DTN News: Russia Fumes At US Missile Defense Plan

DTN News: Russia Fumes At US Missile Defense Plan

Source: DTN News / AP (NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia- February 27, 2010: Russia's foreign ministry says it has serious concerns about U.S. plans to deploy missile interceptors in Romania.

A ministry spokesman says Russia also was annoyed to learn about the move from the media.

He won't comment on whether the dispute could affect talks with the U.S. on a key nuclear arms reduction treaty that expired in December.

But other Russian officials, including the nation's top military officer, have said the plans have slowed down negotiations.

Russia and the U.S. had hoped to reach an agreement before the 1991 treaty expired in December. Russian news reports say the Kremlin believes the treaty could be singed in March or April.

The U.S. ambassador to Moscow has said the interceptors are not a threat to Russia.

DTN News: Poland Signs Deal For Eight Israeli Drones

DTN News: Poland Signs Deal For Eight Israeli Drones *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) WARSAW, Poland - February 27, 2010: Poland's defense ministry on Feb. 25 inked a deal with Israel's Aeronautics Ltd to acquire eight unmanned aerial drones, half of which will be used in Afghanistan, the ministry's Web site said. Aeronautics Ltd. was awarded the 89 million zloty ($33 million) contract on Feb. 1, beating offers by two other Israeli competitors, according to the ministry. Four of the drones will be sent to Polish troops serving in Afghanistan, and four will remain in Poland for training purposes. A NATO member since 1999, Poland currently has 2,000 soldiers deployed in Afghanistan in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and intends to send an additional 600 troops there this year.

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated February 26, 2010

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated February 26, 2010 *Source: U.S. DoD issued February 26, 2010 (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - February 27, 2010: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued February 26, 2010 are undermentioned; CONTRACTS

