Friday, December 2, 2011

DTN News - AFGANISTAN TODAY: Afghan Police Officer Demonstrating His Skill During Graduation Ceremony In Adreskan, Herat Province

DTN News - AFGANISTAN TODAY: Afghan Police Officer Demonstrating His Skill During Graduation Ceremony In Adreskan, Herat Province

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 2, 2011: An Afghan police officer demonstrates his skills during a graduation ceremony in Adreskan, Herat province west of Kabul, Afghanistan on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011. Around 500 policemen and officers graduated after four months of training.

The process of taking over security from over 130,000-strong NATO-led ISAF forces by Afghan troops will be completed by the end of 2014 when Afghanistan will take over the full leadership of its own security duties from U.S. and NATO forces. (Photo - AP)

DTN News - AFGANISTAN TODAY: Afghan Authorities Taking Over Security Control From NATO Forces In City Of Charikar In Parwan Province

DTN News - AFGANISTAN TODAY: Afghan Authorities Taking Over Security Control From NATO Forces In City Of Charikar In Parwan Province

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 2, 2011: Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai (R), head of the Transition Commission, gives the national flag of Afghanistan to Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers during a ceremony to hand over security control in the city of Charikar in Parwan province on December 1, 2011.

The second wave of Afghanistan's transition from foreign to local control officially started on December 1 as NATO forces handed over most of a peaceful province to Afghan authorities. All bar two districts of Parwan province, north of the capital Kabul, are being handed to Afghan control. (Photo - Getty)

DTN News - AFGANISTAN TODAY: US Soldiers Wrap Their Flag During Handing Over Security Control To Afghan Authorities At Charikar In Parwan Province

DTN News - AFGANISTAN TODAY: US Soldiers Wrap Their Flag During Handing Over Security Control To Afghan Authorities At Charikar In Parwan Province

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 2, 2011: US soldiers wrap their flag during a ceremony to hand over security control in the city of Charikar in Parwan province on December 1, 2011.

The second wave of Afghanistan's transition from foreign to local control officially started on December 1 as NATO forces handed over most of a peaceful province to Afghan authorities. All bar two districts of Parwan province, north of the capital Kabul, are being handed to Afghan control. (Photo - Getty)

Thursday, December 1, 2011

DTN News - AFGANISTAN TODAY: NATO Forces Handed Over Security Control To Afghan Authorities In City Of Charikar In Parwan Province

DTN News - AFGANISTAN TODAY: NATO Forces Handed Over Security Control To Afghan Authorities In City Of Charikar In Parwan Province

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 1, 2011: Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai (2L), head of the Transition Commission, and Afghan Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak (L) inspect the guard on honour during a ceremony to hand over security control in the city of Charikar in Parwan province on December 1, 2011.

The second wave of Afghanistan's transition from foreign to local control officially started on December 1 as NATO forces handed over most of a peaceful province to Afghan authorities. All bar two districts of Parwan province, north of the capital Kabul, are being handed to Afghan control. (Photo - Getty)

DTN News - UAVs ~ NEXT GENERATION WARFARE TECHNOLOGY: Korea Develops Unmanned Tiltrotor Aircraft

DTN News - UAVs ~ NEXT GENERATION WARFARE TECHNOLOGY: Korea Develops Unmanned Tiltrotor Aircraft

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 1, 2011: Last August, Sikorsky revealed the company’s new strategic move by joining in partnered with Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), which has been developing the Smart unmanned air vehicle (UAV) tiltrotor for about nine years.

KARI had originally partnered with Bell several years ago to develop a more capable version of the latter’s HV911 Eagle Eye. Bell dropped out of the partnership in 2005, then canceled the Eagle Eye following several mishaps in flight testing.

KARI, however, continued developing the Smart UAV and achieved first flight in 2008.

Sikorsky has experimented with various rotory-wing configurations over its history, including most notably the coaxial rotor of the X2 high-speed helicopter.

Korea on Wednesday unveiled its first unmanned tiltrotor aircraft, capable of vertical takeoff and landing as well as high-speed navigation.

The Ministry of Knowledge Economy and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute disclosed the new “smart” aircraft at the aerospace center in Goheung, South Jeolla Province.

The state-funded aerospace think tank is negotiating with government agencies for commercial use of the vehicle.

“We have just completed the research and development program, and are in talks with the ministries of defense, land and knowledge economy about the next step,” said Park Kyun-je, chief of KARI’s smart aerial vehicle development center.

