air defense Archives

Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, and Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony L. Whitehead brief the media on National Guard priorities for 2024 in the Pentagon Briefing Room, Washington, D.C., Feb. 8, 2024. (DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jack Sanders)

National Guard eyes UAS, air defense among 2024 priorities

The Guard's leadership briefed reporters at the Pentagon.

Feb 8, 2024 By Brandi Vincent

Phantom system in transportation configuration within ruggedized enclosure. (Northrop Grumman photo)

US government gets new miniaturized laser weapon

Northrop Grumman has delivered a 10-kilowatt system named Phantom that the company says is about the size of a mini fridge.

Aug 24, 2023 By Jon Harper

RED SEA (May 11, 2012) Capt. Grady Banister, commanding officer of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), prepares to release a weather balloon used for retrieving upper air soundings off the fantail of the ship. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Natasha R. Chalk/Released)

DOD takes steps to ensure its weather balloons aren’t misidentified

The launches are continuing in the wake of several recent shoot downs of unidentified “objects” flying over North America, by U.S. fighter jets launching AIM-9X air-to-air missiles.

Feb 17, 2023 By Jon Harper

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs, Melissa Dalton, testifies before a Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Defense hearing “to determine what decisions went into how we dealt with the Chinese spy balloon,” on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, February 9, 2023. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

US, Canada developing secretive ‘Crossbow’ sensor network as concerns mount over Chinese balloon fleet

A Pentagon official referenced the Crossbow system during a congressional hearing Thursday about the recent Chinese balloon incident.

Feb 9, 2023 By Brandi Vincent

A U.S. Air Force F-22 performers aerial maneuvers July 14, 2019, at the “Mission Over Malmstrom” open house event on Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jacob M. Thompson)

Military brass have recommended against shooting down an alleged Chinese spy balloon flying over the US — for now

“The balloon is currently traveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic and does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground,”…

Feb 2, 2023 By Jon Harper Brandi Vincent

Ukrainian soldiers equip trenches on a field not far from Soledar, Donetsk region on January 14, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. – Ukraine reported a fresh wave of attacks and hits on key infrastructure facilities on January 14, 2023, a day after Russia claimed to have captured the ravaged eastern town of Soledar following a long battle. (Photo by Anatolii Stepanov / AFP) (Photo by ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP via Getty Images)

Pentagon highlights air defense, mechanized forces amid ‘brutal World War I-style engagements’ in Ukraine

Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl told reporters that air defense capabilities will be critical to Ukraine in the next stage of this unfolding conflict.

Jan 19, 2023 By Brandi Vincent

A NASAMS firing an AMRAAM missile. (Kongsberg)

New $1B arms package for Ukraine includes munitions that can shoot down cruise missiles, drones

A new $1 billion security assistance package for Ukraine, includes missiles for the NASAMS system.

Aug 8, 2022 By Jon Harper