Sunday, November 13, 2011

DTN News - BOEING NEWS / AIRLINES NEWS: Boeing, Emirates Announce Historic Order For 50 777-300ERs

DTN News - BOEING NEWS / AIRLINES NEWS: Boeing, Emirates Announce Historic Order For 50 777-300ERs
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, November 13, 2011: Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Dubai-based Emirates Airline today announced an order for 50 Boeing 777-300ERs (Extended Range) plus options for an additional 20 of the popular twin-aisle commercial jetliner.
The order, with a value of $18 billion, makes this the single largest commercial airplane order in Boeing's history by dollar value. It also makes 2011 the best-selling year for the 777 program, surpassing the previous record of 154 orders set in 2005. With the Emirates order, the 2011 net order book for the 777 currently stands at 182. The options for 20 additional airplanes is valued at $8 billion.
"The 777's reliability, performance and operating economics have firmly established it as the backbone of our fleet," said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline & Group. "We have an ambitious and strategic plan to continue growing our international network and especially increasing our long-haul, non-stop routes. This order supports our fleet expansion and reiterates our commitment to operating a modern fleet for the benefit of our passengers and to ensure operational efficiency as well."
Emirates is the world's largest 777 operator with a fleet of 94 777s through direct purchase and lease, plus additional unfilled orders on backlog for 41 777-300ERs previously on order. It is also the only airline in the world to operate every model in the Boeing 777 family, including the 777 Freighter.
Emirates took delivery of its first Boeing 777 – a 777-200 in 1996, and since then, the airline has deployed the 777 on short, medium and long-haul routes.
"This is an extremely proud moment for us as it not only underscores Emirates' ongoing confidence in the 777 but also makes this the single largest order by dollar value in Boeing's history," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "As the largest operator of the 777 in the world, Emirates has played an important role in development of the airplane and its input over the years has been invaluable in the development of the 777 program."
The Boeing 777 is the world's most successful twin-engine, long-haul airplane. The 777-300ER extends the 777 family's span of capabilities, bringing twin-engine efficiency and reliability to the long-range market. The airplane carries 365 passengers up to 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 km).
Boeing incorporated several performance enhancements for the 777-300ER, extending its range and payload capabilities. Excellent performance during flight testing, combined with engine efficiency improvements and design changes that reduce drag and airplane weight, contributed to the increased capability.
Contact: Saffana Michael Boeing Commercial Airplanes +9 7150-4590651 Saffana.michael2@boeing.com
Photo and caption will be available here: http://boeing.mediaroom.com
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Friday, November 11, 2011

DTN News - MORO ISLAMIC LIBERATION FRONT: Philippine Troops Seize Rebel Camp In Fierce Attack

