DTN News - TURKEY ISRAEL DEFENSE NEWS: Turkey Expels Israel's Ambassador, Cuts Military Ties Over UN Report

DTN News - TURKEY ISRAEL DEFENSE NEWS: Turkey Expels Israel's Ambassador, Cuts Military Ties Over UN Report

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 3, 2011: Turkey has expelled Israel's ambassador to Ankara. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced Ankara's expulsion of the Israeli ambassador, along with a suspension of all military agreements with Israel, in a short statement to the media.

He said Turkey is reducing its relations with Israel to the level of second secretary, and expects the ambassador to leave by Wednesday.

The expulsion comes after details were leaked of a U.N. report into the killing last year by Israeli forces of nine Turks who were taking part in a flotilla of ships seeking to break Israel's economic blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Ankara gave Friday, the day the U.N. report is to be officially released, as the deadline for an apology from Jerusalem and for the payment of compensation to the families of those killed. Davutoglu blamed divisions in the Israeli government for its failure to meet Turkey's demands.

Turkey met four times with the Israelis, he said, and on two occasions reached an agreement to which the Israeli prime minister agreed, but not the Israeli Cabinet.

The Turkish foreign minister said his government will now provide full support to the families of those killed to pursue prosecution of any Israeli military or government members responsible for the deaths.

The U.N. report said excessive force was used by Israel. It also said some of those killed were shot in the back and at close quarters. But the report also defended Israel's right to enforce its economic embargo on Gaza. That finding is strongly condemned by the Turkish government. President Abdullah Gul strongly condemned the report.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/09/dtn-news-turkey-israel-defense-news.html

DTN News - SEARCH FOR GADDAFI: Over 800 Killed In Battle For Gaddafi's Home Town Of Sirte In Libya

DTN News - SEARCH FOR GADDAFI: Over 800 Killed In Battle For Gaddafi's Home Town Of Sirte In Libya

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 3, 2011: Libya's transitional leaders believe hundreds of their supporters have been gunned down in Colonel Gaddafi's home town of Sirte by desperate regime loyalists, even as they try to negotiate its surrender.

The town is Gaddafi's biggest remaining Libya stronghold and rebel commanders know his forces are dug in for a bloody battle.

For now opposition forces have held their positions to the east and west as they wait for tribal elders to negotiate with Gaddafi fighters.

But Shamsiddin Ben-Ali, a spokesman in the rebel city of Benghazi, said 800 people had been killed in the past three days.

"Many of the people of Sirte are on our side now and want to be part of the revolution," he said. "The people with guns though are still resisting."

The death toll raises a bloody conundrum for the country's new leaders: rushing in could spell a military disaster but waiting is costing a very high price in civilian casualties.

Rebel leaders know that Sirte's long association with Gaddafi – he was born just outside and went to primary school in the Mediterranean town – make it difficult to win over.

Many government departments were moved to Sirte during his 42-year reign and money was showered on its roads and architecture.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/09/dtn-news-search-for-gaddafi-over-800.html

DTN News - SEARCH FOR GADDAFI: Over 800 Killed In Battle For Gaddafi's Home Town Of Sirte In Libya

DTN News - SEARCH FOR GADDAFI: Over 800 Killed In Battle For Gaddafi's Home Town Of Sirte In Libya

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 3, 2011: Libya's transitional leaders believe hundreds of their supporters have been gunned down in Colonel Gaddafi's home town of Sirte by desperate regime loyalists, even as they try to negotiate its surrender.

The town is Gaddafi's biggest remaining Libya stronghold and rebel commanders know his forces are dug in for a bloody battle.

For now opposition forces have held their positions to the east and west as they wait for tribal elders to negotiate with Gaddafi fighters.

But Shamsiddin Ben-Ali, a spokesman in the rebel city of Benghazi, said 800 people had been killed in the past three days.

"Many of the people of Sirte are on our side now and want to be part of the revolution," he said. "The people with guns though are still resisting."

The death toll raises a bloody conundrum for the country's new leaders: rushing in could spell a military disaster but waiting is costing a very high price in civilian casualties.

Rebel leaders know that Sirte's long association with Gaddafi – he was born just outside and went to primary school in the Mediterranean town – make it difficult to win over.

Many government departments were moved to Sirte during his 42-year reign and money was showered on its roads and architecture.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/09/dtn-news-search-for-gaddafi-over-800.html

DTN News - WIKILEAKS NEWS: WikiLeaks Publishes All Its US Diplomatic Cables

DTN News - WIKILEAKS NEWS: WikiLeaks Publishes All Its US Diplomatic Cables

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 2, 2011: The anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks has released its full archive of more than 250,000 U.S. State Department cables — many of them uncensored.

The State Department says the release could jeopardize the lives of sensitive sources, including opposition figures.

WikiLeaks staff members could not be reached Friday for comment. But WikiLeaks said this week it decided to release the cables because a journalist for Britain's Guardian newspaper revealed the password to unlock the entire unredacted archive in a recent book.

