Monday, June 28, 2010

DTN News: Boeing NewGen Tanker Win Would Bring 230 Jobs, $11 Million To Minnesota

Defense News: DTN News: Boeing NewGen Tanker Win Would Bring 230 Jobs, $11 Million To Minnesota
Source: DTN News / Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., - June 29, 2010: The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] yesterday June 28, announced that Minnesota will benefit from approximately 230 jobs and an estimated $11 million in annual economic impact if the Boeing NewGen Tanker is selected as the U.S. Air Force's next aerial refueling aircraft.
"I am very pleased that several top Minnesota manufacturers will be joining Boeing’s outstanding Tanker Team. This is a unique opportunity to create jobs and attract significant investment to our state," said Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
Minnesota manufacturers ready to produce critical components on the NewGen Tanker include:
**CPP, Minneapolis – main landing gear door uplocks
**Honeywell, Minneapolis and Coon Rapids – Air Data Inertial Navigation System, environmental control systems
**Kurt Manufacturing, Minneapolis – machine parts
**Rosemount Aerospace, Burnsville – angle of attack systems, ice detection systems, temperature sensors.
Boeing currently works with more than 200 suppliers/vendors across Minnesota, resulting in an estimated $624 million in annual economic impact.
The NewGen Tanker is a widebody, multi-mission aircraft based on the proven Boeing 767 commercial airplane and updated with the latest and most advanced technology. Capable of fulfilling the Air Force's needs for transport of fuel, cargo, passengers and patients, the combat-ready NewGen Tanker is being offered as a replacement for 179 KC-135 aircraft. Boeing is writing a proposal to meet or exceed the 372 mandatory requirements described in the service's final KC-X Request for Proposal released on Feb. 24. The Air Force is expected to award a contract later this year.
The NewGen Tanker will be made with a low-risk approach to manufacturing that relies on existing Boeing facilities in Washington state and Kansas as well as U.S. suppliers throughout the nation, with decades of experience delivering dependable military tanker and derivative aircraft. Nationwide, the NewGen Tanker program will support approximately 50,000 total U.S. jobs with Boeing and more than 800 suppliers in more than 40 states.
The Boeing NewGen Tanker also will be more cost-effective to own and operate than a larger, heavier tanker. It will save American taxpayers more than $10 billion in fuel costs over its 40-year service life because it burns 24 percent less fuel than the competitor's airplane.
Boeing has been designing, building, modifying and supporting tankers for decades. These include the KC-135 that will be replaced in the KC-X competition, and the KC-10 fleet. The company also has delivered four KC-767Js to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and is on contract to deliver four KC-767s to the Italian Air Force. Three of the four Italian tankers are in flight test, with the fourth airplane in production.
More information on Boeing's NewGen Tanker, including video clips and an interactive tour of the aircraft, is available at www.UnitedStatesTanker.com. For more information on joining the company's efforts, visit www.RealAmericanTankers.com.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.
Contact:
William Barksdale
Boeing Communications
Office: 314-232-0860
Mobile: 314-707-3294
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DTN News: First India C-130J In Full Color

Defense News: DTN News: First India C-130J In Full Color

Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin Dt. June 25th, 2010
(NSI News Source Info) MARIETTA, Ga., - June 29, 2010: The first Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] C-130J Super Hercules for India has completed painting at the company's Marietta, Ga., facility. The aircraft now enters flight test in preparation for delivery at the end of the year. The program for India includes six C-130Js, training of aircrew and maintenance technicians, spare parts, and ground support and test equipment. Also included is India-unique operational equipment designed to increase Special Operations capabilities.
DTN News reports, in May 2006, India Defence quoted Air Chief S.P. Tyagi saying that “the IAF is planning to buy C-130J planes” for its special forces and Border Security Forces. Reports indicate that the IAF is particularly attracted to the C-130J’s ability to land and take off even in improvised or short airfields, and without lights. Those characteristics have served the Hercules well in other anti-terrorism scenarios like Operation Yonatan in Entebbe, and are now more routine maneuvers thanks to the C-130J Hercules’ modern avionics and increased engine power. the ‘J’ model performs well in “hot and high” conditions which can reduce the useful load of older Hercules or similar transport aircraft by 50-60%.
The Indian Air Force purchased six C-130J-30s in early 2008 at a cost of up to US$1.059 billion. It is a package deal with the US government under its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, and India has retained options to buy six more of these aircraft for its special forces for combined army-air force operations.
