Monday, August 2, 2010

Defense News: Pakistan Summons UK Envoy Over PM Cameron's Remarks

Defense News: Pakistan Summons UK Envoy Over PM Cameron's Remarks
*Source; BBC
Pakistan's government has summoned Britain's envoy in Islamabad following recent critical remarks by UK Prime Minister David Cameron.

An effigy of the British PM was burnt by protesters in the Pakistani city of Karachi

He angered Pakistan when he suggested it was promoting the export of terror.

At the weekend, a Pakistani intelligence chief cancelled a UK trip, and President Asif Ali Zardari has been under pressure to cancel a visit to Britain on Tuesday.

A spokeswoman for Mr Cameron said he "stands by his comments".

During his trip to Pakistan's regional rival India last week, Mr Cameron said: "We should be very, very clear with Pakistan that we want to see a strong, stable and democratic Pakistan.

"We cannot tolerate in any sense the idea that this country is allowed to look both ways and is able, in any way, to promote the export of terror, whether to India or whether to Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world."

'Misperception'

In the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Monday morning, Britain's high commissioner Adam Thomson answered a summons from Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

The UK Foreign Office said in a statement afterwards: "The high commissioner and Foreign Minister Qureshi discussed a broad range of bilateral issues, including President Zardari's upcoming visit to the UK."

The Pakistani leader has a five-day UK visit planned, including potentially fraught talks with Mr Cameron on Friday.

After holding talks in Paris on Monday with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Mr Zardari said France saw Pakistan as a "reliable partner in the world".

Speaking at the Elysee Palace, he said President Sarkozy would visit Pakistan later this year.

Pakistani Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira has said Mr Zardari will seek to correct Mr Cameron's "misperception" during his UK visit.

Mr Cameron's spokeswoman said he had acknowledged Pakistan was taking action against extremism and insisted his comments last week had referred to elements within Pakistan supporting terrorism, not to the Pakistani government.

Asked about the burning of an effigy of the prime minister in Karachi, she said: "People have a right to protest."

Mr Kaira told the BBC the Pakistani government had reacted properly, and that Pakistan had been "hurt" by the comments as the country was a victim of terror as well as a key fighter against it.

"But the president and our government feels we should interact with the British government and we should explain and discuss, and put the proper and right perspective in front of the British government and British prime minister so that any misperception or misconception should be over," he said.

Classified files

The diplomatic fallout from the comments led Pakistan's spy agency, Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), on Saturday to cancel a visit to Britain to discuss counter-terrorism with UK security services.

Mr Cameron's remarks followed the leaking of US documents on the Wikileaks website in which the ISI was accused of secretly helping the Afghan insurgency.

According to the classified files, Pakistani agents and Taliban met to organise the fight against US soldiers in Afghanistan and plotted to assassinate Afghan leaders.

But Islamabad says it is as much a victim of terrorism as any other country - home-grown Taliban and al-Qaeda-linked bombers have killed more than 3,500 people in a three-year campaign.

Pakistan's military won plaudits from the international community last year when it launched major operations against the militants in South Waziristan and the Swat valley on the Afghan border.

More on This Story

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Defense News: Afghan Women: Fearing A Taliban Future

Defense News: Afghan Women: Fearing A Taliban Future
Source; The New York Times - By Alissa J. Rubin
In her article “Afghan Women Fear Loss of Modest Gains,” Alissa J. Rubin writes: “For women, instability, as much as the Taliban themselves, is the enemy. Women are casualties of the fighting, not only in the already conservative and embattled Pashtun south and east, but also in districts in the north and center of the country where other armed groups have sprung up.” In this post, she provides additional insight on Afghan women.

Af-Pak

KABUL — Behind compound walls and deep in government offices, schools and in hospitals, Afghan women have made great strides in the last nine years. In every province, thousands of girls attend — even in the war torn ones.

In most government offices there are at least a few women workers. Most hold jobs involving limited, if any, responsibility. A few have powerful positions but even in the minor jobs, it is important that they are there, a reminder of the more than half the population that in earlier days was kept at home. A reminder, too, that women and the workplace are not antithetical concepts.

