tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26732417305154505942024-03-21T05:24:40.175+03:00World Defense ReviewAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.comBlogger2678125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-76080996382566539132013-03-11T18:08:00.001+02:002013-03-11T18:08:21.991+02:00Taiwan receives upgraded E-2K early warning aircraft<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUwb2lKsmB1BgfBDxswz0SF0BaHjwND_tWseYcxn9sUvYqZmUIG49RcYT6u_Gww92chxBbM8a8PPXv7TJdc8lt-s1JO3g-YZ0Q0jqanzlQPcCp3ci4f83NJAcjn2a7NEV5Zzsr3VSaA/s1600/e-2k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUwb2lKsmB1BgfBDxswz0SF0BaHjwND_tWseYcxn9sUvYqZmUIG49RcYT6u_Gww92chxBbM8a8PPXv7TJdc8lt-s1JO3g-YZ0Q0jqanzlQPcCp3ci4f83NJAcjn2a7NEV5Zzsr3VSaA/s320/e-2k.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="p_gray_15p_page_article">Two upgraded E-2K airborne early
warning aircraft which were sent to United States for upgrading were
transported to Kaohsiung International Airport Station in southern
Taiwan Saturday for follow-up tests and inspections.<br /><br />In October
2008, the U.S. agreed to the first arms sales deal to Taiwan since
President Ma Ying-jeou took office, which included the US$250 million
upgrade of four E-2T aircraft to the Hawkeye 2000 standard.<br /><br />To
avoid its combat power being affected by the upgrade process, the
Republic of China's military sent the four E-2T aircraft in two batches
to the U.S. to be upgraded. The first batch of two E-2T sent in June
2010 returned to serve in Taiwan at the end of 2011, while the other two
E-2T were sent to the U.S. in 2011. The upgrade of the four E-2T has
all been completed.<br /><br />In June 2010, two E-2Ts were sent to the US to undergo upgrades and were eventually redesigned as E-2Ks.<br /><br />The
Northrop Grumman-built E-2K is an all-weather early warning and control
system platform equipped with eight-blade propellers, upgraded radar
and surveillance systems, software and avionics.<br /><br />The E-2K aircraft's performance is equivalent to that of the E-2C, which is in service with the U.S. Air Force.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />Airborne
early warning and control aircraft are airborne radar systems designed
to provide functions such as early warning of the approach of low-flying
enemy air attacks, guiding fighters to execute interception and control
missions, carrying out regional air surveillance and electronic
reconnaissance, and assisting search and rescue guidance as well as
communications relay.<br /><br />In recent years, airborne early warning aircraft have been widely used for search-and-rescue missions.<br /><br />The
Minister of National Defense said that Taiwan's overall defense network
will be significantly improved following the joining of E-2ks and the
integration of the nation's command, control, communications, computers,
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems. <br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-39934096506090092192013-03-11T18:05:00.003+02:002013-03-11T18:05:40.015+02:00MoD locked in BAE talks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTnz0uiD9rLRrJ2-Bdc0-vu0BtDkNBinflDDgkCVN4w9pNUB01rJBUr2u5l14PGnyHOQvPKHnURZhPyFXTfmk1tJic4_vY5IQ_CBTUgn-t0ScXYbxbd5XqNolbSyCq3jwHJEiprXesQ/s1600/T26GCS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTnz0uiD9rLRrJ2-Bdc0-vu0BtDkNBinflDDgkCVN4w9pNUB01rJBUr2u5l14PGnyHOQvPKHnURZhPyFXTfmk1tJic4_vY5IQ_CBTUgn-t0ScXYbxbd5XqNolbSyCq3jwHJEiprXesQ/s320/T26GCS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The defence minister, Philip Dunne, has revealed that the Government is still
locked in talks with BAE Systems over the future of British shipbuilding and
issued a veiled threat about the implications of Scottish independence.
</span></span></h2>
<div class="firstPar">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
The minister for defence equipment, support and technology, said <strong>BAE</strong>
had submitted plans for its shipyards but no decision had been taken on
potential closures.
</span></span></div>
<div class="secondPar">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
“The company has made some proposals and they’re being c</span></span>onsidered by the MoD
but it is ultimately their decision and we’re right in the middle of
discussion,” he said.
</div>
<div class="thirdPar">
<strong>BAE
has warned that it might have to stop shipbuilding at one of its sites</strong>,
with the spotlight on Portsmouth and its two yards in Glasgow, at Govan and
Scotstoun.
</div>
<div class="fourthPar">
The decision hinges on future work available, with a gap in the British
building programme expected once the two Queen Elizabeth class aircraft
carriers are completed but be-fore the Type 26 Global Combat Ship programme
begins.
</div>
<div class="fifthPar">
The assumption is that under current plans there will be insufficient work to
sustain all three shipyards, and there has been speculation that the Type 26
work will go to the Glasgow yards, prompting the end of shipbuilding at
Portsmouth and loss of up to 1,500 jobs.
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="body">
Mr Dunne would not be drawn on specific proposals for the shipyards, but on
the question of a Scottish referendum on independence he noted that the
Government did not have a history of buying its warships outside Britain.
<br />
“The MoD as is the rest of the Government is working on the basis that
Scottish people will not support an independence referendum so we’re
assuming that Scotland remains part of the UK.
<br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-89671892057468378452013-03-11T18:03:00.000+02:002013-03-11T18:03:46.223+02:00Russian Satellite Hit by Debris from Chinese Anti-Satellite Test<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A small Russian spacecraft in orbit appears to have been struck by
Chinese space junk from a 2007 anti-satellite test, likely damaging the
Russian craft, possibly severely, SPACE.com has learned.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dsx1RtfGUewu3n5xR0eW2DRw9IFHR8-aLS7Pxq4ZvnKmlbdZHg-P6xh7Kvbmqxqu7l2fKpAkkruTT2FelLsBMfw5L1SibwDRzatA2FQUaq2vWO1y8xLEDFg8qhLWp82tXCg8bWk7aw/s1600/debris_china_russia_satellite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dsx1RtfGUewu3n5xR0eW2DRw9IFHR8-aLS7Pxq4ZvnKmlbdZHg-P6xh7Kvbmqxqu7l2fKpAkkruTT2FelLsBMfw5L1SibwDRzatA2FQUaq2vWO1y8xLEDFg8qhLWp82tXCg8bWk7aw/s320/debris_china_russia_satellite.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The space collision appears to have occurred on Jan. 22, when a chunk
of China's Fengyun 1C satellite, which was intentionally destroyed by
that country in a 2007 anti-satellite demonstration, struck the Russian
spacecraft, according to an analysis by the Center for Space Standards
& Innovation (CSSI) in Colorado Springs, Colorado.<br />
CSSI technical program manager T.S. Kelso reported that the collision
involved the Chinese space junk and Russia's small Ball Lens In The
Space (BLITS) retroreflector satellite, a 17-pound (7.5 kilograms). The
Fengyun 1C satellite debris was created during China's anti-satellite test on Jan. 11, 2007, and has posed a threat to satellites and crewed spacecraft ever since.
<br />
Evidence of the space junk collision
was first reported on Feb. 4 by Russian scientists Vasiliy Yurasov and
Andrey Nazarenko, both with the Institute for Precision Instrument
Engineering (IPIE) in Moscow. They reported a "significant change" in
the orbit of the BLITS satellite to the CSSI. [<a href="http://www.space.com/20135-china-s-anti-satellite-weapon-test-debris-hits-russian-satellite-animation.html">Watch the Animation: Russian Satellite Hit by Space Junk</a>]<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
It is not immediately clear whether the satellite is merely wounded or completely incapacitated.<br />
The space collision is the second substantial in-space accident between
an active spacecraft and a defunct satellite or piece of space debris.
