Is
America Losing its Strategic Hold on Central Asia?
Over the past two years, US relations with former Soviet Central
Asia nations have collapsed. For the United States be able
to rapidly deploy troops or have theater strike capability
in the future, America will need new Central Asian allies
soon.
The Russian Military-Industrial Commission, which answers directly
to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, will meet Tuesday
(February 27, 2007) to consider prospects for the development
of new, strategic air-defense system, According to First Deputy
Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, who oversees the defense related
sectors the meeting, to be held at the air defense R&D complex
Almaz Science and Production Association, will assess the viability
for the development of fifth-generation air-defense systems,
combining elements of air-, missile-, and space defenses. Ivanov
mentioned that the Russian military has inducted the new S-400
(SA-21 Triumf) missile systems in late 2006. The system is expected
to become operational later in 2007.
The British Ministry of Defense announced today (February 26,
2007) that the UK will deploy an additional force of approximately
1,400 troops to southern Afghanistan at NATO's request. This
will bring the total number of UK forces in Afghanistan to around
7,700 personnel.
DRS Gets $20
Million fundingto Work on Silent Knight Radar
DRS Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: DRS) received a $20 million contract
from the Space and Airborne Systems division of the Raytheon
Company (NYSE: RTN), to support the initial phase of the new
Silent Knight
Tactical Radar program. The team is developing a common,
multi-mode radar system that includes terrain-following and
terrain-avoidance, navigation, ground map and weather mode capabilities.
The new radar will be mounted on aircraft and helicopters such
as MH-60 Black Hawk, MH-47G Chinook, MC-130H Combat Talon and
CV-22 Block 30 Osprey aircraft operated by the US Special Operations
Command.
Sniper Targeting
Pods for RAF Harrier GR9s in Afghanistan
Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) will provide the Sniper
Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) for the Royal Air Force Harrier
GR9, under an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) order issued
by the UK Ministry of Defense. According to the manufacturer,
the Sniper ATP permits pilots to detect and identify weapon
caches and individuals carrying armaments while remaining outside
jet noise ranges. Deliveries will begin in March 2007, with
a full capability deployment in June 2007. The RAF is sending
four additional Harriers to Afghanistan, as part of the
British forces reinforcement plans announced today.
Oshkosh Truck Corporation [NYSE:OSK] received a $30.6 million
contract award from the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command, to
deliver 100 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle program
within four months. The vehicle proposed by Oshkosh Truck is
the Alpha, designed by Protected Vehicles, Inc. (PVI) of North
Charleston, South Carolina. These vehicles are categorized as
"Category I" intended for urban operations and referred
to as the Mine Resistant Utility Vehicle (MRUV).
An industry team headed by Protected Vehicles, Inc. (PVI),
including Israel's RAFAEL and Battelle Memorial Institute of
Ohio, received last week an initial $37.4 million low-rate production
order for the delivery of 60 Golan
type Mine Resistant Ambush Protected
(MRAP) Category II vehicles to be delivered for by June.
The Israeli version of the Golan MRAP produced at RAFAEL is
currently undergoing testing by the Israeli Defense Force. The
new vehicle will be displayed by RAFAEL and PVI at Ft. Lauderdale,
in the upcoming AUSA Winter convention next month.
The German Rheinmetall group is taking up a majority interest
of 51% in Chempro, a privately held company specializing in
advanced armor protection. The company is also increasing its
holdings at the Düsseldorf-based ADS Gesellschaft für
aktive Schutzsysteme of Lohmar, developing active protection
systems. Both companies were founded by the Deisenroth family.
Rheinmetall announced its intention to increase its stake in
ADS in order to obtain a majority interest in the company.
Indian Air Force
to Induct PHALCON AEW This Year
In an interview with the Indian newspaper The
Hindu, air force chief-designate Air Marshal F H Major said
the IAF will induct the first of three Phalcon airborne warning
and control (AWACS) aircraft by the end of 2007. The aircraft
is based on a Russian Il-76 and carries the Israeli PHALCON
airborne radar system.
mPhase
Technologies (OTC:XDSL) is developing two nano-based technologies
including a MEMS micro-magnetometer and nano-battery, promising
dramatic improvements in defense and homeland security applications,
contributing to improving size, sensitivity and low cost. An
array of these sensors will be able to detect a rifle from a
stand-off distance of 30 meters.
