Air-to-air variant of BrahMos soon: Sivathanu Pillai

An air-to-air variant of the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile would be inducted into the Indian Air Force by 2012, said A. Sivathanu Pillai, Chief Executive Officer of BrahMos Aerospace and chief controller of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), here on Sunday.

Addressing media persons at the Chennai Science Festival, he said that BrahMos packs in nine times more destructive capacity than any other cruise missile of its class in the world.

Much of the missile's blast impact is due to the high velocity that it achieves, which translates into high kinetic energy.

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Salina picked for training

Salina Municipal Airport
Hawker Beechcraft has selected the Salina Airport for its Light Attack aircraft training program, tentatively to begin in late 2012.

This could create up to two dozen new pilot and maintenance jobs in Salina, plus significant lease revenue for the Salina Airport Authority.

"It's a good initial step in continuing our long-term relationship with Hawker Beechcraft," said Tim Rogers, executive director of the Salina Airport Authority.

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Embraer shows off light attack aircraft that could be built in Jacksonville

The Super Tucano is a single-engine, turboprop plane that can stay over a battlefield for several hours, unleash a load of bombs and then, if necessary, land on a rugged dirt runway.

The company that wants to build it in Jacksonville brought one to the international airport Sunday to show off to local media and dignitaries.

Embraer Aircraft Holding expects to hear in June if it has won a five-year contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to build the light attack aircraft.

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Canada has no way to refuel new jets in air

The Canadian military does not have the ability to conduct aerial refuelling of the F-35 fighter jet it wants to purchase and is now looking at ways to get around that problem.

Options range from paying for modifications to the stealth jets to purchasing a new fleet of tanker aircraft that can gas up the high-tech fighters in mid-air. That option could cost several hundred million dollars, depending on how many new tankers are needed.

In addition, because the F-35 would not be able to safely land on runways in Canada’s north because those are too short for the fighter, the Defence Department is looking at having manufacturer Lockheed Martin install a “drag” chute on the plane.

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Indian Navy scouts for amphibious warfare craft

The Indian Navy is scouting for a mechanised craft to enable troop landings on beaches to augment its amphibious warfare capability. The navy intends to order 10 such craft.

The navy has issued a request for information to global ship-builders to know if they can deliver the craft to India within the specified time frame and also meet its requirements, a senior naval official told IANS, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

The craft can also be used to ferry military equipment and material between island territories of Andaman and Nicobar on the eastern sea board and Lakshadweep on the western side.

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Australian navy urged to buy surplus British vessel

The navy could make significant savings by disposing of the ageing landing ship HMAS Tobruk and either HMAS Manoora or Kanimbla and buying a surplus British vessel, a lobby group says.

In an editorial in its publication The Navy, the Navy League said Tobruk, launched in 1980, was becoming increasingly unsustainable.

Manoora and Kanimbla, both ex-US Navy vessels launched in 1970, are currently tied up in Sydney for urgent and overdue maintenance, with the government yet to decide their future.

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Inquiry ordered into procurement of heavyweight torpedoes for India’s Project 75 submarines

India’s Central Vigilance Commissioner has ordered an inquiry into the procurement of 98 heavyweight torpedoes for the project P-75 submarines of the Indian Navy.

Informed sources told defenseworld.net that the inquiry was ordered on the complaint made by one of the bidders in the tender for procurement of the torpedoes, Atlas Elektronik GMBH of Germany.

The complaint was reportedly made by Kai Pelzer, Executive Director of Atlas Elektronik which makes the DM2A4 Seahake heavyweight torpedo.

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Boeing and Northrop Grumman Submit Proposal for Missile Defense Competitive Contract

The Boeing Company and industry partner Northrop Grumman Corporation today submitted their joint proposal for the competitive development and sustainment contract for future work on the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) element of the United States' ballistic missile defense system.

"This development and sustainment contract proposal is backed by the full commitment of Boeing, Northrop Grumman and all of our team members," said Dennis Muilenburg, president and CEO, Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

"We have been privileged to have been partners with the Missile Defense Agency through the development and deployment of the GMD system, and now with Northrop Grumman, we will bring to GMD over 50 years of experience in sustaining and modernizing the Minuteman ICBM weapon system. We look forward to continuing that partnership in this next phase of the GMD program."

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Boeing accepts charge on new 737 AEW&C problems

Boeing has announced a new setback for the long-delayed plan to deliver fully operational 737 airborne early warning and control system aircraft to Australia and Turkey.

The company's fourth quarter earnings statement included a new charge against earnings valued at $136 million on the AEW&C programme.

