Obama Admin Letting China, Russia Gain Missile Edge

Study calls for space-based missile defense

China, Russia, and rogue states like Iran are investing in advanced missile technology that will threaten the United States.

The Obama administration’s defense policy has lagged in the field of missile deterrence, according to a new study from the Hudson Institute prepared with input from former officials and military leaders.

Increasing shortcomings in U.S. preparedness has encouraged other nations to prioritize development of missiles that threaten U.S. interests at home, abroad, and in space.

Strategic Command Focused on Hypersonic Missile Threat

Screenshot from Chinese television report on a U.S. Army hypersonic vehicle

 

Chinese, Russian high-speed weapons a new concern

OMAHA—China and Russia are developing maneuvering high-speed strike vehicles that pose new threats to the United States, U.S. Strategic Command leaders said Wednesday.

Adm. Cecil D. Haney, Strategic Command’s (Stratcom) senior leader, said during remarks at a nuclear deterrence conference that despite arms control efforts, hypersonic weapons are among several threatening strategic trends emerging in the world.

China Military Buildup Shifts Balance of Power in Asia in Beijing’s Favor

 

Congressional report warns the danger of U.S.-China conflict is rising

China’s decades-long buildup of strategic and conventional military forces is shifting the balance of power in Asia in Beijing’s favor and increasing the risk of a conflict, according to a forthcoming report by a congressional China commission.

China’s military has greatly expanded its air and naval forces and is sharply increasing its missile forces, even while adopting a more hostile posture against the United States and regional allies in Asia, states a late draft of the annual report of the bipartisan U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.

As a result, “the potential for security miscalculation in the region is rising,” the report said, using the euphemism for a conflict or shootout between Chinese forces and U.S. forces or those of its regional allies.

The report paints an alarming picture of China’s growing aggressiveness and expanding power, including development of two new stealth jets, the first deployment of a naval expeditionary amphibious group to the Indian Ocean, and aerial bombing exercises held in Kazakhstan.

China Conducts First Test of New Ultra-High Speed Missile Vehicle

Test is part of a new arms race for super fast weaponry

China’s military last week conducted the first flight test of a new ultra-high speed missile vehicle aimed at delivering warheads through U.S. missile defenses, Pentagon officials said.

The test of the new hypersonic glide vehicle was carried out Jan. 9 and the experimental weapon is being dubbed the WU-14 by the Pentagon, said officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.