Friday, September 04, 2009

DTN News: Saudi Arabia's Shopping List May Further Increase With Deadly Arsenal From Russia

DTN News: Saudi Arabia's Shopping List May Further Increase With Deadly Arsenal From Russia
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) CAIRO, Egypt - September 4, 2009: As Russia closes in on a $2 billion deal to sell arms to Saudi Arabia, reports reveal Riyadh's shopping list could include more than combat helicopters. "All technical and financial issues have been practically coordinated," an undisclosed source privy to the negotiations told the Moscow-based Interfax news agency. The S-400, also known by its NATO designation, SA-20 Triumf, is an advanced Russian surface-to-air missile system. Once operational, it will be able to destroy aircraft, cruise missiles, and short- and medium-range ballistic missiles at ranges of up to 400 kilometers. The Russians eventually plan to phase out their existing S-200 (NATO: SA-5 Gammon) and S-300P (NATO: SA-10 Grumble) systems and replace them with S-400 complexes. The source did not elaborate or refer to the military equipment Saudi Arabia is eyeing from Russia. Still, the major deal with Rosoboronexport State Corp., Russia's state-owned arms export monopoly, is said to include up to 30 Mi-35 attack helicopters and up to 120 Mi-171B, the export take of the popular Mi-17 Hip multipurpose helicopter. Defense analysts say the deal also consists of some 150 T-90s main battle tanks and about 250 BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles. Russia's state-of-the-art S-400 triumph missile system was also on the Riyadh's charts. "It took Saudi specialists and experts quite a while to study the opportunities of the Russian arms before they decided to buy them for their nation's armed forces," Pravda reported from Moscow. With Saudi Arabia spearheading the Middle East arms race, the country's defense spending is forecast to increase next year to $44 billion. The lucrative arms deal breaks the United States' decades-long stronghold on Saudi Arabia's arms purchases. Meantime, Russia is bent on tapping into new arms markets. Its arms industry is one of the most successful sectors of the country's economy despite widespread budget cuts in the wake of the global economic recession. Defense experts say Russia's S-400 missile system is unrivaled in the West, having outflanked the U.S. MIM-104 Patriot. The system -- considered also by Turkey, Egypt and Iran -- features twice the target range of the Patriot, capable of intercepting and knocking down airborne targets at distances of up to 250 miles, according to the Defense Professionals Web site. It was not immediately known how many S-400 systems had been ordered from Russia, although the Interfax agency said Saudi Arabia was interested in purchasing "several dozen." Defense experts believe that the system is also capable of thwarting cruise and ballistic missile attacks as well as those waged by most stealth aircraft. Each S-400 system includes at least eight launchers, 32 missiles and a mobile command post. However successful, the estimated $2 billion weapons deal would make Russia's T-90 the highest selling combat vehicle, "showing again that the days of U.S. and European domination over new production are long gone in the international market for main battle tanks," Defense Professionals reported. It said the BMP-3 infantry combat vehicle was also on Saudi Arabia's Russian arms shopping list. Although first built in 1987, the BMP-3 -- nicknamed Troika -- has gained fresh prominence in the market with nations seeking a state-of-the-art system in combination with heavy armor and protection, Defense Professionals said on its Web site. Saudi Arabia's neighbors Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have already integrated the BMP-3 into their armed forces.

DTN News: China TODAY September 4, 2009 ~ Fresh Protests In Restive Xinjiang Capital

