Saturday, August 14, 2010

DTN News: India Sanctioned Additional $1 Billion For Scorpene Class Submarines To Cover Cost Increase....NSI News Source Info # 937

(NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - August 14, 2010: The Indian government has sanctioned a price increase of $1 billion in the cost of the six Scorpene class submarines it has on order. The cost increase is the result of initial teething problems, absorption of technology, and augmentation of infrastructure and procurement materials in the Mazagon Dock Ltd. The last of the six submarines will now be delivered in the second half of 2018.
India's Defence Acquisitions Council approves $11bn for six new submarines, which is to provide the Navy with six next generation diesel-electric submarines. For this purpose, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister A K Antony, recently approved the allocation of Rs 50,000 crore, equalling $11 billion.

DTN News: General Dynamics To Supply 24 Light Armored Vehicles To the U.S. Marine Corps....NSI News Source Info # 936

(NSI News Source Info) LONDON, Ontario, Canada - August 14, 2010: General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada has been awarded a $35.5 million contract to produce 24 Light Armored Vehicles (LAV-A2) in various configurations for the United States Marine Corps.
General Dynamics Land Systems, the Canadian company’s parent corporation, is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).The LAV-A2 is a mobile, agile and survivable system for conducting offensive and defensive operations in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. The eight-wheeled amphibious vehicle is equipped with enhanced armor protection and an automatic fire-suppression system for crew protection, as well as a robust suspension for mobility.Vehicle production will be performed at the General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada operations in London, Ontario, and will be completed by April 2012.
In total, 207 LAV-A2 vehicles have been ordered by the Marine Corps since 2007. Nearly 800 units of an earlier version of the Light Armored Vehicle entered service with the Marine Corps in the 1980s and continue operational employment today.
The contract was signed through the Canadian Commercial Corporation, a Crown Agency of the Canadian Government.

DTN News: Indian Fighter Downselect Coming....NSI News Source Info # 935

(NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - August 14, 2010: With flight trials complete, the downselect process has begun for the six candidate fighters in India’s Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) program, a competition with a $10 billion-plus payday for providing 126 aircraft.
Opinions vary widely among observers on how long it will take to narrow the field to two finalists from among the MiG-35, Dassault Rafale, EADS Eurofighter, Saab Gripen, Boeing F/A-18 and Lockheed Martin F-16.
Some speculate an announcement might come in just two weeks. Others insist it will take much longer to evaluate the extensive technical reports that the tests have produced. Regardless, a commercial bidding process will follow the announcement. Final selection is to be made by the end of 2011.

DTN News: French Warships For Russia To Be Armed With Ka-52 Helicopters....NSI News Source Info # 934

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - August 14, 2010: Mistral-class helicopter carriers, which Russia plans to buy from France, will be armed with Russian Ka-52 Alligator helicopters, Air Force Commander Colonel General Alexander Zelin told the Ekho Moskvy FM station on Saturday.
He emphasized that the Ka-52 Alligator helicopters are very advanced and are equal to best foreign models.
The Ka-52 is armed with 30-mm cannon, Vikhr (Whirlwind) laser guided missiles, rockets, including S-24s, as well as bombs.
The Ka-52 is a modification of the basic Ka-50 Hokum model. The development of the Ka-52 started in 1994 in Russia, but its serial production began only in 2008.
The helicopter is also equipped with two radars, one for ground and one for aerial targets and a Samshite nighttime-daytime thermal sighting system.
Russia is negotiating the purchase of at least one French-built Mistral-class amphibious assault ship and plans to build three more vessels of the same class in partnership with the French naval shipbuilder DCNS.
A Mistral-class ship is capable of transporting and deploying 16 helicopters, four landing barges, up to 70 armored vehicles including 13 battle tanks, and 450 personnel.
The Russian military has said it plans to use Mistral ships in its Northern and Pacific fleets.
http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2010/08/dtn-news-french-warships-for-russia-to.html

Friday, August 13, 2010

DTN News: Brigade Combat Team Modernization Increment 1 Test Results Demonstrate Substantial Improvement Across the Board....NSI News Source Info# 933

