Saturday, January 16, 2010
DTN News: FBI Released New "Aged Progressed" Photograph Of Osama Bin Laden
DTN News: FBI Released New "Aged Progressed" Photograph Of Osama Bin Laden
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - January 16, 2010:The U.S. Department of State and FBI have released this "age progressed" photograph of Osama Bin Laden (Usama bin Ladin) as a part of newly enhanced photos of terrorist suspects on their most wanted lists in Washington, January 15, 2010. The digitally enhanced pictures of Osama bin Laden shows how the al Qaeda leader might look now.
DTN News: Financial News TODAY January 16, 2010 ~ JAL Gets $1.6 Billion Loan
DTN News: Financial News TODAY January 16, 2010 ~ JAL Gets $1.6 Billion Loan
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media By Yoshio Takahashi
(NSI News Source Info) TOKYO, Japan - January 16, 2010: Japan Airlines Cor
p. said Friday that it has procured a loan of 145 billion yen ($1.6 billion) from the state-backed Development Bank of Japan, as the struggling airline continues to draft its restructuring plan.
The loan is part of the DBJ's credit line to JAL—doubled to 200 billion yen earlier this month—in an effort to help the carrier maintain its daily operations while it restructures. JAL had already used 55 billion yen of the initial credit line provided in November.
Meanwhile, Japan's transport minister said Friday that a state-backed corporate-turnaround body will start its rehabilitation process for JAL on Tuesday, and the carrier is expected to file for court-led rehabilitation on the same day. Transport Minister Seiji Maehara made the announcement to reporters following a meeting with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.
Quasi-governmental investment fund Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corp. has proposed that JAL undergo a modified version of a court-led rehabilitation process, according to a person familiar with the situation.—Kazuhiro Shimamura contributed to this article.
Write to Yoshio Takahashi at yoshio.takahashi@dowjones.com
p. said Friday that it has procured a loan of 145 billion yen ($1.6 billion) from the state-backed Development Bank of Japan, as the struggling airline continues to draft its restructuring plan.
The loan is part of the DBJ's credit line to JAL—doubled to 200 billion yen earlier this month—in an effort to help the carrier maintain its daily operations while it restructures. JAL had already used 55 billion yen of the initial credit line provided in November.
Meanwhile, Japan's transport minister said Friday that a state-backed corporate-turnaround body will start its rehabilitation process for JAL on Tuesday, and the carrier is expected to file for court-led rehabilitation on the same day. Transport Minister Seiji Maehara made the announcement to reporters following a meeting with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.
Quasi-governmental investment fund Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corp. has proposed that JAL undergo a modified version of a court-led rehabilitation process, according to a person familiar with the situation.—Kazuhiro Shimamura contributed to this article.
Write to Yoshio Takahashi at yoshio.takahashi@dowjones.com
DTN News: EADS Says Ready To Negotiate Acceptable A400M Deal
DTN News: EADS Says Ready To Negotiate Acceptable A400M Deal
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - January 16, 2010: Airbus parent EADS (EAD.PA) said on Friday it was ready to negotiate an "acceptable" funding deal for the troubled A400M military plane at a meeting likely to be scheduled next week. 
A spokesman said unior defence ministers were expected to meet again next week following talks held in London on Thursday.
"We understand we will be invited. EADS will go there with the will to negotiate an acceptable solution," a company spokesman said.
EADS has appealed to a group of European NATO nations for extra funds to build the delayed troop and heavy equipment transporter, but said earlier this week that negotiations on the price of the plane had ground to a halt.
Germany, which has so far stood firm against financial relief, said on Friday buyers had agree don Thursday that they wanted the plane but "not at any price".
A spokesman said unior defence ministers were expected to meet again next week following talks held in London on Thursday.
"We understand we will be invited. EADS will go there with the will to negotiate an acceptable solution," a company spokesman said.
EADS has appealed to a group of European NATO nations for extra funds to build the delayed troop and heavy equipment transporter, but said earlier this week that negotiations on the price of the plane had ground to a halt.
Germany, which has so far stood firm against financial relief, said on Friday buyers had agree don Thursday that they wanted the plane but "not at any price".
DTN News: Russian Fighter Jets Worse Than Those Of USA And Europe?
DTN News: Russian Fighter Jets Worse Than Those Of USA And Europe?
*Source: Pravda.Ru
(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - January 16, 2010: The failure of the deal to sell Russian IL-78 fuel tankers to India once again raised the issue of the competitive ability decrease of Russian arms and military technique on the world market. Russia’s "Оboronka" (the defense industry) is facing yet harder problems in handling export contracts and servicing clients of earlier transactions. “It is impossible to improve the situation”, our expert concludes. 
