DTN News - WW2: Germany's Most Productive StuG III Assault Gun During World War 2

DTN News - WW2: Germany's Most Productive StuG III Assault Gun During World War 2

Source: K. V. Seth - DTN News 
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 11, 2013: The Sturmgeschütz III (StuG III) assault gun was Germany's most produced armoured fighting vehicle during World War II. It was built on the chassis of the proven Panzer III tank. 

Initially intended as a mobile, armoured light gun for infantry support, the StuG was continually modified and was widely employed as a tank destroyer.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth - DTN News 
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DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated September 11, 2013

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated September 11, 2013
Source: K. V. Seth - DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No. 647-13 September 11, 2013
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 11, 2013: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued  September 11, 2013  are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Henry Schein Inc., Melville, N.Y., has been awarded an estimated $25,328,219 fixed-price with an economic-price-adjustment modification (P00009) to contract (SPM2DE-09-D7444) for the distribution of a wide range of general dental supplies to all contiguous United States and outside contiguous United States facilities that participate in the Dental Electronic Catalog (ECAT) program. This award exercises option-period four with a July 15, 2014 performance completion date. The award was competed on the DLA Internet Bid Board system and there were 10 responses received. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa.

NAVY

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., Greenbelt, Md., is being awarded $38,635,704 for firm-fixed-price task order #0008 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N40085-10-D-5330) for energy efficiency improvements at Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune. The work to be performed provides for replacement of a central steam system which will entail the removal of steam equipment at each facility and the installation of high efficiency systems such as natural gas fired hot water appliances, high efficiency heat pumps and hot water equipment to meet heating load requirements. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and is expected to be completed by December 2015. Fiscal 2013 operation and maintenance, Marine Corps funds in the amount of $38,635,704 are being obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Four proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.

Tutor Perini Corp., Sylmar, Calif., is being awarded $23,813,707 for firm-fixed-price task order #JQ02 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N62742-10-D-1312) for whole house revitalization work at Lockwood Terrace on Naval Base Guam. The work to be performed provides for the upgrade of 60 existing housing units in order to bring them to current Navy standards which include reconfiguration of interior living spaces and expanding existing living areas. Work will be performed in Santa Rita, Guam, and is expected to be completed by September 2015. Fiscal 2009, fiscal 2012, and fiscal 2013 family housing improvements, Navy (military construction) contract funds in the amount of $23,813,707 are being obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Five proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Marianas, Guam, is the contracting activity.

International Marine and Industrial Applicators LLC*, Saint Augustine, Fla., is being awarded a $15,181,444 modification to previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N4523A-12-D-0003) to definitize a delivery order for preservation work on the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). This delivery order was awarded under an existing five-year contract for planning and execution of preservation work for aircraft carriers, submarines and surface ships. The USS John C. Stennis will be undergoing a docking planned incremental availability which is the opportunity in the ship’s life cycle to conduct maintenance to systems and hull not available when the ship is waterborne. This modification will bring the total cumulative value to $27,181,444. Work will be performed in Bremerton, Wash., and is expected to be completed by August 2014. Fiscal 2013 operations and maintenance, Navy funding in the amount of $15,181,444 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Bremerton, Wash., is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Corp., Missiles and Fire Control - Technical Services, Orlando, Fla., is being awarded a $12,598,136 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for design agent engineering services. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $38,574,075. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy (80.4 percent), Spain (6.7 percent), Germany (4.9 percent), Norway (1.9 percent), Japan (3.9 percent), and Australia (2.2 percent). Work will be performed at various shipyards (based on ship availabilities) both inside and outside the United States (70 percent), onboard ships at sea (25 percent), and Port Hueneme, Calif. (5 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2014. Fiscal 2013 operations and maintenance, Navy contract funds in the amount of $1,300,000 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with the statutory authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Port Hueneme Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme, Calif. is the contracting activity (N63394-13-C-1307).

