Thursday, August 26, 2010

DTN News: Aerospace/Defense Headlines - News Dated August 26, 2010

DTN News: Aerospace/Defense Headlines - News Dated August 26, 2010
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including latest updates Defense News, Aerospace/Defense Headlines - News& Yahoo
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 26, 2010: Comprehensive daily news related to Aerospace/Defense for the world of TODAY.
*Comprehensive daily news related on Aerospace/Defense for the world of TODAY.

Thursday August 26, 2010

Wednesday August 25, 2010
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DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated August 26, 2010

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated August 26, 2010 Source: U.S. DoD issued No. 771-10 August 26, 2010 (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - August 26, 2010: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued August 26, 2010 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Science Applications International Corp., Fairfield, N.J., is being awarded a maximum $500,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for maintenance, repair and operations supplies. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. The original proposal was Web-solicited with seven responses. The date of performance completion is Aug. 30, 2011. The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM500-04-D-BP24).

Wolverine World Wide, Inc., Rockford, Mich., is being awarded a maximum $9,560,971 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for boots. Other location of performance is Cedar Springs, Mich. Using service is Navy. The original proposal was Web-solicited with three responses. The date of performance completion is Aug. 31, 2011. The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SP0100-06-R-0059).

NAVY

Lockheed Martin Corp., Maritime Systems and Sensors, Manassas, Va., was awarded on Aug. 25 a $155,145,750 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-10-C-6266) for the design and support of the manufacture of hardware for the Acoustic Rapid Commercial-off-the-shelf Insertion (A-RCI) system improvement and integration program. A-RCI is a sonar system that integrates and improves towed array, hull array, sphere array, and other ship sensor processing through rapid insertion of commercial-off-the-shelf-based hardware and software. Work will be performed in Manassas, Va. (90 percent), and Syracuse, N.Y. (10 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $10,860,203 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.

International Marine and Industrial Applicators, LLC, Jacksonville, Fla., was awarded on Aug. 25 a $48,000,000 cost-plus award-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to perform depot-level preservation on Navy submarines, aircraft carriers, support craft and miscellaneous boats. For Navy submarines, work may include blasting, painting and surface preparation for complete or touch-up preservation for the main ballast tank, interior and exterior tank blasting, and painting. For aircraft carriers, typical work to be performed in selected restricted availability, docking planned incremental availabilities, interim dry-docking, and carrier incremental availabilities may include: blasting, painting, and surface preparation for complete or touch-up preservation of the underwater hull, freeboard, struts, rudders, running gear, ground tackle, and sea-chest, as well as various interior tanks. Work will be performed at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Bremerton, Wash., on Naval Base Kitsap, Bremerton, Wash. (80 percent); Naval Station Everett, Wash. (10 percent); Naval Base Kitsap, Bangor, Wash. (8 percent); and Naval Station Keyport, Wash. (2 percent). Work is expected to be completed by August 2015. Contract funds in the amount of $300,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy’s Electronic Commerce Online website, with two offers received. The Northwest Regional Maintenance Center, Bremerton, Wash., is the contracting activity (N4523A-10-D-0041).

Misener Marine Construction, Inc., Tampa, Fla., was awarded on Aug. 25 a $22,650,361 firm-fixed-price contract for the design and construction of Wharf Charlie improvements at Naval Station Mayport. The work to be performed provides for construction of a steel sheet pile bulkhead and tie to existing cellular diaphragm wall structure, place self-hardening flowable fill between existing and new bulkhead, new concrete cap and partial concrete encasement of sheet pile, install new foam filled fenders and provide new asphalt paving. This project also contains one option to construct an elevated second deck wharf with mooring hardware, vehicular access ramps, pedestrian stairways, concrete slab with beams supported by concrete columns, and deep foundations. Work will be performed in Mayport, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Aug. 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 13 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-10-C-1259).

