Alabama paper calls for split tanker buy

The Air Force should split its contract for new aerial refueling tankers evenly between Boeing and a rival team of Northrop Grumman and EADS, the Mobile (Ala.) Press-Register said Tuesday.

"Despite Defense Secretary Robert Gates' insistence that a split award would cost taxpayers more money, we think it would be more efficient and faster in getting new refueling tankers in the air, while reducing maintenance costs," the paper wrote in an editorial.

"And if one aircraft in the initial order proves to be superior in practice, future orders can go to that company."

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Venezuela Gives Ecuador Six Mirage 50 Jets

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa announced September 28 he will receive six Mirage 50 jets "in good condition" donated by Venezuela, amid concerns of a South American arms race.

"Venezuela wants to give us six Mirage jets ... we are going to accept them," Correa said in the northern town of Ibarra.

Correa added that the country was discussing the purchase of a further 12 jets from South Africa and 24 Super Tucano fighters from Brazil, as well as radar systems and helicopters.

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UAE wants its fighters its own way

If the UAE signs for 60 Rafale fighter aircraft from France’s Dassault later this year, as some expect, in a deal valued at €6 billion (Dh32.2bn) to €10bn, it will be purchasing a jet more advanced than those being flown by the French air force.

A more powerful engine, a new air-to-air missile and cutting-edge radar systems are some of the requirements the UAE has made to Dassault and its French partners Safran, Thales and MBDA, according to media reports.

Such requests for upgrades and modifications have been a central theme of the UAE’s arms deals since the 1980s as it faced a major constraint in its homeland security efforts: manpower.

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Nulka Active Missile Decoys

Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science today congratulated Hunter firm G.H Varley Pty Ltd on completing the 1000th Shipping Container for the Nulka program.

To mark this significant milestone in the Nulka Program, the Nulka Joint Program Office, along with representatives from BAE Systems Australia, held a presentation ceremony at G.H Varley Pty Ltd today.

“G.H Varley Pty Ltd is a specialised engineering company based in the Newcastle area that has been manufacturing Shipping Containers for the Nulka since July 1998,” said Mr Combet.

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Nunn-Lugar Program Eliminates Nine More Nuclear-Capable Missiles

The U.S. Cooperative Threat Reduction program eliminated eight submarine-launched ballistic missiles and one land-based ICBM last month, U.S. Senator Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) announced yesterday (see GSN, June 26).

The SS-N-23 missiles were used to arm Soviet Delta IV-class submarines during the Cold War.

Each weapon was designed to carry as many as 10 independently targeted warheads, but the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty prohibits the deployment of more than four warheads on one of the missiles.

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Russia to dismantle 191 nuclear submarines by late 2010

Russia's state-run civilian nuclear power corporation Rosatom will by late 2010 dismantle 191 out of 198 nuclear submarines decommissioned from the Russian Navy, a company executive said on Tuesday.

"As of today, 198 nuclear submarines have been decommissioned from the Navy. The disposal of about 25 submarines is not yet over; many of them are in the process of disposal.

By the end of 2010, 191 nuclear submarines will have been dismantled," said Yevgeny Yevstratov, Rosatom deputy general director.

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NATO’s Allied Ground Surveillance programme signature finalised

The 15 nations¹ participating in NATO’s Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) programme have completed the signature process of the Programme Memorandum of Understanding (PMOU). This is a significant step towards realizing this essential operational capability for NATO.

The PMOU, along with the AGS Charter, sets the legal, organisational, and budgetary framework for the AGS programme and launches both the NATO AGS Management Organisation (NAGSMO) and NATO AGS Management Agency (NAGSMA) to take charge of the programme.

Mr. Peter C. W. Flory, NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment, said: “NATO AGS is an essential asset to increase our situational awareness in support of our Alliance forces across the full range of NATO operations in the future”. NAGSMA General Manager-select, Mr. Bo Leimand stressed that the benefit to NATO’s soldiers in the field will be substantial.

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Navy Commander: Iranian Frigates Enjoy Hi-Tech Systems

Commander of the Iranian Army's Navy Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari reiterated on Tuesday that Iran's new missile-launching frigates enjoy the most advanced systems and equipment.

