NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (AP) — A North Kingstown man has died while working at the Electric Boat Corporation manufacturing plant.

North Kingstown police said Wednesday that the 31-year-old worker, who was not identified, had been using a transport device to move a section of steel outside. When it started raining, the steel had to be moved back inside.

The machinery was not moving as the worker got out. But he became trapped between it and a large door that was being closed.

Officials say the employee, who had worked at Electric Boat for 10 years, was treated on the scene this morning and died at Kent County Hospital.

A spokesman for Electric Boat says work has stopped in that part of the plant and counselors will be available for employees.

Electric Boat is a unit of General Dynamics Corp.

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Thompson and Flight Lieutenant Nigel Morton of 43 Squadron, RAF Leuchars, were killed when their Tornado aircraft crashed yesterday, Thursday 2 July 2009.

The crash happened during a routine training flight at Glen Kinglas in Argyll, Scotland. An RAF Service Inquiry into this incident is now underway.

Pilot Flight Lieutenant Thompson, 27, was from the Glasgow area. Weapon Systems Officer Flight Lieutenant Morton, 43, was from Fife.

Pilot Flight Lieutenant Thompson’s family said:

“Kenneth is from a military family background. He was passionate about his career in the RAF, his flying and he loved life. We, the family, have lost our son and brother, but take some comfort from the fact that he died doing what he loved - flying. Our thoughts are also with the family of his navigator, friend and colleague at this most difficult time for us all.”

Weapon Systems Officer Flight Lieutenant Morton’s family said:

“Beloved father and husband, son, brother and son-in-law. Respected by all who worked with him. Our thoughts are with Kenny’s family at this terrible time.”

Air Commodore R J Atkinson, Air Officer Scotland and Officer Commanding Royal Air Force Leuchars, said:

“Flight Lieutenant Nige Morton was a wonderful, energetic and professional member of our team. Constantly enthusiastic and steeped in experience he has been a highly valued member of his squadron and RAF Leuchars. Well known by everyone, Nige will be sorely missed; my thoughts are with his wife and son at this desperate time.

“Flight Lieutenant Kenny Thompson was a bright and effervescent young man with a zest for life. I shall remember him for his constant smile and inspirational attitude that brought much happiness to all; he will be dearly missed by all who have known him. My thoughts are with his family.”

Wing Commander David Hazell, Officer Commanding 43(Fighter) Squadron, said:

“43(Fighter) Squadron has been stunned and saddened by the tragic deaths of Flight Lieutenants Kenny Thompson and Nigel Morton.

“Kenny was a young pilot with an extremely bright future ahead of him. He was enthusiastic about everything in life; in particular he had an enormous thirst for flying. His character was defined by his tremendous and infectious enthusiasm. Kenny was a very popular member of the squadron.

“Nige was one of the most experienced navigators on the Tornado F3 Force with nearly 3,000 hours on the aircraft. His professionalism and skill were matched only by his generosity of spirit and his commitment to flying. Nige was greatly respected throughout the fast jet community. He set the highest standards, putting his heart and soul into everything he did.

“Their deaths are a huge loss to the squadron and the Tornado F3 Force as a whole; however, it is nothing compared to that suffered by their families. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this dreadful time.”

Squadron Leader Wayne Smith, Kenny and Nige’s Flight Commander on 43(Fighter) Squadron, said:

“Nige was a ‘Professional Aviator’ in title and this totally defined him. A veteran of operations in Bosnia and Iraq, Nige was a consummate professional, a talented Weapon Systems Officer and a good friend. He was pivotal to squadron flying operations. He single-handedly ran the flying programme and manning.

“He was a superb instructor, supervisor and font of technical knowledge. Nige was so approachable, which made him such a great man on the Tornado F3 Force. I will miss Nige tremendously, not just in squadron daily life, but also in his other love on the golf course. Our thoughts are with his wife and son at this terribly sad time.

“Kenny was the epitome of a fighter pilot and at the heart of 43(Fighter) Squadron. He had a close association with the squadron long before becoming one of its pilots, during his university days. No-one was more enthusiastic, professional and committed to flying than he. His great attitude was contagious.

“Flying was what defined Kenny and when he wasn’t in a Tornado F3 he would be flying his own aircraft around Scotland. Trips to Tiree with Kenny in his plane were the talk of the summer at Leuchars. It is with some consolation that his squadron friends know that he died doing what he enjoyed the most; flying a fast jet on a beautiful summer’s day in the West of Scotland. Kenny will be sorely missed.

“The squadron and anyone who ever met Kenny will always remember his humour, professionalism and dedication to flying, which was never a job but a way of life to him.”

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said:

“I was deeply saddened to hear about the deaths of Flight Lieutenants Kenneth Thompson and Nigel Morton. A thorough investigation is underway to establish the cause of the incident. I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the families of the two aircrew as they face this shocking loss.”

Source: U.K Ministry of Defence

“History must not be re-written. It must be given a through analysis. I am well aware how painful the memories of World War II remain to this day. And I am saying in absolutely clear terms: We must resolutely resist revanchist borrowings from the Nazi ideology, whenever they emerge,” Steinmeier said in an interview with Interfax ahead of his arrival in Moscow on Tuesday.

“As to the rest, I recommend that history be handled with great care. I don’t think decrees can impose a definite point of view. It is a lot more important, in my opinion, to go for a direct dialogue and ease the pain of differing memories, which alienate the sides,” he said in remarks about a bill proposing liability for the denial of the outcome of World War II and for rehabilitation of National Socialism, submitted to the State Duma.

Steinmeier also said that Polish, Russian and German historians met in Warsaw at the foreign ministers’ initiative and discussed the start of World War II together with experts from Baltic and others states. “The result was open and very differentiated debates. Perhaps it was a little step, but it was made definitely in the right direction,” Steinmeier said.

Russia and NATO should set up an efficient body to cooperate in the security area, Steinmeier also said.

“There will only be common European security if we cooperate. Therefore, I have always been in favor of the idea that we should gather again within the NATO-Russia Council framework as soon as possible,” he said.

The NATO-Russia Council should see debates from confronting points of view, Steinmeier went on to say. “However, the goal should be the establishment of an efficient body on cooperation in the security area,” he said.

Steinmeier praised the plans to hold a NATO-Russia Council ministerial meeting in June.

Commenting on the current level of relations between Moscow and the alliance, Steinmeier said, “There are no doubts that we are carrying the burden of hard times and new mistrust on our shoulders, and there are fundamental differences on the Georgia issue. But we cannot resolve a single issue if we keep silent.”

“As a matter of fact, NATO and Russia have common interests on many issues, be it combat against terrorism or piracy, the stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan, or the prevention of proliferation of nuclear weapons,” he said.

Steinmeier refrained from answering whether he believes that Georgia and Ukraine are much further from joining NATO now than two or three years ago. “I believe it is not very efficient to manipulate with timeframes in this issue, either regarding the future or the past. It is a fact that both Georgia and Ukraine should do quite an amount of work on the path of integration with the Euro-Atlantic institutions,” he said.

Steinmeier pointed out that the NATO members unanimously decided to continue intensive cooperation with Georgia and Ukraine at earlier summits. “But we also resolved that it is not yet the right time for certain phases in this convergence process, as, for instance, for the so-called Membership Action Plan. A lot has yet to be done here,” he said.

Steinmeier also said that, the European Union was not trying to establish its area of influence by launching the Eastern Partnership program.

“First, Eastern Partnership is an important project. Second, it is not aimed against anyone. Third, the matter is not about any areas of influence,” Steinmeier said in an interview with Interfax in the run up to his visit to Moscow starting Tuesday.

“On the contrary, it is about cooperation and convergence. Involvement of third parties is strongly welcomed where it looks natural. This concerns Russia as well,” he said.

“The purpose of all this is stability and wellbeing of our neighbors, which are also your neighbors. In this respect, I see that it would be in Russia’s best interests to implement this project together,” Steinmeier said.

Steinmeier is positive about the current state of German-Russian relations, including in the trade and investment sectors, but acknowledges that individual issues remain open, including the restitution of cultural valuables.

“Russia remains a very important economic partner for us. In 2008 bilateral trade hit the 68 billion euro mark, and 4,600 German companies remain active in Russia and continue their businesses despite the crisis. It is a good sign,” Steinmeier said.

“Relations are good between Germany and Russia. We strongly cooperate on many of the complicated international issues, such as Iran’s nuclear problem,” he said.

“But this does not mean there are no open issues in bilateral relations. The issue of cultural valuables remains on the agenda, of course, even though progress has been achieved. Naturally enough, following the crises over gas shipments we must work jointly to build stable and reliable relations between Russia and the European Union in the energy sector. And, of course, serious disagreements remain between us on the problem of Georgia,” he said.

Commenting on the opinion of experts who argue that some of the NATO allies are trying in various ways to restrain Germany and that Germany wants to secure the leading role in Europe, Steinmeier said,” We are not seeking any kind of ‘domineering’, and none of our partners have been trying to bridle us. All this is old mentality. But one thing is clear: Our voice has a weight. We are the European Union’s largest member-state, and we are enjoying the role of a pioneer in such matters of the future as climate protection and thrifty handling of energy,” he said.

“Generally speaking, I think we have an extremely responsible attitude to our role for everyone’s benefit. I have the impression that our partners see this from a similar angle,” the German foreign minister said.

Source: Interfax

Summary
The air cargo industry contributed over $37 billion to the U.S. economy in 2008 and provides government, businesses, and individuals with quick delivery of goods. Although part of an aviation system with an extraordinary safety record, there have been over 400 air cargo accidents and over 900 incidents since 1997, raising concerns about cargo safety. GAO’s congressionally requested study addresses (1) recent trends in air cargo safety, (2) factors that have contributed to air cargo accidents, (3) federal government and industry efforts to improve air cargo safety and experts’ views on the effectiveness of these efforts, and (4) experts’ views on further improving air cargo safety. To perform the study, GAO analyzed agency data, surveyed a panel of experts, reviewed industry and government documents, and interviewed industry and government officials. GAO also conducted site visits to Alaska, Ohio, and Texas.

From 1997 through 2008, 443 accidents involving cargo-only carriers occurred, including 93 fatal accidents. Total accidents declined 63 percent from a high of 62 in 1997 to 23 in 2008. Small cargo carriers were involved in the vast majority of the accidents–79 percent of all accidents and 96 percent of fatal accidents. Although accident rates for large cargo carriers fluctuated during this period, they were comparable to accident rates for large passenger carriers in 2007. GAO could not calculate accident rates based on operations or miles traveled for small carriers because the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not collect the necessary data. Although several factors contributed to these air cargo accidents, our review of National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) data found that pilot performance was identified as a probable cause for about 80 percent of fatal and about 53 percent of non-fatal cargo accidents.