In February 2009, a <a href="http://www.space.com/5542-satellite-destroyed-space-collision.html">U.S. communications satellite was destroyed when it was hit</a> by a defunct Russian military satellite, creating a vast debris cloud in orbit.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.space.com/20138-russian-satellite-chinese-space-junk.html">Read more</a> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-74358344759116701832013-02-28T18:40:00.004+02:002013-02-28T18:40:56.848+02:00Boeing touts fighter jet to rival F-35 — at half the price<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
In a dogfight of defence contractors, the hunter can quickly become the hunted. It's happening now to the F-35.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3Z1BeN6BTJpD_LyQf7hUsxFRNEk8d3xA2aCnEklkqTUQFP5JIkiBfjCMTfdZmIQOMjbKU3yCkeDJ__EcNC53GYW0Pg89lznAY29qKDIzZd7YUMsdJfHH2ps56nRBuWkn62xk4yQMxw/s1600/FA-18E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3Z1BeN6BTJpD_LyQf7hUsxFRNEk8d3xA2aCnEklkqTUQFP5JIkiBfjCMTfdZmIQOMjbKU3yCkeDJ__EcNC53GYW0Pg89lznAY29qKDIzZd7YUMsdJfHH2ps56nRBuWkn62xk4yQMxw/s320/FA-18E.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
The world's largest defence contractor, Lockheed Martin, is trying to convince wavering U.S. allies — including Canada — to stick with its high-tech, high-priced and unproven F-35 stealth fighter. But the F-35 is way behind schedule, way over budget and, now, it's grounded by a mysterious crack in a turbine fan.<br />
<br />
After years of technical problems, it's a tempting target for Lockheed Martin's rivals.<br />
<br />
It's no surprise, then, that the No. 2 defence contractor, Boeing, smells blood.<br />
<br />
With Ottawa now reviewing its previous commitment to buy the F-35, Boeing is making an aggressive pitch to Canadian taxpayers, offering to save them billions of dollars if they buy Boeing's Super Hornets instead.<br />
<br />
Boeing isn't pulling its punches. The Super Hornet, it says, is a proven fighter while the F-35 is just a concept — and an expensive one at that.We call it competing with a paper airplane," says Ricardo Traven, Boeing's chief test pilot for the Super Hornet. A Canadian who flew fighters for 15 years in the Canadian air force, Traven dismisses the F-35 as a "shiny brochure of promises," and contrasts it with "the real thing," which looms behind him in a top-secret hangar at Boeing's vast production line in St. Louis, Missouri.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
All photographs and video are closely monitored by Boeing staff to ensure nothing classified leaks out. Many of the Super Hornet's best selling points, they say, are classified. The same goes for the F-35. The difference, says Traven, is that the Super Hornet is long since proven.<br />
<br />
It has two engines to the F-35's one — and, unlike the F-35, it's ready now. Some 500 Super Hornets are already in service with the U.S. Navy. Dozens have already been sold to the Royal Australian Air Force, which, like Canada, was once committed to the F-35 but gave up waiting for it to prove itself.<br />
<br />
Boeing and Lockheed Martin both say their plane is superior in various ways. Lockheed Martin's headline feature is stealth. Boeing's is price. But with defence budgets shrinking everywhere, price is increasingly what governments want to hear about.<br />
<br />
On that, Boeing thinks it has a compelling case — and not just because its plane is cheaper.<br />
<br />
The Super Hornet currently sells for about $55 million US apiece; the Pentagon expects the F-35 to cost twice as much — about $110 million. But only 20 per cent of the cost of owning a fighter fleet is the actual sticker price of the planes. Eighty per cent is the operating cost — what it takes to keep them flying. That means everything from pilots and fuel to maintenance and spares.<br />
Psst! Wanna save $23B?<br />
<br />
And that's where the difference between the F-35 and the Super Hornet rockets into the stratosphere.<br />
<br />
"The current actual costs to operate a Super Hornet are less than half the cost that the F-35 is projected to be once it's in operation, just to operate," says Mike Gibbons, vice-president in charge of the Super Hornet program.<br />
<br />
Less than half? But how can he know that, since the F-35s are not yet in service?Gibbons is ready for the question. "No one knows actually how costly that jet will actually be, once it's in operation. We do know how affordable the Super Hornet is currently because we have actual costs." The Super Hornet costs about $16,000 an hour to fly, he says — and the F-35 will be double that.<br />
<br />
Really? That sounded too good to be true — so CBC News dug into Boeing's figures to see how credible they are.According to the GAO, the Super Hornet actually costs the U.S. Navy $15,346 an hour to fly. It sounds like a lot — until you see that the U.S. Air Force's official "target" for operating the F-35 is $31,900 an hour. The GAO says it's a little more — closer to $32,500.<br />
<br />
CBC also asked Lockheed Martin to say if it had any quarrel with these numbers — and it did not.<br />
<br />
In a written response, a Lockheed spokesman declined to offer any different figures, but insisted the F-35's operating costs would be "comparable to or lower than" the "legacy platforms" — meaning, older jets — that it will replace. Those do not include the Super Hornets, which Boeing says are 25 per cent cheaper to run than Canada's "legacy" CF-18s.Lockheed also claimed the F-35 would "achieve cost advantages … by leveraging economies of scale" gained by selling one fighter, with one supply chain, to different countries. However, it remains to be seen whether those economies of scale are ever realized.<br />
<br />
As it stands, the official estimate for a fleet of 65 F-35s is that they will cost $9 billion to buy and almost $37 billion to operate over the next 42 years. So, a total of just under $46 billion. If Boeing's figures hold up, the Super Hornets would cost about half that.<br />
<br />
The math is easy, but the result is eye-popping nonetheless. It's a saving of up to $23 billion.<br />
<br />
Numbers like that have a way of getting attention.<br />
Sure, but what about stealth?<br />
<br />
The next question is, though — is it a second-rate plane? Instead of the "Fifth Generation" stealth fighter that Lockheed Martin advertises, does Canada want to settle for a not-so-stealthy Generation 4.5?<br />
<br />
Boeing is ready for that question, too. Mike Gibbons, the VP, phrases his answer carefully.<br />
<br />
"We know that the Super Hornet has effective stealth, and that's really the key. In fact, we believe we have a more affordable stealth than many other platforms that are being designed specifically and touted as stealthy platforms."Of course, he means the F-35 — and he's not claiming to have better stealth, just more affordable stealth. But his test pilot, Ricardo Traven, says that doesn't mean the Super Hornet is less likely to survive in combat.<br />
<br />
As a pilot with experience in the North, says Traven, he'd rather fly with a little less stealth and little more agility. Lockheed Martin gave up agility, he argues, to gain the former.<br />
<br />
On the Super Hornet, "sacrifices were not made for the purpose of stealth," he explains. After numerous winter landings on frozen Canadian runways, he says, "You want an airplane with large control surfaces, large flaps … these things give the airplane a lot of manoeuverability."Proponents of stealth, though, want everything smaller so as to reduce the plane's visibility on radar.<br />
<br />
"The stealth engineers don't want large flaps, they don't want large ailerons, they don`t want large wings, so everything is shrunk down on an airplane like that to be stealthy. And so the cost of stealth is not just the money. The cost is in capability and in performance …. Those capabilities and performance I do not believe are worth the sacrifice for stealth," says Traven.<br />
'The goose that didn't get the memo'<br />
<br />
These factors, Traven insists, make the Super Hornet more "survivable," even if it's less stealthy. Similarly, he touts the virtues of having twin engines. Sure, the F-35's single engine may be very reliable, he says — but what if a bird gets sucked in?<br />
<br />
"It's the goose that didn't get the memo," he says, which could destroy a single-engined aircraft. With two engines, the pilot can still fly. Equally, Traven says, the Super Hornet's landing gear is more rugged and more suited to snowy or slushy northern runways. Twin engines, dual redundant hydraulics … I mean, I can go on and on," Traven enthuses. "Those are the things I don't want to give up in flying to remote places or even in combat, because those are the things that'll bring you home."<br />
<br />
Don't say Boeing doesn't know how to do a sales job. And Lockheed Martin's no slouch, either. In fact, Lockheed has a Canadian chief test pilot, too — Billie Flynn, who's doubly Canadian, if it comes to that, because he's married to Canadian astronaut Julie Payette.Actually, Traven has some high-orbit Canadian connections, too. He's an old air force buddy of another well-known pilot: Gen. Tom Lawson, no less — who's now Canada's chief of defence staff.<br />
<br />
Lawson has long been a fan of the F-35, but has recently begun to downplay the importance of stealth. He told CBC News that government decision-makers might do well to listen to his former comrade.<br />
<br />
"Every aircraft brings a level of stealth," said Lawson — not just the F-35. The new secretariat that is looking at alternatives, he said, will have to see just how much stealth each plane offers.<br />
<br />
Does the Super Hornet have what it takes? "I don't know," Lawson replied.<br />
<br />
"We're going to leave that to the team to look at. We don't have Super Hornets. We have not, until recently, even considered purchasing them. So I think that Ricardo Traven, my good friend that you mentioned, might have something to say about that, that would interest the teams, the whole-of-government teams, that are together to consider it."<br />
Start your engines<br />
<br />
So, the contest is on — and, if it was once wired to make sure the F-35 won, it isn't now. The government insists it really is "hitting the reset button" and is serious about looking for alternatives.CBC News contacted the European manufacturers of the Typhoon — also known as the Eurofighter — as well as Dassault, the French maker of the Rafale, and Sweden's Saab, which makes the Gripen. All said they've been contacted by the Canadian government and were ready to make their pitches.<br />
<br />
But it's Boeing's entry that will grab most attention. It's the only American competitor for the F-35, and being "interoperable" with the U.S. is a big deal for Canada. Boeing is also offering to meet or beat the amount of contracts — known as "industrial benefits" — that Lockheed Martin would steer to Canadian companies.<br />
<br />
With billions at stake, this battle of the giants will be worth watching.<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-43009862263727556322013-02-28T18:37:00.002+02:002013-02-28T18:37:51.248+02:00Saab receives order for upgrade of mission system Erieye for Brazil<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ASYHsOq391TxxVZJFJSrP0CyaRtbuh9B87K_IAe3bARvkM3mXOYCO_-AT50nJxPUpYSEeUotP77zapAFfvfZG82gMHLc5LPTiinVKKmLiT7d5l24JpqfIhq0x9YDb32OLKZPSQbCQQ/s1600/e99_erieye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ASYHsOq391TxxVZJFJSrP0CyaRtbuh9B87K_IAe3bARvkM3mXOYCO_-AT50nJxPUpYSEeUotP77zapAFfvfZG82gMHLc5LPTiinVKKmLiT7d5l24JpqfIhq0x9YDb32OLKZPSQbCQQ/s320/e99_erieye.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="Ingress">
Defence and security company Saab has received order
from Brazilian Embraer Defense and Security on upgrade of the Erieye
AEW&C Mission System. The total order amounts to 380 MSEK.</div>
<div style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">The
contract is for the delivery of an upgrade of the existing Erieye
AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) systems, as part of the
modernization programme for the Embraer 145 AEW&C, named E-99 in the
Brazilian Air Force. The E-99 is important within the Brazilian Air
Force in the control of airspace and border surveillance and the upgrade
will bring a substantial increased operational capability.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">"Saab's
Erieye AEW&C Mission system provides excellent surveillance
capabilities and control over air and sea targets. We are very proud to
supply these systems to Brazil where it plays an important role in
national security,” says Micael Johansson, head of Saab’s business area
Electronic Defence Systems.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">The upgrade of the Erieye AEW&C Mission System will be delivered from 2014 until 2017.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Saab’s
Erieye AEW&C Mission System has been well received on the market.
