U.S. Missile Defense Program Facing A Major Review

Wikipedia

Reuters: Pentagon plans hard look at missile defense programs

(Reuters) - The U.S. Defense Department has launched a major review of missile defense programs and capabilities, after military commanders called the current strategy "unsustainable" given tough budget pressures and rising threats around the world.

Former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel described the review in a Feb. 4 memo to top officers in the U.S. Army and Navy, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters.

This year's review would also cover regional ballistic missile defense issues, the global reach of the U.S. Patriot missile defense system, and U.S. power projection capabilities.

Update #1: US Ballistic Missile Defense Costs Rise Nearly 6 Percent -- Sputnik
Update #2: Six Percent Rise In Cost Of US Ballistic Missile Defense Systems Program -- Defense World

WNU Editor: I call this laying the groundwork for cuts in the U.S. missile defense program.

More Updates:

Navy Officials: Current BMD Strategy ‘Unsustainable'; Greenert Asked Hagel for Review -- USNI
Missile Budget Cuts Threaten Defense Posture, Officials Say -- US Department of Defense
U.S. missile defense agency warns of "jeopardy" from budget cuts -- Reuters

U.S. Navy Announces A Successful Anti-Missile Test

The USS Monterey military vessel is seen docked in the Black Sea harbour of Constanta, 250 km (155 miles) east of Bucharest June 7, 2011. Credit: Reuters/Bogdan Cristel

U.S. Aegis System Zaps Cruise, Ballistic Missile Targets In Test -- Reuters

(Reuters) - The U.S. Aegis missile defense system on Thursday simultaneously destroyed two cruise missile targets and one ballistic missile target in a test conducted by a U.S. Navy destroyer off the coast of Hawaii, according to sources familiar with the test.

The test validated a new upgrade of the Aegis missile defense system built by Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N), and two different missiles built by Raytheon Co (RTN.N), according to the sources who were not authorized to speak publicly.

Read more ....

More News On A Successful U.S. Aegis Missile Defense System Test

US Shoots Down 3 Missile Targets in Hawaii Test -- AP
U.S. Tests Missile Defenses For Sites In Romania, Poland -- Radio Free Europe
US knocks down ballistic, cruise missile targets in complex Aegis system test -- RT
SM-3, SM-2s take on ballistic, cruise missile targets during simulated missile 'raid' attack exercise -- CNN