Boeing blames the writedown on "additional software development and testing required for acceptance of the Wedgetail aircraft" by the Royal Australian Air Force. The charge also covers the "resolution of issues associated with the test programme" for the Turkish air force's Peace Eagle programme, it adds.

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Russia to offer fifth-generation prototype fighter to Brazil?

The global arms trade runs to billions of dollars, but few such deals attract as much media attention as Brazil's recent tender, for the purchase of 36 combat aircraft which includes an agreement on production of another 84 planes under license.

Media interest in the tender grew after Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, who was inaugurated on January 1, 2011, annulled the results of the previous tender.

A modest beginning

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With own 5G jet plan, India 'rejects' US offer

India has no plans as of now to either join the US-led joint strike fighter (JSF) programme or buy the F-35 'Lightning-II ' fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) when it finally becomes operational.

"We cannot have two types of FGFA. We have already launched preliminary work for our FGFA after inking the $295 million preliminary design contract (PDC) with Russia last month," said a top defence ministry official on Friday.

This comes in the wake of comments made by a top Pentagon official, undersecretary of defence for acquisition, technology and logistics Ashton Carter, in Washington that the US was open to Indian participation in its JSF project.

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Pakistan bridges technology gap with India

In 2009 when the first of the three Russian-Israeli spy planes arrived in New Delhi, it was viewed as the Indian Air Force’s big technological leap leaving adeversaries like Pakistan behind.

Two years down the line, Pakistan has knocked much of this technology gap off with help from China by adding planes that can peep inside Indian border and thwart aerial strikes.

IAF bosses now admit that it was time to redraw its plans regarding acquistion of more Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems, popularly known as “eye in the sky” because of its capacity to scan wide areas to dissolve any aerial threats from missiles and combat jets.

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China gives glimpses of its 1st aircraft carrier

China on Friday provided glimpses of the country's first aircraft carrier, an upgraded version of a partially-built vessel purchased from Ukraine in 1998, which is undergoing sea trials.

People's Daily, the official organ of the ruling Communist Party of China, carried a brief video showing the ship undergoing sea trials.

The video displayed in its interactive section, Peoples Forum also showed an aircraft landing on it.

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S.Korea to speed up combat fighter purchase

South Korea will bring forward its planned purchase of an advanced fleet of combat fighters with stealth capability to 2015, a project estimated at 10 trillion won ($9 billion), Yonhap news reported on Sunday.

The move comes as tensions persist on the Korean peninsula as the South is concerned about North Koreas's missile building, while China confirmed earlier this month it had held its first test-flight of a stealth fighter jet.

U.S. and European defence companies have been gearing up for the third phase of South Korea's fighter modernisation programme to replace decades-old F-4E and F-5E/F jets that have been involved in several fatal crashes in recent years.

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Greece won’t buy arms this year, save cash

Greece will not conclude any major arms deals this year despite ongoing talks with France and Russia as it seeks to save cash to fight its debt crisis, the country’s deputy defence minister told Reuters on Friday.

Since the crisis broke out in 2009, Greece has been cutting its defence budget by about 20 percent every year, as part of efforts to reduce structural spending and slash deficits. The 2011 defence budget is set at 4.87 billion euros ($6.68 billion) or 2.13 percent of GDP, down from 2.8 percent in 2010.

“We continue negotiations with France and Russia, but this doesn’t mean we will reach a deal in 2011,” Deputy Defence Minister Panos Beglitis said in an interview.

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Rubin drops idea to rebuild subs for cargo transport

Plans to use Typhoon submarines for under-ice deliveries of oil and ore in Arctic waters is inexpedient, says the designer of the world’s largest ever built submarine.

Ideas to refit two of Russia’s huge nuclear powered submarines to carry ore were earlier discussed between Rubin Central Design Bureau and metallurgical giant Norilsk-Nickel.

The designers also said it could be possible to replace the 20 intercontinental nuclear missiles with tanks to carry oil from re-loading terminals under the ice in the Arctic.

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China: Submarine crew submerge selves for greater good

Generations of commanders and crew members with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy submarine fleet have devoted themselves to the development of China's sea-based nuclear deterrent, a Chinese newspaper said in a rare behind-the-scenes report on the low-profile force.

As one of the most mysterious components of the PLA, the daily lives of commanders and crews on the country's submarines have barely been reported.

However, a recent feature in Beijing-based Science and Technology Daily shed a spotlight on the succession of crews that have worked underwater for more than 46 years on the submarine that once conducted the test launch marking China's sea-based nuclear deterrent.