A Guardian spokesman denied any wrongdoing by the paper.

In a statement published Friday on the Guardian's website, the British newspaper along with The New York Times, the Spanish daily El Pais and the German newspaper Der Spiegel deplored WikiLeaks' decision to publish the cables.

The newly-released documents included tens of thousands of cables from countries with which the United States has difficult relationships — including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and Venezuela. Until now, WikiLeaks had released censored versions of U.S. diplomatic cables, as well as confidential material on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In Washington, the State Department said WikiLeaks informed it of the impending release of the documents, but ignored appeals not to make them public.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/09/dtn-news-wikileaks-news-wikileaks.html

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated September 2, 2011

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated September 2, 2011

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - September 2, 2011: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued September 2, 2011 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

AIR FORCE

Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp., Atlanta, Ga., is being awarded a $49,853,499 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery requirements contract to identify emerging sensor capabilities, and assess new or innovative sensor concepts that could be utilized to satisfy emerging or existing requirements; utilize analyses, trade studies, and simulations to determine the best potential sensor solutions to satisfy particular operational requirements, and provide that information to acquisition decision makers; design, develop, and prototype new sensor concepts in order to evaluate their effectiveness and determine suitability for transition to fielded systems; provide technology assessments that quantify the readiness of particular sensor technologies for use by Army forces; perform testing and user evaluations in order to determine the performance of various sensor systems, often against vendor performance claims, and develop recommendations regarding initial or continued use; utilize subject matter expertise to provide technical guidance, assistance, and evaluations relative to specific sensor technology areas; disseminate information regarding sensor technology from other Department of Defense (DoD) and non-DoD sources, and conduct training for rapid equipping force and other government personnel regarding employment of those sensor technologies; and analyze existing and developing threat capabilities to determine future sensor requirements, and provide recommendations on how to address those threats. ESG/PKS, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity (HC1047-05-D-4000 0187).

NAVY

TCOM, L.P., Columbia, Md., is being awarded a $38,614,787 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of 15 TCOM 22M+ aerostats, tether-up spares, line replaceable units, component kits, and field service representative services in support of Persistent Ground Surveillance Systems being fielded by the Army. Work will be performed in Elizabeth City, N.C. (90 percent); Columbia, Md. (9 percent); and Afghanistan (1 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2014. Contract funds in the amount of $402,351 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-11-C-0220).

Raytheon, Integrated Defense Systems, Portsmouth, R.I., is being awarded an $8,796,601 modification under previously awarded contract (N00024-10-C-6307) to fabricate, assemble, test and deliver five Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS) low rate initial production systems. The AMNS will explosively neutralize bottom and moored mines using an expendable mine neutralize device. The system will be deployed from the MH-60 helicopter as part of the littoral combat ship mine countermeasures mission module. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, R.I., and is expected to be completed August 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington D.C., is the contracting activity.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/09/dtn-news-us-department-of-defense_02.html

DTN News - CHILE DEFENSE NEWS: Final Ex-Dutch F-16s Delivered To Chile

DTN News - CHILE DEFENSE NEWS: Final Ex-Dutch F-16s Delivered To Chile

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 2, 2011: The final batch of surplus refurbished F-16s left Volkel Air Base on Monday, 29 August 2011 heading to there new home in Chile. Thus ending a contract agreed between the governments of the Netherlands and Chile in early June 2009.

This batch of six aircraft from a total of 18 fighters marks the end of a long transfer process, as agreed between the governments of the Netherlands and Chile in early June 2009. On Monday, five aircraft took off from their former home base; one straggler, which could not leave on time, followed the next day.

The sale of Dutch surplus F-16 Mid-life Upgrade (MLU) fighters to Chile began on 1 June 2010 with the official hand-over of the first F-16s to the Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aérea de Chile, FACh). However, the aircraft were first refurbished in the Netherlands. The first batch of six aircraft left on 5 November 2010. A second batch, bound for Chile, took off from Volkel on 6 April 2011.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/09/dtn-news-chile-defense-news-final-ex.html

DTN News - IRAQ DEFENSE NEWS: U.S., Iraq Talking But No F-16 Deal Yet

DTN News - IRAQ DEFENSE NEWS: U.S., Iraq Talking But No F-16 Deal Yet

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 2, 2011: Washington and Baghdad have made significant progress on a deal for Iraq to buy Lockheed Martin F-16 warplanes but do not have a signed contract, a U.S. military official said on Wednesday.

The Iraqi government in February delayed its planned purchase of F-16s and diverted $900 million set aside for an initial payment on the aircraft into its national food ration programme to help ease shortages and cool nationwide protests.

But Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on July 30 that Iraq would buy 36 F-16s, double the number it had originally planned, to shore up its weak air defences.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/09/dtn-news-iraq-defense-news-us-iraq.html

DTN News - BOEING DEFENSE NEWS: Bell Boeing Receives Order For New And Upgraded CV-22 Training Devices

DTN News - BOEING DEFENSE NEWS: Bell Boeing Receives Order For New And Upgraded CV-22 Training Devices

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 2, 2011: The Bell Boeing V-22 Program, a strategic alliance between The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Bell Helicopter – Textron [NYSE: TXT], has received a $34 million order from the U.S. Air Force for three new CV-22 training devices and an upgrade to an existing device.

The new contract will upgrade a CV-22 Cabin Part Task Trainer (CPTT) and two fuselage aircrew/maintenance trainers at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., to create a full-fuselage Cabin Operational Flight Trainer (COFT), ensuring continued concurrency with the aircraft platform. The Bell Boeing V-22 Program also will deliver a new Wing Part Task Trainer to Kirtland.

Hurlburt Field, Fla., and Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., will receive two new COFTs. Initial training is expected to begin in mid-2014 at all three bases.

The CPTT currently is the only device that provides V-22 emergency egress training. Its additional training capabilities include cargo loading, cargo air delivery, virtual fast ropers, combined real and virtual hoist operations, medevac configuration, lighting, communications, night vision, emergency procedures, and refueling and defueling procedures. All of these capabilities will be included in the upgraded and new COFTs.

“The new COFTs will be made from the first CV-22 test flight vehicles,” said Mark McGraw, Boeing vice president for Training Systems & Services. “They and the upgraded CPTT include enhancements to provide high-fidelity training in nearly two dozen tasks.”

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/09/dtn-news-boeing-defense-news-bell.html

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated September 1, 2011

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated September 1, 2011

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - September 1, 2011: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued September 1, 2011 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

AIR FORCE

Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc. of El Segundo, Calif. is being awarded a $1,099,800,000 firm fixed price contract modification to allow production of Satellite Vehicle 7 as well as advance procurement for Satellite Vehicle 8 and option to produce, process, and launch and activate on-orbit Satellite Vehicles 9. The contracting activity is SMC/PKJW, El Segundo, Calif. (FA8808-10-C-0001/P00006).

Millennium Engineering and Integration Company, Satellite Beach, Fla., is being awarded $29,151,404 cost plus fixed fee, firm fixed priced, and cost reimbursable contract for operational field support and safety technical analysis services that covers launch operations on the Eastern Range. The contracting activity is 45 CONS/LGCZR, Patrick Air Force Base, Calif. (FA2521-11-C-0026).

NAVY

Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Conn., is being awarded a $23,068,954 cost-plus-fixed-fee order under previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00024-10-G-4304) to support submarine repair work at Norfolk Naval Shipyard during ongoing availabilities. This contract is for uniquely skilled tradesmen support to two chief of naval operations submarine maintenance availabilities scheduled. Ships scheduled to undergo repairs include USS Newport News (SSN 750) and USS West Virginia (SSBN 736). Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., and is scheduled to be completed by September 2012. Contract funds in the amount of $23,068,954 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Groton, Conn., is the contracting activity.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/09/dtn-news-us-department-of-defense.html

DTN News - CANADIAN DEFENSE NEWS: Force Protection Submits Bid For Canada's Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle Project

DTN News - CANADIAN DEFENSE NEWS: Force Protection Submits Bid For Canada's Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle Project

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 1, 2011: Force Protection Industries, Inc., a FORCE PROTECTION, INC. (NASDAQ:FRPT - News) group company, today announced the submission of a bid and test vehicle to the Canadian Forces for the Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) project.

Force Protection is offering the Canadian Forces a 6x6 variant of the battle proven Cougar wheeled combat vehicle developed by Force Protection to meet the TAPV requirements. Force Protection will be the design authority and have overall responsibility for the acquisition contract to supply the TAPV vehicles and maintain configuration control.

As Force Protection's main Canadian partner, CAE will have overall responsibility for the comprehensive in-service support (ISS) solution, including: vehicle operator and mission training systems; engineering information environment; fleet management services; systems engineering support; and, lifecycle and integrated logistics support services. CAE will also be responsible for assembling a pan-Canadian team of companies to develop and support any country-specific requirements for Canada's replacement fleet of tactical armored patrol vehicles.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/09/dtn-news-canadian-defense-news-force.html

DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN DEFENSE NEWS: Lightning Strikes Twice - Two F-35s Arrive at Eglin Air Force Base

DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN DEFENSE NEWS: Lightning Strikes Twice - Two F-35s Arrive at Eglin Air Force Base

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 1, 2011: Two Lockheed Martin F-35As, AF-10 and AF-11, along with two F-16 chase aircraft, are poised for takeoff to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Wednesday morning. They officially arrived at the base at 1:19 p.m. CDT today.

On Friday, the F-35 Joint Program Office authorized a return to flight operations for F-35 production aircraft. AF-10 and AF-11 completed the 90-minute flight marking the ninth and tenth F-35 contractual deliveries of 2011.

