Latest news with #USSBulkeley
Newsweek
23-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Videos Show US Destroyers Training To Intercept Ballistic Missiles
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States demonstrated its naval power as a pair of destroyers intercepted ballistic missiles during live-fire drills in Europe, showcasing its combat credibility to potential adversaries. "The two destroyers' successful missile intercepts demonstrated the lethality of U.S. Navy systems and the ability to operate seamlessly with Allied nations to maintain a stable security environment," the Europe-headquartered U.S. Sixth Fleet announced on Thursday. Why It Matters U.S. Navy cruisers and destroyers equipped with Aegis weapons systems to provide "integrated air and missile defense," regularly conduct missile tests. As of December 2023, a total of 49 Aegis-equipped ships capable of ballistic missile defense were in service. The United States Navy destroyer USS Bulkeley launches a Standard Missile-3 interceptor to intercept a ballistic missile target in the North Atlantic on May 20, 2025. The United States Navy destroyer USS Bulkeley launches a Standard Missile-3 interceptor to intercept a ballistic missile target in the North Atlantic on May 20, 2025. Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan Nye/U.S. Navy The missile intercept drills come as President Donald Trump revealed details of the $175 billion Golden Dome initiative, which aims at "forever ending the missile threat to the [U.S.] homeland" by building a multi-layered defense grid that includes space-based interceptors. What To Know The drills were part of Exercise At Sea Demonstration/Formidable Shield 25 (ASD/FS 25), which has been taking place in the North Sea, Norwegian Sea, and North Atlantic Ocean since May 3. It features air and missile defense drills against a range of threats. The three-week exercise aims to strengthen NATO interoperability in "a joint, live-fire, Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) environment," using the alliance's command and control reporting structures, according to Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO. Destroyer USS Thomas Hudner launched a Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) at a short-range ballistic missile target on May 15. Five days later, it and its sister ship, USS Bulkeley, intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile target and a simulated target using a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) interceptor. Targets in both drills were "successfully engaged." According to U.S. major defense contractor Raytheon, the SM-3 is designed to destroy short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles, while the SM-6 is described as "three missiles in one," capable of conducting anti-air, anti-surface, and ballistic missile defense missions. Depending on its variant, the SM-3 has an estimated range of 434 to 1,550 miles, while the multifunctional SM-6 has a reported range of up to 290 miles, according to specialist outlets Naval News and Breaking Defense. The actual ranges of these missiles remain classified. As of last October, five U.S. Navy anti-ballistic missile destroyers were homeported in Spain, providing "full coverage and protection" for NATO European countries against the threat posed by the proliferation of ballistic missiles. What People Are Saying The U.S. Sixth Fleet said: "ASD/FS 25 includes a series of live-fire events against unmanned air and surface systems, subsonic, supersonic, and ballistic targets, incorporating multiple Allied ships, multi-nation/multi-service ground-based air defenses, and aviation forces working across battlespaces to deliver lethal effects, accomplish exercise objectives, and hone warfighting skills." Captain Michael Dwan, commander of the Task Group 154.64 and Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO)'s U.S. Maritime Ballistic Missile Defense Assets Adviser, said: "Exercises like ASD/FS are critical for refining our collective integrated air and missile defense capabilities, ensuring we can respond effectively to any threat from any direction and maintain a credible deterrent posture." What Happens Next The U.S. military newspaper Stars and Stripes reported that a sixth destroyer based in Spain is scheduled to arrive at its new home port next year. These forward-deployed warships are intended to defend Europe against ballistic missile attacks from countries such as Iran.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
US guided-missile destroyer makes port visit to Scotland
A US warship has made a port visit to Scotland. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley arrived at HM Naval Base Clyde - Faslane - for a scheduled port visit on Friday of last week, before departing two days later. Bulkeley is on patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. She began her current patrol in early April and has sailed from the Atlantic prior to the visit to Faslane. Cmdr. Arturo Trejo, commanding officer of Bulkeley, said: "Our fourth patrol has been a professionally rewarding experience for this hardworking crew. READ MORE: Former head of Navy in Scotland feared war would last years more on VE Day Scottish shipyard role in Canada's 'largest shipbuilding effort since world war' "I can think of no better opportunity than an initial stop in Scotland to see and experience this majestic country." The ship is named after Vice Admiral John D. Bulkeley, a Medal of Honor recipient from World War II and commissioned Dec. 8, 2001. The squadron embarked aboard the Bulkeley are the 'Griffins' of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 79. The Bulkeley is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.