According to Russian and foreign media sources, India refused to buy Russian Il-78 fuel tanker aircraft. Indian officials motivated this decision with the non-conformity of planes to the customer’s requisitions. The spare parts supply and the after-sales service were also mentioned. “After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia alternated its approach to the handling of the defense business. Nowadays we are facing problems with spare parts, the support of manufacturers and the delays conditioned by the centralized structure of their defense corporations”, Fali Homi Major, the Commander-in-Chief of Indian Air Force told RIA Novosti. Instead of Russian planes India is likely to buy Airbus A330 MRTT manufactured by the European company EADS.
This is not the first juicy scandal connected with Russia’s defense exports. “The most well-known case is the scandal with Algeria when they refused to take the already procured MiG aircraft and sent them back to us. There are plenty of scandals with India in relation to various types of arms. It concerns naval weapons in the first place”, said Mr. Alexander Khramchihin of the Institute of Political and Defense Analysis in an interview to Bigness.ru.
Recollecting the year 2007 with the outbreak of scandal with 15 MiG-29CMT fighters shipped to Algeria . It appeared that the jet fighters, which were sold as brand new, contained “second-hand” parts. According to some information, the units from the planes with several hundreds of flight hours were used when assembling those aircraft.
One can recollect habitual claims from India which is one of our key partners in the field of defense cooperation. We remind the endless complaints with The Gorshkov aircraft carrier which was designed for India. The budget for its refurbishment was mounting endlessly which enormously irritated our client. Perplexity was also connected with the problems in the modernization of the ship.
Technical problems haunted Russia in the transfer of frigates, which India ordered from Russia . Air defense missile systems stubbornly failed to hit air targets. In many scandal situations (e.g. in the case of airplanes returned by Algeria) some observers incriminate the international backroom deal.
According to Russian and foreign media sources, India refused to buy Russian Il-78 fuel tanker aircraft. Indian officials motivated this decision with the non-conformity of planes to the customer’s requisitions. The spare parts supply and the after-sales service were also mentioned. “After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia alternated its approach to the handling of the defense business. Nowadays we are facing problems with spare parts, the support of manufacturers and the delays conditioned by the centralized structure of their defense corporations”, Fali Homi Major, the Commander-in-Chief of Indian Air Force told RIA Novosti. Instead of Russian planes India is likely to buy Airbus A330 MRTT manufactured by the European company EADS.
This is not the first juicy scandal connected with Russia’s defense exports. “The most well-known case is the scandal with Algeria when they refused to take the already procured MiG aircraft and sent them back to us. There are plenty of scandals with India in relation to various types of arms. It concerns naval weapons in the first place”, said Mr. Alexander Khramchihin of the Institute of Political and Defense Analysis in an interview to Bigness.ru.
Recollecting the year 2007 with the outbreak of scandal with 15 MiG-29CMT fighters shipped to Algeria . It appeared that the jet fighters, which were sold as brand new, contained “second-hand” parts. According to some information, the units from the planes with several hundreds of flight hours were used when assembling those aircraft.
One can recollect habitual claims from India which is one of our key partners in the field of defense cooperation. We remind the endless complaints with The Gorshkov aircraft carrier which was designed for India. The budget for its refurbishment was mounting endlessly which enormously irritated our client. Perplexity was also connected with the problems in the modernization of the ship.
Technical problems haunted Russia in the transfer of frigates, which India ordered from Russia . Air defense missile systems stubbornly failed to hit air targets. In many scandal situations (e.g. in the case of airplanes returned by Algeria) some observers incriminate the international backroom deal.
However, politically motivated relations with India could only take place in times of the Cold War, but definitely not today. “Earlier India oriented itself to Russia during the Cold War, and there were truly political factors there”, says A.Khramchihin.
“Today India can buy weapons from whoever it wants to. The market also became more abundant than before. In his words everything in this sphere is explained by the quality including India’s denial. This is the signal to us that we produce low-quality weapons”, he affirms.
Formerly, competitive advantage of the Soviet military technique was in its low price (sometimes even dumping), its simplicity and reliability. However, the Russian military hardware, still being simple, started losing its former reliability. Nevertheless, the prices on it were growing against all odds.
The answer is in the high inflation rise of the defense sphere surpassing the average price growth in the industry as well as the degradation of the military-industrial complex. Whereas the amount of the state defense contracts and foreign contracts is growing, the national defense industry still fails to regain its capability to tackle the large-scale production of military equipment.
“Old factories which produced hardware in sufficient quantities and quality in the course of many years are not coping with the assignment of today”, said Mr. Ruslan Pukhov, of the Center of Strategy and Technology Analysis told Bigness.ru.
