Pentagon Tests Long-banned Ballistic Missile over Pacific

December 13, 2019 — Voice of America News reports: “The Pentagon on Thursday flight-tested a missile that had been banned under a treaty that the United States and Russia abandoned last summer. Some U.S. arms control advocates said the test risks an unnecessary arms race with Moscow.

The prototype missile was configured to be armed with a non-nuclear warhead. The Pentagon declined to disclose specifics beyond saying the missile was launched from a ‘static launch stand’ at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and landed in the open ocean. The Defense Department said the ballistic missile flew more than 500 miles.

The test comes amid growing uncertainty about the future of arms control. The last remaining treaty limitation on U.S. and Russian nuclear weapons — the New Start treaty of 2010 — is scheduled to expire in February 2021. That treaty can be extended for as long as five years without requiring a renegotiation of its main terms. The Trump administration has indicated little interest in doing so…”  (Jesus said discussing events to occur just preceding His return to earth to set up His Kingdom of peace that: “there shall be great tribulation such as never was since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor never shall be again;” – Matthew 24:21. “Come quickly Lord Jesus” – Revelation 22:21.  See the next three reports.)

Russia Raises Concerns Over new US Ballistic Missile Test

December 13, 2019 — Voice of America News reports: “Russia said on Friday it was alarmed after the United States tested a ground-launched ballistic missile that would have been prohibited under the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, the RIA news agency reported.

The United States carried out the test on Thursday. Washington formally withdrew from the 1987 INF pact with Russia in August after determining that Moscow was violating the treaty, an accusation the Kremlin has denied.

‘It alarms us. Of course we will take this into account,’ said Vladimir Ermakov, head of the foreign ministry’s arms control and non-proliferation department…”

Russia’s Avangard hypersonic missile system has entered service

December 30, 2019 — SpaceDaily.com reports: “The Avangard is one of half-a-dozen new defence systems unveiled by Moscow in early 2018 as a means of restoring the global strategic nuclear balance amid NATO efforts to press up against Russia’s borders and create elements of a ground-based missile shield in Romania and Poland.

The first Strategic Missile Forces regiment to be armed with the nuclear-capable Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle has entered combat duty, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has confirmed.

‘I would like to congratulate every one of us and especially the Strategic Missile Forces. The Avangard strategic missile has been put on combat duty. On behalf of all of us, I congratulate everyone with this significant event for our country and for its armed forces,’ Shoigu said, speaking in a conference call with President Vladimir Putin on Friday.

Russian Strategic Missile Forces commander Col-Gen Sergei Karakaev confirmed that the first Avangard-armed missile regiment has been stationed at the Yasnensky missile compound in Orenburg region, about 1,200 km southeast of Moscow…”

Innovative laser system to intercept incendiary balloons

December 26, 2019 — Israel National News reports: “Police have developed a laser-based defense system, similar in essence to the Iron Dome system and intended to thwart incendiary balloons and drones launched from Gaza toward Israel, Yisrael Hayom reported.

The laser system is known as the ‘Light Blade’, and police say it is the first in the world to demonstrate operational capability to blast balloons and drones.

The balloons and kite threat from Gaza that sparked fires in the south and hilly localities and that have the capability to carry payloads and other explosive devices, led the Border Patrol and the Police Means Development Department – in collaboration with the Optidefence company to develop this system that recently demonstrated operational ability to intercept…”