DTN News: China TODAY September 4, 2009 ~ Fresh Protests In Restive Xinjiang Capital *Source: DTN News / AFP (NSI News Source Info) URUMQI, China - September 4, 2009: The Chinese city of Urumqi was under lockdown after tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets Thursday over mysterious syringe attacks in the capital of restive Xinjiang region. Chinese paramilitary police watch as Chinese gather on the streets of Urumqi in western China's Xinjiang province, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009. Chinese residents protested deteriorating public safety Thursday after reported syringe attacks in the city where ethnic rioting in July killed nearly 200 people. The streets were deserted apart from several hundred police officers, an AFP reporter said. Many were armed with riot shields and truncheons and some with guns in a forceful response aimed at staving off a second wave of bloodshed following that seen here in July, when nearly 200 people were killed. The police presence was heaviest in the southern half of the city, home to many of the city's Muslim ethnic Uighurs. About two hundred police with several dozen military trucks were camped out in the People's Square. All major roads and highways into Urumqi were closed to traffic and police had ordered residents to stay indoors. The state Xinhua news agency said "tens of thousands of people" had earlier gathered at several locations to protest a series of syringe attacks against members of various ethnic groups. Shops and markets were shuttered. Some Uighurs, who clashed with Han Chinese in July in the worst ethnic unrest to hit the country in decades, were among the protesters who crippled traffic in the city, Xinhua said. "There are about 10-20,000 people and many police in the street at every intersection," a Han woman who runs a local medical clinic told AFP, asking not to be named. "There are more than 100 police stationed every 400-500 metres," she said. "I heard there was a protest yesterday afternoon and I saw it myself today. They shouted, 'Protect our homeland.' Most of them are Han." "The reason for the protest was because people were stabbed by the needles," the woman at the clinic added. The Xinjiang-based Bingtuan Television said authorities had been receiving reports since August 20 of people being attacked with needles, putting the number of assaults at 476. Xinhua said 21 people, whose ethnicity was not disclosed, had been detained after attacking members of nine ethnic groups, including Han Chinese and Uighurs. Four have been arrested for criminal prosecution. No one had been infected or poisoned in the assaults, the agency said, but it remained unclear why attackers used syringes, or what these contained. Regional Communist Party chief Wang Lequan and Urumqi party boss Li Zhi both "called on the crowds, on two separate occasions, to stay calm and show restraint," Xinhua reported. Some witnesses said protesters had shouted slogans against Wang, demanding that he do something to put an end to the needle stabbings. Xinhua said the protests began late Thursday morning when more than 1,000 people gathered in a residential district of Urumqi, and a crowd congregated in another area when a man was caught after allegedly stabbing a child. The demonstration spread to major streets in the city, with some needle-stabbing attacks occurring during the protests. One attacker was caught and police stopped the crowd from beating the person, Xinhua reported. Chinese paramilitary police officers stand guard near the People's Square after they closed down the roads heading to the square in Urumqi, Xinjiang province, China, Friday, Sept. 4, 2009. More than 10,000 people, mostly from the Han Chinese majority, took to the streets Thursday, demanding increased security and punishment for those behind the July riots. Demonstrators said police beat some protesters, but there were no major clashes. "The Han have staged a march so the police imposed controls and ordered us to stay indoors," Halisha, a Uighur eye doctor, said by telephone. A receptionist at an Urumqi hotel said Internet access had been limited throughout the city. Local and regional government officials were not immediately available for comment. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said she had no knowledge of the incident but told reporters at a regular news briefing that China was "competent to safeguard social stability and national unity". Uighurs say the July 5 riots occurred after Urumqi police tried to forcibly break up a peaceful protest over a brawl involving factory workers in distant southern China that state media said left two Uighurs dead. China however has accused exiled Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer, who lives in the United States, of orchestrating the unrest. During a visit to mainly Muslim Xinjiang late last month, President Hu Jintao described those behind the unrest as "separatists" who were "doomed to fail." Kadeer has denied any involvement in the violence. Dilxat Raxit, the Munich-based spokesman of Kadeer's World Uighur Congress, said witnesses had told him that about 10 Uighurs had been beaten and taken to hospital in the latest unrest. A female office worker in downtown Urumqi said the situation in the city had been "very chaotic and especially serious" in the past two days.

DTN News: US, Australia To Seek Military Exercises With China

DTN News: US, Australia To Seek Military Exercises With China *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) CANBERRA, Australia - September 4, 2009: The United States and Australia will invite China to take part in three-way military exercises amid concerns arising from Beijing's military build-up, reports said Thursday. A U.S Marine from the 31st Marine Expenditionary Unit (MEU) fires his rifle from behind an amoured personal carrier during the combined urban combat training exercise as part of Exercise Talisman Saber 2009 at the Urban Operations Training Facility, Shoalwater Bay Training Area on July 22, 2009 in Rockhampton, Australia. The recreated urban environment is fitted with a live tracking system to record and analyze the tactics of the personnel involved, who are training to improve the interoperability of the Australian and U.S. military forces so as they can come together quickly and execute whatever mission necessary should the need arise. The top US military commander in Asia, Admiral Timothy Keating, believed joint exercises would improve relations between the nations and increase stability in the region, Fairfax newspapers reported. The report said Keating and Australian Defence Force chief Angus Houston met this week and agreed to put the proposal to China "at the earliest opportunity." "We are anxious to engage with them," Keating told Fairfax. "We want to understand much better than we do now China's intentions." He said that China's public statements on its defence plans were "less than fulfilling" and urged China: "Don't stand in isolation in the Asia Pacific." Keating said the proposed exercises would start with small-scale naval and land activities, followed by personnel exchanges. Asked if strengthening military ties would upset regional powers such as India, Japan and South Korea, Keating said: "We can control the rheostat on this and invite nations to observe and participate. "It is a fairly simple thing to do." The United States has repeatedly raised concerns about the size of China's military build-up, with a Pentagon report earlier this year warning Beijing's pursuit of sophisticated weaponry was altering Asia's military balance. The Australian defence department told Fairfax that it had had begun pursuing military-to-military ties with China in recent years. "(We) place a high priority on engaging China on matters of shared security interest," a spokeswoman said. "Our ability to speak frankly on issues such as China's military modernisation is an indication of the growing maturity of our relationship."