The staff deficit still persists – “money is there but people are not”. ”The situation is impossible to amend”, grumbles A.Kramchihin.
If the situation does not change (according to military experts it will be next to impossible to reverse it) Russia will be losing its share in the market of arms and military equipment. These tendencies have already started to take shape. Thus. according to studies of Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) and Bonn International Converse Center (BICC) Russia is reducing its share on the world arms market.
The turnover on the world arms market in 2004-2008 has increased by 21 percent as compared to previous five-year period (1999-2003). At that time the increase in sales of Russian arms was only 14 percent. The figures testify that our share in the arms market started to curtail.
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Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied herein, DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Unless otherwise indicated, opinions expressed herein are those of the author of the page and do not necessarily represent the corporate views of DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News.
DTN News: Russian Navy To Receive New Carrier-Based Fighters
DTN News: Russian Navy To Receive New Carrier-Based Fighters
*Source: DTN News / RIA Novosti
(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - January 16, 2010: Russia's Navy will take delivery of the first MiG-29K (Fulcrum-D) fighters later this year, a Navy official said on Friday.
"This year we are planning to buy the first batch of several machines," he said.
He did not give an exact figure for the fighters, which are due to be deployed on the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier.
The Navy earlier said it would buy a total of 24 MiG-29Ks in the next three to four years.
The military official said the Navy was currently using MiG-29K carrier-based multirole fighters and the more advanced Su-33 (Flanker-D) fighters, which will subsequently replace the MiGs.
Here is some pretty cool footage of two Russian MiG-29K fighters operating from the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov that gets your adrenalin pumping.
"The Su-33s' service life is to expire in 2015, but we intend to extend it through 2025," he said.
Military analyst Konstantin Makiyenko has suggested that production of new Su-33 aircraft is possible but not cost-effective, given the small production volumes, whereas considering that India has already contracted 16 MiG-29Ks and could place an order for another 28, the latter option is more financially viable.
The 24 aircraft will cost an estimated $1 billion.
Here is some pretty cool footage of two Russian MiG-29K fighters operating from the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov that gets your adrenalin pumping.
"The Su-33s' service life is to expire in 2015, but we intend to extend it through 2025," he said.
Military analyst Konstantin Makiyenko has suggested that production of new Su-33 aircraft is possible but not cost-effective, given the small production volumes, whereas considering that India has already contracted 16 MiG-29Ks and could place an order for another 28, the latter option is more financially viable.
The 24 aircraft will cost an estimated $1 billion.
Friday, January 15, 2010
DTN News: NATO Training Mission Seeks To Enable Afghans To Make The Difference Themselves
DTN News: NATO Training Mission Seeks To Enable Afghans To Make The Difference Themselves
*Source: DTN News / British Ministry of Defence (MoD) dated January 15, 2010
(NSI News Source Info) KABUL, Afghanistan - January 16, 2010: Any success achieved in Afghanistan will be dependent on the Afghans themselves, the Commander of the NATO Training Mission in the country said yesterday, Thursday 14 January 2010. 
Afghan soldiers in a training session [Picture: Roy Bacon, Crown Copyright/MOD 2008]
Lieutenant General William Caldwell, from the US, is the Commander of the NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan, where a number of British soldiers are currently working.
He spoke to the media from Kabul about the Training Mission via a live satellite link at a special invite-only briefing in the MOD's Main Building in London yesterday.
Explaining the function of the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan which, based in Kabul, began operating in November last year, Lt Gen Caldwell said that the overriding aim is to generate the Afghan National Security Forces, both the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police. He said:
"What we do is we grow and develop the Afghan National Army, from producing numbers, to running the schools, to providing the trainers and the instructors."
He added that as regards the Afghan National Police, the major aim is to reform it.
Lt Gen Caldwell has been in command of the Training Mission for two months. He said that previously the mission had been under-resourced both in terms of materials and trainers. He also highlighted the problem of actually getting recruits to join both the military and the police.
But, he continued, there are now about 41 nations contributing to the mission, with either equipment or personnel, and funding has increased. He said: 
An Afghan police trainee practises shooting on the range [Picture: Copyright NATO 2009]
"We do have sufficient funding to do our job. The predominance of that money comes out of the United States Congress in America, but it enables us to do what we need to do in terms of the funding to both grow the army and the police forces, and part of the army includes the air element too, the air force."
Lt Gen Caldwell said that he also has 840 American soldiers about to join his Training Mission who will be immediately tasked with training members of the Afghan National Army and Police.
This, he said, will have a significant impact on improving the quality of the training that is given as well.
