Alexandria, U.S.A. — Riki Ellison, Chairman and Founder of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA) commented on the announcement of the first U.S. Navy nomination for director of the Missile Defense Agency, Rear Adm. James D. Syring for appointment to the rank of Vice Admiral.

“The Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta announced that the President of the United States, has nominated Navy Rear Admiral James D. Syring for appointment to the rank of Vice Admiral and for assignment as Director, Missile Defense Agency to replace the current, Lt. General Patrick O’Reilly who is currently under investigation by the Defense Department’s Inspector General’s office whom have recommended the Pentagon leadership take corrective action against him.

This marks the first time in history that the United States Navy will have the Directorship and Command of the Missile Defense Agency and its predecessor organizations since the initiation of the Strategic Defense Initiative proposed by President Ronald Reagan in 1983. The United States Air Force, the United States Army and a Presidential appointed civilian have overseen and commanded the development, acquisition and research of missile defense since 1983.

The United States Navy is the main service and platform for U.S. sea based missile defense around the world which will have 28 current Ballistic Missile Defense Capable Aegis Ships in its fleets by the end of 2012 and the President’s planned European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) is dependent on the U.S. Navy’s Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense systems both on land and sea. The United States Navy is focusing on Directed Energy, Electronic Magnetic Force, in the Electric Rail Gun for future technologies and developments, all of which are applicable to missile defense.

Rear Admiral Syring is currently serving as program executive officer for Integrated Warfare Systems, Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C.

Image Courtesy of  jim.greenhill

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Sunnyvale, U.S.A. — Lockheed Martin  announced that it has completed on-orbit testing of the first Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite, designated MUOS-1, paving the way for the U.S. Navy’s multi-service operational test and evaluation phase in preparation for the start of operations in August 2012.

“The successful on-orbit checkout of this revolutionary satellite is a great testament to the close coordination and partnership between the U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin team,” said Mark Valerio, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Military Space line of business. ”This event is another major milestone in our commitment to provide unparalleled communications capabilities that put mission-critical, real-time information in the hands of our mobile warfighters.”

MUOS-1 was launched Feb. 24, 2012 aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. A next-generation narrowband tactical satellite communications system, MUOS will provide significantly improved and secure communications for mobile warfighters, including simultaneous voice, video and data.

“The team successfully completed this critical on-orbit test phase in an effective and efficient manner to support our customer’s program schedule,” said Mark Pasquale, who oversaw the spacecraft test phase as Lockheed Martin vice president and MUOS program manager. “The satellite is exceeding all performance requirements as a result of the disciplined flight-like test program it was subjected to in the factory prior to launch.”

MUOS satellites are equipped with a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) payload that provides a 16-fold increase in transmission throughput over the current Ultra High Frequency (UHF) satellite system, including global connectivity through the Defense Information Systems Network and support services such as full two-way voice and data transfers.

Lockheed Martin’s MUOS operations team conducted the on-orbit deployment and checkout of all spacecraft systems over a three month period, with both payloads passing a series of rigorous on-orbit tests with existing UHF ground systems and new WCDMA test terminals.

A single MUOS satellite will provide four times the capacity of the entire UFO constellation of 8 satellites.  Each MUOS satellite also includes a legacy UHF payload that is fully compatible with the current UHF Follow-on system and legacy terminals.  This dual-payload design ensures a smooth transition to the cutting-edge WCDMA technology while the UFO system is phased out.

The first MUOS satellite and associated ground system will provide initial on-orbit capability this year, followed by the launch of the second spacecraft in 2013. The five-satellite global constellation is expected to achieve full operational capability in 2015, extending UHF narrowband communications availability to the armed forces well past 2025.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the MUOS prime contractor and system integrator. The Navy’s Program Executive Office for Space Systems, Chantilly, Va., and its Communications Satellite Program Office, San Diego, Calif., are responsible for the MUOS program.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 123,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.

For low- and high-resolution images of the MUOS satellite, please visit: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/muos

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An international parade of ships will sail into Baltimore on June 13 for Star-Spangled Sailabration, the national launch of the three-year commemoration by the U.S. Navy and the State of Maryland of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the penning of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Star-Spangled Sailabration features seven days of free entertainment including ship tours, a Blue Angels air show, patriotic fireworks, memorial ceremonies and much more.

More than two dozen ships including U.S. Navy, British and Canadian warships and tall ships from countries including Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States are expected to flank Baltimore’s famed Inner Harbor during Star-Spangled Sailabration. Both the tall ships and naval vessels will offer free, daily tours from June 14 – June 18.

Other highlights of the festival include:

• A Star-Spangled Air Show featuring the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, on Saturday, June 16, and Sunday, June 17
• The Celebration of the American Flag event at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine on Saturday, June 16, complete with fireworks and concerts
• A Star-Spangled Festival at Martin State Airport featuring U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine and U.S. Coast Guard aircraft on display along with autograph opportunities with the Blue Angels pilots on Saturday, June 16, and Sunday, June 17
• A concert featuring the premiere of a new symphonic work on Sunday, June 17 at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall

Some of the war’s greatest artifacts can be found in Baltimore, with more than 10 sites boasting a direct tie to the War of 1812. The Maryland Historical Society’s With Broad Stripes and Bright Stars exhibit focuses on the “Rock Stars” of the War of 1812 and gives visitors a glimpse of the original version of Francis Scott Key’s manuscript of “Defence of Fort M’Henry,” which would later become our national anthem.

The society will open a special new exhibit also dedicated to the “second war of independence” on June 10, just in time for Sailabration. The festival winds down with the official 200th anniversary of the Declaration of War on Great Britain event and a celebration of two centuries of peace on June 18 followed by the Parade of Sail departure on June 19.

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