DTN News: Malaysia TODAY September 4, 2009 ~ Malaysia's First Ever Submarine Arrives To Acclaim

DTN News: Malaysia TODAY September 4, 2009 ~ Malaysia's First Ever Submarine Arrives To Acclaim
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) PORT KLANG, Malaysia - September 4, 2009: Malaysia's first ever submarine was delivered Thursday to colourful fanfare and a royal visitor, in an acquisition that the government said "completes" the country's navy. Malaysia's first submarine, "KD Tunku Abdul Rahman", docks in Port Klang outside Kuala Lumpur September 3, 2009. The French-made "KD Tunku Abdul Rahman", the first of the two Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarines ordered by the Malaysian Navy, made a port call on Thursday in Port Klang for a welcoming ceremony on its maiden voyage from Toulon in France to Sepanggar in east Malaysia. The "KD Tunku Abdul Rahman" was named after the Malaysian first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj. The European-made Scorpene submarine is the first of two commissioned from French contractor DCNS and Spain's Navantia for a combined total of 3.4 billion ringgit (961 million dollars). The second submarine is scheduled for delivery in late 2009. "With the arrival of the first submarine, our navy is now complete as it has an air component, a sea component and now a submarine component," defence minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters. The KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, named after the nation's first prime minister, sailed into a grand reception at the navy's deepwater Pulau Indah base in Port Klang, an hour's drive from the capital Kuala Lumpur. A naval band struck up martial tunes as the jet-black vessel, decorated with bunting and with its captain Zulhelmy Ithnain in the viewing tower, docked at the pier, which was packed with Malaysian and foreign naval dignitaries. Malaysian King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin was given a tour of the submarine, which set sail 54 days ago from the French port of Toulon, where the vessel was built. Naval officials said the submarine would be based in Sabah state, on Borneo island, where it will undergo fine-tuning before it is deployed in search and rescue and military exercises. The two submarines have long attracted controversy since the deal was signed in 2002. Malaysia's opposition claims that a 540-million-ringgit commission was paid to a close associate of now-Premier Najib Razak in brokering the deal. The prime minister, who also attended Thursday's ceremony, has denied there was any corruption in the deal, which was made when he was defence minister.

