Friday, January 08, 2010
DTN News: Afghan Authorities Accuse Pakistan Of Killing CIA Operatives
DTN News: Afghan Authorities Accuse Pakistan Of Killing CIA Operatives
*Source: RT Russia Today
(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - January 09, 2010: Afghan spy officials say the suicide bombing that killed seven CIA agents in Afghanistan just over a week ago may be linked to Pakistan.
The attack was carried out by a Jordanian double agent who had strong ties with Al Qaeda and the Taliban.
Investigative journalist Gerald Posner claims that Afghanistan officials have no doubts about the link.
“I had senior [Afghanistan] official say that they were familiar with an American analysis of the bomb,” Posner told RT. “They did a chemical signature after the bombing, they tied it to elements used by ISI, Pakistan’s version of the CIA, and that’s the signature that ties to the Pakistani intelligence. Now the question that confronts the United States is: What do they do with this information, or at least with Afghanistan pointing the finger at Pakistan, one of the U.S.’s allies in the region?”
DTN News: Japan Planning To Replace Aging F-4 Fleet With Stealth F-35 Fighters
DTN News: Japan Planning To Replace Aging F-4 Fleet With Stealth F-35 Fighters
*Source: DTN News / Japan Media
(NSI News Source Info) OSAKA, Japan - January 09, 2010: The Defense Ministry is 
making arrangements to select the F-35 as Japan's next mainstay fighter jet, sources at the ministry and the Self-Defense Forces said recently.
The ministry will embark on the full acquisition process in last December and prepare to make budgetary requests for the stealth plane in the fiscal 2011 budget, the sources said.
The ministry is looking to buy 40 of the next-generation jets, which can evade radar and are estimated to cost about ¥9 billion each.
The move apparently means priority has been put on strengthening air-defense capabilities as neighboring China makes efforts to enhance its air force by developing its own next-generation aircraft, analysts said.
The ministry, however, may postpone budget requests for the F-35 until fiscal 2012, due to a view in the government that a contract should not be concluded before the jet's actual capabilities can be confirmed.
The F-35 is set to be deployed in the mid-2010s. The F-35 is being jointly developed by the United States, Britain, Australia and other countries. Japan is not participating because doing so would conflict with its principle of banning weapons and arms-technology exports
Japan initially wanted to acquire the U.S. F-22 stealth jet to replace its aging collection of F-4EJ fighters, which are still used alongside F-15s and other planes, but the United States prohibits the export of the F-22, and plans to halt production have already been announced.
Japan passed on other models, such as the U.S. F/A-18 and F-15FX and the Eurofighter, which is made by a consortium of European manufacturers.
The plan to acquire the F-35 is likely to be incorporated in new defense policy guidelines and a medium-term defense buildup plan to be adopted in December 2010.
The government led by the Democratic Party of Japan decided in October to delay its adoption by a year, partly to reflect the policies of its coalition partners.
making arrangements to select the F-35 as Japan's next mainstay fighter jet, sources at the ministry and the Self-Defense Forces said recently.
The ministry will embark on the full acquisition process in last December and prepare to make budgetary requests for the stealth plane in the fiscal 2011 budget, the sources said.
The ministry is looking to buy 40 of the next-generation jets, which can evade radar and are estimated to cost about ¥9 billion each.
The move apparently means priority has been put on strengthening air-defense capabilities as neighboring China makes efforts to enhance its air force by developing its own next-generation aircraft, analysts said.
The ministry, however, may postpone budget requests for the F-35 until fiscal 2012, due to a view in the government that a contract should not be concluded before the jet's actual capabilities can be confirmed.
The F-35 is set to be deployed in the mid-2010s. The F-35 is being jointly developed by the United States, Britain, Australia and other countries. Japan is not participating because doing so would conflict with its principle of banning weapons and arms-technology exports
Japan initially wanted to acquire the U.S. F-22 stealth jet to replace its aging collection of F-4EJ fighters, which are still used alongside F-15s and other planes, but the United States prohibits the export of the F-22, and plans to halt production have already been announced.
Japan passed on other models, such as the U.S. F/A-18 and F-15FX and the Eurofighter, which is made by a consortium of European manufacturers.
The plan to acquire the F-35 is likely to be incorporated in new defense policy guidelines and a medium-term defense buildup plan to be adopted in December 2010.