The attrition and recruitment rates into the Afghan National Security Forces have also improved, the General said, in part he suggested due to better pay rates, with a soldier's pay having gone up significantly and the police now on the same rates of pay as soldiers.
Lt Gen Caldwell said:
"We're focusing on all levels of the Afghan National Security Forces. It takes time to develop leaders, yet if we're going to sustain what we're doing here and put it in place so that it is able to be self-sufficient, we've got to involve leaders, and so we're putting full stress there on how we can get at and work at leader involvement.
"Right now, we are moving towards our objectives of 134,000 personnel for the army and 96,000 for the police." 
A member of the Afghan National Army fires a Russian D-30 artillery gun on Artillery Hill [Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
On success in the overall mission in Afghanistan, Lt Gen Caldwell said:
"Success can be achievable, but, at this point, I would not see it as a foregone conclusion.
"That success is going to be ultimately determined by having a full partnership with the international community, and that, ultimately, any success that we do achieve is going to be dependent on the Afghans themselves.
"And it's they who have to make the decision that they're going to make a difference here in this country.
"There's no question as we look at the international soldiers that are deployed over here, they're dedicated to their mission and they believe in what they're doing.
"I've had the opportunity to travel round this country in the last eight weeks, and visit with many of them, and they're the best that each of our nations have.
"But, ultimately, it's the Afghans themselves that are going to have to make the difference here."
Afghan soldiers in a training session [Picture: Roy Bacon, Crown Copyright/MOD 2008]
Lieutenant General William Caldwell, from the US, is the Commander of the NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan, where a number of British soldiers are currently working.
He spoke to the media from Kabul about the Training Mission via a live satellite link at a special invite-only briefing in the MOD's Main Building in London yesterday.
Explaining the function of the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan which, based in Kabul, began operating in November last year, Lt Gen Caldwell said that the overriding aim is to generate the Afghan National Security Forces, both the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police. He said:
"What we do is we grow and develop the Afghan National Army, from producing numbers, to running the schools, to providing the trainers and the instructors."
He added that as regards the Afghan National Police, the major aim is to reform it.
Lt Gen Caldwell has been in command of the Training Mission for two months. He said that previously the mission had been under-resourced both in terms of materials and trainers. He also highlighted the problem of actually getting recruits to join both the military and the police.
But, he continued, there are now about 41 nations contributing to the mission, with either equipment or personnel, and funding has increased. He said: An Afghan police trainee practises shooting on the range [Picture: Copyright NATO 2009]
"We do have sufficient funding to do our job. The predominance of that money comes out of the United States Congress in America, but it enables us to do what we need to do in terms of the funding to both grow the army and the police forces, and part of the army includes the air element too, the air force."
Lt Gen Caldwell said that he also has 840 American soldiers about to join his Training Mission who will be immediately tasked with training members of the Afghan National Army and Police.
This, he said, will have a significant impact on improving the quality of the training that is given as well.
The attrition and recruitment rates into the Afghan National Security Forces have also improved, the General said, in part he suggested due to better pay rates, with a soldier's pay having gone up significantly and the police now on the same rates of pay as soldiers.
Lt Gen Caldwell said:
"We're focusing on all levels of the Afghan National Security Forces. It takes time to develop leaders, yet if we're going to sustain what we're doing here and put it in place so that it is able to be self-sufficient, we've got to involve leaders, and so we're putting full stress there on how we can get at and work at leader involvement.
"Right now, we are moving towards our objectives of 134,000 personnel for the army and 96,000 for the police." A member of the Afghan National Army fires a Russian D-30 artillery gun on Artillery Hill [Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
On success in the overall mission in Afghanistan, Lt Gen Caldwell said:
"Success can be achievable, but, at this point, I would not see it as a foregone conclusion.
"That success is going to be ultimately determined by having a full partnership with the international community, and that, ultimately, any success that we do achieve is going to be dependent on the Afghans themselves.
"And it's they who have to make the decision that they're going to make a difference here in this country.
"There's no question as we look at the international soldiers that are deployed over here, they're dedicated to their mission and they believe in what they're doing.
"I've had the opportunity to travel round this country in the last eight weeks, and visit with many of them, and they're the best that each of our nations have.
"But, ultimately, it's the Afghans themselves that are going to have to make the difference here."
DTN News: Lockheed Martin Inducts Second C-5 Galaxy For RERP Modernization Program
DTN News: Lockheed Martin Inducts Second C-5 Galaxy For RERP Modernization Program 
*Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin
(NSI News Source Info) MARIETTA, Ga., - January 16, 2010: Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] recently inducted its second C-5 Galaxy strategic transport into the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP) production line at its Marietta, Ga., facility. The RERP modifications consist of more than 70 improvements and upgrades to the C-5 airframe and aircraft systems, and include the installation of new higher-thrust, more reliable turbofan engines.
