DTN News: U.S. Expands Sales of Arms ~ Report

DTN News: U.S. Expands Sales of Arms ~ Report

*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON, USA - September 9, 2009: The United States expanded its role as the world's leading weapons supplier, increasing its share to more than two-thirds of all foreign armaments deals, The New York Times reported late Sept. 7. Citing a new congressional study, the newspaper said the United States signed weapons agreements valued at $37.8 billion last year, or 68.4 percent of all business in the global arms bazaar. The figure marked a significant increase from U.S. arms sales of $25.4 billion the year before, the paper noted. Italy was a distant second, with $3.7 billion in worldwide weapons sales in 2008, while Russia was third with $3.5 billion in arms sales last year - down considerably from the $10.8 billion in weapons deals signed by Moscow in 2007, the report pointed out. The growth in weapons sales by the United States last year was particularly noticeable against worldwide trends, The Times said. The value of global arms sales in 2008 was $55.2 billion, a drop of 7.6 percent from 2007 and the lowest total for international weapons agreements since 2005, according to the report. The increase in American weapons sales around the world "was attributable not only to major new orders from clients in the Near East and in Asia, but also to the continuation of significant equipment and support services contracts with a broad-based number of U.S. clients globally," the paper quotes the study produced by the Congressional Research Service.

DTN News: Today is 9 9 9, 999, 9 9 09, 9 09 09, 09/09/09

DTN News: Today is 9 9 9, 999, 9 9 09, 9 09 09, 09/09/09 *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 9, 2009: Numerologists and marketers alike share a fascination for dates like 09-09-09, which might explain why computer giant Apple, the distributors of Beatles music and filmmaker Tim Burton are all peddling new products Wednesday. The magical date will see several launches. Honchos at Apple Inc. were scheduled to make some big announcement Wednesday in San Francisco, details of which — true to form for the company — were kept hush-hush. Elsewhere, the entire Beatles music collection, digitally remastered, was being released by Apple Corps. Perhaps in conjunction with that release, a long-anticipated video game also is set to launch Wednesday — “The Beatles: Rock Band.” “You won’t just listen to the Beatles make rock history, create landmark records and conquer the world — for the first time, you’ll be part of the band,” said a company news release. Some have speculated that releasing the Beatles material on 09-09-09 is a tip of the hat to the group’s song “Revolution 9,” in which a man’s voice intones the phrase “number nine” repeatedly. Meanwhile, it seems only fitting that Tim Burton’s new movie premieres Wednesday. It’s simply called “9.” The post-apocalyptic adventure features, you guessed it, nine heroes.

DTN News: Chinese Tech Firm Denies Carrying Out PLA Operation In Australia

DTN News: Chinese Tech Firm Denies Carrying Out PLA Operation In Australia *Source: DTN News / China National News (NSI News Source Info) BEIJING, China - September 9, 2009: A Chinese technological firm, which has been accused of carrying out operations in Australia with direct links to the People's Liberation Army, has denied allegations levelled against it. China Daily spokesperson quoted Huawei Technologies spokesperson Ross Gan as saying that firm has not been contacted by the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO). Gan, however, added that Huawei officials met with the ASIO in June for a routine briefing that the firm provides to all levels of government as well as to the networking equipment industry and customers. Earlier, an Australian newspaper had said the ASIO made the claim that Huawei is hiring employees connected to the PLA. According to the paper, the firm reportedly dismissed "several dozen" of its Australian-born workforce, replacing them with Chinese nationals. These employees were allegedly spotted meeting officials at Chinese embassies and consulates in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne, according to the report. This report comes at a time when four Shanghai-based employees of the Australian iron giant Rio Tinto are awaiting trial on charges of stealing trade secrets. The Chinese government arrested the Rio Tinto employees in July and accused them of selling information that Chinese authorities believe put its steel makers at a disadvantage in iron ore price talks with the world's second largest iron ore supplier. Founded by a former China's PLA official, Huawei is China's biggest telecommunications equipment maker. The company announced earlier that its contract value reached 15.7 dollars billion in the first half of this year, an increase of 28 percent over the same period of last year. But most of the company's overseas expansions, especially to developed countries, have been stymied by security concerns.

