2005 budget plan for chemical and biological warfare defense programs, according to sources familiar with internal DoD budget documents.

Descriptors, Keywords: DoD Pentagon funding chemical biological warfare defense chem-bio budget

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 52

 

Huchting, Rempt Tell BMDO THAAD Termination Harms Navy Missile Defense. Inside Missile Defense. Thomas Duffy, Sep 02, 1998, pp 35-36

The Navy's two top missile defense officials have rejected a set of program options suggested by BMDO--including canceling the Army's THAAD missile, delaying the THAAD Ground Based Radar until THAAD is fielded, and starting an Army missile defense effort based on the Navy's Standard Missile--and have reaffirmed the position that only a family of missile defense systems can give the services the "defense-in-depth" needed to defeat ballistic missiles on the battlefield.

Descriptors, Keywords: Navy missile defense Huchting Rempt THAAD termination memo

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 53

 

CBO Pegs Costs Of Early Warning Data Sharing. Inside The Pentagon, Sep 10, 1998, pp 17-18

The CBO projected that it would cost $5m to share early warning data with Russia between 1999 and 2003. This reflects concern that the Y2K problem may adversely affect Russia's early warning system for early launch detection. Some critics maintain the US should provide additional capability to Russia, given Russia's current economic instability.

Descriptors, Keywords: CBO early warning data sharing system Y2K Russia US Yeltsin Clinton summit detection 2003 ICBM economy budget cost export control waiver satellite space launch vehicle

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 54

 

TOP OSD Officials Mull New 'Block Upgrade' Option For THAAD. Inside The Pentagon, Sep 10, 1998, p 7

THAAD may remain an option for warfighters, even while senior administrators consider terminating the program. THAAD may be reclassified as a "block upgrade," which would maintain the current DEM/VAL program and allow limited missile production should the system successfully complete intercepts. THAAD advocates have added pressure to keep the program with the success last week of the North Korean missile launch.

Descriptors, Keywords: OSD block upgrade THAAD Navy Theater Wide DAB Cohen North Korea missile launch interception range budget plan demonstration validation

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 55

 

Budget Squeeze May Affect Timing of SBIRS High Launch. Inside The Pentagon, Sep 10, 1998, p 7

To meet the FY2000-2005 budget plan, defense and intelligence decision makers are recommending delaying the launch of the SBIRS high component by at least two years. Both the Air Force and US Space Command maintain that this is critical for meeting missile defense requirements and that delays will pose significant risks.

Descriptors, Keywords: budget SBIRS high launch intelligence Space Command FY2000 FY2005 missile warning system detection Estes balanced budget

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 56

 

Senate GOP Fails Once Again To Get A Vote On NMD Deployment Legislation. Inside The Pentagon, Sep 10, 1998, p 20

For the second time this year, the Cochrane-Inouye bill failed to pass a cloture motion to consider legislation to mandate deployment of a National Missile Defense as soon as technologically possible. This is viewed as a victory for the Clinton Administration which has stood by its "3 plus 3" NMD strategy in spite of evidence suggesting the threat of missile attack is more serious than intelligence estimates had provided.

Descriptors, Keywords: GOP Cochran Inouye NMD national policy cloture motion three plus three vote failure Inhofe Korea Hutchison Levin Shelton Rumsfeld Commission Conrad Bingaman THAAD Coats Akaka Hollings Weldon Spratt

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 57

 

Pentagon Opposes Senate Cuts To Biological Warfare Defense Program. Inside The Pentagon. Darcia R. Harris, Sep 10, 1998, p 14

The Senate Appropriations Committee has proposed cutting FY99 Biological Warfare Defense budget, against the efforts of OSD to strengthen the program. Last month OSD directed the Army to add millions of dollars to DARPA's biological warfare defense program through FY2000 through 2005. The FY99 budget cut would force DARPA to stretch it R&D program, possibly delaying warfighters' ability to respond rapidly in a biological attack.

Descriptors, Keywords: Pentagon OSD DARPA Senate Appropriations Committee budget FY99 biological warfare defense WMD Army appropriations demonstration detection

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 58

 

Satellite Launch Remains Unconfirmed: North Korean Missile Launch Gives Boost To Satellite Interceptor Effort. Inside The Pentagon. Keith J. Costa, Sep 10, 1998, p 5

Congressional and industry backers of the Army Kinetic Energy ASAT program are saying that North Korea's launch of the Taepo Dong I ballistic missile could shift funding for the KE ASAT program.

Descriptors, Keywords: North Korea Taepo Dong I Missile Launch Satellite Interceptor Ballistic Missile KE ASAT FY99 Funding Appropriation

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 59

 

Defense Department Fights Cuts To Chemical Weapon Disposal Program. Inside The Pentagon. Darcia R. Harris, Sep 10, 1998, p 16

The Army's Chemical Stockpile Disposal Program (the chemical weapons demilitarization program) has been threatened by budget cuts by congressional appropriators. The Senate has refused to transfer program manager to the Army, with no explanation. The program has been unpopular, and plagued with safety violations, cost overruns, lawsuits, environmental concerns, and public hostility. Funding cuts will delay the schedule for chemical weapon disposal.

