Sunday, May 23, 2010

DTN News: Russia, U.S. Mull Joint Production Of An-124 Transport Planes

DTN News: Russia, U.S. Mull Joint Production Of An-124 Transport Planes
Source: DTN News / Ria Novosti 18/05/2010
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON, - May 24, 2010: The United States is considering a Russian proposal on the joint production of An-124 Condor heavy-lift transport aircraft, a Russian deputy prime minister said. The An-124 was designed by the Antonov Design Bureau in 1982, and was produced in Ukraine's Kiev and Russia's Ulyanovsk plants until 1995. Although there are no An-124s being built at present, Russia and Ukraine have reportedly agreed to resume production in the future. "We have discussed a full-scale project, which includes the joint production of the plane, setting up a joint venture, shared rights, sales to Russian and American customers - both civilian and military - and the creation of a scheme for post-production servicing," Sergei Ivanov told reporters in Washington. The An-124 is similar to the American Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, but has a 25% larger payload. The aircraft has a maximum payload of 150 metric tons with a flight range of around 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles). An-124s have been used extensively by several U.S. companies. Russian cargo company Volga-Dnepr has contracts with Boeing to ship outsize aircraft components to its Everett plant. United Launch Alliance contracts the An-124 to transport the Atlas V launch vehicle from its facilities near Denver to Cape Canaveral. Space Systems Loral contracts the An-124 to transport satellites from Palo Alto in California to the Arianespace spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. According to Ivanov, the Pentagon has contracted An-124 planes for military transport purposes until 2016. "The An-124 planes, made during the Soviet era, have been used extensively in the interests of U.S. customers. We are offering a full-scale project, rather than a simple lease," Ivanov said. Russia plans to manufacture a total of 20 An-124 aircraft by 2020 in accordance with the state arms procurement program.

DTN News: Israel Holds Defense Drill Amid Regional Tension

DTN News: Israel Holds Defense Drill Amid Regional Tension Source: DTN News / By AMY TEIBEL (AP) (NSI News Source Info) JERUSALEM, Israel - May 24, 2010: Israel held a dress rehearsal for disaster Sunday, beginning a defense drill to test the response of soldiers, emergency crews and civilians to
simulated missile barrages, terrorist attacks and chemical strikes. Israel embarked on its fourth annual home front drill at a time when Iranian-backed militants are rearming to Israel's north and south, and Iran itself is suspected of developing nuclear arms, despite its denials. The five-day exercise, the biggest in Israel's history, has raised allegations by the country's enemies that it is preparing for war — a concern Israel has sought to allay. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the drill is a "routine exercise that was scheduled long ago." "I want to emphasize that this is not a result of any abnormal security development," he told his Cabinet on Sunday. "On the contrary, Israel wants quiet, stability and peace, but it is no secret that we live in a region that is under threat of missiles and rockets." Israel began carrying out the annual exercise, code-named Turning Point, after its 2006 war with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon showed the country's bomb shelters, air raid sirens and civil defense authorities were unprepared. The exercise also incorporates lessons from Israel's 2009 war against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. Tensions have risen in recent weeks after Israel accused Syria of smuggling Scuds and other missiles to Hezbollah. Syria denied the charge. Israeli media reported that Hezbollah heightened its alert status ahead of what it branded Israel's "war game." Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri said the drill proves Israel is not serious about wanting peace. "Israel should reduce these maneuvers and return to the table to have serious talks about peace," Hariri said, according to a statement issued by his office. "If it wants peace, why does Israel resort to military maneuvers? And if it wants to negotiate with the Palestinians, why would it resort to military maneuvers?" Israel has tried to allay regional concerns with assurances through diplomatic channels that the drill is not a cover for a military strike, defense officials said.
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DTN News: BAE Systems-Northrop Grumman Submit Bid For Ground Combat Vehicle Competition

