Wednesday, March 03, 2010

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated March 3, 2010

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated March 3, 2010 Source: U.S. DoD issued March 3, 2010 (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - March 4, 2010: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued March 3, 2010 are undermentioned;
CONTRACTS
AIR FORCE ~MultiLingual Solutions, Rockville, Md., was awarded a $62,000,000 contract which will provide personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and services necessary to provide foreign language linguist and analyst services in support of operations. At this time, $11,266,581 has been obligated. AF ISR Agency/A7KA, San Antonio, is the contracting activity (FA7037-10-D-0002). ~Boeing Service Co., Richardson, Texas, was awarded a $46,041,245 contract which will provide broadband satellite data service to include uninterrupted and seamless connectively to all networks, data, and video capabilities as needed. At this time, $46,041,245 has been obligated. AMC/A7KQC, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., is the contracting activity (FA4452-10-C-0002).
~Boeing Co., Wichita, Kan., was awarded a $36,358,553 contract which will provide for C-130 Avionics Modernization Program low rate initial production Lot 1 modification. At this time, $8,178,272 has been obligated. 656 Aeronautical System Squadron, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8625-08-C-6481,PZ0010). ~DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc., St. Louis Mo., was awarded a $7,661,103 contract which will provide the overhaul of Tunner aircraft cargo loaders in support of the Tunner 60K loader program. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 542 Combat Sustainment Wing/PKBA, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8519-04-D-0006). NAVY ~Canadian Commercial Corp., General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada, London, Ontario, is being awarded a $41,481,000 modification to delivery order #0007 under previously awarded firm-fixed-priced, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-07-D-5028) for procurement of authorized spares list, prescribed load list, and battle damage repair kits to support the 250 LRIP, 17 MRAP, and RG-31A2 vehicles ordered. Work will be performed in Fairfield, Ohio, Buffalo, N.Y., and Ogdensburg N.Y. Work is expected to be completed no later than Dec. 2010. This contract delivery order was a sole-source procurement. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
~ERAPSCO, Columbia City, Ind., is being awarded a $34,043,325 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for 7,500 AN/SSQ-101A sonobuoys in support of Navy antisubmarine forces for the mission of detection, classification, and localization of adversary submarines during peacetime and combat operations. Work will be performed in De Leon Springs, Fla. (61 percent), and Columbia City, Ind. (39 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to the FAR 6.302-1. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00421-10-D-0010). ~DCK-ECC Pacific Guam Construction, LLC, Harmon, Guam, is being awarded a $21,386,549 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of a complete working substation, distribution feeders, and switching stations at Andersen Air Force Base. The contract also contains nine unexercised options which, if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $24,520,000. Work will be performed in Yigo, Guam, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online Web site, with seven proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Marianas, Guam, is the contracting activity (N40192-10-C-1337). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
~Allen-Vanguard, Inc.*, Ogdensburg, N.Y., is being awarded a maximum $24,506,533 firm-fixed-price, total set-aside contract for advanced bomb suit and components. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army and Air Force. The original proposal was Web solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is March 2011. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, is the contracting activity (SPM1C1-10-C-0012). *Small business

DTN News: Eurocopter Gears Up To Strengthen Partnerships With Indian Industry Strong Presence At India Aviation 2010

DTN News: Eurocopter Gears Up To Strengthen Partnerships With Indian Industry Strong Presence At India Aviation 2010 Source: DTN News / Eurocopter (NSI News Source Info) HYDERABAD, India - March 4, 2010: Eurocopter, the global leader in helicopter manufacturing, is showing a strong presence at India Aviation 2010, the second edition of the international exhibition on Civil Aviation Sector. This event, being organized by the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation, sees Eurocopter presenting its range of commercial helicopters and latest technology.
As Norbert Ducrot, Eurocopter Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing Asia Pacific points out, “With plans to establish flying ambulances, faster transport services to tourist destinations and religious places, and set up heliports in Delhi and Mumbai, the helicopter has a busy time ahead. As always, we at Eurocopter are set to bring in our expertise to support the growth of the Indian aerospace industry. "
Eurocopter currently has a fleet of 72 civil helicopters flying in India. Eurocopter covers about 50 percent of the oil & gas segment, with a majority of its aircraft being in service with Pawan Hans and Indocopters.
“For us, it is a very exciting time with respect to the Indian market. We plan to take our relationship with the Indian civil sector to the next level through several partnership agreements planned with our partners like Pawan Hans over the next few months. Our ambition is to largely increase our footprint in India to accompany the fast development of the helicopter services,“ added Mr. Ducrot, elaborating on Eurocopter’s plans for India.
Eurocopter expects the commercial sector around corporate and VIP transport to grow rapidly in India. Its newly designed Stylence range perfectly meets the Indian requirements. The second area of visible growth in India will be the Oil & Gas industry, which will create a need for medium range helicopters like the EC155 and AS365N3 or longer-range like the EC225. The field of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as operated by helicopters will also emerge in a rather short time span. With more than 60% of the world EMS helicopter fleet, Eurocopter is committed to invest in the Indian market and to share its experience. Finally, with the powerful, reliable and cost-effective AS350B3, Eurocopter is a strong leader in the world for Utility missions. This helicopter is also perfectly adapted to Indian utility missions’ requirements. Therefore, thanks to its high-performing and easily adaptable range of products - the largest in the world - Eurocopter can fulfill all the needs of India, whatever the mission requirements are.
Flying high on the international success of this range, Eurocopter will be showcasing specifications and mock-up models of reference products like EC155 and EC175, the latest member of the Eurocopter family. Eurocopter’s long-term partner, Indocopters, will have an EC120 displayed on their booth. Flight demonstrations of the EC135 will also be conducted for existing and potential clients.EC 175
The Eurocopter EC 175 medium twin helicopter made its first maiden flight in December 2009. This program milestone, planned for late 2009, was thus achieved on schedule. The EC 175’s radius of action offshore is 270 nm at ISA+20 and it has a top cruise speed of about 135 knots. The main gearbox has the capability to fly for 30 minutes after total loss of oil. Targeted primarily at the offshore oil market, the EC 175 offers 16 passenger seats. The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67E-powered rotorcraft is a 50-50 joint program with China’s Avicopter. EASA certification for this helicopter is pegged for 2011.
EC 155
The Eurocopter EC 155 medium-lift twin engine helicopter is a development of the AS 365N Dauphin 2, with 40% larger cabin area, new rotor and 'glass cockpit'. In the medium/twin segment, the Dauphin family is looked upon as a key player thanks to its very high flight speed and long range. The spacious cabin, unrivalled flight comfort and remarkable autopilot raise the EC155 B1 to the standards of an airliner or a business jet. In India, leading corporations have become the latest members of this selected world club by acquiring the coveted EC155 helicopters.
About Eurocopter
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 15,600 people. In 2009, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer in the civil and parapublic market, with a turnover of 4.6 billion Euros, orders for 344 new helicopters, and a 52 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 18 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 10,500 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in more than 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.