Northrop Grumman Corp., Electronic Systems, Linthicum Heights, Md., is being awarded a $10,761,825 modification (P00115) under a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (M67854-07-C-2072) to increase the estimated cost ceiling by $10,761,825 for the ground/air task-oriented radar (G/ATOR) engineering and manufacturing development phase and associated other direct costs to account for the G/ATOR gallium nitride transition. Work will be performed in Linthicum Heights, Md., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2014. Fiscal 2013 research and development funds in the amount of $10,761,825 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract modification was not competitively procured, as the contract effort is within the scope of the current contract and is entered into pursuant to the changes clause. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

MOOG Inc., Aurora, N.Y., is being awarded $9,920,000 for firm-fixed-price delivery order #7084 against previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00383-09-G-002D) for the repair of 155 Swashplate actuators in support of the V-22 aircraft. Work will be performed at Aurora, N.Y., and is expected to be completed by July 11, 2014. Fiscal 2013 Navy working capital funds will be obligated at the time of award, and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This was a non competitive requirement in accordance with FAR 6.302-1. NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (N00383-09-G-002D).

ARMY

BAE Systems Land and Armaments L.P., Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded a $30,745,188 cost-plus-incentive-fee, non-option eligible, non-multi-year contract modification (P00004) to contract (W56HCV-12-C-0358) for engineering, design, logistics, test and evaluation support of the Bradley engineering change proposal effort for acceleration of Bradley engineering change proposal technologies. Performance locations will be: York, Pa., Sterling Heights, Mich., Santa Clara, Calif. and Akin, S.C., with funding from fiscal 2012 and 2013 research, development, test and evaluation funds. This contract was a non-competitive acquisition with one bid solicited and with one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command - Tank and Automotive (Warren), Warren, Mich. is the contracting activity.

General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, Williston, Vt., was awarded an $18,716,689 firm-fixed-price, option-eligible, multi-year contract modification (P00147) of contract (W31P4Q-10-C-0190) in exercise of its option to reduce hardware unit price for the Hydra rockets, motors and practice warheads in accordance with contract terms and conditions in support of the Army, Navy, Air Force and foreign military sales. Performance location will be Williston, Vt., and Camden, Ark., with funding from fiscal, 2012, 2013 and 2014 other authorizations funds. This contract was solicited via the web with one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command - Redstone Arsenal (Missile), Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity.

Wiley & Wilson Inc., Alexandria, Va., was awarded a $12,000,000 firm-fixed-price, non-option eligible, non-multi-year contract for multi-discipline architectural engineering services for secure projects supported by the real property services field office. Performance location and funding will be determined with each order. This contract was a non-competitive acquisition with one bid solicited and one received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Baltimore District, Baltimore, Md., is the contracting activity (W912DR-13-D-0026).

NSR Solutions Inc.*, Rockville, Md., was awarded a $7,811,979 firm-fixed-price, non-option eligible, non-multi-year contract modification (0Y05) to contract (W81K02-10-D-0004) for per diem nursing services in support of Tripler Army Medical Center (AMC), Hawaii. Performance location will be Honolulu, Hawaii, with funding from fiscal 2014 other authorizations funds. This contract was a competitive acquisition via the web with eight bids received. The U.S. Army Medical Command - Pacific Region, Tripler AMC, Hawaii, is the contracting activity.

Facility Defense Consultants and Hanke Constructors*, Wentzville, Mo., was awarded a $7,630,698 firm-fixed-price, non-option eligible, non-multi-year contract for a general construction mental health building for expansion of services at the Marion, Ill., Veterans Association medical center. Performance location will be Marion, Ill., with fiscal 2013 other authorizations funding. This contract was a competitive acquisition via the web with four bids received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - St. Louis District, St. Louis, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912P9-13-C-0410).

IBIS TEK LLC*, Butler, Pa., was awarded a $7,493,288 firm-fixed-price, option eligible, non-multi-year contract for long-term armor solution B-kits for the family of medium tactical vehicles. Performance locations will be Butler, Pa., with funding from fiscal 2013 other procurement authorization funds. This contract was a competitive acquisition via the web with seven bids received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command - Tank and Automotive (Warren), Warren, Mich. is the contracting activity (W56HZV-13-C-0036).

AIR FORCE

Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp., Atlanta, Ga., has been awarded a $7,956,371 delivery order (HC1047-05-D-4000-0244) for Army electronic protection to analyze the response of Army systems to advanced jamming and develop mitigation techniques and methods against this jamming. Work will be performed at Atlanta, Ga., and is expected to be completed by November 10, 2015. Fiscal 2013 research and development funds in the amount of $623,700 will be obligated at time of award. Enterprise Sourcing Group/PKS, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity.

