DTN News: Lockheed Martin Delivers First Mid-Life Upgrade P-3 Orion

DTN News: Lockheed Martin Delivers First Mid-Life Upgrade P-3 Orion

Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin

(NSI News Source Info) GREENVILLE, S.C.,- July 14, 2010: The first Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] P-3 Orion with new Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) enhancements was delivered to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in ceremonies here today. The newly re-winged P-3 will soon make its first flight and will immediately be a game-changer for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This aircraft is the first of many that will benefit with increased availability and reliability for critical homeland security missions. “The P-3 Orion is unsurpassed in its flexibility in maritime patrol and reconnaissance,” said Ralph Heath, president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “The Mid-Life Upgrade will ensure this national asset continues to provide second-to-none service for the next 20 years.” Lockheed Martin′s P-3 MLU program provides a technically proven, low-risk, cost-effective solution replacing the aircraft outer wings, center wing lower surface and horizontal stabilizer with new production components. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will receive up to 14 upgraded P-3s for deliveries planned through 2015. This first CBP MLU aircraft was completed in 14 months. To date, Lockheed Martin has 52 MLU kits under contract with six operators from four nations. “We are excited about our partnership with Customs and Border Protection,” said Ray Burick, Lockheed Martin P-3 Programs vice president, “and we are committed to providing them with modernization enhancements to sustain the P-3 for decades to come. The MLU integrates well with our 10-year site and depot P-3 Fleet Maintenance Program, now underway with CBP.” The MLU replaces all fatigue-life limiting structure with enhanced-design components and incorporates a new metal alloy that is five times more corrosion resistant, greatly reducing the cost of ownership for P-3 Operators. The MLU removes current aircraft flight restrictions and extends the structural service life of the P-3 up to 15,000 hours and adds 20 years of operational use. P-3 Orion is the standard for maritime patrol and reconnaissance, and is used for homeland security, hurricane reconnaissance, anti-piracy operations, humanitarian relief, search and rescue, intelligence gathering, antisubmarine warfare and, recently, to assist in air traffic control and data gathering over the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 136,000 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 Contacts:

Alison Orne

Office: 770-494-9819

Mobile: 678-662-3106

Email: alison.orne@lmco.com Sam Grizzle

Office: 703-413-5775

Mobile: 678-662-9162

Email: sam.c.grizzle@lmco.com

DTN News: Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors Make Permanent Home In Hawaii

DTN News: Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors Make Permanent Home In Hawaii

Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin Dt. July 12th, 2010

(NSI News Source Info) HICKAM AFB, Hawaii, - July 14, 2010: Officials at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, formally dedicated two Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-22 Raptors on July 9, inaugurating the base as the newest permanent home for the aircraft and marking the start of a partnership between the Hawaii Air National Guard and the active-duty Air Force in flying the F-22. Pilots from the 199th Fighter Squadron, 154th Wing, Hawaii Air National Guard, and from the active-duty 19th Fighter Squadron, 15th Wing, will fly the F-22 at Hickam. A combination of Hawaii ANG personnel and active-duty airmen will maintain the base’s eventual fleet of 20 Raptors. Ceremony speakers included Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle; U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye; Gen. Gary L. North, commander of Pacific Air Forces; and Gen. Craig R. McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau. “We at Lockheed Martin are proud to celebrate with the Hawaii Air National Guard and Hickam Air Force Base as the base becomes the newest operational home for the F-22,” said George Shultz, vice president and general manager of the F-22 Program for Lockheed Martin. “We look forward to a long-lasting partnership with the Hawaii ANG and the base in keeping the Raptor flying and further enhancing its capabilities over time, to ensure Hickam F-22s promote deterrence and stability through air power in the Pacific for decades to come.” F-22 Raptors are assigned to seven U.S. bases. Flight testing takes place at Edwards AFB, Calif. Operational tactics development is ongoing at Nellis AFB, Nev. Pilot training occurs at Tyndall AFB, Fla. Operational F-22 aircraft are assigned to Langley AFB, Va.; Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; Holloman AFB, N.M.; and Hickam AFB. The world’s only operational fifth-generation fighter, the F-22 boasts a unique combination of stealth, speed, agility, situational awareness and lethal long-range air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry to make it the world’s best air dominance fighter and to enable it to deter and defeat current and emerging threats. For more information on the F-22, visit www.lockheedmartin.com/products/f22/. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 136,000 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:

Chris McGee

Office: 770-494-2578

Mobile: 770-289-3309

Email: christopher.mcgee@lmco.com

DTN News: UK Unveils Taranis Unmanned Combat Jet Prototype

DTN News: UK Unveils Taranis Unmanned Combat Jet Prototype

Source: DTN News - this article / report compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources BBC News & BAE Systems

(NSI News Source Info) WARTON/LONDON, U.K. - July 13, 2010: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has unveiled a prototype of its first unmanned combat aircraft. The plane will test the possibility of developing a stealth jet fighter with no pilots.

The MoD says the Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) would be able to precisely strike targets at long range and would be controlled by military crews on the ground.

Speaking at its unveiling in Lancashire, minister for international security strategy Gerald Howarth said: "Taranis is a truly trailblazing project."

"The first of its kind in the UK, it reflects the best of our nation's advanced design and technology skills and is a leading programme on the global stage." Flight trials of the prototype unmanned combat aircraft will start next year.

Named after the Celtic god of thunder, the concept demonstrator will test the possibility of developing the first ever autonomous stealthy Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) that would ultimately be capable of precisely striking targets at long range, even in another continent.Should such systems enter into service, they will at all times be under the control of highly trained military crews on the ground.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony at BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire, Minister for International Security Strategy Gerald Howarth said: “Taranis is a truly trailblazing project. The first of its kind in the UK, it reflects the best of our nation’s advanced design and technology skills and is a leading programme on the global stage.”

Representing the pinnacle of UK engineering and aeronautical design, Taranis is an informal partnership of the UK MoD and industry talents including BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, QinetiQ and GE Aviation.

Speaking on behalf of the industry team, Nigel Whitehead, Group managing director of BAE Systems' Programmes & Support business, said: "Taranis has been three and a half years in the making and is the product of more than a million man-hours. It represents a significant step forward in this country's fast-jet capability. This technology is key to sustaining a strong industrial base and to maintain the UK's leading position as a centre for engineering excellence and innovation."

The Taranis prototype will provide the UK MoD with critical knowledge on the technical and manufacturing challenges and the potential capabilities of Unmanned Combat Air Systems. or further information, please contact: Sqn Ldr Bruno Wood at UK Ministry of Defence Press

Office Tel: +44 (0) 207 218 1534,

Tim Foreman at the DE&S Press

OfficeMob: +44 (0) 7990 506591

Adam Morrison, BAE Systems

Tel: + 44 (0)1772 852714

Mob: + 44 (0)7525 390393

Email: adam.morrison@baesystems.com

Leonie Foster, BAE Systems plc

Tel: +44 (0) 1252 383777

Mob: +44 (0) 7540 630168

Email: leonie.foster@baesystems.com Issued by: BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK

Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384719 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 38394724

hr media hotline: + 44 (0) 7801 717739

http://www.baesystems.com/ Ministry of Defence (MoD) Related News:

*The British military's helicopters 15 April 10The P Word *How to fly an aerobatics plane 26 March 10 echnology *See inside an Apache helicopter 22 January 10 ront Page *Meet the man who arms Apache helicopters 22 January 10 ront Page *See the V-22 Osprey in action 16 December 09 The P Word *Training with an Armed Forces helicopter 16 July 09 The P Word

