Saturday, February 12, 2011

DTN News - EGYPT NEWS: Military Falls Out With Protesters Over Egypt's Path To Democracy....NSI News Source Info # 1567




DTN News - EGYPT NEWS: Military Falls Out With Protesters Over Egypt's Path To Democracy....NSI News Source Info # 1567

The army sought to stave off pressure from jubilant protesters to swiftly hand power to a civilian-led administration by saying that it is committed to a "free democratic state".

The military leadership gave no timetable for the political transition, and many of the demonstrators who filled Cairo's Tahrir square for 18 days rejected the military's appeal to dismantle the barricades and go home.

They said they were waiting for specific commitments from the military on their demand for a civilian-controlled interim administration, the lifting of the oppressive state of emergency and other steps toward political liberalisation.

The shock waves of Mubarak's fall were felt across the region today, particularly in Algeria and Yemen. Thousands of anti-government protesters, apparently inspired by events in Cairo, turned out in Algiers to confront the police. There were reports that hundreds had been arrested. In Sanaa, a protest by about 2,000 people to demand political reform was broken up by armed government supporters.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/02/dtn-news-egypt-news-military-falls-out.html

DTN News - EGYPT NEWS: Red Alert - Mubarak Resigns, Military Is In Charge....NSI News Source Info # 1566

DTN News - EGYPT NEWS: Red Alert - Mubarak Resigns, Military Is In Charge....NSI News Source Info # 1566
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 12, 2011: Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman delivered the following statement Feb. 11: “In the name of God the merciful, the compassionate, citizens, during these very difficult circumstances Egypt is going through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down from the office of president of the republic and has charged the high council of the armed forces to administer the affairs of the country. May God help everybody.”

Suleiman’s statement is the clearest indication thus far that the military has carried out a coup led by Defense Minister Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi. It is not clear whether Suleiman will remain as the civilian head of the army-led government. Egypt is returning to the 1952 model of ruling the state via a council of army officers. The question now is to what extent the military elite will share power with its civilian counterparts.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/02/dtn-news-egypt-news-red-alert-mubarak.html

DTN News - Aero India 2011: Airshow Attracts 50,000 On Day Four....NSI News Source Info # 1565






DTN News - Aero India 2011: Airshow Attracts 50,000 On Day Four....NSI News Source Info # 1565
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources DNA India
(NSI News Source Info) BANGALORE, India - February 12, 2011: Roaring metal birds and theirntricate manoeuvres were the cynosure of all eyes at the Aero India show here which was opened for public viewing today.

The crowd was eager to have a first hand experience of flying displays from top-notch aerobatic teams like 'Surya Kiran', 'Sarang' and 'Red Bull'.

The breathtaking flying sorties drew thunderous applause from the gathering.

According to preliminary estimates from authorities, the fourth-day of the Aero Show today attracted at least 50,000 people and the numbers could swell on the last day tomorrow.

The visitors were vying for a vantage spot to witness the take-offs and pilots manoeuvring the jets.

The crowd was treated to a dazzling display from medium multi-role combat aircraft team of Lockheed Martin's F-16, Boeings Super Hornet F/A-18, Gripen of Saab and Rafale of French Dassault and Thphoon of Eurofighter.

It was an additional attraction for some visitors when Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni was sighted at the venue.

Dhoni, whose aspirations to fly F-16 fighter aircraft could not be realised as he had not undergone requisite training to fly, however, watched the air display.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/02/dtn-news-defense-news-source-dtn-news.html

Friday, February 11, 2011

DTN News - EGYPT CRISIS IS OVER Mubarak Stepped Down....NSI News Source Info # 1564

DTN News - EGYPT CRISIS IS OVER Mubarak Stepped Down....NSI News Source Info # 1564
Anti-government protesters celebrate inside Tahrir Square after the announcement of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's resignation in Cairo February 11, 2011. Mubarak stepped down as president of Egypt on Friday after 30 years of rule, handing power to the army and bowing to relentless pressure from a popular uprising after his military support evaporated.
(Photo from Reuters Pictures)

DTN News - EGYPT CRISIS IS OVER Mubarak Stepped Down....NSI News Source Info # 1563

DTN News - EGYPT CRISIS IS OVER Mubarak Stepped Down....NSI News Source Info # 1563
Anti-government protesters celebrate inside Tahrir Square after the announcement of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's resignation in Cairo February 11, 2011. Mubarak stepped down as president of Egypt on Friday after 30 years of rule, handing power to the army and bowing to relentless pressure from a popular uprising after his military support evaporated.
(Photo from Reuters Pictures)

Thursday, February 10, 2011

DTN News - EGYPT IN CRISIS: Protesters March Against Egypt's Hosni Mubarak -Tahrir Square Cairo, Egypt ~ February 10, 2011....NSI # 1562

DTN News - EGYPT IN CRISIS: Protesters March Against Egypt's Hosni Mubarak -Tahrir Square Cairo, Egypt ~ February 10, 2011....NSI News Source Info # 1562

An Egyptian army commander, Hassan al-Roweny, addresses protesters in the opposition stronghold of Tahrir Square, in Cairo February 10, 2011. Egypt's government resisted growing pressure on Thursday from key ally the United States and from a still energetic popular protest movement, both demanding radical and immediate political change. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is on the verge of capitulating to protester demands to give up power but may still seek to hold on in a nominal capacity by giving presidential powers to his deputy or a joint leadership involving an army council.

DTN News - EGYPT IN CRISIS: Protesters March Against Egypt's Hosni Mubarak -Tahrir Square Cairo, Egypt ~ February 10, 2011....NSI # 1561

DTN News - EGYPT IN CRISIS: Protesters March Against Egypt's Hosni Mubarak -Tahrir Square Cairo, Egypt ~ February 10, 2011....NSI News Source Info # 1561

A flag is waved by anti-government protesters as they demonstrate in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011. Thousands of state workers and impoverished Egyptians launched strikes and protests around the country on Thursday over their economic woes as anti-government activists sought to expand their campaign to oust President Hosni Mubarak despite warnings from the vice president that protests won't be tolerated much longer.

DTN News - EGYPT IN CRISIS: Mubarak Likely To Quit On Thursday Night: Officials....NSI News Source Info # 1560

DTN News - EGYPT IN CRISIS: Mubarak Likely To Quit On Thursday Night: Officials....NSI News Source Info # 1560
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Reuters
(NSI News Source Info) CAIRO, Egypt - February 10, 2011: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak looked likely to step down on Thursday in response to more than two weeks of nationwide protests against his 30-year rule.

Asked if Mubarak would step down, an Egyptian official told Reuters: "Most probably."

The BBC also quoted the head of Mubarak's political party as saying that the president might go.

"I spoke to the new secretary general of the ruling National Democratic Party, Hossan Badrawi," a BBC reporter said. "He said: 'I hope the president is handing over his powers tonight'.

The head of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency also said it was likely Mubarak would step down in the next few hours.

"There's a strong likelihood that Mubarak may step down this evening, which would be significant in terms of where the, hopefully, orderly transition in Egypt takes place," Leon Panetta told a congressional hearing in Washington.

Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq also told the BBC that the 82-year-old strongman may step down.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/02/dtn-news-egypt-in-crisis-mubarak-likely.html

DTN News - AERO INDIA: Indian Navy Assesses E-2D For Carrier Based AEW Missions....NSI News Source Info # 1559

DTN News - AERO INDIA: Indian Navy Assesses E-2D For Carrier Based AEW Missions....NSI News Source Info # 1559
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Siva Govindasamy - Flight Global
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 10, 2011: Northrop Grumman has offered its E-2D for an ongoing Indian navy requirement for four carrier-based airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.

The navy issued the request for information in May 2010 and the company responded in the summer of the same year, says Tom Trudell, Northrop's manager for international business development in the AEW and BMC2 programmes.

"The E-2D is the only AEW&C platform in existence that can perform carrier-based operations. We are waiting for the navy to decide in its airborne early warning requirements and its long-term plans for carrier aviation. But we come here three or four times a year and brief the navy on our capabilities and how they fit their requirements," adds Trudell.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/02/dtn-news-aero-india-indian-navy.html

DTN News - AERO INDIA: Boeing Underlines Super Hornet's 'Proven Capability'....NSI News Source Info # 1558

DTN News - AERO INDIA: Boeing Underlines Super Hornet's 'Proven Capability'....NSI News Source Info # 1558
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Greg Waldron - Flight Global
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 10, 2011: The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet's proven combat capability and reduced total ownership costs are Boeing's key discriminators in India's medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) competition, the company says.

"We absolutely believe that the Super Hornet is an ideal weapon system as a complement to the [Indian air force's Sukhoi Su-30," says Kory Matthews, vice-president F/A-18 and EA-18G programmes for Boeing Military Aircraft. "Multi-role capability is at the sweet-spot of this fighter."

Matthews notes that the US Navy's Super Hornet fleet is currently being flown at a rate of around 120,000h per year, and that over 100,000h has already been amassed under combat conditions. Crucially for the US Hornet industry team here this week - which also includes GE Aviation and Raython- the type's APG-79 is the only combat-proven active electronically scanned array radar in the contest, he says.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/02/dtn-news-aero-india-boeing-underlines.html

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Bolivia Buys More Arms To Fight Drug Traffickers....NSI News Source Info # 1557

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Bolivia Buys More Arms To Fight Drug Traffickers....NSI News Source Info # 1557
**Related News dated Jan 19, 2011 - DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Bolivia To Receive Combat Aircraft From China
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources UPI
(NSI News Source Info) LA PAZ, Bolivia, - February 10, 2011: Bolivia is buying six Chinese combat aircraft as part of its effort to correct its image as a country that isn't doing as much as it should to cut off the narcotics trail to North America.

Political feuds between Bolivia and its neighbors and a stormy relationship with Washington hasn't helped Bolivia's campaign against drug overlords who regularly challenge the authority of the state.

Organized crime operators use aircraft to move drugs with impunity in a twin challenge to the government's control of the national airspace and its ineffectual crackdown on fearless drug traffickers in a transnational, multimillion-dollar illicit trade.

After President Evo Morales ordered the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to leave Bolivia in 2008, accusing U.S. officials of complicity in the drug trade as well as political troubles, the anti-narcotics fight fizzled out. U.S. officials dismissed both charges.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/02/dtn-news-defense-news-bolivia-buys-more.html

DTN News - BREAKING NEWS: Oil Firms Hit By Hackers From China, Report Says....NSI News Source Info # 1556

DTN News - BREAKING NEWS: Oil Firms Hit By Hackers From China, Report Says....NSI News Source Info # 1556
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By NATHAN HODGE And ADAM ENTOUS - The Wall Street Journal
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 10, 2011: Hackers who appear to be based in China have conducted a "coordinated, covert and targeted" campaign of cyber espionage against major Western energy firms, according to a report expected to be issued Thursday by cybersecurity firm McAfee Inc.

Law-enforcement agencies said they are investigating the incidents, which McAfee said have been going on at least since late 2009 but may have started as early as 2007. The company said the attacks, which they dubbed "Night Dragon," were still occurring.

McAfee said the hackers targeted five multinational firms, but wouldn't identify the companies by name because some of them are clients. McAfee said it was sharing the findings "to protect those not yet impacted and to repair those who have been." Asked if they were victims of the hacking, BP PLC and ExxonMobil Inc., among other large oil companies, declined to comment. ChevronCorp. said it wasn't aware of any successful hacks into the company's data systems by Night Dragon.

Sensitive Internal Documents Taken

According to McAfee, the cyberattacks successfully took gigabytes of highly sensitive internal documents, including proprietary information about oil- and gas-field operations, project financing and bidding documents. And that pattern of espionage, the company said, should raise fresh alarms in the corporate world about information theft.

"While Night Dragon attacks focused specifically on the energy sector, the tools and techniques of this kind can be highly successful when targeting any industry," the report states.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/02/dtn-news-breaking-news-oil-firms-hit-by.html


Wednesday, February 9, 2011

DTN News - EGYPT IN CRISIS: Protesters March Against Egypt's Hosni Mubarak -Tahrir Square Cairo, Egypt ~ February 9, 2011....NSI # 1555

DTN News - EGYPT IN CRISIS: Protesters March Against Egypt's Hosni Mubarak -Tahrir Square Cairo, Egypt ~ February 9, 2011....NSI News Source Info # 1555
CAIRO, EGYPT - FEBRUARY 09: Anti-government protesters walk past Egyptian Army tanks during a candlelight vigil for those killed during the uprising in Tahrir Square on February 9, 2011 in Cairo, Egypt. More than two weeks into Egypt's uprising, demonstrators continue to occupy the square, demanding the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak.

Military Helicopters - DTN News: Alabama Firm May Protest Russian Helicopter Deal....NSI News Source Info # 1554

Military Helicopters - DTN News: Alabama Firm May Protest Russian Helicopter Deal....NSI News Source Info # 1554
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Reuters
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 9, 2011: A small Alabama-based firm is gearing up to protest the Army's plan to hand an exclusive helicopter contract to a Russian government agency, saying it can do the job quicker and cheaper if it is allowed to compete.

