|
Recent News Analysis:
- Was
Damascus Meeting Preparation for Shrewd Anti-Siniora Coup?
Hezbollah is attempting in vain, at least sofar, to bring down
the Government of Lebanon, at the behest of its allies, Syria
and Iran. The assassination of Industry Minister, Pierre Gemayel,
a Maronite Christian, on 21 November 2006, added boost to the
story, the general assumption being that this act was prelude
of an ongoing "coup" action plan
- Turkey's
Democracy Put to Crucial Test
Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) has
won a convincing victory in the July 2007 elections, but despite
the opposition's claims, it plans to allow only few Islamic
values in future government institutions. Turkey is concerned
with the fundamentalist rise sponsored by neighboring Iran's
radical regime. Therefore, as Erdogan's moderate leadership
maintains its wise and balanced political leadership, Turkey
could be on the right track.
| |
- AUVSI 2006
- 7-9 August, Washington, DC USA
- DARPA
Tech 2007 - 7 - 9 August, Anaheim, CA. USA
- FPED 2007
- 14 - 18 August - Stafford, Virginia USA
- TADTE
2007 - 16-19 August - Taipei, Taiwan
- MAKS 2007
- 21 - 26 August, Moscow, Russia
- Air
Power Middle East 07 - 2-3 September,
Abu Dahbi
- Asian
Aerospace 2007 - 3-6 September, Hong Kong, China
- MSPO
2007 - 3-6 Kielce, Poland
- Military
Logistics Summit - 10-13, Adelphi, MD, USA
- DSEI
2007 - 11-14 September, London, UK
- Defence
Imagery - 18-21 September, London,
UK
- Aviation
Expo - 19-22 September, Beijing, China
- Air
Launched Weapons - 24-26 September,
Arlington, VA, US
- Joint
Urban Operations - 26-28 September,
Washington DC, USA
- Military
Antennas - 26-28 September, Washington
DC, USA
- INMEX
India 2007 - 27-29 September, Mumbai, India
|
|
|
| |
 |
Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) won a $635 million US Navy
contract to build a Carrier-based (CV) Unmanned Combat Air
System Demonstration vehicle (UCAS-D). The program will
mature critical carrier suitability technologies for future
low observable unmanned combat platforms. Once proving these
capabilities, the Navy is expected to launch a full scale
development of a future UCAV, which could be fielded by
2018.
|
 |
Two
USAF Predator UAVs lost in Two days
The US Air Force lost two Predator
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in the past two nights,
when operating from Balad airbase in central Iraq. The first
Predator crashed near the end of the runway at Balad, while
landing at approximately 11 p.m. local time, on Monday night
(July 30, 2007). The second Predator crashed off base on
the early evening of Tuesday (July 31, 2007). According
to the official US Air Force report, in both incidents hostile
activity does not appear to be a factor in either crash.
|

|
The British Ministry of Defense (MoD) Future Rapid Effect
System (FRES) program office is conducting evaluation trials
of three wheeled armored vehicles considered for the FRES
Utility Vehicle role. The Boxer, Piranha and VBCI are put
through their paces at the Bovington training area as part
of trials for a FRES Utility Vehicle Variant (UVV). Based
on these trials the Army will decide on the winning design
to be used with the future program. The FRES program will
equip the UK Armed Forces with over 3,000 new medium weight
armored, air-transportable vehicles configured for reconnaissance,
direct fire, and maneuver support roles.
|
 |
The first of the five block 5 Eurofighter
Typhoons ordered for the Italian Air Force has entered
into service. All five aircraft will be delivered this year,
as part of 29 aircraft tranche 1 production series, envisaged
for the Italian Air Force. The new Block 5 Typhoon representing
the final standard of the tranche 1 introduces several new
systems, including the Pirate infra-red search and track
(IRST) system, full integration of the latest air/air missiles,
an instrumented landing system, enhanced radar operating
modes, in-flight simulation capability utilizing 'virtual
weapons' and more.
|

|
The US Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) $5
billion the continued production of three lots of F-22
Raptor air dominance fighters, beginning late 2008 through
the end of 2011. The current award brings the total multi-year
F-22 contract value to $7.3 billion and extends the production
of the aircraft through the year 2011, when the USAF F-22
fleet will reach the 183 aircraft level recommended by the
2006 Quadrennial Defense Review. The U.S. government previously
awarded $2.3 billion of the contract to buy long lead- time
parts and maintain continuous manufacturing flow. The air
force also awarded a $1.3 billion multiyear contract to
Pratt & Whitney to produce the Raptor's F119 engines.
|

|
Ceradyne (NASDAQ:CRDN)
and Ideal Innovations (I3) are teaming with Oshkosh Truck
Corp. (NYSE:OSK) to provide a truck chassis for the Bull
armored vehicle. Ceradyne and I3 developed the Bull
addressing the more demanding protection requirements tto
be addressed by MRAP II vehicles. With its main competitors,
International Engines and Trucks and Armor Holding's Stewart
& Stevenson contracted to produce hundreds of MRAPs,
Oshkosh was left behind with a relatively small involvement
in one of the Pentagon's largest acquisition programs in
recent years. The new teaming will enable the Oshkosh to
regain a major role in the next phase of the program, offering
a mature platform and large production capacities. |
 |
Boeing [NYSE: BA] won a $7 million US Army contract to
design key elements for a truck mounted High Energy Laser
(HEL) that will demonstrate the capability to destroy rockets,
artillery shells and mortar rounds. The Army US Army Space
and Missile Defense Command has yet to announce its selection
of the Solid State Laser provider for the program. Boeing's
share of the program could increase up to $50 million if
both phase I and II options are exercised. The Army US Army
Space and Missile Defense Command has yet to announce its
selection of the Solid State Laser provider for the program.
|
|
|
Check Defense Update
NEWSCASTs for:
Get Defense Update News
on
your Phone!
|