Saturday, April 2, 2011

DTN News - SPORTS NEWS: India Won The World Cup 2011....NSI News Source Info # 1761


DTN News - SPORTS NEWS: India Won The World Cup 2011....NSI News Source Info # 1761
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - April 2, 2011:

India beat Sri Lanka to win the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni guiding the run chase Saturday to deliver the great Sachin Tendulkar his first title in six attempts.

Dhoni scored an unbeaten 91, sharing a 109-run stand with Gautam Gambhir (97) and finishing with a giant six, as India chased down Sri Lanka's 274-6 to win by six wickets in front of an ecstatic crowd at Mumbai.

India became the first team to win batting second in a final since Sri Lanka beat Australia by eight wickets in 1996. The victors passed the 275 target with 10 balls to go.

There was no winning farewell to international cricket for Muttiah Muralitharan, the only survivor from Sri Lanka's '96 winning squad.

Tendulkar didn't get his 100th international century but earned a cherished Cup title and he was lifted onto the shoulders of his teammates for a victory lap.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/04/dtn-news-sports-news-india-won-world.html

Friday, April 1, 2011

DTN News - BATTLE FOR LIBYA: Libyan Rebels Near Brega....NSI News Source Info # 1760

DTN News - BATTLE FOR LIBYA: Libyan Rebels Near Brega....NSI News Source Info # 1760

Libyan rebels take position near the eastern town of Brega on March 31, 2011 as street battles raged between them and forces loyal to Moamer Kadhafi who suffered a major blow with the defection of his foreign minister. (Photo - Getty Images)

DTN News - PAKISTAN UNREST: NWFP Under Militants Attack....NSI News Source Info # 1759

DTN News - PAKISTAN UNREST: NWFP Under Militants Attack....NSI News Source Info # 1759

A policeman gestures in front of a shop damaged by a bomb explosion in Charsadda, in Pakistan's northwest March 31, 2011. A prominent Pakistani Islamist politician narrowly escaped an apparent assassination attempt on Thursday when the bomb exploded near his car in the the country's volatile northwest, killing at least 11 people, government officials and aides said. (Photo - Reuters Pictures)

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Defense News: HMS Cumberland Ready For Embargo Operations In Libya....NSI News Source Info # 1758

Defense News: HMS Cumberland Ready For Embargo Operations In Libya....NSI News Source Info # 1758

March 30, 2011: HMS Cumberland is ready to move into the next phase of operations in Libya by enforcing the arms embargo under UN Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973.

The Royal Navy Type 22 frigate has been a key part of the UK's response to the crisis in Libya since the beginning of the troubles in February.

One way she is able to enforce the arms embargo is through her embarked Lynx helicopter which can search a wide area of the sea quickly to assess the activities of Libyan forces and search out any vessels which are in breach of the UN-sanctioned arms embargo on Libya.

The ship's Royal Marines and Royal Navy boarding parties have been honing their skills recently so they are ready to be deployed at minutes' notice if needed to conduct searches of suspect vessels stopped by the Type 22 frigate under the embargo.

The boarding teams can be deployed rapidly by sea boat or by fast-roping onto the deck of a suspect vessel from Cumberland's Lynx helicopter.

HMS Cumberland's Commanding Officer, Captain Steve Dainton, said:

"Cumberland is demonstrating her capability as a highly flexible asset, capable of enforcing the will of the international community. Over the last month, we have conducted three evacuation operations from Benghazi, conducted patrols off the coast and acted as an effective deterrent to Gaddafi's naval forces.


http://defensenews-updates.blogspot.com/2011/03/defense-news-hms-cumberland-ready-for.html

Defense News: US Likely To Help Taiwan Upgrade F-16s ~ Premier....NSI News Source Info # 1757

Defense News: US Likely To Help Taiwan Upgrade F-16s ~ Premier....NSI News Source Info # 1757
March 30, 2011: TAIPEI — Taiwan Premier Wu Den-yih confirmed Tuesday that the United States is likely to help the island upgrade its F-16 A/B fighters as it is reluctant to arm Taipei with more advanced jets.

Taiwan has been pressing for the more powerful F-16 C/Ds, saying it badly needs the weaponry as a bargaining chip against its former bitter rival China.