DTN News: E-8C Joint STARS Awarded $223.6 Million Production Contract For New Engines

DTN News: E-8C Joint STARS Awarded $223.6 Million Production Contract For New Engines Source: DTN News / Northrop Grumman (NSI News Source Info) MELBOURNE, Fla., - March 4, 2010: The U.S. Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a $223.6 million contract for two E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) Propulsion Pod System (PPS) shipsets and FAA certification. Each shipset contains four Pratt and Whitney JT8D-219 engines, pylon assemblies and associated aircraft system interconnections. Deliveries are expected to start in 2011 pending the final military certifications of the engines on "T-3," the Joint STARS test bed aircraft. "This critical award moves us a step closer to re-engining the Joint STARS fleet," said Tom Vice, sector vice president of the company's Battle Management and Engagement Systems Division. "We've initially demonstrated the JT8D's approximately 21,000 pounds of maximum thrust on T-3 and the performance improvement seen in flight testing is immediately noticeable." ‪The increased power and fuel economy from the new engines – which are widely used in commercial airline fleets – enables the E-8 to fly higher and maintain longer time on station, providing a better view of the battlespace. "With JT8D engines, Joint STARS will be able to take off from shorter runways, increasing basing options and reducing the transit time to get on station," said Vice. "Shorter transit time, along with the improved fuel efficiency and increased reliability of these new engines all translate to more Joint STARS time on station – a critical benefit to U.S. and coalition forces. "The JT8D's reliability, as demonstrated in commercial service, also addresses the fleet's number one maintenance issue – engines," said Vice. "A business case analysis has shown that this engine upgrade may potentially pay for itself in less than 10 years in the operations, maintenance and fuel savings realized from not having to deal with the old engines." The Administration's fiscal 2011 budget, currently under consideration by Congressional committees, includes procurement funding for additional shipsets of engines. The Joint STARS program is managed by the 751st Electronic Support Group at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. The Joint STARS aircraft are assigned to the Georgia Air National Guard's 116th Air Control Wing, a "total-force blended wing," based at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. The Wing comprises active-duty Air Force, Army and Air National Guard personnel. ‪Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for the E-8C Joint STARS development and total system support programs. The E-8C is the world's most advanced wide-area airborne ground-surveillance, targeting and battle-management system. It detects, locates, classifies, tracks, and targets hostile ground movements, communicating real-time information through secure data links with joint and component command and control elements. ‪Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

DTN News: Boeing Delivers First 777 Freighters To Southern Air

DTN News: Boeing Delivers First 777 Freighters To Southern Air
* THAI Cargo to be first in Southeast Asia to utilize 777 Freighters Source: DTN News / Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) EVERETT, Wash., - March 4, 2010: Boeing (NYSE: BA) has delivered two 777 Freighters to Southern Air Holdings, Inc., the first 777s to join the Norwalk, Conn.-based cargo carrier's fleet. The addition of these two airplanes makes Southern Air the world's first aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) operator to feature the 777 Freighter. "We are thrilled to take delivery of our first two Boeing 777 Freighters, the most advanced aircraft of its kind, offering unmatched payload, range and fuel efficiency," said Daniel J. McHugh, CEO of Southern Air. "The addition of these two airplanes begins a new era for Southern Air, as we are now able to provide a mix of next- and current-generation freighter airplanes to serve our customers' needs. Boeing is a valued business partner and we are proud to celebrate this milestone for our company with them." Southern Air has entered into an agreement to operate the two 777 Freighters on behalf of Thai Airways International. Thai Airways will utilize the full capacity of the 777 Freighters, becoming the first carrier in Southeast Asia to offer this capability to its freight customers. "We are delighted to be the first in the region to provide this capability to our customers," said Pruet Boobphakam, THAI executive vice president, Commercial Department and former acting managing director, Cargo & Mail Department. "The 777s are truly best-in-class planes and will be valuable additions to our cargo offerings." "With these new 777 Freighters, Southern Air is clearly making a further commitment to its customers and a strong investment in its future," said Kevin Schemm, vice president of Sales, North America for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The 777 Freighter is the largest, most capable twin-engine freighter on the market and will deliver superior economies and advantages to Southern Air and its new partner, THAI Cargo." Filling the gap between mid-size widebody cargo airplanes and the larger 747 freighters, the 777 Freighter (with 102 tonnes of revenue payload) delivers lower tonne-mile costs, flies greater distances nonstop, and achieves the lowest trip costs of any large twin-engine freighter. Southern Air is a portfolio company of Oak Hill Capital Partners. In addition to the new Boeing 777 Freighters, Southern Air operates a fleet of 16 Boeing 747 Freighter airplanes.