The first system for Brazilon the Embraer 145 became operational 2002.
Erieye is also in operations on Embraer 145 in Mexico and Greece. The
very first Erieye system was delivered in 1997 for aircraft model 340
for the Swedish Air Force. Customers of the Saab 340 system also include
Thailand and the United Arab Emirate. Saab is also delivering Erieye to
Pakistan, installed on the Saab 2000 aircraft.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Saab
serves the global market with world-leading products, services and
solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has
operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops,
adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-46550173479338356272013-02-28T18:36:00.004+02:002013-02-28T18:36:55.334+02:00MoD wastes £6.6bn on kit and supplies it does not need as it tries to save money by cutting troops<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Military chiefs waste 6.6bn of taxpayers' money on unnecessary stock </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">MoD spend £1.1bn on computer system to fix stock control 'weaknesses'</span></li>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulX_wRmYVEwinei3ciZbvJiw4_IqxQR6FJBXrdcmQGIGBK5yzPOv3i-rOWb7ifvTw8oFsC6SGex88K0AGW9QC56eZVDxeytGiVJqHZmGJDtwERRU6kdq8AE6mDulzO1YWWgR_4ABZ4w/s1600/Nimrod_mr2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulX_wRmYVEwinei3ciZbvJiw4_IqxQR6FJBXrdcmQGIGBK5yzPOv3i-rOWb7ifvTw8oFsC6SGex88K0AGW9QC56eZVDxeytGiVJqHZmGJDtwERRU6kdq8AE6mDulzO1YWWgR_4ABZ4w/s320/Nimrod_mr2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; overflow: hidden;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Ministry of Defence is squandering
billions of pounds on kit and supplies it does not need while trying to
save money by getting rid of troops.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Military
chiefs are wasting ‘unacceptable’ sums of taxpayers’ cash by buying and
hoarding excess equipment, according to a scathing report today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">MPs on the Commons’ Public Accounts Committee found at least £6.6billion of stock was either unused or over-ordered.</span><br />
<div style="border: medium none; overflow: hidden;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The top civil servant at the MoD,
permanent secretary Jon Thompson, admitted there were ‘problems’ in
managing the inventory of kit and equipment. He said the cash-strapped
department was spending £1.1billion on a computer system to tackle
‘weaknesses’ in stock control.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
cross-party committee’s report will be a blow to morale as the fighting
capability of the Army, Royal Navy and RAF continues to be reduced.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div style="border: medium none; overflow: hidden;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Defence Secretary Philip Hammond is
axing 29,000 personnel and scrapping warships, fighter jets and armoured
vehicles in an attempt to balance the books.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
report by MPs came as the Royal United Services Institute think-tank
warned that the MoD faces having to find another £17billion of cuts
over the next decade.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
MoD has 710million items in its stores – everything from nuclear
submarines and missiles to uniforms, medical supplies and ration packs.
The inventory is worth £40.3billion.</span><br />
<div style="border: medium none; overflow: hidden;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The report said that the department had
identified a £3.4billion stockpile of supplies that it wanted to get rid
of, possibly by selling them on the MoD’s disposals website – a
military version of eBay.</span><div style="border: medium none; overflow: hidden;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">MPs on the committee said they were
‘disappointed’ that problems still existed with MoD stock control
despite being highlighted as long ago as 1991. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The
committee said of the MoD: ‘The department has failed to provide
effective incentives or accountability for those responsible for
ordering, retaining and disposing of inventory.’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Tory
Richard Bacon, committee vice-chairman, said: ‘It is unacceptable that
the MoD is wasting significant amounts of public money buying equipment
and supplies that it doesn’t need.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">'It is particularly galling at a time when funding is tight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">‘With stock returning from Afghanistan and soon from Germany, the problem is likely to get worse.’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bernard
Gray, the MoD head of procurement, told the committee: ‘There is
nothing more annoying than throwing something away and then finding,
five minutes later, that it would cost you a fortune to replace it.’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Defence equipment minister Philip Dunne said: ‘I am determined to reverse decades of lax inventory management.’</span><br />
<div style="border: medium none; overflow: hidden;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-48435855340903977212013-02-28T18:29:00.001+02:002013-02-28T18:29:36.790+02:00Grob Eyes Australian Opportunity for G120TP<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzOHAe-sq7jytGgartJaX30HvRW0jlB3YZwyn-mFCsUgg5s7Ux6DFHK-7K33p4gYRB9KxSc8lLtPGFaWNlA2XEgipQK9SqhpcHLsqXKJZTjN7V1jxlE42n3JJJzMAtyLvmMZPQFgXYw/s1600/grob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzOHAe-sq7jytGgartJaX30HvRW0jlB3YZwyn-mFCsUgg5s7Ux6DFHK-7K33p4gYRB9KxSc8lLtPGFaWNlA2XEgipQK9SqhpcHLsqXKJZTjN7V1jxlE42n3JJJzMAtyLvmMZPQFgXYw/s320/grob.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grob Aircraft
mounted a major push for its G120TP basic trainer at this year's Avalon
air show, with its stand including a simulator for the type, as it eyes
an upcoming requirement to replace the Royal Australian Air Force's
fleet of 63 Pilatus PC-9/9As.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Andre Hiebeler,
chief executive of Grob Aircraft, says the G120TP can "eat into" up to
60-70% of the syllabus provided by higher-end tandem-seat turboprop
aircraft such as the Pilatus PC-21, which is also likely to compete for
the Australian deal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Canberra's
requirement is designated AIR 5428, and calls for a complete training
solution, including simulators and aircraft. Grob envisages the RAAF
using the G120TP in conjunction with a more advanced basic trainer type.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hiebeler notes
that only 45% of pilots trained by the Australian military end up in the
air force. Of these, only a small portion transition to fighters such
as the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet or F/A-18F Super Hornet. The majority become
transport aircraft or helicopter pilots, making the G120TP, with its
side-by-side configuration, a suitable training platform.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hiebeler claims
the G120TP's operating costs are far below those of higher-powered
basic trainers. The aircraft has maximum continuous power of 380shp
(283kW), which is considerably below that of rival types.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A request for proposals for the AIR 5428 requirement has yet to be issued, but Grob believes it could come by the end of 2013.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The RAAF's current PC-9s were delivered between 1987 and 1992, as recorded by <a href="http://www.flightglobal.com/products/milicas/">Flightglobal's MiliCAS database</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-30355899262896646132013-02-27T18:10:00.002+02:002013-02-27T18:10:56.449+02:00Indonesia to purchase UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from United States<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Indonesian army Black Hawk helicopters Would purchase from the United States this year, in a bid to Strengthen icts weaponry, a military officer Said here on Monday, February 25, 2013. The Plan is the share of Indonesian government's efforts to Modernize icts weaponry.<br />
<br />
"Black Hawk is a good choice," Said General Pramono Eddie Wibowo, Indonesian army chief of staff signing Effective year agreement entre le army, oil and gas firm PT. Pertamina Persero and BRI bank here at the army headquarters.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-56533738587807522642013-02-27T18:09:00.002+02:002013-02-27T18:09:29.117+02:00Phantom Eye completes second flight<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Boeing's Phantom Eye, a hydrogen-powered test bed, Has Made icts second flight. The test was the first to Effective falling on hard landing its a June, 2012 maiden flight destroyed landing icts share of landing gear.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7nswtpmfbQ_xCYdsadLUDNOOmnB9_3F-mjZOztoBcg6R-gZld1IOfeTbmVaN0SdUTDywJzq4tvujrCrbYnNaeQkxQAZGz0LIU3fAFSFDR7hLFD7NI7Ih4JiZSTsPixlhRkzvxEPXEw/s1600/Phantom-Eye-photo-Boeing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7nswtpmfbQ_xCYdsadLUDNOOmnB9_3F-mjZOztoBcg6R-gZld1IOfeTbmVaN0SdUTDywJzq4tvujrCrbYnNaeQkxQAZGz0LIU3fAFSFDR7hLFD7NI7Ih4JiZSTsPixlhRkzvxEPXEw/s1600/Phantom-Eye-photo-Boeing.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The uncrewed test bed was developed by Boeing's Phantom Works division advanced aircraft to Demonstrate That Could stay airborne for up to four days at a time with payloads up to 204kg (450LB).<br />
<br />
Phantom Eye was airborne for just over year hour, reaching altitudes of 8,000 ft, ending in what Boeing calls a "picture-perfect landing."<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-82507208869525457802013-02-27T18:07:00.002+02:002013-02-27T18:07:55.908+02:00Boeing Brings Advanced Training Capabilities to U.S. Navy's T-45 Fleet<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHysfI4wMtmR_VP3s-AlIqh4kJhLIZwq4Z6Al8s9BrPYSvBI0jtQ3nQwcrZgwY8lrlq5xaG0QDZWSDdh5vTgN7xnlqQd5FtrokuKgBPyn9gRTluP7Co6EKWQNfNAWATTfOL2zr6fd6BA/s1600/T-45-trainer-aircraft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHysfI4wMtmR_VP3s-AlIqh4kJhLIZwq4Z6Al8s9BrPYSvBI0jtQ3nQwcrZgwY8lrlq5xaG0QDZWSDdh5vTgN7xnlqQd5FtrokuKgBPyn9gRTluP7Co6EKWQNfNAWATTfOL2zr6fd6BA/s1600/T-45-trainer-aircraft.jpg" /></a></div>
Ground-based flight simulators prepare pilots student<br />
<br />