NAVY ~General Dynamics, National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, is being awarded an $824,642,437 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-02-C-2300) for construction of T-AKE 13 and T-AKE 14, which shall include design and construction, technical manuals, special studies, analyses and reviews, engineering and industrial services, and data. Work will be performed in San Diego, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 2013 for T-AKE 13 and Nov. 2014 for T-AKE 14. Contract funds will not expireat the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. ~General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, is being awarded a not-to-exceed $114,003,000 letter contract for long-lead time material in support of the anticipated construction of DDG 115 under the DDG 51 class destroyer program. Work will be performed in Cincinnati, Ohio (32.6 percent); Indianapolis, Ind. (23.7 percent); Coatesville, Pa. (12.3 percent); Charlottesville, Va. (10.9 percent); Erie, Pa. (6.9 percent); Walpole, Mass. (5.4 percent); Bath, Maine (1.2 percent); Warminster, Pa. (1 percent); and various other locations (6 percent). Work is expected to be completed by Dec. 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-10-C-2311). ~Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $67,308,982 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-09-C-5301) for the fiscal 2010 Standard Missile II (SM-2) option for the production of 46 SM-2 Block IIIA and 16 SM-2 Block IIIB missiles and associated data. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy (2.07 percent), and the governments of Korea (96.15 percent), Taiwan (1.16 percent), Japan (.19 percent) and Canada (.43 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz. (74 percent); Andover, Mass. (18 percent); Camden, Ark. (5 percent); and Farmington, N.M. (3 percent), and is expected to be completed by Dec. 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. ~Lockheed Martin, Maritime Systems and Sensors, Moorestown, N.J., is being awarded a $14,788,646 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-09-C-5103) to exercise an option for fiscal 2010 Aegis Platform Systems Engineering Agent activities and Aegis Modernization Advanced Capability Build engineering. The Platform Systems Engineering Agent manages the in-service combat systems configurations as well as the integration of new or upgraded capability into the CG57 class of ships and the DDG 51 class of ships. Work will be performed in Moorestown, N.J., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. ~Rogers, Lovelock & Fritz, Inc., Winter Park, Fla., is being awarded a $14,515,155 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed price contract (N40080-10-C-0151) to increase the dollar value of the contract for the dental clinic replacement at Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility. The work to be performed provides for engineering, architectural and comprehensive interior design services as necessary to support the design effort for the ambulatory care center which will be constructed in two phases. Phase I will provide a diagnostic, surgical and therapeutic services center, a parking structure, and ambulance shelter. Phase II will provide a primary and specialty care center and renovation of Building 1058 with a building connector between the new and renovated facility. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $15,529,753. Work will be performed in Camp Springs, Md., and is expected to be completed by April 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. ~Better Built + Clark, LLC*, Middletown, Ohio, is being awarded an $11,300,000 firm-fixed price contract for the design and construction of a new Armed Forces Reserve Center at the Akron-Canton Airport. The work to be performed provides for the design and construction of a concrete and steel facility. The project will be a replacement for both Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center Akron and Navy Reserve Center Cleveland. The contract also contains two unexercised options which, if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $12,050,000. Work will be performed in Akron, Ohio, and is expected to be completed by June 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online Web site,with 17 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Midwest, Great Lakes, Ill., is the contracting activity (N40083-10-C-0021). ~The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., Baltimore, is being awarded a $10,400,000 modification under previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N40085-07-C-1900) for the design-build and construction for the Academic Instruction Facility expansion at the Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) complex, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. The work to be performed provides for the design and construction of a single-story building with reinforced concrete footings and floors, exterior stud walls with brick veneer, and standing seam metal roof. The work will include complete mechanical/electrical systems as well as paving and site improvements. The facility will consist of classrooms, offices, instructor workspace, library, instructor lounge, student break area, rest rooms, and staff locker room. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and is expected to be completed by May 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity. ~Progeny Systems Corp.*, Manassas, Va., is being awarded a $10,394,565 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-6278) to exercise an option for Navy-wide implementation of portal technology for internal and external information sharing requirements and to design, prototype, and demonstrate a common technical architecture for a non-tactical data processing sub-system information automation and reduced manning system or engineering development models. The processes and prototype products developed will apply to submarines, surface ships, surveillance and air platforms. Work will be performed in Manassas, Va., and is expected to be completed by Feb. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. ARMY ~Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., was awarded a $640,122,400 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of 1460 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicles and 1460 basic issue items. Work is to be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., with an estimated completion date of May 2012. Five bids were solicited with five bids received. TACOM, AMSCC-TAC-ADCA, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-D-0111). ~KDH Defense Systems, Inc., Johnstown, Pa., was awarded a $87,000,003 firm-fixed-fee contract for 150,000 improved outer tactical vests. Work is to be performed in Eden, N.C., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 2010. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with eight bids received. U.S. Army Research Development & Engineering Command, Contracting Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W91CRB-09-D-0049). ~Alliant Techsystems Inc., Plymouth, Minn., was awarded a $53,542,304 firm-fixed-price contract for 30,000 M865 120mm cartridges; 15,000 M1002 cartridges; and container handling efforts for the M865 cartridge. Work is to be performed in Middletown, Iowa, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 2011. Two bids were solicited with two bids received. Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52P1J-08-C-0011). ~General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Inc., St. Petersburg, Fla., was awarded a $46,257,600 firm-fixed-price contract for 30,000 M865 120mm cartridges and 15,000 M1002 cartridges. Work is to be performed in Middletown, Iowa, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 2011. Two bids were solicited with two bids received. Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52P1J-08-C-0010). ~Comtech Mobile Datacom Corp., Germantown, Md., was awarded a $13,750,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the satellite bandwidth, engineering, services and support for Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) and Blue Force Tracking (BFT) systems. This is for the continued support of all FBCB2/BFT channels employed worldwide for six months, with one new channel spanning nine months, and support of new software version 6.5. Work is to be performed in Germantown, Md., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 2010. One bid was solicited with one bid received. CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth., N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-07-D-J402). ~Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, El Segundo, Calif., was awarded a $10,729,252 cost-plus-fixed fee contract. This contract is related to the TRUST in Integrated Circuits program to advance science and technology for ensuring integrated circuits can be trusted regardless of their origin and fabrication process. In Phase III, Raytheon will further refine their techniques to protect all stage of the application specific integrated circuits design process. Work is to be performed in El Segundo, Calif. (39 percent); San Jose, Calif. (3 percent); Lexington, Mass. (9 percent); Albuquerque, N.M. (25 percent); Burlington, Mass. (15 percent); and Santa Clara, Calif. (9 percent), with an estimated completion date of Feb. 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with 29 bids received. Defense Advances Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-08-C-0005). ~*Small business

DTN News: Lockheed Martin Receives Contract Option To Increase Number Of AMF JTRS Engineering Development Models