DTN News: Boeing Projects Asia Pacific Will Be Largest Aviation Market in World

DTN News: Boeing Projects Asia Pacific Will Be Largest Aviation Market in World

*Region will invest $1.1 trillion in new airplanes, 35 percent of world value

*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media

(NSI News Source Info) HONG KONG - September 9, 2009: Boeing (NYSE: BA) forecasts that the Asia Pacific region will rank as the world's largest aviation market over the next 20 years, requiring 8,960 new commercial jets valued at approximately $1.1 trillion. Asia Pacific is the largest market in the forecast for new airplanes in terms of both units required and market value. "Twenty years from now more than 40 percent of the world's airline traffic will begin, end or take place within the Asia Pacific region," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes Vice President - Marketing, Randy Tinseth. "That's a big leap for a region that was not even mentioned in our earliest Boeing market forecasts back in the 1950s." Tinseth said between now and 2028, Asia Pacific air travel will grow from 32 percent of the world market to 41 percent. (Image: Boeing rivals Airbus A380) The Asia Pacific region covers a broad area including Japan, Korea, China, Australia and India and currently accounts for more than 8,300 flights and 1.2 million travelers daily. In less than 10 years, it will be the largest air travel market in the world, according to the Boeing outlook released today in Hong Kong. Travel in the region is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 6.5 percent over the next 20 years. "This is clearly a difficult time in the aviation market, and today's challenges are reflected in the Boeing forecast, but we do expect the growing Asia markets to lead the industry into recovery," said Tinseth. Strong domestic growth in China, India and other emerging Asian nations will contribute to high demand for single-aisle airplanes. Over the 20-year forecast period, more than half of the deliveries, some 5,600, will be single-aisles. With just 330 deliveries, the percentage of the fleet's large category will decrease from 10 to 4 percent as airlines switch to more efficient mid-size twins and even larger single-aisle jets. Airlines in the Asia Pacific region will take delivery of 2,590 twin-aisle airplanes. Regional jet deliveries will total 440. The Asia Pacific fleet will nearly triple from 3,910 to a total of 11,170 airplanes. More than 80 percent of this demand will be for growth. Delivery of new, more fuel-efficient airplanes ensures the region's fleets will remain among the youngest in the world. Boeing's projection also shows the Asia Pacific region as a growth leader in the long-term global air cargo market, with routes within China, within Asia and those connecting Asia to other regions outpacing the global average growth annual rate of 5.4 percent over the next 20 years. "Despite an unprecedented contraction during 2008 and 2009, we remain confident in the strength of the global air cargo market over the long haul," said Jim Edgar, regional director, Cargo Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The air cargo industry is supported by sound fundamentals -- the imperative for speed, consumer product innovation and global industrial interdependence are key drivers -- as well as global GDP projections of about 3 percent annual growth." Asian carriers will add about 750 freighters to the region's fleet to accommodate growth and airplane retirements, about 27 percent of the world requirement - second only to the more mature, but slower growing, North America market. More information on the Asia Pacific market forecast can be found at: www.boeing.com/cmo

DTN News: F-22 Raptors At Kadena Air Base, Okinawa ~ Is A Fifth-Generation Stealth Air Superiority Fighter Aircraft And Best In The World

DTN News: F-22 Raptors At Kadena Air Base, Okinawa ~ Is A Fifth-Generation Stealth Air Superiority Fighter Aircraft And Best In The World

*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media

(NSI News Source Info) - September 9, 2009: F-22 Raptors from the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron returned to Anderson AFB on July 15 from Japan following training with F-15 Eagles at Kadena Air Base, Japan.

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor taking off at Kadena U.S. Air Force Base on Japan's southwestern island of Okinawa July 15, 2009. The aircraft, based in Langley, Virginia are being deployed in the region for four months.