“Our UAV can now fly at about a speed of 400 kph, and our aim is to raise it to 500.”

Most helicopters’ maximum speed is between 200 and 300 kph.

In addition to military use by the Navy and the Marines, KARI expects the aircraft to be useful for reconnaissance of coasts and islands, prevention and control of forest fires, transportation monitoring and atmospheric and environmental observation.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

DTN News - NATO ATTACK ON PAKISTAN: Pakistan Boycotts Key Afghan Summit Over NATO Attack

DTN News - NATO ATTACK ON PAKISTAN: Pakistan Boycotts Key Afghan Summit Over NATO Attack

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - November 29, 2011: Pakistan decided Tuesday to boycott a key international conference on Afghanistan next month, ramping up its protest over lethal cross-border NATO air strikes that have plunged US ties into deep crisis.

The decision was taken at a Pakistani cabinet meeting in the eastern city of Lahore, just days after Islamabad confirmed it was mulling its attendance in the German city of Bonn, where Pakistan's participation was considered vital.

"The cabinet has decided not to attend the Bonn meeting," a government official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The prime minister's office said the cabinet agreed that "unilateral action" such as Saturday's strike in the tribal district of Mohmand and the May 2 US killing of Osama bin Laden near the capital was "unacceptable".

US-led investigators have been given until December 23 to probe the attacks, threatening to prolong significantly Pakistan's blockade on NATO supplies into Afghanistan implemented in retaliation for the killings.

The US military appointed Brigadier General Stephen Clark, a one-star air force general based in Florida, to lead the investigation into the attack.

The team, set to include a NATO representative, is yet to arrive in Afghanistan but an initial military assessment team went to the border at the weekend after Saturday's catastrophic strike killing 24 Pakistani troops.

The Afghan and Pakistani governments are also being invited to take part. There was no immediate reaction from Islamabad or Kabul, although some analysts voiced surprise that it will take as long as nearly four weeks.

A Western military official in Kabul said the schedule for the findings being delivered was "way quicker" than initially expected.

US-Pakistani ties have been in free fall since a CIA contractor killed two Pakistanis in January and Saturday's attack raises disturbing questions about the extent to which the two allies cooperate with each other.

Islamabad insists that the air strikes were unprovoked, but Afghan and Western officials have reportedly accused Pakistani forces of firing first.

"With the kind of technology available to the US and NATO, it was expected they would be able to do it (the investigation) much earlier, not more than two weeks," Pakistani defence analyst Talat Masood told AFP.

Monday, November 28, 2011

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated November 28, 2011

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated November 28, 2011
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - November 28, 2011: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued November 28,2011 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