DTN News: U.S. Air Force Orders 36 Oshkosh Airport Products Group Vehicles

DTN News: U.S. Air Force Orders 36 Oshkosh Airport Products Group Vehicles
*Source: DTN News / Oshkosh Corporation
(NSI News Source Info) OSHKOSH, WIS. - September 4, 2009: Oshkosh Airport Products Group, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK), today announced an order from the U.S. Air Force, through the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), for eight Striker® 3000 and seven Striker 1500 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles. Additionally, the U. S. Air Force ordered 21 Oshkosh® H-Series™ snow blower vehicles. The 36 trucks will be deployed at U.S. Air Force bases throughout North America and across the globe beginning in January 2010. The total value of the orders is $19.7 million. “We are proud to provide the U. S. Air Force with these technologically advanced, easy-to-operate and highly reliable Oshkosh snow removal trucks and Oshkosh ARFF vehicles to meet their emergency response needs,” said Tim Raupp, Oshkosh Corporation Airport Products Group president. “We have a proven track record of delivering outstanding vehicles, training and support to airports of all types. These noteworthy orders from the U.S. Air Force are a testament to our quality products and the people who stand behind them.” The Oshkosh Striker offers an all-wheel-drive axle configuration and proprietary technologies such as TAK-4® independent suspension for enhanced maneuverability and reliability. The Oshkosh Striker is among the most popular ARFF vehicles in the world. Its flexible design has garnered the vehicle overwhelming respect among a growing list of users, including Chicago O’Hare and Midway International, Dubai International, Montreal Pierre Elliot Trudeau International, Jose Maria Cordova International in Colombia, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and Beijing Capital International. The Oshkosh high-speed blower features a 470 hp chassis engine and a 700 hp dedicated blower engine that can throw as much as 5,000 tons (4,534 metric tons) of snow per hour. The blower’s unique hydrostatic-drive ribbon is driven independently from the impeller, allowing it to more effectively handle variable snow conditions. Other notable features found on the Oshkosh H-Series chassis include: all-wheel drive and proprietary ALL STEER® electronic all-wheel steering for unmatched maneuverability; safety interlocks with an emergency stop feature for attachments; Command Zone™ electronic LCD dash pod for at-a-glance operator information; a large, sound insulated cab with two full-sized seats to accommodate a supervisor / training officer; and a panoramic view, large windshield with no corner posts. About Oshkosh Airport Products
The Oshkosh Airport Group, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is a designer and builder of industry-leading airport firefighting and snow removal vehicles. Its flagship Striker® Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles and Oshkosh® H-Series™ snow removal chassis are known for their durability and superior performance and sold throughout the world. For more information, visit www.oshkoshairport.com. About Oshkosh Corporation
Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corporation manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Medtec®, Jerr-Dan®, BAI™, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline™, SMIT™, CON- E-CO®, London® and IMT®. The Oshkosh brands are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long- term value are paramount. For more information, log on to www.oshkoshcorporation.com. ®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward- looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the consequences of financial leverage associated with the JLG acquisition, including the level of the Company’s borrowing costs, the increased interest rates the Company would face if it experienced a deterioration or downgrade in credit agency ratings and the Company’s ability to maintain compliance with its financial covenants under its credit agreement; the cyclical nature of the Company’s access equipment, commercial and fire & emergency markets, especially during a global recession and credit crisis; the duration of the global recession, which could lead to additional impairment charges related to many of the Company’s intangible assets; risks related to the required increase in the rate of production for the M-ATV and FMTV contracts, and the amount, if any, of additional orders for M-ATVs and/or FMTVs that the Company may receive; the expected level and timing of U.S. Department of Defense procurement of products and services and funding thereof; risks related to reductions in government expenditures and the uncertainty of government contracts; risks related to production delays as a result of the economy’s impact on the Company’s suppliers; the potential for commodity costs to rise sharply in a future economic recovery; risks associated with international operations and sales, including foreign currency fluctuations; risks related to the collectability of receivables during a recession, particularly for those businesses with exposure to construction markets; and the potential for increased costs relating to compliance with changes in laws and regulations. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any duty, to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

DTN News: Indian Navy’s First Underwater Ejection

DTN News: Indian Navy’s First Underwater Ejection *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) MUMBAI, India - September 4, 2009: Circa 1976, some time in March. The only Asian Carrier INS Vikrant with embarked squadrons of Seahawks, Alizes, Seakings and Chetaks was operating in the Arabian Sea. It was normal for a mix of aircraft to be launched at sea for various exercises. Then Commander Peter Debras who retired after rising to a flag rank was the pilot of IN 241. This Seahawk, a jet aircraft, was ahead of the Alize aircraft in which my Squadron Commander B D Vacha who is now with Air India and self were to be launched thereafter for a routine exercise.
The Seahawk taxied up to the catapult and was centred and loaded by the flight deck crew. The aircraft is tensioned by the hold back unit which retains the aircraft even at full power till the additional steam power pulls the aircraft with it. The hold back unit breaks moments before the launch allowing the aircraft to develop full power to get air borne. The aircraft gets launched with the help of enormous steam pressure that moves a block along the launching rail with the aircraft towed with the help of a steel girdle. At the end of the stroke, the girdle falls off and the aircraft climbs away after being wing borne. Peter who was in the cockpit was all set to be launched. Unfortunately, even before the steam shot could be fired on signal from the flight deck officer, the hold back unit gave way prematurely and the girdle fell off. The aircraft started moving on its own power and covered some124 feet of catapult length in no time and rolled off the deck with the wings gasping for air. We were shocked as we saw the aircraft vanish in front of our eyes. Tally Ho who many years later became the chief of the naval staff was the captain and immediately initiated the manoeuvres to avoid the stricken aircraft and crew. The Chetak helicopter (called Jumbo), which is always hovering alongside just for such an eventuality was scanning the seas for some signs of life. By that time we parked the aircraft with the wings folded as if in prayers (on the carrier, fixed wing aircraft can fold their wings to optimise space) and joined others who were silent and shell shocked. After some time that looked like eternity the sight of an orange life jacket coming up brought hope. With prayer on every one’s lips, the Chetak picked up. Peter who had defied death was cheered heartily and received with great applause by all on deck. As reconstructed later, this was the first successful underwater ejection in the Indian Navy. The pilot had the presence of mind to delay the ejection till he was doubly sure that the carrier had indeed passed overhead and it was safe to attempt the ejection. He judged the moment by the fading noise of the churning propellers over his head. A moment too soon, he would have hit the propeller or the ship. If he had delayed the ejection for too long, water may have prevented the ejection mechanism from working with water ingress. It was a great moment for the fleet air arm that showcased the professionalism of its aircrew and all those who supported such missions. The pilot who joined the elite club of those who ejected successfully was given a golden tiepin and a tie from Martin Bakers who have a splendid record of successful ejections over sea and land. More importantly, Peter, who after his retirement is in Goa, lives on to tell the tale.