*Small business

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources U.S. DoD issued No. 647-13 September 11, 2013
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*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - 9/11 ANNIVERSARY: Obama Observes Moment of Silence on 9/11 Anniversary (Video)

DTN News - 9/11 ANNIVERSARY: Obama Observes Moment of Silence on 9/11 Anniversary (Video)

Source: K. V. Seth - DTN News & Reuters
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 11, 2013:  US President Barack Obama temporarily set aside his Syrian agenda to lead the US in a moment of silence to observe the 12th anniversary of 9/11, the worst terrorist attack on American soil.

Families and friends of victims are also gathering near Ground Zero to remember those who died .

The US has heightened security of facilities abroad for the anniversary, the White House said citing the attack that killed four US government employees in Benghazi, Libya, last year.

Mr Obama, joined by first lady Michelle Obama and vice president Joe Biden and his wife Jill gathered on the South Lawn of the White House, where flags were at half-staff.

They stood silent at 8.45am (1.45pm Irish time), the time on September 11th 2001, when a hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 smashed into the north Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. Almost 3,000 people died in the terrorist attacks.

“On September 11, 2001, no matter where we came from, what God we prayed to, or what race or ethnicity we were, we were united as one American family,” Mr Obama said in a proclamation issued yesterday. “May the same be said of us today, and always.”

The proclamation declared today as Patriot Day and a National Day of Service. US flags were to be lowered to half- staff, and the president called on the nation to observe a moment of silence at 8.46am and mark the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

The president was scheduled to participate in a separate ceremony later today at the Pentagon, which was hit by American Airlines Flight 77, the jet hijacked and turned into a weapon killing 59 passengers and crew and 125 people on the ground.

Mr Obama also planned to participate in a service project in the afternoon in the Washington DC area.

The Obama administration said in a statement that it has taken several steps to prevent another 9/11-style attack in the US.

Mr Obama’s counterterrorism aide Lisa Monaco has been in charge of reviewing security measures in place for the anniversary, the White House said.

Four Americans including the US ambassador to Libya were killed in an attack on a compound in Benghazi a year ago. The administration initially said the assault grew out of anti-Western protests. Later, however, it turned out that Islamist extremists launched the attack on the September 11th anniversary.


The administration was forced for months to defend its handling of the events at Benghazi, with critics charging officials deliberately played down the nature of the attack to protect the president’s re-election bid. The White House said its first reports were based on incomplete information. “The events of last year, losing four brave Americans - Chris Stevens, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods - brought home the reality of the challenges we face in the world,” the White House said.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth - DTN News & Reuters 
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
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*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. Department of Defense Contracts Dated September 10, 2013

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated September 10, 2013
Source: K. V. Seth - DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No. 644-13 September 10, 2013
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 10, 2013: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued  September 10, 2013  are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

NAVY

Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $136,248,637 contract for MK15 Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) upgrades and conversions, system overhauls and associated hardware. The CIWS is a fast-reaction terminal defense against low- and high-flying, high-speed maneuvering anti-ship missile threats that have penetrated all other defenses. The CIWS is an integral element of the Fleet Defense In-Depth concept and the Ship Self-Defense Program. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $231,000,000. This contract provides purchases for the U.S. Navy (80 percent), Japan (15 percent), the U.S. Army (4 percent) and Pakistan (1 percent) under the foreign military sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in Louisville, Ky. (26 percent); Anaheim, Calif. (16 percent); Melbourne, Fla. (11 percent); Dayton, Ohio (11 percent); Syracuse, N.Y. (10 percent); McKinney, Texas (5 percent); Andover, Mass. (5 percent); Bloomington, Minn. (5 percent); Radford, Va. (5 percent); Salt Lake City, Utah (3 percent); and Tucson, Ariz. (3 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2017. Fiscal 2013 operations and maintenance, Navy, fiscal 2013 weapons procurement, Navy, FMS, fiscal 2013 shipbuilding and conversion, Navy, fiscal 2013 other procurement, Army funding in the amount of $136,248,637 will be obligated at time of award. Contract funds in the amount of $54,956,272 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii) - only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-13-C-5406).

FLIR Systems Inc., Wilsonville, Ore., is being awarded a $49,900,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the repair and sustainment of the electro-optic sensors systems for the Ground Based Operational Surveillance System. Work will be performed in Wilsonville, Ore., and is expected to be completed by September 2018. Fiscal 2013 operations and maintenance, Marine Corps contract funds in the amount of $3,171,681 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with the statutory authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-13-D-JQ38).

Lockheed Martin, Maritime Systems and Sensors, Moorestown, N.J., is being awarded an $18,254,540 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-12-C-4309) to exercise and incrementally fund Aegis weapon system engineering and technical services. Work will be performed in Moorestown, N.J, and is expected to be completed by June 2014. Fiscal 2010, 2011 and 2012 shipbuilding and conversion, Navy funds in the amount of $125,508 will be obligated at time of award. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Navatek Ltd., Honolulu, Hawaii, is being awarded a $7,328,471 cost-plus-fixed-fee completion contract for the Integration, Expansion and Validation of Tools for the Navy Standard Design Environment. Work will be performed in Honolulu, Hawaii (70 percent) and in North Kingstown, R.I. (30 percent), and is expected to be completed Sept. 9, 2014.
Fiscal 2013 research, development, testing and engineering funds in the amount of $7,328,471 will be obligated at the time of award, and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under Broad Agency Announcement #13-001, with 11 proposals received. The Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (N00014-13-C-0367).

AIR FORCE

Central Care Inc., Annandale, Va. (FA8053-13-D-0001); Global Computer Products-Terra Health LLC., Chantilly, Va. (FA8053-13-D-0002); GPA-Health Resources Services Association (HRSA) Inc., Vienna, Va. (FA8053-13-D-0003); and Loyal Source Government Services, Orlando, Fla. (FA8053-13-D-0004) have been awarded a maximum $45,000,000 multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for temporary medical staffing services. This is a personal services contract requirement to fill temporary (less than 365 days) staffing shortfalls at military treatment facilities with qualified clinical personnel (e.g., physicians and nurses) for the treatment of Military Health System beneficiaries. The services can be acquired at all Air Force medical treatment facilities located in the continental United States and Guam, with an expected completion date of Sept. 9, 2018. Fiscal 2013 defense health program, operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $3,000 will be obligated on task order 0001 at time of award. This contract was a competitive acquisition and 15 offers were received. The 773 Enterprise Sourcing Squadron/PKJ, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND

American Auto Logistics, L.P., of Park Ridge, N.J., has been awarded a $23,300,000 delivery order modification to previously awarded delivery order DAMT01-03-D-0184-0009 to provide additional funding for transportation and storage services of privately owned vehicles. Work will be performed at multiple locations both within and outside of the continental U.S., with an expected completion date of Oct. 31, 2013. Fiscal 2013 transportation working capital funds of $23,300,000 are being obligated at the time of modification execution. The contracting activity is the U.S. Transportation Command Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

ARMY

Tower Industries Inc., Greenville, Wis., was awarded a $14,524,248 firm-fixed-fee, option-eligible, non-multi-year contract modification (P00007) to contract (W52P1J-12-C-0051) for 6,482 each practice bombs of Bomb Dummy Unit-51 Cast ductile Iron-Based 500lbs. This is a foreign military sale to Saudi Arabia. Performance locations will be Greenville, Wis., with funding from fiscal 2012 and 2013 other procurement authority funds. This contract was a non-competitive acquisition with one bid solicited and one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command - Rock Island, Arsenal, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity.

CTI-URS Environmental Services LLC, Wixom, Mich., was awarded a $9,000,000 firm-fixed-price, non-option eligible, non-multi-year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for environmental services in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville mission boundaries. Performance location and funding will be determined with each order. This contract was a competitive acquisition via the web with one bid received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Louisville District, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-13-D-0048).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

DOSS Aviation Inc., Colorado Springs, Colo., has been awarded a maximum $7,803,920 firm-fixed-price contract for operation and maintenance of government fixed fuel facilities, aviation aircraft fuel services, ground fuel services, emergency services, and environmental emergency spill response. This is a five year base contract with one five-year option period. Location of performance is Colorado and Naval Support Activity, Greece, with a Nov. 30, 2023 performance completion date. Using military services are Navy and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2013 through fiscal 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Va., (SP0600-13-C-5357).