(NSI News Source Info) ST. LOUIS, - August. 13, 2010: The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced positive results from the recently completed Technical Tests for Increment 1 of the Brigade Combat Team Modernization (BCTM) program.
"The results demonstrate substantial improvement across the board in terms of system performance, usability, and most importantly, reliability," said Paul Geery, Boeing vice president and BCTM program manager.
"As a result of an aggressive, ongoing risk reduction effort, we were able to meet or exceed test requirements in numerous areas. We will now focus our efforts on the Limited User Test and delivering the best possible product to the U.S. Army."
The month-long tests, which ended in early July, involved Army engineers, Boeing, SAIC [NYSE: SAI], industry partners and Army Evaluation Task Force (AETF) soldiers at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), N.M. The tests were conducted in an operationally-relevant environment -- seven times larger than previous tests -- that simulated conditions in Afghanistan, where the capabilities are scheduled to be initially fielded in 2012. All test activities were completed 10 days early, while still exceeding the required number of test hours.
Since the end of the 2009 testing cycle, the program has implemented more than 160 hardware and software improvements, including 86 design changes, as part of its design-for-reliability efforts.
http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2010/08/dtn-news-brigade-combat-team.html

DTN News: Lockheed Martin Receives Contract from Naval Air Systems Command to Support Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System...NSI News Source #932

(NSI News Source Info) PHILADELPHIA, U.S. - August 13, 2010: Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has been awarded a contract from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to continue software development to sustain the Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System (TTWCS). TTWCS is a system that integrates the launch hardware and software to provide weapon control for variants of the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile. The initial contract value is $16.6 million, and the total contract value could reach $50.7 million if all four option years are exercised.

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated August 13, 2010....NSI News Source Info # 931

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - August 13, 2010: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued August 13, 2010 are undermentioned;
CONTRACTS
ARMY
AM General, LLC, South Bend, Ind., was awarded on July 30 a firm-fixed-price contract with the estimated face value of $618,974,038. The purpose of the contract is to purchase 2,526 M1152A1B2 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles with area troop enclosures for the Afghanistan police force and Afghanistan National Guard. Work is to be performed in South Bend, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2013. One bid was solicited with one bid received. TACOM, Warren, CCTA-ATA-A, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-10-C-0405).
Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., was awarded on Aug. 11 a $40,766,120 firm-fixed-price contract. This procurement is for a total of 292 explosively formed penetrator protection kits to support the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All Terrain Vehicles. Work is to be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2012. Five bids were solicited with five bids received. TACOM, AMSCC-TAC-ADCA, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-D-0111).

DTN News: US To Supply 2,526 Humvees To Afghan Forces....NSI News Source Info # 930

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - August 13, 2010: AM General, LLC, has been awarded an U.S. Army contract valued at $619 million for 2,526 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles, or Humvees, for the Afghan police force and National Guard, the U.S. Defense Department said on Friday.
Work is to be performed in South Bend, Indiana, with a projected completion date of Dec. 31, 2013, the Pentagon's daily contract digest said. The contract was awarded July 30. One bid was solicited with one bid received, the notice said.
AM General is privately held. In December 1999, AM General and General Motors Co GM.UL finalized a deal to jointly pursue product, marketing and distribution opportunities for HUMMER brand vehicles much like their Humvee military cousins.
http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2010/08/dtn-news-us-to-supply-2526-humvees-to.html

DTN News: IAF Going In For Massive Upgrade Of Airfields, Helipads....NSI News Source Info # 929

(NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - August 13, 2010: From new Sukhoi-30MKI bases at Chabua (Assam), Halwara (Punjab) and Jodhpur (Rajasthan) to one for Tejas fighters in Sulur (Tamil Nadu), IAF is going in for a massive upgrade of its airfield and helipad infrastructure across the country.
This will not only bolster operational logistics and flexibility on both the eastern and western fronts with China and Pakistan, apart from plugging existing gaps over central and peninsular India, but also make IAF airbases more accessible to civilian aircraft.
http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2010/08/dtn-news-iaf-going-in-for-massive.html

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

DTN News: General Tactical Vehicles Competing For Australia's JLTV....NSI News Source Info # 928

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - August 11, 2010: General Tactical Vehicles, Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded on Aug. 5 a $8,985,020 cost-share contract.
This effort is for the design and development of three joint tactical vehicles (JLTV) subconfigurations for Australia in the right hand drive and the delivery of two JLTV subconfiguration vehicles and one companion trailer for government testing.
Work is to be performed in Livonia, Mich. (47 percent); Sterling Heights, Mich. (41 percent); Muskegon, Mich. (9 percent); and South Bend, Ind. (3 percent), with an estimated completion date of May 19, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with seven bids received. TACOM Contracting Center, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-C-0108).