DTN News: New Zealand Defence Force Awards Lockheed Martin 10-Year Logistics Contract

DTN News: New Zealand Defence Force Awards Lockheed Martin 10-Year Logistics Contract Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin (NSI News Source Info) ORLANDO, Fla, - March 4, 2010: Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) was awarded an initial 10-year contract valued at more than $100 million by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) to provide its Army with warehousing and repair services. The NZLAV was procured to replace the aging M113 family of vehicles. The NZLAV provides New Zealand with a world class vehicle capable of providing light armour protection to soldiers on the battle field. The NZLAV is highly mobile, and comes equipped with a lethal arsenal of weapons and systems making it an ideal vehicle for combat, peace and peace support operations. This vehicle is a quantum leap forward in capability for New Zealand and as part of the project, facilities, training, special tooling and spares were provided by the prime contractor, General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada. As an owner, New Zealand joins numerous allies that are operating similar platforms allowing us to maintain and operate the vehicle at a lower cost by creating synergies amongst LAV users. Currently the LAV is fielded with the Canadian Army, US Army, US Marines and the Australian Defence Force. New Zealand purchased 102 Infantry Mobility Vehicles (IMV) variants and 3 Recovery vehicle variants. Additionally, to provide flexibility 7 of the 102 IMV's come equipped with an earth moving blade allowing it to be used for light engineering tasks. The contract allows for syndication with other New Zealand agencies, including New Zealand Police, for which Lockheed Martin could also assume warehousing and facilities maintenance work. The agreement includes the maintenance, repair and overhaul of the organization’s equipment and supply chain services ranging from soldier store acquisition, such as tents and weapons, to warehouse sustainment. The New Zealand Army is composed of 7,500 regular and reserve forces and civilian personnel. Approximately 500 NZDF personnel are deployed on multiple peacekeeping operations, United Nations missions and defence exercises around the world. The Army's fleet of more than 500 vehicles includes NZ Light Armoured Vehicles, Pinzgauer Light Operational Vehicles, Unimogs, and transport, service and supply vehicles. “Our goal is to ensure we provide the best possible supply service in the most cost-effective way,” said Debra Palmer, vice president of enterprise logistics solutions at Lockheed Martin’s Simulation, Training & Support business unit. “We are focused on improving the availability of equipment and supplies to sustain current operations while moving toward improved capabilities in the future.” Lockheed Martin offers similar services to a number of military customers. These include asset management capabilities to the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence through its Joint Asset Management Engineering Solution, a program which will ultimately enable the MoD to manage its land-based equipment throughout all its services by providing an end-to-end logistics management system. In addition, Lockheed Martin supports the U.S. Marine Corps with the Embedded Platform Logistics System, and manages the supply chain for automotive parts for the U.S. military's land-based vehicles with the Fleet Automotive Support Initiative. The contract begins in June 2010 after a transition from the current service providers. 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 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

DTN News: Lockheed Martin Sniper® Advanced Targeting Pod Program Receives William J. Perry Award

DTN News: Lockheed Martin Sniper® Advanced Targeting Pod Program Receives William J. Perry Award Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin (NSI News Source Info) ORLANDO, FL., - March 4, 2010: The Precision Strike Association has awarded the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and U.S. Air Force Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) program the 14th annual William J. Perry Award. The award is presented annually to programs that strengthen the country’s national security by applying precision strike capability to Department of Defense systems. The ceremony took place today at the Precision Strike Association’s Winter Roundtable event in Arlington, VA. The Sniper ATP program was selected based on its significant impact in combat operations by reducing aircrew workload, enhancing Warfighters’ situation awareness, and shortening the timeline to engage enemy insurgents while helping avoid fratricide and preventing harm to the civilian population. “The Precision Strike Association is very proud to present the William J. Perry Award to the United States Air Force and Lockheed Martin for their Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod,” said Precision Strike Association chairman Andy McHugh. “This government-industry team has demonstrated the tenacity and innovation required to develop, test and field the most advanced technology for targeting and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance wrapped into a single aircraft mounted pod. The Sniper pod’s advanced features are changing the way our armed forces operate in theater.” Featuring exceptional image quality and stability due to its next-generation design, the Sniper ATP delivers extremely precise weapon targeting for multiple fixed and moving targets, a high performance datalink for real-time coordination between aircrews and ground troops, and weapon damage estimation radius displays to reduce the potential for collateral damage real time in the cockpit. The Sniper pod is also heavily used as a non-traditional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance asset for convoy route reconnaissance and battlefield situational awareness. “The Sniper ATP is the most widely-deployed targeting pod in theater and we are honored to receive this recognition from the Precision Strike Association,” said Ken Fuhr, Fixed-Wing Program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “We remain dedicated to advancing precision strike technologies that help our customers meet their defining moments.” Deployed in theater on U.S. Air Force and coalition partner F-15, F-16, A-10 and B-1 aircraft, the Sniper ATP is also operational on the CF-18 and Harrier GR7 and GR9 aircraft. Platform expansion continues with the B-52, Tornado, Typhoon, unmanned aerial vehicles and additional aircraft. 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 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

DTN News: Lockheed Martin Receives $213 Million Contract For 20 New F-16s For Egypt

DTN News: Lockheed Martin Receives $213 Million Contract For 20 New F-16s For Egypt Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin (NSI News Source Info) FORT WORTH, Texas - March 4, 2010: The U.S. government has awarded an initial $213 million to Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] for long-lead tasks for the production of 20 new Advanced Block 52 F-16 aircraft for Egypt. "This is a great day for Lockheed Martin and a testament to the enduring partnership and commitment we have made to the government of Egypt. We remain committed to providing our customer with a proven, advanced 4th Generation multirole fighter," said John Larson, vice president, Lockheed Martin F-16 programs. "This marks the 53rd follow-on buy of F-16s by 14 repeat customers. The aircraft we will deliver to Egypt will join the fleet of more than 4,400 F-16s representing 25 nations." The new aircraft order includes 16 F-16Cs and 4 F-16Ds, and will supplement the Egyptian Air Force's (EAF) existing fleet of F-16s and contribute to the modernization of the EAF. The final Egyptian F-16 under this contract will be delivered in 2013. Egypt was the first Arab country to purchase F-16s through a Foreign Military Sales program called Peace Vector. The Egyptian Air Force received a total of 42 F-16s in its first order in 1980 and since then has purchased five more lots of aircraft, for a total of 240 F-16 Fighting Falcons. 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 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

