Author Archives: Abel Romero

“Lower End” Missile Threats: The Case of Yemen

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The role of missile warfare in the ongoing fighting in Yemen is easy to overlook in the context of the ISIL threat to peace, the presence of al-Qaeda and ISIL militants in Yemen, the humanitarian crisis in this Arabian Peninsula conflict, and “high end” missile threats. Detailed analysis of the role of missiles in the conflict over Yemen yields findings and implications regarding “lower end” conflict scenarios involving long-range rocket, and conventional ballistic or anti-ship cruise missile use by irregular, hybrid, or state adversaries.

Denmark: Onboard with NATO Missile Defense?

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The ship is also equipped with Lockheed Martin’s MK 41 strike version vertical launch system (VLS) which can operate a variety of missile systems like the SM-2 Block IIIA and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles for air defense. In addition, the MK 41 Launcher, also found on U.S. Aegis BMD ships, is capable of firing ballistic missile interceptors such as the SM-3. This capability coupled with an upgraded radar could one day make for a very formidable ballistic missile defense ship to help share the burden with American Aegis BMD ships deployed to Rota, Spain as part of the NATO BMD mission.

Missile Defense Issues for the 114th Congress

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The 114th Congress has seen a shift in power toward the Republican Party for the first time since 2006. Voters weary of deadlock on Capitol Hill will hold their newly elected representatives to a high standard and hope that they will work together to tackle the issues facing the nation today. After a summer of …

Patch up Asian-Pacific BMD

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HARRISON MENKE Why the United States shouldn’t rest easy on Pacific BMD This summer, U.S. ballistic missile defenses (BMD) notched a key achievement in the Asian-Pacific. Rather than on the target range however, this time the success came from the diplomatic front. In August, Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel …