DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: General Dynamics Awarded $41 Million To Supply Next-Generation Deep Space Network Antennas For NASA....NSI # 1480

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: General Dynamics Awarded $41 Million To Supply Next-Generation Deep Space Network Antennas For NASA....NSI News Source Info # 1480

**Two 34-meter (112-foot wide) antennas are part of a NASA plan to replace large, aging antennas that currently enable communications with NASA’s interplanetary flight missions.

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources General Dynamics - January 19,

2011

(NSI News Source Info) NEWTON, N.C. - January 23, 2011: General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies received a $40.7 million contract from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to build two additional 34-meter (112-foot wide) beam waveguide antennas as part of NASA’s modernization and transformation plan to continue scientific studies of the Earth as well as explore distant bodies in the solar system. The new antennas will be located at the Deep Space Network (DSN) facility in Canberra, Australia.

Gary Kanipe, vice president of General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies, said, “This contract, combined with General Dynamics’ continuing work to modernize the space administration’s ground systems, meets NASA’s critical need for seamless upgrades to communications and network infrastructure, while maintaining mission critical operations.”

Originally designed by JPL and built by General Dynamics, the antennas enable the Deep Space Network to communicate with existing flight missions such as the Mars Exploration Rovers, Spitzer Space telescope, Saturn explorer Cassini, as well as support future NASA space missions. The company has built nine 34-meter antennas for NASA’s Deep Space Network. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, manages the Deep Space Network for NASA Headquarters, Washington.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/01/dtn-news-defense-news-general-dynamics.html

DTN News: U.S. Forces In Afghanistan By U.S. DoD - January 22, 2011....NSI News Source Info # 1479

DTN News: U.S. Forces In Afghanistan By U.S. DoD - January 22, 2011....NSI News Source Info # 1479

U.S. ARMY SOLDIERS PROVIDE SECURITY DURING OPERATION AIR WOLF. - U.S. Army soldiers from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment provide security during operation Air Wolf in Maiwand district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, on Jan 5, 2011. The operation was a joint effort with the Afghan National Army to clear villages of insurgent weapons and improvised explosive device caches. DoD photo by Sgt. Alvaro Lupercio, U.S. Army. (Released)

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: BAE Systems-Northrop Grumman Team Submits Bid For An Affordable, High-Performing Ground Combat Vehicle Solution....NSI #1478

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: BAE Systems-Northrop Grumman Team Submits Bid For An Affordable, High-Performing Ground Combat Vehicle Solution....NSI News Source Info # 1478

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources BAE Systems

(NSI News Source Info) ARLINGTON, Va - January 22, 2011: The BAE Systems-Northrop Grumman team submitted a proposal for a U.S. Army Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) that emphasizes affordability, performance and future scalability.

“Our proposal delivers an affordable, high-performing infantry fighting vehicle built from the ground-up that satisfies the needs of our soldiers today and has room for technological growth in the years ahead,” said Mark Signorelli, vice president and general manager of Ground Combat Vehicle at BAE Systems.

The BAE Systems-Northrop Grumman GCV offering will be the first combat vehicle designed from the ground-up to meet the current IED-threat environment. The team offering brings more affordability, survivability, mobility and versatility to the Army and is scalable to the level of protection required for a variety of operations.

The team’s hybrid electric drive propulsion system builds on decades of industry development, production and support in a wide range of applications. It allows the BAE Systems-Northrop Grumman GCV to offer exceptional force protection and mobility in a lower weight vehicle while provisioning for growth in power requirements as new technologies are matured and integrated into the platform. Hybrid electric drive enables GCV to meet the demands of current operations while providing a robust platform for future technology integration and growth at low risk and cost.

“Northrop Grumman is proud to be a part of the BAE Systems GCV team. Together, we have designed an infantry fighting vehicle that will meet or exceed the stringent GCV requirements,” said Joe G. Taylor, Jr., Northrop Grumman Information Systems' vice president for Ground Combat Systems.

The BAE Systems-Northrop Grumman Ground Combat Vehicle team includes: QinetiQ North America, iRobot Corporation, MTU and Saft. As the prime contractor, BAE Systems will lead the overall program management, systems integration, vehicle design, structure and logistical support as well as readiness and sustainment of the platform. Northrop Grumman will serve as the C4ISR lead. QinetiQ North America will provide the electric drive propulsion system or E-X-Drive™ for Ground Combat Vehicle. The E-X-Drive is the key component of the hybrid electric drive system. iRobot will serve as the unmanned ground vehicle integrator and enhance the capability to detect pedestrians and obstacles of interest. MTU will provide the engine and power generation for GCV and Saft will provide the battery and energy storage system.

The GCV program is a development effort headed by the U.S. Army to develop the first combat vehicle designed from the ground-up to operate in an IED-threat environment.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/01/dtn-news-defense-news-bae-systems_22.html

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: SAIC-led Industry Team Continues To Pursue Ground Combat Vehicle Program....NSI News Source Info # 1477

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: SAIC-led Industry Team Continues To Pursue Ground Combat Vehicle Program....NSI News Source Info # 1477

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources SAIC

(NSI News Source Info) MCLEAN, Va., - January 22, 2011: Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE:SAI - News) announced yesterday it will continue to lead a team pursuing the U.S. Army's Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) program. The SAIC-led team submitted a revised proposal for the technology development phase of the Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) being developed under the GCV effort to the U.S. government. The team originally submitted a proposal in May 2010, but the initial Request for Proposal was rescinded by the Army, and a second RFP issued inNovember 2010.

"GCV is of vital importance to our nation as it will be the first combat vehicle designed to be adaptable to the full range of military operations, while protecting our soldiers from current and emerging threats," said Deborah Alderson, SAIC group president. "Our offer continues to focus on delivering a newer, highly survivable, more lethal, off-road IFV than previous offerings we know of."

SAIC's Team Full Spectrum consists of three large enterprises – The Boeing Company, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), and Rheinmetall Defence (RMD). The team, called Team Full Spectrum, is proposing a vehicle it believes is well-positioned to meet the Army's accelerated development needs because of its MGV and Puma heritage. The Puma is the only production-ready IFV designed from the ground up since Sept. 11, 2001, and incorporates the lessons of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The team will also incorporate lessons learned from the Future Combat Systems Manned Ground Vehicle effort.

"Our offering is designed, first and foremost, to protect our Soldiers, to unburden them from mechanical tasks with the latest technology thus allowing concentration on the cognitive, and to empower them to accomplish their mission," said Alderson. "In addition, high technical readiness levels will help meet the Army's timeline of delivering the first vehicle in 7 years."

The U.S. Army's Ground Combat Vehicle program is part of a holistic Army plan to modernize its combat vehicle fleet.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/01/dtn-news-defense-news-saic-led-industry.html

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Mexico Federal Police Take Delivery Of UH-60M BLACK HAWK Helicopters....NSI News Source Info # 1476

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Mexico Federal Police Take Delivery Of UH-60M BLACK HAWK Helicopters....NSI News Source Info # 1476

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Sikorsky

(NSI News Source Info) STRATFORD, Connecticut - January 22, 2011: The Department of State has delivered three UH-60M BLACK HAWK helicopters to the Government of Mexico’s Federal Police (FP). Designed and manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), the aircraft are the first of six advanced helicopters designed to support Mexico’s law enforcement operations as part of the Merida Initiative, a security cooperation agreement between the two countries.

The three UH-60M aircraft expand the Federal Police force’s existing fleet of seven UH-60L BLACK HAWK helicopters. Operational since 2008, those aircraft have become a critical law enforcement tool for disaster relief, troop transport, rescue, surveillance, and in the fight against organized crime and illegal drug trafficking across Mexico.

Introduced into service with the U.S. Army in 2006, the UH-60M is the latest and most advanced variant of Sikorsky’s successful H-60 BLACK HAWK helicopter series. The U.S. Army took delivery of its 200th ‘M’ model in mid 2010, which comes equipped with an advanced flight control system to reduce pilot workload, and an infrared camera for night operations.