The U.S. government has already spent nearly $1 billion to buy helicopters for Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan from its former Cold War rival since 2001, an initiative that has angered U.S. lawmakers who want the Pentagon to buy U.S.-made helicopters instead and prompted an unsuccessful protest by Sikorsky Aircraft, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (UTX.N)

Now, another U.S. broker for Russian equipment is challenging the U.S. plan to skip a competition and hand a Russian government agency a contract worth up to $400 million.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/02/military-helicopters-dtn-news-alabama.html

Korean Peninsula News - DTN News: Military Talks Between Rival Koreas "Collapse" -Official....NSI News Source Info # 1553

Korean Peninsula News - DTN News: Military Talks Between Rival Koreas "Collapse" -Official....NSI News Source Info # 1553
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Reuters
(NSI News Source Info) SEOUL, South Korea - February 9, 2011: Military talks between the rival Koreas have "collapsed," a unification ministry official in Seoul said on Wednesday, dealing a setback to efforts to defuse tensions on the divided peninsula.

"The talks have collapsed; they haven't even agreed a date for their next meeting," the official told Reuters, referring to the first talks between the neigbhours since the North attacked a South Korean island in November.

Colonels from the two Koreas, still technically at war because an armistice not a treaty ended the 1950-53 Korean War, had met at the truce village of Panmunjom to set the time and agenda for more senior dialogue.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/02/korean-peninsula-news-dtn-news-military.html

Aero India 2011 - DTN News: Global Defence Majors Eyeing Big Deals From Indian Armed Forces....NSI News Source Info # 1552

Aero India 2011 - DTN News: Global Defence Majors Eyeing Big Deals From Indian Armed Forces....NSI News Source Info # 1552
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources The Economic Times
(NSI News Source Info) BANGALORE, India - February 9, 2011: Eyeing big deals from the Indian armed forces, all major defence producers of the world are present here for the ninth edition of the Asia's biggest air show -- Aero India 2011 -- taking place from February 9 to 13 at Bangalore.

Defence Minister A K Antony will formally inaugurate Aero India 2011, a biennial event, on Wednesday at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka.

Civil and military aerospace manufacturers from 30 countries, including the US, Britain, Russia, France, Germany, Italy, Israel, Belgium, Brazil, Spain, Ukraine and the Netherlands, will participate in the show.

Aero India 2011 - DTN News: Mahindra Aerospace Makes Debut At Aero India 2011....NSI News Source Info # 1551

Aero India 2011 - DTN News: Mahindra Aerospace Makes Debut At Aero India 2011....NSI News Source Info # 1551
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources The Economic Times
(NSI News Source Info) BANGALORE, India - February 9, 2011: Mahindra Aerospace (MAPL), a part of the $US 7.1 billion Mahindra Group, made its debut at Aero India 2011, Asia’s premier Air Show, which is being held at the Yelahanka Air Force Base in Bangalore from February 9 to 13, 2011.

The centrepiece of the MAPL stall is the recently launched GA8 TC-320 Airvan which has been designed and built by GippsAero, an Australian company acquired by Mahindra in 2009.

“We are extremely proud to participate in Aero India for the very first time and showcase the GA8 TC-320 Airvan for aviation companies from across the globe. It has generated a great deal of interest amongst visitors and potential buyers who have been impressed by its reliable operations platform and low maintenance cost. In fact, it was flown from Australia to Bangalore for the Show, a clear validation of its strength and ruggedness,” said Mr. Arvind Mehra, Executive Director and CEO, Mahindra Aerospace Private Limited.

Defense Technology News - DTN News: ManTech Awarded $322 Million Task Order To Provide Field Software And Systems Engineering Support U.S. Army #1550

Defense Technology News - DTN News: ManTech Awarded $322 Million Task Order To Provide Field Software And Systems Engineering Support To U.S. Army....NSI News Source Info # 1550
** Company to provide management, administrative and technical support services for Army tactical and business systems fielded worldwide
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources ManTech International Corporation
(NSI News Source Info) FAIRFAX, Va. - February 9, 2011: ManTech International Corporation (NASDAQ:MANT - News) (www.mantech.com), a leading provider of innovative technologies and solutions for mission-critical national security programs, announced today that the company has been awarded a task order under its Strategic Services Sourcing (S3) prime contract to support the operations of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Management Command’s Software Engineering Center Field Support Directorate. The award, made in the third quarter of 2010, is valued at $322 million, with an initial period of performance of 12 months plus one additional option year.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Russia To Showcase 80 Types Of Weaponry At Indian Air Show....NSI News Source Info # 1549

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Russia To Showcase 80 Types Of Weaponry At Indian Air Show....NSI News Source Info # 1549
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Ria Novosti
(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - February 8, 2011: Russia will exhibit over 80 types of weaponry at the upcoming Aero India 2011 air show, state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport said in a statement.