The United States Air Force originally planned to order 750 ATFs, with production beginning in 1994; however, the 1990 Major Aircraft Review altered the plan to 648 aircraft beginning in 1996. The goal changed again in 1994, when it became 442 aircraft entering service in 2003 or 2004, but a 1997 Department of Defense report put the purchase at 339.

In 2003, the Air Force said that the existing congressional cost cap limited the purchase to 277. By 2006, the Pentagon said it will buy 183 aircraft, which would save $15 billion but raise the cost of each aircraft, and this plan has been de facto approved by Congress in the form of a multi-year procurement plan, which still holds open the possibility for new orders past that point. The total cost of the program by 2006 was $62 billion. In April 2006, the cost of the F-22 was assessed by the Government Accountability Office to be $361 million per aircraft. This cost reflects the F-22 total program cost, divided by the number of fighters the Air Force is programmed to buy; and which has so far invested $28 billion in the Raptor's research, development and testing.

That money, referred to as a "sunk cost", is already spent and is separate from money used for future decision-making, including procuring a copy of the jet. The Unit Procurement Cost was estimated at $177.6 million in 2006 based on a production run of 181 airframes. This unit cost will decrease if total production is higher. This cost includes $3.233 billion already spent on research and development by 2006. By the time all 183 fighters have been purchased, $34 billion will have been spent on actual procurement, resulting in a total program cost of $62 billion or about $339 million per aircraft. The incremental cost for one additional F-22 is around $138 million; decreasing with larger volumes. F-22 Raptors line up for refueling in their first official deployment, October 2005. On 31 July 2007, Lockheed Martin received a multiyear contract for 60 F-22s worth a total of US$7.3 billion. The contract brought the number of F-22s on order to 183 and extended production through 2011. Restarting production would greatly increase costs; building 75 more would cost an estimated $70 million extra per unit.

DTN News: Indian Navy To Induct MiG-29 Ks By October, 2009

DTN News: Indian Navy To Induct MiG-29 Ks By October, 2009 *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - September 9, 2009: The first four ship-borne Russian-made Mig-29 K/KUB fighter jets, purchased for the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, will be inducted in the Indian Navy by October, officials here said. The MiG-29K program was revived in response to the decision of the Indian Navy to acquire the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier. This called for the provision of the ship with a multi-role ship-based arrested- landing fighter of the MiG-29K size. The ship's combat group will include 12 MiG-29K planes. The aircraft has a remote control system, large-area (42 m2 vs 38 m2) folding wing, adjustable center-line air intakes with retractable screens protecting the engines during operation from ground airfields, reinforced landing gear, hook, corrosion- protected reinforced fuselage made specifically for deck-based aircraft.

Pilot training for the squadron, to be named Black Panther, were completed in the US and Russia, said a senior Indian Navy official.

The jets were purchased by the Indian Navy as part of the $740 million contract signed in January 2004 for Admiral Gorshkov, to be commissioned as INS Vikramaditya in the navy. "The pilots were sent to US for deck landing training and the QFIs (qualified flying instructors) to Russia for conversion flying (for converting to different aircraft). The pilots will do the conversion flying in Goa under the supervision of QFIs," the official said on condition of anonymity.

Four to five batches comprising four pilots each had gone to the US for the deck landing training. As the 45,000-tonne Kiev class aircraft carrier Gorshkov is scheduled to be inducted in service only by 2011 after its refurbishment, the aircraft will be based on shore.

The navy will be getting 12 MiG 29K single-seater aircraft and four MiG 29KUB double-seater trainer aircraft in flyaway condition. The trainer version is similar to the single-seater but with a slightly reduced operational range.

The contract also stipulates the procurement of hardware for pilot training and aircraft maintenance, including flight simulators, and interactive ground and sea-based training systems. The MiG 29K have arrestor gear and stronger landing gear for carrier landings, folding wings and rust proofing to reduce corrosion from salt water. Features of the aircraft include a fully digitised glass cockpit, improved engine protection against ingestion of foreign particles (like birds), a multi-mode radar and increased range due to increase in internal fuel capacity.

