DTN News: Raytheon Team To Demonstrate Ground Soldier Ensemble Tactical Awareness

DTN News: Raytheon Team To Demonstrate Ground Soldier Ensemble Tactical Awareness

*Source: Raytheon Company

(NSI News Source Info) MCKINNEY, Texas - May 29, 2009: The U.S. Army recently selected Raytheon Company's Ground Soldier Ensemble (GSE) team solution to demonstrate networked tactical situational awareness and communications capabilities for the dismounted warfighter. The U.S. Army's TACOM Contracting Center awarded Raytheon $11.8 million to provide a GSE technology demonstration. The contract calls for early prototype testing in 2009 and refined systems delivery and testing in 2010. "Raytheon's GSE will provide decisive tactical awareness to the infantry brigade combat team soldier through real-time display of networked battlefield information. In essence, GSE can make a fully networked theater of operations possible by finally linking the most important element, the dismounted soldier," said Glynn Raymer, vice president, Raytheon Network Centric Systems Combat Systems. "Raytheon brings forward to GSE a stalwart reputation for reliable systems performance in the heat of combat. We are incorporating low-risk, mature technologies to rapidly demonstrate an affordable solution that benefits the warfighter with greatly improved tactical situational awareness." Raytheon GSE industry team members are Black Diamond Advanced Technology, providing hardened, wearable computing hardware, and CHI Systems, Inc., responsible for precise, GPS-denied navigation and other software components. "There is no environment more challenging than a combat situation, and our troops simply must have equipment that works," said Justin Dyster, vice president, Engineering, Black Diamond Advanced Technology. "Raytheon leveraged our combat-proven, ultra-rugged SwitchBack computer in a comprehensive solution that will meet the ambitious project schedule set by the Army and ultimately deliver our warfighters a reliable tool." "We are proud that the capabilities delivered by our Dismounted Close Combat, Command and Control System will contribute to giving our warfighters a battle-winning edge," said Wayne Zachary, president and CEO, CHI Systems Inc. "Our system offers unparalleled situational awareness and close combat capabilities to unit commanders, team leaders and individual warfighters." Raymer noted, "Our GSE team solution reflects Raytheon's commitment to Army force modernization by 'digitizing' the dismounted soldier for today's networked battlefield." Black Diamond Advanced Technology designs, engineers and manufactures fully rugged computers and accessories, including the SwitchBack™ ultra-rugged mobile PC. Engineered to withstand the harshest elements and environments, the SwitchBack features a modular, reconfigurable architecture that can be field-modified to meet the precise objectives of each mission. Black Diamond Advanced Technology is a product line of RMT Inc. and is based in Tempe, Ariz. For more information, visit http://www.bdatech.com/. Headquartered in Fort Washington, Pa., CHI Systems Inc. is a U.S. small business with more than two decades of innovation in technology and solutions for government clients, principally the Department of Defense. CHI Systems is the supplier of DC4S, a range of dismounted close combat systems that gives commanders and warfighters one of the most advanced, wearable situational awareness capabilities available today. Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

DTN News: Russian Govt. Approves Kyrgyz Airbase Lease Extension To 49 Years

DTN News: Russian Govt. Approves Kyrgyz Airbase Lease Extension To 49 Years

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - May 29, 2009: The Russian government has approved the 49-year term of its lease of an airbase in Kyrgyzstan, with an automatic prolongation every 25 years. The modified agreement, which was agreed on between the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Kyrgyz authorities, will replace the existing deal, which specifies a 15-year lease with an automatic extension every 5 years. The document will soon be forwarded to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev for signing. Russia established in October 2003 its airbase in Kant, about 20 miles west of the Kyrgyz capital. The Russian base currently deploys about 400 troops, as well as 20 combat and transport planes, helicopters, and L-39 trainers. Russian troops are stationed at Kant under an agreement in the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) - a regional security bloc in Central Asia, which also includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The Kant base is intended to provide air cover for possible operations by CSTO joint forces in Central Asia. Russia annually pays some $4.5 million to Kyrgyzstan for the lease of military facilities and also provides Bishkek with military and technical equipment as part of the lease agreements. Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed a decree in February to close down the U.S. Ganci airbase at Manas airport located 30 kilometers (17 miles) east of the capital, Bishkek. Kyrgyzstan officially notified Washington of the termination of the agreement on a U.S. military presence at the base, and gave it 180 days to withdraw some 1,200 personnel, aircraft and other equipment. In April, Bakiyev signed a law ending the deployment of foreign military contingents from Australia, Denmark, Italy, Spain, South Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Turkey and France, at Manas.