- Four operational flight trainers built by Boeing [NYSE: BA] are up and running at Naval Air Station Pensacola (Fla.) ALLOWING the U.S. Navy to shift some training for T-45 aircraft icts to the ground and Thereby Improve safety and save money.<br />
<br />
The flight simulators use high-fidelity, state-of-the-art visuals to train naval flight officers (NFO) on the ground, saving time and Freeing up the aircraft for flight instruction live. Nfos specialize in airborne weapons and sensor systems operating from the back seat of the aircraft.<br />
<br />
The devices are used by the Navy to Provide transition to advanced instruction for F/A-18, EA-18G and EA-6B platforms. Students are trained in navigation, communication, emergencies, target identification and weapons employment, and basic carrier operations, Among other learning objective.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
"Nearly 150 students per year will train on the simulators," Said Mark McGraw, Boeing vice president of Training Systems and Government Services. "This allows the Navy to add virtual wingmen year array of synthetic and terrorism threats, building a more robust Mission rehearsal."<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-37630769551712648022013-02-26T18:42:00.002+02:002013-02-26T18:42:42.711+02:00RSAF gets refueling jet<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMzU9JcC8pA_N9FMr9SvAnsUIUjTFraRUu2FdMkUpuYxE6UZQjssbwmVGn-FIbiYAr-3TulhwCBtANdc1YPNWp0eWlPy8IFY3HKQ92xPjWVlKrwKaUKX6IV_7DQdfOFIHzOnQ0crxxg/s1600/Saudi-Air-Force-Refuel-Plane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMzU9JcC8pA_N9FMr9SvAnsUIUjTFraRUu2FdMkUpuYxE6UZQjssbwmVGn-FIbiYAr-3TulhwCBtANdc1YPNWp0eWlPy8IFY3HKQ92xPjWVlKrwKaUKX6IV_7DQdfOFIHzOnQ0crxxg/s320/Saudi-Air-Force-Refuel-Plane.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A new airborne refueling plane was inducted into the Royal Saudi Air Force aircraft fuel fleet at Riyadh Airbase yesterday.<br />
The new plane, called a330mrtt will supply fuel to F15s, Tornadoes and Typhoons while flying, bringing to six the number of airbus-made a33mrtt air refueling planes.<br />
The plane, which belongs to the TRA72-600 airbus generation, will also serve as passenger and light payload carrier, the SPA reported.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-71142216142099017602013-02-26T18:40:00.003+02:002013-02-26T18:40:50.100+02:00The Terrifying Shortage of U.S. Cyberwarriors. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYc6_jkdPyS_KcEOeGZxcXfoiCpIULzPHYNh2a185700GCeLTZwu3I6gxv6CzrjBbAT7aHKxeKkVqgsOzwE7VLkz9aRR6LQb_vtSknSZRgPmWOGTKA8fWG3eO31UCpwXEFnKXzKaCbg/s1600/The+Terrifying+Shortage+of+U.S.+Cyberwarriors..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYc6_jkdPyS_KcEOeGZxcXfoiCpIULzPHYNh2a185700GCeLTZwu3I6gxv6CzrjBbAT7aHKxeKkVqgsOzwE7VLkz9aRR6LQb_vtSknSZRgPmWOGTKA8fWG3eO31UCpwXEFnKXzKaCbg/s320/The+Terrifying+Shortage+of+U.S.+Cyberwarriors..jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
When Kevin Mandia, a retired military cybercrime investigator, decided to expose China as a primary threat to US computer networks, he did not have to consult with US diplomats in Beijing or declassify tactics to safely reveal government secrets.<br />
<br />
He compiled a 76-page report based on seven years of work by his company, Mandiant, and produced the most detailed public account yet of how, he says, the Chinese government has been hacking major US companies.<br />
<br />
It was not news to his commercial rivals, or the US government, that systematic attacks could be traced to a nondescript office block outside Shanghai that Mandia believes was run by the Chinese army.<br />
<br />
What was remarkable was that the extraordinary details – code names of hackers, one's affection for Harry Potter and how they stole sensitive trade secrets and passwords – came from a private security firm without the official backing of the US military or intelligence agencies responsible for protecting America from a cyber-attack.<br />
<br />
The report, welcomed by both government and industry, represents a notable alignment of interests in Washington: the Obama administration has pressed for fresh evidence of Chinese hacking that it can leverage in diplomatic talks without revealing secrets about its own hacking investigations, and Mandiant makes headlines with its sensational revelations.It also shows the balance of power in America's cyberwar has shifted to the $30bn-a-year (£19.7bn-a-year) computer security industry.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
"We probably kicked the hornet's nest," Mandia, 42, said at the Alexandria, Virginia, headquarters of Mandiant. "[But] tolerance is just dwindling. People are tired of the status quo of being hacked with impunity, where there's no risk or repercussion." China has rejected the allegations.<br />
<br />
Mandiant, which took some $100m of business last year, up 60% from the year before, is part of a lucrative and exploding market that goes beyond antivirus software and firewalls. These "digital forensics" outfits can tell a business whether its systems have been breached and, if the company pays extra, who attacked it.<br />
<br />
Among Mandiant's staff are retired intelligence and law enforcement agents who specialise in computer forensics and promise their clients confidentiality and control over the investigation.<br />
<br />
In turn, they get unfettered access to the crime scene and resources to fix the problem (Mandiant will not say exactly how much it charges, but it is estimated to average about $400 an hour).<br />
<br />
The growing reliance on contractors like Mandiant has been compared to the dependence of the military and state department on private contractors, such as the one formerly known as Blackwater, to provide physical security to diplomats and other VIPs during the Iraq war.<br />
<br />
Officials inside and outside government believe contractors can often act more quickly than the government and without as much red tape. There are also serious privacy concerns: Most US citizens do not want the government to access their bank accounts, for example, even if China is attacking their bank.<br />
<br />
"The government doesn't have the capacity," said Shawn Henry, a former FBI executive assistant director who works for CrowdStrike, a Mandiant competitor. "There are a lot of people working hard. But the structures aren't there."<br />
<br />
Michael DuBose, another former senior justice department official who works for a similar firm, Kroll Advisory Solutions, added: "I think there's a recognition that the government can't stand at the entry point of the internet to the US and shield it from all bad things coming in."Since Mandiant released its report this week, government officials and legislators have publicly embraced its findings.<br />
<br />
Senator Dianne Feinstein, the Democratic chair of the Senate intelligence committee, hailed Mandiant for exposing the issue of Chinese hacking. She called its report "sobering" and said she hoped it would spur an international agreement to protect companies from cyber-espionage.<br />
<br />
Mandiant's report raises questions, too, about the extent to which private companies are in control of defending America's most crucial networks, such as power companies and water treatment plants. Another question is what rules of engagement private companies might rely on. When does a company strike back?<br />
<br />
Mandia and his competitors said they are beholden to US and international laws that prohibit the type of intrusive acts they accuse China of committing. Mandia also said his clients are not interested in starting a cyberwar with foreign hackers, in part because they are so vulnerable.<br />
<br />
"The only time (retaliatory hacking) would really work is if we got all the bad guys out of our networks in the first place," he said. "Then you can start playing that game." Still, publishing the hacking report was an offensive shot across China's bow.<br />
<br />
Mandia launched his company in 2004 after several years in the private sector because, he said, there was no company focused on investigating intrusions. With a master's degree in forensic science from George Washington University, he became Mandiant's sole employee and, two years later, got a cash injection from a friend.<br />
<br />
Now, he oversees some 330 employees and the field is growing rapidly. He says he used to see about three major incidents a month when he started his business; now he estimates there are between 30 and 100 incidents a month.<br />
<br />
Mandia is hardly alone. A former colleague, Stuart McClure, recently started a company called Cylance. He received $15bn in venture capital funds for his business, which he says is distinctive because of its focus on prevention.<br />
<br />
McClure said he sees the future of cyber-defence residing in the private sector, which has deeper pockets and less red tape.<br />
<br />
As for any problems they might cause in diplomatic or security circles for the federal government, Mandia and his competitors say that is not a concern, although he has been hiring lawyers to help monitor US policies and regulations. But as a tech expert, he said he has been focused on stopping intrusions. "We're security guys," Mandia said. "We're not diplomats."<br />
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-29356422002821832402013-02-26T18:39:00.001+02:002013-02-26T18:39:26.281+02:00Trying To Stop The Bomb Makers In Pakistan And Afghanistan <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBMIQVFbn-gdZuWIekALwyBRsQ65bhyphenhyphen0I9UD5ALzokKjT4mRX_kWNLn3VbsB7ymKd1z8589gA_wycNDvYMu9n5v3RBAHcz7yV4tVGgMUk4YR1cCTJ3OhXPt4LK7D86gCRmwlDVGDcAA/s1600/Trying+To+Stop+The+Bomb+Makers+In+Pakistan+And+Afghanistan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBMIQVFbn-gdZuWIekALwyBRsQ65bhyphenhyphen0I9UD5ALzokKjT4mRX_kWNLn3VbsB7ymKd1z8589gA_wycNDvYMu9n5v3RBAHcz7yV4tVGgMUk4YR1cCTJ3OhXPt4LK7D86gCRmwlDVGDcAA/s320/Trying+To+Stop+The+Bomb+Makers+In+Pakistan+And+Afghanistan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The United States and Pakistan will begin working together on a new fertilizer formula that could be a significant technological step to limit the ability of terror groups to make improvised explosives and car bombs using the ingredient.<br />
<br />
An agreement to try to make a product more inert was reached last week after Pakistani officials from Fatima Group, a major fertilizer manufacturer, met with Pentagon officials.<br />
<br />
"Such a long-term solution would be a true scientific breakthrough," Lt. Gen. Michael Barbero, the head of the Pentagon's Joint Improved Explosive Device Defeat Organization, said in a statement.<br />
<br />