DTN News: Lockheed Martin Delivers 11th C-130J Super Hercules To Ramstein Air Base

DTN News: Lockheed Martin Delivers 11th C-130J Super Hercules To Ramstein Air Base Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin (NSI News Source Info) MARIETTA, Ga., - March 4, 2010: Lt. Gen. Frank Gorenc, commander, 3rd Air Force, yesterday accepted the 11th of 14 Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] C-130Js to be based at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. "The delivery of this aircraft marks one more step toward fully replacing the older models of the C-130 the 86th Airlift Wing has been flying. The increased cargo capacity and the longer legs of the J-model will be extremely valuable for the Ramstein wing as it continues to support the important intratheater missions for U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command," Gorenc said. "The Hercules has long been the workhorse of our airlift capability, and these newer versions will allow us to continue that vital role for years to come." Four C-130Js will be delivered to Ramstein this year; 10 C-130Js were delivered to the base in 2009. These 14 new Js will support the Ramstein-based 37th Airlift Squadron (a unit of the 86th Airlift Wing) that has been flying C-130Es. The new aircraft are the longer C-130J-30 configuration, which is now the standard for recapitalizing the USAF and many other air forces around the world. C-130Js are engaged in high-tempo operations in multiple combat theaters and are routinely deployed in support of both peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. The C-130J is a flexible, multimission aircraft that has been delivered in multiple and varied configurations to meet a wide range of operational needs. The C-130J fleet has accumulated more than 500,000 flight hours. 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 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

