Latest news with #C-17
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pentagon ends new radar effort meant for Guam missile defense
Early this year, the Pentagon issued a memo halting development of a new radar meant to protect Guam from high-end air and missile threats, according to a May 22 Government Accountability Office report on the effort to protect the strategic island in the Pacific. 'On January 7, 2025, the Deputy Secretary of Defense [Kathleen Hicks] directed the [Missile Defense Agency] to cease development of one of the elements, the AN/TPY-6 radar, but to retain the currently fielded panel as an experimental asset with potential to develop for operational use within the [Guam Defense System] in the future,' the report states. While Hicks' decision came at the end of her tenure under the Biden administration, GAO notes the changes are not binding on the new administration. The Pentagon's plan to develop an elaborate air-and-missile defense architecture is beginning to take shape and will be pieced together over the coming years in order to protect Guam from increasingly complex threats emerging in China and North Korea. MDA had shipped its first AN/TPY-6 panel on a boat headed to the island last summer, planning to use it to track a threat launched from a C-17 plane in a first flight test of current capability coming together for the defense of Guam at the end of 2024. The new radar uses technology from MDA's Long-Range Discrimination Radar positioned in Alaska at Clear Space Force Base, which will have its own test next year ahead of declaring operational capability. The Guam Defense System will also rely on a variety of systems still in development, mostly within the Army. The Navy will provide technology and capability from its Aegis weapons system. The land service plans to bring to Guam currently fielded capabilities, like the Patriot system and its Integrated Battle Command System, or IBCS, that connects any sensor and shooter together on the battlefield, as well as Mid-Range Capability missile launchers, which were first fielded at the end of 2023. The Army will also incorporate Patriot's radar replacement, the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor, or LTAMDS, which was just approved for production, and its Indirect Fire Protection Capability launchers, which are reaching the end of the prototyping phase. With the termination of AN/TPY-6, for now, Hicks directed the MDA prioritize remaining Aegis Guam systems development funds 'toward delivering minimum viable Aegis C2 [command and control] and datalink capabilities to enable Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) engagements off remote track from AN/TPY-2 and LTAMDS over the JTMC [Joint Track Management Capability] bridge,' according to GAO's report. The Pentagon's memo required upgrading the JTMC bridge to address all missile threats from China and achieve a Joint Tactical Integrated Fire Control capability — the future joint track architecture for Guam — 'for coordinated battle management, combat identification and electronic protection,' the report states. Those upgrades should be completed no later than 2029. The memo also directed MDA to accelerate key command-and-control integration work, including getting the Army-operated Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, system to work within IBCS. Guam is home to a permanent THAAD battery called Task Force Talon, which serves as the critical component for defending the island against ballistic missile threats. Additionally, the Army and MDA 'shall integrate AN/TPY-2 measurement data into IBCS no later than 2030 and achieve full integration by 2033,' the report details. The MDA has long used AN/TPY-2 radars to track ballistic missiles, but Raytheon just delivered a new version to MDA with Gallium Nitride, or GaN, which gives it the ability to track more complex threats at greater ranges like hypersonic weapons. The first new radar with GaN will go to the Army's eight THAAD battery. The radars can be used in a forward-based mode, providing cuing data to systems like the Navy's Aegis ballistic missile defense system or the Army's Patriot. It serves as the primary radar for THAAD. The Army's new LTAMDS radar, also developed by Raytheon, has GaN technology as well.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
US defence chief looks to woo allies in Asian security forum debut
SINGAPORE: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will try to convince Asian defence leaders this weekend that the United States is a more trusted partner for the region than China, U.S. officials told Reuters, as questions linger about the Trump administration's commitment to the region. Hegseth, who has spent a large portion of his first months on the job focused on domestic issues, countering diversity, equity and inclusion in the military and taking aim at the press, will make his first extended remarks in Singapore on Saturday about how he envisions US defence policy in the Indo-Pacific. He will be addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security forum, which runs this year from May 31-June 1. Defence ministers, senior military and security officials and diplomats from around the world are expected to attend. French President Emmanuel Macron will deliver the keynote address on Friday. 