Barbero met with Fatima representatives to urge them again to take steps to control fertilizer inventories. The meeting itself was a step forward since the Pakistani government previously had stopped the U.S. military from talking directly to the company.<br />
<br />
Fatima Group is the Pakistani-based producer of calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN). It was developed as a non-explosive alternative to ammonium nitrate, long a key ingredient in homemade bombs used widely in Pakistan and in Afghanistan. But it can be converted into an explosive mixture.<br />
<br />
Hundreds of American troops have been killed by improvised explosive devices containing the material.<br />
<br />
Pakistan and the United States will now work on a "reformulated" CAN product in hopes of reducing its effectiveness in homemade bombs.<br />
<br />
It is produced by two factories in Pakistan that are both owned and operated by Fatima. It also has now confirmed to the Pentagon in writing that it has suspended sales of CAN fertilizer products in the border provinces to 228 dealers in the area.<br />
<br />
It is also working on plans for more readily visible bagging of CAN in hopes Pakistani border control agents will stop smuggling when they see it. Barbero is still pressing for color dying so it can more readily be identified.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Fatima may have its own economic reasons for trying to improve its practices.<br />
<br />
A U.S. unit of the company, Midwest Fertilizer, has proposed building a plant in Indiana that promises 2,500 construction and 309 permanent jobs. Midwest issued $1 billion in bonds to finance the plant, but Indiana Gov. Mike Pence suspended state support after learning of Barbero's longstanding criticism of Fatima's failure to control its inventory.<br />
<br />
Barbero's frustration with a lack of progress by Pakistan and Fatima was evident last year when he publicly detailed how insurgents have learned to process and convert CAN into explosive material that can be used with a fuel to create a bomb.<br />
<br />
In a May, Barbero spoke to an international meeting of fertilizer companies and experts in Doha, Qatar.<br />
<br />
U.S. officials tell CNN that the details Barbero disclosed are publicly available on the Internet, but it's still rare for an American military official to speak openly about the detailed chemistry of bomb making.<br />
<br />
In December 2012, Barbero testified before Congress and was highly critical of both Fatima and the Pakistan government for failure to exert control over fertilizer and other components of bomb-making material.<br />
<br />
He noted the use of another substance found in IEDs, potassium chlorate, has been on the rise in Afghanistan for the past year. Although the Afghan government bans its importation, it is legally imported into Pakistan for use in the textile and matchstick industries and often stolen by insurgents for used in bomb making.<br />
<br />
According to the Pentagon, homemade explosives continue to be the main charge of IEDs found in Afghanistan. Most of the roughly 87 percent of IEDs that contain homemade explosive material are comprised of ammonium nitrate derived from Pakistani-produced calcium ammonium nitrate fertilizer.<br />
<br />
Even with the impending drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, the threat of those explosives remains significant.<br />
<br />
The Pentagon says more than 1,900 U.S. troops were killed or wounded in such IED attacks in 2012, accounting for more than 60 percent of American combat casualties.<br />
<br />
There were nearly 14,500 IED-related events in Afghanistan last year, including both detection and attacks.<br />
<br />
Barbero is also strongly making the point that the threat of homemade bombs is spreading around the world, including North Africa where al Qaeda affiliates are on the rise.<br />
<br />
Since January 2011, there have been more than 10,000 IEDs placed in 112 countries, with attacks carried out by more than 40 regional and transnational threat networks.<br />
<br />
Explosives involving ammonium nitrate have been the choice of insurgents in several recent high-profile attacks.<br />
<br />
A 2011 Mumbai attack involved three bombs containing the fertilizer that killed 27 people and injured 130 others.<br />
<br />
Also that year, a car bomb in Norway killed eight people. Six tons of ammonium nitrate and calcium ammonium nitrate were used in the attack.<br />
<br />
"The Oslo bomber was able to easily purchase and store massive amounts of fertilizer by simply establishing a fake farming business and easily converting fertilizer into a bomb," Barbero said.<br />
<br />
Mumbai and the attack in central Oslo were not tied to Pakistan, but Barbero spoke about them in terms of what he sees as the growing global threat.<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-63712191496651363272013-02-26T18:34:00.001+02:002013-02-26T18:34:12.584+02:00India arrests man accused of spying for Pakistan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Indian police say they have arrested a man suspected of passing military secrets to arch-rival Pakistan.<br />
<br />
The man, an Indian citizen, was held in the western state of Rajasthan near the two countries' border.<br />
<br />
Police say he passed details of military exercises held last week to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence.<br />
<br />
India and Pakistan frequently accuse each other of spying. The arrest comes after weeks of tension over the disputed territory of Kashmir.<br />
<br />
The alleged spy is accused of "passing information related to Indian defence installations and military activities", senior police officer DS Dinkar told AFP news agency.<br />
<br />
One report says his telephone calls to a relative in Pakistan, who it is alleged works for Pakistani intelligence, were intercepted.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
The man was arrested by army intelligence at his house in a village near the town of Pokhran on Sunday and is being questioned by security agencies.<br />
<br />
He appeared in court in Jaipur on Monday and was remanded in custody, police sources said.<br />
<br />
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Pranab Mukherjee both attended the war games, codenamed "Iron Fist", which were held near Pokhran on Friday.<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-12525570713042243132013-02-26T18:33:00.002+02:002013-02-26T18:33:41.521+02:00Chinese transport "workhorses" extending military's reach<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw29hXCtLk9_6Trx8mog7jvZ4QyjLsvx6XkWIZPGXvTXMIkzI0h-A9Gg6YpmoclYi3P9sWgg9KLYthUjGb26DoSodSUXEeQg-rW80igwkgyrHFZUbPOezOap4FSatTBd8RSyHMA5WWTw/s1600/Chinese+transport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw29hXCtLk9_6Trx8mog7jvZ4QyjLsvx6XkWIZPGXvTXMIkzI0h-A9Gg6YpmoclYi3P9sWgg9KLYthUjGb26DoSodSUXEeQg-rW80igwkgyrHFZUbPOezOap4FSatTBd8RSyHMA5WWTw/s320/Chinese+transport.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
China is expanding its long-neglected fleet of supply ships and heavy-lift aircraft, bolstering its military prowess in support of missions to enforce claims over disputed territory and to defend Chinese interests abroad.<br />
<br />
These transport workhorses are unlikely to arouse the same regional unease as the steady rollout of high performance fighters, long-range missiles or potent warships, but they are a crucial element of the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) three-decade military build-up, defense analysts say.<br />
<br />
Over time, the air and sea support will give the world's second-largest navy greater geographical reach and will enhance the PLA's capacity to assist troops on distant battlefields, potentially including Taiwan if Beijing were to launch a military assault to take control of the self-governing island.<br />
<br />
China's state-owned shipyards last year launched two 23,000-tonne type 903 replenishment ships, according to reports and photographs published on Chinese military affairs websites and blogs, with further orders in the pipeline.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Defense analysts say the state-of-the-art ships are undergoing sea trials and should be commissioned into the Chinese navy later this year.<br />
<br />
China also confirmed last month that the PLA had conducted the first test flight of its Y-20 heavy lift aircraft from the Yanliang airbase near Xi'an in Shaanxi Province.<br />
<br />
State-run television showed footage of the four-engine Y-20, the biggest aircraft built in China, taking off and landing. The Y-20, built by AVIC Xi'an Aircraft Industry (Group) Co Ltd, would have a 66-tonne payload, according to official media reports.<br />
<br />
AMBITIOUS GLOBAL POWER<br />
<br />
The impending delivery of these support ships and aircraft is further evidence China intends to become a more ambitious global military power in a decisive break with its traditional security priorities of expanding or defending its extensive land borders.<br />
<br />
"They are beginning to develop their capacity for power projection, there is no question about that," says Li Nan, an expert on the Chinese military and a professor at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.<br />
<br />
Steep increases in military outlays over three decades have allowed China to build an advanced navy that now ranks second to the United States fleet in terms of raw numbers.<br />
<br />
The Chinese navy now has about 80 major surface warships including its first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning. It also deploys more than 50 submarines, about 50 landing ships and more than 80 missile attack boats, according to Pentagon estimates of PLA military strength.<br />
<br />
However, construction of support and replenishment vessels in Chinese shipyards has lagged far behind the output of combatants.<br />
<br />
China has only five major supply ships to support a fleet that is conducting increasingly intense patrolling and exercises around disputed territory in the South China Sea and East China Sea.<br />
<br />
These vessels are also called upon to support the Chinese navy on a growing number of deployments far into the Indian and Pacific oceans.<br />
<br />
By comparison, the U.S. navy has 34 big replenishment ships to support about 140 major surface warships, according to Pentagon figures.<br />
<br />
The Chinese navy's extended missions include regular deployments of naval task forces to the Gulf of Aden and waters off the horn of Africa as part of United Nations authorized anti-piracy operations.<br />
<br />
LOGISTICS CAPACITY STRETCHED<br />
<br />