They have miles to go. Around 85 percent of women and girls cannot read; the maternal mortality rate remains one of the highest in the world, and women rarely hold jobs of authority other than teachers.

Women fear that even these small steps will be threatened if the Afghan government and western donors, in their anxiety to stop the fighting, make a peace that does not allow small steps to become larger ones.

The most important thing is that women are dreaming again, dreaming of more learning, of making Afghanistan a better place.

KabulThe New York Times

Palwasha Siddiji, a primary school science teacher in Qara Bagh, a district north of Kabul, looked up from correcting papers in the teachers’ break room at the girls’ school and said that her own dream is to go on and study science at university. She wants to see the growth of a United Nations program that gives families extra cooking oil and milk if they send their daughters to school.

As Palwasha talked, other women chimed in. Many, but not all, had suffered under the Taliban. Some said that the trade-off — more security for fewer rights — was worthwhile; others thought not.

BaghlanThe New York Times

Many women want to believe that this time the Taliban will be different. It is not impossible that in some places individual Taliban commanders could be more open to women.

Nuria, a female provincial council official in Baghlan Province, said that in Pashtun areas this time around the Taliban had refrained from forbidding girls to go to school “as long as they wear complete hijab.”

In Ghazni, however, schools for girls are closed in much of the province.

GhazniThe New York Times

Even a boys’ school was burned recently, and its headmaster was murdered. Across the south, women and their families have been intimidated to stop them going to school.

Violence breeds a climate of impunity in which women are easy to prey on because in most cases there will be no reprisal if they are harmed, even killed.

“It ’s clear that in the provinces where we don’t have security, where the fight is going on, most of the girls’ schools that were open in 2003 and 2004 are closed now,” said Dr. Sima Simar, the chairperson of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission.

She agreed that the Taliban brought stability, the question is: at what price? “It was more secure during the time of Taliban rule,” said Dr. Simar. “Because half of the population — the women — were practically in prison,

“It’s very secure in a prison, in a jail; but do we want that kind of security?”

DTN News: Boeing P-8A Poseidon Aircraft T3 Enters Flight Test

Defense News: DTN News: Boeing P-8A Poseidon Aircraft T3 Enters Flight Test
Source: DTN News / Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) SEATTLE, - August 2, 2010: Boeing [NYSE: BA] P-8A Poseidon aircraft T3 successfully completed its first flight test in Seattle on July 29. T3 is the P-8A program's mission-system and weapon-certification aircraft.
During the two-hour and 48-minute flight from Boeing Field, Boeing and U.S. Navy test pilots performed airborne systems checks including engine accelerations and decelerations, autopilot flight modes, and auxiliary power unit and engine shutdowns and starts.
In the coming weeks, T3 will join the two P-8A test aircraft currently at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., and complete additional ground and flight tests.
"At Pax River, the Boeing and Navy team will use some of the ground test data we've gathered in Seattle for in-flight separation and delivery accuracy tests that will occur later this year," said Chris Ahsmann, P-8A chief engineer for Boeing.
T3 is one of six flight-test aircraft that are being assembled and tested as part of the U.S. Navy System Development and Demonstration contract Boeing received in 2004. Airworthiness-test aircraft T1 entered flight test in October 2009 and arrived at the Navy's Patuxent River facility in April of this year. T2, the primary mission-system test aircraft, arrived at Pax River in June.
The Navy plans to purchase 117 P-8A anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to replace its P-3 fleet. Initial operational capability is planned for 2013.
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:
Chick Ramey
The Boeing Company
Office: 253-657-5636
Mobile: 206-851-4147
U.S. Navy
Office: 301-342-7366
Boeing Related News
*Aug. 2, 2010 Boeing Relocating C-130 AMP, B-1 Program to Oklahoma City
*
Aug. 2, 2010 Boeing P-8A Poseidon Aircraft T3 Enters Flight Test
*
Aug. 2, 2010 3rd Boeing-built WGS Satellite Enters Service with US Air Force
*
July 29, 2010 Boeing Completes Acquisition of Narus
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July 29, 2010 Boeing Statement on C-17 Globemaster III Airlifter Crash at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
*
July 29, 2010 Boeing-built RTCASS High-Power Test Stations Declared Ready for US Marines
*
July 28, 2010 Boeing NewGen Tanker Win Would Bring 100 Jobs, $5 Million to North Carolina
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July 28, 2010 Boeing Reports Second-Quarter Results
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July 27, 2010 Boeing Statement on SpiceJet’s Selection of 737NGs
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July 27, 2010 Boeing Receives EASA Certification for GoldCare Lifecycle Solution

