Boeing touts fighter jet to rival F-35 — at half the price

In a dogfight of defence contractors, the hunter can quickly become the hunted. It's happening now to the F-35.

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.

After years of technical problems, it's a tempting target for Lockheed Martin's rivals.

It's no surprise, then, that the No. 2 defence contractor, Boeing, smells blood.

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.

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.

Saab receives order for upgrade of mission system Erieye for Brazil

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.

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.

"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.

The upgrade of the Erieye AEW&C Mission System will be delivered from 2014 until 2017.

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.

MoD wastes £6.6bn on kit and supplies it does not need as it tries to save money by cutting troops

Military chiefs waste 6.6bn of taxpayers' money on unnecessary stock

MoD spend £1.1bn on computer system to fix stock control 'weaknesses'

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.
Military chiefs are wasting ‘unacceptable’ sums of taxpayers’ cash by buying and hoarding excess equipment, according to a scathing report today.
MPs on the Commons’ Public Accounts Committee found at least £6.6billion of stock was either unused or over-ordered.

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.

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.

Grob Eyes Australian Opportunity for G120TP

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.

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.


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.

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.

Indonesia to purchase UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from United States

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.

"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.

Phantom Eye completes second flight

 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.

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).

Phantom Eye was airborne for just over year hour, reaching altitudes of 8,000 ft, ending in what Boeing calls a "picture-perfect landing."

Boeing Brings Advanced Training Capabilities to U.S. Navy's T-45 Fleet

Ground-based flight simulators prepare pilots student

- 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.

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.

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.

RSAF gets refueling jet

A new airborne refueling plane was inducted into the Royal Saudi Air Force aircraft fuel fleet at Riyadh Airbase yesterday.
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.
The plane, which belongs to the TRA72-600 airbus generation, will also serve as passenger and light payload carrier, the SPA reported.

The Terrifying Shortage of U.S. Cyberwarriors.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Trying To Stop The Bomb Makers In Pakistan And Afghanistan

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

Hundreds of American troops have been killed by improvised explosive devices containing the material.

Pakistan and the United States will now work on a "reformulated" CAN product in hopes of reducing its effectiveness in homemade bombs.

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.

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.

India arrests man accused of spying for Pakistan

Indian police say they have arrested a man suspected of passing military secrets to arch-rival Pakistan.

The man, an Indian citizen, was held in the western state of Rajasthan near the two countries' border.

Police say he passed details of military exercises held last week to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence.

India and Pakistan frequently accuse each other of spying. The arrest comes after weeks of tension over the disputed territory of Kashmir.

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.

One report says his telephone calls to a relative in Pakistan, who it is alleged works for Pakistani intelligence, were intercepted.

Chinese transport "workhorses" extending military's reach

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.

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.

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.

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.

Iran, world powers see little chance of breakthrough in new nuclear talks

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.

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.


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.

“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.”

Sudan-Saudi navies in first exercises: media

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.

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.

Two Saudi naval vessels and troops are Participating, he said.

The exercise comes from Effective warships Iran, with Saudi Arabia HAS Which tense relations, docked at Port Sudan last October and December.

At the time, the Iranian Port Described Saad calls as normal share of military exchanges entre le two states.

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.

White paper: commission issued its copy

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.

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.

GC Navigation System Integral to 1st Flight of nEUROn UCAV Demonstrator

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.

Northrop Grumman's German navigation systems filiale, Northrop Grumman LITEF, the fiber-optic Supplied, LCR-100 AHRS gyrocompassing for UCAV demonstrator the European.

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.

Caracal controlled delivery of the final credits of "stimulus plan"

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.

These helicopters are intended to supplement the fleet of 14 Caracal service in the French army and regularly deployed in overseas operations.

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.

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

Syria rebels shoot down two planes of the Air Force

The rebels killed Thursday two planes Air Force Syrian within a region northwest of the country, reported the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (OSDH).

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.

Two military aircraft were shot a few hours apart around Maaret al-Noomane.

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.

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.

A medal for the Pentagon drone operators

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.

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."

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.

Russia may be drawn into resource wars in future - army chief

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.

By 2030, the level of "existing and potential terrorism threats will Significantly Increase," Gerasimov Said falling on a security conference in Moscow, selon Interfax.

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.

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.

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 .

Given thesis challenges, Russia's possession of state-of-the-art weaponry is a "vital requirement for the country's existence," Gerasimov said.

Russian Navy approves the proposed future destroyer

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.

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).

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.

North Korea: UN sanction, South Korea and the United States acts

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.

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.

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".

Pyongyang is ready for another nuclear test

The frigate Chevalier Paul participate in Gulf Falcon 2013

The air defense frigate Chevalier Paul participate in the naval exercise sequence Gulf Falcon 2013.Jointly organized by Qatar and France, from February 16 to March 7, 2013, in the framework of cooperation agreements in the field of defense between the two countries, Gulf Falcon 2013 is part of a four-year cycle and initiates coordinated air land and sea.