DTN News: Thinking About The Unthinkable: A U.S.-Iranian Deal

DTN News: Thinking About The Unthinkable: A U.S.-Iranian Deal Source: By George Friedman STRATFOR (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 3, 2010: The United States apparently has reached the point where it must either accept that Iran will develop nuclear weapons at some point if it wishes, or take military action to prevent this. There is a third strategy, however: Washington can seek to redefine the Iranian question. As we have no idea what leaders on either side are thinking, exploring this represents an exercise in geopolitical theory. Let’s begin with the two apparent stark choices. Diplomacy vs. the Military Option The diplomatic approach consists of creating a broad coalition prepared to impose what have been called crippling sanctions on Iran. Effective sanctions must be so painful that they compel the target to change its behavior. In Tehran’s case, this could only consist of blocking Iran’s imports of gasoline. Iran imports 35 percent of the gasoline it consumes. It is not clear that a gasoline embargo would be crippling, but it is the only embargo that might work. All other forms of sanctions against Iran would be mere gestures designed to give the impression that something is being done. The Chinese will not participate in any gasoline embargo. Beijing gets 11 percent of its oil from Iran, and it has made it clear it will continue to deliver gasoline to Iran. Moscow’s position is that Russia might consider sanctions down the road, but it hasn’t specified when, and it hasn’t specified what. The Russians are more than content seeing the U.S. bogged down in the Middle East and so are not inclined to solve American problems in the region. With the Chinese and Russians unlikely to embargo gasoline, these sanctions won’t create significant pain for Iran. Since all other sanctions are gestures, the diplomatic approach is therefore unlikely to work. The military option has its own risks. First, its success depends on the quality of intelligence on Iran’s nuclear facilities and on the degree of hardening of those targets. Second, it requires successful air attacks. Third, it requires battle damage assessments that tell the attacker whether the strike succeeded. Fourth, it requires follow-on raids to destroy facilities that remain functional. And fifth, attacks must do more than simply set back Iran’s program a few months or even years: If the risk of a nuclear Iran is great enough to justify the risks of war, the outcome must be decisive. Each point in this process is a potential failure point. Given the multiplicity of these points — which includes others not mentioned — failure may not be an option, but it is certainly possible. But even if the attacks succeed, the question of what would happen the day after the attacks remains. Iran has its own counters. It has a superbly effective terrorist organization, Hezbollah, at its disposal. It has sufficient influence in Iraq to destabilize that country and force the United States to keep forces in Iraq badly needed elsewhere. And it has the ability to use mines and missiles to attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf shipping lanes for some period — driving global oil prices through the roof while the global economy is struggling to stabilize itself. Iran’s position on its nuclear program is rooted in the awareness that while it might not have assured options in the event of a military strike, it has counters that create complex and unacceptable risks. Iran therefore does not believe the United States will strike or permit Israel to strike, as the consequences would be unacceptable. To recap, the United States either can accept a nuclear Iran or risk an attack that might fail outright, impose only a minor delay on Iran’s nuclear program or trigger extremely painful responses even if it succeeds. When neither choice is acceptable, it is necessary to find a third choice. Redefining the Iranian Problem As long as the problem of Iran is defined in terms of its nuclear program, the United States is in an impossible place. Therefore, the Iranian problem must be redefined. One attempt at redefinition involves hope for an uprising against the current regime. We will not repeat our views on this in depth, but in short, we do not regard these demonstrations to be a serious threat to the regime. Tehran has handily crushed them, and even if they did succeed, we do not believe they would produce a regime any more accommodating toward the United States. The idea of waiting for a revolution is more useful as a justification for inaction — and accepting a nuclear Iran — than it is as a strategic alternative. At this moment, Iran is the most powerful regional military force in the Persian Gulf. Unless the United States permanently stations substantial military forces in the region, there is no military force able to block Iran. Turkey is more powerful than Iran, but it is far from the Persian Gulf and focused on other matters at the moment, and it doesn’t want to take on Iran militarily — at least not for a very long time. At the very least, this means the United States cannot withdraw from Iraq. Baghdad is too weak to block Iran from the Arabian Peninsula, and the Iraqi government has elements friendly toward Iran. Historically, regional stability depended on the Iraqi-Iranian balance of power. When it tottered in 1990, the result was the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. The United States did not push into Iraq in 1991 because it did not want to upset the regional balance of power by creating a vacuum in Iraq. Rather, U.S. strategy was to re-establish the Iranian-Iraqi balance of power to the greatest extent possible, as the alternative was basing large numbers of U.S. troops in the region. The decision to invade Iraq in 2003 assumed that once the Baathist regime was destroyed the United States would rapidly create a strong Iraqi government that would balance Iran. The core mistake in this thinking lay in failing to recognize that the new Iraqi government would be filled with Shiites, many of whom regarded Iran as a friendly power. Rather than balancing Iran, Iraq could well become an Iranian satellite. The Iranians strongly encouraged the American invasion precisely because they wanted to create a situation where Iraq moved toward Iran’s orbit. When this in fact began happening, the Americans had no choice but an extended occupation of Iraq, a trap both the Bush and Obama administrations have sought to escape. It is difficult to define Iran’s influence in Iraq at this point. But at a minimum, while Iran may not be able to impose a pro-Iranian state on Iraq, it has sufficient influence to block the creation of any strong Iraqi government either through direct influence in the government or by creating destabilizing violence in Iraq. In other words, Iran can prevent Iraq from emerging as a counterweight to Iran, and Iran has every reason to do this. Indeed, it is doing just this. The Fundamental U.S.-Iranian Issue Iraq, not nuclear weapons, is the fundamental issue between Iran and the United States. Iran wants to see a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq so Iran can assume its place as the dominant military power in the Persian Gulf. The United States wants to withdraw from Iraq because it faces challenges in Afghanistan — where it will also need Iranian cooperation — and elsewhere. Committing forces to Iraq for an extended period of time while fighting in Afghanistan leaves the United States exposed globally. Events involving China or Russia — such as the 2008 war in Georgia — would see the United States without a counter. The alternative would be a withdrawal from Afghanistan or a massive increase in U.S. armed forces. The former is not going to happen any time soon, and the latter is an economic impossibility. Therefore, the United States must find a way to counterbalance Iran without an open-ended deployment in Iraq and without expecting the re-emergence of Iraqi power, because Iran is not going to allow the latter to happen. The nuclear issue is simply an element of this broader geopolitical problem, as it adds another element to the Iranian tool kit. It is not a stand-alone issue. The United States has an interesting strategy in redefining problems that involves creating extraordinarily alliances with mortal ideological and geopolitical enemies to achieve strategic U.S. goals. First consider Franklin Roosevelt’s alliance with Stalinist Russia to block Nazi Germany. He pursued this alliance despite massive political outrage not only from isolationists but also from institutions like the Roman Catholic Church that regarded the Soviets as the epitome of evil. Now consider Richard Nixon’s decision to align with China at a time when the Chinese were supplying weapons to North Vietnam that were killing American troops. Moreover, Mao — who had said he did not fear nuclear war as China could absorb a few hundred million deaths — was considered, with reason, quite mad. Nevertheless, Nixon, as anti-Communist and anti-Chinese a figure as existed in American politics, understood that an alliance (and despite the lack of a formal treaty, alliance it was) with China was essential to counterbalance the Soviet Union at a time when American power was still being sapped in Vietnam. Roosevelt and Nixon both faced impossible strategic situations unless they were prepared to redefine the strategic equation dramatically and accept the need for alliance with countries that had previously been regarded as strategic and moral threats. American history is filled with opportunistic alliances designed to solve impossible strategic dilemmas. The Stalin and Mao cases represent stunning alliances with prior enemies designed to block a third power seen as more dangerous. It is said that Ahmadinejad is crazy. It was also said that Mao and Stalin were crazy, in both cases with much justification. Ahmadinejad has said many strange things and issued numerous threats. But when Roosevelt ignored what Stalin said and Nixon ignored what Mao said, they each discovered that Stalin’s and Mao’s actions were far more rational and predictable than their rhetoric. Similarly, what the Iranians say and what they do are quite different. U.S. vs. Iranian Interests Consider the American interest. First, it must maintain the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. The United States cannot tolerate interruptions, and that limits the risks it can take. Second, it must try to keep any one power from controlling all of the oil in the Persian Gulf, as that would give such a country too much long-term power within the global system. Third, while the United States is involved in a war with elements of the Sunni Muslim world, it must reduce the forces devoted to that war. Fourth, it must deal with the Iranian problem directly. Europe will go as far as sanctions but no further, while the Russians and Chinese won’t even go that far yet. Fifth, it must prevent an Israeli strike on Iran for the same reasons it must avoid a strike itself, as the day after any Israeli strike will be left to the United States to manage. Now consider the Iranian interest. First, it must guarantee regime survival. It sees the United States as dangerous and unpredictable. In less than 10 years, it has found itself with American troops on both its eastern and western borders. Second, it must guarantee that Iraq will never again be a threat to Iran. Third, it must increase its authority within the Muslim world against Sunni Muslims, whom it regards as rivals and sometimes as threats. Now consider the overlaps. The United States is in a war against some (not all) Sunnis. These are Iran’s enemies, too. Iran does not want U.S. troops along its eastern and western borders. In point of fact, the United States does not want this either. The United States does not want any interruption of oil flow through Hormuz. Iran much prefers profiting from those flows to interrupting them. Finally, the Iranians understand that it is the United States alone that is Iran’s existential threat. If Iran can solve the American problem its regime survival is assured. The United States understands, or should, that resurrecting the Iraqi counterweight to Iran is not an option: It is either U.S. forces in Iraq or accepting Iran’s unconstrained role. Therefore, as an exercise in geopolitical theory, consider the following. Washington’s current options are unacceptable. By redefining the issue in terms of dealing with the consequences of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, there are three areas of mutual interest. First, both powers have serious quarrels with Sunni Islam. Second, both powers want to see a reduction in U.S. forces in the region. Third, both countries have an interest in assuring the flow of oil, one to use the oil, the other to profit from it to increase its regional power. The strategic problem is, of course, Iranian power in the Persian Gulf. The Chinese model is worth considering here. China issued bellicose rhetoric before and after Nixon’s and Kissinger’s visits. But whatever it did internally, it was not a major risk-taker in its foreign policy. China’s relationship with the United States was of critical importance to China. Beijing fully understood the value of this relationship, and while it might continue to rail about imperialism, it was exceedingly careful not to undermine this core interest. The major risk of the third strategy is that Iran will overstep its bounds and seek to occupy the oil-producing countries of the Persian Gulf. Certainly, this would be tempting, but it would bring a rapid American intervention. The United States would not block indirect Iranian influence, however, from financial participation in regional projects to more significant roles for the Shia in Arabian states. Washington’s limits for Iranian power are readily defined and enforced when exceeded. The great losers in the third strategy, of course, would be the Sunnis in the Arabian Peninsula. But Iraq aside, they are incapable of defending themselves, and the United States has no long-term interest in their economic and political relations. So long as the oil flows, and no single power directly controls the entire region, the United States does not have a stake in this issue. Israel would also be enraged. It sees ongoing American-Iranian hostility as a given. And it wants the United States to eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat. But eliminating this threat is not an option given the risks, so the choice is a nuclear Iran outside some structured relationship with the United States or within it. The choice that Israel might want, a U.S.-Iranian conflict, is unlikely. Israel can no more drive American strategy than can Saudi Arabia. From the American standpoint, an understanding with Iran would have the advantage of solving an increasingly knotty problem. In the long run, it would also have the advantage of being a self-containing relationship. Turkey is much more powerful than Iran and is emerging from its century-long shell. Its relations with the United States are delicate. The United States would infuriate the Turks by doing this deal, forcing them to become more active faster. They would thus emerge in Iraq as a counterbalance to Iran. But Turkey’s anger at the United States would serve U.S. interests. The Iranian position in Iraq would be temporary, and the United States would not have to break its word as Turkey eventually would eliminate Iranian influence in Iraq. Ultimately, the greatest shock of such a maneuver on both sides would be political. The U.S.-Soviet agreement shocked Americans deeply, the Soviets less so because Stalin’s pact with Hitler had already stunned them. The Nixon-Mao entente shocked all sides. It was utterly unthinkable at the time, but once people on both sides thought about it, it was manageable. Such a maneuver would be particularly difficult for U.S. President Barack Obama, as it would be widely interpreted as another example of weakness rather than as a ruthless and cunning move. A military strike would enhance his political standing, while an apparently cynical deal would undermine it. Ahmadinejad could sell such a deal domestically much more easily. In any event, the choices now are a nuclear Iran, extended airstrikes with all their attendant consequences, or something else. This is what something else might look like and how it would fit in with American strategic tradition. This report may be forwarded or republished on your website with attribution to http://www.stratfor.com/ Disclaimer statement Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied herein, DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Unless otherwise indicated, opinions expressed herein are those of the author of the page and do not necessarily represent the corporate views of DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News.