The MiG-29K multi-role carrier-based fighter is designed to air cover the ship grouping, gain air superiority and destroy sea surface and ground targets with guided high-precision weapons, day and night, in any weather. The aircraft, the first bought by the navy after the Sea Harriers, will also be capable of playing the role of an air refueller.

The contract with MiG will ensure that the navy gets the entire spectrum of services, including a full mission simulator.

DTN News: Lockheed Martin And Terma Sign MoU For The Maritime Helicopter Opportunity In Denmark

DTN News: Lockheed Martin And Terma Sign MoU For The Maritime Helicopter Opportunity In Denmark

*Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin (NSI News Source Info) LONDON, England - September 9, 2009: Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and Danish aerospace and defense company Terma A/S today announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore opportunities associated with the potential sale of the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R multimission helicopter to the Danish Government. The agreement, announced at the Defence Systems & Equipment International exhibition, follows the Danish Government’s June 2009 authorization to procure new ship-based helicopters to support Royal Danish Navy vessels operating in the North Atlantic and internationally. The U.S. Navy’s MH-60R multimission helicopter is a candidate solution for these maritime operations. “Lockheed Martin and Terma will combine our complementary experience and skills sets should the Danish Government procure the U.S. Navy’s most advanced maritime helicopter,” said Marillyn Hewson, president of Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego, NY. “Together, we can offer the Danish Armed Forces high quality technological and support services required to ensure mission and flight readiness of the MH-60R across the 30-year life of the aircraft.” “Lockheed Martin and Terma share a long and beneficial history of working together in a close partnership, which includes the F-16, C-130 and F-35 programs," said Terma President and CEO Jens Maaløe. "We are therefore very happy and proud, that today with this MOU we extend this cooperation to also include Lockheed Martin Systems Integration - Owego. We very much look forward to combining both companies’ core capabilities on the Danish Maritime Helicopter program, and to investigating a number of other exciting business opportunities.” Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego is the rotary wing center of excellence for Lockheed Martin Corporation. The company has more than 35 years of experience as a leading mission systems integrator of maritime helicopters, including the British Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk 1 helicopter fleet, and two generations of U.S. Navy helicopters, the SH-60B and the MH-60R. The MH-60R airframe is designed and built by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, with mission systems integration by Lockheed Martin. To date, the two companies have delivered 36 MH-60R aircraft to the U.S. Navy. In July, 2009, a U.S. Navy squadron of 11 MH-60R aircraft completed its first at-sea deployment during six months in the western Pacific with the USS John C. Stennis carrier strike group. The U.S. Navy has established four of ten planned MH-60R squadrons, and intends to purchase 300 MH-60R aircraft over the next decade. Production plans include capacity for concurrent international sales. The MH-60R replaces the U.S. Navy’s current fleet of SH-60B and SH-60F helicopters as part of the U.S. Navy’s strategy to reduce different type, model and series maritime helicopters with multi-mission platforms. The MH-60R can perform a wide range of missions from its primary missions of anti-submarine and surface warfare to secondary missions such as search and rescue, vertical replenishment, naval surface fire support, medical evacuation and communications and data relay. Headquartered in Lystrup, Denmark, Terma is a leading defense, aerospace, and security company. Its business activities include products and systems for a number of non-defense and defense applications, including command and control systems, radar systems, electronic warfare systems, space technology, and aeronautic structures for high-performance military aircraft. The company realized 2008/09 sales of approximately USD 200 million and employs approximately 1,300 people worldwide. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

DTN News: Raytheon Unveils SPY-5 ~ An Affordable, Advanced Naval X-Band Radar

DTN News: Raytheon Unveils SPY-5 ~ An Affordable, Advanced Naval X-Band Radar *Source: DTN News / Raytheon