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Pentagon Still Learning China Stealth Jet Details, Morrell Says

The U.S. Defense Department is reserving judgment on the capabilities of China’s new J-20 fighter jet, spokesman Geoff Morrell said today.

Public reports are only speculation when they assert that the Chinese fighter has cutting-edge “fifth-generation” stealth technologies -- such as advanced sensors, avionics and communications gear -- like those used in Lockheed Martin Corp.’s F-22 and F-35 jets, he said.

Photos of the Chinese aircraft have appeared on the Internet, and a test flight of the J-20 occurred Jan. 11, during Defense Secretary Robert Gates’s visit to Beijing.

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NATO achieves first step on theatre ballistic missile defence capability

On 27 January 2011, NATO’s first ever theatre ballistic missile defence (TBMD) capability has been handed over to NATO’s military commanders.

The handover took place at the NATO Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) in Uedem, Germany, in the presence of NATO Deputy Secretary General, Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero, and civil and military authorities from NATO and host nation Germany.

The NATO Combined Air Operations Centre demonstrated how this interim capability allows NATO commanders, for the first time ever, to do limited ballistic missile defence planning and exchange information with national ballistic missile defence assets.

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Nimrod loss leaves 'massive' security gap

The loss of the Nimrod MRA4 maritime reconnaissance aircraft leaves a "massive gap" in the UK's security which must be filled, according to senior military figures.

The nine aircraft were scrapped as part of last October's Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) in a move predicted to save around £2bn over the next ten years.

Around £4.1bn will have been spent on the Nimrod programme by the time they are fully dismantled, despite the fact that they did not enter service.

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DRDO plans to test 10 missiles this year

The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has planned a series of missile tests in the coming months to prove its might.

At least 10 missiles, including the country's first intercontinental range ballistic missile (ICBM) Agni-V have been slated for flight tests this year.

Defence sources said while the first missile to be test-fired this month is the most sophisticated K-15, the test of other projectiles that are in the pipeline include advanced air defence (AAD) interceptor, Agni-I, Agni-II, Prithvi air defence (PAD) interceptor, BrahMos, Prithvi, Astra and Agni-V.

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Airbus Military demonstrates final A330 MRTT refuelling system

The Airbus Military A330 MRTT has successfully passed fuel to receiver aircraft using the Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU) for the first time – meaning that all of the aircraft´s refuelling systems have now been demonstrated.

In a three hour 10 min sortie from Getafe near Madrid on 21st January, the Future Strategic Transport Aircraft (FSTA) variant for the UK Royal Air Force conducted a series of “wet contacts” with two F-18 fighters of the Spanish Air Force.

Contacts were successfully performed with both fighters at an altitude of around 15,000ft and at speeds from 250kt to 325kt.

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China refutes the J-20 uses F-117 copies

A Chinese test pilot refuted allegations that the country's new J-20 stealth fighter aircraft used copied parts from a Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk downed in 1999.

Controversy, as well as excitement, has swirled around China's J-20 since it was unofficially revealed to the public earlier this month in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Several videos of the test flight appeared on Internet sites.

Chinese President Hu Jintao told U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates about the flight of the prototype J-20 shortly before Gates left Beijing after a three-day visit to China intended to improve military communications between the two countries.

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Defence cuts threaten Trident nuclear safety, warns MoD

The safety of Britain's nuclear weapons and submarines is being jeopardised by staff shortages and spending cuts, according to secret Ministry of Defence reports.

The MoD's nuclear safety watchdog has warned it can no longer ensure Trident warheads and nuclear submarines "remain safe". There was a "lack of adequate resource to deliver (and regulate) the defence nuclear programmes safely".

The Royal Navy has been coping with shortages of reactor engineers and scientists by restricting their time ashore and cutting submarine operations. Now such trade-offs are becoming impossible, Channel 4 News is to reveal.

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U.S. Navy embarks on replacements for aging Trident submarines

The first Ohio-class submarines to arrive at Naval Submarine Base Bangor are pushing 30, and the Navy is preparing to replace them.

Rear Adm. David Johnson spoke about the changeover Thursday before a luncheon crowd of Navy supporters. Johnson, as Program Executive Officer, Submarines, in Washington, D.C., is responsible for new submarine construction programs.

Fresh out of the Naval Academy, he was assigned to Bangor's Trident Refit Facility in December 1982, coming just as the USS Ohio returned from its first patrol. Much has changed since then. Silverdale was horse pastures and an Elsie's restaurant, he said. There was a Soviet Union, and a Cold War.