Can’t Be Beat Fence & Construction, LLC*, Perkinston, Miss., was awarded on Aug. 25 a $12,101,353 firm-fixed-price contract for design and construction of an addition to the existing Strategic Weapons System Engineering Facility, Building 3334, at Naval Support Activity Crane. Function areas will include open systems engineering labs; analysis lab; test and evaluation labs; engineering and logistics support areas; secured space; shipping/receiving; conference rooms; lunch/break room; restrooms; and mechanical room. Special features will include 400 Hz power; controlled lab spaces; dry air/nitrogen distribution system; fire protection system; and information system. The project will also provide intrusion detection system and access controls to ensure adequate security. The contract also contains five unexercised options which, if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $13,144,856. Work will be performed in Crane, Ind., and is expected to be completed by January 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 15 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Midwest, Great Lakes, Ill., is the contracting activity (N40083-10-C-0022).

ARMY

Combat Support Associates, Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded on Aug. 25 a $66,200,000 cost-plus-award-fee contract for a six-month contract extension for combat support services for Kuwait. Work is to be performed at Camps Arifjan, Buehring and Virginia; Khabari Crossing; Ali Al Salem; Udairi Range; Kuwait Navy Base; APOD and SPOD with an estimated completion date of Nov. 14, 2010. One bid was solicited with one received. Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., is the contracting activity (DASA02-99-C-1234; Serial No. 1762).

L3 Communications Aerospace, LLC, Madison, Miss., was awarded on Aug. 25 a $28,476,296 time-and-material contract for aircraft workers. Work is to be performed at Corpus Christi Army Depot, Corpus Christi, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 28, 2011. One bid was solicited with one received. Corpus Christi Army Depot, Corpus, Christi, Texas, is the contracting activity (W912NW-10-F-0066; Serial No. 1769).

Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., was awarded on Aug. 25 a $22,781,932 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for Excalibur 155mm increment 1B unitary warhead M982E1 Precision Enhancement Projectile Qualification Phase. Work is to be performed at Tucson, Ariz., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2013. One bid was solicited with three received. ACC JM&L Contracting Center is the contracting activity (W15QKN-08-0530; Serial No. 1771).

Ceradyne, Inc., Costa Mesa, Calif., was awarded on Aug. 25 a $21,734,258 firm-fixed-price contract for spall cover repairs for an estimated 447,852 possible repairs on x-small arms protective inserts/enhanced small arms protective inserts plates over the remaining ordering period of the contract. Work is to be performed in Costa Mesa, Calif., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 2, 2013. One bid was solicited with one received. Research Development & Engineering Command Contracting Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W91CRB-09-D-001; Serial No. 1759).

Hellfire Systems, LLC, Orlando, Fla., was awarded on Aug. 25 a $14,447,300 firm-fixed-price, three-year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Romeo Phase 3 engineering to re-configure Army AGM-114K2 and AGM-114N missiles to the AGM-114R Romeo configuration. Work is to be performed at Columbia, S.C., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2013. One bid was solicited with one received. U.S. Army Contracting Center, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-08-C-0361; Serial No. 1765).

Alliant Lake City Small Caliber Ammunition Co., LLC, Lake City APP, Independence Mo., was awarded on Aug. 25 a $11,681,178 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for production base support Projects 3248, 3180 and 2670C. Work is to be performed at Independence, Mo., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2012. One bid was solicited with one received. Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (DAAA09-99-E-0002; Serial No. 1772).

Mike Hooks, Inc., Westlake, La., was awarded on Aug. 25 a $11,628,800 firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance dredging of approximately one million cubic yards and the repair/rehabilitation of Placement Areas 8, 11, 13, 17, 20, 23, 24 and 26. Work is to be performed in Chambers County, Texas, with an estimated completion date of July 11, 2011. Three bids were solicited with three received. US Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston, Texas is the contracting activity (W912HY-10-C-0028; Serial No. 1767).