DTN News: Northrop Grumman Awarded Contract For Laser Transmitter On Super Stallion....NSI News Source Info # 927

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - August 11, 2010: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Rolling Meadows, Ill., is being awarded an undefinitized contract action with an estimated value of $77,655,380 for the procurement of 121 AN/AAQ-24(V) 25 Guardian laser transmitter assemblies for installation on CH-53D, CH-53E, and CH-46E helicopters, including associated technical data.

DTN News: Russia TODAY August 11, 2010 - Burning Russia Battles To Defend Nuclear Sites....NSI News Source Info # 926

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - August 11, 2010: Russia fought a deadly battle Tuesday to prevent wildfires from engulfing key nuclear sites as Prime Minister Vladimir Putin took to the air in a water-bombing plane to join the firefighting effort.
Two soldiers were killed by blazing trees as they strove to put out a fire dangerously close to Russia's main nuclear research centre, while workers were also mobilised to fight blazes near a nuclear reprocessing plant.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

DTN News: Royal Navy's Most Advanced Destroyer Sets Course Into Service....NSI News Source Info # 925

(NSI News Source Info) LONDON, U.K. - August 11, 2010: HMS Daring was commissioned into the Royal Navy fleet in July 2009. Since then the ship has been undertaking a series of MOD-managed trials and acceptance activities to test and confirm the ship's technical capability and ensure that it is ready to join the Royal Navy as a front line warship.
This period has included Daring's crew undertaking rigorous basic operational sea training and the Type 45 making its first overseas visit, to Ireland.Now, the 7,500-tonne ship can officially begin to play a key role in various operations around the world.
HMS Daring's ability to operate a range of helicopters from its flight deck and embark up to 60 troops, in addition to the ship's own company, make the warship a versatile Royal Naval asset, able to support land forces and carry out humanitarian missions.
Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Peter Luff, said:"The first in-service date for the Type 45 Class is a significant achievement for both the programme and the Royal Navy. It represents the first step towards delivering the fleet of the future.
http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2010/08/dtn-news-royal-navys-most-advanced.html

DTN News: Chinese Fighter Jets Train Over Tibet....NSI News Source Info # 924

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 11, 2010: J-11 planes, the most modern Chinese jet fighters said to be pirated copies of Russia’s Su-27, have for the first time been shown in training over the Tibetan Plateau recently. While the Chinese media only showed a picture of some of these planes in the air, with a caption referring to the training flight, Strategy Page online Aug 6 said, reporting on it, that China had no combat aircraft stationed in Tibet, saying there were logistical and attitude problems in doing so.
However, it said, J-7s (cloned from older, MiG-21 Russian jets) had been flying in regularly for temporary duty at major commercial airports in Tibet.
The report said the J-11 jets had been appearing in more unexpected places (like the Chinese naval air force), although fewer than 150 had been built since they were introduced in the late 1990s.
1995 China paid $2.5 billion for the right to build 200 Su-27s. Russia was to supply the engines and electronics, with China building the other components according to Russian plans and specifications. But after China built 95 of these aircrafts Russia cancelled the agreement, saying the former was copying Su-27 to build their own aircraft, the J-11.

DTN News: BAE Systems Awarded Contract For Acquisition 390 L-Rod Aluminum Bar Armor Kits For RG-31 MRAP....NSI News Source Info # 923

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 10, 2010: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration, Austin, Texas, was awarded on Aug. 6 an $11,014,052 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is for the acquisition of 390 L-Rod aluminum bar armor kits, associated bracketry required for kit installation, and field service representative support outside the contiguous United States, for the RG-31 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle on the base obligation for this undefinitized modification.
Work is to be performed in Austin, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 26, 2010. One bid was solicted with one bid received.
TACOM Contracting Center, Detroit Arsenal, Warren, Mich., is the contractign activity (W56HZV-09-C-0311)

DTN News: Elbit Systems Launches Two New Robots, Creating A VIPeR Family....NSI News Source Info # 922

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 10, 2010: During Elbit Systems' latest exhibition displaying advanced land and C4I solutions, the Company launched two new members of the VIPeR family of intelligent and portable robots: Mini-VIPeR and Maxi-VIPeR, which join the combat-proven VIPeR robot, already operational in the Israel Defense Forces under the Hebrew name "Pazit."
Building on Elbit Systems' extensive experience and know-how in the unmanned systems field, and using a common control system, the robots feature intuitive operation and enable real-time reconnaissance, in addition to arena clearing, in-building mapping, decoy and screening functions.
http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2010/08/dtn-news-elbit-systems-launches-two-new.html