DTN News: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems Completes Acquisition Of Axsys Technologies

DTN News: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems Completes Acquisition Of Axsys Technologies
*Source: DTN News / General Dynamics
(NSI News Source Info) FAIRFAX, Va. - September 4, 2009: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, Sept 2., completed its previously announced purchase of Axsys Technologies, Inc।, (NASDAQ: AXYS) for $54 in cash per share of Axsys Technologies’ outstanding common stock. The cost of the transaction is approximately $643 million.
The acquisition, which was approved by the boards of both companies and Axsys Technologies’ shareholders, will be neutral to General Dynamics’ earnings in 2009 and accretive thereafter.
Axsys Technologies is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensors and systems and multi-axis stabilized cameras. The company’s sophisticated solutions are typically found in applications that demand the finest optical surfaces, highest accuracy and tightest motion-control tolerances, such as weapon systems, long-range surveillance cameras and highly precise imaging telescopes. The company employs approximately 1,000 workers in five principal locations: Cullman, Ala.; San Diego and Grass Valley, Calif.; Nashua, N.H.; and Rochester Hills, Mich.
Lou Von Thaer, president of General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, said, “Axsys Technologies strengthens our portfolio of offerings and discriminators in the tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance market. We look forward to maintaining and strengthening the relationships that Axsys Technologies enjoys with its existing customers, and collaborating to create new products and pursue new markets together.”
Headquartered in Fairfax, Va., General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems is a provider of end-to-end mission solutions in systems integration, development and operations support to customers in the defense, intelligence, space and homeland security communities. The company integrates land, air, sea, space and cyber assets to facilitate the collection, exploitation, analysis and dissemination of mission-critical intelligence information. More information is available online at http://www.gd-ais.com/.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 92,000 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at http://www.gd.com/