Furthermore, GAO’s analysis of NTSB reports for the 93 fatal accidents, using an FAA flight-risk checklist, identified three or more risk factors in 63 of the accidents. Risk factors included low pilot experience, winter weather, and nighttime operations. Alaska’s challenging operating conditions and remotely located populations who rely on air cargo are also a contributing factor. Many federal efforts to improve air cargo safety focus on large carriers. Air cargo experts that GAO surveyed ranked FAA’s voluntary disclosure programs–in which participating carriers voluntarily disclose safety events to FAA–as the most effective effort to improve air cargo, but two of the three main voluntary disclosure programs are used typically by large carriers. Several industry initiatives, however, focus on carriers with smaller aircraft, such as the Medallion Foundation, which has improved small aircraft safety in Alaska through training and safety audits. The two actions experts cited most often to further improve air cargo safety were installing better technology on cargo aircraft to provide additional tools to pilots and collecting data to track small cargo carrier operations. Using flight risk checklists can also help pilots assess the accumulated risk factors associated with some cargo flights.

Recommendations
Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from “In process” to “Implemented” or “Not implemented” based on our follow up work.

Director:
Team:
Phone: Gerald L. Dillingham
Government Accountability Office: Physical Infrastructure
(202) 512-4803

Recommendations for Executive Action

Recommendation: To help FAA improve the data on and the safety of air cargo operations, the Secretary of Transportation should direct the FAA Administrator to gather comprehensive and accurate data on all part 135 cargo operations to gain a better understanding of air cargo accident rates and better target safety initiatives. This can be done by separating out cargo activity in FAA’s annual survey of aircraft owners or by requiring all part 135 cargo carriers to report operational data as part 121 carriers currently do.

Agency Affected: Department of Transportation

Status: In process

Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
——————————————————————————–

Recommendation: To help FAA improve the data on and the safety of air cargo operations, the Secretary of Transportation should direct the FAA Administrator to promote the increased use of safety programs by small (feeder and ad hoc) cargo carriers that use the principles underpinning SMS and voluntary self-disclosure programs.

Agency Affected: Department of Transportation

Status: In process

Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
——————————————————————————–

Recommendation: To help FAA improve the data on and the safety of air cargo operations, the Secretary of Transportation should direct the FAA Administrator to evaluate the likelihood that cargo incidents could be precursors to accidents and, if FAA determines they are, create a process for capturing incidents that would allow in-depth analysis of incidents to identify accident precursors related to specific carriers, locations, operations, and equipment.

Agency Affected: Department of Transportation

Status: In process

Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
——————————————————————————–

Recommendation: To help FAA improve the data on and the safety of air cargo operations, the Secretary of Transportation should direct the FAA Administrator to create incentives for cargo carriers to use flight risk assessment checklists in their daily operations, including tailoring a sample flight risk assessment checklist for part 135 cargo carriers.

Agency Affected: Department of Transportation

Status: In process

Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken

Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)

MOSCOW. July 1 (Interfax-AVN) - The number of tanks belonging to the Russian armed forces will be cut to 2,000, a Russian Defense Ministry source told Interfax on Wednesday.

“As part of the armed forces reform, the General Staff endorsed the organizational structure of the Armor Forces within ground brigades and the Navy’s coast forces. The Armor Forces will include two independent tank brigades and over 20 tank battalions within permanent alert brigades,” the source said.

The independent tank brigades will be stationed in the Siberian and Moscow Military Districts, he said.

“The overall number of tanks of various versions, such as T-90, T-80, T-72 and others, will be reduced to 2,000. Thus, the number of tanks compared to 2005 will be cut by nearly 90%,” he said.

Meanwhile, a former head of the Russian Defense Ministry’s main armor department told Interfax on condition of anonymity that “the world has not yet invented an alternative to tanks as the Ground Forces’ main striking force.”

“The record of the Chechen campaigns and the two wars in Iraq shows vividly that it is impossible to win a ground battle without tanks.

Therefore, tanks have been and will continue to be the main striking maneuvering force of attacking troops for at least ten years,” he said.

Before 2008, the Russian armed forces included tank divisions, regiments, and battalions.

A majority of Russian tanks are T-90s produced by Uralvagonzavod.

va rp

The Aegis BMD 4.0.1 system represents the next incremental capability upgrade that has been the hallmark of Aegis and its “build a little, test a little, learn a lot” systems engineering philosophy. The upgrade’s new Aegis BSP processor improves the system’s ability to detect, track and target complex ballistic missiles and their associated countermeasures. The addition of BMD 4.0.1 also integrates the new Standard Missile-3 Block IB missile in late 2010.

“The signal processor is a major technical advance for Aegis BMD before it merges with the Navy’s Aegis Modernization Program’s fully open architecture, multi-mission combat system,” said Orlando Carvalho, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Surface/Sea-Based Missile Defense line of business. “The continued Aegis program emphasis on systems engineering excellence supports the Navy’s desire to expand BMD capability to additional cruisers and destroyers, and grow missile defense capability to pace the threat.”