DTN News: Iran TODAY August 10, 2010 - 'Iran Won't Give In To US Threats'....NSI News Source Info # 921

(NSI News Source Info) TEHRAN, Iran - August 10, 2010: A senior foreign policy advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution says Iran will not give in to US threats and will live up to its principles.
"The Islamic Republic will continue its efforts for consolidation of its independence and improvement of regional cooperation despite the fact that the US, whose threats are part of its psychological warfare [against the country], does not accept it" said Ali Akbar Velayati in a press conference in the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Monday.
The top Iranian official further touched on Iran's nuclear program, saying the sanctions will not affect the country's progressive nuclear program under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

DTN News: Pakistan TODAY August 10, 2010 - Fearing Unrest, Pakistan Seeks More U.S. Flood Aid....NSI News Source Info # 920

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 10, 2010: Pakistan wants the United States to supply immediately dozens more helicopters and significantly more money and supplies to help deal with the widespread flooding that has affected at least 14 million people there, senior Pakistani officials said Monday.
Pakistan's plea is fueled by concerns that the government's inability to provide relief quickly could boost the appeal of militant groups that have rushed to supply aid in the country's northwest. Visible U.S. assistance, the officials said, could help reverse currents of anti-Americanism.

Monday, August 9, 2010

DTN News: NORAD, Russia To Conduct First-Ever Joint Air Defense Drills....NSI News Source Info # 919

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON, U.S. - August 10, 2010: The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the Russian Air Force will hold their first-ever joint air defense exercise on August 8-11, NORAD said.
The exercise, dubbed VIGILANT EAGLE, involves Russian, Canadian and U.S. Air Force personnel operating from command centers at the Elmendorf airbase in Alaska, and in Khabarovsk, Russia.
"Airborne warning and control aircraft [AWACS E-3B and A-50] from Russia and the United States will be involved along with fighter-interceptor aircraft and refueling aircraft from both countries," NORAD said in a statement on Tuesday.
The exercise scenario, put together by NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, will create a situation that requires both the Russian Air Force and NORAD to launch or divert fighter aircraft to investigate and follow a U.S. flagged commercial air carrier on an international flight that has been taken over by terrorists.
The exercise will be carried out under a cooperative military agreement between Russia and the United States, which tasks NORAD, the bi-national U.S. and Canadian command, and the Russian Air Force to conduct a live-fly exercise for up to five days.
http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2010/08/dtn-news-norad-russia-to-conduct-first.html

DTN News: Kyrgyzstan TODAY August 10, 2010 - Kyrgyzstan Denies New U.S. Base Talks....NSI News Source Info # 918

(NSI News Source Info) BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan - August 10, 2010: The Kyrgyz interim government is not negotiating with the United States on the establishment of a new military base in the republic, government spokesman Farid Niyazov said on Monday.
The Washington Post reported on Saturday that the United States is planning to move ahead with construction of a $10 million military training base in Osh, called "the Osh Polygon."
It said discussions continued "under the new Kyrgyz president, Roza Otunbayeva, with whose government Washington is trying to broaden relationships."
http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2010/08/dtn-news-kyrgyzstan-today-august-10.html

DTN News: Former Enemies US, Vietnam Now Military Mates....NSI News Source Info # 917

(NSI News Source Info) ABOARD THE USS GEORGE WASHINGTON - August 10, 2010: Cold War enemies the United States and Vietnam demonstrated their blossoming military relations Sunday as a U.S. nuclear supercarrier cruised in waters off the Southeast Asian nation's coast — sending a message that China is not the region's only big player.
The visit comes 35 years after the Vietnam War as Washington and Hanoi are cozying up in a number of areas, from negotiating a controversial deal to share civilian nuclear fuel and technology to agreeing that China needs to work with its neighbors to resolve territorial claims in the South China Sea.