(NSI News Source Info) TEWKSBURY, Mass., - September 9, 2009: Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has developed a new naval radar -- AN/SPY-5, a multitracking, target-illuminating system for surface combatants that can simultaneously search, detect and precisely track multiple surface and air threats. The Raytheon-developed SPY-5 is an open architecture, phased-array radar system, providing an advanced and affordable self-defense solution for small and large surface ships operating in the littorals and other maritime environments. "SPY-5 is an affordable, effective and reliable radar system that provides critical capabilities for naval forces around the globe," said Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' Charles "Tom" Bush, vice president of Seapower Capability Systems. "The radar delivers the capabilities of multiple radar systems to counter a broad range of threats in a single, cost-effective solution." SPY-5's mission capabilities include low-altitude horizon search; focused volume search; surface search; missile and surface gunfire control; simultaneous threat illumination; and missile midcourse guidance and terminal homing -- capabilities previously only achievable through multiple radar solutions. These tasks can be performed simultaneously with an innovative advanced radio frequency phase shifter phased-array system technology. An open architecture system, SPY-5 is compatible with all digital combat management systems, and the radar's range, accuracy and beam agility enable the full performance of the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile. The radar's high level of compatibility with existing combat systems maximizes the ship's firepower with minimal alterations or added costs. The radar delivers all of the performance benefits of larger, heavier and more costly active array systems while providing full 360-degree azimuth coverage via three 120-degree beam faces. SPY-5's size, weight and overall self-defense capabilities make it equally well suited for smaller navy ships with a displacement of less than 1,000 tons as well as large-deck aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. SPY-5's X-band energy is generated by the proven and widely deployed MK 73 solid-state transmitter system. Because the system uses transmitters that are already installed, upgrading and modernizing many existing systems is greatly simplified and can be accomplished at a relatively low cost. In addition, SPY-5 is designed for continuous operation for extended mission periods. 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.

DTN News: Boeing Training & Flight Services Executive Urges Industry To Act Together To Advance Training

DTN News: Boeing Training & Flight Services Executive Urges Industry To Act Together To Advance Training *Source: DTN News / Boeing

(NSI News Source Info) HONG KONG - September 9, 2009: Boeing (NYSE: BA) Commercial Airplanes Training & Flight Services Vice President, Sherry Carbary, today urged the industry to stand together through the current economic challenges by lowering training costs, increasing efficiency and embracing competency-based training programs. Speaking at the Asia Pacific Aviation Training Symposium (APATS) in Hong Kong, Carbary emphasized that every step of the value chain needs to simplify operations and better utilize resources, and advocated the migration of training from full flight simulators to fixed training devices. "Given the technology that exists today and that which will be available tomorrow, airlines need to rethink what training should be done by simulator and what can be done more efficiently by fixed training devices and Web-based learning systems," she said. Carbary talked about how Boeing Training & Flight Services is developing courseware that can increase operating efficiencies to reduce fuel consumption, emissions and other operational costs. "In our drive to help airlines through today's economic turbulence, we have developed a course that focuses on fuel efficiency that we believe can save airlines as much as 1 percent of their annual fuel bill," said Carbary. Carbary also noted that the company's Multi-crew Pilot License (MPL) beta test completed last year has shown that cadet pilots with no prior flight experience can become first officers by developing their skills, knowledge and competencies needed to perform as airline crew members. The shift in focus from accumulation of flight hours to a demonstrated competency-based approach will provide jet-ready, airline-qualified pilots to support airlines as they grow their fleet over the next 20 years. Boeing Training & Flight Services provides innovative training products and services to more than 400 customers around the world. Its training and services programs are accepted by more than 100 regulatory agencies worldwide. The customer support team provides 24-hour support to more than 12,000 in-service airplanes. Boeing Training & Flight Services has a global network supporting customer needs with a variety of solutions including the new world-class 787 Dreamliner training suites.

DTN News: Russian KamAZ Armored Car 43269 Vystrel/BPM-97 On Trial Test For Armed Forces

DTN News: Russian KamAZ Armored Car 43269 Vystrel/BPM-97 On Trial Test For Armed Forces *Source: DTN News / Defense News....(Click here for link)

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - September 9, 2009: The BPM-97 is the Russian military designation for the KAMAZ 43269 Vestrel 4x4 Wheeled armoured vehicle. It is still in the prototype phase and only two being produced were fitted with several different turrets like the one of the BTR-80A.