But the fate of a proposed arms deal remains uncertain, Wu said, amid speculation that it could jeopardise Washington's ties with Beijing.

"My understanding is that Washington does not say 'yes' or 'no'. The deal is still under Washington's evaluation," Wu said during a press conference in Taipei.

Wu said that "upgrading the F-16A/Bs is the more likely direction".

The US Congress in 1979 passed the Taiwan Relations Act requiring the United States to provide the island with defensive weapons.

A sale of F-16 C/Ds to Taiwan would be certain to ignite the anger of Beijing, which reacted furiously when the Barack Obama administration in January 2010 announced a 6.4-billion-dollar arms package for the self-governing island.

The package included Patriot missiles, Black Hawk helicopters, and equipment for Taiwan's F-16 fleet, but no submarines or new fighter jets.

http://defensenews-updates.blogspot.com/2011/03/defense-news-us-likely-to-help-taiwan.html

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated March 29, 2011....NSI News Source Info # 1756

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated March 29, 2011....
NSI News Source Info # 1756
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - March 29, 2011: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued March 29, 2011 are undermentioned;


CONTRACTS

MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY

The Missile Defense Agency is awarding a cost-plus-incentive fee modification to Raytheon Missile Systems Co., Tucson, Ariz., for contract N00024-07-C-6119, CLIN 0016, for $312,663,118. The modification is to manufacture 24 Standard Missile-3 Block IB missiles. The work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz. The period of performance is March 2011 through June 2013. Fiscal 2011 research, development, test and evaluation funds will be used to incrementally fund the modification for $47,826,087. The Missile Defense Agency is the contracting activity.

Raytheon Missile Systems Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a modification to decrease contract N00024-07-C-6119, CLIN 0004, by $72,306,105 from $229,900,477, to a new total value of $157,594,372. The modification is to reduce the quantity of Standard Missile-3 Block IA missiles manufactured, from 24 to 18. The remaining work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz. The performance period is from March 2011 through April 2012. The Missile Defense Agency is the contracting activity.

ARMY

The Engility Corp., Billerica, Mass., was awarded on March 24 an $84,181,310 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The award will provide for management, engineering, integration, logistical staff, and liaison support services for Program Executive Office Soldier. Work will be performed in Fort Lewis, Wash.; Eatontown, N.J.; Fort Knox, Ky.; and Fort Belvoir, Va., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2011. One bid was solicited with one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W91CRB-11-D-0074).

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-us-department-of-defense_29.html

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Libyan War Damages Russia's Economic Interests....NSI News Source Info # 1755


DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Libyan War Damages Russia's Economic Interests....NSI News Source Info # 1755
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 29, 2011: The events in Libya are impacting the economic interests of Russia. While Russian raw materials companies working in this country may still cherish the hope to participate in some projects, the loss of Rosoboronexport's contract with the Jamahiriya will amount to over $4 billion. In the event of the victory of the Western coalition the country's weapons market will be closed for Russia.

With regard to the companies working directly on the territory of Libya, there are three most active Russian companies - Tatneft, Gazprom and the Russian Railways (RZD). Stroytransgaz has an office in the country as well.

Tatneft has been operating in the country for 6 years. The company received a concession to develop an oil block in the Ghadames (Unit 82-4) and won the rights to three oil blocks in the Sirte basin and Ghadames. The Russian company is involved in the projects under the production sharing agreement with Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC). In 2009 alone it has invested $43 million in the projects.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-defense-news-libyan-war.html

DTN News - POSSIBILITY OF FUTURE CONFLICT NEWS: Iran To Punish Saudi Arabia Brutally....NSI News Source Info # 1754


DTN News - POSSIBILITY OF FUTURE CONFLICT NEWS: Iran To Punish Saudi Arabia Brutally....NSI News Source Info # 1754
(NSI News Source Info) TEHRAN, Iran - March 29, 2011: To suppress the revolution in Bahrain, the local king called on local troops from the neighboring Saudi Arabia. The British media that has its sources in the Bahraini royal family talked about such a possibility earlier. In particular, this was reported by the authoritative publication The Guardian.