DTN News: Presidents Barack Obama And Mahmoud Abbas To White House Summit Are Mixed Israeli-Palestinian Reaction

DTN News: Presidents Barack Obama And Mahmoud Abbas To White House Summit Are Mixed Israeli-Palestinian Reaction

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINTON/JERUSALEM - May 29, 2009: Palestinians are reacting positively to their leader's summit meeting with the president of the United States in Washington. But Israelis are skeptical. US President Barack Obama shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during meetings in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, May 28, 2009. Obama on Thursday said he was "confident" of progress in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, after his first talks with Abbas at the White House. Abbas said the need for progress in the stalled process was urgent. "Time is of the essence," he said in a joint appearance with Obama in the Oval Office following talks.

Palestinian officials say they are encouraged by President Barack Obama's meeting with his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas Thursday at the White House. Mr. Obama called for the creation of a Palestinian state and condemned Jewish settlement expansion in the West Bank.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat says the new U.S. administration is taking the right steps to advance the peace process. "We want any Israeli government to accept the two-state solution, agreements signed, and stop settlement activities," he said.

The settlement issue is raising tension between Israel's new right-wing government and Washington. Israel says it will not build new settlements, but it reserves the right to build in existing communities to accommodate "natural growth."

The United States opposes any construction in the settlements, and settlers are outraged. Chanie Luz lives in the West Bank settlement of Bethel near the Palestinian-ruled city of Ramallah.

"We see it as a racist statement to say that the Jews can't have children, or that Jews can't build their houses, or the Jews can't add a room onto their house because they want to have a larger house," said Luz.

Israel's hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also opposes the creation of a Palestinian state. Israel pulled out of the Palestinian-ruled Gaza Strip in 2005, and today it is controlled by Hamas, a violent Islamic militant group that refuses to recognize the Jewish state. Hamas has fired thousands of rockets across the Gaza border at Israeli communities; and Netanyahu fears a Palestinian state in the West Bank would lead to a similar situation in Israel's backyard.

DTN News: Russia To Upgrade Military Transport Fleet, Buy New Planes

DTN News: Russia To Upgrade Military Transport Fleet, Buy New Planes

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - May 29, 2009: The acquisition of new aircraft for Russia's military transport aviation will begin in 2012, while modernized Il-76, An-22 and An-124 aircraft will remain in service for another 20-30 years, a senior Air Force official said on Friday. According to various sources, there are up to 300 transport aircraft in service with the Russian Air Force, including An-12 Cub, An-72 Coaler, An-22 Cock, An-124 Condor and Il-76 Candid planes. Most of the aircraft entered service in the 1960s and 1970s and are considered outdated by modern safety and noise pollution standards. "The current state arms procurement program envisions the acquisition of new aircraft for military transport aviation starting in 2012," Lt. Gen. Viktor Kachalkin, commander of the 61st Air Army told a news conference in Moscow. In the light transport category, Russia has opted for the Il-112V plane although the aircraft is still at the design stage. In the medium-lift category, Russia relies on a joint Russian-Indian project set to be implemented in three to four years. Russia and India signed last year an intergovernmental agreement on the joint development of a multi-role transport aircraft (MTA). There is also a need for the Russian-Ukrainian An-70 medium-range transport plane, Kachalkin said. However, he said the procurement of new aircraft would not be enough to satisfy the demand for the high mobility of Russia's Armed Forces in line with a new military doctrine. Therefore, the current military transport fleet must be thoroughly upgraded and the service life of existing planes should be extended for another 20-30 years, the general said. "We are planning a deep modernization of the fleet of Il-76 and An-124 in service. Their airframes are still in great shape, and what we really need is to upgrade the avionics and possibly engines," Kachalkin said. The Russian Air Force has begun in 2002 to upgrade its Il-76MD transport aircraft, but this has been a slow process. According to the modernization program, 12 Il-76 aircraft are due to be modernized to Il-76MD-90 variant before 2010. The An-124 and its modernized version, the An-124-100, will remain in service as a strategic heavy airlift transport aircraft. Russia currently deploys an air regiment equipped with these planes.