While USS Lake Erie begins advanced testing with Aegis BMD 4.0.1 to support 2011 certification timeline, the other U.S. Navy Aegis BMD-capable ships are now installing the recently-certified Aegis BMD 3.6.1 version that adds the capability to defeat short-range ballistic missiles as they re-enter the atmosphere in their final (terminal) stage of flight to the existing exo-atmospheric capability. The ongoing develop-test-field process provides incremental enhancements that continue to build on each other and move new capability to the fleet faster. Three additional U.S. East Coast-based Aegis-equipped ships also will receive Aegis BMD 3.6.1 to perform ballistic missile defense by early 2010.

The Missile Defense Agency and the Navy are jointly developing Aegis BMD as part of the United States’ Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). Currently, a total of 20 Aegis BMD-equipped warships – 18 in the U.S. Navy and two in the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force – have the certified capability to engage ballistic missiles and perform long-range surveillance and track missions.

The Aegis Weapon System is the world’s premier naval defense system and the sea-based element of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System. Its precision SPY-1 radar and integrated command and controls system seamlessly guides the interceptor and uplinks target track information to the missile for terminal homing. Its ability to detect, track and engage targets ranging from sea-skimming cruise missiles to ballistic missiles in space is proven and unmatched. The Aegis BMD Weapon System also integrates with the BMDS, receiving track data from and providing track information to other BMDS elements.

The 91 Aegis-equipped ships currently in service around the globe have more than 950 years of at-sea operational experience and have launched more than 3,500 missiles in tests and real-world operations. In addition to the U.S. and Japan, Aegis is the maritime weapon system of choice for Australia, Norway, South Korea and Spain.

Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including the first operational hit-to-kill missile defense system, Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3). It also has considerable experience in interceptor systems, kill vehicles, battle management command, control and communications, precision pointing and tracking optics, as well as radar and other sensors that enable signal processing and data fusion. The company makes significant contributions to nearly all major U.S. Missile Defense Systems and participates in several global missile defense partnerships.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 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.

Source: Lockheed Martin Corporation

The Royal Navy has welcomed home four vessels from various deployments around the world over the past week - HMS St Albans, HMS Portland, HMS Brocklesby and HMS Talent.

HMS St Albans
Royal Navy frigate HMS St Albans returned to Portsmouth, her home port, today, Friday 3 July 2009, after six months at sea. Most recently she took part in Exercise ‘Baltops 2009′ in the Baltic working alongside ships from both NATO and other navies in the region.

This large maritime annual exercise has promoted mutual understanding between NATO and ‘Partnership for Peace’ participants in the region since 1993. Exercise ‘Baltops 2009′ brings thousands of multi-national sailors together in a joint response to a variety of maritime security scenarios, incorporating anti-submarine and anti-air warfare, radar tracking, interception, mine countermeasures, search and rescue, and maritime interdiction operations, to prevent smuggling of arms, people and weapons.

Commanding Officer of HMS St Albans, Commander Adrian Pierce, said:

“A tremendously varied six months has seen St Albans and her great ship’s company achieve an enormous amount in areas on all four corners of Europe and beyond; Alexandria in the south, Haifa in the east, Brittany in the west, and St Petersburg in the north.

“Building links and furthering alliances and coalitions, it has been a delight to lead such a well trained group of sailors. They have acted as ambassadors for the Royal Navy and Great Britain while continuing to strengthen maritime security and allowing mariners to sail the seas in safety.”

The frigate left Portsmouth at the beginning of the year and headed for the Mediterranean to take part in the NATO operation ‘Active Endeavour’. In this operation NATO ships are patrolling the Mediterranean and monitoring shipping to help detect, deter and protect against terrorist activity.

During a particularly busy period of surge operations in the southern Mediterranean in March HMS St Albans hailed over 200 merchant cargo vessels and tankers on the busy shipping trade routes.

HMS Portland
After spending eight months away from home conducting maritime operations in the Middle East and Indian Ocean, Plymouth-based warship HMS Portland and her crew also returned to Devonport today.

Since HMS Portland deployed in November 2008, the ship’s company has participated in over 30 successful anti-piracy and counter-narcotics boardings and intercepts as part of the Combined Maritime Forces Task Force 151 and 150 in the northern Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa.

Portland also visited Gibraltar, Crete, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, India, Jordan and Malta whilst on deployment and operated with a large number of navies from all around the globe. In doing so, HMS Portland travelled a total of 49,500 nautical miles, the equivalent of twice around the world at the equator.

Commanding Officer of HMS Portland, Commander Tim Henry, said:

“Every member of my ship’s company has worked extremely hard, often under the most taxing conditions, throughout this hugely successful deployment.

“Without their dedication and commitment we would not have been able to achieve the successes that we have; from the cutting-edge of counter-piracy operations and maritime security, to flying the flag for the UK and Royal Navy, HMS Portland has been at the forefront of maritime operations in the northern Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa.

“All of this, of course, would not have been possible without the continued support and encouragement of our families and friends at home.”

HMS Brocklesby
HMS Brocklesby returned home to Portsmouth Naval Base from a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean, North Sea and Baltic, yesterday, Thursday 2 July 2009.

HMS Brocklesby’s skilled team of mine warfare experts has had success in detecting and disposing of historic ordnance from the Second World War in both the Mediterranean during NATO Exercise Loyal Mariner and in the English Channel and North Sea, including six aircraft bombs - three of which the disposal teams had to raise from the seabed and move clear of underwater pipelines before countermining them.