"The equipment will be used in accordance with the threats posed to the Islamic Republic of Iran," Sayyari told reporters on the sidelines of a ceremony to launch the latest version of Sina-class missile-launching frigates in the jetty of Iran's fourth naval zone.

"Iran has reached full self-sufficiency in the production and manufacture of vessels and necessary equipment for different marine missions, including surface and sub-surface missions," he added.

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Lockheed Martin Supports Successful International PAC-3 Missile Test at White Sands Missile Range

Airmen of the Japanese Self Defense Force and Lockheed Martin successfully conducted the second Japanese PAC-3 Missile flight test recently at White Sands Missile Range, NM.

The PAC-3 Missiles fired in this test were assembled in Taketoyo, Japan, under a licensed production agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Lockheed Martin.

The missiles successfully intercepted and destroyed a tactical ballistic missile (TBM) target.

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Israel gets two more German submarines

Israel has taken delivery of two German submarines ordered four years ago, a military spokesman said on Tuesday.

"We have received two Dolphin-class submarines built in Germany," he said, on condition of anonymity.

The submarines, called U212s, can launch cruise missiles carrying nuclear warheads, although when it confirmed the sale in 2006 the German government said the two vessels were not equipped to carry nuclear weapons.

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Raytheon Delivers First Joint Standoff Weapon C to Australia

Raytheon Company delivered the first Joint Standoff Weapon C to Australia in July for the Royal Australian Air Force's new F/A-18F Hornet fighter aircraft.

In addition to the JSOW C, the RAAF has placed an order for the JSOW C-1, which is currently in production; deliveries will begin in 2010.

The JSOW C-1 maintains the land attack capability of JSOW C and adds a moving maritime target capability by incorporating a datalink.

This enables the JSOW to receive target updates as it flies to its objective.

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French arms sales rise to $9.7bn

Deals with Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Morocco pushed French arms sales up 13 percent last year to their highest level since 2000, the government said on Monday.

The increase follows a drive under President Nicolas Sarkozy to support defence export companies that, according to the government, directly or indirectly provide 50,000 jobs in France.

French companies took new orders worth 6.6 billion euros (US $9.7 billion), strengthening France’s grip on fourth place in the league table of global arms exporters behind the United States, Britain and Russia, the defence ministry said.

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FACTBOX-How big is Iran's military?

Iran test-fired a missile on Monday which defence analysts have said could hit Israel and U.S. bases in the Gulf, state media reported, a move that may irk world powers ahead of rare talks with Tehran this week.

Following are some details about Iran's military capability. The totals include equipment held by the Revolutionary Guards, which operate on land, at sea and in the air:

* ARMED FORCES: -- Iran has over 523,000 personnel in active service. Major General Ataollah Salehi is the armed forces chief.

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Medvedev pledges to recreate strong Navy in 10 years

Russia will recreate a powerful Navy in the next ten years, President Dmitry Medvedev said on Monday at a meeting with military personnel who took part in the Zapad 2009 drills.

The Zapad (West) 2009 large-scale joint military exercises being held by Russia and Belarus started on September 18 and will end on Tuesday, with about 12,500 service personnel and up to 200 items of military equipment and hardware having taken part.

Asked whether any of Russia's naval fleets are to be replaced now that many vessels have been in service for 20-25 years, Medvedev said: "We are facing the most large-scale task - to reestablish the Navy, as a significant number of our ships - both surface and submarine - are serving their last years now."

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Thales trials sonar processor

Thales Australia has successfully trialled an advanced submarine sonar processor aboard HMAS Collins.

The processor was developed by Thales, utilising skills and technology from both Australia and Europe.

The aims were to demonstrate, using the existing Collins sonar arrays, increased sonar performance through incorporation of advanced processing techniques, and a methodology to counter the obsolescence which accompanies signal processing chips due to technology advancement.

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Harpoon missiles not modified: Pakistan

Pakistan Monday repudiated reports that it had illegally modified the US-supplied Harpoon anti-ship missile to enable them to strike at land targets in India.

"We have not and will never violate any convention or principles on that, and all international obligations are being honoured by the Pakistan Navy," naval chief Admiral Nauman Bashir said.

The US protest on the issue "is based on sheer misunderstanding, which is being clarified at the appropriate level", he told reporters on the sidelines of an international conference on piracy on the high seas.