DTN News: Raytheon To Install Chemical Sensors In The Port Of Providence

Defense News: DTN News: Raytheon To Install Chemical Sensors In The Port Of Providence
Source: DTN News / Raytheon
(NSI News Source Info) TEWKSBURY, Mass., - August 2, 2010: Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) received a contract from the city of Providence, R.I., to strengthen surveillance in its port by integrating chemical-detection sensors into the existing security system.
Working with emergency management and environmental agencies, and using cameras and sensors provided by Smith's Detection, Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) will install equipment and integrate immediate warning capabilities to alert and protect communities from accidental and intentional chemical hazards.
"This detection equipment will improve situational awareness by providing keen insight to critical threats in the Port of Providence," said Karen Kalil Brown, vice president, National & Theater Security Programs for Raytheon IDS. "The work is part of a Rhode Island initiative called RICOP (Rhode Island Common Operating Picture), which enables decision-makers to evaluate, deter and respond to threats more efficiently."
A network of sensors from the southern entrance of Narragansett Bay to the Port of Providence 25 miles north feeds information into the Providence Emergency Management Agency's Operations Center, using Raytheon technology called Athena as the common operating picture platform. The Athena technology integrates information from radars and cameras, providing authorities with a picture of events as they are happening. The new sensors will be integrated into this system.
Raytheon Company, with 2009 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 88 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 75,000 people worldwide.
Contact:
Carol Sobel
339.645.6967
Raytheon Related News;

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated August 2, 2010

Defense News: DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated August 2, 2010
Source: U.S. DoD issued August 2, 2010
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - August 2, 2010: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued August 2, 2010 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

ExxonMobil Corp., Fairfax, Va. is being awarded a maximum $99,520,398 fixed-price with economic price adjustment, sole-source contract for fuel. Other location of performance is Italy. Using service is Navy. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. The date of performance completion is April 30, 2012. The Defense Energy Support Center, Richmond, Va., is the contracting activity (SP0600-10-D-0487).

Northrop Grumman Corp., Integrated Systems, Bethpage, N.Y., is being awarded a maximum $51,364,935 firm-fixed-price, sole-source contract for radio parts. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Navy. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. The date of performance completion is June 30, 2013. The Defense Logistics Agency Philadelphia (DSCR-ZC), Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (N00383-06-G-068B-THAN).

IGI Resources, Inc., Boise, Idaho, is being awarded a maximum $22,995,025 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for natural gas. Other locations of performance are Washington and Oregon. Using services are Navy and Air Force. The original proposal was Web-solicited with 29 responses. The date of performance completion is Sept. 30, 2012. The Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (SP0600-10-D-7518).

ARMY

Clark/Hunt, JV, Tampa, Fla., was awarded on July 27 an $85,146,641 firm-fixed-price contract. This work includes construction of a new multi-level consolidated parking garage for 5,000 vehicles; renovation of the existing Brooke Army Medical Center; a new multi-level consolidated tower addition to include the new Institute for Surgical Research Burn Unit; a new central energy plant; construction haul road, erosion control, and environmental protection plan; and site development/remodeling and ancillary construction. Work is to be performed in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, with an estimated completion date of July 15, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with two bids received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Fort Worth, Texas, is the contracting activity (W9126G-08-C-0036).

ITT Services Corp., Colorado Springs, Colo., was awarded on July 27 a $75,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for operations and maintenance services, Afghanistan National Security Forces, various locations throughout Afghanistan. Work is to be performed in Afghanistan with an estimated completion date of July 27, 2015. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with five bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Middle East District, CETAM-CT-S, Winchester, Va., is the contracting activity (W912ER-10-D-0002).