"Each RERP aircraft induction is a major milestone for our program. We are making great strides with our first RERP induction and expect to keep up the same productive pace with this aircraft," said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin C-5 vice president. "Every C-5M we produce gives added strength to the U.S. Air Force fleet and the warfighters who protect our country."
The C-5M is the product of a two-phase modernization effort. The first, the ongoing Avionics Modernization Program (AMP), provides the aircraft a state-of-the-art glass cockpit with modern avionics and flight instruments. Nearly half of the C-5 fleet has already undergone the AMP modifications. RERP is the second phase of the C-5 modernization effort.
The second aircraft to enter the RERP production line is a C-5B based at Dover AFB, Del. This aircraft, U.S. Air Force serial number 85-0002, was first delivered to Travis AFB, Calif., on Sept. 30, 1986, and was stationed there for much of its career, until it moved to Dover. This C-5 Galaxy currently has more than 19,000 flight hours.
Current Air Force plans call for Lockheed Martin to deliver 52 C-5Ms (modification of 49 C-5Bs, two C-5Cs, and one C-5A) by 2016. Three C-5Ms, the former Super Galaxy test fleet, have been redelivered to the U.S. Air Force at Dover AFB.
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 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.
*Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin
(NSI News Source Info) MARIETTA, Ga., - January 16, 2010: Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] recently inducted its second C-5 Galaxy strategic transport into the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP) production line at its Marietta, Ga., facility. The RERP modifications consist of more than 70 improvements and upgrades to the C-5 airframe and aircraft systems, and include the installation of new higher-thrust, more reliable turbofan engines.
"Each RERP aircraft induction is a major milestone for our program. We are making great strides with our first RERP induction and expect to keep up the same productive pace with this aircraft," said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin C-5 vice president. "Every C-5M we produce gives added strength to the U.S. Air Force fleet and the warfighters who protect our country."
The C-5M is the product of a two-phase modernization effort. The first, the ongoing Avionics Modernization Program (AMP), provides the aircraft a state-of-the-art glass cockpit with modern avionics and flight instruments. Nearly half of the C-5 fleet has already undergone the AMP modifications. RERP is the second phase of the C-5 modernization effort.
The second aircraft to enter the RERP production line is a C-5B based at Dover AFB, Del. This aircraft, U.S. Air Force serial number 85-0002, was first delivered to Travis AFB, Calif., on Sept. 30, 1986, and was stationed there for much of its career, until it moved to Dover. This C-5 Galaxy currently has more than 19,000 flight hours.
Current Air Force plans call for Lockheed Martin to deliver 52 C-5Ms (modification of 49 C-5Bs, two C-5Cs, and one C-5A) by 2016. Three C-5Ms, the former Super Galaxy test fleet, have been redelivered to the U.S. Air Force at Dover AFB.
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 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.
DTN News: Boeing 787 Dreamliner Achieves Initial Airworthiness Milestone
DTN News: Boeing 787 Dreamliner Achieves Initial Airworthiness Milestone
*Source: DTN News / Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) EVERETT, Wash., - January 15, 2010: Boeing (NYSE: BA) has completed initial airworthin
ess testing on the 787 Dreamliner. This milestone will enable more crew members to take part in flights and will allow more airplanes to join the flight test program.
"This is an important step forward," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are very pleased with the results we have achieved so far. The airplane has been performingas we expected."
Since the first flight in mid-December, the program has conducted 15 flights, achieving several key accomplishments. Pilots have taken the airplane to an altitude of 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) and a speed of Mach 0.65. Nearly 60 hours of flying have been completed. Initial stall tests and other dynamic maneuvers have been run, as well as an extensive check-out of the airplane's systems. Six different pilots have been behind the controls of the 787.
In the weeks ahead, the team will continue to expand the flight envelope at which the 787 will operate to reach an altitude of more than 40,000 feet (12,192 meters) and a speed of Mach 0.85. Subsequent testing will push the airplane beyond expected operational conditions.
"The pilots have told me the results we are seeing in flight match their expectations and the simulations we've run. That's a real tribute to Boeing's expertise and the international team that helped develop and build the airplane," said Fancher.
Flight testing will continue in the months ahead. First delivery is planned for the fourth quarter of this year.
ess testing on the 787 Dreamliner. This milestone will enable more crew members to take part in flights and will allow more airplanes to join the flight test program.
"This is an important step forward," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are very pleased with the results we have achieved so far. The airplane has been performingas we expected."