The pair of conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) jets will be used for training pilots and maintainers at the new F-35 Integrated Training Center there.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/09/dtn-news-lockheed-martin-defense-news.html

DTN News - THE END OF GADDAFI'S RULE IN LIBYA: Libyan Rebels Use UAV To Locate Gaddafi Forces

DTN News - THE END OF GADDAFI'S RULE IN LIBYA: Libyan Rebels Use UAV To Locate Gaddafi Forces

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 1, 2011: Rebel forces in Libya making the final push to end the regime of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi have been making use of modern UAV technology.

According to the US-based AUVSI, the rebels have been using Canadian technology to help them know where to shoot as they surrounded Gadaffi’s compound and hometown stronghold.

The Aeryon Scout Micro UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) – a 1.3kg backpack-sized drone - was chosen by the Transitional National Council to acquire intelligence on Gaddafi’s forces’ positions to help coordinate attacks. The TNC was working alongside Ottawa’s Zariba Security.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/09/dtn-news-end-of-gaddafis-rule-in-libya.html

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated August 31, 2011

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated August 31, 2011

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - August 31, 2011: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued August 31, 2011 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

AIR FORCE

Raytheon Co., Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $569,021,288 firm-fixed-price contract modification for 234 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-120D All-Up-Round (AUR) missiles; four AIM-120D air vehicles instrumented; eight integrated test vehicles; 101 AIM-120D Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); 203 AIM-120C7 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) AURs; warranty for 100 CATMs; warranty for 25 AIM-120C7 AURs (Bahrain); 103 non-developmental item-airborne instrumentation units; test equipment; Air Force AIM 120D guidance section; Personnel Reliability Program Phase IV; and FMS software and contractor logistics support. This contract supports foreign military sales (23 percent). AAC/EBAC, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8675-11-C-0030).

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/08/dtn-news-us-department-of-defense_31.html

DTN News - INDONESIA DEFENSE NEWS: South Korea Appears Closer To Indonesia Submarine Export Deal

DTN News - INDONESIA DEFENSE NEWS: South Korea Appears Closer To Indonesia Submarine Export Deal

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 31, 2011: South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin is to visit Indonesia early next month to seal a US$1 billion deal that would result in South Korea's first submarine exports. If the deal is secured, Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine, which is likely to be chosen as the preferred bidder by the Indonesian government, will sign a memorandum of understanding to sell three 1,400-ton submarines to the Southeast Asian country, ministry officials said.

Kim will accompany nine Korean defense contractors, including Daewoo, from Sept. 7 to Sept. 9 and hold talks with his Indonesian counterpart, Purnomo Yusgiantoro, on the country's modernization project for its naval fleet.

The US$1.08 billion submarine acquisition program, regarded as a goldmine for defense contractors, brought about a fierce bidding war in which Daewoo reportedly beat German and French firms.

“The Type 209 submarine, which the Indonesian government is willing to purchase, was first developed by the Germans in the early 1970s and Korea bought the technology license to produce it in the beginning stage. France is well-known for its welding techniques. The fact that Korea has beaten such strong rivals in the preferred bidder race is significant in that the country will join the ranks of submarine exporters. It also will brighten the prospect of selling more subs to other East Asian nations,” the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper quoted a defense industry official as saying.

The submarine deal would further boost the bilateral defense industry cooperation, following on from a contract to export South Korea's trainer jets to Indonesia.

Korea and Indonesia have expanded defense exchanges since President Lee Myung-bak and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono agreed last year to collaborate on development of defense technologies involving tanks, trainer jets and submarines.

On Aug. 1, South Korea and Indonesia began their joint technological research to develop new fighter jets in accordance with their agreement signed in April. The project is aimed at replacing aging fighter jets such as the F-4 and F-5 with high-tech combat aircraft. After the mass production of the fighter jets begins, Indonesia is to purchase some 50 units.

In May, the Korea Aerospace Industries agreed a deal to export South Korea's T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainer jets to the archipelagic country. In April, Indonesia selected South Korea as the preferred bidder for its jet trainer project and the two nations have been in negotiations on price and other considerations. A final deal will allow South Korea to export its T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic trainer jets for the first time.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/08/dtn-news-indonesia-defense-news-south.html

DTN News - AFGHAN WAR NEWS: Kyrgyzstan PM Says U.S. Air Base's Days Are Numbered

DTN News - AFGHAN WAR NEWS: Kyrgyzstan PM Says U.S. Air Base's Days Are Numbered

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 31, 2011: Kyrgyzstan's Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev has declared that the U.S. will have to leave its air base at Manas in 2014.

In some comments to Russian journalists, reported by 24.kg, he said the government will fulfill the current agreement it has with the U.S., but then no more:

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/08/dtn-news-afghan-war-news-kyrgyzstan-pm.html

DTN News - HUNGARY DEFENSE NEWS: Hungary Puts Russian-Made Fighter Jets Up For Sale

DTN News - HUNGARY DEFENSE NEWS: Hungary Puts Russian-Made Fighter Jets Up For Sale

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 31, 2011: Hungary’s government has decided that it would part with the 24 planes to raise cash after they were retired from active duty.