*Small Business

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources U.S. DoD issued No. 644-13 September 10, 2013
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*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - FRENCH DEFENSE NEWS: French Army Nexter Aravis - MRAP

DTN News - FRENCH DEFENSE NEWS: French Army Nexter Aravis - MRAP

Source: DTN News - - K. V. Seth
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 10, 2013:  The French Procurement Agency DGA (Direction générale de l’armement) has announced having taken delivery on last 19 January 2010 of the first four Nexter Aravis mine resistant ambush protected vehicles earmarked for the French Army. 

A total of fifteen such vehicles, dubbed VBHP — for Véhicule blindé hautement protégé –, was ordered in April 2009 for a sum of about €20 million. This specific procurement, made under a French Army crash programme (UOR), is aimed at providing the Armée de Terre’s Engineer Detachment on duty with ISAF in Afghanistan with a highly protected road reconnaissance vehicle likely to defeat and resist any standard IED explosion.


*Presented & compiled By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth - DTN News
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DTN News - SYRIA UNREST: Syrian Rebels Plan Chem Attack on Israel (Video)

DTN News - SYRIA UNREST:  Syrian Rebels Plan Chem Attack on Israel  (Video)

Source: This article compiled by K. V. Seth - DTN News from reliable sources RT
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 10, 2013: A chemical attack may be launched on Israel by Syrian rebels from government-controlled territories as a "major provocation," multiple sources told RT.


The report comes as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov proposed that Syria puts its chemical weapons arsenal under international control for subsequent destruction in order to prevent a possible military strike against the war-torn country.

Moscow also urged Syrian authorities to join the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. The offer has already been passed over to Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem, who met Lavrov in Moscow for talks on Monday. 

“We don’t know if Syria will accept the offer, but if imposing international control over chemical weapons stored in the country can help to avoid military strikes, we are immediately going to start working with Damascus,” Lavrov said. 

The Syrian Foreign Ministry has welcomed Moscow's initiative, “based on the Syrian’s government care about the lives of our people and security of our country,” Muallem said later on Monday.  

Meanwhile, US National Security Adviser Susan Rice made a statement saying that Damascus' alleged "use of chemical weapons against its own people" posed a threat to US national security. “The use of chemical weapons also directly threatens our closest ally in the region, Israel,” she said, speaking at the New America Foundation in Washington.

The statement was made shortly after RT published a report about the possibility of a chemical provocation. 

A few hours earlier, US Secretary of State John Kerry said that to avoid a military operation, Syrian President Bashar Assad has a week to surrender control of “every single bit” of his stock of chemical weapons to the international community. “But he isn't about to do it and it can't be done,” he added, speaking at a media conference in London as he wrapped up his European tour in a move to garner support for the Obama-proposed “limited” strike against Syria.

The US Administration has blamed the Syrian government for the alleged chemical weapons attack in the Damascus suburbs on August 21. Washington has maintained it has the intelligence to prove it, but has so far refused to make public a single piece of concrete evidence that would link the Assad regime to the deadly incident. 

On Sunday, the Senate Select Intelligence Committee released a series of 13 videos showing what is purported to be proof of chemical weapons use in Syria. The disturbing images of the victims of the alleged attack were earlier shown during a closed-door briefing to a group of senators, as Obama is trying to get authorization from Congress for the military strike on Syria. The administration told senators that the authenticity of the videos was verified by the intelligence community, reported CNN, which first aired the graphic material.

The videos depict scenes of convulsing children, men vomiting and struggling to breathe, and also what appeared to be dozens of dead bodies wrapped up in white sheets, lying side by side. But the footage still does not provide an answer to the question of who was behind the attack. The Syrian government and the opposition forces point the finger of blame at each other. 

It also remains unclear as to why exactly President Assad would order a chemical attack at a time when a group of UN experts were carrying out an investigation in the country.

There is proof the footage of the alleged chemical attack in Syria was fabricated, Mother Agnes Mariam el-Salib, mother superior of the St. James Monastery in Qara, Syria, told RT. She added that she plans to submit her findings to the UN. 