DTN News - MORO ISLAMIC LIBERATION FRONT: Philippine Troops Seize Rebel Camp In Fierce Attack
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - November 11, 2011: Philippine troops Thursday scoured the grisly remains of a heavily fortified encampment that they seized in search of a breakaway group of rebels.
“Blood is everywhere,” said Lt. Gen. Raymundo B. Ferrer in a text message from the encampment. “The safe haven of kidnapping operations and terrorist activities in Zamboanga Sibugay has fallen.”
The seizure of the camp on the western coast of the southern Philippine island of Mindanao was the culmination of a three-day police and military operation against what officials say is a breakaway group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a long-established Muslim separatist organization in the southern Philippines.
The attack, by all accounts, was fierce. The Philippine Air Force launched airstrikes against the encampment, which was defended by land mines and two .50-caliber machine guns. Two soldiers and at least 15 rebels were killed in the operation, which resulted in the evacuation of more than 19,000 civilians, government officials said.
“We could see the planes dropping bombs,” said Imelda Laquio, a resident of nearby Olutanga Island. “The bombs were shaking our house. My children were terrified. We have never had an experience like that before.”
Ms. Laquio, who was contacted at a relative’s house away from the fighting, said she fled the area with her husband and two young daughters because of rumors that the rebels might hide on the island.
“There was no military protection for us if the rebels came,” she said. “There was only the local police.”
The attack on the rebels came after clashes on Oct. 18 that left 19 special forces soldiers dead, and an ambush on Oct. 20 in which 4 police officers and 4 soldiers were killed. Though both incidents were linked to Muslim rebels, a military spokesman denied that the recent military assault and airstrikes were in retaliation.
“The police on Oct. 15 attempted to execute an arrest warrant in that area, and they were met with gunfire,” Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang, a military spokesman, said by telephone. “The police sought the assistance of the military.”
Many media commentators and opposition politicians have questioned the motivation behind the raid, which came at a sensitive time for the government. An uneasy cease-fire has been in place since 2003 between the government and the rebels. President Benigno S. Aquino III has met with senior leaders of the organization in an attempt to broker a long-term peace deal that would grant a degree of autonomy to Muslim areas in the south of the Philippines, a predominantly Roman Catholic country.
The Muslim rebels have said its forces were not behind the two attacks that led to the military raid, and the Philippine military has been careful to state that the group it assaulted was a breakaway faction not under the control of the organization’s central leadership.
“We have crafted a deliberate and calibrated response,” said Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr., the chief of staff of the Philippine armed forces, at a news briefing in Manila during the fighting.
Mr. Aquino is walking a fine line between appeasing a restive military that lost 23 personnel in those two attacks — including highly trained, elite fighters — and pursuing his stated goal of achieving a lasting peace in Mindanao.
“We will not pursue all-out war,” he said shortly after operations began. “We will pursue all-out justice.”
The rebel attacks and military raid took place as the Philippines held joint military training exercises with the United States. Since Oct. 17, about 2,000 U.S. marines have been conducting mock beach assaults with the Philippine military on the northern island of Luzon.
U.S. troops were far from the fighting in the south, and when asked whether there was any involvement by the U.S. military in the operations in Mindanao, Colonel Cabangbang said there was not.
Although he acknowledged that U.S. military advisers were operating in Mindanao, he said there was no need to involve them in the operation. “This was a law enforcement action,” he said. “And besides, they don’t know the area where the operation was conducted.”
Colonel Cabangbang said the Philippine military assault on the rebel encampment took place near the small town of Payao. The only access point to attack was a slim peninsula fortified with land mines and .50-caliber gun placements. The airstrikes were used to clear the entrance in order for land forces to launch an assault, he said.
He noted that most of the more than 100 rebels in the area probably escaped via small rivers that run through mangroves. Their leader, the renegade commander Waning Abdusalam, who was a principal target of the operation, also escaped. Mr. Abdusalam, the military spokesman said, has been implicated in the 2007 kidnapping of an Italian missionary, the Rev. Giancarlo Bossi, as well as other crimes. Father Bossi was later released.
Related News;
*Rebels Reject Plan for Filipino Muslims

Islamic rebels said Tuesday that the Philippine government’s proposal “does not address the real issues” that have fueled the separatist rebellion in the country’s south over the past 40 years.

August 24, 2011
MORE ON THE MORO ISLAMIC LIBERATION FRONT AND: MUSLIMS AND ISLAM, PHILIPPINES, AL QAEDA
    *Filipino Rebels Agree to Stop Using Child Soldiers

    MANILA -- In what they called a breakthrough in the campaign to remove children from combat in the Philippines, U.N. officials said Friday that Communist rebels had agreed to ensure that there are no minors in their ranks. At a news briefing, Radhika Coomaraswamy, the U.N. Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, announced that the National Democratic Front of the Philippines had agreed in principle to cooperate with the United Nations to identify and remove any child combatants ...

    April 9, 2011
    *Philippine Leader to Revive Talks With Separatists

    A law professor known for supporting the land rights of Filipino Muslims will be the government’s chief negotiator with Islamic separatists.

    July 16, 2010
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    DTN News - POST-GADDAFI ERA IN LIBYA: As Oil Production Rises, Libya Expects To Hit Prewar Levels By June

    DTN News - POST-GADDAFI ERA IN LIBYA: As Oil Production Rises, Libya Expects To Hit Prewar Levels By June
    (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / TRIPOLI, Libya - November 10, 2011: The acting Libyan oil minister, Ali Tarhouni, said on Thursday that so much progress was being made in resuscitating the country’s oil fields that production would return to more than 40 percent of its prewar level by the end of the year and completely recuperate by June.
    “Things are going very well,” he told reporters at a news conference. “The oil sector is ahead of our expectations and everyone’s expectations. We will surpass 700,000 barrels a day by the end of this year.”
    Officials say Libya’s production is 500,000 barrels a day.
    Before fighting erupted last winter, Libya produced 1.6 million barrels a day and exported 1.3 million barrels, mostly to Europe. But during the war, the rebels were able to export only a trickle with the help of the gulf nation of Qatar as they tried to gain badly needed cash.
    Libyan oil is particularly important for world markets because of its high quality. It needs relatively little refining and is preferred in many European and Asian markets. Since Libyan oil came off line, world benchmark oil prices have been highly volatile despite slumping demand in the United States and Europe.
    The return of Libyan oil has allowed other members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to curtail production and strengthen prices in recent weeks.
    Fighting caused damage to some of the country’s refineries, and several vital pipelines were cut by the rebels. Several major fields were shut down abruptly, potentially causing damage. International oil and oil service companies removed skilled personnel from the country and hundreds of blue-collar foreign workers from Turkey and Egypt fled as well. But Libyan workers are returning to the fields and restarting operations. Many foreign oil experts have expressed surprise at how well the Libyans have done by themselves, but they say that Libyan officials may be overly optimistic that the country can recover all its production next year.
    Some say it could take two years or more, and that will depend on a peaceful transition.
    “The oil is coming on a lot faster than expected,” said Francis Osborne, head of energy economics for the consulting firm KBC. But he added, “There is a labor problem. Libyan oil workers are cautious about going back to certain fields, and foreign workers are cautious or requesting increased salaries. There is also the question of security and protection.”
    Jon Pepper, a Hess vice president, said, “We’re not sending anyone back yet. We want to see how things settle out. We’re not up and running and it will take time before we are.”
    Since the death of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi last month, violence in the country has been reduced greatly, especially in the cities and most of the countryside. But deep in the desert, where many of Libya’s largest oil fields are, there are reports of roaming bands of armed people.
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    Thursday, November 10, 2011

    DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated November 10, 2011

    DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated November 10, 2011
    (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - November 10, 2011: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued November 10, 2011 are undermentioned;

    CONTRACTS

    ARMY

    CWU, Inc., Clearwater, Fla. (W911W4-12-D-0008); Buffalo Group, Reston, Va. (W911W4-12-D-0007); Global Executive Management, Hudson, Fla. (W911W4-12-D-0006); Multi Lingual Solutions, Inc., Rockville, Md. (W911W4-12-D-0005); Strategic Intelligence Group, Fairfax, Va. (W911W4-12-D-0004); Strategic Solutions Unlimited, Inc., Fayetteville, N.C. (W911W4-12-D-0003); Szanca Solutions, Inc., Bedford, Pa. (W911W4-12-D-0002); and Valbin Corp., Bethesda, Md. (W911W4-12-D-0001), were awarded a $9,700,000,000 fixed-price and cost-reimbursable-task-order contract between 14 contractors. The award will provide for the procurement of foreign language services in support of the Defense Language Interpretation Translation Enterprise program. Work location will be determined with each task order, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 26, 2016. The bid was solicited through the Internet, with 11 bids received. The U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity.

    Legis Consultancy, Inc., Atlanta, Ga., was awarded a $20,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the architect-engineering services for nationwide cost engineering support for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla district. Work will be performed in Atlanta, Ga., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 7, 2016. The bid was solicited through the Internet, with seven bids received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla, Wash., is the contracting activity (W912EF-12-D-0006).

    Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., was awarded a $19,104,938 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the procurement of 129 Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles; 11 armor B-Kits; 20 Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles; and 20 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System B-Kits; with install for United Arab Emirates. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2013. The bid was solicited through the Internet, with three bids received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-D-0159).

    Defense Support Services, L.L.C., Marlton, N.J., was awarded a $17,404,900 cost-plus-award-fee contract. The award will provide for the logistics support services to the Army. Work will be performed in Fort Hood, Texas, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2012. The bid was solicited through the Internet, with one bid received. The U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Hood, Texas, is the contracting activity (W91151-06-D-0004).

    General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., Poway, Calif., was awarded a $15,171,136 cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-plus-incentive-fee contract. The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to support the MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft system quick reaction capability. Work will be performed in Poway, Calif., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 7, 2012. One bid was solicited, with one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-09-C-0153).

    Rush - Link One JV, Titusville, Fla., was awarded a $14,412,000 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the construction of an Army Reserve center located in West Palm Beach, Fla. Work will be performed in West Palm Beach, Fla., with an estimated completion date of April 1, 2013. The bid was solicited through the Internet, with six bids received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-12-C-0002).

    Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems, Inc., Fairfax, Va., was awarded a $10,720,446 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The award will provide for the operations and maintenance services for the GUAVA family of sensors systems. Work will be performed in Fairfax, Va., with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2013. One bid was solicited, with one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Natick, Mass., is the contracting activity (W911QY-09-D-0029).

    Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., was awarded a $9,834,704 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the procurement of 8,011 muffler kits for the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., with an estimated completion date of April 29, 2012. One bid was solicited, with one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-D-0111).

    LMG Construction Services, L.L.C., Kansas City, Mo., was awarded an $8,253,000 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the construction of an operation readiness battalion complex at Fort Bliss, Texas. Work will be performed in Fort Bliss, Texas, with an estimated completion date of March 7, 2013. The bid was solicited through the Internet, with ten bids received. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-12-C-0003).