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Australian defence trials Mincham UAV

Mincham Aviation’s new unmanned aerial system is currently being trialled by Defence.

Weighing 22 kg and approximately 1.3 metres long, the system is able to deploy sonobuoys traditionally used to detect submarines or for underwater research.

Further development work is ongoing to allow the system to deliver different payloads as decoys, training aids and emergency supplies.

Source

Boeing, Netherlands MOD Mark 1st Flight of Royal Netherlands Air Force CH-47F (NL)

Representatives of Boeing, its suppliers and the Netherlands Ministry of Defence marked the first flight of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) CH-47F (NL) Chinook heavy-lift helicopter in a ceremony Jan. 25 at Summit Aviation in Middletown, Del.

The aircraft made its first flight on Dec. 8 and is scheduled to complete its flight test program in August after approximately 100 flight hours. There are two aircraft in flight test.

The RNLAF has ordered six CH-47F (NL) Chinooks to enhance its current fleet of 11 CH-47D (NL) aircraft.

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Thales awarded Tactical Control Radar Contract

Thales Canada announced that it has been awarded the Tactical Control Radar contract by the Department of National Defence.

Thales will supply and integrate two Ground Master 400 (GM 400) radars deployable with a suite of communications and operator control systems.

“We are pleased to deliver on The Government of Canada’s challenging requirements with our Ground Master radar that provides accurate detection against a vast array of modern-day threats while maintaining a high level of mobility,” said Paul Kahn, Thales Canada President and CEO.

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Kaveri engine to power fifth generation fighter aircraft

Under development for over two decades, the indigenous fighter jet engine ‘Kaveri’ will be used for powering the home-grown fifth generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

Being developed by DRDO’s Gas Turbine research Establishment (GTRE), the Kaveri was initially being developed for the LCA Tejas programme but now it will be used on the AMCA, which is expected to be ready by 2016-17, senior officials told PTI here.

The AMCA is a twin-engine indigenous fighter aircraft programme for which initial sanctions have already been accorded by the Defence Ministry, they added.

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MoD to review defence procurement

The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday launched a review of its procurement processes that could affect up to 40 per cent – or £9bn worth – of the contracts it signs each year, in the latest move by the government to rein in defence spending.

However, there remained a considerable lack of clarity as to the ultimate fallout from the review, or whether it might recommend modifications to existing contracts with companies such as BAE or Rolls-Royce.

The review will be chaired by Lord Currie of Marylebone, and focus on contracts where only one defence contractor is invited to tender for business.

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NASSCO begins sea trials on latest cargo ship

General Dynamics-NASSCO -- the last major shipbuilding yard on the West Coast -- today begin sea trials on the USNS Washington Chambers, one in a series of 689-foot dry cargo ships the company is building on San Diego Bay.

The $500 million ship "goes goes out 20-plus miles," said Jim Gill, a NASSCO spokesman.

"They test all the systems, including drop anchor and hauling it back up. This is usually done just off Coronado Roads (Silver Strand). Take the engine through all its configurations. Test the cranes, test the replenishment equipment (cabling, winches), run the fluids through the lines. Test the radar, fire fighting systems, top side sprinkling systems."

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Iraq’s Air Force is unprepared to defend the skies

More than eight years after arriving in the country, American troops are readying to leave Iraq by the end of December, but defense analysts say the US Air Force will likely be staying for years to come.

Iraq’s Air Force won’t ready to maintain air sovereignty any time in the foreseeable future, the experts said. Last year, the government announced its intention of purchasing 18 F-16 Block 52 multi-role interceptors in an effort to fast track its way to an effective air defense, but delivery will only begin in 2013 and even this date is reportedly being pushed back, they said

“I don’t think the US Air Force will be able to leave Iraq for at least five years, as there’s no way that the Iraqis alone will be able to deal with any kind of air threat for this period,” said Brig.-Gen. (ret.) Musa Qallab, an independent defense expert and former program manager for Gulf Cooperation Council Defense Issues Gulf Research Center in Dubai.

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Taiwan adds frigates to deter China fishing boats

Taiwan's coastguard on Wednesday inaugurated two frigates to boost the island's capabilities as part of efforts to deter illegal fishing boats, mainly from China, officials said.

The "Tainan", a 2,000-tonne frigate named after a city in southern Taiwan, was put into service after a ceremony presided over by President Ma Ying-jeou in Kaohsiung, a port in the south.

The frigate, capable of cruising up to 7,500 miles, will be used to patrol waters around the island and in the disputed South China Sea, coastguards said.

