The U.S. Army and the Missile Defense Agency recently tested the integrated capabilities Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system and an advanced Patriot interceptor variant at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

The tests saw the first live fire use of a software build that allowed THAAD to launch and control two Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhanced interceptors toward a target, MDA said Tuesday.

By launching through the weapon system, Army officials could send PAC-3 MSE to a trajectory with longer fly-out times to cover and protect a larger area from missile threats. 

“The integration of the PAC-3 MSE interceptor into the THAAD weapon system provides the combatant commands and soldiers on the ground the capability to use the right missile for the right threat at the right time,” explained Vice Adm. Jon Hill, director of MDA.

Both THAAD and PAC-3 MSE interceptors are built by defense contractor Lockheed Martin.

The Department of Defense has submitted to Congress its 2022 National Defense Strategy outlining ways how DOD will advance and protect U.S. citizens and other national interests while defending democratic values. 

DOD on Monday released a fact sheet on the classified NDS document and listed its four defense priorities, including defending the country against multidomain threats posed by China, deterring aggression and strategic attacks and establishing a resilient Joint Force and defense ecosystem.

According to the fact sheet, the Pentagon considers China as its “most consequential strategic competitor” and will work with NATO allies and partners to strengthen deterrence against “acute threats” posed by Russia.

The department also cited persistent threats from Iran, North Korea and violent extremist organizations and the need to adapt to climate change, pandemic and other transboundary threats.

The Pentagon also sent to the legislative branch its Missile Defense Review and Nuclear Defense Review, which were incorporated into the NDS.

The 2022 NPR reflects the U.S. commitment to reestablishing the country’s arms control leadership and reducing the role of nuclear weapons while maintaining an effective and safe nuclear deterrence, according to a separate fact sheet. 

The 2022 MDR recognizes missile defense and its contributions to a “resilient defense posture” that seeks to reassure allies, provide military options to prevent risks of escalation and reduce confidence of adversaries in use of missiles.

DOD said the release of unclassified versions of NDS and Nuclear Posture and Missile Defense Reviews is “forthcoming.”

The U.S. Army tested the capabilities of emerging passive sensor technologies to locate distant targets while undetected for long-range fires during the weeks-long Cyber Quest event at Fort Gordon, Georgia, FedScoop reported Monday.

According to officials, Cyber Quest helped the Army examine the participating capabilities’ performance when used together with traditional strike planning methods such as low-cost aerial sensors and command and control visualization platforms.

Passive sensors, which collect electromagnetic emissions without releasing detectable signatures, are considered a top priority by electronic warfare leaders in achieving the service branch’s modernization goal of striking targets over thousands of miles.

“[We] think this passive sensing where a sensor is sitting there, it’s not emitting, it’s not creating a signature, it’s just quietly listening, is a very attractive way to inform our long-range fires assets,” explained Col. Daniel Holland, Army EW capability manager.