Media Contact:
Peter Simmons
Office: 770-494-6208
Mobile: 678-662-4747
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DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated June 28, 2010

Defense News: DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated June 28, 2010
Source: U.S. DoD issued June 28, 2010
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - June 29, 2010: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued June 28, 2010 are undermentioned;<>
CONTRACTS
DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY
~On June 11, 2010, the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) issued a bridge extension for the Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) multiple-award Omnibus contracts as a modification to the three existing contracts. Each of the three JITC Omnibus multiple-award, Time and Material (T&M) contracts that are awarded to:
~1) Northrop Grumman Information Technology Inc. (NGIT) under contract number NBCHC020001;
~2) Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (NGMS) under contract number NBCHC020002; and
~3) Interop Joint Venture II (IJV) under contract NBCHC020003 will be extended. The current contracts expire 31 August 2010. The six month bridge extension will add an additional six month period to each JITC Omnibus contract from September 1, 2010 to February 28, 2011 with three 2-month option periods. The three 2-month optional periods will cover March 1, 2011 to August 31, 2011 if exercised. The total combined ceiling values for the extension period and option period will be increased by 70 million, changing the total contract ceilings from 1.05 billion to 1.12 billion. The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), posted to FedBizOps website on April 19, 2010. Performance will be at done at various DISA/Joint Interoperability Testing Command locations. The original solicitation was issued as a full and open competitive action and 8 proposals were received. All three contractors are large businesses. A follow-on solicitation is pending. The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization, (DITCO) ,Scott Air Force Base, Ill. (satellite branch-JITC, Fort Huachuca), is the contracting activity.
~Government Contracting Resources, Inc.*, Pinehurst, N.C., was awarded a $21,229,204, firm-fixed-price contract utilizing partial fiscal 2010 and 2011 operations & maintenance funding, base year, for base operating support services on June 18, 2010. The period of performance for the base period is Aug. 1, 2010 through July 21, 2011 with four 12-month options. Performance will be at Fort George G. Meade, Md. The solicitation was issued as a veteran-owned small business set-aside. The solicitation was posted on the Federal Business Opportunities Web site and three responsive offers were received. The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization, NCR, is the contracting activity (HC1047-10-C-4021).
NAVY
~Raytheon Technical Services Co., Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded a $250,475,758 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the development, implementation and sustainment of 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017 V-22 Block Fleet release avionics systems software products, including V-22 aircraft avionics acquisition support. In addition, this contract provides for the development, test and production of V-22 situational awareness/Blue Force tracking software and prototype hardware products. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Ind., and is expected to be completed in September 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-10-D-0012).
~Raytheon Co., Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded an $88,202,604 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-09-C-0061) for the Lot 10 production of 121 AIM-9X Block I all-up-round tactical missiles for the Air Force (65) and the government of Korea (55); 12 Block I captive air training missiles (CATM) for the government of Korea; 15 Block I special air training missiles (NATM) for the Air Force; seven Block II captive training missiles for the Air Force; 21 Block II NATMs for the Air Force; five Block I CATM guidance units (GU) for the Air Force; 15 Block II CATM GUs for the Air Force; seven Block II active optical target detectors for the Air Force; six Block I propulsion steering sections for the Air Force; 52 containers for the Air Force (30) and the government of Korea (22); and associated tooling and test equipment for the Navy, Air Force and the government of Korea. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz. (57.17 percent); Andover, Mass. (6.97 percent); various locations inside the contiguous U.S. (6.67 percent); Valencia, Calif. (4.76 percent); Goleta, Calif. (4.22 percent); Rocket Center, W.Va. (4.06 percent); Vancouver, Wash. (3.30 percent); Midland, Canada (2.94 percent); Austin, Texas (1.91 percent); Cincinnati, Ohio (1.37 percent); Cheshire, Conn. (1.36 percent); El Cajon, Calif. (0.88 percent); Chatsworth, Calif. (0.88 percent); San Jose, Calif. (0.75 percent); Anniston, Ala. (0.74 percent); Simsbury, Conn. (0.70 percent); San Diego, Calif. (0.63 percent); Newbury Park, Calif. (0.52 percent); and various locations outside the contiguous U.S. (0.17 percent). Work is expected to be completed in August 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force ($60,216,469; 68.27 percent); Navy ($2,833,799; 3.21 percent); and the government of Korea ($25,152,336; 28.52 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-09-C-0061).