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Germany further reduces A400M order

A senior German lawmaker says the governing parties have agreed to further reduce the number of Airbus A400M military planes the country's air force will use.

The governing Free Democrats' deputy caucus leader, Juergen Koppelin, said Tuesday Germany will stick to its already reduced order of 53 A400M military transport aircraft -- but now plans to resell 13 of them on the market amid efforts to cut costs.

European aerospace company EADS' plane making subsidiary Airbus is building the A400M, a four-engine turboprop that has been plagued by delays and cost overruns.

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Latest South African missile achieves qualification

Denel Dynamics announced on Tuesday that its new air-to-surface missile, the Mokopa, has been successfully qualified and is now ready to be released on to the market.

The Mokopa was originally designed as an anti-tank weapon – specifically, in the South African context, for the Denel Rooivalk attack helicopter.

However, it has also been developed into a multi-purpose weapon, for both regular and irregular warfare operations.

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China's Project 022 FAC

The Chinese Navy's Project 022 class is, despite its innovative hull design, a classic missile-armed fast attack craft.

It is designed for the sole purpose of delivering eight anti-ship missiles to a specified naval target and has virtually no capability outside that area.

Its design makes it unsuitable for patrol duties, while its short operational radius limits its applicability to maritime policing work.

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Saab delivers nEUROn fuselage to Dassault Aviation

Saab AB (Sweden) officially delivered the front and central fuselage sections of the nEUROn European UCAV technology demonstrator to the Prime contractor, Dassault Aviation (France).

For both companies, this delivery constitutes an important milestone after six years of acquisition, sharing and strengthening of know how in the fields of technology and program cooperation.

Both companies express their satisfaction about this success that will culminate in nEUROn’s maiden flight in mid-2012 to be followed by several flight test campaigns.

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Pentagon Cuts $6.9 Billion by Delaying Lockheed F-35s

The Pentagon reduced its five-year budget request by $6.9 billion by delaying the purchase of 124 F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin Corp., the military program office said today.

The delay beyond fiscal 2016 was announced Jan. 6 by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, part of about $178 billion in military-wide savings.

The exact dollar impact of slowing down the F-35 program was not disclosed at the time. That answer was provided today by the F-35 military program office.

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Military might on display at 62nd Republic Day

Colourful tableaux depicting the myriad hues of country's diversity, a vibrant performance by students and armed forces in full battle regalia -- the Republic Day parade on Wednesday had 'mini-India' in itself.

Marching down from the Raisina Hills to Red Fort, the parade showcased India's 'unity in diversity' and the military might as thousands of spectators along the 8km long route cheered the marching contingents and the mechanised columns.

The well turned out and synchronised military and police contingents led by General Officer Commanding ( Delhi) Maj Gen Manvendra Singh marched proudly to the lilting tunes of bands through the Rajpath where President and Supreme Commander of Armed Forces Pratibha Patil took the salute.

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Russia, France sign warship agreement

Moscow and Paris on Tuesday signed an agreement to jointly build Mistral-class helicopter carriers for the Russian Navy.

The agreement was signed by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin and French Defense Minister Allain Juppe in the presence of French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

In all, four warships are to be built, Sechin said.

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Northrop Grumman-Built Aegis Guided Missile Destroyer William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) Completes Successful "Super Trial"

Northrop Grumman Corporation's Aegis guided missile destroyer William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) successfully completed her combined super trial last week in the Gulf of Mexico.

The successful sea trial paved the way for delivery to the Navy in the next six weeks. The company's 28th destroyer is being built in Pascagoula.

"I want to thank our shipbuilder and Navy team for a very professional effort culminating in an outstanding acceptance trial," said Richard Schenk, test and trials vice president, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding.

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The Smallest and Most Precise Missile In the US Arsenal

At only 2.75 inches in diameter, the Direct Attack Guided Rocket—DAGR, pronounced dagger—is designed to be the bread-and-butter air-to-surface weapon in the US arsenal.

It's compatible with every flying thing, very low cost, laser-guided, extremely precise and extraordinarily deadly.

The secret is its elegant simplicity and delayed fuzing of its 10-pound warhead, which according to Lockheed Martin "increases the DAGR rocket's lethality and reduces collateral damage."

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Eurofighter faces pivotal year for Typhoon programme, says chief executive

This year will be pivotal for the Eurofighter programme if production lines are not to stop in 2015.

The four-nation project has to secure orders for either Tranche 3B aircraft - now under review by Italy and the UK - or export sales in 2011 or face making mass lay-offs in four years' time.