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Iran Test-Fires Its Most Advanced Missiles

Iran reported Monday that it successfully test-fired its most advanced and powerful medium-range missiles as part of war games it said were intended to deter the country's enemies.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps tested the Shahab-3 and Sejil missiles in the third phase of a two-day exercise called The Great Prophet IV, state-run news media reported.

The missiles are believed to be capable of striking Israel, U.S. military targets in the Middle East and parts of southeastern Europe.

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IRGC successful in 2nd stage of military drill

The Islamic republic of Iran has successfully carried out the second stage of its military drill dubbed "The Great Prophet IV".

Several models of medium-range Shahab-1 and Shahab-2 missiles were tested during the military drill on Sunday night.

According to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Air Force Commander Brigadier General Hossein Salami, the Shahab-2 missiles would hit targets at least 300 kilometers and at the most 700 kilometers away.

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Russian bombers test high-precision weaponry during drills

Russian strategic and tactical bombers equipped with new high-precision weapons systems have successfully conducted live-firing drills at a practice range in Belarus, a Ground Forces spokesman said on Sunday.

The drills at the Obuz-Lesnovski range were part of the Zapad (West) 2009 large-scale Russian-Belarusian military exercises currently underway in Belarus.

"Today, Tu-22M3 Backfire strategic bombers and Su-24M Fencer tactical bombers, which are equipped a specialized computing subsystem SVP-24, conducted a series of live-firing drills aimed at destroying ground targets designated by a commander of a motorized infantry brigade," Col. Alexander Drobyshevsky said.

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Boeing test flights of military plane to start Monday over Hood Canal

Starting Monday and continuing through Oct. 15, Boeing will conduct seven flight tests of a military airplane over Hood Canal.

The plane will release flares in flight and will be closely followed by a chase plane.

The flights are to test a self protection system aboard a Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, a 737 with a large rectangular antenna mounted on the upper fuselage and Royal Australian Air Force markings.

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Italy emerging as major arms exporter to Turkey

Italian arms manufacturers are gaining ground in the rankings as a source of defense systems for Turkey, mainly through helicopters and satellites.

The US still holds the top spot but companies are encountering difficulties in winning Turkish contracts because of problematic US regulations.

The United States remains Turkey's largest provider of arms, mostly through sales to the Air Force, but Italy is becoming a rising recipient of Ankara's commercial defense bids.

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US puts Lockheed off Tejas flight path

The US government is, for the second time, squeezing American aerospace giant Lockheed Martin out of an important contract related to India’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

Business Standard learns that Lockheed Martin, selected in June as a consultant for developing the Naval version of the Tejas, was given 90 days to obtain the clearances it needed from the US government.

But now, with time running out, Washington has sent Lockheed Martin a list of questions about what assistance the company will provide.

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The choice of French fighter aircraft in Brazil and its impact on Latin America

The past week in Latin America has been pretty busy due to the repercussions of President Lula’s comments during a visit by the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy.

Besides being the guest of honour and besides the fact that it is the year of France in Brazil, Sarkozy came with two missions: the first one was simple and the second was relatively difficult.

The simple mission was to carry out something that was already or partially agreed upon: the purchase of submarines and helicopters. The difficult mission would be to turn things around regarding the fighters Brazil intends to buy.

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Iran Tests 2 Short-Range Missiles in War Games

Iran tested two short-range missiles Sunday as its elite Revolutionary Guards began several days of war games, state television reported.

Press TV reported that the missiles tested were the Fateh-110 and Tondar-69, but did not give specifics on the range or other details. The report said the tests also included a multiple missile launcher.

"Iran tests two short-range missiles," Press TV said in a scrolling headline.

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The Demise of the F-22 Raptor: The Story Behind the Story

By now, most of the stories behind the dazzling rise and ignominious demise of a proud, magnificent bird, the F-22 Raptor, have been told.

Stories about the brilliant design and cutting edge manufacturing and assembly technology. A technology that has been described as “the only thing more complex than the human body.” (I was fortunate to visit the “mile-long” Lockheed Martin F-16 assembly line; the F-22 line must be even more spectacular.)

Stories about the awesome performance of the world’s most capable, most powerful and most sophisticated fifth-generation fighter aircraft—but a combat aircraft that has never seem combat.