Since the first flight in mid-December, the program has conducted 15 flights, achieving several key accomplishments. Pilots have taken the airplane to an altitude of 30,000 feet (9,144 meters) and a speed of Mach 0.65. Nearly 60 hours of flying have been completed. Initial stall tests and other dynamic maneuvers have been run, as well as an extensive check-out of the airplane's systems. Six different pilots have been behind the controls of the 787.
In the weeks ahead, the team will continue to expand the flight envelope at which the 787 will operate to reach an altitude of more than 40,000 feet (12,192 meters) and a speed of Mach 0.85. Subsequent testing will push the airplane beyond expected operational conditions.
"The pilots have told me the results we are seeing in flight match their expectations and the simulations we've run. That's a real tribute to Boeing's expertise and the international team that helped develop and build the airplane," said Fancher.
Flight testing will continue in the months ahead. First delivery is planned for the fourth quarter of this year.
DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated January 15, 2010
DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated January 15, 2
010
010
*Source: DoD issued January 15, 2010
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - January 15, 2010: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued January 15, 2010 are undermentioned;
CONTRACTS
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
~AM General, LLC, Mishawaka, Ind., is being awarded a maximum $93,400,918 firm-fixed-price, sole-source, requirements-type contract in support of HMMWV industrial base requirements. Other locations of performance are in Pennsylvania and Texas. Using service is Army. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is for one base year and four possible one-year option periods. The date of performance completion is January 2012. The Defense Supply Center Columbus, Columbus, Ohio, is the contracting activity (SPM7LX-09-D-9001).
~The Merchants Co., Hattiesburg, Miss., is being awarded a maximum $30,420,000 firm-fixed-price, prime vendor contract for full line food distribution. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies and Coast Guard. The original proposal was Web solicited with three responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the first 18-month option period. The date of performance completion is July 17, 2011. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM300-08-D-3242).
NAVY
~Michael Baker, Jr., Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., is being awarded a $75,000,000 maximum value, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for multimedia environmental compliance engineering support for Navy and other Department of Defense installations within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic area of responsibility, primarily including the Northeast, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic continental United States and some overseas locations. The work to be performed provides for preparation of studies, plans, specifications, design, reports, cost estimates and all associated engineering services in support of the various environmental compliance programs, including: Clean Air Act compliance; Safe Drinking Water Act compliance; stormwater pollution prevention plans and Clean Water Act compliance studies; wastewater plans and compliance studies; laboratory services; petroleum storage tank; oil spill preparedness and planning; waste management; environmental condition of property programs; pesticide management; radon and related products; and sustainability services. The maximum dollar value includes the base period and four option years. Work will be performed predominately in the following states: Virginia; West Virginia; Washington, D.C.; Alabama; Connecticut; Delaware; Florida; Georgia; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; South Carolina; and Vermont, as well as locations outside the contiguous United States such as Africa, Europe, Southwest Asia, Bahrain, Puerto Rico and Guantanamo Bay. Also included to a lesser extent are Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, and Louisiana, as needed. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of January 2015. 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 four proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N62470-10-D-3000).
~WTAK-2, Inc., Mobile, Ala., is being awarded $28,000,000 to exercise an option under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00033-82-C-1021) for the purchase of maritime prepositioning ship MV PFC Eugene A. Obregon. WTAK-2, which held Military Sealift Command’s (MSC) previous long-term charter for Obregon, is executing the sale on behalf of Bell Atlantic Tricon Leasing. The ship’s new name will be USNS PFC Eugene A. Obregon. The ship has been under long-term charter to MSC since 1985. The ship will remain crewed by about 26 U.S. merchant mariners employed by Waterman Steamship Corp., Mobile, Ala. Obregon is one of 15 maritime prepositioning ships that strategically place Marine Corps equipment and supplies at sea around the world, making the cargo readily available to warfighters who are flown into a theater of operations. The ship will transfer to U.S. government ownership on Jan. 15, 2010, and will continue to operate worldwide. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
~American Overseas Marine, Quincy, Mass., is being awarded a $27,196,706 firm-fixed-price contract for the operation and maintenance of seven government-owned Bob Hope-class large, medium-speed roll-on/roll-off ships, also called LMSRs. These civilian-crewed ships with their more than 380,000 square feet of cargo-carrying capacity, reinforced decks, shipboard cranes, interior ramps, slewing stern ramp and a movable ramp that services two side ports are ideal for fast loading and off-loading of out-sized military equipment, including tanks, trucks, Humvees and other rolling stock. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $238,165,698. The contract includes four one-year option periods and five six-month award term periods. For six of the seven LMSRs, work will be performed at East Coast, Gulf Coast and West Coast ports where the ships will be primarily maintained in reduced operating status. When needed, these six ships may be activated and fully crewed to transport Department of Defense equipment in support of deployed U.S. military forces worldwide. For the seventh LMSR, work will be performed at sea in support of the Marine Corps’ afloat prepositioning mission. The contract is expected to be completed in February 2011, if all option periods are exercised, completion date will be September 2017. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Military Sealift Command, Navy Electronic Commerce Online and the Federal Business Opportunities Web site, with more than 50 proposals solicited and seven offers received. The Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00033-10-C-5300).