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth - DTN News from reliable sources RT
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
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*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - CHINA NEWS: China’s Most Beautiful Military Training Instructor

DTN News - CHINA NEWS: China’s Most Beautiful Military Training Instructor

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 10, 2013: It’s back-to-school time again. Many students don’t want to school because of military training under the scorching sunshine. Many students cannot bear the hard training, even some hate military training. However, recently, China’s most beautiful female military training instructor hits the Internets.

Seeing her photo, many netizens said, “Isn’t it said that military training makes people tan?” Some netizens said they were willing to accept military training if they have such a beautiful military training instructor. Some netizens even said that having such a beautiful female instructor, we are not fear of any kind of military training.

This female instructor is Zhang Yihan, who is a junior student of College of Art Design in Dalian Polytechnic University (DPU) in China. This university has the tradition that  junior students take charge of military training instructors. These students instructors have been trained strictly in summer holiday.

If she’s in your school, would you like to go back to school to receive the military training again?

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth - DTN News 
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S.-China Defense Consultative Talks

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S.-China Defense Consultative Talks

Source: K. V. Seth DTN News & U.S. Department of Defense No. 642-13 September 10, 2013

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 10, 2013: Pentagon Press Secretary George Little provided the following readout:

Officials from the United States and China met Sept. 9, 2013 in Beijing for the 14th annual Defense Consultative Talks. Dr. James Miller, undersecretary of defense for policy, and Lt. Gen. Wang Guanzhong, deputy chief of the People’s Liberation Army General Staff, led their respective country’s delegations. The U.S. delegation included representatives from the Joint Staff, U.S. Pacific Command, the National Security Staff and the State Department.

Miller and Wang underscored the accomplishments that the U.S.-China military-to-military relationship has achieved thus far this year. They discussed how to sustain the positive momentum in building a constructive military relationship and advance a new model of military-to-military relations into the future. In this regard, the two agreed to further the exploration of the two proposals on military confidence building offered by President Xi at Sunnylands.

The two leaders discussed how to enhance strategic trust and build upon opportunities to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, peacekeeping, and maritime safety. They also discussed ways to enhance communications to improve understanding and avoid misperception. Both agreed to continue discussions between maritime legal experts, and sustain dialogue in key strategic areas including nuclear, missile defense, space, and cyber.

The two sides also exchanged views on the East and South China Sea. On North Korea, Miller emphasized the significant concerns of the United States regarding North Korea's nuclear and missile developments and called on China to maintain and increase pressure on North Korea to bring the regime back to credible and authentic negotiations aimed at denuclearization.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth DTN News & U.S. Department of Defense No. 642-13 September 10, 2013 
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*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. Department of Defense Contracts Dated September 9, 2013

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated September 9, 2013
Source: K. V. Seth - DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No.  641-13 September 9, 2013
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 9, 2013: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued  September 9, 2013  are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

ARMY

Acciona Energy North America Corporation, Chicago, Ill. (W912DY-13-D-0049); Cobra Industrial Services, Inc., Houston, Texas (W912DY-13-D-0050); Dominion Energy, Inc., Richmond, Va. (W912DY-13-D-0051); Duke Energy, Charlotte, N.C. (W912DY-13-D-0052), EDF Renewable Energy, San Diego, Calif. (W912DY-13-D-0053); Emerald Infrastructure, San Antonio, Texas (W912DY-13-D-0054); Enel Green Power North America, Andover, Mass. (W912DY-13-D-0055); Everpower Wind Holdings, Inc.*, Pittsburgh, Pa. (W912DY-13-D-0056); First Wind, Boston, Mass. (W912DY-13-D-0057); Iberdrola Renewables, LLC, Portland, Ore. (W912DY-13-D-0081); LTC Federal, LLC, Detroit, Mich. (W912DY-13-D-0082); NorthlandPower, Inc., Toronto, Canada (W912DY-13-D-0083); Siemens Government Technologies, Inc., Arlington, Va. (W912DY-13-D-0084); Stronghold Engineering, Inc.*, Riverside, Calif. (W912DY-13-D-0085); Turn Key Power Consortium, LLC, Orlando, Fla. (W912DY-13-D-0086); VERT Investment Group*, Houston, Texas (W912DY-13-D-0087); West Texas Power Company*, San Antonio, Texas (W912DY-13-D-0088) were awarded potential multiple-vendor, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity , firm-fixed-price, non-option, non-multi-year contracts with a cumulative maximum value of $7,000,000,000.  The government is awarding this contract for use in competing and awarding Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) task orders. These PPA orders will provide for the purchase of energy from renewable and alternative energy production facilities that are designed, financed, constructed, operated and maintained by private sector entities on private land or on installations under jurisdiction of the Department of Defense. These contracts are for the use of wind technology.  All awarded technologies will share a total estimated value of $7,000,000,000.  Performance location and funding will be determined with each order.  This contract was a competitive acquisition via the web with 45 bids received.  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Engineer Support Center, Huntsville, Ala., is the contracting activity.