~Raytheon Co., Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $40,403,434 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-09-C-0061) for the Lot 10 production of 54 AIM-9X Block I all-up-round tactical missiles for the U.S. Navy (45) and for the government of Korea (nine); seven Block I captive air training missiles (CATM) for the government of Korea; four Block II captive training missiles for the Navy; 15 Block II special air training missiles for the Navy; 21 Block I CATM guidance units (GU) for the Navy (three) and the governments of Singapore (eight), Australia, (eight), and Korea (two); seven Block II CATM GUs for the Navy; four Block II active optical target detectors for the Navy; and four Block I propulsion steering sections for the Navy. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz. (57.17 percent); Andover, Mass. (6.97 percent); various locations inside the contiguous U.S. (6.67 percent); Valencia, Calif. (4.76 percent); Goleta, Calif. (4.22 percent); Rocket Center, W.Va. (4.06 percent); Vancouver, Wash. (3.30 percent); Midland, Canada (2.94 percent); Austin, Texas (1.91 percent); Cincinnati, Ohio (1.37 percent); Cheshire, Conn. (1.36 percent); El Cajon, Calif. (0.88 percent); Chatsworth, Calif. (0.88 percent); San Jose, Calif. (0.75 percent); Anniston, Ala. (0.74 percent); Simsbury, Conn. (0.70 percent); San Diego, Calif. (0.63 percent); Newbury Park, Calif. (0.52 percent); and various locations outside the contiguous U.S. (0.17 percent). Work is expected to be completed in August 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Navy ($32,944,420; 81.54 percent); and the governments of Korea ($5,699,174; 14.10 percent), Australia ($879,920; 2.18 percent), and Singapore ($879,920; 2.18 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
~BAE Systems Electronics, Intelligence & Support, Electronic Solutions, Nashua, N.H., is being awarded a $30,954,068 firm-fixed-price contract for the low-rate initial production Lot 6 for the Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures AN/ALE-55 subsystems for the F/A-18E/F aircraft, including associated technical support for the Navy, Marine Corps, and the government of Australia. In addition, this contract provides for recurring and non-recurring engineering efforts in order to fabricate, assemble, test and deliver the component hardware of the AN/ALE-55 subsystem. The AN/ALE-55 subsystem consists of an electronic frequency converter (EFC) and a fiber optic towed device (FOTD) round. This contract provides for 72 EFCs for the Navy (55) and the government of Australia (17); and 334 FOTD rounds for the Navy and Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Nashua, N.H. (80.6 percent); Mountain View, Calif. (12 percent); and Chelmsford, United Kingdom (7.4 percent). Work is expected to be completed in September 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Navy and Marine Corps ($28,524,921; 92.2 percent), and the government of Australia ($2,429,147; 7.8 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-10-C-0069).
~Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., Sunnyvale, Calif., is being awarded a $29,665,942 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide systems engineering services to support the integration of the TRIDENT II (D5) missile and reentry subsystems into the common missile compartment for the Ohio SSBN replacement program. Work will be performed in Sunnyvale, Calif. (53.38 percent); Cape Canaveral, Fla. (40.02 percent); Magna, Utah (3.54 percent); Groton, Conn. (1.55 percent); Olathe, Kan. (0.67 percent); Melbourne, Fla. (0.50 percent); Bangor, Wash. (0.27 percent); Dallas, Texas (0.03 percent); and Port Washington, N.Y. (0.01 percent). Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was sole-source. Strategic Systems Programs, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (N00030-10-C-0043)
~Orbital Sciences Corp., Chandler, Ariz., is being awarded a $26,385,013 firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-fee contract for the full-rate production of seven GQM-163A Coyote supersonic sea-skimming target vehicles, associated hardware, and kits. Work will be performed in Chandler, Ariz. (67 percent); Camden, Ark. (26 percent); Vergennes, Vt. (4 percent); and Hollister, Calif. (3 percent). Work is expected to be completed in January 2013. Contract funds in the amount of $93,816 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-2. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-10-C-0063).
