DTN News: Afghanistan TODAY April 6, 2010 ~ Karzai To Lawmakers: 'I Might Join The Taliban'

DTN News: Afghanistan TODAY April 6, 2010 ~ Karzai To Lawmakers: 'I Might Join The Taliban'

*Afghan leader made threat twice at closed-door meeting, witnesses say Source: DTN News / Allauddin Khan - AP (NSI News Source Info) KABUL, Afghanistan - April 6, 2010: Afghan President Hamid Karzai threatened over the weekend to quit the political process and join the Taliban if he continued to come under outside pressure to reform, several members of parliament said Monday.Karzai made the unusual statement at a closed-door meeting Saturday with selected lawmakers — just days after kicking up a diplomatic controversy with remarks alleging foreigners were behind fraud in last year's disputed elections. Lawmakers dismissed the latest comment as hyperbole, but it will add to the impression the president — who relies on tens of thousands of U.S. and NATO forces to fight the insurgency and prop up his government — is growing increasingly erratic and unable to exert authority without attacking his foreign backers. "He said that 'if I come under foreign pressure, I might join the Taliban'," said Farooq Marenai, who represents the eastern province of Nangarhar. "He said rebelling would change to resistance," Marenai said — apparently suggesting that the militant movement would then be redefined as one of resistance against a foreign occupation rather than a rebellion against an elected government. Marenai said Karzai appeared nervous and repeatedly demanded to know why parliament last week had rejected legal reforms that would have strengthened the president's authority over the country's electoral institutions. Two other lawmakers said Karzai twice raised the threat to join the insurgency. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the reports were troubling. "On behalf of the American people, we're frustrated with the remarks," Gibbs told reporters. Pandering?

The lawmakers, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of political repercussions, said Karzai also dismissed concerns over possible damage his comments had caused to relations with the United States. He told them he had already explained himself in a telephone conversation Saturday with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton that came after the White House described his comments last week as troubling. The lawmakers said they felt Karzai was pandering to hard-line or pro-Taliban members of parliament and had no real intention of joining the insurgency. Nor does the Afghan leader appear concerned that the U.S. might abandon him, having said numerous times that the U.S. would not leave Afghanistan because it perceives a presence here to be in its national interest. Karzai spokesman Waheed Omar's phone was turned off and another number for him rang unanswered Monday. Deputy spokesman Hamed Elmi's phone rang unanswered. The comments come against the background of continuing insurgent violence as the U.S. moves to boost troop levels in a push against Taliban strongholds in the south. NATO forces said they killed 10 militants in a joint U.S.-Afghan raid on a compound in Nangarhar province's Khogyani district near the Pakistani border early Monday, while gunmen seriously wounded an Afghan provincial councilwoman in a drive-by shooting in the country's increasingly violent north. NATO also confirmed that international troops were responsible for the deaths of five civilians, including three women, on Feb. 12 in Gardez, south of Kabul. 'Accidentally killed'

A NATO statement said a joint international-Afghan patrol fired on two men mistakenly believed to be insurgents. It said the three women were "accidentally killed as a result of the joint force firing at the men." International force officials will discuss the results of the investigation with family of those killed, apologize and provide compensation, he said. The two men killed in the Gardez raid had been long-serving government loyalists and opponents of al-Qaida and the Taliban, one serving as provincial district attorney and the other as police chief in Paktia's Zurmat district. Their brother, who also lost his wife and a sister, said he learned of the investigation result from the Internet, but had yet to receive formal notice. Mohammad Sabar said the family's only demand was that the informant who passed on the faulty information about militant activity be tried and publicly executed. "Please, please, please, our desire, our demand is that this spy be executed in front of the people to ensure that such bad things don't happen again," Sabar said. In the latest of a series of targeted assassination attempts blamed on militants, Baghlan provincial council member Nida Khyani was struck by gunfire in the leg and abdomen in Pul-e Khumri, capital of the northern province, said Salim Rasouli, head of the provincial health department. Khyani's bodyguard was also slightly injured. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the shooting, although suspicion immediately fell on Taliban fighters who often target people working with the Afghan government and their Western backers. One month ago, a member of the Afghan national parliament escaped injury when her convoy was attacked by Taliban insurgents in eastern Afghanistan. Female government officials regularly report receiving threats to their safety. Some women leaders, including a prominent policewoman, have been assassinated. The Taliban rigidly oppose education for girls and women's participation in public affairs, citing their narrow interpretation of conservative Islam and tribal traditions. Militants, who are strongest in the south and east, carry out beatings and other punishments for perceived women's crimes from immodesty to leaving home unaccompanied by a male relative. Also Monday, the organizer of a national reconciliation conference — known as a jirga — scheduled for early May said it would not include insurgent groups such as the Taliban. There has also been indications it would include discussion of the withdrawal of 120,000 foreign troops in the country. Ghulam Farooq Wardak, the minister of education who is organizing the conference, said it will focus on outlining ways to reach peace with the insurgents and the framework for possible discussions. Out of the jirga will come the "powerful voice of the Afghan people," Wardak said. "By fighting, you cannot restore security. The only way to bring peace is through negotiation."