DTN News: Lockheed Martin Receives Contract Option To Increase Number Of AMF JTRS Engineering Development Models

* Award from Joint Services Shows Confidence in AMF JTRS *Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin (NSI News Source Info) FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., - February 27, 2010: Additional equipment is being developed to support early integration and testing of a revolutionary tactical network that will provide warfighters in the air, on land and at sea with secure, interoperable communications. The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team developing the Airborne, Maritime/Fixed Station Joint Tactical Radio System (AMF JTRS) has received a contract option to increase the number of engineering development models (EDM) by 60 percent. The Lockheed Martin team includes BAE Systems, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon. This exercised contract option is valued at $17.7M. “Exercising this option means that Small Airborne EDMs can be delivered concurrently to the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and AMF JTRS System Integration Labs,” said Jim Quinn, vice president, Lockheed Martin’s Information Systems & Global Services-Defense. “This will enable early assessment of network capability, which will help reduce risk for ground and flight testing.” AMF JTRS, an encrypted IP-enabled network, will provide joint forces with real-time, non line-of-sight tactical voice, video and data communications. The network will be developed in two form factors, or radio types: AMF-Small Airborne and AMF-Maritime/Fixed Station. Under this contract option, the team will provide additional EDMs of the AMF-Small Airborne form factor (to include radios and ancillaries) which will be used to test the AMF capability for platform specific missions. Airborne platforms slated for early integration include Army AH-64D Apache, CH-47F Chinook, and UH-60M Blackhawk helicopters as well as Air Force C-130 AMP and AC-130U fixed wing aircraft. Once completely fielded, AMF JTRS will link more than 100 U.S. Navy, Army and Air Force platforms to provide a level of interoperability never before attained. With its open architecture of software defined radio waveform technology, the AMF JTRS network will allow multiple radio types (e.g., handheld, aircraft, maritime) to communicate through a family of interoperable, modular software-defined radios. Over the program’s lifetime, the plan is to incorporate a minimum of 28 waveforms into AMF JTRS. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

Media Contact: Suzanne Smith, 303-932-5230; e-mail, suzanne.m.smith@lmco.com For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com

DTN News: Indian Military Growth Threatens South Asian Stability Says Pakistan

DTN News: Indian Military Growth Threatens South Asian Stability Says Pakistan *Source: DTN News / AFP (NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - February 27, 2010: Pakistan warned Thursday that India's huge military modernisation programme posed a serious threat to stability in a "nuclearised" South Asian region. "New war doctrines, tremendous boost to the defence spending, induction of new sophisticated weapons systems, these are elements that are prejudicial to regional security and stability," Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir said. His comments followed talks in New Delhi with his Indian counterpart Nirupama Rao - the first direct discussions between the nuclear-armed South Asian rivals since the 2008 Mumbai attacks. India, which last month inducted its longest range nuclear-tipped missile into the army, has plans to spend up to 30 billion dollars (S$42 billion) on its military by 2012. India is scheduled to unveil its 2010-2011 defence budget on Friday, which was jacked up by 24 percent to 1.42 trillion rupees (S$43 billion) the previous year. Bashir described as "irresponsible," Indian army chief Deepak Kapoor's comments in December that India must be prepared to fight simultaneous wars on "two fronts" - a clear reference to Pakistan and China. India has fought three wars with Pakistan since independence in 1947 and a brief but bitter war with China in 1962 over a border dispute which remains unresolved. "We have drawn the attention of the international community to the importance of preserving the regional balance between Pakistan and India," Bashir said. "This is a nuclearised region and it is important that Pakistan and India engage meaningfully on the whole range of issues under regional peace and security," he added.

DTN News: U.S. Warns Russia Against Assertion In Baltic Region

DTN News: U.S. Warns Russia Against Assertion In Baltic Region *Source: DTN News / RIA Novosti (NSI News Source Info) TALLINN, Estonia - February 27, 2010: Though seeking to find new ways of working with Russia, the United States will not accept Moscow's policies in the Baltic region, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy said at a news conference in Tallinn on Friday. "We've made it very clear that even as we seek to find new ways of working with Russia we also are very clear that we don't accept certain of their policies, the assertion of their sphere of influence, particularly in this [Baltic] region," Flournoy said. However, she acknowledged that NATO and Russia could be very productive. "We believe NATO and Russia can be very productive, with a working relationship going forward, and it's really up to Moscow in many ways to sort of pace the relationship. I think NATO is very willing to explore areas of cooperation going forward," Flournoy said. She said she had also discussed with Estonian Defense Ministry officials issues of practical cooperation between Russia and the alliance, including non-proliferation and counterterrorism. "I think there are some differences of perception between Russia and many of the NATO allies that need to be discussed and addressed," she said. On Iran, she said its recent actions had resulted in "an evolution" of Russia's views, "providing a strong basis for cooperation on preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons." "We appreciate Moscow's acceptance in addressing this threat to global security," she said.