         

Longbow LLC., Orlando, Fla., was awarded a $51,055,000 firm-fixed-price, non-option eligible, non-multi-year contract for acquisition of six Longbow fire control radar, associated parts, spares and support. This is a foreign military sale for the Republic of Korea.  Performance location will be Orlando, Fla., and funding will be from fiscal 2013 other authorization funds. This contract was a competitive acquisition via the web with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command – Redstone Arsenal (Aviation), Redstone Arsenal, Ala.,  is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-13-C-0105).

The Boeing Company, St. Louis, Mo., was awarded a $14,401,508 firm-fixed-price, option eligible, non-multi-year contract for acquisition of four Longbow crew trainers for the Apache helicopter program.  Performance location will be St. Louis, Mo., and funding will be from fiscal 2011 other authorization funds. This contract was a competitive acquisition via the web with one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command – Redstone Arsenal (Aviation), Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-13-C-0086).

Raytheon IDS, Andover, Mass., was awarded a $9,727,092 cost-plus-fixed-fee, option-eligible, multi-year contract modification (P00003) of contract (W31P4Q-13-C-0111) for foreign military sales for repair and return of Patriot missile parts. This contract was a foreign military sale to: Israel, Kuwait, Taiwan, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Republic of the Netherlands and United Arab Emirates. Performance location will be Andover, Mass., with funding from fiscal 2013 other authorizations funds. This contract was a non-competitive contract one bid received.  The U.S. Army Contracting Command – Redstone Arsenal (Missile), Redstone Arsenal, Ala.,  is the contracting activity.

AIR FORCE

Northrop Grumman Amherst Systems, Buffalo, N.Y., was awarded a $219,147,421 firm-fixed and cost-type contract for Joint Threat Emitter (JTE) follow-on production.  This contract provides for JTE first article and production units, and associated drawings, technical orders, retrofit kits, provisioning, and software.  Work will be performed at Buffalo, N.Y., with an expected completion date of March 2016.  This contract involves foreign military sales to Saudi Arabia.  Fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2013 Air Force procurement funds, fiscal 2013 Air Force research and development funds, and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $44,007,131 are being obligated at time of award.  This contract was a competitive acquisition and two offers were received.  The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/PZZK, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8210-13-C-0001).

Noblis Inc., Falls Church, Va. (FA8903-13-D-0016); and Logistics Management Institute (LMI), McLean, Va. (FA8903-13-D-0017) have been awarded a $40,000,000 (maximum) multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with provisions to issue firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee task orders.  The contractors shall provide for advisory and assistance services contract to provide independent systems engineering and acquisition support (ISEAS) and advisory and assistance services (A&AS) to Air Force Civil Engineer (AFCEC) in its efforts to carry out its mission to assist headquarters Air Force, major commands and individual bases, and other AFCEC customers and government entities performing similar missions in planning and executing their programs.  The contractors providing the ISEAS services shall support current and emerging AFCEC activities included but not limited to the environmental restoration program; base realignment and closure program; environmental quality programs; pollution prevention/waste minimization program; environmental impact analysis program; design and construction management program; operational ranges cleanup; unexploded ordinance remediation; military munitions response program; Nuclear Biological Chemical, (11) Homeland Defense Act of 2002-related initiatives; enhanced use leasing program; heavy industrial construction; sustainability, and resource conservation.  Work will be performed at various Air Force installations, and the ordering period is 60 months from date of award with an additional 12 months of performance for completion of task orders.  Fiscal 2013 environmental restoration account funds in the amount of $3,000 are being obligated on task order 0001 for each contract at the time of award.  This contract was a limited competition acquisition.  The 772 Enterprise Sourcing Squadron (722 ESS/PKJ), Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, is the contracting activity.