That is the stark message from Eurofighter chief executive Enzo Casolini, who describes this as a "year of transition" for the company. He adds: "At the moment the situation looks a little bit dark. If you judge from 25 January what will happen at the end of 2015 I have to tell you that we will close production lines. But we are making a lot of effort in several directions."

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Boeing Receives $1.6B Contract for P-8A Poseidon Low-Rate Initial Production

Boeing on Jan. 21 received a $1.6 billion contract from the U.S. Navy for low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The LRIP 1 contract is for six P-8A aircraft, spares, logistics and training devices.

The Navy plans to purchase 117 of the Boeing 737-based P-8A anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to replace its P-3 fleet. Initial operational capability is planned for 2013.

“Providing these production aircraft to the Navy fleet on schedule is our No. 1 goal,” said Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager. “This is an exciting day for Boeing and the Navy and a testament to the P-8 team’s hard work and determination.”

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Ukraine reportedly helping China build aircraft carrier

Ukraine has been providing China with the technics to build an aircraft carrier, according to the latest issue of the Canada-based Kanwa Asian Defense magazine.

In addition, Ukraine experts are also involved in the restoration of Varyag, an derelict carrier that China bought from Ukraine in 1999, Kanwa said.

"The restoration of Varyag has been completed, and the vessel has been equipped with Ukraine developed power systems, " the monthly said.

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Lockheed Martin Ramps Up Aegis

The U.S. Navy has successfully completed a tracking exercise using the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system during Atlantic Trident 2011, which runs through Jan. 25.

The guided missile cruiser USS Monterey and destroyers USS Ramage and USS Gonzalez tracked the short-range ballistic missile target launched from NASA’s Wallops (Va.) Flight Facility, the service said Jan. 21.

The missile fell harmlessly into the Atlantic Ocean.

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Navy Validates New Navigation Capability for DDG 1000

The U.S. Navy achieved a critical milestone with the successful testing of the Next Generation Navigation System (NAVDDX) produced by Raytheon Company, prime contractor for mission systems equipment for the DDG 1000-class destroyer.

NAVDDX is a modern open architecture solution for distributing navigation and high-precision time data to ship mission systems.

The open architecture design provides the flexibility and commonality to be easily integrated into the DDG 1000 class and other ship platforms, including new construction and modernization programs.

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Navy considering big changes for LCS

The Navy is considering big changes to the mission modules for its littoral combat ships, including fielding the Griffin missile and axing a helicopter mounted anti-mine cannon, the Navy’s director of surface warfare announced Jan. 11.

The rapid airborne mine clearance system, a Northrop Grumman system being tested as part of the mine counter-measure module of LCS, “has slid to the right, and it is not not testing well, but it is an expensive program,” Rear Adm. Frank Pandolfe, director of surface warfare division, said in a speech at the national symposium of the Surface Navy Association.

The system features a 30mm gun designed to detonate floating and shallow-water mines. It fires an armor-piercing tracer round, outfitted with fins, that vaporizes the water in front of it and reduces drag, according to a Northrop Grumman factsheet on the weapon.

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F-15E flies with new radar system

Officials took a step forward in the F-15E Strike Eagle's continuous technological evolution as the Air Force's most versatile combat aircraft here Jan. 18.

Officials from the 46th Test Wing launched the fourth generation fighter for the first time with a new and improved radar system, the APG-82(V)1.

The APG-82 uses active electronically scanned array radar technology composed of numerous small solid-state transmit and receive modules.

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S. Korea rolls out armed version of T-50 trainer jet

South Korea on Monday rolled out the first armed version of its T-50 supersonic trainer aircraft, designed to carry out entry-level tactical training missions, according to the state military acquisition agency.

The armed variant of the T-50, the nation’s first homegrown trainer jet, is intended to train fledgling military pilots on air-to-air and air-to-surface missions before their full operational deployment, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said.

The TA-50 can mount precision-guided weapons such as AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and TGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles, according to DAPA officials.

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Russia to decide on missile deployment if no deal with NATO

Russia is expecting a reply from NATO to its proposals on building a European missile defense system, and will have to deploy a nuclear missile grouping if no agreement is reached, President Dmitry Medvedev said Monday.

"Our partners should realize that we need this not to play games together with NATO but for Russia to be properly defended. This is my duty as president..." he said at a meeting with Russia's envoy to NATO Dmitry Rogozin.

"We expect a direct and unambiguous answer from our NATO partners - where they see Russia's place [in the system of the European missile defense]," Medvedev said.

