Boeing Statement on Award of B-52 Modernization Contract

The Boeing Company today received an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract from the U.S. Air Force for B-52 Stratofortress weapon system modernization. The company released the following statement:

"This B-52 modernization contract will include several delivery orders over an eight-year period. The Air Force announced a contract ceiling of $11.9 billion.

This is a contracting vehicle that will allow engineering sustaining contracts, studies, production and other activities to occur in support of the B-52.

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Norway delays F-35 purchase

Norwegian defence minister Grete Faremo has informed the Norwegian parliament that the proposed programme for the purchase of F-35A Lightning IIs to replace its fleet of F-16s is to be “adjusted”.

Due to the programme’s importance to Norwegian industry with up to $5 billion (29 billion NOK) in offset, the country remains committed to F-35, said Faremo.

As a result of the programme adjustment, the first operational aircraft will arrive two years later than planned in 2018 with four training aircraft bought in 2016.

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Russia set to restore radar shield on western borders in 2010

Russia will restore the complete radar coverage of its western borders when a new radar facility in the southern town of Armavir becomes fully operational by mid-2010, the Space Forces commander said.

The Armavir radar will be the second facility, after the Lekhtusi complex in the Leningrad Region, to close a gap in radar coverage on Russia's western borders after the closure of radar sites in Skrunda (Latvia) in late 1998 and recently in Mukachevo and Sevastopol, in western Ukraine.

"The facilities in Armavir and Lekhtusi will ensure the complete radar coverage on the relevant directions that could pose a missile threat," Maj. Gen. Oleg Ostapenko told reporters in Moscow.

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US senate approves sale of 2 Osprey-class minehunters to India

The US Senate has cleared the sale of two Osprey-class minehunters to India, which would boost up Navy's efforts to ramp up coastal security post 26/11.

The sale of the Osprey-class warships, which are world's second largest minehunters was approved by the Senate, with India among the list of countries to which the sales could be made.

With this the decks have been cleared for the sale of two minehunters -- Kingfisher (MHC-56) and Cormorant (MHC-57) which were decommissioned in 2007.

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AH-1Z helicopters found operationally effective and suitable

The U.S. Marine Corps’ newest attack helicopter, the AH-1Z Cobra has successfully completed its Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL).

On Sept. 24, NAVAIR’s H-1 Upgrades program office received official notification from the Navy’s Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force that its AH-1Z helicopters were found to be “operationally effective and suitable” and were been recommended for fleet introduction.

“This marks a significant milestone for the program,” said Col. Harry Hewson, program manager for U.S. Marine light and attack helicopters. “The AH-1Z has come a long way through development and it has finally proven itself as a lethal and reliable attack helicopter. The Marines in the fleet are very eager to get their hands on the Zulu and get it into the fight.”

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India issues fresh request for tanker purchase

India's defence ministry has issued a fresh request for proposals to aerospace concerns in Europe, Russia and the USA for six inflight refuelling aircraft, reviving a contest worth an estimated $2 billion.

New Delhi had previously selected Airbus Military's A330-200-based multi-role tanker transport to meet its air force requirement, but cancelled the programme before a contract could be signed.

Its decision followed pressure from India's finance ministry regarding the proposed cost of the deal.

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Footage released of plane that manoeuvres without flaps

British engineers have released footage of the world's first ''flapless'' plane which uses hundreds of tiny air jets to control its movements.

The DEMON uses output from the jets to control airflow over the plane, manipulating lift and drag without using traditional mechanisms to steer. It only made its maiden flight earlier this month on Walney Island off the Cumbrian coast.

DEMON's developers believe the technology could revolutionise the stealth capabilities of military aircraft by reducing edges and gaps that can be picked up on radar.

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S.Korean Defense Ministry seeks 31.2 tln won budget for 2011

South Korea's defense ministry said Tuesday it will seek a near 6 percent budget increase for 2011 to 31.2 trillion won (US$21.7 billion) to beef up its military capacity after the deadly sinking of a warship blamed on North Korea.