Armamment varies, the BPM-97 is available with pintle mounted or turret mounted 7.62 mm, 12.7 mm machine guns such as the Kord 12.7mm, 14.5 mm KPV heavy machineguns in a BTR-80 type turret, and a combination turret fitted with a sighting device with 30 mm cannon and 30 mm ASG-30 automatic grenade launchers.

The vehicle is based on the Kamaz 4326 and as the name suggests was designed for the Russian Border Guards. The latest model has bulletproof side windows and no gun turret. It has been ordered by Kazakhstan and by the MVD Internal Troops and EMERCOM.

The armored car KamAZ (Kama Automobile Plant-43269 on the chassis on the base of the automobile) is from the "mustang" family. The armored car's wheel tracking with a 4x4 formula is created within the framework of corporate special-purpose program "special automobiles" to the order of the Ministry of Defense of the RF and federal border service and is intended for the transportation of personnel and different loads, towing of trailer devices on all I see roads and the installation of heavy rifle and lung of artillery armament. The armored car includes a steel enclosed casing (bulletproof armor according to class of 5[a]) with a sufficiently spacious crew compartment (2 people) and the section for landing (8 people) with the stern double doors and two onboard hatches for the dismounting at landing. The total mass of the armored car - is 12 t, load capacity - 2,5 T. It comes equipped with a Diesel engine with a turbine supercharger with a power of 240 hp maximum speed - 90 km/h, the [preodolevaemyy] lift - 31o, a maximum depth [preodolevaemogo] ford - 1,75 m. In contrast to other types of armament, the new armored car is distinguished by high reliability, large duration of path and convenience of maintenance, which is guaranteed by the presence of a network of 124 service centers of KamAZ for the entire country. This new automobile passed the complete cycle of tests and was accepted for service to the border forces of Russia. This year the same decision of the Ministry of Defense is expected. The different version of the armoring of transport technology is representedby the Ural developers in the form of special truck Ural-01 with bulletproof armor protection. The automobile is intended for the transportation of personnel in the locality where there is a danger of fire defeat, and it is equipped with the armor sheets, which protect the motor, fuel tanks, flight deck and body of the automobile from the bullets of small caliber arms of 7,62 mm. The mass of the equipped automobile - 9,6 t, load capacity 5 T. maximum speed - 80 km/h, radius of action - 890 km, the power of the Diesel engine - 240 hp automobile underwent combat tests in Chechnya and it is used in the subdivisions of the Special Forces of MVD "champion".

DTN News: Airbus sells 7 aircraft in August 2009

DTN News: Airbus sells 7 aircraft in August 2009

* Says has 147 gross aircraft orders in January-August

* Says has 125 net aircraft orders in January-August

* Says delivers 320 aircraft in January-August (Adds details)

*Source: DTN News / Reuters

(NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - September 9, 2009: European planemaker Airbus (EAD.PA) sold seven aircraft in August, bringing the total so far this year to 147, the company said on Tuesday. After deducting cancellations, net orders between January and August stood at 125 planes. There were no new cancellations in August. The EADS subsidiary delivered 320 aircraft between January and August, it said in a monthly statement. August deliveries of 32 planes included an A380 for Qantas Airways Ltd (QAN.AX). In August last year, Airbus sold no planes and delivered 29. Rival Boeing (BA.N) sold 161 aircraft between Jan. 1 and Sept. 1 and booked net orders of 70 planes after receiving 91 cancellations. Boeing delivered 307 planes in the first eight months of the year. For 2009, Airbus has said it is targeting up to 300 gross orders before cancellations and deliveries that would at least match last year's record total of 483 aircraft. Boeing (BA.N) aims to deliver between 480 and 485 aircraft. The U.S. company has not given an order forecast. (Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by James Regan)

DTN News: Gold Returns Back Above $1,000 / The Price Of Gold Has Touched $1,000 An Ounce For The First Time In Six Months

DTN News: Gold Returns Back Above $1,000 / The Price Of Gold Has Touched $1,000 An Ounce For The First Time In Six Months