FN Manufacturing, LLC, Columbia, S.C., was awarded on Aug. 25 a $8,853,835 firm-fixed-price contract for M16A4 rifles; 11,951 for the U.S. Marine Corps and 110 foreign military sales to Indonesia. Work is to be performed in Columbia, S.C., with an estimated completion date of June 17, 2011. Three bids were solicited with three received. TACOM-RI, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52H09-08-DZ-0121; Serial No. 1764).

Horizon Shipbuilding, Inc., Bayou La Batre, Ala., was awarded on Aug. 25 a $8,619,510 firm-fixed-price contract to acquire a welded steel hulled commercial standard inland river tow boat for the Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division, Memphis District, for towing services for Memphis, Little Rock, and Vicksburg districts. Work is to be performed at Bayou La Batre, Ala., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 20, 2012. Eighteen bids were solicited with eight received. US Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (W912BU-10-C-0031; Serial No. 1766).

BAE Systems, Phoenix, Ariz., was awarded on Aug. 25 a $6,270,186 firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Work is to be performed at Phoenix, Ariz., with an estimated completion date of Oct 2, 2013. One bid was solicited with one received. Research Development & Engineering Command Contracting Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W91CRB-09-D0002; Serial No. 1760).

Norfolk Dredging Co., Chesapeake, Va., was awarded on Aug. 25 a $5,874,600 firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance dredging. Work is to be performed from the Delaware River in Philadelphia to the sea - Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware - with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2010. Thirteen bids were solicited with one received. US Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (W912BU-10-C-0032; Serial No. 1763).

DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY

Argon ST, Inc., Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $7,886,352 cost-plus fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract (HR0011-09-C-0079) for the Sferics-based Underground Geopositioning (S-BUG). Work will be performed in Fairfax, Va. (72 percent); San Diego, Calif. (14 percent); Minneapolis, Minn. (9 percent); Springfield, Va. (4 percent); and Greenbelt, Md. (1 percent). Work is expected to be completed by February 2012. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is the contracting activity.

*Small business
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DTN News: Boeing, US Navy Celebrate T-45 Jet Trainer's Million-Flight-Hour Milestone

DTN News: Boeing, US Navy Celebrate T-45 Jet Trainer's Million-Flight-Hour Milestone
Source: DTN News / Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) JACKSONVILLE, Fla., - August 26, 2010: The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today joined the U.S. Navy at Cecil Field in Jacksonville to celebrate the Naval Air Training Command’s 1 millionth flight hour with the T-45 Goshawk, the Navy's premier jet trainer aircraft. "This milestone is another testament to the quality that this team has put into each and every T-45 that we have training our future aerial combat warriors," said Rear Adm. Bill Sizemore, chief of Naval Air Training. "It's an exciting time in Naval Air Training as we forge into the future with the T-45 Goshawk, converting the remaining analog models into digital/glass cockpits to mirror the aircraft in the fleet." For more than 18 years, the twin-seat, single-engine Goshawk has prepared student aviators to transition to front-line Navy and Marine Corps fleet aircraft, including the F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-6 Prowler, EA-18G Growler and AV-8B Harrier. It is also the only aircraft in the world designed to conduct carrier-based flight training. A total of three Naval Air Training Command wings fly the T-45; Boeing presented each with a plaque at today’s event. "Boeing is honored to commemorate the T-45's rich legacy with our U.S. Navy customer, and we share the Navy's pride in the aircraft’s critical mission of training for naval aviation," said Greg Dunn, T-45 program manager at Boeing. "Boeing was proud to deliver the final T-45 aircraft last year. Our support of the T-45 fleet continues with affordable upgrades and supply-chain solutions. The Boeing team understands the importance of maximizing readiness and safety for the Navy so that aspiring aviators and flight officers are able to climb into a T-45 and take to the sky to earn those cherished wings of gold." The Goshawk is a component of the fully integrated T-45 training system, which also includes high-fidelity instrument and flight simulators, computer-assisted classroom learning, an automated training-management asset, and contractor logistics support. More than 3,600 student aviators from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and several international militaries have received instruction on the system at naval air stations in Meridian, Miss.; Kingsville, Texas; and Pensacola, Fla., before earning their "wings of gold" naval aviator insignia. "BAE Systems is proud of its role on the T-45 program, and of the training aircraft capability that we have brought to bear in support of our partnership with Boeing," said Martin Rushton, managing director for BAE Systems' Air Sector Training Business. "The T-45 Goshawk plays a key part in the overall training system for the U.S. Navy, and it is great to see that the aircraft continues to perform so well." Boeing delivered the 221st and final T-45 training jet to the Navy in November 2009. The company continues to support the T-45 fleet by providing engineering, logistics, and support equipment in partnership with BAE Systems, which supplied the aircraft’s rear and center fuselage sections, wing assembly and vertical tail. Boeing manages the T-45's spare and repair parts supply, and supports L-3 Vertex with aircraft maintenance. Rolls-Royce provided the T-45’s Adour F405 turbofan power plant. 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.
Contact: Juliette Yancey
Boeing Global Services & Support
Office: 314-777-7863
Mobile: 314-691-8973
Boeing Global Services & Support
Office: 703-872-4206
Mobile: 703-403-3083
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DTN News: Pakistan TODAY August 26, 2010 - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Helicopter Unit Join Relief Efforts In Pakistan