These operations have stretched the logistics capacity of the China's navy with its three most capable supply ships on almost permanent duty, according to details of the deployments announced by the Chinese military.<br />
<br />
However, these deployments have provided an opportunity for the ships and crews to practice and refine the ongoing resupply of warships, highly skilled maneuvers that are essential to keeping warships at sea for long periods, naval experts say.<br />
<br />
China's defense ministry said that the frigate Mianyang, destroyer Harbin and the supply ship Weishanhu sailed on February 16 from Qingdao on the 14th of these anti-piracy deployments.<br />
<br />
While extra supply ships will extend the range and endurance of Chinese fleets, Beijing's strategic objectives still remain relatively limited outside the nearby seas where it is locked in territorial disputes with some of its neighbors.<br />
<br />
"They are focusing on securing sea lanes, counter piracy and evacuating Chinese nationals in times of crisis," says Li.<br />
<br />
China's expanding military transport capability is unlikely to have an immediate impact on its tense standoff with Japan over disputed islands in the East China Sea that are close to logistics bases on the Chinese mainland, naval analysts say.<br />
<br />
"Support ships will not change the nature of operations in the East China Sea but will have an impact on the ability of the Chinese navy to conduct operations at sea, if the support ships are used to grow its professionalism and seamanship," says Alessio Patalano, a Japanese military expert at King's College in London.<br />
<br />
LEANER, MOBILE FORCE<br />
<br />
For China's top brass, the first test flight of the Y-20 was an important milestone as the PLA continues its transformation from a predominantly mass, ground army to a leaner, more mobile force.<br />
<br />
"These aircraft are vital if you need to move a lot of people and a lot of equipment some place very, very fast," says Reuben Johnson, a Kiev-based military analyst and correspondent for Jane's Information Group, who has studied the Y-20 program.<br />
<br />
Reports in the official Chinese media said the Y-20 could land and take off from restricted airstrips and had the capacity to carry most PLA combat and support vehicles.<br />
<br />
Chinese military planners have drawn lessons from the importance of heavy-lift aircraft in recent U.S. and other Western military operations where the capacity to shift troops and supplies to distant battlefields or trouble spots has delivered an overwhelming advantage, military analysts say.<br />
<br />
The U.S. military has a fleet of more than 300 heavy lift Galaxy and Globemaster aircraft in service along with more than 400 smaller-capacity transport aircraft.<br />
<br />
Many of these aircraft can operate from short, uneven landing strips in remote and rugged terrain.<br />
<br />
The PLA's air-lift capacity is much smaller. It currently operates about 20 Russian-built Il-76 transport aircraft. The Il-76 has a 50-tonne payload compared with the Globemaster's 77 tonnes and 118 tonnes for the Galaxy.<br />
<br />
Additional Il-76 aircraft are reportedly on order from Russia but production bottlenecks are holding up deliveries, according to Russian military experts.<br />
<br />
If China can introduce a sizeable fleet of Y-20 aircraft over the next decade, it will sharply enhance the PLA's capacity to land troops and equipment on distant battlefields.<br />
<br />
Military experts say this capability would be particularly important in an invasion of Taiwan should Beijing decide to use force to establish control there.<br />
<br />
Some analysts predict the Chinese military will order hundreds of Y-20s benefiting the group's listed unit, AVIC Aircraft Co Ltd, in coming decades if the aircraft can deliver acceptable performance.<br />
<br />
They expect the PLA will also use the Y-20 as the basic airframe for its proposed fleet of in-flight refueling tankers and airborne early warning aircraft.<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-53423210332239633132013-02-26T18:21:00.000+02:002013-02-26T18:21:02.940+02:00Iran, world powers see little chance of breakthrough in new nuclear talks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
It’s been eight months since they last met, but negotiators representing Iran and six leading industrial powers acknowledged Monday that they may have little new to say to one another when the two sides come together for talks about Iran’s nuclear future.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLhB9Edln065kj3finwf5RXkVrNvStgoNtjfQKMqHsWXswyf9pgNtAOXOcTi0CWDLXKw_ShgMzAFKPIi9qTSEhnyn6_eQNiNhFkOUkeLeA0lETP1YP9wxxUq2eAGScLpop3uxVyUVQQ/s1600/iran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLhB9Edln065kj3finwf5RXkVrNvStgoNtjfQKMqHsWXswyf9pgNtAOXOcTi0CWDLXKw_ShgMzAFKPIi9qTSEhnyn6_eQNiNhFkOUkeLeA0lETP1YP9wxxUq2eAGScLpop3uxVyUVQQ/s320/iran.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Negotiations on proposed limits on Iran’s nuclear program are set to begin Tuesday in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where expectations are nearly as low as the frigid temperatures in the former Kazakh capital city. In public comments over the past week, U.S. and Iranian officials alike insisted that the onus was on the other side to make key concessions that could lead to a nuclear deal.<br />
<br />
<br />
Obama administration officials have set a low bar, expressing hope only that the Almaty meeting will yield cordial engagement and an agreement to hold further talks in the spring and summer. One senior U.S. official, briefing reporters on the eve of the talks, said small steps this week could lead to a breakthrough in the future.<br />
<br />
“If Iran engages with us tomorrow and begins to discuss the concrete steps they will take . . . we can move forward,” said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in discussing the U.S. diplomatic position ahead of the talks. “They can get to where they want to go.”<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
Iranian politicians, meanwhile, have urged the country’s negotiators to concede nothing on Tehran’s key demand: international recognition of the nation’s right to develop its nuclear infrastructure, including the capacity to enrich uranium. A statement issued Sunday by parliament warned against compromising on Iran’s “inalienable nuclear rights.”<br />
<br />
“We propose that the United States and its Western allies accept the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear realities and change their policy of confrontation to interaction,” the statement said. It added that Iran’s “nuclear train, which is moving on the rails of peaceful goals, will never stop.”<br />
<br />
The talks in Almaty will be the first since June to bring together diplomats from Iran and the “P5-plus-1” powers — the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany. Three rounds of negotiations last spring and summer ended in failure, as Iran balked at demands that it freeze production of a type of enriched uranium that is used to fuel nuclear power plants but that also can be easily converted into highly enriched fissile material for nuclear weapons. Iran is insisting on immediate relief from U.N. and Western economic sanctions as a precondition for any concessions on its nuclear program.<br />
<br />
The senior U.S. official said Iran will be presented with a “somewhat modified” proposal in Almaty that will take into account Iranian concerns about sanctions, which have cut the country’s global oil exports by half while driving inflation to an annual level approaching 50 percent.<br />
<br />
“We have tried to address some of Iran’s concerns to help gain traction in this negotiation without giving up some of the fundamental principles,” the official said.<br />
<br />
Secretary of State John F. Kerry on Monday reiterated his warning that time for diplomacy is limited, and he said the United States will not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran.<br />
<br />
“There is only time if Iran makes the decision to come to the table and to negotiate in good faith,” Kerry told reporters during a joint news conference in London with his British counterpart, William Hague. “We are prepared to negotiate in good faith, in mutual respect, in an effort to avoid whatever terrible consequences could follow failure.”<br />
<br />
U.S. officials and Iran experts acknowledged numerous obstacles to a deal on the Iranian side, where the prospect of nuclear concessions has become an issue in the domestic political debate.<br />
<br />
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called enthusiastically for direct negotiations with the United States, indicating that he would like to lead such talks before his term as president ends in August. Such a move could increase his political stature and guarantee him a future role in Iranian politics.<br />
<br />
However, many of Ahmadinejad’s opponents — including some close to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — insist that no nuclear deal should be reached until the president leaves office, suggesting that Iran could try to drag out the negotiating process until at least the summer.<br />
<br />
“Khamenei doesn’t want Ahmadinejad to be able to take credit for a deal,” said Dina Esfandiary, a nonproliferation expert with the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. “If talks fail after elections, he can blame it on his new, inexperienced president.”<br />
<br />
Rezaian reported from Tehran. Anne Gearan in London contributed to this report.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-36442903530909592252013-02-19T20:47:00.000+02:002013-02-19T20:47:09.166+02:00Sudan-Saudi navies in first exercises: media<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
The navies of Sudan and Saudi Arabia Have Launched Their first joined military exercises in the Red Sea, the official SUNA news agency reported about on Sunday.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3b51KPw9qxo2FyJ0-zsDcsIiPc835yw_QoeUAITR03oQ_GnhyphenhyphenPaqooLizgj0KiaxSK5cPd4e2BBKa5w-ujL6ucAK8ZqyrkLrWM-aDfkcR0F0wzR_SdKlIAfZmNuo_D29QDT-3A8TXw/s1600/333px-Royal_Saudi_Navy_Logo.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3b51KPw9qxo2FyJ0-zsDcsIiPc835yw_QoeUAITR03oQ_GnhyphenhyphenPaqooLizgj0KiaxSK5cPd4e2BBKa5w-ujL6ucAK8ZqyrkLrWM-aDfkcR0F0wzR_SdKlIAfZmNuo_D29QDT-3A8TXw/s320/333px-Royal_Saudi_Navy_Logo.svg.png" width="320" /></a><br />
The training is to run Until Wednesday and focus on anti-smuggling operations and "boosting security and stability," SUNA quoted Sudan's military spokesman Sawarmi Khaled Saad as saying.<br />
<br />
Two Saudi naval vessels and troops are Participating, he said.<br />
<br />
The exercise comes from Effective warships Iran, with Saudi Arabia HAS Which tense relations, docked at Port Sudan last October and December.<br />
<br />
At the time, the Iranian Port Described Saad calls as normal share of military exchanges entre le two states.<br />
<br />
Israeli Officials Have Expressed concern about arms smuggling through Sudan, and the visits by Tehran's navy cam Effective Khartoum accusé state of the Jewish year October 23 against a military air strike in the capital factory.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The incident led to speculation Iranian weapons That Were Stored Manufactured gold there.<br />
<br />
Israel refused all Sudan's accusation how about the factory blast, while Sudan's foreign ministry denied involvement in Iran Any HAD the plant.<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-82468969183640972502013-02-19T20:45:00.001+02:002013-02-28T18:30:03.004+02:00White paper: commission issued its copy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
The text is less than 100 pages: it was passed last week in the middle of the General Secretariat of Defence and National Security (SGDSN) to be validated - and possibly rewritten - by government authorities. This "final project" is the result of nearly a half of work of the Commission White Paper. It was written by a small team of five editors, under the authority of Jean-Marie Guéhenno.<br />
<br />
The text, revised to SGDSN, will be discussed in early March at a Defence Council at the Elysée and approved by the members of the committee in plenary session. It then becomes the White Paper, which is based on the defense and national security of our country. It should be released in late March, early April.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The committee considered the risks and threats to our country, crossing the most likely and most dangerous. From this work of "structural assumptions" have been developed, which serve as the basis for defining a new model army. One participant explained that work beautifully saw "Aristotle against Plato." On one side (Plato), the reign of ideal types and cardinal principles, the other (Aristotle) the world as it is, with the budgetary situation of France and our system of alliances.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-58897785000587954362013-02-19T20:44:00.003+02:002013-02-19T20:44:55.696+02:00GC Navigation System Integral to 1st Flight of nEUROn UCAV Demonstrator<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), in cooperation with Saab Aerosystems, HAS Provided the attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) for the nEUROn Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator, Which has recently completed successful first flight.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Northrop Grumman's German navigation systems filiale, Northrop Grumman LITEF, the fiber-optic Supplied, LCR-100 AHRS gyrocompassing for UCAV demonstrator the European.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Dassault Neuron uav source lefigaro.fr" class="noAlign" height="436" src="http://img.over-blog.com/493x436/4/22/09/08/France/Entreprise-FR/Dassault/Neuron/Dassault_neuron_uav-source-lefigaro.fr.JPG" style="border: 0px none;" width="493" /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The LCR-100 AHRS Provides navigation information Relating to the aircraft's position, heading and attitude. The north-finding gyrocompass feature Eliminates the need for a magnetic sensing unit, similar to inertial reference system year. Additionally, the system's precise inertial measurement unit Enables extended coasting performance for the aircraft to continue Providing accurate navigation information in the event of GPS signal loss. The LCR-100 is certified to civil standards for commercial off-the-shelf equipment in military platforms.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"The LCR-100 Has proven That It is an efficient, cost-effective solution for unmanned aerial vehicles, Particularly icts Because of small size and light weight," Said Eckehardt Keip, managing director for Northrop Grumman LITEF. "The system to our high standards Performed and played a critical role in the nEUROn's major milestone achievement."</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Neuron 1 December 2012 photo2 dassault-aviation.com" class="noAlign" height="400" src="http://img.over-blog.com/600x400/4/22/09/08/France/Entreprise-FR/Dassault/Neuron/Neuron-01-dec-2012-photo2-dassault-aviation.com.jpg" style="border: 0px none;" width="600" /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The UCAV nEUROn is an experimental Being Developed with international cooperation, led by France, and includes government and industry partners from Greece, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. It is the first platform to be wide stealth designed in Europe. The AIMS program to economic development of, and sustain test key technologies for use by European manufacturers in the next generation of unmanned aerial vehicles and combat aircraft. The demonstrator will not enter serial production. However, additional flight testing, Including a flight in falling on Sweden in 2014, is expected.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Northrop Grumman is a leading LITEF supplier of inertial sensors, inertial reference and inertial navigation systems and computers with products Deployed in more than 30 countries in aircraft, naval vessels and ground mobile applications. The company more than 15.000 HAS fiber-optic gyro systems serving in aircraft worldwide.</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-20247212581580181192013-02-14T19:32:00.000+02:002013-02-14T19:32:15.753+02:00Caracal controlled delivery of the final credits of "stimulus plan"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz926AGAFCVZJLwUxRJk1nTuGFI_EK6dVcxUAutWDnrlsr4Ku7-e5RxqD80R48MbVXd_pFsPEv54gitxbEkvCebxobhXfubTu0aUQNYgo77-zFpWhyphenhyphen6aymACBmgMjIArbfbfJS6k1T7w/s1600/ZW-4301-2_zpsaff7c4c9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz926AGAFCVZJLwUxRJk1nTuGFI_EK6dVcxUAutWDnrlsr4Ku7-e5RxqD80R48MbVXd_pFsPEv54gitxbEkvCebxobhXfubTu0aUQNYgo77-zFpWhyphenhyphen6aymACBmgMjIArbfbfJS6k1T7w/s320/ZW-4301-2_zpsaff7c4c9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has delivered to the Army Air February 8, 2013 the fifth and last of the five EC 725 Caracal helicopters ordered in 2009 at Eurocopter, under the stimulus of the economy.<br />
<br />
These helicopters are intended to supplement the fleet of 14 Caracal service in the French army and regularly deployed in overseas operations.<br />
<br />
The EC 725 is a helicopter designed to perform missions of search and rescue in the zone of combat, troop transport over long distances and special missions. It includes special equipment for such missions, such as refueling system against measures, an infrared camera and instruments to locate a pilot ejected.<br />
<br />
Twin-engine helicopter in the 11-ton class, the EC 725 is the first French helicopter equipped with a self-protection system complete with LCD display and a blindage.Il is also capable of performing rescue missions at sea<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
This contract represented a workload of around 100 people per year for Eurocopter and 150 people per year for its 400 suppliers.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-49030538379911444562013-02-14T19:30:00.001+02:002013-02-14T19:30:52.472+02:00Syria rebels shoot down two planes of the Air Force<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
The rebels killed Thursday two planes Air Force Syrian within a region northwest of the country, reported the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (OSDH).<br />
<br />
Both incidents occurred in the province of Idleb, when aviation main advantage of the regime in its war against the rebels bombed several towns in the region, according to the organization.<br />
<br />
Two military aircraft were shot a few hours apart around Maaret al-Noomane.<br />
<br />
In a video, the rebel group descendants of the Prophet Brigades claimed one of the two operations, claiming to have shot down a Russian aircraft Sukhoi type with the anti-aircraft defenses.<br />
<br />
Since the militarization of the conflict in Syria rebels, far less equipped than the regular army, were able to kill several military aircraft using anti-aircraft and heavy machine guns, according to the OSDH and activists to videos Support.<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-13400539837018506982013-02-14T19:26:00.000+02:002013-02-14T19:26:20.427+02:00A medal for the Pentagon drone operators<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
U.S. Defense announced the creation of a "Distinguished medal warfare" to recognize the merits of those who contribute to "change the way we make war" by directing drones.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAuDT8B7C9naG_mbY83Bp11mjoNoH-yI6TtihdGETPBAUOk917JLu5Ykf0I_fMQ9vFcz8J5yTZqX4QNj2P05RMoZoUvALfC_fJZUPHxa4F8YrBWwcOjq1Vq5GieUAMC9goo30j7oJfA/s1600/RAF-Reaper--photo-UK-MoD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAuDT8B7C9naG_mbY83Bp11mjoNoH-yI6TtihdGETPBAUOk917JLu5Ykf0I_fMQ9vFcz8J5yTZqX4QNj2P05RMoZoUvALfC_fJZUPHxa4F8YrBWwcOjq1Vq5GieUAMC9goo30j7oJfA/s1600/RAF-Reaper--photo-UK-MoD.jpg" /></a>The Pentagon has created a new type of coin, the "Distinguished medal warfare" to greet "extraordinary achievements" of the drone operators, Leon Panetta announced Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of Defense out. Because they do not put their lives in danger, these operators are not eligible for traditional distinctions, but flying planes distance, they contribute, he said, to "change the way we make war."<br />
<br />
