The U.S. Army and Raytheon are nearing completion of talks on a contract for more technology development on a seeker for the service’s Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM), according to military and industry officials. The service and company differed in their opinions of readiness for a tri-mode seeker for JAGM, with the Army pushing Raytheon officials to consider a dual-mode design that would omit the imaging infrared capability.
NEW DELHI — India has once again asked the Italian government to probe alleged irregularities in a contract for 12 helicopters from AgustaWestland. The Italian defense firm has denied the allegations.
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) plans to fly the fourth and final Boeing X-51A WaveRider hypersonic engine demonstrator in mid-2013. Tests of the component suspected to have caused the early end to the third flight in August are to begin on Friday, Oct. 26. If confirmed, the fix should be “pretty simple,” says Charlie Brink, AFRL X-51A program manager.
France successfully completed the first launch of its naval cruise missile MdCN (missile de croisiere naval) in submarine configuration Oct. 24, the French armaments agency DGA says.
FRANKFURT — Germany is rushing to buy an initial 7.5% stake of EADS before year’s end to ensure its power in Europe’s largest aerospace company is similar to that of France, although an economics ministry report warns of the time constraint on concluding the transaction within the next two months.
SINGAPORE — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is about to embark on the biggest acquisition program in its history, and at this stage it seems the main beneficiaries will be Embraer, Indonesian Aerospace (IAe) and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).
The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (Ladee) is ready for environmental testing at NASA’s Ames Research Center, following installation of the last of its three instruments.
As the U.S. Army fields more air defense technology, contractors are examining ways to squeeze more threat detection capability out of existing radars. Lockheed Martin is self-funding work to generate software that will allow for AN/TPQ-53 radars to detect both air-breathing threats as well as those in a ballistic trajectory, according to Lee Flake, director of Lockheed Martin’s counter fire radar programs.
NASA AUDIT: House Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Paul Broun (R-Ga.) is asking the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to request a review of NASA’s export control policies, in response to recent allegations that Simon “Pete” Worden, director of NASA’s Ames Research Center, allowed foreign nationals access to information protected under International Traffic in Arms Regulations. In an Oct.
NEW DELHI — An internal audit by India’s defense ministry has concluded that violations of procurement rules by the Indian army has resulted in the loss of more than 1 billion rupees ($18.6 million) in public funds during the two fiscal years since April 1, 2009. According to the 118-page audit report, equipment such as bulletproof jackets, night vision devices and parachutes were procured by the Northern Army commander between 2009-2011 from “unlisted and unregistered” vendors.
For Europe, the pivot to the Pacific in U.S. priorities is not a particularly momentous event, contends Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, commander of U.S. Army Europe and the 7th Army. What is a big deal will be the reshaping of U.S. forces in Europe to have few tanks and lots of offensive and defensive cyber capabilities.
NETANYA, Israel — With virtually every cyber network in the world in jeopardy of attack, Elbit has positioned itself over the last three years to cash in on the escalating likelihood of digital intrusions. A program here is training teams of cyber warriors for companies, government agencies and military organizations that want an in-house defense capability. That can be done at Elbit’s facilities, or the company can provide a customer with the system, build the facilities and provide trainers for those wanting a turnkey, in-house facility.
Teams have been selected to compete in a U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) challenge to demonstrate a robot that can help humans respond to disasters. Under the Darpa Robotics Challenge, the Pentagon agency will provide funding to seven teams that will develop robotic systems with hardware and software (Track A) and 11 that will develop software only (Track B).
Growth in international markets shielded Boeing Defense Space & Security (BDS) third-quarter returns, but they will not be a panacea for the defense downturn domestically, especially if across-the-board budget cuts in U.S. spending from the sequestration process come into play. Boeing Chairman and CEO James McNerney says BDS maintained double-digit margins overall with reduced infrastructure costs that allowed the defense and space unit to compete more effectively.
CRUISE CONTROL: Lockheed Martin is developing a system to assist ground vehicle drivers by automating convoy operations and other functions under an $11 million Pentagon contract. The Autonomous Mobility Appliqué System (AMAS) integrates low-cost sensors and control systems onto existing U.S. Army and Marine Corps tactical vehicles to assist their drivers.
After telling the nation that across-the-board budget cuts “will not happen,” President Barack Obama gave a preview of how he would avoid the penalty for failing to reduce the deficit — a grand bargain in the first six months of his term.
To guarantee future success, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) will be focused on three elements — breakthrough national security capabilities, a differentiated U.S. technology base and a robust internal organization. That is the road map being followed by Darpa Director Arati Prabhakar, who spoke Oct. 22 at the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Naval Science and Technology Partnership Conference.
The U.S. Navy needs to predict Arctic weather changes the same way the service does elsewhere in the world as the region becomes a growing international battleground for resources, Navy officials say. There is no doubt the Navy will need to increase its Arctic operations, says Navy Oceanographer Rear Adm. Jonathan White, who is also director of oceanography, space and maritime domain awareness.