DTN News: Pakistan TODAY August 26, 2010 - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Helicopter Unit Join Relief Efforts In Pakistan
Source: DTN News By Roger Smith
(NSI News Source Info) TOKYO, Japan - August 26, 2010: The first contingent of a 200-strong Japanese military helicopter unit left for Pakistan Saturday to join international relief efforts across the flood-ravaged nation.
Fifty ground troops left the Japanese city of Fukuoka for an army airfield in Multan, central Pakistan, Japanese media reported. They will prepare the ground for the rest of their unit and six helicopters which will transport people and goods in flood-hit areas, according to the Defence Ministry. A naval transport ship and six air force C-130 transport planes are set to carry the helicopters and the unit's equipment to Pakistan, the ministry said. A total of 530 Japanese ground, air and naval troops will be mobilised for the relief mission. “We hear that the extent of damage is quite serious,” Colonel Atsushi Ishizaki, the commander of the unit, told Japanese media at a ground force base in Fukuoka. “We are proud that we can provide Pakistani people in trouble with something from our heart as Japanese.” The Pakistani military will protect the helicopter unit which will carry no arms while engaging in disaster relief activities in line with Japanese government policy, Kyodo news agency reported. Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada told reporters on Thursday that the United States had “unofficially” asked Japan to provide assistance to Pakistan. He also said Tokyo recognised the “importance of Pakistan” which neighbours Afghanistan. Tokyo has already extended 14.4 million dollars worth of emergency aid to help Pakistan cope with the disaster. Pakistan has endured its worst floods in 80 years, with millions of people affected by the deluge, prompting UN chief Ban Ki-moon to urge the world to step up international aid.
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com
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DTN News: Swiss Abort Major Fighter Jet Purchase

DTN News: Swiss Abort Major Fighter Jet Purchase
Source: DTN News - - This article / report compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including AFP
(NSI News Source Info) GENEVA, Switzerland - August 26, 2010: Switzerland on Wednesday postponed its search for new air force fighter jets for several years, just weeks before it was expected to announce a decision on the multibillion dollar tender. Swiss Defence Minister Ueli Maurer said at a news conference that the postponement of the replacement of about half of the Swiss army's ageing fleet of F-5 Tiger aircraft "will last at most until 2015". The tender launched in January 2008 led to a fierce battle between European aerospace group EADS's Eurofighter, French firm Dassault's Rafale and the Gripen built by Sweden's Saab. The Swiss government said in a statement that it had decided, "on the proposal of the Defence Ministry, to adjourn the partial replacement of 54 obsolete Tiger F-5 aircraft." It cited budgetary constraints that emerged during the evaluation of the aircraft as well as a desire to use resources to cover other military shortcomings. Switzerland also has 33 US-made FA-18 Hornet fighter jets for its frontline defence force. Maurer, who took office 11 months after the process was launched, was a fierce critic of the tender, estimating that it would have wiped out all other major military purchases for eight years. A decision on the choice of aircraft was last postponed in the spring, when Swiss media reported that the defence minister had estimated the cost of replacing 22 Tigers at 3.5 billion to 5.0 billion Swiss francs (2.7 billion to 3.8 billion euros; 3.4 billion to 4.8 billion dollars). When the tender was launched, Switzerland had planned to spend 2.2 to 2.5 billion francs to replace the F-5s, some of which are more than 30 years old. The Swiss government is now aiming to secure an adequate budget next year with a view to a purchase for the second half of the decade.
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com
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DTN News: Canadian Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Military Planes