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New precision missile takes out the Taliban while leaving civilians unharmed

The Ministry of Defence has released the first cockpit footage of a new precision missile which can kill a Taliban fighter with such a small explosion that nearby civilians are unharmed.

The Dual Mode Brimstone guided missile is shown blasting a gunman who has dug himself a firing position or 'murder hole' in the base of a thick mud walled compound in the heart of a village in Afghanistan's Helmand Province.

Whereas the 1,000lb bombs commonly used in such air strikes would have flattened the settlement and could have killed dozens of people, the Brimstone's warhead kills the enemy gunman while barely damaging the rest of the compound, and the surrounding streets are untouched.

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IAF to display AWACS for the first time during Air Force Day

For the first time, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will put its newly inducted Israeli-made Phalcon Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) on display during the Air Force Day parade on October 8.

IAF officials at the Western Air Command (WAC) said in New Delhi on Friday that the AWACS, which were inducted in May this year, would be on flying display during the 77th Air Force Day parade.

The parade itself will, as in the recent years, take place at the Hindan airbase in Ghaziabad when the IAF would flying a total of 54 aircraft that would include its most potent fighters such as Su-30MKI, Mirage-2000, and MiG-29s.

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Death from the Skies: An Overview of the CIA’s Drone Campaign in Pakistan - Part One

In the spring of 2004 the CIA began its most extensive targeted assassination campaign since the Vietnam War by launching dozens of unmanned aerial drones into the inaccessible tribal regions of Pakistan to hunt and kill Taliban and al-Qaeda militants.

Since then, more than six hundred people have died in these unpredictable aerial strikes that have killed both high value terrorist targets and innocent civilians.

Al-Qaeda and the Pakistani Taliban leadership have been reeling from the deaths of their operatives even as the Pakistani public has commenced an outcry against this violation of their sovereignty and the deaths of civilian bystanders.

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Va. congressmen urge Gates to maintain number of aircraft carriers

The four congressmen who represent Hampton Roads sent a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday asking him to oppose any further reduction in the Navy’s fleet of aircraft carriers.

The letter was signed by Democratic Reps. Bobby Scott and Glenn Nye and Republican Reps. Rob Wittman and Randy Forbes.

They said they were concerned about news reports suggesting the Defense Department might further reduce the number of aircraft carriers, as part of its Quadrennial Defense Review.

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New fighter jets for Admiral Kuznetsov

Russia plans to buy 24 new MiG-29K fighter jets for the country’s only aircraft carrier, the Severomorsk-based “Admiral Kuznetsov”.

A contract on purchase of 24 fighter jets for Airwing Kuznetsov could be concluded within two years, a source in the Ministry of Defence told news paper Vedomosti.

Landing drills with the planes on the “Admiral Kuznetsov” can start already this autumn.

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Commander describes expansion of Iran navy

In a rare interview, which coincides with Iran's Sacred Defense Week, commander of the Iranian navy Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari describes the current strategies of the force under his command.

The commander told the Resalat daily explained how the mission of the Iranian navy had evolved from a littoral force mainly active in the Persian Gulf, into a blue water force.

"The task that has been allocated to this force by the commander-in-chief of the armed forces [Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei] is the expansion of the operations of our fleet from the national waters to international waters.

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Questions on Algerian “deal”

The French ADIT research agency is questioning whether Algeria has concluded a deal to buy FREMM frigates and AgustaWestland helicopters from Italy.

In its latest newsletter the agency notes that various media articles last week indicated that Algeria had decided to increase its cooperation with Italy in the defence field by deciding to purchase six FREMM frigates along with around 100 AgustaWestland helicopters in a deal worth at least €4 billion.

Air Force Monthly first reported the putative deal last week, saying Algeria had signed the helicopter contract in June.

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Delta II STSS Demo Launch

A United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket managed by NASAs Launch Services Program lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., Thursday.

It carried two spacecraft for the United States Missile Defense Agency. The Space Tracking and Surveillance System Demonstrator mission, or STSS Demo, launched from Pad B at Launch Complex 17 at 8 a.m. EDT.

STSS Demo is an element of the STSS Program, a space-based sensor component of a layered Ballistic Missile Defense System designed for the overall mission of detection, tracking and discrimination of ballistic missiles.