The ship returns following a maritime exercise in the Baltic working alongside 50 other ships from NATO and other regional navies. The ship has also recently participated in Kiel Week festivities in Germany.

Both HMS Brocklesby and Royal Navy frigate HMS St Albans attended a formal wreath-laying ceremony at the Commonwealth War Cemetery to mark the sacrifice of sailors from all nations.

Commanding Officer of HMS Brocklesby, Lieutenant Commander Tom Tredray, said:

“Deploying as part of the NATO Mine Countermeasures Group has been an excellent opportunity to work closely with our allies. We have made some good friends over the last six months and operated successfully from the Baltic to the Mediterranean.

“Through our work to dispose of explosives left over from the Second World War, we have also helped to make the seas around Europe safer for everyone, especially fishermen.”

HMS Talent
On Wednesday 24 June 2009, HMS Talent returned to her home port of Devonport, Plymouth, after a deployment of nearly six months.

One of seven Trafalgar Class submarines based in the West Country, HMS Talent sailed from Plymouth in January. After a brief spell exercising off the snowy coast of Scotland, the boat deployed and exercised in both the Mediterranean and the Middle East in support of the Taurus 09 Task Group.

Made up from 12 ships and a Royal Marine detachment the Task Group was the largest that the Royal Navy has assembled in more than a decade.

The deployment saw HMS Talent involved in a series of international exercises that took place off the coasts of a number of countries, including Cyprus, Italy and Turkey, as well as in the Indian Ocean.

During this period HMS Talent conducted a wide range of tasks including the provision of a target for anti-submarine warfare training, beach reconnaissance in support of an amphibious landing exercise and intelligence collections from both sea- and land-based assets.

Commanding Officer of HMS Talent, Commander Simon Asquith, said:

“It is good to be back amongst family and friends after such a busy and varied deployment. At a time when the Royal Navy is busier than ever, it is great to have been able to play our part and my team should be very proud of what they have achieved.”

Source: U.K Ministry of Defence

The company completed delivery of the new airborne broadband and Internet Protocol (IP) communications capability on the E-8C earlier this year. The ground stations, trainers and the full fleet of aircraft have been equipped with the IP-based BLOS communications system, which provides chat, e-mail and web-browsing capabilities across the U.S. Department of Defense secure network.

“I can’t begin to quantify what BLOS can do,” said Lt. Col. Tom Grabowski, 116th ACW’s director of plans and programs. “Already we’ve seen our operators in the back of the jet working multiple chat rooms, real-time, directing information in ways we hadn’t imagined.”

The BLOS capability upgrade was developed in response to an Urgent Operational Need (UON) program request received in September 2007 to support the warfighter’s requirement to communicate on a global scale using Internet-based technology. Included in the BLOS product are critical information assurance (IA) designs, which ensure the integrity, security and correct accessibility of classified communications.

“This was the first airborne implementation of IA concepts in a communications design,” said Stu Schreiber, Northrop Grumman’s BLOS program manager. “We were able to create a robust airborne mobile network that can provide IP addressing across the fleet, communicate globally and ensure security and information integrity.”

“The BLOS capability allows Joint STARS operators to connect with personnel anywhere in the world using either data or voice communications via existing satellite and IP infrastructures,” said Schreiber.

“Our development team pulled together a detailed design, developed software and customized networking protocols, and integrated the system within four months,” said Dale Burton, vice president of Northrop Grumman’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance programs for the company’s Aerospace Systems sector. “This precedent-setting effort also included a parallel retrofit/fielding effort, resulting in a complete fleet-wide design to install upgrade within 14 months and within the constraints of aircraft availability, as Joint STARS continues to support key warfighting efforts overseas.

“This type of system design and development (SDD) program would normally take 20-22 months to complete, but the entire effort was condensed into a nine month effort through an incredible level of contractor and government focus and dedication,” continued Burton. “Now we’re looking for ways we can improve the jet’s connectivity even more.”

Schreiber noted that to ensure earliest possible system availability for the warfighter, elements of SDD design were developed concurrent with BLOS installation to accelerate the fielding of an initial operational capability. “Fleet Retrofit was executed by updating aircraft at Robins AFB during extended weekends and on a non-interference basis through close coordination with the 116th Air Control Wing’s scheduling personnel,” he said.

“In a time when delivering programs on cost and on schedule can be challenging, BLOS is a success in both respects, coming in early and on cost while also meeting an urgent warfighter need,” said Capt. Kate Stowe, Air Force BLOS program manager.

Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for the E-8C Joint STARS development and whole-life 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.

All 17 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 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.

Source: Northrop Grumman

multi-nation strategic airlift capability (SAC) consortium will receive its first C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at a Hungarian air base in July.

The 12 nations will use the craft to deploy and redeploy forces and equipment, and supply humanitarian relief in Europe and surrounding areas including Afghanistan.

The nations will use their portion of flight hours to support national, UN, EU and Nato requirements.

The joint effort permits all the nations to achieve greater efficiencies in defense investment and operational capacity than the traditional approaches.

The arrival of the first C-17 on 27 July 2009 will also mark the activation of the SAC’s operational unit, the Heavy Airlift Wing.