Aero India-2011, which will be held in the southern city of Bangalore on February 9-13, is expected to attract the record number of over 600 manufacturers, vendors and suppliers from 63 countries.

Russia will be represented by 35 companies, including MiG, Sukhoi, Almaz-Antei and Engineering Design Bureau.

AIRCRAFT

Russia will traditionally promote MiG-35 and Su-35 fighter jets, the Yak-130 combat trainer, two versions of Il-76MD transport plane (with different engines), the Il-78MK aerial tanker and MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB naval fighters.

The Be-200 amphibious aircraft will most likely be one of the top attractions of the Russian exhibit as its popularity with foreign customers steadily grows. The plane could be used in a wide variety of roles, from maritime reconnaissance and rescue to firefighting.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/02/dtn-news-defense-news-russia-to.html

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Russian Shipbuilders, Military In Conflict Over Mistral Deal....NSI News Source Info # 1548

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Russian Shipbuilders, Military In Conflict Over Mistral Deal....NSI News Source Info # 1548
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Ria Novosti
(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - February 8, 2011: Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) has been taken out of the contractual talks with France on the purchase of Mistral class amphibious assault ships, a Russian business daily said Tuesday.

The Kommersant newspaper cited anonymous defense industry sources as saying state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport will represent Russia in direct talks with France's DCNS from now on.

Kommersant speculates that the removal of the USC from the talks could be the result of the company's aspirations to acquire a status of an "independent dealer" on the lucrative arms exports market.

Rosoboronexport, backed by the Russian Defense Ministry, has almost monopolized Russia's arms exports and apparently does not want new players to bite into its share in enormous profits from growing arms sales, which totaled $10 billion in 2010.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/02/dtn-news-defense-news-russian.html

DTN News - EGYPT IN CRISIS: This Is Egypt's Revolution, Not Ours....NSI News Source Info # 1547


DTN News - EGYPT IN CRISIS: This Is Egypt's Revolution, Not Ours....NSI News Source Info # 1547
** All we in the Muslim Brotherhood want is for President Mubarak to go and real democracy to prevail
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Mohammad Mursi The Guardian, Tuesday 8 February 2011
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 8, 2011: As the past fortnight has underlined, Egypt occupies a leading role in one of the most vital and volatile regions in the world. However, this great country has been ruled by an autocratic regime for more than 30 years, and left riddled with corruption, poverty, inequality and insecurity. With millions condemned to live in squalor, astronomical unemployment rates, political suppression and absence of basic freedoms, the Egyptian people have been seething with anger, frustration and discontent for years. Thousands of political dissidents have been dragged before military courts and sentenced to years in prison despite civil courts ordering their release. Elections were rigged on an unimaginable scale – forcing Egyptians, and especially the young, into a state of utter desperation.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

DTN News - EGYPT IN CRISIS: Protesters March Against Egypt's Hosni Mubarak -Tahrir Square Cairo, Egypt ~ February 6, 2011....NSI # 1546



DTN News - EGYPT IN CRISIS: Protesters March Against Egypt's Hosni Mubarak -Tahrir Square Cairo, Egypt ~ February 6, 2011....NSI News Source Info # 1546

The Egyptian army stands guard near burnt vehicles at Tahrir Square in Cairo February 6, 2011. Demonstrators camped out in Cairo's Tahrir Square.

Protesters gather around army vehicles at Tahrir Square in Cairo February 6, 2011, to prevent the army from moving towards the square and pacing barbed wires. Demonstrators camped out in Cairo's Tahrir Square, which has become an epicentre for protest, vowed to intensify their battle to oust Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak but the 82-year-old president has said he will stay until September elections because the alternative is chaos.



DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Northrop Grumman-Built U.S. Navy X-47B Unmanned Combat Aircraft Completes Historic First Flight....NSI News Source # 1545

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Northrop Grumman-Built U.S. Navy X-47B Unmanned Combat Aircraft Completes Historic First Flight....NSI News Source Info # 1545
** First-of-its-Kind, Tailless Aircraft Moves Closer to Carrier Trials in 2013
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Northrop Grumman - February 4, 2011
(NSI News Source Info) EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., - February 6, 2011: Today (February 4), the Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC)-built U.S. Navy X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) aircraft successfully completed its historic first flight at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), Calif.

Conducted by a U.S. Navy/Northrop Grumman test team, the flight took off at 2:09 p.m. PST and lasted 29 minutes. This event marks a critical step in the program, moving the team forward to meet the demonstration objectives of a tailless fighter-sized unmanned aircraft to safely take off from and land on the deck of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/02/dtn-news-defense-news-northrop-grumman_06.html