“Use of the forward looking IR sensor, and this BLACK HAWK helicopter’s superior lift range and speed will further enhance the capabilities of the Federal Police to perform their very important law enforcement mission,” said David L. Powell, Sikorsky Vice President of Sales for the Americas.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/01/dtn-news-defense-news-mexico-federal.html

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated January 21, 2011....NSI News Source Info # 1475

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated January 21, 2011....NSI News Source Info # 1475

Source: U.S. DoD issued No. 055-11 January 21, 2011

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - January 21, 2011: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued January 21, 2011 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

NAVY

The Boeing Co., Seattle, Wash., is being awarded a $1,529,224,045 modification to definitize the previously awarded advance acquisition P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) Low Rate Initial Production I contract (N00019-09-C-0022) to a fixed-price-incentive-firm contract. This modification provides for the procurement of six P-8A MMA and associated spares, support equipment and tools, logistics support, trainers and courseware. Work will be performed in Seattle, Wash. (76 percent); Hazelwood, Mo. (10 percent ); Baltimore, Md. (4 percent); Greenlawn, N.Y. (2 percent); Tampa, Fla. ( 2 percent); McKinney, Texas (1 percent); North Amityville, N.Y. (1 percent); Hauppauge, N.Y. (1 percent); Anaheim, Calif. (1 percent); Grand Rapids, Mich. (1 percent); and Rockford, Ill. (1 percent), and work is expected to be completed in January 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air System Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/01/dtn-news-us-department-of-defense_3609.html

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: France To Send 2 Rafales To Aero India....NSI News Source Info # 1474

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: France To Send 2 Rafales To Aero India....NSI News Source Info # 1474

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Pierre Tran - Defense News

(NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - January 21, 2011: France is sending two Rafale fighters to the Aero India airshow at Bangalore, a French Air Force spokesman said, confirming a report in specialist newsletter TTU. This will be a first showing of the Dassault Rafale in India, the newsletter said.

The French fighter is a contender in the Indian Air Force's competition for 126 Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA), vying against the Boeing F/A-18, Lockheed Martin F-16, Eurofighter Typhoon, MiG-35, and Saab Gripen.

Eurofighter announced the Typhoon combat aircraft would also be in attendance in the form of two aircraft belonging to the Italian Air Force.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/01/dtn-news-defense-news-france-to-send-2.html

DTN News - SINGAPORE DEFENSE NEWS: Inauguration Of The SAF's Naval Helicopters Into 123 Squadron....NSI News Source Info # 1473

DTN News - SINGAPORE DEFENSE NEWS: Inauguration Of The SAF's Naval Helicopters Into 123 Squadron....NSI News Source Info # 1473

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources MinDef Singapore dated Jan 18, 2011

(NSI News Source Info) SINGAPORE - January 21, 2011: Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen officiated at the inauguration ceremony of the Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk naval helicopters into 123 Squadron at Sembawang Air Base this afternoon.

The 123 Squadron is the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF's) first naval helicopter squadron. The squadron will join the Helicopter Group under the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) Participation Command, which was set up in 2007 to develop and deploy air power in support of land and maritime operations.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Dr Ng highlighted that 123 Squadron's past experience in supporting Army's operations will provide an advantage in this new role in air-sea operations. He said: "I am confident that 123 Squadron will continue to build on its tradition of cross-service integration as it embarks on a new chapter of air-sea operations." Dr Ng also commended RSAF andRSN personnel for their professionalism which has enabled the SAF to build up a high level of operational proficiency and readiness in its integrated naval helicopter and frigate capability.

The SAF had earlier acquired six Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk naval helicopters. All six naval helicopters have returned to Singapore last year after a one-year deployment in San Diego, USA, with the RSAF's Peace Triton detachment. The integration of the naval helicopters with the frigates enables the SAF to undertake anti-surface and anti-submarine missions at longer ranges. Each frigate's sophisticated Command, Control and Communications suite allows it to network with a wide variety of SAF assets to increase force level awareness and mission effectiveness. The inauguration of the S-70B Seahawk naval helicopters into 123 Squadron marks a significant milestone in the SAF's transformation into an integrated and networked force.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/01/dtn-news-singapore-defense-news_21.html

DTN News: Aerospace/Defense Headlines - News Dated January 21, 2011....NSI News Source Info # 1472

DTN News: Aerospace/Defense Headlines - News Dated January 21, 2011....NSI News Source Info # 1472

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including latest updates Defense News, Aerospace/Defense Headlines - News & Yahoo

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 21, 2011: Comprehensive daily news related to Aerospace/Defense for the world of TODAY.