DTN News: India Set To Buy 42 More Russian Su-30 Fighter Jets

DTN News: India Set To Buy 42 More Russian Su-30 Fighter Jets Source: DTN News / RIA Novosti (NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - March 3, 2010: India and Russia are negotiating a new contract on the delivery of 42 Su-30MKI to the Indian Air Force, an Indian newspaper reported on Tuesday, citing military sources. According to the Daily News and Analysis newspaper, the new deal, which is reportedly worth more than $3 billion, has been in the works for several months. The new air-superiority fighters will come on top of the 230 already contracted from Russia in three deals worth a total of $8.5 billion. "The [new] order is being placed due to the insufficient number of fighter squadrons in the Indian Air Force and would allow us to eliminate potential threats," a source in the Indian Defense Ministry told RIA Novosti. India originally ordered 50 Su-30MKI aircraft from Russia in 1996-98 and an additional 40 planes in 2007. Hindustani Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) was also contracted to build 140 aircraft in India between 2003 and 2017 under a licensed production agreement. The Indian Air Force currently has about 100 Su-30MKIs, mainly deployed at airbases close to the borders with China and Pakistan. Analysts believe that India will remain the main purchaser of Russian-made combat aircraft for the next 15 years under existing and future contracts, as the country desperately needs to upgrade its fighter fleet, which includes Su-30MKI and MiG-29 fighters, but mainly consists of obsolete Soviet MiG-21 models.

DTN News: Pakistan TODAY March 3, 2010 ~ US To Send Pakistan Laser-Guided Bomb Kits

DTN News: Pakistan TODAY March 3, 2010 ~ US To Send Pakistan Laser-Guided Bomb Kits Source: DTN News / Int'l Media + Reuters (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON, - March 3, 2010: The United States will deliver 1,000 laser-guided bomb kits to Pakistan this month and is considering additional arms sales to help the Pakistani air force crack down on insurgents in the Afghan border region. Air Force Secretary Michael Donley told reporters on Tuesday the arms sales came in response to a request made by the air chief of the Pakistani air force in December. "There continues to be a dialogue back and forth," Donley said, noting that the U.S. government had already agreed to sell Pakistan munitions and night vision goggles, and was also stepping up training. Pakistan is also expected to receive new F-16 fighters made by Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) this spring or summer, Donley said, noting that the fighter jets would give Pakistan's air force greatly expanded capabilities in its fight against "radical elements" in the border region. Lockheed spokeswoman Laurie Quincy said the first of the 18 F-16s ordered by Pakistan was accepted by the Pakistani government in December but was still completing preparations to be ferried to the country later this year. Air Force spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jeffry Glenn said the United States delivered 1,000 MK-82 500-pound bombs to Pakistan last month, and was considering additional requests for those bombs and more laser-guided tail kits. Glenn said an initial batch of 700 GBU-12 and 300 GBU-10 Paveway laser-guided bomb kits built by Lockheed and Raytheon Co (RTN.N) would be delivered to Pakistan this month, allowing the Pakistani air force to outfit the MK-82 bombs delivered last month with sophisticated technology that allows better targeting of the weapons. The expected delivery later this year of 18 F-16s to Pakistan will bring its inventory of the planes to 54. Pakistan has been operating F-16s since 1982. Donley said Pakistan was also upgrading the capabilities of its older F-16 fighter jets.
(Reporting by Andrea Shalal-Esa; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