~Universal Propulsion Co., Fairfield, Calif., is being awarded a $16,015,378 firm-fixed-price, definite-delivery/definite-quantity contract for the manufacture of digital recovery sequencer kits, power modules and electronic modules in support of the F-15, F-16 F-17 and F-117 aircraft. Work will be performed in Fairfield, Calif., and work is expected to be completed by July 2011. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. This announcement includes foreign military sales to the governments of Taiwan (11 percent); the Netherlands (10 percent); Saudi Arabia (4 percent); Singapore (3 percent); Korea (3 percent); Thailand (2 percent); Norway (2 percent); Egypt (2 percent); Israel (1 percent); Denmark (1 percent); Oman (1 percent); and Pakistan, Jordan, Italy, Poland, Chile and United Arab Emirates (less than one percent). This contract was not competitively awarded. The Naval Inventory Control Point is the contracting activity (N00104-10-C-K026).
~SRI International, Menlo Park, Calif., is being awarded an $8,957,506 cost-plus-fixed-fee completion contract for the research and development for low frequency, high power satellite calibration service and software development support. This research and development covers the effort required to support the development of various ground support systems which provide support to space and airborne systems. Work will be performance in State College, Pa. (81 percent) and Menlo Park, Calif. (19 percent), and work is expected to be completed January 2015. Contract funds in the amount of $22,000 will expire at end of current fiscal year. The contract was procured under Request for Proposal Number N000173-09-R-RS02 on the basis of other than full and open competition in accordance with FAR 6.302-1 and one offer was received. The Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N000173-10-C-6005).
AIR FORCE
~Boeing Co., Seal Beach, Calif., was awarded a $30,879,365 contract which will exercise the option for CY2010 maintenance and operations services to provide the requirements for the development and delivery of the logistics infrastructure for the Space Based Space Surveillance Block 10 system. At this time, $7,756,737 has been obligated. SMC/SYSW, El Segundo, Calif., is the contracting activity (FA8819-08-C-0006, P00014).
~Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, Calif., was awarded an $8,241,332 contract which will provide data rates communications upgrade Phase II to the Aircraft Structural Integrity Program. At this time, $2,000,000 has been obligated. 303 AESG/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (F33657-01-C-4600).
~Unison Engine Components, Manchester, Conn., was awarded an $8,246,798 contract which will provide 455 synchronization rings to support the F100_PW-200/20/220E engines. 448 SCMG/PKBCB Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8121-10-C-C-0002).
DTN News: Financial News TODAY January 15, 2010 ~ JAL Draws On Emergency Funds As Bankruptcy Looms
DTN News: Financial News TODAY January 15, 2010 ~ JAL Draws On Emergency Funds As Bankruptcy Looms
*Source: DTN News / Reuters By Mariko Katsumura and Nathan Layne
(NSI News Source Info) TOKYO, Japan - January 15, 2010: Japan Airlines Corp (Tokyo:9205.T - News) moved a step closer to 
bankruptcy on Friday by drawing down $1.6 billion in emergency funding and with the prime minister set to decide when the carrier will start a state-led restructuring.
JAL, Asia's largest airline by revenues but with a market value that has collapsed to below that of budget carrier Skymark Airlines (Tokyo:9204.T - News), will file for bankruptcy protection as early as Tuesday, sources have told Reuters, as part of a restructuring being crafted by a state-backed turnaround fund.
Transport Minister Seiji Maehara said he would meet Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Friday to set "X day," a term widely used by media and bankers working on JAL's restructuring to refer to when it will file for bankruptcy.
"We are doing everything possible to reduce anxiety and ensure that X-day will not cause any confusion," Maehara told reporters.
JAL, mired in losses and weighed down by about $16 billion in debt, applied in October to the Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corp of Japan (ETIC), a fund that can draw on government-backed funding to bail out ailing firms.
The ETIC is expected to make an official decision next week to support the carrier with public money after it files for what could rank as Japan's sixth-largest bankruptcy.
JAL announced on Friday it had procured 145 billion yen ($1.6 billion) in funds remaining from a 200 billion yen credit line provided by the state-owned Development Bank of Japan, indicating it was building up emergency cash.