*Comprehensive daily news related on Aerospace/Defense for the world of TODAY

Friday January 21, 2011 BAE Systems Announces Agreement to Acquire Fairchild Imaging, Inc. 6:30 am - Business Wire Research and Markets: Saudi Arabia Defence and Security Report Q1 2011 4:39 am - Business Wire Q8Aviation Secures Major Services Agreement With National Oil Ethiopia 4:00 am - PR Newswire Comba Collaborates With ECTEL to Enable Wireless Communications Inside Remote Desert Environment at the ALMA Construction Site, Chile 3:25 am - Marketwire Analysis: Hu addresses U.S. stress over China high-tech drive 1:47 am - Reuters http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/01/dtn-news-aerospacedefense-headlines_21.html

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated January 20, 2011....NSI News Source Info # 1471

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated January 20, 2011....NSI News Source Info # 1471

Source: U.S. DoD issued No. 052-11 January 20, 2011

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - January 21, 2011: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued January 20, 2011 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

AIR FORCE

Goodrich Corporation, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Systems of Chelmsford, Mass. was awarded a $71,885,232 contract which will provide five dual band-110 Pod, two datalink upgrades to existing pods, two fixed ground stations, one mobile ground station, four ground station datalink receiver kits, initial spares, technical manuals, minimal initial engineering support for final in-country installation, integration, testing and a study for a potential fusion center. This supports a Foreign Military Sale program and Pakistani F-16 aircraft. At this time, $17,300,000 has been obligated. ASC/WINK, Wright-Patterson Air Force, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8620-11-C-3006)

Composite Engineering, Incorporated of Sacramento, Calif. was awarded a $34,674,848 contract modification which will exercise the Lot 8 option to procure a quantity of 40 additional BQM-167As, also known as the Air Force Subscale Aerial Target. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. AAC/EBYK, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. is the contracting activity. (FA8678-10-C-0051 PO0013)

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Sopakco Packaging, Mullins, S.C.* is being awarded a maximum $12,698,750 firm fixed price contract for first strike rations. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. There were originally three proposals solicited with three responses. The date of performance completion is Sept. 3, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM3S1-10-D-Z104).

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/01/dtn-news-us-department-of-defense_21.html

DTN News - BREAKING NEWS: Tell Pakistan To Stop Exporting Terror To India: BJP Tells China....NSI News Source Info # 1470

DTN News - BREAKING NEWS: Tell Pakistan To Stop Exporting Terror To India: BJP Tells China....NSI News Source Info # 1470

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources China National News Friday 21st January, 2011 (IANS)

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 21, 2011: China has an influence over Pakistan and the BJP expects Beijing to put pressure on Islamabad to stop exporting terror to India and to act against the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack, Nitin Gadkari, the chief of India's main opposition party, told Chinese leaders here Friday.

Gadkari, who is the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president to visit China, conveyed to the Chinese leaders his party's serious concern over Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism and told them that there was strong public opinion in India against Beijing's development projects in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Gadkari, in his wide-ranging talks with leaders of the Communist Party of China, also told them that Beijing's reported attempts to block Pakistan-based terrorist outfits like Jamaat-ud-Dawah from being black-listed by the UN was having an adverse impact on the BJP's efforts to improve people-to-people contacts between the two countries, a statement said.

The BJP president is on a five-day goodwill visit to China along with a delegation of senior party leaders. He held discussions with Ai Ping, the Chinese vice-minister in the international department of the Communist Party of China, and also met Li Changchun, a senior leader of the nine-member Standing Committee of the political Bureau of the CPC.

Gadkari told the Chinese leadership that terrorism was a common concern for mankind.

'Terrorism does not recognize any boundaries and there are very strong growing inter-linkages amongst terror groups,' Gadkari said, and hoped that both India and China would work closely with the international community to strengthen the global framework against terrorism.