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Northrop Grumman Announces 2000th Production Viper(TM) Laser Will be Delivered Ahead-of-Schedule to Support U.S. Department of the Navy Program

Northrop Grumman Corporation today announced the ahead-of-schedule delivery to the U.S. Navy of the company's 2,000th Viper™ laser which provides the jamming energy for the company's battle-proven infrared countermeasures (IRCM) applications.

The Department of the Navy Large Aircraft IRCM (DoN LAIRCM) system currently employed on U.S. Marine Corps helicopters protects aircrews and aircraft from the threat of shoulder-launched, heat-seeking missiles.

Program deliveries were made several months ahead-of-schedule.

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Army to showcase T-90 tanks, 'Dhruv' at R-day parade

Showcasing India's military might, the Army will display its T-90 main battle tanks (MBT), BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and Advance Light Helicopter (ALH) 'Dhruv' at the Republic Day parade on Wednesday.

"Marching contingents on the Rajpath would include mounted troops from 61st Cavalry, mechanised columns and eight regiments of the Indian army followed by a flypast of Advance Light Helicopter Dhruv from Army Aviation Corps," said parade second-in-command Brigadier Kuldeep Singh.

The parade would be commanded by the GOC of the Delhi Area, Major General Manvendra Singh.

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£445m EACH to build, £200m to scrap: The RAF's Nimrod jets that barely left the runway

These faded jets were planned to transform Britain’s aerial defences with state-of-the-art radar and surveillance equipment.

But thanks to a Coalition decision blasted as ‘disgusting’ by its critics, the Nimrods are heading from the runway to the scrapyard.

The jets cost an eye-watering £445million each to build yet before they reached operational capacity, the Government move to axe the spy planes will now cost taxpayers an estimated £200mllion.

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Brazil to reevaluate $6 bln warships plan-report

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff will reevaluate a 10 billion real ($6 billion) plan to purchase 11 warships as she seeks to streamline government expenses, local newspaper Folha de S.Paulo said on Monday, citing people familiar with the decision.

Rousseff, who also is reviewing a plan by her predecessor and political mentor, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, to buy at least 36 fighter jets, is concerned that the plans could derail her efforts to control a surge in government expenses, the newspaper reported.

The plan involves the purchase of 11 ships to patrol and protect Brazil's offshore oil finds, some of which are located more than 120 miles (193 km) into the Atlantic Ocean. Potential bidders for the plan include U.K.'s BAE, France's DCNS and Germany's Thyssenkrupp, the newspaper reported.

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President urges U.S. to sell Taiwan F-16 C/D fighters

President Ma Ying-jeou said Tuesday the United States should sell Taiwan advanced F-16 C/D jet fighters because the existing military imbalance across the Taiwan Strait could impede the further development of cross-strait relations.

In a meeting with American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Raymond F. Burghardt, Ma said U.S. President Barack Obama's recent recognition of progress in Taiwan-China ties was encouraging, but he warned that the growing military imbalance across the Taiwan Strait could dampen future engagements.

He said the growing gap in military power has become a common concern of Taiwan's people and hoped that the U.S. would help Taiwan fortify its arsenal.

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Boeing Begins Flight Testing UK Chinook Mk4

Boeing and its Boeing Defence UK subsidiary today announced that the Boeing UK Rotorcraft Support team has begun flight testing the first Chinook Mk4 helicopter for the Royal Air Force (RAF). The first flight took place on Dec. 9 in Hampshire, England.

"Project JULIUS, as the Mk4 program is known, will modernize the current Royal Air Force Chinook fleet – essentially giving us new aircraft," said Chris White-Horne, Mk4 project team leader for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence.

Project JULIUS will modify 38 Mk2/2A Chinooks into the Mk4/4A configuration and eight Mk3 Chinooks into the Mk5 configuration. All the aircraft will be delivered to RAF Odiham in Hampshire.

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Christening of the first SWATH@A&R Patrol Vessel

The first SWATH@A&R-type Patrol Boat worldwide was christened today at Abeking & Rasmussen Shipyard in Lemwerder.

Mrs. Nellija Kleinberga, Mayor of the Latvian town Skrunda, dropped the bottle of champagne onto the bow and named the vessel “SKRUNDA”. “SKRUNDA” is the first vessel of a series of five well proven 25m SWATH@A&R design of Abeking & Rasmussen.

In co-operation with Riga Shipyard, the vessels are being built in Riga and Lemwerder.

The new vessels feature a modular mission bay at the fore ship. By fitting appropriate mission payloads, such as a diving module or a MCM module, the capabilities of the vessels can be enhanced flexibly.

