The US will make Guam the most defended place on the planet by deploying 20 missile defence sites with THAAD, Tomahawk, SM-6 Block IB, Patriot and SM-3 Block IIA interceptors on the island

Guam is preparing to become the most protected place on planet Earth. The U.S. intends to place up to 20 new sites for missile defence systems on the island.

Here's What We Know

The US military has published documents discussing the potential impact of the new defence system on the daily life of the largest of the Mariana Islands. The US Department of Defence is considering the creation of a total of 20 sites where anti-aircraft interceptor launchers, radars and other components of the system, which has been dubbed Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defence (EIAMD), will be installed.

In addition to changes on land, EIAMD is expected to bring new airspace restrictions. First of all, we are talking about the airspace around radar stations, which due to constant operation will create electromagnetic interference.

The list of published data includes a map showing the potential locations of various components of the EIAMD system. You can also see circles showing airspace restrictions. You can see the images above.

All of this will be the responsibility of the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA will have to create new restricted areas, which will entail changes to federal airways. Until the FAA resolves this issue, the Missile Defence Agency and the US Army will not be able to fully launch the EIAMD system.

Last week we wrote that the US is preparing to conduct the first tests of some missile defence components. In particular, the Aegis combat system and Standard Missile 3 Block IIA missile interceptors. In addition, tomorrow, 16 August, the AN/TPY-6 radar station will be tested. The US Missile Defence Agency intends to test the THAAD and Patriot systems in the future.

The Aegis ship combat system is moving Mk 41 vertical launch systems to a land-based configuration. SM-3 Block IIA missiles will be able to shoot down enemy intercontinental ballistic missiles outside the atmospheres.

At the same time, the US Army is planning to deploy Typhon medium-range systems on Guam in addition to both THAAD and Patriot. They can launch not only SM-6 Block IB anti-aircraft missiles, but also Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of more than 1,000 kilometres. The Typhon Weapon System launcher is based on the Mk 41 system. The US Army conducted a test launch last month.

THAAD, SM-6, SM-3 and Patriot will expand air and missile defence capabilities. Also, let's not forget the Enduring Shield system with the AIM-9X Sidewinder. This system will primarily fight against drones, cruise missiles and artillery shells.

Source: The War Zone