DTN News: Russia Set To Buy Unique French Amphibious-Assault Ship

DTN News: Russia Set To Buy Unique French Amphibious-Assault Ship *Source: DTN News / RIA Novosti (NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - February 27, 2010: It appears that Russian-French talks on buying a Mistral-class amphibious-assault ship and building three other similar ships at Russian shipyards have now entered their final stage. President Dmitry Medvedev says Moscow is interested in this deal. Apart from Russia and France, the Mistral contract is being discussed in some other European countries who fear a stronger Russian Navy. Referred to as "projection and command ships" (French: batiments de projection et de commandement or BPC), Mistral-class ships facilitate the prolonged deployment of marine units and their air cover at remote theaters of war, as well as amphibious landings involving landing craft and helicopters on open beaches. They can also be used as command and control ships for peacekeeping task forces or as floating bases. Also, their medical facilities can play an important role in disaster areas and war zones. Ruslan Pukhov, a prominent Russian defense analyst and director of the Moscow-based Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, says it would be appropriate to buy a Mistral-class ship along with corvettes and frigates within the context of long-term Russian requirements because in the next 20-30 years Moscow will have to maintain a sustained naval presence in coastal areas and on the world's oceans. In this situation, amphibious-assault ships are considered a mobile element of the military infrastructure. They can promptly deploy the required forces in a disputed region and facilitate their operation. Apart from the South Kuril archipelago and the entire Far East, such ships could facilitate a military presence in other strategic regions, including Africa, Southeast Asia, Antarctica and other maritime sectors fraught with local conflicts that may affect Russia's national interests. The purchase of a Mistral-class ship and construction of similar ships in Russia has both military and economic implications. This contract would offer the side benefit of familiarizing the Russian ship-building industry with Western technology and production processes. Hangar and freight-deck space has been reduced on these ships to accommodate up to 450 soldiers and to provide living quarters for them and the crew. Mistral-class ships therefore carry fewer helicopters and other military equipment. Moscow and Paris are now prioritizing possible alterations in the ship's design at the request of the Russian Navy. It is unclear whether the ship's internal lay-out will remain the same, and whether there are any plans to enhance her survivability. The alterations may involve the expansion of hangars and freigh deck, as well as living quarters to accommodate more soldiers and deploy more fire-fighting equipment. They are bound to increase the ship's potential, making it more powerful and capable of engaging in combat operations. The Navy could hardly call this ship a good buy, unless such changes are made. After that, it will become possible to clarify the selling price. Although a BPC 160 class ship now costs about 400 million euros, the price is likely to go up after the required changes are made. Considering plans to build three more ships at Russian shipyards, the entire project may be worth about 2 billion euros. The negotiations continue against the backdrop of political manipulation. The leaders of some neighboring countries, including Georgia and the three Baltic states, are worried about the Mistral deal fearing a greater threat against their respective territories. In effect, this stance reflects their traditional "victim complex." By speculating on a hypothetical "Russian aggression," Georgia and the Baltic states are probably hoping to prevent expanded ties between Moscow and France, an EU leader. At the same time, security considerations are relegated to the background. Georgia, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia do not seem to realize that it is pointless to use an ocean-going ship to conduct amphibious landings against small countries which have common land borders with Russia.

DTN News: Afghanistan TODAY February 26, 2010 ~ Taliban Fighters Attack Kabul

DTN News: Afghanistan TODAY February 26, 2010 ~ Taliban Fighters Attack Kabul *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) KABUL, Afghanistan - February 26, 2010: At least 17 people were killed and 32 wounded when several suicide bombers attacked a hotel popular with foreigners and the surrounding area in the centre of Kabul.Scene of blast and gunbattle between Afghan security forces and insurgents is seen in Kabul, Afghanistan on Friday, Feb. 26, 2010. Insurgents struck Friday in the heart of Kabul with suicide attackers and a car bomb, targeting hotels used by foreigners and killing at least 17 people, police said. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for Friday's attack, one of the deadliest on the Afghan capital in a year. Ten Indians, an Italian and a Frenchman were among the dead, officials said.