To Gadkari's urging China to use its good offices with Pakistan to pressure it to stop exporting terror to India and act against the perpetrators of all acts of terrorism on Indian soil, including those behind the Mumbai attack, the Chinese leaders shared the BJP leader's concern.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/01/dtn-news-breaking-news-tell-pakistan-to.html

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Airbus Tanker Plane For Australia Damaged In Test....NSI News Source Info # 1469

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Airbus Tanker Plane For Australia Damaged In Test....NSI News Source Info # 1469

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Reuters

(NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - January 21, 2011: Airbus Military is investigating the loss of part of a refuelling boom over the Atlantic during testing of a tanker plane being developed for the Royal Australian Air Force.

The European planemaker does not expect the incident to delay the first delivery of the aircraft, which is scheduled for February, a spokesman said on Thursday.

However, the mishap comes at a critical time for Airbus parent EADS (EAD.PA) as the United States evaluates whether to buy tanker planes from the European group or rival Boeing (BA.N) in a contract worth up to $50 billion.

A decision on that deal is expected as early as next month.

The incident happened over the Atlantic on Wednesday at 1600 GMT during inflight testing between an EADS MRTT tanker plane and a Portuguese air force F-16 fighter, the spokesman said.

The boom, or refuelling arm, was damaged when it lost one of its two stabilising fins, making the device uncontrollable.

The cause of the incident was not reported.

"We are flying in almost operational conditions," the spokesman said. "We hope to determine the origin of the malfunction and proceed with deliveries. At this point we don't see any delay in the first delivery next month," he said.

The damaged aircraft was not among the first two planes due to be delivered to Australia.

Both EADS and Boeing have experienced technical problems or delays with their most recently sold tanker aircraft.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/01/dtn-news-defense-news-airbus-tanker.html

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: US Congress Told Taiwan Needs Aircraft....NSI News Source Info # 1468

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: US Congress Told Taiwan Needs Aircraft....NSI News Source Info # 1468

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By William Lowther / Staff reporter - Taipei Times

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - January 21, 2011: A US congressional committee was told on Wednesday that Taiwan needed more advanced fighter aircraft and diesel submarines to defend itself against a possible attack by China.

Testifying before the US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Larry Wortzel, a specialist on the Chinese and Taiwanese military, said that despite a notable improvement in relations across the Taiwan Strait, Beijing continues to insist on its right to use force should Taiwan move toward independence.

“The cross-strait military balance increasingly favors China. Beijing has deployed over 1,100 short-range ballistic missiles opposite the island. In my view, Taiwan’s most pressing need is for new or modernized fighter aircraft,” Wortzel said.

Wortzel was speaking at a committee briefing on “China’s behavior and its impact on US interests” held on the first day of Chinese President Hu Jintao’s (胡錦濤) state visit to Washington.

Republican Representative David Rivera described Taiwan as “a bastion of democracy surrounded by a fortress of tyranny.”

NEW OR EXISTING

Wortzel said the big question was whether to sell Taipei F-16C/D aircraft, which have a long range and could be used for deep strikes inside China “if their [Taiwan’s] military chose to do that” or modernize the existing F-16A/B aircraft that Taiwan already possesses.

He said that he had talked with aviation engineers who thought that with the addition of brand new avionics, radar and targeting equipment, the A/Bs could be converted into “very capable aircraft.”

“They need the aircraft and I think they have to have that need addressed,” Wortzel said.

Representative Gerry Connolly, a Democrat, asked if there was any reason to believe that Taiwan was not capable of defending itself in case of an invasion.

“I don’t think that is the issue,” Wortzel said. “The issue is how capable would they be in doing it. They would have a hard time defending against 1,100 ballistic missiles. The missiles would do a lot of damage. They would be hard pressed if there were massive special operations insertions into Taiwan to disrupt the infrastructure.”

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/01/dtn-news-defense-news-us-congress-told.html

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. Nears Deal For Russian Helicopters....NSI News Source Info # 1467

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. Nears Deal For Russian Helicopters....NSI News Source Info # 1467

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Nathan Hodge - The Wall Street Journal (WSJ)

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - January 21, 2011: The U.S. military plans to award an exclusive contract to Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport to supply helicopters for Afghanistan's military, speeding a deal that was outlined as part of a "reset" of U.S.-Russia relations.