~Raytheon Co., El Segundo, Calif., is being awarded a $26,500,000 firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-10-G-0018) for the procurement of 50 forward looking infrared radar for the CH-53E helicopters (42) and CH-53K helicopters (eight). Work will be performed in El Segundo, Calif., and is expected to be completed in June 2012. Contract funds in the amount of $530,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
~Capco, Inc., Grand Junction, Colo. (N00164-10-D-WR31);
~PRN Associates, Indianapolis, Ind. (N00164-10-D-WR29); and
~Roselm Industries, Inc., South El Monte, Calif. (N00164-10-D-WR30), are each being awarded a $10,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for breech plates that are part of a countermeasure dispensing system. These breech plates are a component for the aircraft countermeasure dispensing system which ejects decoys to protect aircraft from exterior threats including surface-to-air missiles. Work will be performed in Grand Junction, Colo.; Indianapolis, Ind.; South El Monte, Calif.; and is expected to be completed by June 2015. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This is part of a multiple-award contract with four offers being received. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity.
~Raytheon Network Centric Systems, Marlborough, Mass., is being awarded a $7,171,329 cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00421-09-G-0002) for engineering and technical services in support of the air traffic, navigation, integration and coordination system. Work will be performed in Marlborough, Mass. (70 percent), and Largo, Fla. (30 percent); and is expected to be completed in June 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $7,171,329 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-09-G-0002).
~Canadian Commercial Corp., General Dynamics Land Systems Canada, is being awarded a $5,694,383.80 firm-fixed-priced delivery order #0008 under contract number M67854-07-D-5028 for the procurement of modernization safety kits to be installed on the RG-31 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle fleet. The modernization safety kits include a fire-resistant self-sealing fuel tank; an upgraded 570 amp alternator; a back-up alarm system; an improved interior lighting system; and an increased crew ventilation kit. Approximately 33 percent of the product manufacturing will be produced in Buffalo, N.Y., with the remainder being completed at General Dynamics facilities in Canada and South Africa. All deliveries are expected no later than June 28, 2011. Fiscal 2008 OPA contract funds are being will be utilized and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-07-D-5028).
~BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems, Inc., Greenlawn, N.Y., is being awarded a $5,528,860 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-priced contract (N00019-08-C-0061) to exercise an option for the procurement of identification friend-or-foe common digital transponder hardware for the Navy and Army. This option consists of 23 RT-1836(C) AN/APX-118 transponders for the Army; 27 RT-192 AN/APX-123 transponders for the Navy (five) and Army (22); 450 Mode 5 modification kits for the Army; one MT-7221 APX mount for the Navy; and 150 power supplies for the Army. Work will be performed in Greenlawn, N.Y., and is expected to be completed in March 2012. Contract funds in the amount of $33,110 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Army ($5,362,725; 97 percent) and Navy ($166,135; 3 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
ARMY
~Balfour Beatty Construction, Fairfax, Va., was awarded on June 24 a $43,613,850 firm-fixed-price-construction contract. This contract is for Base Items 0001-0022 and Option Item 1003. This procurement is a design-build project for a dining facility at Fort Jackson, S.C. This project will design and build a new “quad” dining facility complex and renovate four starships including all site work. Work is to be performed in Fort Jackson, S.C., with an estimated completion date of June 3, 1012. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with four bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District Contracting Office, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (W91236-10-C-0058).
~Raytheon Co, Integrated Defense Co., Andover, Mass., was awarded on June 24 a $31,502,788 cost-plus-fixed-fee, level-of-effort contract. This contract is for fiscal 2010 Patriot engineering services contract for 907,043 man-hours of effort. Work is to be performed in Andover, Mass. (9.34 percent); Burlington, Mass. (15.20 percent); El Paso, Texas (15.26 percent); Huntsville, Ala. (3.87 percent); and Tewksbury, Mass. (56.33 percent), with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2014. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Aviation & Missile Command Contracting Center, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-09-C-0057).
~NCI Information Systems, Inc., Reston, Va., was awarded a $27,651,725 time-and-material contract. The contractor will provide a wide range of diverse services in the area of management, logistical and technical engineering support to Program Executive Office Soldier, Project Manager (PM) Soldier protection and individual equipment, PM Soldier sensors and lasers, PM Soldier Warrior, and PM Soldier Weapons, with performance through Oct. 31, 2010. Work is to be performed in Middle River, Md. (20 percent); Fort Belvoir, Va. (20 percent); Haymarket, Va. (30 percent); Hopewell, Va. (15 percent); Fort Benning, Ga. (4 percent); Afghanistan (1 percent); Iraq (1 percent); and Kuwait (9 percent), with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2010. One single-award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W91BRF-07-D-0014).