DTN News: Russian Firm Confirms Syria Deal For MiG-31 Fighter Jets

DTN News: Russian Firm Confirms Syria Deal For MiG-31 Fighter Jets *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - September 4, 2009: A top Russian official confirmed the existence of a contract for the supply of MiG-31 fighter jets to Syria but said work on the planes had been frozen, the daily Kommersant reported Sept. 3. The most capable Russian air defense interceptor aircraft, the FOXHOUND has a multiple-target engagement capability and was the first Soviet fighter to have a true look-down, shoot-down capability. The key to the MiG-31's effectiveness is the SBI-16 Zaslon fixed phased array antenna radar, codenamed 'Flash Dance' by NATO, which is said to be the world's most powerful fighter radar. The new Soloviev D-30F6 engine was specified for the MiG-31 in order to improve range, the key performance parameter for which an improvement over the MiG-25 was demanded. By 1987 over 150 FOXHOUNDs were operationally deployed at several locations from the Arkhangelsk area in the northwestern USSR to the Soviet Far East. The FOXHOUND is dedicated to the homeland air defense mission. The FOXHOUND carries the long-range AA-9 air-to-air missiles, and can engage 4 different targets simuitaneouly with the M-9. The wings of the aircraft are high-mounted and swept-back with square tips and a negative slant. There are four underwing pylons. There are two turbofan engines in the fuselage. There are rectangular and diagonal cut air intakes on sides of the fuselage. The exhausts extend beyond the tail plane. The fuselage is rectangular from the intakes to the exhausts and has a long, pointed nose. The aircraft has a bubble canopy. The tail fins are back-tapered with angular tips and canted outward. The flats are swept-back and tapered and mid- to low-mounted on the body. In 1992 the Chinese reached agreement with the Russian Federation to buy 24 MiG-31 Foxhound long-range interceptors. The MiG-31s were expected to be assembled at a newly set-up factory in Shenyang, with production at a rate of four per month expected by 2000. The last aircraft was to be delivered by the year 2000. According to some reports the agreement included a license to build as many as 700 aircraft, and some projection envisioned that at least 200 would actually be deployed by the year 2010. The first stage of tests of the upgraded MiG-31BM high-speed multifunctional long-range jet fighter were completed in mid-1999. The main difference between the MiG-31P (Foxhound, according to the NATO classification) and the new MiG-31BM multifunctional air strike system is that the latter is capable of destroying both air and ground targets. The designers and manufacturers of the MiG-31 hope that the new modification will result in international sales. The upgraded MiG-31BM is fitted with a powerful onboard computer system and a radar with a phased array which will allow the pilot to simultaneously activate the air-to-air and air-to-surface missile fire modes. When working with air targets, the MiG-31BM is capable of intercepting up to 24 targets simultaneously. "A few years ago, two contracts were signed: one for [the supply to Syria of] MiG-29s and one for MiG-31s," the head of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation, Alexei Fedorov, told the paper. "Consultations on this contract are now ongoing, so its future is unclear." Kommersant reported in May that Russia had halted work on the modernization of the fighter jets at the Sokol aviation plant in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod. But Russia's state arms exporter has dismissed such reports as rumors. The $400 million to $500 million (280 million euro to 350 million euro) contract for the delivery of eight MiG-31s fighter jets was inked in early 2007, according to Kommersant. It cited sources close to the arms exporter in May saying the supplies of the planes had been frozen under pressure from Israel over fears the weapon sales could offset the balance of power in the region. According to a government official cited by Kommersant, the contract had been suspended after Damascus could no longer afford the planes. In 2005, Moscow forgave 70 percent of Syria's total debt of $13.4 billion. United Aircraft chief Federov nevertheless told the paper the Russian plane maker was counting on completing contracts, as production at its factories has slumped amid the global financial crisis. "Negotiations are ongoing, I hope that in the end the contracts will be realized. We put a lot of hope in it stabilizing the situation in Nizhny Novgorod," he was quoted as saying.

DTN News: Boeing Hangs GEnx-2B Engines On The 747-8 Freighter

DTN News: Boeing Hangs GEnx-2B Engines On The 747-8 Freighter
*Source: DTN News / Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) EVERETT, Wash., - September 4, 2009: Boeing (NYSE: BA) continues to make progress on the assembly of the 747-8 Freighter, as mechanics completed the installation of the new GEnx-2B engines on airplane No. 1 in final assembly at the factory in Everett, Wash. Boeing announced another milestone in the assembly of the new 747-8 Freighter, as mechanics completed the installation of the GEnx-2B engines on airplane No. 1. "We are another step closer to bringing the 747-8 Freighter to market," said Mo Yahyavi, vice president and general manager of the 747 program. "This production milestone is a reflection of the strong working together relationship among Boeing, GE Aviation, Middle River Aircraft Systems and Spirit AeroSystems." The GEnx-2B continues its progress through its engine certification testing. It recently completed the first phase of flight testing on GE's 747 flying testbed. "The GEnx-2B engine has performed very well during more than 1,500 hours of ground certification tests and 100 hours of flight testing," said Tom Brisken, general manager of GE Aviation's GEnx program. "We look forward to watching the GEnx-powered 747-8 Freighter take its first flight, ushering in a new era of improved aircraft efficiency." The GEnx-2B is based on the GEnx-1B engine launched with the 787 Dreamliner. The GEnx-2B engine has been designed for the 747-8 and rated at 66,500 pounds of thrust. "The 747-8 and the GEnx-2B are a perfect match," said Keith Leverkuhn, vice president and general manager of Boeing Commercial Airplanes Propulsion Systems. "The combination of these two technologies will provide our customers with improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions and noise as well as lower cost of ownership." With the GEnx-2B engines, the 747-8 Freighter will be 17 percent more fuel efficient than the 747-400 Freighter, resulting in a 17-percent reduction in carbon emissions. It also will have a noise footprint that is 30 percent smaller than its predecessor, making it a QC2-compliant airplane on both departure and arrival. The 747-8 Freighter is expected to make its first flight in the fourth quarter of this year, with first delivery scheduled for the third quarter of 2010. Boeing has secured 78 orders from leading cargo operators for the new 747-8 Freighter. Cargolux, Nippon Cargo Airlines, AirBridgeCargo Airlines, Atlas Air, Cathay Pacific, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, Emirates SkyCargo, Guggenheim and Korean Air all have placed firm orders for the airplane.