"We are preparing so we can make the necessary outlays when needed," JAL spokesman Satoru Tanaka said.
Japan Airlines International, which handles domestic and overseas flights, and JAL Capital, which raises operational funds, are among the units that will also file for bankruptcy and be part of the bailout, a source with knowledge of the matter said.
JAL declined to comment.
"We expect at least the group's three core companies -- JAL, JAL International and JAL Capital -- to file for bankruptcy protection under the government-led rehabilitation scheme," said Minoru Nakano, an official at bankruptcy research firm Teikoku Databank.
"It's also possible that some other restructuring measures will be announced for other smaller units at the same time."
Shares of JAL closed down 1 yen at 7 yen, giving it a market value of about $210 million. The stock has lost about $1.8 billion this week amid growing expectations it will file for bankruptcy and be delisted from the Tokyo exchange.
The ETIC plans to put about 300 billion yen in fresh capital into JAL after it files for bankruptcy. Its banks, which include the country's top private lenders, have been asked forgive about 350 billion yen in debts, sources have said.
JAL's restructuring will include cutting some 15,000 jobs, or roughly a third of its work force, eliminating two dozen more routes and halving the number of subsidiaries through streamlining and asset sales, a source said.
The overhaul will be led by Kazuo Inamori, the 77-year old founder of electronics maker Kyocera Corp (Tokyo:6971.T - News), who agreed on Wednesday to replace current chief executive Haruka Nishimatsu.
Hilton Worldwide said on Friday that it would take over the management of a JAL hotel in located in Fukuoka in southwestern Japan. Hilton said it would spend $20 million to refurbish the hotel, one of Japan's largest with more than 1,000 rooms.
(Additional reporting by Yuko Inoue; Editing by Michael Watson)
bankruptcy on Friday by drawing down $1.6 billion in emergency funding and with the prime minister set to decide when the carrier will start a state-led restructuring.
JAL, Asia's largest airline by revenues but with a market value that has collapsed to below that of budget carrier Skymark Airlines (Tokyo:9204.T - News), will file for bankruptcy protection as early as Tuesday, sources have told Reuters, as part of a restructuring being crafted by a state-backed turnaround fund.
Transport Minister Seiji Maehara said he would meet Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on Friday to set "X day," a term widely used by media and bankers working on JAL's restructuring to refer to when it will file for bankruptcy.
"We are doing everything possible to reduce anxiety and ensure that X-day will not cause any confusion," Maehara told reporters.
JAL, mired in losses and weighed down by about $16 billion in debt, applied in October to the Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corp of Japan (ETIC), a fund that can draw on government-backed funding to bail out ailing firms.
The ETIC is expected to make an official decision next week to support the carrier with public money after it files for what could rank as Japan's sixth-largest bankruptcy.
JAL announced on Friday it had procured 145 billion yen ($1.6 billion) in funds remaining from a 200 billion yen credit line provided by the state-owned Development Bank of Japan, indicating it was building up emergency cash.
"We are preparing so we can make the necessary outlays when needed," JAL spokesman Satoru Tanaka said.
Japan Airlines International, which handles domestic and overseas flights, and JAL Capital, which raises operational funds, are among the units that will also file for bankruptcy and be part of the bailout, a source with knowledge of the matter said.
JAL declined to comment.
"We expect at least the group's three core companies -- JAL, JAL International and JAL Capital -- to file for bankruptcy protection under the government-led rehabilitation scheme," said Minoru Nakano, an official at bankruptcy research firm Teikoku Databank.
"It's also possible that some other restructuring measures will be announced for other smaller units at the same time."
Shares of JAL closed down 1 yen at 7 yen, giving it a market value of about $210 million. The stock has lost about $1.8 billion this week amid growing expectations it will file for bankruptcy and be delisted from the Tokyo exchange.
The ETIC plans to put about 300 billion yen in fresh capital into JAL after it files for bankruptcy. Its banks, which include the country's top private lenders, have been asked forgive about 350 billion yen in debts, sources have said.
JAL's restructuring will include cutting some 15,000 jobs, or roughly a third of its work force, eliminating two dozen more routes and halving the number of subsidiaries through streamlining and asset sales, a source said.
The overhaul will be led by Kazuo Inamori, the 77-year old founder of electronics maker Kyocera Corp (Tokyo:6971.T - News), who agreed on Wednesday to replace current chief executive Haruka Nishimatsu.
Hilton Worldwide said on Friday that it would take over the management of a JAL hotel in located in Fukuoka in southwestern Japan. Hilton said it would spend $20 million to refurbish the hotel, one of Japan's largest with more than 1,000 rooms.
(Additional reporting by Yuko Inoue; Editing by Michael Watson)
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