~John C. Grimberg, Rockville, Md., was awarded on June 24 a $13,478,000 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is for the design and construction of a multi-story emergency services center that will provide a fire station, police/law enforcement, and administrative support space. Work is to be performed in Fort Detrick, Md., with an estimated completion date of Sept 17, 2012. Bids were solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities Web site with 13 bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, Baltimore, Md., is the contracting activity (W912DR-10-C-0087).
~SRI International, Menlo Park, Calif., was awarded on June 24 a $9,036,694 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. This contract is for Phases II/II of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s panoptic analysis of chemical traces program. SRI International will develop an advanced analytical system for processing and identification of chemicals in the atmosphere which will provide high-throughout, cost-effective, high fidelity identification of chemical constituents. This technology will facilitate rapid, accurate chemical mapping and reconnaissance. Work is to be performed in Menlo Park, Calif. (80.9 percent); Plymouth, Minn. (8.6 percent); Poway, Calif., (4.7 percent), Toronto, Canada (4.9 percent); and Seattle, Wash., (0.9 percent), with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2012. Bids were solicited through a broad agency announcement with four bids received. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-10-C-0113).
~P&S Construction, Inc., Lowell, Mass., was awarded on June 24 an $8,967,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of a new 150-member Army Reserve center, vehicle maintenance shop, and unheated storage building located in Luzerne County, Ashley, Pa. Work is to be performed in Hanover Township, Pa., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 30, 2011. Fifty bids were solicited with six bids received. U.S. Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-10-C-0062).
~Omega Training Group, Inc., Columbus, Ga., was awarded on June 24 a $5,668,512 time-and-material contract. The contractor will provide support services for non-governmental-in-nature tasks that exceed organic capabilities of Task Force Marshall at Fort Jackson, S.C. Work is to be performed in Fort Jackson, S.C., with an estimated completion date of June 21, 2012. Seven bids were solicited with six bids received. Mission & Installation Contracting MICC Center, Fort Bragg, N.C., is the contracting activity (W91247-10-C-9001).
*Small business
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DTN News: Phantom Fading Fast

Defense News: DTN News: Phantom Fading Fast
Source: Strategy Page
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - June 29, 2010: After 41 years, South Korea is retiring the last of its 222 F-4D Phantom fighter-bombers. They (and F-5 fighters) have been replaced, over the last 15 years, by 40 F-15K fighter-bombers and 180 F-16s. The F-4 was a 28 ton, two seat, fighter bomber designed in the 1950s, and about 5,200 were built, mostly in the 1960s and 70s. About ten percent of them are still in service.
Replacing the F-4 as a fighter-bomber is the F-15K, which is a customized version of the 36 ton U.S. F-15E (a two seat fighter bomber version of the single seat, 31 ton F-15C fighter). Already in service for twenty years, the F-15E can carry up to 11 tons of bombs and missiles (compared to 8 tons on the F-4), along with a targeting pod and an internal 20mm cannon. It's an all weather aircraft that can fly one-way up to 3,900 kilometers. It uses in-flight refueling to hit targets anywhere on the planet. Smart bombs made the F-15 particularly efficient. The backseater handles the electronics and bombing. The F-15E remains a potent air-superiority fighter, making it an exceptional combat aircraft. This success prompted Israel, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Singapore to buy it, paying about $100 million per aircraft. In the U.S. Air Force, the F-15E is one of the most popular aircraft for combat pilots to fly, even more so than the new F-22.
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com
Disclaimer statement
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied herein, DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Unless otherwise indicated, opinions expressed herein are those of the author of the page and do not necessarily represent the corporate views of DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News.
Various Topics On Strategy Page
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DTN News: Afghanistan TODAY June 28, 2010 - Four NATO Troops Killed As CIA Warns On Afghan War

Defense News: DTN News: Afghanistan TODAY June 28, 2010 - Four NATO Troops Killed As CIA Warns On Afghan War
Source: DTN News - compiled from reliable sources including Lynne O'Donnell AFP by Roger Smith
(NSI News Source Info) KABUL, Afghanistan- June 28, 2010: The death toll among foreign soldiers fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan closed in on the grim toll of 100 for June alone as the CIA chief warned that the war will be tougher and longer than expected.