The deadline for bids for the first stage of the sales involving eight planes and 20 thrusters is Sept. 15. The jets will be sold off in a one-round public tender to be concluded in October.

The MIG jets were designed by Soviet Union-based airplane factory Mikoyan and entered service in 1983. They’re widely used short-range fighters, originally developed to counter advanced models in the U.S. Air Force, such as F-15 or F-16. Mikoyan has since been merged into JSC United Aircraft Corporation, publicly traded in Russia, with the government retaining a majority stake.

Hungary received 28 MIG-29s in 1993 as debt compensation from Russia. The planes soon became local pilots’ favorites due to excellent maneuverability, which allowed the likes of Peter Kovacs, Gyula Vari and Zoltan Szabo to win world championship titles for flying them.

However, there were also downsides. MIGs are well-known for their high maintenance costs and high fuel consumption. Some planes in the fleet actually had to be salvaged in order to get spare parts to repair the others.

Also, when Hungary became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO in 1999, it became apparent that there would be compatibility issues. Instead of trying to prolong the MIGs’ lifespan and upgrading their systems, the government decided to replace them with Gripens manufactured by Sweden’s Saab.

If you can fork out at least 3.46 billion forints ($18.3 million), the minimum amount the ministry would accept for the package, you’re good to try. The deals are subject to the manufacturer’s approval.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/08/dtn-news-hungary-defense-news-hungary.html

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated August 30, 2011

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated August 30, 2011

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - August 30, 2011: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued August 30, 2011 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is announcing the award of an Indefinite Delivery-Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to Teledyne Brown Engineering, Incorporated, Huntsville, Alabama under contract HQ0147-11-D-0015. The maximum ceiling value of this action is $595,000,000 in Research, Development, Test & Evaluation funds. This IDIQ contract allows the award of orders using Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee, Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee, Fixed-Price-Incentive-Firm Target and Firm-Fixed-Price Contract Line Items. Under this contract award, Teledyne Brown Engineering, Incorporated will develop a single objective simulation framework system with a modular, scalable, reconfigurable, and composable architecture to replace the existing digital simulation architecture and hardware-in-the-loop single stimulation framework systems. The work will be performed primarily in Huntsville, Ala. The performance period is from September 01, 2011 through September 01, 2016. FY2011 RDT&E funds to be obligated under two initial Task Orders will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The MDA in Huntsville, Ala. is the contracting activity.

ARMY

Lockheed Martin Corporation, Orlando, Fla., (W56HZV-11-D-0146); Action Target Inc., Provo, Utah, (W56HZV-11-D-0147); Meggitt Training Systems, Suwanee, Ga., (W56HZV-11-D-0148); Strategic Systems Inc., Decatur, Ala., (W56HZV-11-D-0149); and Saab Training USA LLC, Orlando, Fla., (W56HZV-11-D-0150); were awarded a $475,000,000 firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery / indefinite-quantity multiple-award-task-order contract. The award will provide for the procurement of the Army Targetry Systems program. Work location will be determined with each task order, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2016. The bid was solicited through the Internet, with five bids received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity.

The Boeing Company, Mesa, Ariz., was awarded a $16,017,000 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to provide for the procurement of AH-64D Apache Block III Low Rate Initial Production for Lot 1A and 1B support. Work will be performed in Mesa, Ariz., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2014. One bid was solicited, with one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-09-C-0161).

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/08/dtn-news-us-department-of-defense_30.html

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: The Revolution In Unmanned Aircraft Is Overrated

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: The Revolution In Unmanned Aircraft Is Overrated

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 30, 2011: In the ten years since the 9-11 attacks, remotely-piloted aircraft have become the signature weapons of America’s global war on terrorists. As Richard Aboulafia of the Teal Group aerospace consultancy observes in his August newsletter, the only stories concerning military aircraft that seem to make it into the news columns of most newspapers these days are reports about unmanned aircraft.

It isn’t hard to see why. From Boeing’s 40-pound Scan Eagle to Northrop Grumman’s ten-ton Global Hawk, unmanned aircraft have become ubiquitous on the modern battlefield. The military has bought literally thousands of them. They collect vital intelligence for warfighters at every level in the chain of command, sometimes loitering silently above enemy formations far longer than any manned aircraft could. They have killed hundreds (maybe thousands) of unsuspecting terrorists and insurgents with Hellfire missiles, often in places where other U.S. forces could not operate such as Pakistan and Yemen. Just last week, a CIA drone strike in Pakistan took out al Qaeda’s number-two leader.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/08/dtn-news-defense-news-revolution-in.html

DTN News - CANADIAN DEFENSE NEWS: General Dynamics Proposes PIRANHA 5 For The Close Combat Vehicle Program

DTN News - CANADIAN DEFENSE NEWS: General Dynamics Proposes PIRANHA 5 For The Close Combat Vehicle Program

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 30, 2011: General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada announced yesterday (Aug. 29) that it will offer the PIRANHA 5 vehicle fitted with Rheinmetall's LANCE 30mm Modular Turret System for the Government of Canada's Close Combat Vehicle (CCV) Program. The goal of the CCV program is to deliver a well-protected armoured vehicle with very high tactical mobility, able to deliver an infantry section in close combat, while operating in intimate support of main battle tanks. In response, General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada is leading an all-Canadian team that leverages the best of the Canadian

defence industry to deliver and support a vehicle that will meet those stringent requirements.