*Source: DTN News / BBC World (NSI News Source Info) LONDON, England - September 9, 2009: The price of gold has touched $1,000 an ounce for the first time in six months. The move could be seen as a sign that investors believe the worst of the global recession is over and are worried about inflation. Others who are less convinced about the strength of the recovery are moving into gold, which is usually sought as a haven from economic turmoil. Gold - seen as an attractive investment in times of inflation - has risen 13.6% in value this year. 'Uncertainty' The US dollar - which often moves in the opposite direction to gold - has been declining during that same time. "Gold's rising price is due to uncertainty all the way from personal investors right through to institutions," said Sandra Close, an analyst at Surbiton Associates. See live gold index values "There are questions out there over the health of economies, where interest rates are going. All that encourages gold hoarding," she said. Gold reached an all-time record of $1,032 an ounce in March 2008. The commodity is measured and sold in troy ounces. One troy ounce equals 31.1035 grams or 480 grains. One troy ounce is equal to 1.09711 avoirdupois ounce - those widely used to measure weights in the US and UK. Gold has risen for each of the past eight years.

DTN News: Raytheon Signs $151 Million Evolved SeaSparrow Missile Contract

DTN News: Raytheon Signs $151 Million Evolved SeaSparrow Missile Contract

*Source: DTN News / Raytheon (NSI News Source Info) TUCSON, Ariz., - September 9, 2009: Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) was awarded a $151 million contract by the U.S. Navy's NATO SeaSparrow program office to produce 186 Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles, with an option for $210.3 million to produce an additional 255 missiles. The agreement will also provide NSPO consortium member navies with spare parts and missile containers. Deployed in the U.S. Navy and nine international fleets, ESSM defends the battlespace by delivering ship self-defense firepower against high-G maneuvering anti-ship cruise missiles as well as surface and low-velocity air threats. "Raytheon, along with our international team of 18 partner companies, has advanced this world-class system to a point of prominence in ship self-defense missiles," said Ed Roesly, Raytheon's ESSM program director. "This contract cements the ESSM's future, and next year will be exciting as we expand our worldwide customer base." As a tail-controlled missile, ESSM uses recent enhancements to its guidance system to take advantage of improved seeker sensitivity, increased propulsion and greater weapon accuracy. These features enable ESSM to arrive at the intercept point with more endgame speed and agility to counter the threat. 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.

DTN News: China's First Jumbo Jet C919 To Take Off In 8 Years

DTN News: China's First Jumbo Jet C919 To Take Off In 8 Years *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media

(NSI News Source Info) BEIJING, China - September 9, 2009: China will have it's own jumbo jet within eight years and will be named C919, state media reported on Saturday.

The prototype of the first Chinese-made large aircraft C919 debuts at the Asian Aerospace in Hong Kong Tuesday. The 150 seat C919 airliner is China's most ambitious commercial aerospace program and will be undertake in co-operation with international partners from Asia, Europe and the U.S.The program is launched in December, 2008 and first C919 aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2016. Compared with the mainstream aircraft engines, the engine of C919 will save 16% of fuel.

190 seater C919 will be the largest passenger plane produced in the country and will take off in about eight years, official news agency Xinhua said. With this plane china will be ready to take on Airbus and Boeing dominated international market for jumbo jet.

"The name also reflects our determination to compete in the international market for jumbo jet. C919 comes after Airbus and Boeing, so you will have ABC in the aviation industry," Wu, deputy general manager of COMAC, the manufacturer of C919, said.

"C represents China as well as COMAC, the abbreviation for Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd," Wu said adding that the first 9 in the name implies "forever" in Chinese culture, while 19 means the first jumbo jet produced by China will have 190 seats.

China is willing to encourage foreign suppliers to enter into partnership with Chinese manufacturers on this project and will choose suppliers of engines, airborne equipment, and materials through international bidding. "We will choose foreign-manufactured products like engines at the beginning phase, but we will also independently do the research and manufacturing work at the same time," Wu said.