    Alliant Techsystems, Inc., Plymouth, Minn., was awarded a $7,198,538 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the modification of an existing contract to procure 357 munitions control units. Work will be performed in Wilmington, Mass., and Plymouth, Minn., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2012. One bid was solicited, with one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15QKN-11-C-0126).

    General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded a $6,946,589 cost-no-fee contract. The award will provide for the procurement of material items supporting production and conversion of M1A2 tanks to a M1A2S configuration for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Work will be performed in Oxford, Ala., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2012. One bid was solicited, with one bid received. The U.S. Army TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-11-C-0350).

    DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

    US Foodservice Oklahoma Division, Oklahoma City, Okla. was issued a modification exercising the first option year on contract SPM300-09-D-3272/P00015. The award is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery / indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum $42,664,188 for full line food distribution for the Texas and Oklahoma area. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army and Air Force. There were eight solicitations made with three responses. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2011/fiscal 2012 Defense Capital Working Funds. The date of performance completion is May 11, 2013. The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.

    Labatt Food Service, San Antonio, Texas, was awarded a firm-fixed-price, sole source, prime vendor contract with a maximum $26,409,327 for full line food distribution to customers in central Texas and New Mexico. Other locations of performance are Dallas, Texas and New Mexico. Using services are Army and Air Force. There was one solicitation with one response. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2011/fiscal 2012 Defense Capital Working Funds. The date of performance completion is Nov. 10, 2012. The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM300-12-D-3510).

    Korrect Optical*, Louisville, Ky. was issued a modification exercising the first option year on contract SPM2DE-11-D-7546/P00003. The award is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery / indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum $23,738,582 for various optical lenses. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were six solicitations made with three responses. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2011 Defense Capital Working Funds. The date of performance completion is Nov. 30, 2011. The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.

    NAVY

    Huntington Ingalls, Inc., Newport News, Va., is being awarded a $26,521,082 modification to previously awarded contract (N62793-07-C-0001) for core team and continuous maintenance planning, hull planning, yard services and execution of continuous maintenance for USS Enterprise (CVN 65) for fiscal 2012 and 2013. This contract allows for the necessary planning, alterations, maintenance, repairs and routine work to enable USS Enterprise to continue mission capability until the end of the ship's service life. Majority of work will be performed in Newport News, Va., with some work being conducted as required in Norfolk, Va., and is expected to be completed by June 2013. Contract funds in the amount of $24,325,392 are obligated on this award will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was not competitively procured. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Newport News, Va., is the contracting activity.

    Raytheon, Integrated Defense Systems, Tewksbury, Mass., is being awarded a $20,701,792 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-10-C-5126) exercising options for engineering, production, and integration services in support of DDG 1000 Zumwalt Class Destroyer program for fiscal 2012. Funds in the amount of $5,438,000 are obligated at time of award. Work will be performed in Portsmouth, R.I. (25 percent); Tewksbury, Mass. (25 percent); Marlboro, Mass. (20 percent); Dulles, Va. (20 percent); San Diego, Calif. (5 percent); and Alexandria, Va. (5 percent), and is expected to complete by November 2012. 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.

    Guam Cleaning Masters*, Dededo, Guam, is being awarded a $7,134,401 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery / indefinite-quantity contract for grounds maintenance and tree trimming services for various United States military installations in Guam. The work to be performed provides for all labor, supervision, management, tools, material, equipment, facilities, transportation and incidental engineering and other items necessary to accomplish all work to perform grounds maintenance and tree trimming services for all United States military activities in Guam. The services under this contract include maintenance for improved, semi improved and unimproved grounds, as well as maintenance of storm drainage systems. This contract contains two option years, which if exercised, will bring the contract value to $22,249,593. Work will be performed in Guam, Marianas Islands, and is expected to be completed by November 2012. Contract funds in the amount of $6,062,108 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 four proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Marianas, Guam, is the contracting activity (N40192-12-D-9008).

    Canadian Commercial Corp., General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada, Ontario, Canada, is being awarded a $6,584,539 firm-fixed-priced modification under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5028) for an increase in the unit price of 691 hydraulic upgrade kits, previously purchased, for the Block 3 upgrade effort. Work will be performed in Benoni, South Africa, and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2012. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

    AIR FORCE

    Boeing Co., Long Beach, Calif., is being awarded a $17,783, 184 fixed-price-award-fee contract modification for total system support responsibility to Boeing for the C-17 weapon system to include program management, sustaining logistics, material and equipment management, sustaining engineering, depot level aircraft maintenance, engine management, long term sustainment planning, air logistics center partnering support, depot activation, and support of Air Force and foreign military sales operators of the C-17. The Aerospace Sustainment Directorate (WR-ALC/GR) of Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA861404-C-2004-P00555).

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