Source: Air Force Technology

Article from: The Australian

THE Rudd government’s new $60 billion defence capability plan will create 5000 jobs and fund 110 major equipment projects, led by the F35 joint strike fighter, new navy helicopters and early planning for the next-generation submarine.

The government has also flagged a major defence industry policy statement later this year and detailed the industry capabilities it regards as vital to Australia’s long-term security, including electronic warfare, high-frequency radars and combat clothing for the three services.

Defence Minister John Faulkner said the new DCP, released yesterday, would generate 5000 extra jobs over the next four years, with annual defence industry spending in Australia topping $5bn.

The 220-page DCP outlines 17 major acquisitions planned for government decision within the next two years, including three F35 squadrons due to enter operational service in 2017, as well as artillery for the army and upgrades to the C-130 Hercules fleet. Senator Faulkner yesterday confirmed that the government had abandoned the customary 10-year DCP in favour of a

four-year cycle running until 2013, which covers the federal budget’s forward estimates period.

The decision to truncate the DCP to a four-year cycle with annual updates remains a key concern for Australia’s defence industry, which would prefer longer defence-acquisition timetables in order to plan for major capital investments and skilled workers.

But Senator Faulkner and Defence Materiel Minister Greg Combet defended the new DCP as a more detailed guide to the government’s defence-acquisition budget, which would provide more certainty to the local defence industry.

“The government’s objective is to provide the defence industry with substantive and reliable information about intended capability acquisitions to help inform future investment decisions and to facilitate quality tenders for upcoming projects,” Senator Faulkner told the annual defence and industry conference in Adelaide.

Mr Combet said previous 10-year capability plans had often failed to deliver on decision timetables, or had been dropped altogether. “It is better to have four years of accurate and reliable information that provides the industry with certainty, than 10 years of largely inaccurate information that cannot be relied upon with a satisfactory degree of certainty.”

He said the government was determined to update the DCP regularly and reshape its contents to deliver better investment guidance to industry and transparency for taxpayers.

A key factor in adopting a shorter timetable for the DCP was the move to a five-yearly defence white paper cycle.

The defence ministers have also decided to reverse a previous decision not to make public the list of specific industry capabilities the government has determined should be maintained in Australia with taxpayer support if necessary.

The “priority industry capabilities” included acoustics technologies, selected ballistic munitions and explosives, infantry weapons and ship dry-docking facilities.

“The government may decide to intervene if a PIC is deemed to be ‘unhealthy’ — this intervention may range from assistance in skills development all the way to ensuring there is enough work available to maintain the specific capability,” Mr Combet told the conference.

The five most strategically significant projects detailed in this year’s document are the F-35 JSF, the future submarine, the defence force’s new battlespace communications, replacement field vehicles for the army and patrol boats for the navy.

The Oshkosh Corp. beat out several other competitors for a much-coveted contract to build mine-resistant vehicles for the troops deployed to Afghanistan.

The Army Tank Automotive Command on Tuesday announced it selected Wisconsin-Based Oshkosh for the nearly $1.1 billion contract to build the so-called Ambush Protected All Terrain Vehicles, or M-ATVs.

Several combat vehicle producers fought to win the large contract to build 2,244 vehicles for Afghanistan. The M-ATV program also is getting much attention in Congress with lawmakers anxious to see the vehicles deployed to Afghanistan as quickly as possible.

Force Protection, in a venture with General Dynamics, BAE Systems and Navistar all lost out to Oshkosh.

The new all-terrain armored vehicle is meant to allow soldiers and Marines to navigate harsh, undeveloped terrain with bomb-proof protection.

Source: The Hill

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Related Article:
Oshkosh Defense Submits Proposal for M-ATV Program Based on Combat-Proven, Production-Ready MTVR

OSHKOSH, Wis. — Jan. 12, 2009 — Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), announced today that its Defense division submitted its proposal for the U.S. Army’s MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) program on January 9, 2009. The company’s submittal is based on the combat-proven Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) chassis, which has been successfully operating off road in Afghanistan as well as around the world for several years.

The U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) is accepting proposals for the M-ATV program, which seeks a highly mobile, more maneuverable and durable alternative to the current Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles for off-road operation in the rough terrain of Afghanistan. Oshkosh’s nondevelopmental M-ATV vehicle features an existing hull, which was developed and successfully tested for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program. The hull, with its superior MANPRINT, and MTVR chassis combine to create a highly survivable, highly mobile combat vehicle to meet the urgent need for the Warfighter in Afghanistan.

“The Oshkosh Defense M-ATV is a variant of our armored MTVR, a proven vehicle that has protected and served our military men and women in off-road operations for years,” said John Stoddart, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Defense.

There are six distinct benefits that Oshkosh believes sets its vehicle ahead of any other offering. The vehicle is: Survivable, Mobile, Mission-Proven, Production-Ready, Best Value and Low Price. “This is a mature, highly mobile vehicle that has operated successfully in the off-road mountainous terrain of Afghanistan, and we have several manufacturing facilities within our corporation that have excess capacity to exceed the Services’ delivery requirements,” added Stoddart. “We stand ready to provide the Services with the vehicle they want.”