Boeing Receives A-10 Modernization Contracts From US Air Force

The Boeing Company announced today that it has received two separate contracts from the U.S. Air Force to support modernization of the service's fleet of 365 A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft.

The contracts, which have a total value of $4.2 million, consist of several tasks ranging in duration from three to 18 months.

The first contract, which will be performed by Boeing and Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), provides engineering services for the A-10 Aircraft Structural Integrity Program (ASIP).

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Alenia Proposing M-346 for U.S. Trainer

Alenia Aeronautica expects to offer the M-346, its newest twin-engine trainer now in flight testing, for use by the U.S. Air Force as a platform for a T-38 replacement and, potentially, for the light attack aircraft role.

Alenia North America is likely to propose the M-346 for the forthcoming USAF T-X competition as a prime contractor, says Alenia CEO Giuseppe Giordo. “For the time being, the assumption is we are prime,” Giordo says.

Giordo says the company is looking for opportunities to introduce more U.S. suppliers into the M-346 supplier base.

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Ecuador Prepares to Purchase Fighter Planes

The Ecuador's Armed Forces are negotiating the purchase of 12 fighter aircraft, type Atlas Cheetah C (Mirage modified), from the South African Air Force, said Defense Minister Javier Ponce in the daily newspaper El Universo.

The acquisition of these aircraft will renew the Ecuadoran Air Force's (FAE) fleet, whose aircraft have surpassed 30 years of use.

Ponce foresees that the purchasing process will begin in Dec. and said the government plans on an initial payment of $35 million.

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Leaner, greener Ark Royal heads to sea again

A faster, leaner and greener HMS Ark Royal takes to the seas again tomorrow (Friday) for the first time since February.

The Portsmouth-based aircraft carrier has gone through a £12m upgrade and will set off for two weeks of post-maintenance tests.

She is due to pass the Round Tower in Old Portsmouth about 10.30am, to head for the navy's training areas off the south west of England.

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Two French fighters crash, one pilot recovered

Two French Rafale fighter jets crashed into the Mediterranean Sea on Thursday as they were returning to their aircraft carrier after a test flight, the navy said.

One of the pilots was rescued "safe and sound" after he ejected from his supersonic aircraft, navy spokesman Commander Bertrand Bonneau told AFP. A search was under way for the other aviator.

"It is not known yet if there was a collision," Bonneau said. "All efforts now are directed at finding the second pilot."

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US Navy 5-year plan to cut littoral ships, other weapons

The U.S. Navy has proposed a new five-year budget that cuts by almost half its purchases of a new warship that operates close to shore, a potential blow to Lockheed Martin Corp. and General Dynamics Corp, Bloomberg reported.

The Navy would buy 15 of these ships through 2015, down from 29 in its plan of a year ago, and trim spending overall by 4.5 percent, according to an unreleased budget document. That’s the goal set by top Defense Department officials.

Lockheed and General Dynamics are the prime contractors for the new Littoral Combat Ship. Each has a contract to build two and would have to compete for contracts for the next 15.

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BD&E to develop hyperspectral imaging system for U.S. naval periscopes

Bodkin Design & Engineering has been awarded a $70,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 1 contract from the U.S. Navy to develop a hyperspectral-imaging system for integration into Type 18 periscopes and AN/BVS-1 Photonics Masts to perform contact recognition and identification in marine environments.

(With an 18X magnification, image intensification, and digital-image-capturing capabilities, the Type 18 periscope is currently in common use on U.S. military attack submarines.

The AN/BVS-1 Photonics Mast serves the purpose of a periscope, but, unlike a periscope, has no hull-penetrating optical system and thus exists entirely outside the hull.)

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Let women work on subs, Navy secretary says

Women should be allowed to serve aboard submarines, and the Navy is "moving out aggressively" to make it happen, according to the service's top civilian.

"I believe women should have every opportunity to serve at sea, and that includes aboard submarines," Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said Thursday in a statement to Navy Times.

His comment comes one week after Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen told congressional lawmakers he thought it was time to end the ban against women on submarines.

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A future Anzac force would have many advantages

Courage, mateship, loyalty. Such qualities spring to mind when thinking of the Anzac heritage, and are exemplified by the contemporary heroism of soldiers like Corporal Willie Apiata VC, and Trooper Mark Donaldson VC.