'Secretary Hegseth is going to make the case to Asian allies about why the United States is a better partner than the CCP,' said a senior U.S. defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official, who was using an acronym for China's Communist Party, said Hegseth had the opportunity to take advantage of Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun's expected absence from the dialogue, where US and Chinese delegates have locked horns in previous years. Before departing for Singapore, Hegseth criticised former U.S. President Joe Biden's approach to the region. ' The previous administration talked somewhat about pivots, but all the Biden administration ever showed the world was weakness,' he said. 'Under this administration we will achieve peace and deterrence through strength (and) that is by working by, with and through allies and partners, specifically in the Indo-Pacific.' Hegseth's speech will be closely watched as it comes after President Donald Trump has lashed out at traditional allies, most recently with tariffs. Hegseth has also roiled allies in Europe. In February, he warned Europe against treating America like a 'sucker' while addressing a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels. 'There's certainly uncertainty being expressed, and sometimes I think it's probably fair to characterize it as a concern,' a second senior U.S. defence official said, referring to anxiety among Asian allies. Hegseth sworn in as US defense secretary General Dan Caine, the recently confirmed U.S. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is also expected to attend the dialogue. Earlier asia visits Some of the Trump administration's early moves in the Indo-Pacific have raised eyebrows. The US moved air defence systems from Asia to the Middle East earlier this year as tensions with Iran spiked - an effort which took 73 C-17 flights. But Hegseth visited the Philippines and Japan in March, a trip in which experts said the secretary stuck by the more traditional importance of allies. Ely Ratner, who was the Pentagon's top official on China under the Biden administration, said allies in Asia were seeking a consistent policy from Hegseth. 'The region will be watching closely as to whether the U.S. secretary of defence that shows up at Shangri-la looks like the one that travelled to the Philippines and Japan or has more of the harder edge that we've seen from the Trump administration in Europe,' said Ratner. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, was only narrowly confirmed as defence secretary in January. He has moved with stunning speed to reshape the department, firing top generals and admirals as he seeks to implement Trump's national security agenda. His leadership has been under intense scrutiny after it was revealed that he shared sensitive war plans on Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis in two Signal group chats. Trump has stuck by him through the turmoil. Hegseth will likely get a friendly audience at the Shangri-La Dialogue, said Greg Poling, with the Center for Strategic and International Studies think-tank. 'Asian allies, and particularly the Philippines, feel a lot more reassured than our European allies, but there's always going to be that voice in the back of their head,' Poling said. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, who is co-leading a bi-partisan delegation to the Shangri-la Dialogue, said her aim was to reassure Asian allies that the United States was committed, a message she said Hegseth was not capable of delivering. 'He's only got this job because he sucked up to President Trump and looked good on Fox News. So let's be clear about the capabilities of the secretary of defence,' Duckworth told Reuters.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
US defence chief Hegseth looks to woo allies in Shangri-La Dialogue debut
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will try to convince Asian defence leaders that Washington is a more trusted partner for the region than China. PHOTO: REUTERS SINGAPORE – US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will try to convince Asian defence leaders this weekend that the United States is a more trusted partner for the region than China, US officials told Reuters, as questions linger about the Trump administration's commitment to the region. Mr Hegseth, who has spent a large portion of his first months on the job focused on domestic issues, countering diversity, equity and inclusion in the military and taking aim at the press, will make his first extended remarks in Singapore on May 31 about how he envisions US defence policy in the Indo-Pacific. He will be addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security forum, which runs from May 31 to June 1. Defence ministers, senior military and security officials and diplomats from around the world are expected to attend. French President Emmanuel Macron will deliver the keynote address on May 30 . 'Secretary Hegseth is going to make the case to Asian allies about why the United States is a better partner than the CCP,' said a senior US defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official, who was using an acronym for China's Communist Party, said Mr Hegseth had the opportunity to take advantage of Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun's expected absence from the dialogue, where US and Chinese delegates have locked horns in previous years. Mr Hegseth's speech will be closely watched as it comes after US President Donald Trump has lashed out at traditional allies, most recently with tariffs. Mr Hegseth has also roiled allies in Europe. In February, he warned Europe against treating America like a 'sucker' while addressing a press conference at Nato headquarters in Brussels. 