Will Missile Defense Be Harmed By DoD Cuts To Navy Cruiser Fleet? Ticonderoga class cruisers are equipped with anti-ballistic missile capability. Are any of these cruisers included?

DoD budget seeks cuts in BAH, commissary, Tricare benefits

"...The big impact on the Navy’s surface fleet will be on cruisers. Half of the Navy’s cruiser fleet — 11 ships — will be “laid up,” meaning they will be taken out of normal deployment rotations and essentially left unmanned...."

Reference: www.militarytimes.com

More Reading: Hagel also discussed a plan to take half the fleet’s 22 Aegis cruisers out of service, laying them up pending the availability of modernization funds.

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USS Donald Cook and other destroyers form the centerpiece of Europe’s Phased Adaptive Approach program

USS Donald Cook prepares for first ballistic missile defense patrol

Photo: U.S. Navy

"...The Cook is the first of four American destroyers to move to Rota over the next two years, each equipped with Aegis radar system and SM-3 missiles capable of intercepting medium-range ballistic missiles. Together the ships will form the centerpiece of Europe’s Phased Adaptive Approach program, a missile shield with radar in Turkey, a command element in Germany, and ground-based interceptors in Romania and Poland. ..."
Reference: www.stripes.com .

Four locations to be studied for possible East Coast missile defense site (Environmental Impact Studies)

Fort Drum among four locations to be studied for East Coast missile defense site

"...The environmental impact study will take two years and will look at how building and operating the facility would affect land and water use, air quality, transportation, and socioeconomic aspects of the community. Sites in Michigan, Ohio and Maine will also undergo studies...."

Reference: www.northcountrypublicradio.org .

Modification to existing Army contract for work on the Patriot Missile for Raytheon

Raytheon lands $108 million contract for work on Patriot Missile

"...modification to an existing Army contract for work on the Patriot Missile. A portion of the work will take place in Huntsville...."

Reference: www.al.com .