In a Jan. 13 notice, the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command Contracting Center said it would award a "sole-source" contract to Rosoboronexport for the purchase of Mi-17 helicopters, rugged Soviet-era aircraft that are a workhorse of Afghan military forces. "This item is restricted to Rosoboronexport," the notice said.

The Army didn't provide specifics on the cost or the size of the contract, but individuals familiar with the details confirmed it was for 21 new Mi-17 helicopters, along with tool kits, spare parts and testing.

The proposed purchase represents the latest attempt to equip the militaries of Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan with reliable, affordable aircraft from the factories of its former Cold War rival.

Russian-made helicopters like the Mi-17 are known for their versatility and ease of maintenance, but efforts to buy the aircraft were once complicated by U.S. sanctions against Rosoboronexport over its dealings with Iran.

Those sanctions were lifted last year as part of a push by the White House to patch up relations with the Kremlin.

Following a June meeting between President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, both sides announced they would work together to provide Russian-made helicopters and spare parts to the Afghan military.

Rosoboronexport didn't respond immediately to an emailed request to comment, and its officials couldn't be reached by telephone.

U.S.-funded Russian helicopter deals have raised some eyebrows. Lawmakers have complained that the Pentagon should consider buying more American-made aircraft. And firms that hoped to bid on this latest helicopter contract were frustrated by the government's decision to pursue an exclusive deal with Rosoboronexport.

Last year, Arinc Engineering Services LLC, a Maryland-based firm, challenged a Navy-run solicitation to buy 21 Mi-17 helicopters from Rosoboronexport. The Government Accountability Office dismissed Arinc's protest. Management of the procurement was subsequently handed over to the Army, which runs an office for buying "nonstandard" aircraft.

The U.S. has spent hundreds of millions over the past several years on Mi-17 procurement for its allies. Before sanctions against Rosoboronexport were lifted, private firms bought civilian variants of the helicopters and converted them for military use, according to people familiar with the process.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/01/dtn-news-defense-news-us-nears-deal-for.html

DTN News - INTELLIGENCE REPORT/NEWS: Wrong Men Convicted Of Daniel Pearl Murder: Probe....NSI News Source Info # 1466

DTN News - INTELLIGENCE REPORT/NEWS: Wrong Men Convicted Of Daniel Pearl Murder: Probe....NSI News Source Info # 1466

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Karin Zeitvogel (AFP)

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - January 21, 2011: The wrong men were convicted of killing US reporter Daniel Pearl, who was kidnapped and beheaded in Pakistan in 2002, and US officials have stood in the way of the real murderer being brought to justice, according to a new report.

Pearl was murdered by the alleged brains behind the September 11, 2001 attacks, Khaled Sheikh Mohammed, not by British-Pakistani Omar Sheikh and three other men also convicted for the killing, said the Pearl Project report, released on Thursday.

Mohammed has told US investigators he slit Pearl's throat and cut off his head, and an FBI agent used a technique called vein-matching to identify Mohammed's hand as the "beefy right hand" seen killing Pearl in a chilling video of the murder.

But so far, US officials have refused to prosecute him.

Doing so could unravel the US strategy for trying Mohammed along with four others for the attacks in New York and Washington on September 11, 2001, said the investigative report, which was led by Pearl's friend and former Wall Street Journal colleague Asra Nomani and Georgetown University professor Barbara Feinman Todd.

"They didn't want to go after him because it would complicate their 9/11 case. That doesn't serve justice," Todd told AFP.

"We hope that this report will spur a renewed interest in this case on the part of our government and the Pakistani government," she said.

The probe team went into the streets of Karachi and villages of Pakistan to try to piece together the last few weeks of Pearl's life.

Gleaning information from interviews, court documents, secret Pakistani police interrogation reports, FBI interview reports and State Department cables, the probe team, including 32 Georgetown students, made "sense of a jumble of aliases so that we could know the faces and stories of the men with whom Danny spent his final days."

And one thing they found was that none of the four men convicted of Pearl's murder "was ever involved in the kidnapping or murder directly," said Nomani.

Sheikh's role had been to lure Pearl to Pakistan and the other three helped put together a ransom note.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/01/dtn-news-intelligence-reportnews-wrong.html