To ensure superior protection and survivability, Oshkosh is partnered with Plasan North America to provide the Oshkosh M-ATV’s armor system. Plasan has produced armor systems for more than 5,000 current MRAP vehicles and for the Armored Cab MTVR. These armor systems have saved lives in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The vehicle also will feature Oshkosh’s signature TAK-4® independent suspension system for exceptional off-road ride quality and durability to meet the essential capability not available in the current MRAP fleet – exceptional off-road mobility and durability.

The Oshkosh M-ATV provides superior weight-carrying capability to avoid axles breaking in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan. The Oshkosh M-ATV further provides parts and maintenance commonality with the MTVR and other tactical vehicles, which will minimize production costs and increase mission readiness.

The Oshkosh MTVR was developed and fielded nearly 10 years ago as a next-generation replacement for the medium tactical fleet for the Marine Corps, particularly for all-terrain missions. The vehicle has more than 400,000 government-tested miles at a 70 percent off-road mission profile, making it ideal for Afghanistan. Many of the MTVRs have more than 70,000 operational miles in Afghanistan and are proving their durability with a 92 percent or better operational readiness rate in theater. The vehicle’s success was recently marked following Oshkosh’s production of the 10,000th MTVR in 2008. The vehicle features an off-road 7.1-ton payload capacity and an on-road 15-ton payload capacity.

The Oshkosh M-ATV is the survivability, mobility, mission-proven, production-ready and best value/low price solution for the Warfighter. The company’s main focus is to provide the best survivability solution coupled with the best mobility system to get American men and women into and out of the fight in areas where other vehicles fear to tread.

About Oshkosh Defense
Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is an industry-leading global designer and manufacturer of tactical military trucks and armored wheeled vehicles, delivering a full product line of conventional and hybrid vehicles, advanced armor options, proprietary suspensions and vehicles with payloads that can exceed 70 tons. Oshkosh Defense provides a global service and supply network including full life-cycle support and remanufacturing, and its vehicles are recognized the world over for superior performance, reliability and protection. For more information, visit www.oshkoshdefense.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 Corp. manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Medtec®, Jerr-Dan®, BAI®, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline™, SMIT™, Geesink™, Norba™, Kiggen™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. Oshkosh products 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.

• TAK-4 is a registered trademark of Oshkosh Corporation

Source: Oshkosh Defense

“We look forward to working with the Finnish Defense Forces to provide Finland with the finest medium range air defense system,” said Pete Franklin, vice president, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems’ National & Theater Security Programs. “I am confident that this relationship will be as fruitful and enduring as our relationship with KONGSBERG and the Norwegian Air Force.”

NASAMS is designed and built in transatlantic cooperation with KONGSBERG and Raytheon. NASAMS is robust, reliable and designed to excel in air defense operations, featuring state-of-the-art sensors, command, control and communication systems, and missile technology. The system is a network-enabled, distributed capability that uses the Raytheon MPQ-64F1 (Sentinel) radar and the AIM 120 AMRAAM missile in a surface-launched mode. The KONGSBERG-Raytheon team has more than 25 years’ joint experience of delivering air defense systems to international customers.

NASAMS was developed in Norway during the 1990s and has since then been contracted by the Netherlands, Spain and the U.S. In the latter case, the high-capacity system was operational in the National Capital Region in connection with the 2005 presidential inauguration and has been in continuous operation there ever since. The Surface Launched AMRAAM (SL-AMRAAM) configuration selected by Finland is NASAMS II, similar to the configuration fielded in Norway. NASAMS II is the most recent version of the system produced by Raytheon and KONGSBERG and delivered to Norway in 2007.

Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon’s leader in Global Capabilities Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security.

Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

Web site: http://www.raytheon.com/

Level IV UAS connectivity is one of the key technology enhancements being developed for the U.S. Army’s Apache Block III attack helicopter program. At this level, the Apache crew is able to fully control the navigation of an assigned UAS. The capability provides enhanced situational awareness and over-the-horizon, beyond line-of-sight reconnaissance, improving survivability for the crew and the aircraft. (Level I connectivity is receipt and transmission of secondary imagery or data, Level II is receipt of imagery or data directly from the UAS and Level III is control of the UAS payload.)

During the test, the Apache proved capable of controlling the UAS via a Tactical Common Data Link connection. The Apache crew received real-time video from the UAS, controlled the UAS’s three navigation-loiter patterns — orbit, racetrack and figure eight — and altered the UAS’s airspeed and altitude.

For this demonstration, Boeing, under Army direction, used a Boeing AH-6 helicopter as a surrogate for Sky Warrior, the Extended Range/Multi-Purpose UAS that is not yet available.

“Integration of UAS control is a key technology for the Apache Block III helicopter as we prepare for the limited user test scheduled for later this year,” said Scott Rudy, Boeing Apache Block III program manager. “The members of Team Apache — the U.S. Army, Boeing and our industry partners — are proud to have achieved this critical capability.”

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense 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 Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

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Source: Boeing

WASHINGTON, July 1, 2009 – U.S. forces in Iraq helped to bolster Iraqi sovereignty in recent days with the opening of a new health care center and the return of two combat outposts to Iraqi control.

A new center is bringing access to health care closer for the 30,000 residents of the Humer Kwer area of Sulaimaniyah province.

Ousman Younes, minister of health for the Kurdistan Regional Government, presided over a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Ruzh Hallat Primary Health Care Center.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region Division managed the $540,000 construction project. The U.S. Economic Support Fund provided money for the project, and Gulf Region North’s Sulaimaniyah office was the on-site construction manager.