The government led by the Democratic Party of Japan decided in October to delay its adoption by a year, partly to reflect the policies of its coalition partners.
DTN News: European Freeze Hits Transport As Britain Limits Gas
DTN News: European Freeze Hits Transport As Britain Limits Gas
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) LONDON, UK - January 09, 2010: Europe grappled with grounded planes and yet more Eurostar cancellations Friday as bitter winter weather forced Britain to curb industrial gas usage in order to save supplies.
RADSTOCK, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 08: Villagers clear snow from a road that leads to a school after the local authority failed to grit the road in time for the school to re-open in Radstock on January 8 2010, in Somerset, England. Britain is continuing to be gripped by the Arctic weather suffering its coldest night of the winter so far with temperatures down to -22.3C in a village in the Scottish Highlands. Forecasters have predicted the cold spell to last for another week.
Britain saw overnight temperatures plunge to minus 22 degrees Celsius (minus eight degrees Fahrenheit) at Altnaharra in the Scottish Highlands -- the lowest so far in the country's worst winter in decades.
Hundreds of flights were also scrapped leaving more passengers stranded.
On the Continent, forecasters in France warned of imminent "significant" snowfalls, while Germany braced for up to 40 centimetres (15 inches) of fresh snow later Friday, accompanied by gale force winds. "What is being forecast for the weekend could lead to chaotic traffic conditions and potentially leave large parts of Germany completely paralysed," the Autoclub Europa warned.
SUNBURY, ENGLAND - JANUARY 8 : A digger clears snow as winter race meetings at the Kempton Park race course are cancelled due to the snowy conditions on January 8, 2010 in Sunbury, England. Extremely cold conditions are continuing to grip the UK with many overnight temperatures falling to -10 degrees Celsius and the Scotish village of Sutherland recording -22C.
Conditions in Britain sparked concern for energy supplies, where 27 major companies -- which were not named -- were ordered to halt using gas Friday in order to maintain overall supplies of the fuel.
Ninety-seven major companies had their gas turned off Thursday, in the first such move since 2003, although the government said there was no immediate danger for households.
"We've got plenty of supplies, the gas storage is about 70 percent full," Environment Secretary Hilary Benn told GMTV television. "There's absolutely no need for any domestic customers to worry."
The beleaguered Eurostar passenger rail service linking Britain with France and Belgium via the Channel tunnel cancelled half of its services between London and Paris.
"Because of the current severe weather conditions Eurostar will continue to run a restricted service up to and including Sunday," it said.
Low-cost airline easyJet cancelled 32 flights, largely to and from London Gatwick and Liverpool airports. British Airways cancelled around 60 departures from London Heathrow, while around 90 incoming flights were scrapped.
On the roads, the AA motor vehicle breakdown service said it had dealt with 340,000 breakdowns since December 17. "In our entire history we have never been as busy," its president Edmund King said.
Thousands of schools remained closed, while several of the weekend's English Premier League football matches were called off and few fixtures in Scotland survived.
"The very cold weather will continue over the weekend, with penetrating frosts across the country," the Met Office weather service said.
In Norway, temperatures hit minus 42 degrees Celsius in the central village of Folldal. The plunging temperatures forced a rise in electricity demand, sending prices up too.
In France, 15,000 people left without electricity in and around the southern city of Arles after power lines collapsed under the weight of snow. Around 30 centimetres fell in some parts of the southeast.
Some 37 departments (districts) were put on orange alert with heavy snowfall expected. "The amount of snow expected is significant, exceptional even," Meteo France warned.
Most of Spain was put on alert for fresh snowfalls, strong winds and low temperatures, while heavy rain triggered floods in the Andalusia region.
Switzerland's 24.5 kilometre (15.3 mile) Gotthard Tunnel, part of a strategic trans-European motorway that runs from Germany to Italy, was due to reopen to trucks following heavy snowfall.
In Poland, nine people died in the past two days, bringing the total to 139 since the start of November, a police spokesman told AFP. Most of the victims were described as homeless.
Overnight temperatures dipped to minus 12 degrees Celsius and forecasters predicted more snow and freezing temperatures over the next seven days.
In the Netherlands, where temperatures hit minus 10 degrees Celsius, the ice skating federation KNSB warned that ice on lakes and canals was not yet solid enough for the traditional Dutch winter pastime.