Attacks on guesthouses used by foreigners have increased in recent months.People run away from the gate of a hotel used by foreigners, as rumor of another suicide attacker was heard at the scene of a gunbattle between Afghan security forces and the insurgents in Kabul, Afghanistan on Friday, Feb. 26, 2010. Insurgents struck Friday in the heart of Kabul with suicide attackers and a car bomb, targeting hotels used by foreigners and killing at least 17 people, police said.

The first blast occurred at about 06:45 local time, near the Kabul City Centre, Kabul's largest shopping centre located in the city's main commercial district, that includes the Safi Landmark Hotel.

That was followed by two smaller explosions. "I saw foreigners crying and shouting ... It was a very bad situation inside" Najibullah, hotel worker Sporadic gunfire was heard in the area as ambulances raced to the scene and grey smoke billowed into the air. Police say at least two police officers were among those killed in the blasts. The Reuters news agency quoted Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, as saying "holy warriors" had "managed to attack in the heart of Kabul city once again". He said at least five Taliban fighters launched the attack, including two suicide bombers who detonated explosives-packed vests near the hotel and a shopping mall, Reuters reported.

'Crying and shouting'

Witnesses said people in pyjamas were led from the Park Resident hotel and taken away in ambulances. Friday's attack came as US, Afghan and Nato forces push ahead with Operation Moshtarak Najibullah, a 25-year-old hotel worker, said he ran out of the hotel when he heard the first explosion. He said he saw two suicide bombers on the site.

"I saw foreigners were crying and shouting," he said.

"It was a very bad situation inside. God helped me; otherwise I would be dead. I saw one suicide bomber blowing himself up on the first floor of the hotel."

The Park Residence was previously attacked in mid-2005, when a suicide bomber struck the hotel's internet cafe.A U.S. Army soldier of the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, checks for enemy presence as he stands on the top of a mud house in the Badula Qulp area, West of Lashkar Gah in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Friday, Feb. 26, 2010.

Dr Subodh Sanjivpaul told The Associated Press news agency that he was trapped in his bathroom for three hours inside one of the small hotels where he lived with other Indian doctors. "Today's suicide attack took place in our residential complex," he said as his wounded foot was bandaged. "When I was coming out, I found two or three dead bodies. When firing was going on, the first car bomb exploded and the full roof came on my head."

Indians 'targeted'

Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, called Friday's assault a "terrorist attack against Indian citizens" , who were working to help rebuild Afghanistan. S.M. Krishna, India's foreign minister, described the attacks as "barbaric" and a matter of "deep concern". "These are the handiwork of those who are desperate to undermine the friendship between India and Afghanistan,'' he said in a statement. The Indian Embassy in Kabul has been the target of two major attacks, one in July 2008 that killed more than 60 people and another last October that killed 17 people. Al Jazeera's correspondent in Kabul, Hoda Abdel-Hamid, said that the attack was a message from the Taliban that it would continue its activities despite a major offensive against it in Helmand province. "There is a concern that as the Nato push against the Taliban goes on, these types of attacks will increase as a result."

The Taliban is showing that they too are very strong-willed and that they will attack anywhere and anytime they want.

"An attack like this one sends a message that no one is really safe, that even a city like Kabul, with heavy security, is not safe from the conflict anymore," she said.

She said that since Operation Moshtarakbegan 12 days ago, Kabul has been largely safe although attacks have occurred elsewhere in Afghanistan.

Nato 'outrage'

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the Nato secretary-general, expressed outrage over the dawn assault.

"I strongly condemn the terrorist attack which took place this morning in Kabul," Rasmussen said in a statement."

Once again, the enemies of Afghanistan have killed innocent civilians, Afghans and international workers alike.

"After 12 days of fighting, Brigadier General Larry Nicholson, commander of US marines in southern Afghanistan, had welcomed Thursday's flag-hoisting in Marjah as "a new beginning" as Afghan government authority was restored.

Afghans "believe there is a fresh start for Marjah under the government of Afghanistan", he said as the country's flag was hoisted by the governor of Helmand province in front of several hundred residents.

