Guam’s Aegis Ashore Takes Shape: MK41 VerticalLaunch System Installed
Guam, October 22, 2024 – The United States Navy has installed Mk41 Vertical Launch System modules at a shore facility on Guam, marking a significant milestone in the construction of the island’s Aegis Ashore missile defense system. This development was revealed in a recent report by The War Zone, citing images released by the Department of Defense’s Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS).
The photographs, published on October 17th, depict Acting Secretary of the Navy, Thomas Modly, inspecting the Mk41 vertical launch system during his visit to Guam. TheDVIDS caption accompanying the images mentions Modly’s briefing on critical defense infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific region, force readiness, and emerging threats. He also toured the island by MH-60 helicopter, underscoringGuam’s strategic importance in US military operations and regional security.
While the DVIDS images only show Modly observing the Mk41, the accompanying text also mentions his visit to another missile defense facility on Guam: the US Army’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, commonly known as 萨德.
The US Army deployed THAAD to Andersen Air Force Base on Guam in 2013, citing the potential for attacks from North Korea and any other potential contingencies. However, in recent years, the US has shifted its focus, viewing the growing threat from China as more significant than the previousNorth Korean missile threat. This shift led to the decision to deploy an Aegis Ashore system on Guam, following similar deployments in Poland and Romania.
The Aegis Ashore system typically comprises a deckhouse, resembling the superstructure of an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, and missile launch facilities. Thedeckhouse houses the Lockheed Martin AN/SPY-1 passive phased array radar (the Japanese version uses the AN/SPY-7 active phased array radar) and control components for the combat command system. The missile launch facilities, as mentioned, utilize the Mk41 vertical launch system.
The installation of the Mk41on Guam signifies a significant step towards strengthening US missile defense capabilities in the region. The deployment of both Aegis Ashore and THAAD reflects a growing concern about potential threats from China and North Korea, further solidifying Guam’s position as a key strategic hub in the Indo-Pacific.
References:
*The War Zone: [Link to article]
* DVIDS: [Link to image gallery]
Note: This article is written based on the provided information and does not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of the author.
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