Such a request was received by Riyadh on March 14, and he responded immediately. As stated earlier by the representatives of the ruling Saudi dynasty, they are ready to assist "the ruler and the people of the friendly country of Bahrain." Fortunately, it is allowed by the existing agreements on mutual support between the two countries, members of the Council on Cooperation in the Persian Gulf.

Yet, it is difficult to say who is considered the "people" by Saudi authorities since the anti-government rallies are attended not only by the representatives of the Shiite majority (70 percent of the population of Bahrain), but rather numerous representatives of the Left (including the Communists) from among the Sunnis.

The rallies in Bahrain have been ongoing for over a month. The Shiite majority actively opposes the oppression by the ruling Sunni minority, which includes Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, who is especially zealous in insisting on foreign intervention.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-possibility-of-future-conflict.html

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Probe into German-Greek Arms Deals Reveals Murky Side Of Defense Sales....NSI News Source Info # 1753

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Probe into German-Greek Arms Deals Reveals Murky Side Of Defense Sales....NSI News Source Info # 1753
(NSI News Source Info)

ATHENS, Greece,

-
March 29, 2011:
Despite being heavily in debt, Greece keeps spending on arms. A probe into its accounts has led to an investigation into submarine deals with Germany and alleged corruption in the grey areas of the EU's defense sector.

Greek financial investigators have ascertained that more than $140 million in bribes were paid by a German submarine maker to local politicians and officials to facilitate a lucrative defense contract.


The deal focused on the purchase of four submarines, a $1.5 billion controversial contract that had drawn heated political debate.

Sources told the Greek Kathimerini newspaper that "numerous bribes were paid before the contract was signed," alleging that some of the ways in which the final bill was inflated involved requests by the Greek navy and Defense Ministry for extra equipment on the submarines.

The first submarine, named Papanikolis, was commissioned for development by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft in Kiel, Germany, with the remaining three scheduled for construction at Greece's Hellenic Shipyards, west of Athens.

Shortly after the Papanikolis was built in 2001 and launched three years later, Greek navy experts determined a host of technical problems with the T-214 diesel-electric submarine. The most severe: excessive rolling in bad weather conditions when the submarine surfaced for sea keeping in high seas.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-defense-news-probe-into-german.html

Monday, March 28, 2011

DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN NEWS: Multipurpose HELLFIRE II ‘Romeo’ Strikes Target, Completes Proof-Of-Principle Flight Tests....NSI # 1752

DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN NEWS: Multipurpose HELLFIRE II ‘Romeo’ Strikes Target, Completes Proof-Of-Principle Flight Tests....NSI News Source Info # 1752
(NSI News Source Info)

ORLANDO, FL, - March 28, 2011: The U.S. Army’s Joint Attack Munition Systems (JAMS) Project Office and Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] successfully fired a multipurpose AGM 114R HELLFIRE II “Romeo” missile with a live warhead and penetrated a brick-over-block target in its sixth proof-of-principle (POP) test.

The flight test, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., demonstrated the Romeo’s enhanced software capability and superior performance in a military-operations-in-urban-terrain scenario. The new Romeo’s multipurpose warhead design enables the missile, with a designator spot laser, to seek out and defeat hard, soft and enclosed targets with outstanding success. The initial fielding of the HELLFIRE II Romeo is scheduled for late 2012.

“The AGM-114R baseline design is now defined and allows us to go into system qualification,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mike Brown, HELLFIRE Systems product manager at JAMS. “The R model remains on cost and on schedule, and meets all performance objectives.”

Engineers ground-launched the single HELLFIRE II Romeo missile in a lock-on-after-launch mode, simulating the missile being fired from a rotary-wing platform. The short-range (2.5 kilometer) high-speed impact shot penetrated the brick-over-block target and successfully detonated with the specified fuze delay.

This was the final POP test for this next-generation precision missile. The Romeo’s advanced fuze technology and new warhead design performed flawlessly in test flights, proving reduced risk through system performance. Additionally, Lockheed Martin’s Joint-Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) incorporates the same warhead technology and fuze design that is present in the HELLFIRE II Romeo.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-lockheed-martin-news.html

DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN NEWS: Lockheed Martin’s Huntsville Integrated Test Center To Provide Effective Support For Missile Defense Systems..# 1751

DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN NEWS: Lockheed Martin’s Huntsville Integrated Test Center To Provide Effective Support For Missile Defense Systems....NSI News Source Info # 1751
**New Facility to Provide State-of-the-art Capabilities
(NSI News Source Info)

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., March 28, 2011: Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its Huntsville Integrated Test (HIT) Center in Huntsville, Ala. The Lockheed Martin HIT Center will enable cost-effective and realistic testing of full-scale missile defense systems in a laboratory environment.