Humanitarian groups have said residents are facing deteriorating conditions as food, medicine and other supplies run dangerously low and innumerable Taliban-planted bombs make movement in and out of Marjah perilous.

DTN News: Boeing Signs AU$44M Contract Expansion For Australian Army Rotary Wing Support

DTN News: Boeing Signs AU$44M Contract Expansion For Australian Army Rotary Wing Support *Source: DTN News / Boeing (NSI News Source Info) OAKEY, Queensland - February 26, 2010: Boeing [NYSE: BA] has signed an AU$44 million change proposal with the Commonwealth of Australia to increase the scope of the Army Aviation Training and Training Support (AATTS) contract. Awarded the contract in 2007, Boeing subsidiary Boeing Defence Australia has been supporting the Australian Army's Black Hawk and Kiowa helicopters with pilot, aircrew and technician training, operational fleet maintenance, and support services at the Army Aviation Training Centre in Oakey. Following detailed operational reviews, the Commonwealth and Boeing Defence Australia changed the scope of the AATTS contract to reflect the Army's current and future aircrew training requirements. Under the updated contract, Boeing Defence Australia is additionally responsible for delivering: *The Initial Army Pilot Helicopter Qualification Course, using the B-206 Kiowa *85 percent of S-70A-9 Black Hawk pilot training *CH-47 Chinook helicopter instructor and technician training. The $44 million agreement also includes the Commonwealth's first one-year extension of AATTS, continuing the contract until September 2013. The original AATTS contract includes five one-year extension options. "The Commonwealth's decision to both increase the scope of AATTS and extend the contract until 2013 reinforces Boeing Defence Australia's position as the preeminent ab-initio ['from the beginning'] training provider to the Australian Defence Force," said Mark Brownsey, Boeing Defence Australia senior manager for Global Services & Support -- Training Operations. "To date, Boeing Defence Australia has exceeded all Australian Army training and maintenance requirements, including standing up the entire program on time, completing 100 percent of training courses on schedule, supporting close to 7,000 training sorties annually, and providing maintenance support to the Australian Defence Force Kiowa fleet, which recently achieved more than 50,000 flight hours," said Matthew Sibree, Boeing Defence Australia AATTS project manager. "To ensure AATTS continues on time and on budget, 20 additional employees will be hired on to the 160-strong team to ensure we meet our customer's expectations." The updated AATTS contract will further strengthen Boeing Defence Australia's training capability while ensuring the Australian Army maintains a constant supply of qualified helicopter pilots, aircrew and technicians to conduct complex helicopter missions in support of domestic and global operations. Boeing Defence Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company and a business unit of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, is a leading Australian aerospace enterprise. With a world-class team of nearly 2,000 employees at 13 locations throughout Australia and two international sites, Boeing Defence Australia supports some of the largest and most complex defense projects in Australia. A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

DTN News: Raytheon Delivers 2,000th Tomahawk Block IV Cruise Missile To U.S. Navy

DTN News: Raytheon Delivers 2,000th Tomahawk Block IV Cruise Missile To U.S. Navy *Source: DTN News / Raytheon (NSI News Source Info) TUCSON, Ariz., - February 26, 2010: In a significant production milestone, Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) delivered the 2,000th Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile to the U.S. Navy. "Tomahawk Block IV provides the Navy with a combat-proven weapon that plays a critical role in hybrid warfare operations," said Capt. Dave Davison, the U.S. Navy's program manager for the Tomahawk weapon system. "The Navy's receipt of the 2,000th Tomahawk Block IV provides the commander with a powerful tactical weapon to shape the battlespace and prosecute time-critical targets." Tomahawk Block IV's technologies provide a tactical capability while reducing acquisition, operation and support costs. Tomahawk Block IV employs a two-way satellite datalink that enables a strike controller to flex the missile in flight to preprogrammed alternate targets or redirect it to a new target. This targeting flexibility includes the capability to loiter over the battlefield and await a more critical target. "The Tomahawk program continues to provide the U.S. Navy with the capability to project precision firepower across the breadth and depth of the battlespace while delivering unprecedented flexibility to the commander," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon's Air Warfare Systems product line. "With the dedication of our employees and suppliers, the Tomahawk program has set the standard in cruise missile capability." Raytheon Company, with 2009 sales of $25 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 88 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 75,000 people worldwide.