NAVY

AAI, Corp., Goose Creek, S.C. (N61340-12-D-5101); Aero Simulation, Inc.*, Tampa, Fla. (N61340-12-D-5102); The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo. (N61340-12-D-5103); CAE USA, Inc., Tampa, Fla. (N61340-12-D-5104); Computer Science Corp., Falls Church, Va. (N61340-12-D-5105); Cubic Simulation Systems, Inc., Orlando, Fla. (N61340-12-D-5106); Indra Systems, Inc., Winter Park, Fla. (N61340-12-D-5107); FlightSafety International, Inc., Broken Arrow, Okla. (N61340-12-D-5108); J.F. Taylor, Inc.*, Lexington Park, Md. (N61340-12-D-5109); L-3 Communications Corp., Arlington, Texas (N61340-12-D-5110); Lockheed Martin Global Training and Logistics, Orlando, Fla. (N61340-12-D-5111); QinetiQ North America, Inc., Huntsville, Ala. (N61340-12-D-5112); Rockwell Collins Simulation & Training Solutions, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (N61340-12-D-5113); Science Applications International Corp., McLean, Va. (N61340-12-D-5114); Symvionics, Inc.*, Arcadia, Calif. (N61340-12-D-5115); Kratos Technology & Training Solutions, Inc., San Diego, Calif. (N61340-12-D-5116); Thales USA Defense & Security, Inc., Arlington, Va. (N61340-12-D-5117); and Veraxx Engineering*, Chantilly, Va. (N61340-12-D-5118), are each being awarded a contract under the Training Systems Contract (TSC) III LOT I multiple award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Aero Simulation, Inc.*, Tampa, Fla. (N61340-12-D-5201); CymSTAR, L.L.C.*, Broken Arrow, Okla. (N61340-12-D-5202); Environmental Tectonics Corp.*, Southampton, Pa. (N61340-12-D-5203); J.F. Taylor, Inc.*, Lexington Park, Md. (N61340-12-D-5204); Logistics Services International, Inc.*, Jacksonville, Fla. (N61340-12-D-5205): Opinicus Corp.*, Lutz, Fla. (N61340-12-D-5206); Symvionics, Inc.*, Arcadia, Calif. (N61340-12-D-5207); TJ Drafting & Design, Inc.*, Christmas, Fla. (N61340-12-D-5208); Triton Joint Venture, L.L.C.*, Orlando, Fla. (N61340-12-D-5209); and Veraxx Engineering*, Chantilly, Va. (N61340-12-D-5210) are each being awarded a contract under the TSC III LOT II multiple award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. These multiple award contracts provide for training systems design, development, production, test and evaluation, delivery, modification, and support. Included within this contract is associated instructional systems development products and training systems support, which includes interim contractor support or contractor engineering and technical services and provisioning for the initial support period. The scope of the TSC III multiple award contract is intended to encompass the training systems requirements of Naval Air Systems Commands Aviation Training Systems Program Office, as well as the Program Directorates for Aviation; Surface; Undersea; and Cross-Warfare/International at the Naval Air Warfare Center Training System Division. The aggregate not-to-exceed amount for these multiple award contracts, inclusive of options, is $2,000,000,000, and the companies will have the opportunity to complete for delivery orders under their respective LOTs. Work will be performed at each awardee’s facility site, or at existing or future training sites. All orders are expected to be placed by November 2016, and all performance must be complete by November 2022. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. These contracts were competitively procured via a multiple award electronic request for proposals, and 35 offers were received for LOT I. LOT II was procured as a 100 percent small business set-aside, and 27 offers were received. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training System Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity.

BREMCOR, Arlington, Va., is being awarded a $21,028,650 modification under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N62470-06-D-4611) to exercise option five for base operation support services at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The work to be performed includes, but not limited to, the following functions: port operations, base support vehicles and equipment, elevator maintenance, equipment maintenance, utilities, environmental, transportation, bachelor housing, fire alarms, wastewater, steam, and facility management. Work also provides service calls consisting of repairs of base facilities, utilities, transportation, and fire alarm systems. The total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $115,046,778. Work will be performed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and is expected to be completed November 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity.

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $17,262,617 firm-fixed-price order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-11-G-0001) for the design, development, and installation of engineering change proposal (ECP) 618 retrofit kits for eight Royal Malaysian Air Force F/A-18 aircraft under the Foreign Military Sales Program. This contract action also includes training for ECP 618 and ECP 624, and the installation of other systems that are part of the Malaysian upgrade. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo. (70 percent), and Butterworth, Malaysia (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in April 2015. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

DTN News - OSHKOSH DEFENSE NEWS: New Oshkosh Defense Virtual Trainer Improves Safety, Reduces Military Vehicle Training Costs

DTN News - OSHKOSH DEFENSE NEWS: New Oshkosh Defense Virtual Trainer Improves Safety, Reduces Military Vehicle Training Costs

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / OSHKOSH, Wis - November 28, 2011: Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), has expanded its military training capabilities with the new Oshkosh Virtual Trainer. This virtual training element makes the overall vehicle training program safer and more cost-effective. Oshkosh will unveil its first virtual training module for the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) M978 Tanker at the annual Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) Nov. 28–Dec. 1 in Orlando, Fla.

“In today’s traditional HEMTT Tanker training curriculum, soldiers receive a limited amount of hands-on experience for critical procedures such as fueling and refueling,” said Dan Albrecht, senior training manager for Oshkosh Defense. “The Oshkosh Virtual Trainer provides life-like training in a safe, virtual environment, which provides soldiers with the skills they need to perform the actual tasks. In addition to enhancing soldiers’ training experience, we estimate that adding a virtual element to our comprehensive program will reduce training costs by 20 percent or more per participant.”

In a recent pilot of the inaugural Oshkosh Virtual Trainer, the HEMTT Tanker module was shown to reduce training time by two days compared to the traditional classroom approach – an efficiency that equates to a 20 percent or more cost savings per participant. During the training, 12 students were able to train simultaneously and demonstrate skill proficiency in the virtual environment before performing tasks on the actual vehicle. For example, students are able to practice fueling and refueling procedures, and recovering from a fuel spill in the virtual world, without being exposed to the real-life hazards. The interactive skill-building using virtual training is not achieved in the traditional training courses where students learn primarily from static course materials and instructor demonstrations.