PCL Construction Services, Inc., Denver, Colo., was awarded on July 27 a $28,516,319 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is for “Army Aviation Support Facility, New Mexico Army National Guard, Santa Fe Municipal Airport, Santa Fe County, New Mexico.” This project consists of the construction of a new air aviation support facility and aircraft rescue and firefighting facility of permanent-type construction to serve the peace time mission of the assigned united. The space will permit personnel to perform the necessary tasks that will improve the unit’s readiness posture. Unit mission is to provide aeromedical evacuation and support within the theater of operations. Work is to be performed in Santa Fe County, N.M., with an estimated completion date of March 29, 2012. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with 18 bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District-CESPA-CT, Albuquerque, N.M., is the contracting activity (W912PP-10-C-0022).

T.J. Fig Inc., Stockton, Calif., was awarded on July 28 a $21,458,488 time-and-material contract. This procurement is for mobile training teams to perform operator new equipment and field maintenance new equipment training courses on Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles at locations in and outside the contiguous U.S. Army are awarding 280,338 hours on a five-month extension to the contract. Work is to be performed in Kuwait and Iraq, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2010. One bid was solicited with one bid received. TACOM Contracting Center, Detroit Arsenal, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-C-0486).

L-3 Communications System West, Salt Lake City, Utah, was awarded on July 27 a $17,807,505 firm-fixed-price contract for 345 Type II interim encryption system kits in various configurations. Work is to be performed in Salt Lake City, Utah, with an estimated completion date of May 30, 2011. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aviation & Missile Command Contracting Center, CCAM-AR-A, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-07-C-0209).

General Dynamics, Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Marion, Ill., was awarded on July 27 a $12,257,189 firm-fixed-price contract for 757,084 “Cartridge 30mm Target Practice, PGU-15A/B, NSN: 1305-01-462-8733.” Work is to be performed in Marion, Ill., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2011. Two bids were solicited with two bids received. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52P1J-07-C-0036).

Alliant Techsystems, Inc., Mesa, Ariz., was awarded in July 27 an $11,636,381 firm-fixed-price contract for 757,084 “ Cartridge 30mm target practice, PGU-15A/B, NSN: 1305-01-462-8733.” Work is to be performed in Radford, Va., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2011. Two bids were solicited with two bids received. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52P1J-07-C-0035).

Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, was awarded on July 26 a $11,500,000 five-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-reimbursable contract. This contract is for the Scientific Services Program, designed to provide scientific and technical services for problems related to research and development projects within the government. The modification increases the ceiling of the contract. Work is to be performed in Columbus, Ohio, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with one bid received. U.S. Army Research Development Engineering Command Contracting Center, Research Triangle Park, N.C., is the contracting activity (W911NF-07-D-0001).

General Dynamics ATP, Burlington, Vt., was awarded on July 27 a $10,089,292 firm-fixed-price contract to “Load, Assemble and Pack 115 MM M231 and M232A1 Modular Artillery Charge propelling charge.” Work is to be performed in Hampton, Ark., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2013. Two bids were solicited with two bids received. Army Contracting Command, Joint Munitions & Lethality Contracting Center, CCJM-CA, Combat Ammo Center, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15QN-09-C-0046).

Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., was awarded on July 26 a $9,356,234 firm-fixed-price contract. This procurement is for the definitization of an undefinitized contract action issued on contract W58RZ-06-C-0169, modification P00107. The total not-to-exceed for modification P00107 was $19,867,129. This definitization action further adds option requirements in the total of $22,778,597, which brings the total value of this procurement to $41,869,815. Work is to be performed in Orlando, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2013. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Army Contracting Command, AMCOM Contracting Center, CCAM-AP-B, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-06-C-0169)

Bleigh Construction Co., Hannibal, Mo., was awarded on July 26 a $8,579,382 firm-fixed-price for construction to “elevate land wall control stands and flood proof copper clad steel cable penetrations, Locks 16-18 & 20-22, Mississippi River, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri.” Work is to be performed in Canton, Mo. (18 percent); Quincy, Ill. (15 percent); Saverton, Mo. (16 percent); Muscatine, Iowa (17 percent); New Boston, Ill. (17 percent); and Gladstone, Ill. (17 percent), with an estimated completion date of July 10, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with four bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W912EK-10-C-0107).