DTN News: Slovenia Renegotiating Patria Armored Vehicle Deal

DTN News: Slovenia Renegotiating Patria Armored Vehicle Deal
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) HELSINKI, Finland - September 4, 2009: Finnish defense company Patria said Sept. 2 it was in talks with the Slovenian government to renegotiate a contract for armored vehicles after the deal became hampered by delays and alleged bribery. Ljubljana signed an agreement with Patria in 2006 for 135 armored vehicles worth $395 million (278 million euros) - the biggest military contract signed by Slovenia. But now Slovenia wants to slash that order by almost half. The Slovenian government "would like to reduce the number to around 80," Seppo Seppaelae, head of Patria's land and armament unit, told AFP. Seppaelae said he expected an agreement to be struck, adding that 13 vehicles had been delivered to Slovenia. In April, Ljubljana was reported to be considering canceling the contract with Patria due to delivery delays. The Slovenian government threatened to cancel the contract in 2008 after it emerged Finnish police were investigating bribery allegations related to the deal. Kaj-Erik Bjoerkqvist, a senior detective in charge of the investigation, told AFP on Sept. 2 that he hoped police inquiries would be completed by the end of the year. The Finnish state owns 73 percent of Patria, while EADS has a 27 percent stake.

DTN News: Final Modernized Lockheed Martin-Built GPS Satellite Begins Operations For Users Worldwide

DTN News: Final Modernized Lockheed Martin-Built GPS Satellite Begins Operations For Users Worldwide *Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin (NSI News Source Info) NEWTOWN, Pa., - September 4, 2009: The last in a series of eight modernized Global Positioning System IIR (GPS IIR-M) satellites built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT has been declared operational by the U.S. Air Force for military and civilian navigation users around the globe. The satellite, known as GPS IIR-21(M), was launched successfully from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Aug. 17. Lockheed Martin's operations team assisted the Air Force with the launch and early on-orbit maneuvers. “The team once again executed a smooth and disciplined on-orbit deployment and checkout of all spacecraft systems and we're extremely pleased to have another high-performance GPS IIR-M satellite in our robust constellation," said Col. Dave Madden, the U.S. Air Force GPS Wing Commander. “I salute the entire government-industry GPS IIR-M team for their talent and determination to provide advanced navigation accuracy and reliability for GPS users worldwide.” Lockheed Martin and its navigation payload provider ITT of Clifton, N.J. designed and built 21 IIR spacecraft and subsequently modernized eight of those spacecraft designated Block IIR-M. Each IIR-M satellite includes a modernized antenna panel that provides increased signal power to receivers on the ground, two new military signals for improved accuracy, enhanced encryption and anti-jamming capabilities for the military, and a second civil signal that will provide users with an open access signal on a different frequency. “Reaching this milestone is a critical step in the mission to provide advanced position, timing and navigation capabilities for the warfighter and civil users,” said Don DeGryse, Lockheed Martin’s vice president of Navigation Systems. “The successful launch and operational turnover is a testament to the capabilities of our entire GPS team. Working together with our Air Force partner is a source of tremendous pride for Lockheed Martin." GPS provides essential services including situational awareness and precision weapon guidance for the military. It is also an information resource supporting a wide range of civil, scientific and commercial functions -- from air traffic control to the Internet -- with precision location and timing information. Building upon a legacy of providing progressively advanced spacecraft for the current GPS constellation, Lockheed Martin, along with ITT Corporation and General Dynamics will produce the next generation of global positioning satellites, designated GPS III. This program will improve position, navigation and timing services for the warfighter and civil users. The team is progressing on-schedule in the Critical Design Review (CDR) phase of the program and is on track to launch the first GPS IIIA satellite in 2014. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.