DTN News - IRAN NEWS: Enemy Of Iranian State / Iran Threatens To Bomb Turkey If U.S. Or Israel Attacks Its Nuclear Installations









DTN News - IRAN NEWS: Enemy Of Iranian State / Iran Threatens To Bomb Turkey If U.S. Or Israel Attacks Its Nuclear Installations

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - November 28, 2011: By urging the expulsion of Britain’s ambassador, Iran’s parliament has provided a vivid insight into the mindset of the Islamic Republic’s leadership. Their first thought as they retreat further into isolation and economic malaise is to credit Britain with prime responsibility for all their problems.

For over a century, British statecraft was indeed the dominant factor in Iranian politics, causing the downfall of leaders who were thought to threaten London’s interests. But the era when a string of Royal Navy bases guaranteed that the Gulf was a British lake ended several generations ago. However, the old men who misrule Iran still claim to detect a British hand behind every significant event.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

DTN News - SYRIA UNREST: Arab League Punishes Syria Over Violent Crackdown


DTN News - SYRIA UNREST: Arab League Punishes Syria Over Violent Crackdown

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / CAIRO, Egypt - November 27, 2011: The Arab League approved tough economic sanctions against Syria on Sunday to press it to end its violent crackdown against antigovernment protesters, an unprecedented step against an Arab country.

The sanctions — including a travel ban against Syrian officials and politicians, a halt to dealings with the Syrian Central Bank and the end of Arab-financed projects in the country — will be another blow to the Syrian economy, which is suffering from sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United States.

The Arab League, meeting outside Cairo, approved the measures after Syria said it would not admit Arab civilian and military observers to oversee a peace agreement intended to end the bloodshed.

“The position of the people, and the Arab position, is that we must end this situation urgently,” the Qatari foreign minister, Hamad bin Jassem, said after announcing the sanctions, which were supported by 19 of the league’s 22 countries. “It has been almost a year that the Syrian people have been killed.”

Syria had accepted the peace agreement on Nov. 2, promising to end a military crackdown that, according to the United Nations, has killed more than 3,500 people since March. But the violence has continued unabated, and the monitors were proposed as a last-ditch effort to save the plan and give Syria another opportunity to comply.

Mr. Jassem said that the sanctions would take effect immediately and that the resolution called for the United Nations Security Council to adopt similar measures.

The Syrian government and its supporters denounced the sanctions as an attempt by outsiders to break up the country.

“In the war against Syria, the economic will take the place of the limited possibility of military intervention,” said a Lebanese analyst who is close to Syria, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The sanctions, he said, aim “to deconstruct Syria, not to reform Syria.”

In a letter to the league on Saturday, Syria’s foreign minister, Walid al-Moallem, accused the organization of seeking to turn the Syrian crisis into an international one and “to interfere in Syria’s internal affairs.”

Analysts said they expected the impact of the sanctions to be limited, in large part because Syria’s largest trading partners will not participate.

Economists estimate that about 50 percent of Syrian trade is with the Arab world, but the largest chunk of that is with its immediate neighbors, including Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan.

DTN News - SYRIA UNREST: Arab League To Vote Sunday On Sanctions Against Syria





DTN News - SYRIA UNREST: Arab League To Vote Sunday On Sanctions Against Syria
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / CAIRO, Egypt - November 27, 2011: Syria buried 22 members of the armed forces Saturday, including six elite pilots, as the government reinforced its message that the 8-month-old revolt against President Bashar Assad is the work of terrorists and foreign agents, not patriotic Syrians seeking reform.

But with no sign of violence abating, an Arab League committee agreed Saturday on a draft of recommended sanctions against Syria, including halting co-operation with the nation's central bank and stopping flights to the country. The 22-nation body will vote on the recommendations Sunday in Cairo.

If the Arab League were to go ahead with the move, it would be a huge blow for a regime that considers itself a powerhouse of Arab nationalism.

Syria is facing mounting international pressure to end the bloody crackdown on the uprising against Assad's rule that the U.N. says has killed more than 3,500 people. The European Union and the United States have imposed several rounds of sanctions against Assad and his regime, including a ban on the import of Syrian oil.