DTN News: UK Royal Navy Participate In Dimdex 2010 Warship Display

DTN News: UK Royal Navy Participate In Dimdex 2010 Warship Display Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) QATAR - March 3, 2010: In a major announcement from the organizers of the 2nd Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (Dimdex) 2010, the UK Royal Navy has confirmed plans for three ships to participate in the Dimdex Warship Display being held at Doha Commercial Port from 29th March to 31st April 2010.
Setting course for Dimdex 2010 at the invitation of Staff Brigadier (SEA) Mohammed Bin Nasser Al Mohannadi, Commander of the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces (QENF) will be two Royal Navy Sandown Class Mine Countermeasure Vessel (MCMV) and one Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate, part of Dimdex 2010's ship and submarine display.
Powerful and versatile with the capability to operate anywhere in the world, the 4,900 ton Type 23 frigate and 600 ton Sandown MCMV are mainstays of the Royal Navy's modern surface fleet. Originally designed for the principal task of anti-submarine warfare, the Type 23 has evolved into a powerful and versatile multi purpose ship capable of conducting a wide range of tasks including embargo operations, disaster relief work and surveillance operations."
Dimdex 2010 is an opportunity to enhance Qatar's historic bilateral relations with the United Kingdom. I look forward to welcoming my counterparts from the Royal Navy for a visit that allows the representatives of both countries to review the latest information sharing to support both navies during their joint operations," said Staff Brigadier Al- Mohannadi, Dimdex 2010 Chairman.
Enhancing the UK presence at Dimdex 2010 will be the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) stand within the UK pavilion. The UK Government's international business development organization, UKTI supports businesses seeking to establish in the UK and helps UK companies grow internationally.
In less than one month His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Heir Apparent of the State of Qatar and Deputy Commander of the Qatar Emiri Armed Forces, will officially open the 3-day Dimdex 2010.
Over 140 Dimdex exhibitors including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, MBDA, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon, will join invited international VIP delegations and 7,000 visitors at the Doha Exhibition Center from 29th to 31st March 2010.

DTN News: Northrop Grumman Nearing Decision On Tanker Bid

DTN News: Northrop Grumman Nearing Decision On Tanker Bid Source: DTN News / Int'l Media + Reuters (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON/PARIS - March 3, 2010: Northrop Grumman Corp (NYSE:NOC - News) said on Tuesday it was still reviewing the Air Force's final terms for a multibillion-dollar aerial tanker competition but was "getting closer to a decision" on whether to submit a bid with its European partner EADS (Paris:EAD.PA - News). "We continue to conduct a thorough review of the final RFP (request for proposals) and I will acknowledge that we are getting closer to a decision. However, we are deferring further comment until our analysis is completed," Northrop spokesman Randy Belote told Reuters. He declined to comment on exactly when the company was likely to decide whether to submit a renewed bid. Northrop and EADS won the last competition in February 2008 with an Airbus A330-based tanker plane, but the deal, valued at around $35 billion, was later canceled after government auditors upheld a Boeing Co (NYSE:BA - News) protest. Northrop told the Pentagon in December it would not submit a bid in this follow-on competition unless there were significant changes to the Air Force's draft rules, which it said clearly favored Boeing's smaller 767 airplane. A European source said EADS, anxious to add to its defense portfolio and gain a bigger foothold in the United States, was backing a new bid despite its concerns over the possibility of being locked once again into a rigidly priced contract. "It looks like (they) are going for it. EADS can't afford not to," said the source, who was not authorized to speak publicly. EADS declined to comment. Some of Northrop's backers in Congress last week said they thought the final terms released by the Air Force contained only minor changes and still appeared to favor Boeing, but said they were encouraging Northrop to submit a renewed bid given the large number of jobs the program would generate. Northrop's new chief executive, Wes Bush, is under pressure from lawmakers and EADS to proceed, but his shareholders may be wary of investing up to $100 million in another bid that promises uncertain profits, given that the Pentagon is insisting on fixed-rate contract terms over 18 years. "Northrop and its European partner are struggling to find a plausible business case for bidding in a competition where they think Boeing may have an advantage and the profitability of the winner is by no means clear," said defense analyst Loren Thompson of the Virginia-based Lexington Institute. Pentagon officials insist the revised rules will allow both teams to bid and win the winner-takes-all contest. Air Force Secretary Michael Donley told defense reporters on Tuesday that he and other Pentagon officials met on Wednesday with Northrop Chief Executive Wes Bush and Paul Meyer, the Northrop official running the tanker bid, but had not received any communication with the company since then. "Northrop indicated that they were appreciative of the changes that we made on the business side of the RFP and that they would take a careful look at the content," Donley said. "We hope to have a good competition from this RFP and ... we're awaiting bidders," he said. EADS had planned to begin producing not just the A330-based tankers, but a freighter version of the plane in the United States, after winning the tanker contract. The company is just finalizing a 3.5 billion euro bailout from seven governments to help it repair massive cost overruns on the delayed Airbus A400M airlifter. But it still faces billions of euros of losses due to a fixed-price contract on the A400 plane, which is aimed at making Europe less reliant on Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT - News) and Boeing transport planes. EADS is also anxious to maintain momentum in the market for tankers outside the United States. EADS won the last five competitions against Boeing but faces a potentially tougher marketing pitch if the U.S. tender sets a different standard. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal-Esa in Washington and Tim Hepher in Paris; Editing by Steve Orlofsky, Gary Hill)