The deaths of four Norwegian soldiers on Sunday, when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in the northern province of Faryab, brought to 98 the number of NATO soldiers killed this month, according to an AFP tally.
The toll for the year to date is 318 -- compared to 520 for all of 2009.
"Norway has been hit hard. The loss deeply affects us all. It's hard and it reminds us of the risk we're taking," said Defence Minister Grete Faremo.
NATO says the dramatic upswing in casualty numbers in June has been caused by the alliance stepping up military operations and taking the fight to the Taliban in areas where they have previously been unchallenged.
The heavy toll can be largely attributed to the Taliban's use of homemade bombs, or improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which are cheap and easy to make and account for the majority of foreign troops deaths.
Eight civilians including women and children were also killed on Monday when a Taliban-style bomb ripped through a minivan in the central province of Ghazni, police said.
The rising casualties come as questions are mounting in the United States and Europe about military strategy in Afghanistan following last week's sacking of the top NATO commander, US General Stanley McChrystal.
McChrystal was forced to step down after disparaging remarks about US administration officials, including President Barack Obama, in an explosive article in Rolling Stone magazine.
The article raised questions about whether McChrystal's counter-insurgency strategy, under which an extra 30,000 US troops were scheduled for deployment in Afghanistan, was working and fully supported by the US administration.
A British newspaper reported Sunday that days before he was fired, McChrystal issued a highly critical assessment of the war in a briefing note to allies that warned them to expect little progress in the next six months.
The head of the CIA, Leon Panetta, also acknowledged "serious problems" with the Afghan war.
"We're dealing with a country that has problems with governance, problems with corruption, problems with narcotics trafficking, problems with a Taliban insurgency," Panetta told ABC television.
"We are making progress. But it's harder and slower than anyone anticipated."
Noting that Al-Qaeda's leadership was now apparently weaker than ever, he insisted Obama's surge strategy, which will see the number of international troops on the ground peak at 150,000 in August, is the right one.
But he said the success or failure of NATO's mission depended on whether the Afghan government, police and military could step up alongside NATO to help bring security and stability.
Efforts to support President Hamid Karzai's government are also severely undermined by widespread corruption, with many Afghans distrustful of Kabul.
Despite assurances from Karzai that eradicating graft was a priority of his second presidency -- won last year in corruption-riddled polls -- fears that little real effort is being made were stoked anew Monday with a newspaper report that enormous sums in cash are being flown out of Kabul. The Wall Street Journal said more than three billion dollars in cash has left the country in recent years, and quoted unnamed sources saying the money was likely the ill-gotten gains from corruption and narcotics.
"A lot of this looks like our tax dollars being stolen. And opium, of course," a US official who is investigating corruption and Taliban financing told the newspaper.
Much of southern Afghanistan is blighted by the Taliban insurgency, now in its deadliest phase since the US-led invasion ousted the hardline Islamist regime and installed a Western-backed administration.
McChrystal's counter-insurgency strategy, which brought sweeping changes aimed at cutting civilian casualties and winning over the population, had been credited with bringing some order to the spiralling conflict.
McChrystal has been replaced in Afghanistan by General David Petraeus, the architect of the successful surge strategy in Iraq that is credited with bringing the country back from the brink of civil war.
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DTN News: Iran TODAY June 28, 2010 - Russia Says Alarmed By CIA View Of Iran's Weapons

Defense News: DTN News: Iran TODAY June 28, 2010 - Russia Says Alarmed By CIA View Of Iran's Weapons
Source: DTN News - compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including Guy Faulconbridge & David Storey - Reuters & PRESS TV (Iran)
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - June 28, 2010: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Sunday he was alarmed by U.S. assertions that Iran may have enough fuel for two nuclear weapons and warned that if confirmed the Islamic Republic may face new measures. Central Intelligence Agency Director Leon Panetta told ABC's "This Week" television program that the agency thinks Iran has enough low-enriched uranium now for two weapons, but that Tehran would have to further enrich the material first.
"As to this information -- it needs to be checked," Medvedev told reporters in Toronto, where he was attending the Group of 20 summit of rich and emerging nations.
"In any case, such information is always alarming because today the international community does not recognise the Iranian nuclear program as transparent," Medvedev said.
Russian leaders rarely comment on CIA statements and Medvedev's sharp comments indicate the gulf that has grown between Moscow and Tehran over recent months.