RADSTOCK, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 08: Villagers clear snow from a road that leads to a school after the local authority failed to grit the road in time for the school to re-open in Radstock on January 8 2010, in Somerset, England. Britain is continuing to be gripped by the Arctic weather suffering its coldest night of the winter so far with temperatures down to -22.3C in a village in the Scottish Highlands. Forecasters have predicted the cold spell to last for another week.
Britain saw overnight temperatures plunge to minus 22 degrees Celsius (minus eight degrees Fahrenheit) at Altnaharra in the Scottish Highlands -- the lowest so far in the country's worst winter in decades.
Hundreds of flights were also scrapped leaving more passengers stranded.
On the Continent, forecasters in France warned of imminent "significant" snowfalls, while Germany braced for up to 40 centimetres (15 inches) of fresh snow later Friday, accompanied by gale force winds. "What is being forecast for the weekend could lead to chaotic traffic conditions and potentially leave large parts of Germany completely paralysed," the Autoclub Europa warned.SUNBURY, ENGLAND - JANUARY 8 : A digger clears snow as winter race meetings at the Kempton Park race course are cancelled due to the snowy conditions on January 8, 2010 in Sunbury, England. Extremely cold conditions are continuing to grip the UK with many overnight temperatures falling to -10 degrees Celsius and the Scotish village of Sutherland recording -22C.
Conditions in Britain sparked concern for energy supplies, where 27 major companies -- which were not named -- were ordered to halt using gas Friday in order to maintain overall supplies of the fuel.
Ninety-seven major companies had their gas turned off Thursday, in the first such move since 2003, although the government said there was no immediate danger for households.
"We've got plenty of supplies, the gas storage is about 70 percent full," Environment Secretary Hilary Benn told GMTV television. "There's absolutely no need for any domestic customers to worry."
The beleaguered Eurostar passenger rail service linking Britain with France and Belgium via the Channel tunnel cancelled half of its services between London and Paris.
"Because of the current severe weather conditions Eurostar will continue to run a restricted service up to and including Sunday," it said.
Low-cost airline easyJet cancelled 32 flights, largely to and from London Gatwick and Liverpool airports. British Airways cancelled around 60 departures from London Heathrow, while around 90 incoming flights were scrapped.
On the roads, the AA motor vehicle breakdown service said it had dealt with 340,000 breakdowns since December 17. "In our entire history we have never been as busy," its president Edmund King said.
Thousands of schools remained closed, while several of the weekend's English Premier League football matches were called off and few fixtures in Scotland survived.
"The very cold weather will continue over the weekend, with penetrating frosts across the country," the Met Office weather service said.
In Norway, temperatures hit minus 42 degrees Celsius in the central village of Folldal. The plunging temperatures forced a rise in electricity demand, sending prices up too.
In France, 15,000 people left without electricity in and around the southern city of Arles after power lines collapsed under the weight of snow. Around 30 centimetres fell in some parts of the southeast.
Some 37 departments (districts) were put on orange alert with heavy snowfall expected. "The amount of snow expected is significant, exceptional even," Meteo France warned.
Most of Spain was put on alert for fresh snowfalls, strong winds and low temperatures, while heavy rain triggered floods in the Andalusia region.
Switzerland's 24.5 kilometre (15.3 mile) Gotthard Tunnel, part of a strategic trans-European motorway that runs from Germany to Italy, was due to reopen to trucks following heavy snowfall.
In Poland, nine people died in the past two days, bringing the total to 139 since the start of November, a police spokesman told AFP. Most of the victims were described as homeless.
Overnight temperatures dipped to minus 12 degrees Celsius and forecasters predicted more snow and freezing temperatures over the next seven days.
In the Netherlands, where temperatures hit minus 10 degrees Celsius, the ice skating federation KNSB warned that ice on lakes and canals was not yet solid enough for the traditional Dutch winter pastime.
DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated January 08, 2010
DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated January 08, 2010
*Source: DoD issued January 08, 2010
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - January 08, 2010: Contracts valued at $5 million or more are announced each business day at 5 p.m. Contract announcements issued within the past 30 days are listed below. Older contract announcements are available from the contract archive page. Contract announcements are also available by e-mail subscription. Go to DoD News for more information and for links to other news items.