That Anzac heritage looks to be reinvigorated beyond individual deeds, with politicians on both sides of the Tasman — keen to enhance closer defence relations — calling for the development of what might be called a 'future Anzac force'.

However, while legacy and sentiment might run deep, the purpose, employment and shape of such a force needs careful consideration of current arrangements, politics and the challenges of the coming century.

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S.Korea needs longer-range missiles to deter N.Korea: top officer

South Korea should seek longer-range missiles to deter threats from North Korea, Seoul's incoming top military officer said Thursday.

"As North Korea is threatening us with various missiles such as Rodongs and Scuds, we also need to upgrade our missile capability," said General Lee Sang-Eui, named as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

"We will study, over the long term, ways to bolster missile capability while taking into account our security needs," Lee said in a statement to parliament's national security committee, which began a vetting process.

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Amphibious Ships Official Keel Laying Ceremony

Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, today announced that the official keel laying of Australia’s first Amphibious Ship (LHD 01) took place overnight at Navantia’s shipbuilding yard in Ferrol, Spain.

“Under Project JP2048 Phase 4A/B the Commonwealth is acquiring two new Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) amphibious ships to provide sustainment support for our deployed forces,” said Mr Combet.

BAE Systems Australia Defence is the prime contractor for this $3.3 billion project. The Spanish shipbuilder Navantia is subcontracted to BAE as the design authority and is required to construct and fit out the hulls of two large Amphibious Ships for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

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South Korea picks Israeli radar for F/A-50 fighter

Israel Aerospace Industries subsidiary Elta Systems is to develop and supply a new version of its EL/M-2032 fire control radar for prototype examples of the Korea Aerospace Industries F/A-50 light attack aircraft.

The system was selected by South Korea following a lengthy competition, and the move follows KAI's earlier decision to acquire electronic warfare equipment for the developmental aircraft from Israeli supplier Elisra.

Elta says the EL/M-2032 has air-to-air, air-to-ground, and air-to-sea detection capabilities, and can perform tasks including long-range target detection and high-resolution mapping.

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Boeing Offers Reborn OV-10

Boeing is hoping that a counterinsurgency aircraft designed during the Vietnam War can be reborn to meet the U.S. Air Force's growing irregular warfare requirements.

The company is offering an updated OV-10 Bronco to meet the Air Force's Light Attack Armed Reconnaissance (LAAR) specification, and believes the design could perform some of the companion Light Mobility Aircraft's (LiMA) requirements.

The proposed new-build OV-10(X) would stick close to the 1970s-vintage OV-10D aerodynamically and structurally to ensure its original military qualification remains valid, but would feature updated avionics, sensors and engines, says Dave Schweppe, business development director for Boeing's global strike systems division.

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UTC eyes 30 percent F-35 fighter engine cost drop

United Technologies Corp expects to pare costs as much as 30 percent over time on the engine it is building for the world's biggest fighter aircraft program, the board chairman told Reuters Wednesday.

The cost of the F135 engine being built by the company's Pratt & Whitney unit is at the heart of a battle with the rival engine team of General Electric Co and Rolls-Royce Group Plc.

At stake is a potential $100 billion market to power Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the Pentagon's costliest arms-buying program.

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GE to Supply MTU with LM2500 Gas Turbine to Power German Navy’s F125 Frigate

GE Marine reports that it will supply MTU, Friedrichshafen, Germany, with one LM2500 gas turbine to power the German Navy’s F125 frigate. MTU is a GE Marine System Supplier.

The Baden-Wurttemberg class frigate will use a COmbined Diesel eLectric And Gas turbine (CODLAG) system featuring one LM2500 gas turbine and four MTU 20V 4000 M53B diesel engines and generators.

The generators will produce a total of 12,060 kilowatts/16,400 horsepower for the ship’s on-board power supply system, and/or provide diesel-electric propulsion power for cruising speeds of up to 20 knots.

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Russia concludes third stage of Nerpa sub trials in Far East

Russia's Nerpa nuclear attack submarine, damaged in a fatal accident during tests in November last year, successfully completed the third stage of sea trials, the governor of the Khabarovsk Territory said on Wednesday.

"The submarine is in a good state of readiness and there is confidence that it will be commissioned on time," Vyacheslav Shport said.

The vessel resumed sea trials on July 10 in the Sea of Japan following extensive repairs.

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Dutch Ministry of Defence Seeks to Modernise Torpedoes

The Ministry of Defence of the Netherlands is seeking to upgrade its MK48 torpedoes for its Walrus-class submarines, according to a letter of the Defence Secretary Jack de Vries from 17 September 2009 to the Dutch Parliament.

The Dutch Armed Forces use a version of the MK48 torpedoes which has been designed in the 1970s for use at great depths. This characteristic has limited opportunities to use the torpedoes for engaging targets in shallow water.

Australia, the United States and Canada will soon upgrade their inventory of MK48s to a more recent configuration which is better suited for use in lesser dephts.

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Jeju to Open Eco-Friendly Naval Base in 2014

After years of mudslinging, a project to build a strategic naval base on the southern resort island of Jeju is set to begin later this year after Jeju Governor Kim Tae-hwan last month survived a recall vote over his plan to allow the base.

The local office of the National Election Commission declared the vote invalid as voter turnout came to only 11.1 percent, not even close to the 33.3 percent required.

A coalition of local residents and progressive civic groups are still opposed to the plan, which they argue would cause environmental hazards and harm the image of the "peace island."

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China army parade may give clue to new missiles

When the National Day parade rolls down Beijing's streets next week, foreign observers will look beyond the goose-stepping soldiers for signs that China is developing a new missile able to threaten U.S. aircraft carriers.

If China is able to mount systems that support an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM), it could force the U.S. carrier fleet to keep a greater distance, American defense analysts said, changing U.S. strategy for defending Taiwan should war break out.

On October 1, all eyes will be on the Avenue of Eternal Peace to see if China displays a Dongfeng 21-D missile, with maneuverable fins to help it find a moving target at sea, as well as a more finalized launch vehicle.

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Navy strategy changing along with Arctic conditions

Rapidly diminishing sea ice means more ships than ever before will be able to travel through the Arctic, so the Navy is going to use an “Arctic road map” to navigate the new national security challenge.

The Navy's Task Force Climate Change will give Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead the road map next week, describing the changing conditions in the Arctic and what it means for future Navy operations.

Virtually all of the sea ice in the Arctic will melt during the summer in 25 to 30 years, said Rear Adm. David W. Titley, the Navy's senior oceanographer, who leads the task force.

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Tognum supplies MTU engines for German Navy support vessel

The specialist for propulsion and power solutions Tognum has been awarded the contract to supply MTU engines for the German Navy’s new combat group support vessel, the “Bonn“.

The engines are to be delivered to the shipbuilders Flensburger Schiffsbaugesellschaft mbH & Co. KG at the end of 2010.

The German Navy is due to commission the new supply ship in 2012. “We are pleased that the German Navy support vessel is now also being fitted with MTU Series 8000 engines for the first time.

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Iranian Military Planes Crashes in Annual Parade

Iran's sole Simorgh AWACS aircraft was lost during a military parade Sept. 22, one of two Iranian military aircraft that crashed in Tehran while participating in a display to mark the anniversary of the start of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force operated a single Simorgh, a former Iraqi Air Force Adnan. The Adnan AWACS was in turn a modification of a Soviet-built Ilyushin Il-76 transport.

The Simorgh collided with one of the Air Force's Northrop F-5E Tiger II fighters over the area of the Imam Khomeyni Shrine, southern Tehran.

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UK stations eurofighters in Malvinas, Argentina to request explanation

The Argentine government is considering whether to request an explanation from Great Britain after London confirmed reports that it had stationed four sophisticated fighter jets in the Malvinas islands, over which Argentina is claiming sovereignity, official sources said.

The planes - four Eurofighter Typhoons fighter-bomber aircraft worth 100 million euro each - were sent to the Southern Atlantic Archipelago last week, becoming the most advanced jet in the Southern hemisphere, said the Sun tabloid.

The report was later confirmed by the Argentine government.

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Plans for coastal radar in Windward Islands on hold

The Coast Guard of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba has shelved plans to construct coastal radar on the Windward Islands pending further analysis. The reasons are mainly financial.

At the same time, the Coast Guard announced in its 2009 General Policy Plan that there were plans to strengthen cooperation with France with regard to border control of St. Maarten/St. Martin. “The relationship between the Dutch Kingdom and France is of evident importance,” it was stated.

The Coast Guard wants to start realising cooperation agreements with France this year. The idea is to make it easier to patrol each other’s waters so the execution of tasks can improve.

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Too early to say Gabala radar will be part of missile defense system used by Americans in South Caucasus: British expert

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It is too early to speak about U.S. and Russia's joint use of Gabala radar in Azerbaijan, Director of the British Transatlantic and Caucasus Studies Institute Ziba Norman said.

"It is no secret that the U.S. has long envied Russia's position in Gabala in Azerbaijan, though it is too soon to say whether this might become a site for U.S. missile defense system in the South Caucasus," Norman told Trend News.

Within the new architecture of American missile defense system in Europe, the Pentagon plans to deploy radar for early warning of missile launches in the Caucasus instead of the Czech Republic, Marine Corps General James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on Friday, ITAR-TASS reported.

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Brazil extends final bid deadline for FX-2 fighter deal

The Brazilian air force has granted three competitors 10 more days to submit a final round of proposals to sell a minimum of 36 fighters under its FX-2 contract.

The three finalists - the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale F3 and Saab Gripen NG - now have until 2 October to complete their bids for the multi-billion dollar contract, according to an air force statement.

Brazil is extending the tender at the request of the bidding teams. "The three competitors have shown improvements in the offers to the selection process," the statement says.

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Brown promises to scale back Trident

The leaders of the world's greatest powers, including the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, are set tomorrow to endorse President Barack Obama's ambitious goal of ridding the world of nuclear weapons.

According to the final draft of a resolution to be put to a rare summit of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the leaders will resolve "to seek a safer world for all and to create the conditions for a world without nuclear weapons".

In an overt show of support, Mr Brown will unveil plans to cut the number of Trident nuclear submarines from four to three.

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South Korea Negative on Joining US Missile Shield

South Korea has no plan to participate in the U.S.-led global ballistic missile defense (BMD) network, an official at the Ministry of National Defense said Tuesday.

The remark came in a response to a local news report that the U.S. administration of President Barack Obama may ask South Korea to join the missile shield initiative despite its recent modification of the BMD plan.

In a major policy reversal, the U.S. government announced that it would scuttle plans to build a massive ground-based missile defense system in the Czech Republic and Poland that the previous Bush administration intended to use to counter the threat posed by Iranian ballistic missiles.

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Iran displayed its ballistic missile

The Islamic Republic of Iran displayed its first homemade ballistic missile in a military parade on Tuesday, local Fars news agency reported.

According to the report, the ballistic missile of Sejil with the far-reaching rage of 2,000 km. was publicized near the holy shrine of late Imam Khomeini, near Tehran, in the parades of Iran's military forces.

The show at the beginning of the country's Week of Holy Defense marks Iranian sacrifices during the eight years of Iraqi war on Iran in the 1980s.

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Only global AMD is acceptable - Russias chief of staff

Russia will only agree to a shared missile shield with the US and will not accept the implementation of any new missile project by the US, Russia's Chief of General Staff Nikolay Makarov has stated.

The statement comes as Russian and US representatives hold consultations concerning the new strategic arms reduction agreement in Geneva.

He added that Moscow is negative about the US intention to deploy anti-missile defense elements in the Caucasus.

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Russian Su-34 fighter in sky over Belarus

One of Russia's newest military aircrafts, fighter-bomber Su-34, is to take part in West 2009 strategic exercise.

It has been stated by deputy commander of Chkalov Russian Air Force's combat employment and retraining centre Colonel Yuri Sushkov.

He noted that a group of Su-34 arrived to Belarus on September 16.

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Northrop Grumman Delivers Final Production E-2C Hawkeye

With U.S. Navy leadership, federal, state and local government officials, and Northrop Grumman's (NYSE:NOC) employees looking on, the U.S. Navy today took delivery of its 21st, and final production E-2C Hawkeye 2000 aircraft.

The delivery event was held at the company's East Coast Aircraft Manufacturing and Flight Test Center, known as the "Home of the Hawkeye."

Accepting the aircraft on behalf of the U.S. Navy was Rear Adm. Richard O'Hanlon, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic.

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