The PIRANHA 5 CCV is the latest evolution of the proven PIRANHA family of wheeled combat vehicles, incorporating the newest lethality, mobility, protection and communications technologies. It provides the best of both worlds, combining track-like performance with the strategic mobility of a wheeled platform. Advanced suspension technology allows the PIRANHA 5 CCV to go anywhere a medium-weight tracked vehicle can go with significantly lower fuel, maintenance and lifecycle costs.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/08/dtn-news-canadian-defense-news-general.html

DTN News - THE END OF GADDAFI'S RULE IN LIBYA: Gaddafi Family Members Flee To Algeria Without Him

DTN News - THE END OF GADDAFI'S RULE IN LIBYA: Gaddafi Family Members Flee To Algeria Without Him

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 30, 2011: The wife of Muammar Gaddafi and three of his children took refuge in Algeria on Monday but the whereabouts of the former strongman himself remained a mystery a week after rebels drove him from power.

Algeria's Foreign Ministry said Gaddafi's wife Safia, his daughter Aisha and his sons Hannibal and Mohammed had entered Algeria on Monday morning.

The development threatened to create a diplomatic rift just as the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) worked to consolidate its position as Libya's new government.

An NTC spokesman accused Algeria, Libya's western neighbor, of an act of aggression and said the council would seek to extradite the Gaddafis.

A senior rebel officer also said Gaddafi's son Khamis, a feared military commander, had been killed in a clash outside of Tripoli. The report could not be independently confirmed.

Meanwhile rebel forces converged on Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte from east and west, intent on seizing one of his last bastions of support either by force or by negotiation.

Muammar Gaddafi's whereabouts have not been known since Tripoli fell to his foes and his 42-year-old rule collapsed a week ago after a six-month uprising backed by the West and several Arab nations.

Algeria's acceptance of Gaddafi's wife and offspring angered the rebel leadership, who want him and his entourage to face justice for years of repressive rule and who fear that he could orchestrate a new insurgency unless he is captured.

"We have promised to provide a just trial to all those criminals and therefore we consider this an act of aggression," spokesman Mahmoud Shamman told Reuters. "We are warning anybody not to shelter Gaddafi and his sons. We are going after them...to find them and arrest them."

NTC chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil called on the Algerian government -- which has not recognized the council as Libya's legitimate authority -- to cooperate with it and hand over any of Gaddafi's sons who is on its wanted list.

http://defensewarnewsupdatesreviewsimages.blogspot.com/2011/08/dtn-news-end-of-gaddafis-rule-in-libya.html

DTN News - THE END OF GADDAFI'S RULE IN LIBYA: Gaddafi Family Members Flee To Algeria Without Him

DTN News - THE END OF GADDAFI'S RULE IN LIBYA: Gaddafi Family Members Flee To Algeria Without Him

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 30, 2011: The wife of Muammar Gaddafi and three of his children took refuge in Algeria on Monday but the whereabouts of the former strongman himself remained a mystery a week after rebels drove him from power.

Algeria's Foreign Ministry said Gaddafi's wife Safia, his daughter Aisha and his sons Hannibal and Mohammed had entered Algeria on Monday morning.

The development threatened to create a diplomatic rift just as the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) worked to consolidate its position as Libya's new government.

An NTC spokesman accused Algeria, Libya's western neighbor, of an act of aggression and said the council would seek to extradite the Gaddafis.

A senior rebel officer also said Gaddafi's son Khamis, a feared military commander, had been killed in a clash outside of Tripoli. The report could not be independently confirmed.

Meanwhile rebel forces converged on Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte from east and west, intent on seizing one of his last bastions of support either by force or by negotiation.

Muammar Gaddafi's whereabouts have not been known since Tripoli fell to his foes and his 42-year-old rule collapsed a week ago after a six-month uprising backed by the West and several Arab nations.

Algeria's acceptance of Gaddafi's wife and offspring angered the rebel leadership, who want him and his entourage to face justice for years of repressive rule and who fear that he could orchestrate a new insurgency unless he is captured.

"We have promised to provide a just trial to all those criminals and therefore we consider this an act of aggression," spokesman Mahmoud Shamman told Reuters. "We are warning anybody not to shelter Gaddafi and his sons. We are going after them...to find them and arrest them."