DTN News: BAE Systems-Northrop Grumman Submit Bid For Ground Combat Vehicle Competition
Source: DTN News / BAE Systems, 21 May 2010 Ref. 102/2010
(NSI News Source Info) ARLINGTON, Virginia - May 23, 2010: The BAE Systems-Northrop Grumman team pursuing the U.S. Army's Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) submitted its proposal to the Army today. "As a top supplier to the U.S. military we must continue to evolve and provide enhanced protective capabilities to our soldiers as they operate in increasingly dangerous environments," said Mark Signorelli, vice president and general manager of Ground Combat Vehicle at BAE Systems.
"We have provided our customers with a proposal that meets their requirements, mitigates risk, will deliver on schedule and is affordable." The BAE Systems-Northrop Grumman GCV offering will be the first combat vehicle designed from the ground-up to meet the current IED-threat environment.
The team offering brings more survivability, mobility and versatility to the Army and is scalable to the level of protection required for a variety of operations. The team's GCV survivability will exceed that of a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle and the enhanced mobility capabilities will allow it to effectively operate in urban and cross country environments.
"As proven by our proposal, both Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems will exploit decades of hard won, hands-on experience to provide the warfighter with the most potent, fully integrated combat platform capable of prevailing on any battlefield, anywhere in the world," said Joe G. Taylor, Jr., Northrop Grumman Information Systems' vice president for Ground Combat Systems.
The teams' vehicle will also have an integrated electronic network capability and embedded intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets to connect warfighters.
The design concept is based on mature technology and provides a low risk approach to a highly compliant solution. The advanced electronic network will also be adaptable to future network upgrades.
BAE Systems is the top producer of combat vehicles in the world and earlier in the year announced a teaming agreement with Northrop Grumman Corporation. Northrop Grumman will serve as the C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) lead for GCV. The GCV program is a development effort headed by the U.S. Army to develop the first combat vehicle designed from the ground-up to operate in an IED-threat environment. About BAE Systems BAE Systems is a global defense, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. In 2009 BAE Systems reported sales of £22.4 billion (US$ 36.2 billion). About Northrop Grumman Corporation Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. For further information, please contact Kelly Golden, BAE Systems
Tel: +1 703 894 3569 Mobile: +1 717 818 7400
kelly.golden@baesystems.com Janis Lamar, Northrop Grumman
Tel: +1 703 345 7046

DTN News: U.S. Congress Gives Obama Okay To Fund Israel Rocket Defense

DTN News: U.S. Congress Gives Obama Okay To Fund Israel Rocket Defense *Lawmakers voted to give Israel $205 million for its production of the short-range rocket defense system, Iron Dome defense, by 410-4 margin.
Source: DTN News / Haaretz By Natasha Mozgovaya
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - May 23, 2010: The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday voted in favor of President Barack Obama's plans to help Israel fund the deployment of the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system. Lawmakers, by a 410-4 margin, backed Obama's plan to give Israel 205 million dollars for its production of a short-range rocket defense system. The Iron Dome missile defense system aced a test run in January, and event that convinced senior defense officials that the defense system was on its way to becoming operational and that it will be able to effectively protect against short-range missiles, such as Katyushas and Qassams, which often hit Israeli towns. The project's first phase, which included development, test runs and the manufacture of two batteries, required a budget of NIS 800 million. The Israel Air Force has also trained a special new unit to operate the defense system. However, the plan was not allotted an adequate budget. The Israel Defense Forces ducked away from funding the project with its budget, explaining that offensive readiness was a higher priority, and the Defense Ministry has been looking for other budgetary avenues. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman said following the vore that "with nearly every square inch of Israel at risk from rocket and missile attacks, we must ensure that our most important ally in the region has the tools to defend itself.""The looming threat of a nuclear-armed Iran, and the persistent threat posed by Iran's allies Hamas and Hezbollah, only serve to reinforce our longstanding commitment to Israel's security," Berman added.Israel completed tests in January on its Iron Dome system, designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells fired at Israel by Hamas and Hezbollah.Florida congressman Ted Deutch commended the "Obama Administration forsupporting the critical Iron Dome system, which could help save the lives of innocent Israelis who every day live in fear of rocket attacks on their homes, schools, and marketplaces." "Partnering with Israel on short-range missile defense technology demonstrates America's unyielding commitment to Israel's security," Deutch added, saying that "Israel must be able to keep its citizens safe, and we must demand Palestinians end incitement and Hamas reject the use of terror." The Obama Administration must always work to address the threats posed to Israel not only by short-range missiles, but by the looming possibility of a nuclear-armed Iran.” The pro-Israel lobby AIPAC released a statement following the Congress vote, saying that the decision, that "will reduce the threat from Hamas and Hezbollah rocket attacks, is a tribute to America's commitment to Israel's defense and underscores our fundamental security cooperation with Israel, an island of democracy surrounded by a sea of hostile terrorist and totalitarian threats." "America stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Israel in their quest for peace and the right to live lives free of terrorism," the statement read.