Korte Construction Co., dba The Korte Co., St. Louis, Mo., was awarded on July 26 a $8,198,880 firm-fixed-price contract. Fort Sill, Okla., has a requirement to construct a dental clinic to support an increased active duty population. The new clinic will accommodate 22 chairs and approximately 16,000 square feet. Work is to be performed in Fort Sill, Okla., with an estimated completion state of Jan. 20, 2012. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with four bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District, Tulsa, Okla., is the contracting activity (W912BV-10-C-2002).

SpecPro Environmental Services, LLC, Oak Ridge, Tenn., was awarded on July 27 a $7,330,546 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is for initial work that will include site assessment and analysis, and design of an updated HVAC system. This modification definitized the cost of the construction, which includes the repair, fabrication and installation of a new exhaust system for the medical biohazard and isolation room, general and toilet exhaust air systems, and correction of the overall air distribution system. Work is to be performed at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2012. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with one bid received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District, Little Rock, Ark., is the contracting activity (W9127S-10-C-6001).

Kipper Tool Co., Gainesville, Ga., was awarded on July 27 a $7,153,694 indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity, firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is for 87 standard automotive tools sets base in Mobile, Ala., and 18 standard automotive tools sets Module 2 in Mobile, Ala. This is a current contract. We are just placing a delivery order for additional units. Work is to be performed in Gainesville, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2010. One bid was solicited with one bid received. TACOM Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., is the contracting activity (DAAE20-03-D-0085).

Cutter Enterprises, LLC,Tolland, Conn., was awarded on July 23 a $6,290,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of a new East Greenwich readiness center, at Camp Fogarty, East Greenwich, R.I. Work is to be performed in North Kingstown, R.I., with an estimated completion date of July 22, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with six bids received. National Guard Bureau US Property & Fiscal Officer for Rhode Island, Providence, R.I., is the contracting activity (W912LD-10-C-0002).

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Reconnaissance Systems Group, LEO Division, San Diego, Calif., was awarded on July 28 a $5,453,564 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the High Efficiency Solid-State Electric Laser Program to advance the state-of-the-art for high-power, high-efficiency, compact, lightweight, electrically-driven laser technologies suitable for future military applications. Work is to be performed in San Diego, Calif. (76 percent); Tucson, Ariz. (18 percent); and Charlotte, N.C. (6 percent), with an estimated completion date of Jan. 22, 2016. U.S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command/ARSTRAT, Huntsville, Ala., is the contracting activity (W91133-10-C-0023).

AIR FORCE

Computer Sciences Raytheon, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., was awarded a $81,136,645 contract modification which will provide Eastern Range technical services to provide operations, maintenance, and sustainment of critical range and launch processing systems that support the launch processing mission of the 45 Space Wing and its launch customers at Cape Canaveral Air Station. At this time, no money has been obligated. 45 CONS/LGCZR, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA2521-07-C-0011).

AAR Manufacturing, Inc., Cadillac, Mich. was awarded a $72,097,800 contract for the depot-level repair of 463L pallets under an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum quantity of 60,000. At this time, no money has been obligated. WR-ALC/GRVKBA, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8519-08-D-0008; P00003).

Telos Corp., Ashburn, Va., was awarded a $21,021,471 contract modification which will provide information technology (IT) service management support to manage, operate, sustain and provide logistical and general support for the IT services for the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the United States Northern Command. At this time, $1,687,131 has been obligated. 21 CONS/LGCC, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., is the contracting activity (FA8771-04-D-009-SX02).

NAVY

Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., is being awarded a $17,224,434 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-06-C-2304) to exercise an option for fiscal 2010 class services in support of class product fabrication, delivery, engineering and engineering support of the DDG 1000 Zumwalt Class Destroyer. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Miss. (95 percent), and Gulfport, Miss. (5 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.

CORRECTION: Insitu, Inc., Bingen, Wash., a $43,697,168 contract under number N68335-10-C-0054 was announced on July 29, 2010 incorrectly. The correct Navy contract number is N00019-10-C-0054.

Defense News: Aerospace/Defense Headlines - News Dated Monday August 2, 2010

Defense News: Aerospace/Defense Headlines - News Dated Monday August 2, 2010*Comprehensive daily news related on Aerospace/Defense for the world of TODAY.

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