This year's defense budget rose 3.6 percent from last year.

If approved, military spending will account for about 10 percent of a proposed government budget of 310 trillion won for next year.

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Army Apaches all at sea on Ark Royal

A detachment of Apache attack helicopters have landed on board the Royal Navy’s Fleet Flagship HMS Ark Royal to take part in Exercise Joint Warrior in October.

An unusual sight – Apaches are used extensively by the Army Air Corps in land operations but over the next few weeks they will train to broaden their sea experience and capability with the Royal Navy.

As well as it being a relatively new experience for the three aircraft and ten pilots, there is also a support crew of 120 engineers and maintainers from 4 Regiment Army Air Corps on board the Portsmouth-based aircraft carrier.

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German navy faces painful cuts

The German navy, faced with painful budget cuts, will lose sailors and equipment but not its key strategic capabilities, the navy's top official said.

"The cuts will affect the navy but we must and will keep our ability to act on, above and below water," Vice Admiral Axel Schimpf, who is the navy's highest-ranking officer and reports directly to German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, said Tuesday in Berlin. "Becoming smaller doesn't necessarily have to mean becoming worse."

Germany has announced defense budget cuts of up to $11.3 billion until 2014, including massive reductions in personnel.

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Danish military selling off Cold War machinery

More than 20 years after the end of the Cold War, the military is selling out of its war materials from that period.

Among the items the military is getting rid of are 230 Leopard I tanks, which made up the backbone of the nation’s land defences during the Cold War. The tanks were sold to a German company in Flensborg, just south of the border, at a price of just over 20 million kroner.

Also up for sale will be seven rescue helicopters, 140 armoured personnel carriers, three frigates, spare parts and various forms of ammunition.

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Using aircraft simulators and advanced technology, one of the world's largest international defense companies is moving one step ahead in the world of

BAE Systems protection center
Using aircraft simulators and advanced technology, one of the world's largest international defense companies is moving one step ahead in the world of electronic warfare.

BAE Systems yesterday unveiled a new $20 million protection center that will test and evaluate equipment used for defending helicopters against infrared-guided missiles and hostile fire.

The new center, housed at 130 Daniel Webster Highway, avoids extensive testing on aircraft during flight tests and instead enables equipment to be tested under simulated conditions that mimic the real world.

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Boeing Completes 1st Flight Tests of MK-84 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition

Boeing announced today that it successfully completed the first flight tests of the MK-84 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (Laser JDAM) this summer at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

The first two of seven planned tests at Eglin demonstrated the 2,000-pound weapon's precision strike capability against fixed, relocatable and moving targets.

During the tests in July, two inert MK-84 Laser JDAM weapons were released from a U.S. Air Force F-16 test aircraft flying at an altitude of 30,000 feet and a speed of Mach 0.95.

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Austal Commences Construction on JHSV 2

Less than one year after beginning fabrication of Spearhead (JHSV 1), Austal has commenced construction on Vigilant (JHSV 2), the second of up to ten 103-meter Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV).

On July 22, 2010, the official Keel Laying Ceremony was held at Austal’s shipyard for Spearhead (JHSV 1) which is on schedule for launch in June 2011 and delivery in December 2011.

Austal was selected as Prime contractor in November 2008 to design and build the first JHSV, with options for nine additional vessels expected to be exercised between FY09 and FY13.

Since then, Austal has received construction contracts for JHSV 1, JHSV 2, and JHSV 3 and Long Lead Time Material contracts for JHSV 4 and JHSV 5.

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Sukhoi Su-30M2 fighters complete test flights

Russia's Sukhoi aeronautical firm has completed its factory flight tests for its multi-role double seater Su-30M2 fighters.

The tests occurred at the flight test station of the Komsomolsk-on-Amur aircraft production association named after Yuri Gagarin, Itar-Tass reported Tuesday.