DTN News: Canadian Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Military Planes * Canada Scrambles Jets to Repel 2 Russian Bombers 26 days ago * DTN News: Canadian Jets Repel Russian Bombers - July 30, 2010 Source: DTN News - - This article / report compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including AOL Canada
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 26, 2010: Russia has been caught once again poking its nose in Canadian airspace.
Two Canadian fighter jets were called upon to intercept a pair of Russian military planes on Tuesday as they flew close to Canadian soil.
The CF-18s were scrambled to greet the Russian TU-95 Bear bombers after they were spotted about 56 kilometres north of Inuvik, N.W.T.
The CF-18 jets from 4 Wing Cold Lake base in Alberta shadowed the Russians until both planes turned around. The Canadian jets returned to base without incident.
A statement from the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday said: "Thanks to the rapid response of the Canadian Forces, at no time did the Russian aircraft enter sovereign Canadian airspace."
Spokesman Dimitri Soudas said Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who is in the Canadian North for his annual Arctic tour, was briefed about the mission.
This isn't the first time Canadian jets were sent out to intercept potential intruders.
On Sept. 5, 2007, a CF-18 Hornet was scrambled from 4 Wing Cold Lake to escort a Russian bomber plane flying outside Canada's Arctic airspace.
Russia has increasingly been probing Arctic airspace as the former-Cold War power tries to re-establish itself on the world stage, analysts say.
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com
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DTN News: U.S. Navy MQ-8B Fire Scout Unmanned Navy Craft Flies Into Restricted Airspace

DTN News: U.S. Navy MQ-8B Fire Scout Unmanned Navy Craft Flies Into Restricted Airspace
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON- August 26, 2010: An unmanned aircraft went off course during testing and entered restricted airspace near the nation's capital earlier this month, the Navy said Wednesday. The craft, an MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle, is one of six the Navy is testing for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. It was supposed to fly a preprogrammed route over the Webster Field Annex at the naval air station at Patuxent River, Md., a Navy spokesman, Lt. Myers Vasquez, said. During testing on Aug. 2, controllers lost the link to the aircraft and it flew off route into the restricted area. Vasquez said the craft was about 40 miles away from Washington. The Federal Aviation Administration was notified that it was a Navy craft so they were aware and monitoring it, Vasquez said. The controllers were able to reprogram the craft and bring it back to the field about 20 minutes after they lost contact with the craft, Vasquez said. During that time, there was no communication between the controllers and the helicopter-like aircraft. Authorities have been on high alert for planes entering air space in and around major government buildings in the national capital region since the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. FAA figures show that since then aircraft have entered restricted airspace around Washington roughly twice a day. Vasquez said the plane had flown about 1,000 hours and never had a similar incident. One of the other Fire Scouts was deployed on the USS McInerny off the coast of Central America and used in drug interdiction. The restricted airspace intrusion was first reported in The New York Times.
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com
Related News
*Unmanned Navy craft flies into restricted airspace The Associated Press - Michele Salcedo - ‎7 hours ago‎ The craft, an MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle, is one of six the Navy is testing for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. ... *Navy Drone Violated Washington Airspace New York Times *Lost Navy UAV enters Washington airspace NavyTimes.com
*Military loses control of helicopter drone CNN (blog) - ‎5 hours ago‎
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DTN News: North Korean Leader, Kim Jong-il, 'Visiting China With His Son'