“Most of the Humer Kwer residents currently have to travel an indirect route of approximately seven kilometers to access the nearest existing primary health care center,” said Lucy Tamlyn, team leader of the U.S. Regional Reconstruction Team Kurdistan Region. “This project is a great example of the partnership between the United States and the Kurdish region. We look forward to continuing that partnership.”

Army Col. Margaret Burcham, commander of the Gulf Region’s North District, praised the project team for working hard to deliver the health care center.

“The Corps of Engineers is very pleased to coordinate a partnership to provide such a high-quality medical clinic that will last for many years,” she said. “This is real value for the money, … a stunning facility.”

Amenities at the new health center include three doctors’ offices, two patient rooms, an X-ray room, laboratory, administrative offices and a pharmacy.

The United States has allocated more than $40 million for the health sector in Iraq’s Kurdish region, of which $10 million is earmarked for the Sulaimaniyah province.

Elsewhere, the Service Battery of 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 172nd Brigade Combat Team, handed over control of Combat Outpost Summers, near Suwayrah, to the 32nd Iraqi Army Brigade on June 29.

Summers was the fifth and final security station in Wasit province to be returned to Iraqi control under the U.S.-Iraq security agreement, which called for all U.S. combat troops to withdraw from Iraqi cities by yesterday.

“Tomorrow you should be standing very tall,” Army Col. Dick Francey, 41st Fires Brigade commander and commander of U.S. troops in Wasit province, told Iraqi soldiers at the ceremony.

“Iraqi security forces are capable of protecting their people,” he said. “We stand by you as friends and realize you are in the lead.”

In compliance with the agreement, 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, soldiers moved to Forward Operating Base Delta after the ceremony. The battalion will take authority of the base and U.S. troops in Wasit when the 41st Fires Brigade redeploys to Fort Hood, Texas, in early August.

The Service Battery soldiers had lived and worked with their Iraqi partners on Summers since January.

In Basra, elements of the 21st Military Police Company and 178th Military Police Company, attached to the 4th Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team, withdrew all supplies and personnel and returned control of Combat Outpost Perry and the Old State Building to the Iraqi army June 28.

“This is a symbolic moment for the people of Iraq. It’s exciting to watch the Iraqi army step up and protect their people,” said Army 1st Lt. Jeremy Poisson, platoon leader for the 178th Military Police Company.

Army Col. Butch Kievenaar, commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, said two other locations will continue to have a U.S. presence to coordinate, train and advise Iraqi security forces at the request of provincial leaders.

(From U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region Division and Multinational Division South news releases. Army Sgt. Allison Churchill of the 41st Fires Brigade and Army Staff Sgt. Carlos M. Burger II of the 4th Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team contributed to this report.)

Source: Defense Link

Dubbed Operation Khanjar, or “Strike of the Sword,” the military push was described by officials as the largest and fastest-moving of the war’s new phase. British forces last week led similar missions to fight and clear out insurgents in Helmand and neighboring Kandahar provinces.

“Where we go we will stay, and where we stay, we will hold, build and work toward transition of all security responsibilities to Afghan forces,” Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson said in a statement.

Southern Afghanistan is a Taliban stronghold but also a region where Afghan President Hamid Karzai is seeking votes from fellow Pashtun tribesmen.

The Pentagon is deploying 21,000 additional troops to Afghanistan in time for the elections and expects the total number of U.S. forces there to reach 68,000 by year’s end. That is double the number of troops in Afghanistan in 2008, but still half of much as are now in Iraq.

The Taliban who ruled Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001 and were ousted from power following a U.S.-led invasion, have made a violent comeback, wreaking havoc in much of the country’s south and east forcing the United States to pour in the new troops.

Capt. Bill Pelletier, a spokesman for the Marines said the troops involved in the Thursday operation were sent in by a mixture of aircraft and ground transport under the cover of darkness.

The operation is aimed at putting pressure on insurgents, “and to show our commitment to the Afghan people that when we come in we are going to stay long enough to set up their own institutions,” Pelletier said.

Reversing the insurgency’s momentum has been one of the key components of the new U.S. strategy, and thousands of additional troops allow commanders to push and stay into areas where international and Afghan troops had no permanent presence before.

While Marine troops were the bulk of the force, recently arrived U.S. Army helicopters were also taking part in the operation in Helmand province.

In March, Obama unveiled his strategy for Afghanistan, seeking to defeat al-Qaeda terrorists there and in Pakistan with a bigger force and a new commander. Taliban and other extremists, including those allied with al-Qaeda, routinely cross the two nations’ border in Afghanistan’s remote south.

The governor of Helmand province predicted the operation would be “very effective.”

“The security forces will build bases to provide security for the local people so that they can carry out every activity with this favorable background, and take their lives forward in peace,” Gov. Gulab Mangal said in a Pentagon news release.

Obama’s strategy aims to boost the size of the Afghan army from 80,000 to 134,000 troops by 2011 — and greatly increase training by U.S. troops accompanying them — so the Afghan military can defeat Taliban insurgents and take control of the war. The White House also is pushing forces to set clear goals for a war gone awry, to get the American people behind them, to provide more resources and to make a better case for international support.

There is no timetable for withdrawal, and the White House has not estimated how many billions of dollars its plan will cost.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Related Article:
Bravery in the Sky

Source: MSNBC