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated April 5, 2010

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated April 5, 2010 Source: U.S. DoD issued April 5, 2010 (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - April 6, 2010: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued April 5, 2010 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS ARMY General Dynamics C4 Systems, Inc., Taunton, Mass., was awarded on March 24 a $164,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is for Warfighter Information Network (WIN) Tactical Increment 2 (T INC2) low-rate production, urgent first order, for the procurement of equipment for three brigade combat teams, one division headquarters, four regional hub nodes, and one base equipment complement to support the initial operational test and evaluation for WIN-T INC2 for program manager, WIN-T. Work is to be performed in Taunton, Mass., with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2010. One sole-source bid was solicited with one bid received. CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15PT-10-D-C007). BAE Systems, LLC, U.S. Combat Systems, York, Pa., was awarded on March 31 a $145,170,882 firm-fixed-price contract for the reset of 551 Bradley Fighting Vehicle Systems. Work is to be performed in York, Pa. (42 percent); Aiken, S.C. (8 percent); Fayette, Pa. (12 percent); and Texarkana, Texas (38 percent), with an estimated completion date of Aug. 30, 2011. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army, TACOM Contracting Center, CCTA-AHL-A, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-05-G-0005). Archer-Western Contractor, Ltd., Arlington, Texas, was awarded on March 30 an $112,247,806 firm-fixed-price construction contract. This contract is for Lake Pontchartrain and vicinity, levee enlargement for South Point to CSX railroad, and US 11 and US 90 highway crossing, Reach LPV 109.02, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. Work is to be performed in Orleans Parish, La., with an estimated completion date of June 6, 2011. Bids were solicited via the the Federal Business Opportunities and Army Single Face to Industry Web sites, with seven bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hurricane Protection Office., New Orleans, La., is the contracting activity (W912P8-10-C-0059). Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., was awarded on March 29 a $10,036,560 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of 31 field service representatives, equal to 372 months, for the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All Terrain Vehicle in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Work is to be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2012. Five bids were solicited with five bids received. TACOM, CCTA-ADC-A, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-D-0111). AAI Corp., Hunt Valley, Md., was awarded on March 26 a $9,800,000 cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for over-and-above efforts for government-owned, contractor-operated Units 1 and 2 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and overseas contingency operations. Work is to be performed in Hunt Valley, Md., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2010. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, CCAM-AR-A, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0016). Great Lakes Dredge a Dock Co., LLC, Oak Road, Ill., was awarded on March 26 a $9,663,200 firm-fixed-price contract for the dredging of the Mississippi River harbors. Work is to be determined with each task order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2010. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with two bids received. U.S. Army Engineer District Memphis, Memphis, Tenn., is the contracting activity (W912EQ-10-D-0011). Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., was awarded on March 26 a $9,464,423 firm-fixed-price contract. This procurement is for issuance of an undefinitized contract action for the purchase of AH-64 Apache modernized target acquisition designation sight/pilot night vision sensors visible near infrared sight kits and associated spares for the United States government and the United Arab Emirates government. The March 26 obligation of $9,464,423 is 49 percent of the undefinitized contract action not-to-exceed amount of $19,315,150. Work is to be performed in Orlando, Fla., with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2012. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Army Contracting Command, AMCOM Contracting Center, CCAM-AP-B, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-06-C-0169). Science Applications International Corp., McLean, Va., was awarded on March 26 a $5,759,507 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. This contract is a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program that will develop and demonstrate an innovative multi-physics coupling software environment to enable rapid and accurate multidisciplinary performance design and analysis simulations for lightweight, multi-material Navy submarine rotors. Work is to be performed in Bowie, Md., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 18, 2011. Bids were solicited via Broad Agency Announcement with nine bids received. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-10-C-0082). The Ross Group Construction Corp., Inc., Tulsa, Okla., was awarded on March 26 a $5,726,551 firm-fixed-price contract. The intent of the project is for the repair and renovation of approximately 5,610 square feet of existing building space which comprises the second floor of Building 700, known as Knox Hall. Renovation will create new functional areas with offices. The renovation and repair will allow the facility to properly support its current mission. Building 700 is located on the southeast corner of the intersection of Randolph Road and McNair Avenue on Fort Sill, Okla. The contractor is to purchase required materials and provide design, equipment, labor, and management to perform all the required work to design and construct this project to provide a complete and useable facility. Contractors are to coordinate with a submitted and approved construction schedule, work plan, and approved designs. Features of work include demolition and renovation of the existing second floor space, including wall layout, communications, electrical distribution system, fire arm and suppression system, lighting, mechanical duct work ,systems, and plumbing. Additional feature include renovation of elevator cab and operating systems, and stair wells. Work is to be performed in Fort Sill, Okla., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with one bid received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineer Tulsa Distinct, Tulsa, Okla., is the contracting activity (W912BV-09-D-2024). Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., was awarded on March 29 a $9,223,633 firm-fixed-price contract for incorporating the recurring production of Engineering Change Proposal 628 (AV 10063R1), UH-HH-60M Black Hawk upturned exhaust systems. Work is to be performed in Stratford, Conn., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2012. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, CCAM-BH-A, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0003). I.L. Fleming, Inc., Midway, Ga., was awarded on March 29 a $7,811,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of Chapel Complex PN 61035, Fort Bragg, N.C. Work is to be performed in Fort Bragg, N.C., with an estimated completion date of July 15, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with ten bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, Omaha, Neb., is the contracting activity (W9128F-10-C-0012). AM General, LLC, South Bend, Ind., was awarded on March 29 a $7,717,067 firm-fixed-price contract to add 50 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles to contract. Work is to be performed in Mishawaka, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2010. One bid was solicited with one bid received. TACOM Warren, CCTA-ATA-A, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (DAAE07-01-C-S001) Gulf Power Co., Pensacola, Fla., was awarded on March 26 a $5,586,210 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of Freedom Way substation and transmission line extension, Hurlburt Air Force Base, Fla. Work is to be performed in Hurlburt Field, Fla., with an estimated completion date of March 1, 2010. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity (W91278-10-F-0035). NAVY M.C. Dean, Inc., Dulles, Va., is being awarded a $75,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N65236-07-D-5884) for command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance initiatives and programs supported by the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic, European Office. The cumulative value of this contract, including this modification, is $239,013,981. Work will be performed in Europe (80 percent) and Southwest Asia (20 percent), and is expected to be completed by April 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured through the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command E-commerce Web site, with five offers received. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic, Charleston, S.C., is the contracting activity. VSE Corp., Alexandria, Va., is being awarded a $42,510,858 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00174-10-D-0011) for decontamination and demolition support services for the industrial revitalization program. The government requires analytical, technical, and management support services for industrial revitalization efforts to include caretaking assistance, modernization, explosives/energetics decontamination, demilitarization, demolition, and divestiture support for the Navy and other Department of Defense (DoD) customers, and non-DoD customers. Work will be performed at Naval Surface Warfare Centers in Indian Head, Md., Crane, Ind., and Dahlgren, Va.; Naval Weapons Stations in Yorktown, Va., Seal Beach, Calif., Concord, Calif., and Earle, N.J.; and the Naval Air Systems Command, Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plants in Texas, New York, Connecticut and Ohio. Work is expected to be completed by April 2015. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities Web site, with one offer received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division, Indian Head, Md., is the contracting activity. EDO Communications and Countermeasures Systems, Inc., wholly owned by ITT Force Protection Systems, Thousand Oaks, Calif., is being awarded a $31,269,829 cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus award fee, cost-only, firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract (N0024-09-C-6316) to exercise options for all material and services to support the system development and demonstration phase through critical design review for the three capabilities (dismounted, mounted, and fixed-site) of the joint counter radio-controlled improvised explosive device electronic warfare (JCREW) 3.3 system of systems, 71°C ambient temperature. JCREW systems provide combat troops protection against radio-controlled improvised explosive devices. Work will be performed at Clifton, N.J. (41 percent), Annapolis Junction, Md. (30 percent), and Thousand Oaks, Calif. (29 percent), and is expected to be complete by June 2010. Contract funds in the amount $8,500,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $13,632,188 cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order against a previously issued Basic Ordering Agreement (N00019-05-G-0026) to complete the AESA waveform generator DDS II die parts obsolescence redesign engineering change proposal for the F/A-18E/F aircraft. Work will be performed in El Segundo, Calif. (87.7 percent), and St. Louis, Mo. (12.3 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity. Souza Construction, Inc.*, Farmersville, Calif., is being awarded $10,221,050 for firm-fixed-price task order #0002 under a previously awarded multiple-award construction contract (N62473-09-D-1652) for facility energy improvements at Heat Plant 5 (HP-5) at Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow. Work will be performed in Barstow, Calif., and is expected to be completed by September 2011. Funds for this project are provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Seven proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity. The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $6,123,474 not-to-exceed modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-08-D-0013) to provide 300 hours of persistent unmanned aerial vehicle intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services in support of naval maritime missions. Work will be performed in Bingen, Wash. (96 percent), and St. Louis, Mo. (4 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $3,980,257 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. BAE Systems, Land and Armaments L.P., Minneapolis, Minn., is being awarded a $6,049,979 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-5407) to exercise an option for engineering services to support operation and capabilities of the MK 45 Naval Gun System, including system engineering and ammunition integration. The MK 45 Naval Gun System is designed to provide surface fire support for multiple ship platforms of the U.S. Navy and various Foreign Military Sales customers. These engineering services will provide design, development, production, logistics, testing, operational, and life-cycle support for the gun system. Work will be performed in Minneapolis, Minn. (87 percent), and Louisville, Ky. (13 percent), and is expected to be complete by September 2011. 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. AIR FORCE Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronic Co., Woodland Hills, Calif., was awarded a $14,109,480 contract which provides for 252 embedded GPS inertial navigation system production units for the USAF F-16. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 647 AESS/PK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (FA8626-06-C-2066). Boeing Co., Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, Wichita, Kan., was awarded a $9,348,867 contract which provides additional funding on option period one for a contract to provide contractor logistics support for the VC-25A aircraft. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 727 ACSG/PKB, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8106-09-C-005). Choctaw Professional Resources Enterprise, Durant, Okla., was awarded a $20,000,000 contract which provides action to support the Family Advocacy Program, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, outside the contiguous United States. At this time, $2,998,319 has been obligated. AFDW/A7KM-S, Brooks City-Base, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA7014-10-D-0001). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Mercury Air Centers Inc. dba Atlantic Aviation, Los Angeles, Calif., is being awarded a maximum $8,376,373 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for jet fuel. Other locations of performance include Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, Calif. Using services are the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and other federal civilian agencies. There were originally three proposals solicited with three responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is March 31, 2014. The Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-10-D-0048), is the contracting activity. *Small business