NTC chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil called on the Algerian government -- which has not recognized the council as Libya's legitimate authority -- to cooperate with it and hand over any of Gaddafi's sons who is on its wanted list.

http://defensewarnewsupdatesreviewsimages.blogspot.com/2011/08/dtn-news-end-of-gaddafis-rule-in-libya.html

DTN News - THE END OF GADDAFI'S RULE IN LIBYA: Gaddafi Family Members Flee To Algeria Without Him

DTN News - THE END OF GADDAFI'S RULE IN LIBYA: Gaddafi Family Members Flee To Algeria Without Him

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 30, 2011: The wife of Muammar Gaddafi and three of his children took refuge in Algeria on Monday but the whereabouts of the former strongman himself remained a mystery a week after rebels drove him from power.

Algeria's Foreign Ministry said Gaddafi's wife Safia, his daughter Aisha and his sons Hannibal and Mohammed had entered Algeria on Monday morning.

The development threatened to create a diplomatic rift just as the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) worked to consolidate its position as Libya's new government.

An NTC spokesman accused Algeria, Libya's western neighbor, of an act of aggression and said the council would seek to extradite the Gaddafis.

A senior rebel officer also said Gaddafi's son Khamis, a feared military commander, had been killed in a clash outside of Tripoli. The report could not be independently confirmed.

Meanwhile rebel forces converged on Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte from east and west, intent on seizing one of his last bastions of support either by force or by negotiation.

Muammar Gaddafi's whereabouts have not been known since Tripoli fell to his foes and his 42-year-old rule collapsed a week ago after a six-month uprising backed by the West and several Arab nations.

Algeria's acceptance of Gaddafi's wife and offspring angered the rebel leadership, who want him and his entourage to face justice for years of repressive rule and who fear that he could orchestrate a new insurgency unless he is captured.

"We have promised to provide a just trial to all those criminals and therefore we consider this an act of aggression," spokesman Mahmoud Shamman told Reuters. "We are warning anybody not to shelter Gaddafi and his sons. We are going after them...to find them and arrest them."

NTC chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil called on the Algerian government -- which has not recognized the council as Libya's legitimate authority -- to cooperate with it and hand over any of Gaddafi's sons who is on its wanted list.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/08/dtn-news-end-of-gaddafis-rule-in-libya.html

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated August 29, 2011

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated August 29, 2011

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

CONTRACTS

ARMY

General Dynamics C4 Systems Inc., was awarded a $3,700,000,000 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, level-of-effort, indefinite-delivery / indefinite-quantity contract. The award will provide for the procurement of the Command Hardware Systems-4. Work will be performed in Taunton, Mass., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 26, 2016. The bid was solicited through the Internet, with one bid received. The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command, Contracting Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-11-D-G402).

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Stratford, Conn., was awarded a $265,646,071 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the procurement of 22 UH-60M aircraft and 1 HH-60M aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford, Conn., with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2013. One bid was solicited, with one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/08/dtn-news-us-department-of-defense_8020.html

DTN News - CANADIAN DEFENSE NEWS: Oshkosh Defense Delivers Canadian TAPV For Government Testing

DTN News - CANADIAN DEFENSE NEWS: Oshkosh Defense Delivers Canadian TAPV For Government Testing

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / OSHKOSH, Wis. & OTTAWA, Ontario - August 29, 2011: Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), today delivered the Oshkosh Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) to Aberdeen Test Center in Maryland where the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) will conduct mobility, survivability and weapons testing. Oshkosh Defense’s response to the TAPV solicitation was submitted to the Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) last week.

“Today, Oshkosh has delivered the best solution for the TAPV program including the most advanced military vehicle technologies and the finest Canadian-based sustainment services for the DND,” said Serge Buchakjian, senior vice president and general manager of International Programs for Oshkosh Defense. “Our TAPV is a fully integrated vehicle that is customized to the Canadian Force’s specific requirements, offering them the best-value solution. With our partners at General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada and Oshkosh Corporation's London Machinery, Inc., we can produce the vehicle in a way that creates considerable benefits for the Canadian economy for the next 25 years.”

The TAPV is intended to replace the Armoured Patrol Vehicle (APV) and the Coyote reconnaissance vehicle, to help ensure the Canadian Army remains capable of effective training, supporting domestic operations and sustaining deployed forces as part of the Canada First Defence Strategy. The Oshkosh TAPV, which is based on the company’s proven Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) platform, leverages a mission-proven chassis and the patented TAK-4® independent suspension system used on more than 20,000 military-class vehicles, which have proven highly-effective in some of the most extreme operating environments, including Afghanistan.

In independent testing conducted to date, the Oshkosh TAPV has undergone on- and off-road durability validation, successfully met ballistic and other survivability threat requirements (including the use of steel-pot method for NATO STANAG blast tests), and completed extensive live-fire demonstrations of the fully integrated dual Remote Weapon Station (RWS). The combination of these activities demonstrates the effectiveness, maturity and reliability of the Oshkosh TAPV.