After receiving certification the Su-30M2 will be posted to units of the Russian air force.

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Boeing awarded 5.3 bln dlr US Navy fighter jet contract

Boeing has been awarded a three-year, 5.3-billion-dollar contract with the US Navy to build 124 fighter jets, the US aeronautics giant said Tuesday.

Under the terms of the agreement, Boeing from 2012 to 2015 will deliver to the US Navy 66 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and 58 EA-18-G Growlers to the Navy -- the Growler is a carrier-based electronic warfare craft that replaces the EA-6B Prowler.

The new contract is valued at 5.297 billion dollars, the company said.

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Russian Navy to get fifth generation carrier fighter after 2020

The appearance of a fifth generation fighter in Russian naval aviation will not happen before 2020, the outgoing head of the air forces and air defense forces of the Russian Navy, Lt. General Valery Uvarov told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

Previously, representatives of the armed forces command and Defense Ministry had said a new naval fighter based on the Sukhoi T.50 design could enter service around 2016.

"It's difficult to say when this aircraft will enter naval service. First it will go into service with the air force, and then be 'navalised.' To build a new aircraft from scratch costs huge money, it's irrational and not competent. Conditions might be suitable by 2020," he said.

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Hyundai heavy industries to build next-gen S.Korean frigates

The South Korean government on Tuesday picked Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. as the contractor to build the country's next generation frigates.

The selection, made after reviewing bids by three contending companies, were based on ability of the companies to meet the needs of the Navy and price, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said.

It said a formal contract will be signed within the year with the first ship to be delivered to the Navy in 2014.

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Thales Sells Sonar as Demonstrator for LCS

Thales has sold one of its Captas 4 antisubmarine sonars as a demonstrator on the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program for the U.S. Navy, an executive of the French defense systems company said.

Thales Underwater Systems signed the contract in August with DRS Sonar Systems, which will deliver the towed array in the United States, the executive told journalists here ahead of the Euronaval trade show, which opens Oct. 25.

Delivery of the Captas unit is due at the end of September 2011. There is potential for sales of 25 of the combined active and passive sonars to the U.S. Navy program. The sonar could be used with either LCS candidate.

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Sarkozy eyes defence deals in Dec India visit

French President Nicolas Sarkozy will visit India in December, officials said on Tuesday, with an eye on increasing French firms' share of the country's 10-year USD 50-billion defence spending.

Indian Foreign Ministry officials said the visit will take place tentatively on Dec. 6-7, but the dates are to be confirmed.

French daily newspaper La Tribune reported the state visit, initially planned for spring, will take place from Dec. 4-7.

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Stealth flying boats join IRGC fleet

Iran takes the design and manufacturing of domestic-built military hardware to a new level by delivering stealth flying boats to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).

"Bavar 2," is a radar-evading fixed-wing seaplane capable of patrol and reconnaissance missions. At least 11 flying boats joined the IRGC fleet on Tuesday after an official ceremony.

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said the new delivery was in line with the country's efforts to boast regional security.

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Leaks in India's submarine strategy

India's emphasis on undersea warfare is growing, but too slowly for many experts. Today, the Indian navy's submarine fleet - India's "silent service" - is beset with numerous problems and delays.

In China, the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) shows no sign of backing off its plans to gradually increase its presence in the Indian Ocean. This influx of Chinese naval vessels does not pose an immediate threat to India's national security, but the situation could change.

Russia, however, may wield considerable influence over the flow of events. While Russia continues to serve as a vital cog in the vast

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Raytheon Awarded $175 Million for Standard Missile-3 Block IIA

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) awarded Raytheon Company a $175 million contract for the Standard Missile-3 Block IIA cooperative development program with Japan.

The contract will provide continued funding for engineering and development efforts for the SM-3 Block IIA missile through the preliminary design review of the all-up-round, scheduled for early 2011.

The contract also includes an option for future studies totaling $9.8 million.