NAVY

Mects Services Joint Venture,* New Town, N.D., is being awarded a $47,974,289 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for logistical services and spare/repair parts for the Persistent Ground Surveillance System program in Afghanistan.  Work will be performed in Fairfax, Va. (59 percent); Afghanistan (24 percent); Yuma, Ariz. (7 percent); China Lake, Calif. (5 percent); and Point Mogu, Calif. ( 5 percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2014.  Fiscal 2013 operations and maintenance, Army contract funds in the amount of $47,974,289 are being obligated on this award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(5).  The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-13-C-0292).

Battelle Memorial Institute*, Columbus, Ohio, is being awarded a $16,649,854 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of Man Transportable Robotic System MK 2 battery boxes.  Work will be performed in Columbus, Ohio, and is expected to be completed by September 2017.  No funding will be obligated at the time of the award.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received.  The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division, Indian Head, Md., is the contracting activity (N00174-12-D-0008).

Lockheed Martin Canada, Ottawa, Canada, is being awarded a $10,157,112 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide development, maintenance and upgrade of the Visual Interactive Simulated Training Application (VISTA) computer based synthetic operations and maintenance trainers in support of the Center for Surface Combat Systems.  VISTA is a flexible high-fidelity computer based networked system that provides a training environment for both operation and corrective maintenance tasks on selected combat systems.  This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy (25 percent), Japan (20 percent), Pakistan (20 percent), Spain (20 percent) and Norway (15 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program.  Work will be performed in Dahlgren, Va. (25 percent), Norway (20 percent), Pakistan (20 percent), Spain (20 percent) and Japan (15 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2016.  Fiscal 2013 research, development, test and evaluation, Navy and FMS funding in the amount of $2,692,158 will be obligated at time of award.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii) - only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.  The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division is the contracting activity (N00178-13-D-2002). 

Helber Hastert & Fee Planners Inc.*, Honolulu, Hawaii, is being awarded a maximum amount $10,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineer services contract for architect-engineering services for the preparation of planning documents and related technical services for projects and activities at various locations worldwide, but primarily in the Pacific and Indian Ocean areas.  The work to be performed provides for the preparation of facilities and land use planning studies and project programming documents, environmental impact documents, cultural resources management plans, natural resources management plans, environmental studies and documents.  Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific area of responsibility including but not limited to Hawaii (40 percent), Guam (30 percent), Far East (30 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2018.  Fiscal 2013 operation and maintenance, Navy contract funds in the amount of $10,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 14 proposals received.  The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-13-D-0201)

.

*Small Business

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources U.S. DoD issued No. 641-13 September 9, 2013
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - MRAP NEWS: Dakota County Sheriff's Office Acquires Decommissioned Military-grade, Mine-resistant Vehicle

DTN News - MRAP NEWS: Dakota County Sheriff's Office Acquires Decommissioned Military-grade, Mine-resistant Vehicle

Source: K. V. Seth -DTN News - - Clare Kennedy 
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 8, 2013: The heavy vehicles were designed specifically to deflect blasts from roadside bombs in the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan.

This week, the Dakota County Sheriff's Office took possession of a Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected armored vehicle, more commonly known as an MRAP.

The MRAP vehicles are military vehicles used in Iraq and Afghanistan to combat roadside bombs, or Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The MRAP delivered to Dakota County weighs over 40,000 pounds, Sheriff Dave Bellows writes in his weekly newsletter. 

"While they were designed with heavy armor to protect soldiers from the impact of IEDs, they will provide equal protection for law enforcement officers. After getting some refurbishment, we will assign the vehicle to the MAAG (SWAT) team," Bellows writes.

According to an article in the Washington Post, the U.S. military had about 24,000 of MRAPs at the start of this year, some of which have been scrapped as the war winds down. Each originally cost $1 million, the Post writes. 

Some of them have been decommissioned by the military for use by civilian authorities, however. The MRAP delivered to the DCSO is just the first of 18 such vehicles, which will soon arrive in Minnesota for use by local law enforcement agencies. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety will distribute the vehicles over the next few months. 

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*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth -DTN News - - Clare Kennedy 
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS