DTN News: Innovative Lockheed Martin-Built Satellite System Operating Successfully On Orbit

DTN News: Innovative Lockheed Martin-Built Satellite System Operating Successfully On Orbit

*Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin

(NSI News Source Info) CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla., - September 22, 2009: A next-generation satellite, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] for the U.S. government, is performing as required following its successful launch from Cape Canaveral on Sept. 8 aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle. The Lockheed Martin team has successfully completed a series of key activities toward delivering the spacecraft for customer use. The program, designated PAN, was awarded to Lockheed Martin in Oct. 2006. It consists of a novel and robust turnkey commercial-based satellite, ground and launch system solution developed to meet the government's future needs. "We are very proud of the innovative total system solution we are deploying for our customer," said Tessa Lloyd, Lockheed Martin's PAN program director. "The rapid development of this spacecraft and ground system is testimony to a strong government and industry partnership and we are extremely proud of our teams across the country." The PAN satellite is based on Lockheed Martin's configure-to-order A2100 spacecraft series and leverages mature commercial space technologies and unique Lockheed Martin processes that enabled delivery of a high-quality, low-cost solution with reduced cycle times for the government customer. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company designs and develops, tests, manufactures and operates a full spectrum of advanced-technology systems for national security and military, civil government and commercial customers. Chief products include human space flight systems; a full range of remote sensing, navigation, meteorological and communications satellites and instruments; space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft; laser radar; ballistic missiles; missile defense systems; and nanotechnology research and development. 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: Airlines News TODAY September 22, 2009 ~ Qantas Takes 75th Boeing 737

DTN News: Airlines News TODAY September 22, 2009 ~ Qantas Takes 75th Boeing 737 *Source: DTN News / Boeing (NSI News Source Info) AUCKLAND, New Zealand, - September 22, 2009: Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Qantas celebrated yesterday September 21, as the Australian airline's 75th 737, adorned with a special decal to commemorate the milestone, arrived in Auckland, New Zealand.Australian flag-carrier Qantas Airways has ordered four new Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 airplanes to join its initial 737-800 fleet of 15. The four new twinjets, due for delivery between May and July of next year, are worth approximately $US240 million at list prices. First deliveries of the Qantas 737-800s were achieved only 100 days after contract signature. "We have been very pleased with the integration of the Boeing 737-800 into our fleet," said Qantas Executive General Manager of Aircraft Operations, David Forsythe. "It has been one of the smoothest introductions of a new type, undoubtedly helped by high levels of commonality with our existing Boeing 737s." Qantas named the Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 in honor of Jean Batten, a spirited New Zealand aviator who broke numerous flying records in the 1930s. Qantas has been flying Boeing 737s since 1986. This latest Next-Generation 737-800 features Qantas-specified, 2.5-meter-high (8.2-feet-high) Blended Winglets, which reduce fuel burn, thereby increasing range and payload. Qantas Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said Qantas was pleased to be able to offer customers a new trans-Tasman product. "The new Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 will offer international business and leisure customers a state-of-the-art product," said Joyce. "We are certain that the new aircraft will be in particular demand with business customers, who will appreciate the spacious Marc Newson-inspired cabin design and the array of onboard technology features. We are delighted to be adding six of these aircraft, the first three before the end of this year, to our trans-Tasman fleet over the next two years." With more than 8,000 orders, the Boeing 737 is the world's most popular commercial jet transport. Contact: Miles Kotay International & Sales Communications 0011 +1 206-766-2923 miles.kotay@boeing.com More information: www.boeing.com Web site: http://www.boeing.com/

DTN News: Iran's Defense Week Begins With Major Parade

DTN News: Iran's Defense Week Begins With Major Parade

*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media

(NSI News Source Info) TEHRAN, Iran - September 22, 2009: Iranian armed forces start a major parade on the first day of week-long ceremonies held to commemorate eight years of defense during the 1980's war with Saddam-ruled Iraq.

Iranian soldiers march during an annual military parade which marks Iran's eight-year war with Iraq, in the capital Tehran on September 22, 2009. Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad warned that Iran would confront any attack on the Islamic republic, addressing an army parade which was marred by the reported crash of a military plane.

The parade, which began Tuesday morning, included marches and aerial maneuvers by parachuters, fighters and helicopters. The main branches of Iran's armed forces, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), the Iranian Military, and the Basij voluntary force all took part in the event.

Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), and the Iranian Military both have separate but coordinate army, navy and air forces. Fighter jets, tactical planes, reconnaissance aircrafts and tankers were among the air force fleet that staged maneuvers during the parade. Helicopters, unmanned planes, sophisticated missile defense systems, were also displayed. A military truck carries a Sejil missile during an annual military parade which marks Iran's eight-year war with Iraq, in the capital Tehran on September 22, 2009. Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad warned that Iran would confront any attack on the Islamic republic, addressing an army parade which was marred by the reported crash of a military plane.

The deterrent missiles included Azarakhsh (lighting) and Saeqeh (thunderbolt), a joint product of the Iranian air force and the defense ministry, which were also exhibited during last year's Holy Defense Week parades.

The domestically-manufactured Sejjil missile was also showcased for the first time during the parade. Tanks, air defense systems, and other missiles, from short-range to long range, were also part of the show.

Military parades are among various events that the Islamic Republic holds in remembrance of the sacrifices its armed forces made during the eight years of war (1980-1988) with Iraq's former dictator Saddam Hossein.

Iran's Mig-29 fighter jets fly during an annual military parade which marks Iran's eight-year war with Iraq, in the capital Tehran on September 22, 2009. Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad warned that Iran would confront any attack on the Islamic republic, addressing an army parade which was marred by the reported crash of a military plane.

Other ceremonies include photo displays throughout cities and towns, seminars and cultural events. A simultaneous exercise was also held in southern Iran, on the shores of the Persian Gulf.

The ceremony, which drew a large crowd of onlookers, included a march and another display of military equipment.

DTN News: Israel Offered 'Secret Deal' On Settlements

DTN News: Israel Offered 'Secret Deal' On Settlements

*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media

(NSI News Source Info) TEL AVIV, Israel - September 22, 2009: Israel has reportedly agreed to consider a partial and temporary freeze on West Bank settlement construction in exchange for normalizing relations with certain North African and Arab countries.

Citing Israeli officials, the Washington Times reported Tuesday that Tel Aviv has agreed to a partial freeze of settlement construction for six to nine months but still wants to build more than 2,500 new housing units.

In exchange, certain Arab and North African states have privately assured US special Mideast envoy George Mitchell that they would grant over-flight rights to Israeli airliners, open interest sections in Israel, and end a travel ban on Israelis, the report quoted a US official as saying.

Currently Israeli airliners flying to destinations in the Far East must make a wide detour to avoid flying over countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Afghanistan.

Saudi Arabia, however, has refused to grant these assurances, insisting a peace agreement must first be signed.

The report comes just ahead of a tripartite meeting between US President Barack Obama, acting Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Palestinian laborers work on a new housing project at the Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim in the West Bank on September 22, 2009. US President Barack Obama will use his diplomatic leverage to get Israeli and Palestinian leaders together in the same room, but the White House has no illusions of an imminent breakthrough. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas for the first time since taking office in March at the three-way encounter, at a time when peace moves are stalled, despite intense US efforts.

On Monday, Netanyahu's media adviser, Nir Hefetz, told Israeli radio that the premier would not support a settlement freeze, because he considers the settlements to be a "Zionist enterprise."

Based on the report, Netanyahu considers moving forward with 2,500 to 3,000 housing units already approved. He is also seeking to exempt East Jerusalem from the freeze.

Related articles: *Jerusalem freezes plan for Jewish homes in Arab area *The Ma'aleh Adumim challenge *NIS 200m spent on new W. Bank neighborhood *Israel plans to build up West Bank corridor on contested land

DTN News: Oshkosh And Plasan Awarded Contract For Additional 352 M-ATV Armor Kits

DTN News: Oshkosh And Plasan Awarded Contract For Additional 352 M-ATV Armor Kits *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) BENNINGTON, Vt.,- September 22, 2009: Plasan, a global leader in survivability and combat-proven armor solutions for vehicles, airborne platforms and personal protection, today announced it has won yet another contract for the delivery of 352 armor kits for the U.S. Army's MRAPAll-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) as sub-contractor to Oshkosh Defense. Today's increase follows earlier announcements of 3,000 unit increase in the $1.05 billion contract awarded by U.S. Department of Defense to a team led by Wisconsin-based Oshkosh Corporation to produce M-ATVs for deployment in Afghanistan. Mr. Dan Ziv, CEO of Plasan, said of the contract: "Plasan is pleased to renew its commitment to this project and to saving the lives of American war fighters. Because Plasan partners with U.S.-based sub-contractors, our newest contract will create new jobs at a critical time in the U.S. economy. Plasan continues to meet its production deadlines to supply protection to U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan. This increased order is yet another vote of confidence by the Department of Defense for Plasan's proven track record ofon-time delivery." (Image: Oshkosh M-ATV) Plasan North America and its local sub-contractors have made advance preparations to comply with strict composite specifications and a tight delivery schedule. Through the application of the modular Kitted Hull concept, developed by Plasan, all armor parts and components are sent to the vehicle's manufacturer where they are applied to the vehicle at the assembly line, thus improving efficiency and reliability. Plasan's production capabilities arecomplemented by a comprehensive supply chain that encompasses suppliers ofmaterials, equipment and solutions throughout the U.S. This extensive network enables the production capacity the necessary flexibility to expand or reduce production volumes according to demand. About Plasan Plasan provides customized survivability solutions for tactical wheeled vehicles, aircraft, naval platforms, civilian armored vehicles and personal protection. A recognized global leader and industry veteran, Plasan's survivability solutions offer the optimal combination of protection, payload,and cost by combining in-house R&D, design, prototyping and manufacturing capabilities. Plasan combines innovative survivability engineering and design with advanced armor materials development. Its unique development process is based oncontinuous interaction between the R&D and the Design & Prototyping departments. During this process, Plasan combines computer-generated analysisand simulations with real-time calibration and ballistic test data. The effective combination of test and simulation data enables improved simulation accuracy and performance, resulting in the optimal survivability solution. Plasan's engineers are unique in terms of their military backgrounds andhands-on experience. As veterans of the Israel Defense Forces they arefamiliar with soldiers' behavior during combat and share a common languagewith the end user. This often contributes to the development of life saving solutions. Plasan's success is a combination of innovation, a high level of commitmentand a full range of in-house capabilities. As a preferred supplier to the Israel Defense Forces and an approved supplier to ministries of defense aroundthe world, Plasan's solutions have been tried and tested by dozens of armed forces in the most demanding battlefields such as Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan.

DTN News: Russia No Longer Require To Deploy New Missiles In Kaliningrad Says Defense Minister Vladimir Popovkin

DTN News: Russia No Longer Require To Deploy New Missiles In Kaliningrad Says Defense Minister Vladimir Popovkin

*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - September 22, 2009: Russia will not deploy new missiles in the Kaliningrad enclave after the United States dropped plans for an anti-missile shield in Eastern Europe, Russia's deputy defence minister said on Saturday. "Naturally, we will scrap the measures that Russia planned to take in response to the deployment of missile defence in Eastern Europe," Vladimir Popovkin told Ekho Moskvy radio station. (Image: Russia's President Vladimir Putin, Chief of Russia's Space Forces Colonel General Vladimir Popovkin (3rd R) and other unidentified officers visit the Voronezh radar in the village of Lekhtusi, about 50km north of St. Petersburg, in this August 11, 2007, handout photo.) "One of these measures was the deployment of Iskander missiles in the Kaliningrad region," he said. His comment echoed a statement by Russia's envoy to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, who on Friday also welcomed a proposal from NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen for more cooperation with Russia on anti-missile systems. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin described as "correct and brave" President Barack Obama's decision to drop the missile shield intended for Europe by his predecessor George W. Bush. Popovkin said Russia would continue spending the bulk of its defence budget on the development of strategic nuclear forces. "This is our shield. We need to develop it so if somebody attacks us we have something to respond with. And that (response) won't seem small to anyone," he said. Washington had proposed the missile shield because of concerns Iran was trying to develop nuclear warheads -- something Tehran denies -- and could mount them on long-range missiles. But Russia saw it as a threat to its own missile defences and overall security.

Under Obama's new plan, the United States would initially deploy ships with missile interceptors and in a second phase would field land-based defence systems. Popovkin also confirmed Russia was keen to buy a Mistral-class warship from France, which many experts said would have helped the country fight its five-day war against Georgia last year. But he said the move was complicated by opposition from Russia's military industrial sector. "We are in talks but haven't bought anything yet," he said adding that Russia also wanted to modernise some outdated nuclear cruisers. "We must have at least two-three such cruisers ... We inherited several such cruisers from the Soviet fleet," he said.

DTN News: Saab Wins Upgrade Contract For the SK60 Training Aircraft

DTN News: Saab Wins Upgrade Contract For the SK60 Training Aircraft

*Source: DTN News / Defense News (Click her for link)

(NSI News Source Info) STOCKHOLM, Sweden - September 22, 2009: The defence and security company Saab (STO:SAABB) has received an order valued at MSEK 130 from FMV (the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration) for the development and upgrade of the Armed Forces SK60 training aircraft.

The Saab Sk 60 entered service in 1966. Although almost 40 years old it's still the mainstay of the Swedish training fleet.

"This is an important order for Saab that will secure additional jobs, both in terms of workshop and engineering resources. The upgrade involves the modernisation of the SK60 aircraft, making them more competitive for many more years to come," says Lars-Erik Wige, business unit manager, Saab Aerotech.

The order includes the installation of a new GPS, audible altitude and primary warning signals for the pilot plus the replacement of certain instruments. The result is a new aircraft cabin layout in which, for example, the altitude and speed go from being displayed in metres and kilometers to providing the pilot with information in feet and knots, just as in today's Gripen system. The upgrade will be fully completed by the end of 2011.

The contract follows the Swedish Armed Forces' plans to modernise the SK60 training platform in order to secure its use until 2017.

In December 2008, Saab and FMV signed a contract whereby Saab, as the main supplier, was given the responsibility for handling the operation, maintenance, and readiness of all SK60 aircraft. Through this commitment, Saab ensures that the system is airworthy and is available for the Swedish Air Force Wings in accordance with the Armed Forces' requirements.

SK60 is the military designation for the Saab 105, a twin-engine jet aircraft that first flew in 1963 and that has been used by the Swedish Armed Forces since 1967 for mainly training purposes.

Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs. www.saabgroup.com

The information is that which Saab AB is required to declare by the Securities Business Act and/or the Financial instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication on September 21 at 12:15. This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

DTN News: China's Military Power Takes 'Quantum Leap' Says Defence Minister Liang Guanglie

DTN News: China's Military Power Takes 'Quantum Leap' Says Defence Minister Liang Guanglie *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) BEIJING, China - September 22, 2009: China's military capability has taken a "quantum leap" thanks to a modernisation drive and its weaponry rivals that of Western countries, the nation's defence minister said in an interview Monday. The comments by Liang Guanglie came in an interview published by Xinhua news agency 10 days before China is set to roll out a range of advanced weaponry in a National Day military parade. "Our capabilities in waging defensive combat under modern conditions have taken a quantum leap," Liang was quoted as saying. Liang rattled off a list of achievements in military technology and hardware by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) including military-use satellites, advance aircraft, tanks, artillery and missiles. "It could be said that China has basically all the kinds of equipment possessed by Western countries, much of which reaches or approaches advanced world standards. "This is a very remarkable achievement which not only reflects the level of modernisation of our army, but also tremendous changes in national science and technology strength." Chinese media said earlier this month that "52 types" of new homegrown weapons would debut during the October 1 parade, and recent rehearsals through the capital have offered glimpses of the hardware, notably an array of powerful missiles. "It is no exaggeration to say that our army has a strong combat capability," Liang said. China has poured money into its armed forces in recent years in a bid to transform the once-backward PLA into a lean, professional and high-tech fighting force. China's military spending rose 15.3 percent in 2009 to 69 billion dollars, according to a budget submitted to parliament in March, the latest in a string of double-digit increases. Amid growing concern overseas about China's military intentions, Beijing stresses the defensive nature of its armed forces.