The "Distinguished medal warfare" will be awarded to drone operators whose actions have had "direct impact on combat operations." "This award recognizes the reality of the technological war in which we are committed to the twenty-first century," Leon Panetta insisted that must be replaced by Chuck Hagel whose appointment must be approved Friday by the U.S. Senate.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Since the attacks of Sept. 11, drones have become the weapon of choice in the fight against al-Qaida, but they are also used in traditional conflicts such as Afghanistan or Libya. Fleet Defense Department has greatly expanded over the years to achieve, by 2012, 161 Predator, Reaper 54, capable of dropping bombs or missiles, drones and 25 observation Global Hawk, according to the Department of Congressional Research (CRS). The CIA also has its own fleet of drones - thirty according to the Washington Post - used for targeted killings of members of al-Qaeda.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-77549429062148287762013-02-14T19:25:00.001+02:002013-02-14T19:25:17.638+02:00Russia may be drawn into resource wars in future - army chief<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Russia may Become drawn into military conflicts as world powers to begin life for energy resources in the next two decades, Valery Gerasimov Said, the head of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaZ4fZkFC-8bOv2jbfDsot9nCD-QIb059O_rlcnaoGMp64fE-JH04IkcNWhnL-UheBUMbyc9bcFGGtZGWiiSdDjFMJKquKa1xuEhARjaaN4OpeNGL47f2me_PEnouT4nV5trVK5ufYw/s1600/Topol-M--SS-27-Sickle-B--intercontinental-ballistic-missile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaZ4fZkFC-8bOv2jbfDsot9nCD-QIb059O_rlcnaoGMp64fE-JH04IkcNWhnL-UheBUMbyc9bcFGGtZGWiiSdDjFMJKquKa1xuEhARjaaN4OpeNGL47f2me_PEnouT4nV5trVK5ufYw/s1600/Topol-M--SS-27-Sickle-B--intercontinental-ballistic-missile.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
By 2030, the level of "existing and potential terrorism threats will Significantly Increase," Gerasimov Said falling on a security conference in Moscow, selon Interfax.<br />
<br />
Leading world powers will soon begin to struggle for fuel, energy and labor resources, as well as new markets in Which Their goods to sell, some powers will "Actively use Their military potential," he explained.<br />
<br />
He aussi que la Observed sphere of struggle is moving away from traditional battlegrounds - Such as land and sea - and to aerospace information. Conflict zones in North Africa and the Middle East to the point Such exchange in the use of military force, the general said.<br />
<br />
The role of non-military instruments Increasing aussi, Including information wars, secret operations and the use of the "protest potential of a population," Gerasimov Said, Adding That Such non-military means clustering are more effective than the Often use of military power .<br />
<br />
Given thesis challenges, Russia's possession of state-of-the-art weaponry is a "vital requirement for the country's existence," Gerasimov said.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
By 2015, the number of modern weapons and military hardware across Russia's Armed Forces will reach at least 30 percent. And by the end of the decade, all guided missile brigades will be Iskander tactical Supplied with missile systems.<br />
<br />
However, priority is still Being Given to strategic nuclear deterrence forces, to Ensure, Gerasimov said. Russia Plans to re-arm nuclear arsenal icts with modern Topol-M and RS-24 Yars strategic missiles, submarines new, Modernized and Tupolev Tu-160 and Tu-95MS bombers.<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-58124112266180766822013-02-14T19:13:00.001+02:002013-02-14T19:13:21.412+02:00Russian Navy approves the proposed future destroyer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhieEi7j3HtIVLwjK0xSNYhsmEgoMNze-BYdAVj_C_rW3MDLUV5YkvQoQPZq9VslPC0JtJYLo58T-ZE8x8pp1P7MVyA2sIkzLfgDpvZdy2Bo8rUF3ojRRR-cbKcNcpzCpEmw6pwWhKA/s1600/Projet-21956.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhieEi7j3HtIVLwjK0xSNYhsmEgoMNze-BYdAVj_C_rW3MDLUV5YkvQoQPZq9VslPC0JtJYLo58T-ZE8x8pp1P7MVyA2sIkzLfgDpvZdy2Bo8rUF3ojRRR-cbKcNcpzCpEmw6pwWhKA/s320/Projet-21956.3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Command of the Russian Navy has approved the draft presented by the future destroyer design office Severnoe (Saint-Petersburg). If it is completed, this project will build the largest warship in Russia since the collapse of the USSR.<br />
<br />
The Russian Navy has approved the next generation destroyer presented by the consulting firm Severnoe St. Petersburg, an office during the Soviet era was designed especially among the largest warships of the USSR: missile cruisers Project 1164 Atlant (cruiser Moskva , the flagship of the Black Sea fleet, pictured above), large ASW ship Project 1155 nuclear cruisers Kirov Project 1164 (the Peter Grand , flagship of the Northern Fleet) and Project 956 destroyers which included some success Export with 4 units sold in China in 2000. With his experience, Severnoe therefore presented to the Russian Navy destroyer project a displacement of 12,000 tonnes, higher than the Project 21956 destroyer designed primarily for export (8,000 t full load photo below). The last ship of comparable tonnage built in Russia was the nuclear missile cruiser Yuri Andopov , future Peter the Great , put on hold in 1986 to plant the Baltic (ASA in 1998 in the Northern Fleet).<br />
<br />
Although the construction site has not yet been officially decided, it seems that this is the shipyard North (St. Petersburg), which is Presenti.It is expected that over the next 2 to 3 years, the office develops technical documentation of the ship, working on his appearance and armament. Regarding this last point, the armament of the future will therefore destroyer (as often since the cruisers of Project 1164 and 1144) and the height of the missions it will fall. It will be indeed a destroyer versatile able to implement missions ASW, anti-air to ensure a missile defense theater, even extended to a more substantial space and able to support land operations conducted by a task force . As a result, the next generation destroyer will carry torpedoes and will have a hydroacoustic station for ASW. It will also be equipped with anti-surface missile and will carry cruise missiles (probably like Club). It finally have anti-missile systems S-500 with Prometheus.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
The new generation destroyer should also complete missions Russian Mistrals escort and beyond the protection of the future Russian battle group formed around the next nuclear aircraft carrier , the project has not been submitted yet. According to a cons-retired Russian admiral interviewed by the newspaper Izvestia , the Navy would need at least three units. However, it is estimated that a total of nine units deployed fleets between the North and the Pacific would be ideal, with five other units in the Baltic Sea. According to him, the first units should primarily be sent in Pacificique.<br />
<br />
In June last year, the director of OSK (holding Russian shipbuilding) stated at the Economic Forum in St. Petersburg that Russia would hold the first copy on the future destroyer in 2016, a total of 6 units to be built. The timing seems for the moment compliance with these statements.<br />
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2673241730515450594.post-88310888183083724552013-02-05T12:05:00.002+02:002013-02-05T12:05:37.139+02:00North Korea: UN sanction, South Korea and the United States acts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_nEhwOOMJIOoEUNVv8R8wKNWCjSAdG1H_RKtDONENA3yfirb6ollZg-drlAsTm7vfwZPd3F2snfh7_qFjpYC_bf4j1kcmS6dlzlkw-Gt-qRZ_I3ap4coMiE1NVTevDaiCqJsMQqVPg/s1600/Unha-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy_nEhwOOMJIOoEUNVv8R8wKNWCjSAdG1H_RKtDONENA3yfirb6ollZg-drlAsTm7vfwZPd3F2snfh7_qFjpYC_bf4j1kcmS6dlzlkw-Gt-qRZ_I3ap4coMiE1NVTevDaiCqJsMQqVPg/s1600/Unha-3.jpg" /></a></div>
The international community has leapt on Monday, while North Korea is about to conduct a nuclear test. If the UN assured that it would impose a strong response in case of nuclear test, South Korea and the United States have begun joint naval maneuvers to warn Pyongyang.<br />
<br />
The South Korean ambassador to the UN, Kim Sook, was clear on Monday. "We can not stand idly about the initiative taken by devastating provocative and North Korea," he said.<br />
<br />
Pyongyang no end of worry by nuclear activity. Despite the sanctions set against him, the North Korean regime continues its research. And, according to Kim Sook, the next nuclear test is "imminent".<br />
<br />
Pyongyang is ready for another nuclear test<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
A view shared by the South Korean Ministry of Defense. His spokesman Kim Min-Seok, has ensured that the North Korean regime had completed the technical preparations until now the political decision.<br />
<br />
Faced with this new threat of ballistic missile test, the UN did not take long to respond. "I expect very strong measures are taken," insists Kim Sook as well. Adding that 15 members of the Security Council were "united and determined" against this "dangerous attempt to undermine the authority and credibility of the Council."<br />
<br />
Since January 1, South Korea has now assumed the role of observer non-permanent Security Council of the United Nations for a term of two years. It also ensures the rotating presidency of the Council for the month of February.<br />
<br />
A nuclear submarine to enhance foresight South Korean and U.S.<br />
<br />
Along with the United States, the South Korean government began on Monday, naval exercises using a nuclear submarine. A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence has ensured that these military maneuvers began in the Sea of Japan, off the port of Pohang, southeast of the country.<br />
<br />
For three days, several operations training will be conducted through the presence of the submarine USS San Francisco, armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles, but the USS Shiloh, a destroyer of 9800 tons.<br />
<br />
If military officials have assured that these exercises were planned before the new threat is looming North Korean presence in the Asian peninsula is not trivial. It emphasizes above all the warning U.S. forces and South Korea against Pyongyang.<br />
<br />
In Seoul, it is more than a matter of days. Many experts believe that the country test will take place before the Chinese New Year on February 10. Others are waiting to see what shooting rather be made on February 16 birthday of the birth of Kim Jong-Il, who died in December 2011 and father of current leader Kim Jong-Un.<br />
<br />
South Korea looks to China<br />
<br />
An imminent forcing the Special Adviser to the South Korean nuclear go to Beijing on Sunday. Seoul intends to try to persuade China, North Korea's only ally important, to influence Pyongyang in pursuit of its nuclear activities.<br />
<br />
In the face of distrust foreign North Korea would have covered last Friday, the entrance to an underground tunnel in the north-east of the country, as stated by a government official in Seoul on condition of anonymity.<br />
<br />
Pyongyang hopes to thwart the satellite monitoring of various foreign powers. The scheme intends to respond to the Security Council that it had expanded its sanctions last December, after the rocket launch by North Korea.<br />
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05366823090690095294noreply@blogger.com0