Descriptors, Keywords: Pentagon OSD Army chemical stockpile disposal demilitarization Defense Reform Initiative Senate FY99 budget reduction life cycle cost Cohen disposal facility Aberdeen

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 60

 

Cruiser Sea Tests Fail To Pin Down Aegis System Problems. Inside The Pentagon, Sep 10, 1998, p 7

The Air Force is trying to determine where the problems are in its Aegis Weapon Systems. This follows a series of tests aboard the cruisers Hue City and Vicksburg. The problems are considered to be so severe that CINLANTFLT pulled the ships from battle group escort and reassigned them to Caribbean counterdrug operations.

Descriptors, Keywords: cruiser sea test Aegis system problem Hue City Vicksburg Cooperative Engagement Capability CEC CINCLANTFLT data link Lockheed

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 61

 

OSD May Use FY-98 KE ASAT, Clementine Funds For Reprogramming Request. Inside The Pentagon. Keith J. Costa, Sep 10, 1998, pp 1,4

The Pentagon is in the process of trying to fund two controversial efforts with current year funding. Those are the Army's Kinetic Energy Antisatellite System and the Air Force's Clementine II microsatelllite effort. Both were victims of the line item veto. The option of reprogramming the vetoed efforts for other tasks is unpopular and apt to face strong congressional opposition.

Descriptors, Keywords: kinetic energy ASAT Clementine II microsatellite line item veto Congress Appropriations Committee HASC SASC Yeltsin Clinton summit Aderholt Livingston DeLay space based weapons intercept Bell FY99

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 62

 

Current US Cash Cannot Back All Missile Systems. Jane's Defence Weekly. Bryan Bender, Sep 09, 1998, p 10

LtGen Lester Lyles said on 2 September that the DoD's missile defense systems, particularly theater systems such as THAAD and the PAC-3 are costing much more than originally anticipated. "When we started all of these missile defense programs, they were done from a valid sense of urgency, but one thing that was really not factored into them was how to...control costs up front," he said. The BMDO's current annual $3.5b budget cannot maintain all of these systems, he added.

Descriptors, Keywords: Lester Lyles THAAD PAC-3 Funding

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 63

 

North Koreans Test Two Stage IRBM Over Japan. Jane's Defence Weekly. Joseph Bermudez, Sep 09, 1998, p 26

There appear to be several motives for conducting the first test of the Taepo Dong 1 at this time. It was a clear demonstration by North Korea that it now possesses the ability to strike at US military facilities in Japan and on Okinawa. Along with this was the practical need to integrate and test numerous components and technologies to ensure they function correctly as a system. This, in turn, allowed North Korea to demonstrate to potential buyers that its missiles and related technologies are viable. In the past, ballistic missile exports have been a prime means of earning foreign currency.

Descriptors, Keywords: North Korea IRBM Taepo Dong 1 Test Firing Taepo Dong 2

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 64

 

USA Accuses North Koreans Of 'Blackmail By Ballistic Missile'. Jane's Defence Weekly. Greg Seigle, Sep 09, 1998, p 3

North Korea's test firing of a Taepo Dong 1 was not unexpected. Japanese Defense Agency surface vessels and aircraft were deployed in anticipation of the test but failed to detect the launch, which Tokyo learned about only after being notified by US Forces Japan. Because the test came shortly after the US Navy fired 79 Tomahawk cruise missiles at a pharmaceutical plant in Sudan and terrorist camps in Afghanistan, many observes believe Pyongyang wanted to send Washington a message that it possesses a counter-strike ability it would use if attacked.

Descriptors, Keywords: North Korean Test Firing Taepo Dong 1 JDA

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 65

 

Russia, USA Shake Hands On Early Warning. Jane's Defence Weekly. Bryan Bender, Sep 09, 1998, p 4

President Clinton and President Yeltsin formally agreed to share early warning data on missile launches to reduce the chance of miscalculation or the accidental launch of nuclear weapons. This constitutes the first time the two former rivals will link their early warning systems. They agreed to set up a joint US-Russian early warning center in Russia.

Descriptors, Keywords: Joint US-Russia Early Warning System

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 66

 

Question Of Pure-Fusion Explosions Under the CTBT. Physics Today. Suzanne Jones, Ray Kidder, Frank von Hippel, Sep 01, 1998, pp 57-59

Although the CTBT has been submitted to the Congress for over a year, there has been no movement on ratification hearings due to Jesse Helms' opposition to the treaty. While US nuclear weapons labs have received subsidies in the form of Science-Based Stockpile Stewardship program, domestic and foreign critics of the program contend that this may prove a route to pure fusion weapons.

Descriptors, Keywords: CTBT nuclear fusion virtual testing NIF LLNL stockpile stewardship thermonuclear explosion nonproliferation Helms policy politics ICF MTF Z-pinch magnetized target fusion inertial confinement transportable weapon

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 67

 

Experts Dispute CIA Assessment Of Missile Threat And Raise Demands In Congress For Defense System. Physics Today. Irwin Goodwin, Sep 01, 1998, pp 43-44

This article is a review of the Rumsfeld report and the possible consequences if the report is correct in terms of threat assessment. The political implications of the report included, "Calls for a scaled-down Strategic Defense Initiative...from 28 House members."

Descriptors, Keywords: Rumsfeld Commission CIA assessment missile threat Taepo Dong-2 Shehab-3 Iran North Korea Tenet Iraq WMD timetable ICBM Scud technology export Russia M-11 Pakistan CSS-2 No Dong

UPDATE: Sep 11, 1998, No. 68