DTN News: Boeing To Spotlight Advanced Capabilities At National Space Symposium

DTN News: Boeing To Spotlight Advanced Capabilities At National Space Symposium Source: DTN News / Boeing (NSI News Source Info) COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., April 5, 2010: The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] will spotlight its satellites, intelligence and security solutions, human spaceflight activities and advanced network technologies at the Space Foundation's 26th National Space Symposium. This year's event takes place April 12-15 at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs.

"Whether we're building and launching satellites, processing payloads for human spaceflight missions or providing solutions that protect the United States from cyber attacks, our customers depend on our ability to deliver on our promises," said Roger Krone, president of the Network and Space Systems business unit of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. "The National Space Symposium offers the aerospace industry the opportunity to demonstrate and showcase the broad, flexible array of proven space capabilities that make a world of difference for the warfighter and the public."

The Boeing exhibit will feature demonstrations of the company's support for the Iridium constellation, military satellite operations and Global Positioning System (GPS) IIF, the International Space Station and security systems. The exhibit also will contain interactive displays of the Space Based Space Surveillance system and hosted-payload capabilities that extend the breadth of satellite services Boeing provides.

Boeing's online press kit at www.boeing.com/bds/mediakit/2010/nss will be updated throughout the show with presentations from the briefings and schedule changes, if any. The site also contains program backgrounders, executive biographies and a link to high-resolution photos.