“This facility demonstrates Lockheed Martin’s commitment to advancing the state-of-the-art in missile defense capabilities,” said John W. Holly, vice president of Missile Defense Systems, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, who led the ceremony. “It also represents our continued investment in the Huntsville community, which plays a key role in protecting our nation.”

Government and community officials participating in the ceremony included U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Charlie Kettle, chairman of the board for the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce. More than 100 people attended the ceremony, including Lockheed Martin employees, government and military personnel, industry partners and community members.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-defense-news-lockheed-martins.html


Sunday, March 27, 2011

Asian Defense News: Navies Of Singapore, Indonesia Co-Host Multilateral Exercises....NSI News Source Info # 1750

Asian Defense News: Navies Of Singapore, Indonesia Co-Host Multilateral Exercises....NSI News Source Info # 1750
SINGAPORE - March 27, 2011: The Singapore and Indonesian navies are co-hosting the 4th Western Pacific Mine Countermeasures Exercise (MCMEX) and Diving Exercise (DIVEX).
More than 1,000 personnel and 15 ships from 16 navies will be participating in the two exercises, which will be conducted in the Singapore Strait and the waters off the Indonesian island of Pulau Bintan.

The Defence Ministry said this year's exercises will, for the first time, feature multilateral information sharing and the deployment of unmanned water vehicles.

More than 40 medical practitioners from 10 countries are also meeting to discuss the topics of military diving and hyperbaric medicine.

Dr Ng Eng Hen, Singapore's Second Defence Minister, said: "Going forward, the WPNS Navies should continue to be proactive in building platforms and capacity in information exchange and operational coordination to develop their readiness to respond collectively should the need arise."

DTN News - LIBYA NO-FLY ZONE: UAE Jets Arrive In Italy For Libya Operations....NSI News Source Info # 1749

DTN News - LIBYA NO-FLY ZONE: UAE Jets Arrive In Italy For Libya Operations....NSI News Source Info # 1749
(NSI News Source Info)

DECIMOMANNU, Italy -

March 27, 2011:

Six F-16 fighter jets from the United Arab Emirates, a key U.S. ally, landed at an Italian base on March 27 ahead of their deployment to help enforce the no-fly zone over Libya.


The six planes could be seen landing at the Decimomannu base on the island of Sardinia after a logistics plane also arrived at the base.

The UAE said March 24 it had committed six F-16 and six Mirage fighters.

"The UAE air force has committed six F-16 and six Mirage aircraft to participate in the patrols that will enforce the no-fly zone now established over Libya," Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan said then.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-libya-no-fly-zone-uae-jets.html

DTN News - ASIAN DEFENSE NEWS: China Growing Naval Power In The Region....NSI News Source Info # 1748


DTN News - ASIAN DEFENSE NEWS: China Growing Naval Power In The Region....NSI News Source Info # 1748
** 2011 - China is increasing its military budget 12.7 percent to 601.1 billion RMB (approximately $91.5 billion). Importantly, many experts believe actual spending is significantly higher than the official figure suggests.
(NSI News Source Info) HONG KONG - March 26, 2011:

That was the description given recently by Adm. Gary Roughead, the Navy’s chief of naval operations, when asked for his assessment of America’s former Cold War opponent.

“The Russian Navy still has great ambition, still has great pride,” he said.

The collapse of the Soviet Union significantly reduced the navy, Roughead noted, with most shipbuilding programs coming to a halt or dragging out.

“That has stopped in recent years,” he said. An improving Russian economy will mean “you’re going to see an increase in their capability and capacity, with new shipbuilding programs taking hold.” Roughead noted the recent move by Russia to acquire several French-designed Mistral-class amphibious ships as an indication of rising interest in increased operations.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/03/dtn-news-asian-defense-news-china.html