'There's certainly uncertainty being expressed, and sometimes I think it's probably fair to characterise it as a concern,' a second senior US defence official said, referring to anxiety among Asian allies. General Dan Caine, the recently confirmed US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is also expected to attend the dialogue. Some of the Trump administration's early moves in the Indo-Pacific have raised eyebrows. The US moved air defence systems from Asia to the Middle East earlier i n 2025 as tensions with Iran spiked – an effort which took 73 C-17 flights. But Mr Hegseth visited the Philippines and Japan in March, a trip in which experts said the secretary stuck by the more traditional importance of allies. Mr Ely Ratner , who was the Pentagon's top official on China under the Biden administration, said allies in Asia were seeking a consistent policy from Mr Hegseth. 'The region will be watching closely as to whether the US secretary of defence that shows up at Shangri-La looks like the one that travelled to the Philippines and Japan or has more of the harder edge that we've seen from the Trump administration in Europe,' said Mr Ratner. On the global stage Mr Hegseth, a former Fox News host, was only narrowly confirmed as defence secretary in January. He has moved with stunning speed to reshape the department, firing top generals and admirals as he seeks to implement Mr Trump's national security agenda. His leadership has been under intense scrutiny after it was revealed that he shared sensitive war plans on Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis in two signal group chats. Mr Trump has stuck by him through the turmoil. Mr Hegseth will likely get a friendly audience at the Shangri-La Dialogue, said Mr Greg Poling , with the Center for Strategic and International Studies think-tank. 'Asian allies, and particularly the Philippines, feel a lot more reassured than our European allies, but there's always going to be that voice in the back of their head,' Mr Poling said. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, who is co-leading a bi-partisan delegation to the Shangri-la Dialogue, said her aim was to reassure Asian allies that the United States was committed, a message she said Mr Hegseth was not capable of delivering. 'He's only got this job because he sucked up to President Trump and looked good on Fox News. So let's be clear about the capabilities of the secretary of defence,' Senator Duckworth told Reuters. REUTERS Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
US defence chief looks to woo allies in Asian security forum debut
By Idrees Ali SINGAPORE (Reuters) -U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will try to convince Asian defence leaders this weekend that the United States is a more trusted partner for the region than China, U.S. officials told Reuters, as questions linger about the Trump administration's commitment to the region. Hegseth, who has spent a large portion of his first months on the job focused on domestic issues, countering diversity, equity and inclusion in the military and taking aim at the press, will make his first extended remarks in Singapore on Saturday about how he envisions U.S. defence policy in the Indo-Pacific. He will be addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security forum, which runs this year from May 31-June 1. Defence ministers, senior military and security officials and diplomats from around the world are expected to attend. French President Emmanuel Macron will deliver the keynote address on Friday. "Secretary Hegseth is going to make the case to Asian allies about why the United States is a better partner than the CCP," said a senior U.S. defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official, who was using an acronym for China's Communist Party, said Hegseth had the opportunity to take advantage of Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun's expected absence from the dialogue, where U.S. and Chinese delegates have locked horns in previous years. Hegseth's speech will be closely watched as it comes after President Donald Trump has lashed out at traditional allies, most recently with tariffs. Hegseth has also roiled allies in Europe. In February, he warned Europe against treating America like a "sucker" while addressing a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels. "There's certainly uncertainty being expressed, and sometimes I think it's probably fair to characterize it as a concern," a second senior U.S. defence official said, referring to anxiety among Asian allies. General Dan Caine, the recently confirmed U.S. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is also expected to attend the dialogue. Some of the Trump administration's early moves in the Indo-Pacific have raised eyebrows. The U.S. moved air defence systems from Asia to the Middle East earlier this year as tensions with Iran spiked - an effort which took 73 C-17 flights. But Hegseth visited the Philippines and Japan in March, a trip in which experts said the secretary stuck by the more traditional importance of allies. Ely Ratner, who was the Pentagon's top official on China under the Biden administration, said allies in Asia were seeking a consistent policy from Hegseth. "The region will be watching closely as to whether the U.S. secretary of defence that shows up at Shangri-la looks like the one that travelled to the Philippines and Japan or has more of the harder edge that we've seen from the Trump administration in Europe," said Ratner. ON THE GLOBAL STAGE Hegseth, a former Fox News host, was only narrowly confirmed as defence secretary in January. He has moved with stunning speed to reshape the department, firing top generals and admirals as he seeks to implement Trump's national security agenda. His leadership has been under intense scrutiny after it was revealed that he shared sensitive war plans on Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis in two signal group chats. Trump has stuck by him through the turmoil. Hegseth will likely get a friendly audience at the Shangri-La Dialogue, said Greg Poling, with the Center for Strategic and International Studies think-tank. "Asian allies, and particularly the Philippines, feel a lot more reassured than our European allies, but there's always going to be that voice in the back of their head," Poling said. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, who is co-leading a bi-partisan delegation to the Shangri-la Dialogue, said her aim was to reassure Asian allies that the United States was committed, a message she said Hegseth was not capable of delivering. "He's only got this job because he sucked up to President Trump and looked good on Fox News. So let's be clear about the capabilities of the secretary of defence," Duckworth told Reuters.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
US defence chief looks to woo allies in Asian security forum debut
* Hegseth set to make debut at Asia's premier defence forum * Allies concerned about United States' commitment * Questions linger about Hegseth on the global stage SINGORE, - U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will try to convince Asian defence leaders this weekend that the United States is a more trusted partner for the region than China, U.S. officials told Reuters, as questions linger about the Trump administration's commitment to the region. Hegseth, who has spent a large portion of his first months on the job focused on domestic issues, countering diversity, equity and inclusion in the military and taking aim at the press, will make his first extended remarks in Singapore on Saturday about how he envisions U.S. defence policy in the Indo-Pacific. He will be addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security forum, which runs this year from May 31-June 1. Defence ministers, senior military and security officials and diplomats from around the world are expected to attend. French President Emmanuel Macron will deliver the keynote address on Friday. "Secretary Hegseth is going to make the case to Asian allies about why the United States is a better partner than the CCP," said a senior U.S. defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official, who was using an acronym for China's Communist Party, said Hegseth had the opportunity to take advantage of Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun's expected absence from the dialogue, where U.S. and Chinese delegates have locked horns in previous years. Hegseth's speech will be closely watched as it comes after President Donald Trump has lashed out at traditional allies, most recently with tariffs. Hegseth has also roiled allies in Europe. In February, he warned Europe against treating America like a "sucker" while addressing a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels. "There's certainly uncertainty being expressed, and sometimes I think it's probably fair to characterize it as a concern," a second senior U.S. defence official said, referring to anxiety among Asian allies. General Dan Caine, the recently confirmed U.S. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is also expected to attend the dialogue. Some of the Trump administration's early moves in the Indo-Pacific have raised eyebrows. The U.S. moved air defence systems from Asia to the Middle East earlier this year as tensions with Iran spiked - an effort which took 73 C-17 flights. But Hegseth visited the Philippines and Japan in March, a trip in which experts said the secretary stuck by the more traditional importance of allies. Ely Ratner, who was the Pentagon's top official on China under the Biden administration, said allies in Asia were seeking a consistent policy from Hegseth. "The region will be watching closely as to whether the U.S. secretary of defence that shows up at Shangri-la looks like the one that travelled to the Philippines and Japan or has more of the harder edge that we've seen from the Trump administration in Europe," said Ratner. ON THE GLOBAL STAGE Hegseth, a former Fox News host, was only narrowly confirmed as defence secretary in January. He has moved with stunning speed to reshape the department, firing top generals and admirals as he seeks to implement Trump's national security agenda. His leadership has been under intense scrutiny after it was revealed that he shared sensitive war plans on Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis in two signal group chats. Trump has stuck by him through the turmoil. Hegseth will likely get a friendly audience at the Shangri-La Dialogue, said Greg Poling, with the Center for Strategic and International Studies think-tank. "Asian allies, and particularly the Philippines, feel a lot more reassured than our European allies, but there's always going to be that voice in the back of their head," Poling said. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, who is co-leading a bi-partisan delegation to the Shangri-la Dialogue, said her aim was to reassure Asian allies that the United States was committed, a message she said Hegseth was not capable of delivering. "He's only got this job because he sucked up to President Trump and looked good on Fox News. So let's be clear about the capabilities of the secretary of defence," Duckworth told Reuters.