DTN News: North Korean Leader, Kim Jong-il, 'Visiting China With His Son' Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including Reuters, AP & Other leading media
(NSI News Source Info) SEOUL, South Korea - August 26, 2010: North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong-il is visiting powerful ally China with his son and heir apparent, South Korean government sources said, ahead of a meeting next month that may settle his succession. The visit comes ahead of a rare meeting of the Workers' Party (WPK), which rubber stamps major policy decisions in the North. Analysts say the assembly could set in motion the succession of the leader's son, Kim Jong-un. "Kim Jong-il is traveling through China by train, but we have no information as to whether his son is accompanying him," a presidential source told Reuters. A South Korean foreign ministry source said there was evidence that both Kim and his son were in China. Kim, his iron rule underpinned by a personality cult, rarely travels abroad. But this would be the second time since May that he has gone to China on which he depends to prop up his country's failing economy. When he does travel, he always goes by private train and is thought to be terrified of flying. There is widespread speculation that Kim is in poor health following a suspected stroke in 2008 and some analysts say he may be in a hurry to establish his son's succession to the family dynasty that has ruled North Korea since its founding after World War Two. PARTY MEETING Daniel Pinkston, a specialist on Korean affairs in Seoul with the International Crisis Group, said a visit was most likely connected to next month's WPK meeting. "There is so much circumstantial evidence pointing to the succession issue. And there are other signs that they are hurting for cash aid and assistance. The two things are not mutually exclusive. "If the succession is being accelerated, then of course Kim has an incentive to address the economic problems and other issues which will be helpful for his son in the transition to taking power." China's foreign ministry had no immediate comment on his reported visit. A policewoman at the Chinese border town of Ji'an said: "Some leader came yesterday," but declined further comment on reports that the two Kims had traveled there on Wednesday night. Cai Jian, an expert on Korea at Fudan University in Shanghai expressed a degree of skepticism over the reported trip. "North Korea does not need China's blessing or approval for succession plans, but Kim may feel he should inform China of his plans. "China has made it clear that it is very concerned about maintaining stability and close contacts with North Korea, and it would be concerned to know that any future leader also attaches much importance to relations with China. But this is not about seeking China's agreement, it's about informing China." The reported visit was taking place a day after former U.S. President Jimmy Carter flew into Pyongyang to win the release of an American jailed in the isolated country. There has been heightened tensions on the peninsula after the March torpedoing of a South Korean warship, blamed by Seoul on the North. The sinking prompted expanded U.S. sanctions against the North. Pyongyang, which denies sinking the ship, itself has been pushing the international community to return to talks on ending its nuclear weapons programme in return for massive aid and an end to its international isolation. China wants Seoul and Washington to put the sinking of the warship behind them, and to restart the stalled six-party talks. To that end, Beijing was sending its top nuclear envoy Wu Dawei to Seoul later on Thursday. The South's foreign ministry spokesman, Kim Young-sun, told a news conference that North Korea must first take responsibility for the sinking and be willing to denuclearize before Seoul was willing to engage in six-party talks. (Additional reporting by Kwon Youri, Jack Kim and Brett Cole in Seoul, Tabassum Zakaria in Washington and Chris Buckley in Beijing; writing by Jonathan Thatcher; Editing by Ron)
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com
Related News
The Hindu

North Korean leader, youngest son on trip to China, South says

Los Angeles Times - John M. Glionna, Barbara Demick - ‎1 hour ago‎
There is no word on the purpose of the trip by reclusive leader Kim Jong Il. The son is expected to be named as his successor. By John M. Glionna and Barbara Demick Los Angeles Times Staff Writer In a trip shrouded in mystery and speculation, ...
NKorea's Kim visits Chinese school, teachers say The Associated Press
Kim Jong Il Makes Surprise China Trip as Carter Visits North Korea Bloomberg
Sydney Morning Herald - NPR - Reuters - New York Times
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