CONTRACTS
NAVY
NAVMAR Applied Sciences Corp.*, Warminster, Pa., is being awarded a $73,078,749 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for a Phase III Small Business Innovation Research project under Topics N92-170 and N94-178. The contractor will provide services and materials for the design and development of a persistent ground surveillance system for the Army and the Marine Corps. Work will be performed at various forward-deployed operating bases located in Afghanistan (86 percent); Patuxent River, Md. (11 percent); and Yuma, Ariz. (3 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This Phase III contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J. is the contracting activity (N68335-10-C-0101).
Neany, Inc.*, Hollywood, Md., is being awarded a $72,289,266 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the procurement of a persistent ground surveillance system for the Army, capable of providing day/night protection and support for forward operating bases. This effort will include preparation for deployment; procurement of spares and support equipment; selection and training of field operators and technicians; activation of the logistics trail required for program execution; and deployment of systems to the field for operational testing. Work will be performed in various forward deployed operating bases located in Afghanistan (71.27 percent); Hollywood, Md. (21.26 percent); and Yuma, Ariz. (7.47 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-2. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-10-C-0100).
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Sperry Marine, Charlottesville, Va., is being awarded a $10,921,428 modification to previously awarded contract (N65540-06-D-0009) for additional engineering and technical services, including associated equipment in support of the analysis, repair, alteration, maintenance, and production improvement on the existing Sperry Marine manufactured Integrated Bridge System and the steering/ship control systems installed on Navy vessels and at land-based test facilities. Work will be performed in Charlottesville, Va. (25 percent); Norfolk, Va. (25 percent); San Diego, Calif. (25 percent); Philadelphia, Pa. (10 percent); Mayport, Fla. (5 percent); Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (5 percent); and other locations (5 percent). Work is expected to be completed by March 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $500,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, Ship System Engineering Station, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
U.S. Foodservice, Livermore, Calif., is being awarded a maximum $16,368,070 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity/indefinite-delivery contract for full line food distribution. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. There were originally three proposals solicited with three responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the first 18-month option. The date of performance completion is July 13, 2011. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM300-08-D-3228).
AIR FORCE
Champion Energy Services, LLC, Houston, Texas, was awarded a $6,488,044 contract to add funding for electrical services at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, from Feb. 1, 2010, to Sept. 30, 2010. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 82 CONS, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3002-08-D-0026, modification 03).
DTN News: India Submits Letter Of Request For Potential Boeing C-17 Order
DTN News: India Submits Letter Of Request For Potential Boeing C-17 Order
*Source: DTN News / Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) LONG BEACH, Calif., - January 08, 2010: The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] announced today that the U.S. government has received a Letter of Request from India's Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Indian Air Force regarding the potential acquisition of 10 C-17 Globemaster III advanced airlifters.
The C-17 Globemaster III
A high-wing, 4-engine, T-tailed military-transport aircraft, the multi-service C-17 can carry large equipment, supplies and troops directly to small airfields in harsh terrain anywhere in the world day or night. The massive, sturdy, long-haul aircraft tackles distance, destination and heavy, oversized payloads in unpredictable conditions. It has delivered cargo in every worldwide operation since the 1990s.
Capabilities and Functionality
The C-17's ability to fly long distances and land in remote airfields in rough, land-locked regions make it a premier transporter for military, humanitarian and peacekeeping missions. It can:
Take off from a 7,600-ft. airfield, carry a payload of 160,000 pounds, fly 2,400 nautical miles, refuel while in flight and land in 3,000 ft. or less on a small unpaved or paved airfield in day or night.
Carry a cargo of wheeled U.S. Army vehicles in two side-by-side rows, including the U.S. Army's main battle tank, the M-1. Three Bradley infantry-fighting vehicles comprise one load.
Drop a single 60,000-lb. payload, with sequential load drops of 110,000 lb.
Back up a two-percent slope.
Seat 54 on the sidewall and 48 in the centerline.
Additional Information
Technical Specifications
Current Funding Status
If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader for reading PDF files, it is available for free from Adobe.
"Boeing is very pleased that the Indian government has expressed interest in acquiring the C-17 to modernize its airlift capabilities, and we look forward to working closely with them," said Vivek Lall, vice president and India country head, Boeing Defense, Space & Security. "We believe the C-17 can fulfill India's needs for military and humanitarian airlift to help it meet its growing domestic and international responsibilities."