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Dutch frigate opens fire on pirate ship

The Dutch frigate HNLMS De Ruyter opened fire on a ship carrying pirates in the Arabian Sea on Friday, according to the Dutch Ministry of Defence.

At the end of the afternoon, a helicopter discovered a suspected pirate mother ship 40 kilometres away from the frigate.

The ship did not respond to radio signals to identify itself and failed to stop when warning shots were given.

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F-35s viewed as a ‘white elephant’ on international scene

One value of the internet is that it opens windows. It permits an armchair critic to discover what experts and ordinary folk in other countries are saying about issues that also loom large in Canada.

Take, for example, the current darling of the Harper government, the F-35 stealth fighter aircraft, 65 copies of which the Conservatives are determined to buy to replace the country’s aging CF-18s — at a cost of $16 billion (official estimate) or $21 billion (more recent unofficial estimate) or even more.

The F-35, is being built by Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin Corp., in what the Americans call the JSF (for Joint Strike Fighter) Program. The idea is that the U.S. and its most trustworthy allies will band together to acquire the same wildly expensive piece of military hardware. The Americans hope to sell 2,443 copies of the F-35 in a program with a world-record price tag of $382 billion.

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China's new stealth fighter may use US technology

Chinese officials recently unveiled a new, high-tech stealth fighter that could pose a significant threat to American air superiority — and some of its technology, it turns out, may well have come from the U.S. itself.

Balkan military officials and other experts have told The Associated Press that in all probability the Chinese gleaned some of their technological know-how from an American F-117 Nighthawk that was shot down over Serbia in 1999.

Nighthawks were the world's first stealth fighters, planes that were very hard for radar to detect. But on March 27, 1999, during NATO's aerial bombing of Serbia in the Kosovo war, a Serbian anti-aircraft missile shot one of the Nighthawks down. The pilot ejected and was rescued.

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Philippine Navy eyes purchase of coast guard cutter from US

The Navy plans to acquire a Hamilton-class cutter from the United States to boost its capability to conduct patrols and rescue missions.

Navy chief Rear Adm. Alexander Pama said officials are now negotiating with their US counterparts for the acquisition of the ship.

“There are negotiations for the possible acquisition of a US Coast Guard cutter. It will definitely boost (our capability) a lot given this is a weather heavy endurance cutter,” Pama told reporters over the weekend.

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J-20 Stealth Fighter: China's First Strike Weapon

“The events depicted in this NOTAM are “what-if” speculative fiction no different from Clancy's 1986 novel, “Red Storm Rising”, but the weapons, tactics, operational techniques, targets, and geography depicted are all based on hard facts and as real as it gets.”

The air was charged with tension and expectation.

“Tomorrow, if you each tell me your plans and Forces are ready, we will immediately end the US hegemony of the Western Pacific. The US, despite our repeated warnings, has continued to arm the rebel Government in Taiwan, the latest shipments being 200 F-35s they had surplus after JSF sales to Europe collapsed. These aircraft are now in action against us, and in the past week, three J-10A ‘Vigorous Dragon’ fighters have been destroyed while on peaceful patrols of the Straights. This behaviour cannot, and will not be tolerated. Now, let me ask about your preparedness – and true and accurate reports only – if there are weaknesses, now is the time to correct them, not in the heat of battle. Commander-in-Chief (CIC), tell us the strategic plan.”

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Iran to deploy destroyer in Mediterranean

A top Iranian Navy commander says the Islamic Republic will dispatch a destroyer as part of a naval fleet to the Red and Mediterranean Seas in the near future.

“Two or four ships always participate in naval missions, one or two of which are warships and the other is a logistic ship,” Iranian Navy's Deputy Commander Rear Admiral Gholam-Reza Khadem Bigham told Fars News Agency on Sunday.

The Iranian Navy's presence in the region has expanded, and the country's ships are present in the Gulf of Aden and Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, Bigham added.

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Pakistan's Falcons to Fly Five New Recce Pods

Goodrich Corporation has been awarded a US$72 million contract to equip Lockheed-Martin F-16 fighters of the Pakistan Air Force with five DB-110 dual-band (visual/IR) reconnaissance pods.

The systems will be delivered with two fixed ground stations and one mobile ground station, each equipped with one datalink receiving system (a total of four ground receiving datalinks will be delivered).

The Pakistan Air Force plans to augment the new capability by establishing a ‘reconnaissance fusion center’, the current contract funds the initial study of such facility to be provided by Goodrich.

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