DTN News: Finland Upgrading Hornet Fighters....NSI News Source Info # 916

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 10, 2010: The Finnish Defence Forces are preparing to spend more than a billion euros in the upgrading of its fleet of F-18 Hornet jet fighters.The US-built planes are at about the halfway point of their effective lifespans. The upgrade is set to extend their usefulness so that new fighters would not be needed before 2025. Nevertheless, the Finnish Air Forces is looking at other possible jet fighters on the market.
The most recent achievement of advanced military aviation is the American F-35 fighter, which Norway’s air force is planning to acquire.
Finland is also looking at the F-35, although the super-modern jet is also super expensive.
http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2010/08/dtn-news-finland-upgrading-hornet.html

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated August 9, 2010....NSI News Source Info # 915

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - August 9, 2010: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued August 9, 2010 are undermentioned;
CONTRACTS
AIR FORCE
Raytheon Co., Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., was awarded a $450,827,357 contract to provide engineering and manufacturing development phase of the Small Diameter Bomb Increment II (SDB II) program (nomenclature, Guided Bomb Unit-53/B). SDB II is a joint Air Force and Navy program. The SDB II will initially be integrated on the F-15E, F-35B and F-35C aircraft. At this time, $23,500,000 has been obligated. Miniature Munitions, AAC/EBMK, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8672-10-C-0002).

Sunday, August 8, 2010

DTN News: US To Sell 2 Perry Class Frigates To Taiwan In Move Likely To Anger Beijing: Report....NSI News Source Info # 914

(NSI News Source Info) TAIPEI, Taiwan- August 6, 2010: A Taiwanese newspaper reported Thursday that the U.S. will sell the democratic island two warships, a move that would almost certainly anger China and further undermine Beijing's already tense relations with Washington.
The report, in the mass circulation Apple Daily, quotes an unnamed Taiwanese senior officer as saying that the U.S. Navy will sell Taiwan two Perry class frigates, about to be decommissioned, for $20 million each. The ships' sale will be formally approved by the State Department in late 2010 or early 2011, the paper quoted the officer as saying.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2010/08/dtn-news-us-to-sell-2-perry-class.html

DTN News: First Oshkosh Defense Vehicles To Enter Iraqi Fleet....NSI News Source Info # 913

(NSI News Source Info) OSHKOSH, Wis. - August 6, 2010: Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), announced today its first ever order for vehicles to the Iraqi Armed Forces. The inaugural order is for 60 Heavy Equipment Transporter Systems (HETS), which includes the Oshkosh® HET vehicle and a trailer. Oshkosh also will provide operator training, spare parts and manuals.

DTN News: iRobot Receives $20.3 Million Order From NAVSEA....NSI News Source Info # 912

(NSI News Source Info) BEDFORD, Mass. August 5, 2010: iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ:IRBT - News), a leader in delivering robotic technology-based solutions, today announced that it has received a $20.3 million order from the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). The order has been issued as a standalone contract.
It calls for the delivery of 125 PackBot Man Transportable Robotic System (MTRS) robots, spare parts and repairs. The PackBot MTRS is modeled after the iRobot 510 PackBot.
http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2010/08/dtn-news-irobot-receives-203-million.html

DTN News: Air Force Heron Detachment Deployed To Afghanistan Assisting Australian Soldiers On The Ground....NSI News Source Info # 911

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 5, 2010: The Australian Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is a key asset in the conduct of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in the Afghanistan theatre of operations. The vehicles are flown by a small contingent of Royal Australian Air Force, and Australian Army personnel from the coalition airbase at Kandahar. They have been operating in theatre since July 2009.

DTN News: North Korea Deploys Anti-Aircraft Missiles As Wargame Tensions Mount....NSI News Source Info # 910

(NSI News Source Info) SEOUL, South Korea - August 5, 2010: South Korea on Thursday began its largest-ever anti-submarine drills near its disputed sea border with North Korea, a report said, as Pyongyang threatened "strong physical retaliation" for the exercise.
South Korea has warned North Korea it will not tolerate provocations during the five-day naval drill in the Yellow Sea.
The exercise, which Yonhap news agency said got under way in the early morning, is a response to the North's alleged torpedo attack in March on a South Korean warship, the Cheonan, which killed 46 sailors.
Military officials from the South said 29 ships, 50 fixed-wing aircraft and 4,500 army, navy, air force, marine and coastguard personnel would take part. North Korea moved long-range anti-aircraft missiles close to the border with South Korea as tensions rose over the sinking of one of Seoul's warships, a newspaper reported Wednesday.
http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2010/08/dtn-news-north-korea-deploys-anti.html

DTN News: Air Force Facebook Page Reaches 100,000....NSI News Source Info # 909

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON, U.S. - August 5, 2010: The official United States Air Force Facebook page reached new heights over the Aug. 1 weekend when the number of fans who "like" the page topped 100,000. The page went live in mid-2009 as a way to share the latest Air Force news and to network with current Airmen, veterans, family members, potential recruits and the Air Force enthusiasts.