Note: All briefing times are local to Colorado Springs. Reporters interested in the news briefings are asked to confirm their attendance in advance with the contacts listed below no later than Thursday, April 8.

MONDAY, April 12 -- The Broadmoor Hotel

4:45 p.m.: Boeing Cyber Solutions -- Boeing Carleton Suite Following the conclusion of the symposium's Cyber 1.0 event, Steve Oswald, vice president and general manager of Intelligence and Security Systems, and Barbara Fast, vice president of Cyber and Information Solutions, will provide their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities in cybersecurity and how Boeing is meeting the emerging need for secure cyber operations.

TUESDAY, April 13 -- The Broadmoor Hotel

7 a.m.: Breakfast Briefing: Overview of Boeing Network and Space Systems -- Crystal Room Boeing business leaders will discuss year-to-date activities in the commercial and military satellite business, space exploration, intelligence and security systems and advanced network systems. Speakers include Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Space and Intelligence Systems; Alex Lopez, vice president of Advanced Network and Space Systems; Steve Oswald, vice president and general manager of Intelligence and Security Systems; and Brewster Shaw, vice president and general manager of Space Exploration.

9:15 a.m.: Advanced Network and Space Systems -- Crystal Room On the verge of a history-making first test flight of the X-51 WaveRider, Alex Lopez, vice president of Advanced Network and Space Systems, will brief reporters on Boeing's work in hypersonics and the implications for the technology. He also will discuss Boeing's accomplishments on Operationally Responsive Space-related activities, including CubeSats and the use of miniature satellites in space, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Fast Access Spacecraft Testbed program, which will form the foundation for future self-deployed, high-mobility spacecraft to perform ultra-high-power communications, space radar, satellite transfer and servicing missions.

11:20 a.m.: Dennis A. Muilenburg Featured Industry Presentation -- International Hall Muilenburg is executive vice president of The Boeing Company and president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. He will discuss how customers, industry and government must work together to make the right decisions for the future of space.

2 p.m.: Commercial Crew Development -- Crystal Room John Elbon, vice president and program manager of Boeing Space Exploration's commercial programs, will discuss efforts to develop a commercial crew capsule to transport crews back and forth to the International Space Station and to Bigelow Aerospace's space station.

WEDNESDAY, April 14 -- The Broadmoor Hotel

8:30 a.m.: International Space Station -- Boeing Carleton Suite Joy Bryant, vice president and program manager of the International Space Station (ISS) Program, provides an update on Boeing's efforts to sustain and upgrade the ISS through at least 2020.

11 a.m.: Space Based Space Surveillance System -- Media Center, 2nd Floor, Colorado Hall Todd Citron, director of Space Superiority and Special Missions for Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems, and Fred Doyle, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. vice president and general manager for National Defense, provide an update on the development and upcoming launch of the first Space Based Space Surveillance System (SBSS) satellite. SBSS will revolutionize U.S. space situational awareness as the only space-based sensor in the U.S. Air Force Space Surveillance Network that will detect distant spacecraft, debris and other space objects without interference from weather, atmosphere or time of day.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

DTN News: Russia Signs $1.2 Billion Contract For Jet Fighter Delivery To Algeria, Uganda

DTN News: Russia Signs $1.2 Billion Contract For Jet Fighter Delivery To Algeria, Uganda Source: DTN News / Ria Novosti (NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - April 5, 2010: Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport has signed two contracts worth $1.2 billion on the deliveries of 16 jet fighters to Algeria and another six fighters to Uganda, the Russian Vedomosti daily reported on Monday. The two African nations will receive different models of the Su-30 Flanker fighters. Algiers will receive 16 Su-30-MKI(A)s and Kampala will receive six Su-30MK2s, the paper said. In 2008, Algiers cancelled the delivery of 34 MiG-29 Fulcrum multi-role fighters because of flaws in design. The Russian military bought the rejects for its own use. Su-30 Flankers in various models have also been sold to India. India has so far received 120 out of the 230 jets it has ordered. Malaysia has also received 18 fighters. Rosoboronexport has closed some $7.5 billion worth of arms export deals since the beginning of the year. According to the company's head, Anatoly Isaikin, Russia signed $15 billion worth of contracts during 2009. Related News Russia completes delivery of Su-30 fighters to Algeria Russia pledges to continue arms deliveries to Venezuela Russia to deliver last of six Su fighters to Indonesia in 2010 RUSSIA TO FULFILL CONTRACT IN 2010 ON DELIVERY OF EIGHT SU-30 FIGHTERS TO VIETNAM - ROSOBORONEXPORT