DTN News: Air China To Expand Boeing Airplane Health Management Coverage (Airlines News)

DTN News: Air China To Expand Boeing Airplane Health Management Coverage (Airlines News)
* Air China Cargo is included in coverage of Boeing 777 and 747-400 fleets Source: DTN News / Boeing (NSI News Source Info) SEATTLE, - March 3, 2010: Boeing (NYSE: BA), in conjunction with Air China and Air China Cargo, announced today that the airlines will expand the use of Boeing's Airplane Health Management (AHM) system to monitor the in-flight condition of the carriers' Boeing 777 and 747-400 fleets. The new agreement adds 42 in-service and on-order airplanes to a previous agreement to monitor 117 Air China 737s that are in service and on order. Air China is Boeing's first Chinese customer for AHM and the 33rd commercial customer overall. "We are certain that Boeing's Airplane Health Management will benefit our passengers and cargo customers who count on Air China and Air China Cargo meeting our schedules," said Air China Chief Engineer Zhong Detao. "This will improve our entire operation." Airplane Health Management captures and evaluates critical real-time in-flight flying condition data and relays the information to maintenance controllers. That allows the airline to turn a potentially time-consuming and costly maintenance delay into a well-planned and more easily accomplished repair. Airlines are better able to meet flight schedules, benefiting the airline, passengers and other cargo customers. The AHM system helps airlines identify and respond to problems proactively while accessing a multiple operator knowledge base, so repair decisions are more reliable and the airplane is available for service more quickly. "Airplane Health Management is a key tool in working with our customers in our mutual pursuit of greater efficiency," said Dennis Floyd, vice president, Technical Services for Commercial Aviation Services at Boeing. "The expansion of AHM coverage at Air China and Air China Cargo will provide them an advantage in the highly competitive Chinese aviation market." AHM is a component in Boeing's larger vision of Lifecycle Solutions – improving airline efficiency with digital productivity tools, product and industry expertise and the power of aviation's leading integrated supply chain, supporting Boeing airplanes from order placement through retirement. Air China operates 10 Boeing 777-200s and 10 747-400s. Air China Cargo operates seven 747-400 freighters, including two Boeing Converted Freighters.

DTN News: Boeing Begins 737 AEW&C Maintenance Training For Royal Australian Air Force

DTN News: Boeing Begins 737 AEW&C Maintenance Training For Royal Australian Air Force Source: DTN News / Boeing (NSI News Source Info) RAAF BASE WILLIAMTOWN, New South Wales, - March 3, 2010: Boeing [NYSE: BA] has launched the first maintenance training program conducted under the five-year In-Service Support (ISS) contract for Project Wedgetail, Australia's 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) program.

Training began on Feb. 15 with five Boeing Defence Australia instructors and 32 students from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) No. 2 Squadron. The 147-day program, held in the AEW&C Support Centre at RAAF Base Williamtown, is a combination of classroom- and computer-based lessons, Operational Flight Trainer (OFT) simulator sessions, and "real life" flight line training. "Realistic, integrated training is essential to mission readiness, and our Wedgetail 737 AEW&C training programs are designed to mirror the way RAAF personnel are expected to perform maintenance activities in the field," said Grant Drew, an AEW&C maintenance instructor for Boeing Defence Australia. The AEW&C Support Centre, established in 2004 under the Project Wedgetail System Acquisition Contract (SAC), houses the OFT, an Operational Mission Simulator and a Mission Support System to support Australia's six 737 AEW&C aircraft. ISS training follows a series of basic maintenance training courses delivered under the Project Wedgetail SAC. Boeing delivered the first two Wedgetail aircraft to the RAAF on Nov. 26, allowing flight and mission crews to launch the first ISS maintenance training programs using the aircraft. Four Boeing Defence Australia employees also entered the ISS maintenance training program on Feb. 15 in order to become maintenance instructors. In addition to completing the program, they also will learn teaching techniques, curriculum development and how to deliver training using the Wedgetail Maintenance Training System. "My colleagues are operating at the forefront of defense training with Boeing's 737 AEW&C platform. I'm privileged to learn from them, carry on their exceptional work and teach future RAAF maintainers," said Peter Whitty, who will become a Wedgetail ISS avionics maintenance instructor for Boeing Defence Australia after completing the program. When they graduate, the new Boeing Defence Australia instructors will take on the job of delivering RAAF Wedgetail 737 AEW&C maintenance training programs. The five current Boeing Defence Australia instructors will move on to train instructors and maintainers for Boeing AEW&C systems in production for Turkey and the Republic of Korea. "Boeing Defence Australia is already a key training service provider and integrator for the Australian Defence Force," said John Duddy, vice president and managing director of Boeing Defence Australia and vice president and general manager of Global Services & Support – Australia. "Training Wedgetail AEW&C maintainers and maintenance instructors will not only strengthen our relationship with the RAAF, but also increase our in-country and international training footprint." Based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737-700 commercial airplane, the 737 AEW&C aircraft is designed to provide airborne battle-management capability with an advanced multirole electronically scanned radar and 10 state-of-the-art mission crew consoles that are able to track airborne and maritime targets simultaneously. The mission crew can direct offensive and defensive forces while maintaining continuous surveillance of the operational area. Boeing Defence Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company and a business unit of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, is a leading Australian aerospace enterprise. With a world-class team of nearly 2,000 employees at 13 locations throughout Australia and two international sites, Boeing Defence Australia supports some of the largest and most complex defense projects in Australia. A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.