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New fighter trainer for RSAF

Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd (ST Aerospace) has been awarded a contract to acquire 12 M-346 aircraft and a ground-based training system for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) replacement programme.

The aircraft will be provided by Alenia Aermacchi, while the training system will be supplied by Boeing, said a Ministry of Defence statement on Tuesday.

ST Aerospace will undertake the overall management of the AJT programme. The 12 M-346 aircraft and the ground-based training system are expected to be delivered from 2012.

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MEADS Demonstrates Interoperability With NATO Air Command and Control System in Joint Test

The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) battle management capability successfully demonstrated interoperability with the NATO Air Command and Control System (ACCS) during a Joint Project Optic Windmill (JPOW) test in July.

The interface test was conducted using the Active Layer Theatre Ballistic Missile Defense (ALTBMD) Integration Test Bed being developed by NATO.

The test proved a key interoperability milestone for the MEADS, ALTBMD and ACCS programs, and is an early maturity demonstration for the MEADS battle management and command, control, computers, communication and intelligence (BMC4I) capability.

MEADS is designed to interoperate with a wide range of platforms and command and control structures.

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US, Israel ink deal on short-range missile defense

The United States and Israel on Monday agreed to advance work on a weapons system that would help Israel defend against short-range ballistic missiles like those launched by Hezbollah during the Lebanon war of 2006.

The Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency announced the deal late on Monday evening, saying it underscored "the continued commitment of the United States to the defense of Israel."

News of the agreement about the so-called "David's Sling" missile defense project comes amid continued tensions between Israel and Iran, and Russia's decision last week to ban the export of high-precision missile systems and other weapons to Iran.

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Flight testing of Eurocopter's X3 high-speed hybrid helicopter demonstrator marks a new milestone in the company's innovation roadmap

Eurocopter has begun test flights of the X3 demonstrator for its innovative High-speed, long-range Hybrid Helicopter (H3) concept, which combines excellent vertical takeoff and landing capabilities with fast cruise speeds of more than 220 kts.

The X3 demonstrator is equipped with two turboshaft engines that power a five-blade main rotor system and two propellers installed on short-span fixed wings.

This creates an advanced transportation system offering the speed of a turboprop-powered aircraft and the full hover flight capabilities of a helicopter.

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UK Defence Secretary in talks over aircraft spending cuts

UK Defence Secretary Liam Fox will meet Scottish political leaders and union chiefs over fears about spending cuts.

There are concerns a project to build two new aircraft carriers, on the Clyde and at Rosyth in Fife, could be downgraded.

For the past two days talks have been taking place between Holyrood's main parties and trade unions. They have been seeking to agree, by the end of the week, a joint submission to the MoD's strategic defence review.

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The Next Nuclear Arms Race

India and Pakistan are the two countries most likely to engage in nuclear war, or so goes the common wisdom. Yet if recent events are any indication, the world's most vigorous nuclear competition may well erupt between Asia's two giants: India and China.

Both countries already house significant and growing arsenals. China is estimated to have approximately 450 warheads; India, roughly 100.

Though intensifying as of late, Sino-Indian nuclear competition has a long history: India's pursuit of a weapons program in the 1960s was triggered in part by China's initial nuclear tests, and the two have eyed one another's arsenals with mounting concern ever since.

The competition intensified in 2007, when China began to upgrade missile facilities near Tibet, placing targets in northern India within range of its forces.

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Russia's newest nuclear sub completes sea trials

Russia's newest strategic nuclear-powered submarine, the Borey class Yury Dolgoruky, has completed sea trials in the White Sea and returned to its base in northern Russia, the Sevmash shipyard said.

The trials were part of the manufacturer Sevmash's tests and the boat is now ready for final inspection by a state commission before it enters service with the Russian Navy.

"All the submarine's systems performed well, and the problems revealed during previous tests have been resolved," Sevmash said.

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PAL bids for contract to build submarine worth USD 400 million

The Jakarta Post reported that state ship builder PT PAL is bidding for a contract from the Defense Ministry to construct submarines worth between USD 350 and USD 400 million each in 2010.