The Kremlin and Tehran had a public row last month after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad admonished the Kremlin for bowing to what he said was U.S. pressure to agree further sanctions.
Urged on by the Obama administration, the U.N. Security Council -- which includes Russia -- this month passed a resolution to impose new sanctions on Iran over its nuclear development.
"If it is shown that what the American special services say is true then it will of course make the situation more tense, and I do not exclude that this question would have to be looked at additionally," Medvedev said.
The United States, key European Union powers and Israel say Iran is trying to use its civilian nuclear program to hide an attempt to create an atomic bomb, an assertion Tehran denies.
Russia has repeatedly called on Iran to remove the doubts that the international community have and earlier this year one of Russia's top security officials said that Western concerns were valid.
The CIA said that for Iran to have enough nuclear material for bombs, it would have to enrich its low-enriched uranium.
"We would estimate that if they made that decision, it would probably take a year to get there, probably another year to develop the kind of weapons delivery system in order to make that viable," CIA chief Panetta said.
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com
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DTN News: Turkey TODAY June 28, 2010 - Turkey Closes Skies To Israel

Defense News: DTN News: Turkey TODAY June 28, 2010 - Turkey Closes Skies To Israel
Source: DTN News - compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including by Maayana Miskin - Arutz Sheva Israel news & PRESS TV (Iran)
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - June 28, 2010: Turkey is closing its skies to Israeli planes, Turkish media outlets reported Monday. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the closure in a meeting with Canadian journalists in Toronto, they said.Erdogan reportedly described the move as another stage in Turkey's response to a recent clash between Israeli troops and pro-terror Turkish activists in which nine Turkish citizens were killed. The clash took place as foreign activists attempted to break Israel's naval blockade on Gaza. Members of the Turkish group IHH violently attacked and wounded Israeli soldiers as they attempted to board the ship Mavi Marmara, kicking off an armed struggle.
Turkey has demanded that Israel apologize for the incident, compensate Turkish citizens who were wounded, agree to an international investigation of the clash, and end the naval blockade on Hamas-run Gaza.
Israeli officials said they were not informed of any Turkish change in policy regarding Israeli flights. Unless Turkey makes an official statement, Israel will continue to assume that Turkish skies are open, they said. (IsraelNationalNews.com)
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com
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DTN News: France Pledges To Equip LAF With Modern Weapons

Defense News: DTN News: France Pledges To Equip LAF With Modern Weapons
Source: DTN News - compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including The Daily Star
(NSI News Source Info) BEIRUT, Lebanon - June 28, 2010: France has promised to provide Lebanon with modern weapons, the National News Agency (NNA) reported on Wednesday.
During a meeting with Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Murr, his French counterpart Hervé Morin stressed France’s support to supply the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) with modern weapons.
According to the NNA, discussions tackled how to enhance bilateral military cooperation and the delivery of Gazelle helicopters equipped with HOT missiles and 20 millimeter guns.
Morin last month vowed to equip the LAF with Gazelle helicopters after talks with Premier Saad Hariri, President Michel Sleiman and Murr in Beirut.
At the time, Morin said Paris was confident any military donations given to Lebanon would be properly managed.
Western states have often said they fear sophisticated weapons delivered as aid to the Lebanese state could find their way to Hizbullah, who might use them against Israel.
Israel has repeatedly accused Syria and Iran of smuggling weapons to Hizbullah. Tensions peaked last month when Tel Aviv claimed Scud missiles had been delivered to Hizbullah by Damascus. It has not, however, substantiated its claims with proof. Israel has also warned that the delivery of sophisticated weaponry to Hizbullah would alter the balance of power and threaten regional stability. Beirut and Damascus have denied the weapons shipment.
Earlier this month, Russian officials met with Murr and announced Moscow would deliver MI-24 attack helicopters to Lebanon before the end of 2010. The helicopters are a substitute for 10 MIG 29 fighter jets that were originally to be donated to Lebanon. The Lebanese-Russian deal also included providing the LAF with tanks and other weapons, but excluded anti-aircraft missiles.
After his meeting with Murr in Moscow, head of the Russian Federal Committee for Military Cooperation Mikhail Dmitriev said “military cooperation between Lebanon and Russia should not threaten a third state but be a guarantee to security between our states and under the legal umbrella of the UN.”
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