DTN News: Russian Warship To Visit British Port Ahead Of FRUKUS 2010 Drills

DTN News: Russian Warship To Visit British Port Ahead Of FRUKUS 2010 Drills

Source: DTN News / Ria Novosti

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - July 13, 2010: The Severomorsk destroyer from Russia's Northern Fleet will make a port call in Plymouth from July 16-23 before joining NATO warships in the FRUKUS 2010 naval drills. "The visit will continue until July 23 and is linked with the ship's participation in the FRUKUS 2010 international exercises," a spokesman for the Russian Navy said on Monday. The FRUKUS 2010 exercises will be held from July 22-25 in the North Atlantic. The annual naval drills, which traditionally involve France, Russia, Britain and the United States, practice interoperability for future joint operations under a UN mandate. Previously called RUKUS, the exercises were launched in 1988 to promote dialogue between the Soviet Union, Britain, and the United States. The name was changed to FRUKUS in 2003, when France formally joined the group. Severomorsk is an Udaloy class guided-missile destroyer armed with anti-ship missiles, 30-mm and 100-mm guns, and two Ka-27 Helix helicopters. Related News *Russian destroyer to take part in FRUKUS-2010 naval drills *France to host FRUKUS 2009 international naval exercises *Russia concludes Vostok-2010 drills in Siberia *Ukraine, NATO to hold Sea Breeze military drills in July Multimedia *Northern Fleet warships return to Severomorsk *Russia’s Navy. The Northern Fleet *Northern Fleet task force returns from Atlantic. Video

DTN News: Russia To Deliver 21 Mi-17 Transport Helicopters To Afghanistan

DTN News: Russia To Deliver 21 Mi-17 Transport Helicopters To Afghanistan Source: DTN News / Ria Novosti (NSI News Source Info) KABUL, Afghanistan - July 13, 2010: Russia will supply Afghanistan with 21 Mi-17 Hip military transport helicopters, an Afghan television channel reported on Monday. According to Tolo television, the contract is worth $300 million and was concluded with the approval of the с command in Afghanistan. Russian envoy to NATO Dmitry Rogozin told RIA Novosti on Monday that NATO had yet to agree on the exact delivery date of some time in July, although the alliance has voiced the need for Russian transport helicopters a long time ago. The Mi-17 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Afghan Air Force currently has 25 Mi-17 helicopters, which are widely used for troop and cargo transport, rescue and evacuation missions in the fight against Taliban militants. Afghanistan plans to increase the number of Mi-17 helicopters to 56 by 2012. The majority of Afghan helicopters pilots were trained in the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Meanwhile, Russian Ambassador to Afghanistan Andrei Avetisyan told reporters on Monday that Moscow was ready to supply Russian-made weaponry to the war-ravaged Central Asian state. "We have repeatedly stated our readiness to deliver military equipment to Afghanistan," the diplomat said. In December 2002, Russia's Defense Ministry signed a contract with Afghanistan to provide military-technical assistance to Kabul with deliveries of motor vehicles, fuel and lubricants, communication equipment, topographic maps, truck-mounted repair workshops and automobile and armor equipment spare parts. However, deliveries of Russian weaponry to Afghanistan were suspended in 2005 allegedly in order to avoid "the duplication" of U.S. aid to the country, which that year totaled over $929 million, more than 80% of which was earmarked for the military and police. Avetisyan said the Western supplies of copycat versions of Russian weaponry to Afghanistan negatively affected the combat capabilities of the Afghan armed forces. "We are mainly talking about the Kalashnikov assault rifles, which are manufactured under expired licenses in several East European countries," the ambassador said.

DTN News: China Seals Y-12 Light Aircrafts Deal With Venezuela

DTN News: China Seals Y-12 Light Aircrafts Deal With Venezuela

Source: DTN News - compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources

(NSI News Source Info) BEIJING, China - July 13, 2010: The China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) has concluded a delivery contract with Venezuela on twenty five multi-purpose Y-12 light aircraft and two helicopters, the China Daily said on Tuesday. The aircraft will be used by a new airline company to be established by the South American state. An AVIC source denied the Chinese side planned to invest $300 million in the new air carrier. The contract was concluded on Friday between the AVIC subsidiary the AVIC International Holding Corp and Venezuela's Fundagrial fund and the Sireca company. The financial details of the contract have not been revealed. The Chinese company will supply other six planes to Venezuela over the next five years. The contract is expected to enhance aviation ties between the two countries and improve the level of air carrier services in South America. China is Venezuela's second-largest trading partner, while Venezuela is China's fifth-largest trading partner in South America.