IDF Constructing a Smart System at Northern Border

The Multi-Sensor System (MSS) will Significantly Reduce the staff required to monitor the Golan Heights border area

The IDF HAS recently started building of 'the world's smartest' border barrier system, opposite Syria. The project is Carried out by Elbit Systems at year Estimated cost of a quarter of a NIS one billion (more than $ 60 million).

The decision to construct the new border barrier system on the Golan Heights was made head falling on 2011. The decision cam in the wake of the WEAKENING of Syria's Central diet and growing apprehension That Global Jihad items will ESTABLISH a hold on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights Following the collapse of Bashar Assad's government.The Golan Heights border was regarded Israel 's most tranquil border since 1974 (with perfect quiet prevailing in the area Following the end of the Yom Kippur War). Concerns Regarding the implications of the Syrian civil war on the security situation in the Golan Heights along Hundreds of Syrians Intensified When Attempted to cross the fence at the border with Israel falling on the 'Nakba Day' on May 15, 2011.

The FREMM Aquitaine's first successful Aster missile

Monday, February 4, 2013, Aquitaine, first frigate of the French Navy FREMM class (Multi-Mission Frigate), has successfully completed its first missile Aster 15 air defense in the Mediterranean, off the test center Missile Armament Directorate General on the Ile du Levant. The FREMM is the third type of building the Navy to proceed with the firing of a missile Aster after the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and defense frigates Forbin and Chevalier Paul Airlines.

The shooting took place in the major part of the Verification of Military Specifications (VCM) of Aquitaine, his future step prior to admission to Active Service (ASA) in the navy. "This fire has allowed marine Aquitaine concretely validate all stages of implementation of Aster 15 missile type from a FREMM" says CV Benedict Rouvière, commander of the frigate. "The firing sequence will load the missile aboard the actual destruction of the target through the key phases of the target detection by radar and treatment system operators combat the boat."

New Zealand Considers Super Seasprite Helicopters Requirement for Navy

The New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MoD) is Undertaking a final review of SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopters That Were Previously rejected by the Australian government, in Support of a formal bid for the aircraft.

Des Ashton, deputy secretary of Defense (Acquisition) in the MoD, Told IHS Jane's that the assessment, a final assessment of the helicopters' airworthiness, was under way on 31 January before the submission of a proposal to government to provide the helicopters.

"We are looking at that [the purchase of the helicopters] very Actively, "he said. "We have a gateway review going on right now - today - and basically we are ... Determining Whether we can put a viable proposal through to our government." Ashton added: "We are looking at this [helicopter] as the preferred option for a naval helicopter capability Retaining [Within The Royal New Zealand Navy]."

Lockheed F-35 general manager retiring

 Lockheed Martin's F-35 general manager Tom Burbage is retiring after 13 years on the job.

"After 32 years of working with Lockheed Martin and legacy divisions, Tom Burbage has decided to retire," Lockheed says. "His impact to the F-35 program and other areas of aeronautics is immeasurable."

Burbage will continue to work on the F-35 programme until the end of March until the company picks a successor. "We will finalize our plans on how to backfill his role as his retirement date gets closer," Lockheed says.

Missile Defense's Real Enemy: Math

Stretching back several decades, the concept of missile defense has-been hotly alloted. Some scholars argue well Reasoned que le United States and other countries need Such deterrence breaks down defenses incase year or irrational actor gets Their finger on the nuclear trigger. Others argue missile defenses That are a waste of money Given That They Are Easily Defeated, and defensive technology will always stay behind the curve - never ready for primetime.

Both sides Have logical arguments. For the record, I am an advocate of missile defense - under some conditions. With various nations all over the planet purchasing or ballistic and cruise Developing weapons, defenses against weaponry Such are vital - Especially for the American navy in the form of Aegis missile defenses. When it comes to missile defense in nuclear matters-I have some shall we say, complex views. For regimes Such as Iran, North Korea and others is not rationality sometimes When Their Strongest follows - missile defense all the way. When it comes to larger nations with missile arsenals Such as China or Russia, I am not sold - yet.

U.S. Army SMDC Andrews Space Funds To Build Kestrel Eye 2 Earth Imaging Nanosat

Andrews Space (Andrews) HAS Announced That They Have beens Funded by the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command to design and Deliver a Kestrel Eye Block 2 Earth imaging spacecraft as share of the Army's Kestrel Eye program.

Under the current effort, known as Kestrel Eye Block 2, Andrews economic development of will, build and Deliver Earth imaging nanosatellite year.

The spacecraft embodies a paradigm shift to lower-cost, higher persistence overhead reconnaissance capabilities. While not Meant to replace traditional imaging assets, Kestrel Eye seeks to augment Block 2 the current approach to remote sensing by Demonstrating the implementation of low-cost, commercial technologies to enable a new tier of recognition capability.

Germany will develop a drone with France

The Minister of Defence of Germany Thomas de Maizière said Friday support the idea of ​​joint development with France UCAVs not giving anything to an aircraft with a crew on board. "The decision to use and not use a drone army is always made by man," he added.