The C-17 conducted demonstration flights in February at Aero India 2009 in Bangalore, where members of the MOD and Indian Air Force had the opportunity to see the aircraft's capabilities in action. The Indian Air Force wants to replace and augment its fleet of Russian-made AN-32 and IL-76 airlifters.
"Nations looking to modernize their airlift capabilities turn to the C-17 because it has the highest reliability and mission-capable rate of any airlift aircraft," added Tommy Dunehew, Boeing Global Mobility Systems vice president of Business Development. "It is available right now, without any development risk. Plus, the C-17 is an acquisition success story, with deliveries on or ahead of schedule for the past decade."
A tactical and strategic airlifter, only the C-17 can carry large combat equipment and troops or humanitarian aid across international distances and deliver them directly to small austere airfields anywhere in the world. It can land combat-ready troops on semi-prepared runways or airdrop them directly into the fight. The C-17's ability to back up allows it to operate on narrow taxiways and congested ramps. With a payload of up to 170,000 pounds, the C-17 can take off and land in 3,000 feet or less.
There are currently 212 C-17s in service worldwide, including 19 with international customers. The U.S. Air Force, including active Guard and Reserve units, has 193. Other customers include the United Kingdom (which recently announced a contract for a seventh airlifter), Qatar, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force and Air Defence announced Jan. 6 that the UAE has signed a contract for the acquisition of six Boeing C-17s.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.
The C-17 Globemaster III
A high-wing, 4-engine, T-tailed military-transport aircraft, the multi-service C-17 can carry large equipment, supplies and troops directly to small airfields in harsh terrain anywhere in the world day or night. The massive, sturdy, long-haul aircraft tackles distance, destination and heavy, oversized payloads in unpredictable conditions. It has delivered cargo in every worldwide operation since the 1990s.
Capabilities and Functionality
The C-17's ability to fly long distances and land in remote airfields in rough, land-locked regions make it a premier transporter for military, humanitarian and peacekeeping missions. It can:
Take off from a 7,600-ft. airfield, carry a payload of 160,000 pounds, fly 2,400 nautical miles, refuel while in flight and land in 3,000 ft. or less on a small unpaved or paved airfield in day or night.
Carry a cargo of wheeled U.S. Army vehicles in two side-by-side rows, including the U.S. Army's main battle tank, the M-1. Three Bradley infantry-fighting vehicles comprise one load.
Drop a single 60,000-lb. payload, with sequential load drops of 110,000 lb.
Back up a two-percent slope.
Seat 54 on the sidewall and 48 in the centerline.
Additional Information
Technical Specifications
Current Funding Status
If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader for reading PDF files, it is available for free from Adobe.
"Boeing is very pleased that the Indian government has expressed interest in acquiring the C-17 to modernize its airlift capabilities, and we look forward to working closely with them," said Vivek Lall, vice president and India country head, Boeing Defense, Space & Security. "We believe the C-17 can fulfill India's needs for military and humanitarian airlift to help it meet its growing domestic and international responsibilities."
The C-17 conducted demonstration flights in February at Aero India 2009 in Bangalore, where members of the MOD and Indian Air Force had the opportunity to see the aircraft's capabilities in action. The Indian Air Force wants to replace and augment its fleet of Russian-made AN-32 and IL-76 airlifters.
"Nations looking to modernize their airlift capabilities turn to the C-17 because it has the highest reliability and mission-capable rate of any airlift aircraft," added Tommy Dunehew, Boeing Global Mobility Systems vice president of Business Development. "It is available right now, without any development risk. Plus, the C-17 is an acquisition success story, with deliveries on or ahead of schedule for the past decade."
A tactical and strategic airlifter, only the C-17 can carry large combat equipment and troops or humanitarian aid across international distances and deliver them directly to small austere airfields anywhere in the world. It can land combat-ready troops on semi-prepared runways or airdrop them directly into the fight. The C-17's ability to back up allows it to operate on narrow taxiways and congested ramps. With a payload of up to 170,000 pounds, the C-17 can take off and land in 3,000 feet or less.
There are currently 212 C-17s in service worldwide, including 19 with international customers. The U.S. Air Force, including active Guard and Reserve units, has 193. Other customers include the United Kingdom (which recently announced a contract for a seventh airlifter), Qatar, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force and Air Defence announced Jan. 6 that the UAE has signed a contract for the acquisition of six Boeing C-17s.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.