Oshkosh Defense is teamed with General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada and Oshkosh Corporation subsidiary London Machinery, Inc. (LMI) in its bid for the TAPV program. General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada will provide in-country support and system integration. LMI will contribute local advanced manufacturing capabilities to assemble the vehicle, conduct subsystem integration and final acceptance testing, which will be performed by its highly skilled workforce.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/08/dtn-news-canadian-defense-news-oshkosh.html

DTN News - CHINA DEFENSE NEWS: China Military Has Taiwan In Its Sights

DTN News - CHINA DEFENSE NEWS: China Military Has Taiwan In Its Sights

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 29, 2011: A major new Pentagon report on the Chinese military says China is on track to build a modern military by 2020 and that despite improvements in relations across the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan remains the principal focus of the Chinese military.

Fueled by its booming economy, China’s military growth in the past decade has exceeded most US forecasts.

Its aircraft carrier program, cyber warfare capabilities and anti-satellite missiles have alarmed neighbors and Washington, the long-delayed comprehensive 84-page report says.

While the report contains nothing that is startlingly new, it is dominated by references to Taiwan. And it comes just weeks before the administration of US President Barack Obama has promised to provide an answer to Taipei’s request to buy 66 advanced F-16C/D aircraft.

This potential arms sale is not mentioned, but without actually spelling it out the study makes it abundantly clear that Taiwan is in desperate need of new weapons.

Titled Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China 2011, the annual report to Congress from the US Department of Defense makes chilling reading.

The Obama administration continues to deny that a decision has yet been made on whether or not to sell the F-16s, but unofficial sources in both Taipei and Washington are signaling that Obama will bow to Chinese pressure and not allow the sale. Instead, he seems likely to offer to modernize Taiwan’s dated F-16A/B aircraft — a move that is less objectionable to Beijing.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/08/dtn-news-china-defense-news-china_29.html

DTN News - JAPAN NEWS: Yoshihiko Noda Wins Japan Leadership Race

DTN News - JAPAN NEWS: Yoshihiko Noda Wins Japan Leadership Race

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 29, 2011: Japan's governing Democratic Party (DPJ) has chosen Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda as its leader, lining him up to become the country's sixth prime minister in five years.

Mr Noda secured victory in a run-off against Trade Minister Banri Kaieda, after a first-round vote in which no candidate secured a clear majority.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced his resignation on Friday.

He has been criticised for his handling of the quake aftermath.

Mr Noda is expected to be confirmed by parliament as prime minister on Tuesday.

The 54-year-old secured 215 votes in the ballot against Mr Kaieda's 177 votes.

Supporters of public favourite Seiji Maehara, the former foreign minister who was eliminated in first-round voting, threw their support behind Mr Noda in the second ballot.

Mr Kaieda was backed by scandal-hit party heavyweight Ichiro Ozawa, who controls the DPJ's biggest faction.

Correspondents say the new prime minister will face a daunting agenda.

Large parts of Japan need to be rebuilt after March's earthquake and tsunami, and the crisis at the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant still needs to be resolved.

Added to that, Mr Noda will need to address Japan's stagnant economy.

He has said in the past that he favours raising funds through increased taxation - including a doubling of Japan's sales tax, which currently stands at 5% - to cut debt and meet social security commitments.

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.com/2011/08/dtn-news-japan-news-yoshihiko-noda-wins.html

DTN News - BATTLE FOR TRIPOLI: Rebels Control Oil Refinery In Brega

DTN News - BATTLE FOR TRIPOLI: Rebels Control Oil Refinery In Brega

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 29, 2011: Rebels talk among themselves at the control station of an oil refinery as a liquefied petroleum gas tank burns behind them outside the town of Brega, 240km (149 miles) southwest of the eastern city of Benghazi, August 28, 2011.

Libya's battered oil towns are struggling to get back to work after months of back-and-forth clashes between rebels and forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi along the Mediterranean coast.

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

DTN News - BATTLE FOR TRIPOLI: Rebels Captured Tanks In Warehouse Of Pro-Gadhafi Forces Near Tripoli

DTN News - BATTLE FOR TRIPOLI: Rebels Captured Tanks In Warehouse Of Pro-Gadhafi Forces Near Tripoli

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 29, 2011: Tanks that are said to have been captured in a warehouse belonging to troops loyal to Moammar Gadhafi are seen in the rebel-held town of Tarhuna, southeast of Tripoli, Libya, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2011.

Mohammed al-Rajali, a spokesman, said rebel forces captured Bin Jawwad, about 350 miles (560 kilometers) east of Tripoli, late Saturday and deployed forces in the city after days of fighting.

He said Gadhafi's forces fled westward, and are likely to join regime forces in Sirte, the headquarters of Gadhafi's tribe and his last major bastion of support. Sirte has been heavily targeted by NATO airsrikes.

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