DTN News: Pakistan TODAY April 5, 2010 ~ Pakistan Attacks Kill 46, Target US Consulate

DTN News: Pakistan TODAY April 5, 2010 ~ Pakistan Attacks Kill 46, Target US Consulate Source: DTN News / AFP By Lehaz Ali (NSI News Source Info) PESHAWAR, Pakistan - April 5, 2010: Islamist militants armed with guns, grenades and suicide car bombs targeted the US consulate in Pakistan's northwestern capital and a political rally, killing 46 people on Monday.

The attacks in quick succession were among the deadliest so far this year in nuclear-armed Pakistan, where insecurity has raised concerns in the United States as Washington steps up the fight in Afghanistan and against Al-Qaeda.

A Pakistani journalist walks next to damaged armored vehicle at the site of suicide bombing near the U.S. consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan on Monday, April 5, 2010. Islamist militants attacked the consulate in northwest Pakistan with car bombs and grenades Monday, killing three people.

Pakistan's Taliban claimed responsibility for the consulate attack, claiming it was to avenge a US drone war targeting top militants in Pakistan's border areas with Afghanistan, and threatened further assaults on Americans.

That heavily-armed militants managed to approach the US mission, underscored the potency of their threat despite stepped up Pakistani offensives and US drone attacks focused on Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked commanders.

Five security officials were killed when at least eight militants armed with guns, grenades and two car bombs targeted the heavily guarded US consulate in Peshawar, a city of 2.5 million on the edge of Pakistan's lawless tribal belt.

The United States condemned the attack and expressed "great concern", saying at least two Pakistani security guards employed by the consulate were killed and a number of others seriously wounded, but that no Americans died.

"We strongly condemn the violence," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, adding that attacks killing Pakistanis had previously strengthened Islamabad's determination to battle militants.

"Militancy and extremism have been the greatest threat to our national security in recent times. I assure you we will fight militancy to the finish," Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari told parliament on Monday.

Police said two car bombs exploded -- at a checkpoint 50 metres (yards) from the mission and the second laden with about 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of explosives close to the consulate gate, followed by an exchange of fire.

North West Frontier Province information minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain told reporters that five security officials and six militants were killed.

The security barrier near the US consulate gate was damaged, and shells from rocket-propelled grenades and hand grenades were left lying in the area, which was sealed off by Pakistani police and army, witnesses said.

Although the precise number of assailants was unclear, Bashir Ahmad Bilour, a provincial cabinet minister, said two militants fled during the cross fire.

US missile strikes have killed more than 860 people since August 2008 in Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal belt, surging under President Barack Obama as he steps up efforts to end the war in neighbouring Afghanistan.

"We accept the attacks on the American consulate. This is revenge for drone attacks," Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan spokesman Azam Tariq told AFP by telephone from an undisclosed location.

"We will carry out more such attacks. We will target any place where there are Americans," he said.

Peshawar lies on the edge of Pakistan's tribal belt -- branded by Washington a global headquarters of Al-Qaeda.

Around 3,200 people have been killed in suicide and bomb attacks over the last three years in Pakistan, blamed on militants opposed to the US alliance. Chronology: Recent attacks in Pakistan

On Monday, a suicide bomber attacked a rally in the northwest district of Lower Dir, where Pakistan waged a major offensive against local Taliban insurgents last year before switching its operations to the tribal belt.

"People were dancing and some were beating drums when suddenly there was a powerful explosion," Iqbal Akbar, a shopkeeper told AFP from his bed in Peshawar's main Lady Reading hospital.

"It felt like someone thrust a hot iron rod into my shoulder. I fell on the ground and a severed hand fell on my chest," he said.

Qazi Jamil, police chief for the northwestern region of Malakand, told AFP that 41 people were killed and 82 wounded in a suicide car bomb attack.

The Awami National Party (ANP) said it organised the meeting to celebrate plans to rename North West Frontier Province -- Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, as laid out in a package of constitutional reform being debated in the federal parliament.

The new name honours the Pashtun-majority population in the province, replaces a name that dates back to British colonial rule and is part of efforts to devolve greater authority to the provinces.