Mr Harsusanto president director of PT PAL said that "The Defense Ministry plans to buy submarines. We expect to win the contract so that we can build the submarines in our plant."

Mr Harsusanto said that the ministry might hold a tender for procurement of the submarines later this year. He acknowledged that PT PAL lacked experience in constructing a submarine.

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Iran To Sue Russia For Canceling Anti-aircraft Missile Sales

Russia's decision to suspend supply of S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems evoked strong reaction from Iran, which threatened to seek legal action against Moscow and called it undependable.

Iranian news agency ISNA quoted Alaeddin Boroujerdi, Chairman of the country's Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, as saying on Monday that "the issue can be pursued legally" demanding compensation from Russia for its breach of a contract to deliver five S-300 missile systems, signed in 2007.

In line with the U.N. sanctions against Iran, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree on September 22 banning the shipment of S-300 air defense missile systems, which can shoot down aircraft and cruise missiles from a distance of up to 150 kilometers.

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Israel Navy's submarine fleet: an intimate but demanding unit

The Israel Navy's submarine fleet is one of the Israel Defense Forces' most intimate units.

The atmosphere in the unit derives not only from the nature of its missions, which require several dozen men to remain together underwater in an iron tube for many long days, but also because very few soldiers serve in the unit.

In the coming decade, the fleet is to undergo a revolution. It will start when two upgraded versions of the Dolphin submarine join the ranks in the coming two years.

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First submarine refit starts under Canada’s VISSC contract, on HMCS Chicoutimi

Babcock’s Canadian Submarine Management Group (CSMG) has begun work to undertake the first Extended Docking Work Period (EDWP) under the Victoria In-Service Support Contract (VISSC), on HMCS Chicoutimi, following the award of the contract to the company by the Canadian government in June 2008.

This EDWP will be a significant step towards realising Babcock’s aim of becoming the long term in-service support partner of choice to Canada.

Babcock’s CSMG is teamed with Victoria Shipyards as a key subcontractor to undertake refit work on the west coast, and the EDWP on Chicoutimi is being carried out in a purpose-built covered facility in Victoria Shipyards, which was completed in February this year.

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QinetiQ lands $32M submarine laser project

QinetiQ’s North American subsidiary has won a contract worth $31.8 million to develop and build a blue laser system for covert communications between a submarine and aircraft flying overhead.

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has made the award under its Tactical Relay Information Network (TRITON) program, with a live evaluation of the system scheduled for a key naval exercise taking place in mid-2012.

QinetiQ, which was spun out of the UK’s Ministry of Defence ten years ago, and remains headquartered in the UK, is already working on a blue-laser communication system known as “SEADEEP” – short for Submarine-Enabling Airborne Data Exchange and Enhancement Program. That system can be carried by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to support submarines.

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Navy ships are brought back to life on Tyneside

The chief of the Bangladesh Navy came to a Tyneside shipyard yesterday to accept the handover of two offshore patrol vessels.

Vice Admiral Zahir Uddin Ahmed was the chief guest at a ceremony at A&P Tyne to mark the successful completion of the multi-million pound order at the Hebburn yard.

A&P Tyne beat off fierce competition to win the “prestigious contract” to refit the former Royal Navy vessels HMS Leeds Castle and HMS Dumbarton Castle for the Bangladesh Navy.

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HMA Ships Manoora and Kanimbla alongside for maintenance

Information provided to the Chief of Navy by the Landing Platform Amphibious (LPA) Sea-Worthiness Board, an independent body that provides robust governance advice to the Chief of Navy, about platform sea-worthiness and potential risks associated with operating the ship class has resulted in an “operational pause” being initiated for the Navy’s two LPAs, HMA Ships Manoora and Kanimbla.

The Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane AO, CSM, RAN, said while the decision to keep both ships alongside is precautionary, the safety of those on board must come first.

“Our LPAs are a key element of Navy capability, but if their operation has potential to impact on safety then this must be addressed quickly and openly,” VADM Crane said.

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1st Boeing SBSS Satellite Sends Initial Signals from Space

The Boeing Company has acquired initial on-orbit signals from the first Space Based Space Surveillance (SBSS) satellite following its launch at 9:41 p.m. Pacific time on Sept. 25 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

The signals indicate that the satellite is functioning normally and is ready to begin orbital maneuvers and operational testing.

The SBSS Block 10 satellite, which was built for the U.S. Air Force by a Boeing-led team that includes Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., was launched by an Orbital Sciences Minotaur IV rocket.

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Iraqis Take First Ship In New Patrol Boat Fleet

Iraq inaugurated the first in a fleet of U.S.-built patrol boats on Sept. 26, part of efforts to boost its naval capacity and secure key oil platforms ahead of an American pullout next year.

The rapid build-up of the Iraqi Navy is seen as crucial to protecting the terminals through which the vast majority of the country's crude is exported, with oil accounting for around 95 percent of government income.

In a ceremony at Umm Qasr Naval Base, about 310 miles south of Baghdad, sailors demonstrated the capabilities of the boat - named "PB 301" - by showing it chase down smaller vessels.

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Iran test flies upgraded C-130 plane

On the fifth day of the Sacred Defense Week, Iran has successfully conducted the first test-flight of the domestically-upgraded C-130 aircraft.

The aircraft, which is modeled after the Lockheed Martin's C-130 Hercules, joined the Iranian Air Force in the 1970s.

Defense Ministry Ahmad Vahidi said on Sunday that "the C-130 should have been upgraded earlier but due to international sanctions and losing contact with its manufacturer it (the upgrade) was postponed until now."

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N.Korea 'Gets Ready for Massive Show of Military Strength'

The North Korean military is reportedly preparing for a massive parade featuring some 10,000 troops, new ballistic missiles, tanks and long-range artillery guns.

A senior South Korean government source on Sunday said intelligence suggests the North has been preparing for the parade since July 12, when it gathered a large number of troops and a lot of equipment at Mirim Airport near Pyongyang.

The parade is expected to be the biggest ever, with more than double the number of troops in the past, and mark the 65th anniversary of the Workers Party on Oct. 10, the source added.

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Nuke submarine West Virginia refueling in Va.

The ballistic-missile submarine West Virginia has officially reached middle age.

After 20 years of strategic patrols, the Kings Bay, Ga.-based boat requires an overhaul and nuclear refueling to extend its operational life another two decades.

Submarines are normally rotated between two separate crews, known by the colors blue and gold, but to get through this once-in-a-ship’s-lifetime maintenance, the two crews are collapsed into one. For this “Green Crew,” the two-year refueling will entail challenges such as a homeport shift and updated systems to master, as well as the opportunity to pursue personal goals, from warfare pins to bachelor’s degrees.

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IAF planning to induct 10 Airborne Warning and Control Systems

Having already procured three Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS), the Indian Air Force is planning to induct ten such eyes for boosting the country's air defence.

In the near future, the IAF will place fresh orders for two more PHALCON AWACS in addition to the three procured earlier.

But in the long run, it has plans of inducting a total of ten such aircraft in its fleet, Defence Ministry officials told PTI here.

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Insitu receives contract to deliver ScanEagles to Poland

Boeing subsidiary Insitu has received a $7.2 million contract to deliver 10 ScanEagle unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to Poland over the next 12 months.

The deal announced on 23 September by the US Department of Defense means the Bingen, Washington-based manufacturer has secured its first European customer for the small, long-endurance UAS type.

The ScanEagle is deployed around the world by the US Navy, US Marine Corps and Australian Army, and the manufacturer is pursuing more sales opportunities in the US, Asia and Europe.

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Deep cuts to the Royal Navy could leave Plymouth home to a 'ghost fleet'

Cuts could leave city a 'ghost fleet'
Deep cuts to the Royal Navy could leave Plymouth as home to "a dockyard and a ghost fleet", a defence expert warns.

According to claims in a national newspaper yesterday, the Navy could be slashed in half after the defence review now being carried out.

The move would hit Plymouth badly, with the troop landing ships Albion and Bulwark being sold off, The Sun newspaper claimed.

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Dutch worry over F-35 costs

In a statement to the Dutch parliament, the Minister of Defence Eimert van says that the cost of the F-35A for the Royal Netherlands Air Force faces a “considerable increase” and that the impact on the F-16 Replacement Project will also be “considerable”.

Van Middelkoop said that since the last report in 2009 the average cost per aircraft has risen from $69.2 million (€51.4 million) to $92.4 million (€68.6 million). To offset some of this cost the Dutch Ministry of Defence has pushed back the first delivery two years from 2014 to 2016.

Current plans are for 85 F-35As to be purchased in two batches (57 and 28 aircraft) to replace the entire F-16 fleet of 100 aircraft.

Source

Obama okays Iraq's first post-Saddam fighter jets

The administration of President Barack Obama has approved Iraq's request for the F-16 multi-role fighter.

The administration has endorsed an Iraqi request for 18 new F-16 aircraft for Baghdad's Air Force.

Officials said the Defense Department has notified Congress of the proposed sale, estimated at $4.2 billion.

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Navy Investigates Videotaped Helicopter Snafu

The Navy is investigating two helicopter flight crews whose dramatic dipping into the waters of Lake Tahoe was captured on video and posted on YouTube.

Taken on Sept. 13, the video shows one of the helicopters slowly spinning into the lake before the aircraft pulled back into the air.

The Navy confirmed that two of its MH-60 Romeo helicopters appeared on the video.

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Japan To Decide This Year On Global Hawk Order

Japan is expected to decide by the end of the year whether to order four Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk surveillance aircraft that could later be upgraded to reinforce the country’s anti-ballistic missile defenses.

The decision, which has been brewing for years, is due to appear in the National Defense Program Guideline, which will set out future military policy when it appears this year, program officials say.

The Japanese military’s joint staff office is studying the possible order, reflecting its status as a national program. A force of four could provide a continuous patrol, even with one in deep maintenance.

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Russia could make aerial drones without Israeli help claims company

Russia does not need Israeli assistance to make progress in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), including military drones, the head of a Russian UAV production company said on Thursday.

A senior Israeli defense source quoted in Flight International said earlier that Israel may tear up much of the unprecedented military cooperation deal it signed with Russia at the start of this month due to anger over Moscow's decision to supply Yakhont naval missiles to Syria.

"In the next two or three years, there will be a breakthrough in the Russian UAV market regardless of the Israeli position on this issue," Vladimir Verba, the director general of the Vega company.

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Boeing Completes Production of 1st Australian Super Hornet with Provisions for Future Electronic Attack Capability

Boeing announced today that it has completed production of the first Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18F Super Hornet that has the capability to be converted into an electronic attack aircraft.

Boeing is pre-wiring the RAAF's second lot of 12 Super Hornets for potential electronic attack capability conversion during production at the company's facilities in St. Louis.

"Incorporating the ability to introduce an electronic attack capability on 12 RAAF Super Hornets as they are produced in St. Louis provides maximum flexibility for our Air Force in the future," said RAAF Group Capt. Steve Roberton, Officer Commanding 82 Wing, which includes Super Hornet and F-111 aircraft.

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Thales Digital Joint Reconnaissance Pod ready to fly on Gripen

Thales today announces the delivery to Saab AB of its Digital Joint Reconnaissance Pod (DJRP), for installation on the South African Gripen aircraft.

Saab will now start a series of integration flight trials.

This announcement is made on the occasion of the Africa Aerospace & Defence 2010 exhibition in Cape Town, South Africa.

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Major Military Parade in Tehran begins Holy Defense Week - Iran 22 Sept.

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Philippine Air Force acquires 8 Polish-made attack helicopters

The capability of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will be enhanced with the purchase of eight Polish-made attack helicopters.

PAF chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena announced yesterday that the Air Force has already acquired eight brand new Sokol W-3WA Falcon helicopters from the PZL Swidnik Co. of Poland.

Rabena said the helicopters, purchased at a cost of P2.8 billion, are all heavily equipped.

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Prithvi-II ballistic missiles fails to take off

A user trial of the nuclear weapons capable, surface-to-surface Prithvi-II ballistic missile from Chandipur in Orissa ended in an embarassing failure for the government as the missile did not take off.

The nine metre-tall, single stage liquid propelled missile with a maximum range of 350 kilometres was fired from a mobile launcher at 10.03 am from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur-on-sea, Orissa.

But sources in the Defence Research and Development Organisation said the missile just did not launch as the launchpad was enveloped in smoke.

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West Bengal: MIG-27 crashes, pilot ejects safely

An Indian Air Force MIG-27 aircraft crashed in West Midnapore district of West Bengal on Friday, Sep 24 morning.

The MIG-27, taken off from the Kalaikunda airforce base, crashed at 8:30 am in Duria village when it was on a routine sortie. The pilot has been ejected safely.

Authorities ordered an commission of enquiry on the incident. Another helicopter from Kalaikunda airbase has brought back the pilot to the airbase.

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Gas turbine engine on LCS Freedom breaks

A high-speed gas turbine engine on board the Navy’s first Littoral Combat Ship broke earlier this month and will need to be replaced, but officials don’t expect the mishap to affect the ship’s testing schedule.

The incident took place Sept. 12 while Freedom was operating off southern California. The ship shut down its two Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines after “high vibration indications” were seen in the starboard engine, according to Cmdr. Jason Salata, a spokesman for the Naval Surface Forces command in San Diego. The ship returned to port using its diesel engines.

Subsequent examination of the broken engine showed that turbine blading had broken off and damaged the unit, Salata said.

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Navy's new ship Wellington welcomed home

Wellington's new namesake navy ship made barely a ripple as she glided into her home port in the capital for the first time this morning.

The HMNZS Wellington is the last of the navy's seven new ships, an 85 metre long, 1900 tonne patrol vessel designed to go further offshore and stay out for long periods of time.

It replaces the aged frigate Wellington that was sunk off Island Bay last year as the region's flagship navy vessel.

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Russia delivers three Mi-35M helicopters to Indonesia

Russia has delivered three Mi-35M Hind assault helicopters to Indonesia, a military source said on Thursday.

Russia signed an agreement with Indonesia in September 2007 to provide a $1 billion credit line to the Southeast Asian country for Russian weapons purchases.

Indonesia planned to buy ten Mi-17 transport helicopters, five Mi-35Ms, six Sukhoi fighters and two Kilo-class submarines financed by the credit.

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China developing 5th-gen fighter?

China is believed to be working towards an advanced jet that could potentially match the capabilities of the upcoming F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), contrary to earlier projections made by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

The Pentagon publicly addressed the anticipated development, citing reason to believe that the Chinese fifth-generation fighter may be operational by 2018, and would at least rival the main American fighter of today - the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.

He expressed the belief that the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) would only possess a “handful” of the aircraft by 2025.

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First Eastern Fleet warship sets sails to fight pirates

INS Rajput, one of navy's oldest destroyers, today set sails for the Gulf of Aden to take over responsibility of anti-piracy operations there from INS Delhi.

This will be the first time in the past two years that a warship from the navy's Visakhapatnam-based Eastern Fleet will be deployed in the fight against the sea brigands in the Gulf of Aden.

Rajput, which underwent a major retrofitting of its sensors and weapons systems two years ago, will "take over on task" from Delhi, another guided missile destroyer, on September 26, a senior navy officer told PTI here.

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