DTN News: Afghanistan Terrain Requires Versatile M-ATV Solution – Oshkosh Defense Answers The Call

DTN News: Afghanistan Terrain Requires Versatile M-ATV Solution – Oshkosh Defense Answers The Call

*Source: Oshkosh Corporation

(NSI News Source Info) OSHKOSH, Wis. — May 29, 2009: The combination of harsh, mountainous off-road environments and dispersed combat situations in Afghanistan resulted in the U.S. Armed Forces’ urgent-need requirement for the MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV), a new class of vehicle. Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, developed its M-ATV with Plasan North America to meet these specific challenges and allow soldiers and Marines to take the fight to the enemy in even the most difficult terrain. The Oshkosh M-ATV incorporates rugged, durable components and systems for maximum Warfighter mobility and survivability. Derived from the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) platform, the M-ATV incorporates TAK-4® independent suspension system with battle-tested technology. It has the wheel travel, payload capacity, side slope stability, vehicle durability, extreme mobility and necessary Warfighter protection for today’s and tomorrow's fight. In today’s most challenging battle zones, the M-ATV is the combat-tested, mobile, survivable, durable solution – to get Warfighters to the fight and back again. The only solution is the Oshkosh M-ATV. “Our customer asked the industry to find a way to take the current MRAP levels of protection and put them into a system that has far more off-road capability,” said Andy Hove, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Defense. “Oshkosh is a world leader in highly mobile off-road systems. We have teamed with Plasan who is a world leader in protection systems to meet that urgent request.” To succeed in Afghanistan’s battlefields, any vehicle must be survivable and all-terrain capable. The Oshkosh M-ATV provides: The survivability of MRAPs, including protection from explosively formed penetrators (EFP) and rocket-propelled grenades (RPG). Oshkosh joined forces with Plasan to deliver a battle-tested armor system for its M-ATV. Plasan contributed the armor used on more than 5,000 MRAPs and thousands of Armored Cab Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacements (MTVR) fielded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Oshkosh’s M-ATV armor is based on an advanced armor solution that has been government tested and received an “excellent/low-risk” evaluation. In addition, Plasan has independently performed material-coupon and mine-blast tests to support the M-ATV survivability system. A lighter, more maneuverable and off-road capable alternative to current MRAPs used in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters of operation. The Oshkosh M-ATV features the company’s TAK-4® independent suspension system as a base platform to provide a vehicle with a 70 percent off-road mission profile. The Oshkosh M-ATV’s 16-inch wheel travel and enhanced load-carrying capabilities provide a distinct advantage by allowing Oshkosh’s vehicle to excel in off-road environments. While the TAK-4 suspension serves more than 10,000 Oshkosh MTVRs, the company recently received a contract to equip another manufacturer’s fielded MRAPs with the advanced TAK-4 suspension system. Because of the military’s urgent need, between 2,080 – 10,000 M-ATVs will have to be delivered in a timely manner to help support combat operations. Oshkosh has the facilities, experience and capacity to deliver M-ATV vehicles on time and in the quantities needed. Oshkosh was the first manufacturer to deliver its production-representative vehicles to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds for both phases of government testing. The company also has independently conducted more than 6,500 miles of testing to provide the best vehicle possible. Oshkosh Defense delivers its M-ATV with the survivability, mobility, mission-proven and production-ready solutions required for Afghanistan. Oshkosh’s mature M-ATV design is based on the combat-proven Oshkosh MTVR chassis, which has been successfully operating for years in the most difficult off-road missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world. About Oshkosh Defense Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is an industry-leading global designer and manufacturer of tactical military trucks and armored wheeled vehicles, delivering a full product line of conventional and hybrid vehicles, advanced armor options, proprietary suspensions and vehicles with payloads that can exceed 70 tons. Oshkosh Defense provides a global service and supply network including full life-cycle support and remanufacturing, and its vehicles are recognized the world over for superior performance, reliability and protection. For more information, visit www.oshkoshdefense.com. About Oshkosh Corporation Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corp. manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Medtec®, Jerr-Dan®, BAI®, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline™, SMIT™, Geesink™, Norba™, Kiggen™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. Oshkosh products are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, log on to www.oshkoshcorporation.com.

DTN News: U.S. Air Force-Navy-Raytheon AIM-120D AMRAAM Completes Seventh Test Flight

DTN News: U.S. Air Force-Navy-Raytheon AIM-120D AMRAAM Completes Seventh Test Flight

*Source: Raytheon Company

(NSI News Source Info) EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., - May 29, 2009: Raytheon Company's newest variant of the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile continued to demonstrate its advanced warfighting capabilities when it completed its seventh test flight. During the March 19 test, the AIM-120D AMRAAM was fired from a U.S. Air Force F-15D fighter aircraft. Initial analysis shows the missile achieved all primary test objectives. The highly reliable Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) provides interoperability in the global defense environment. "The hard work of the U.S. government-Raytheon team to deliver a world-class missile continues to pay off," said Col. Michael Andersen, commander of the U.S. Air Force's 328th Armament Systems Group. "The AIM-120D program is on track and will deliver to the U.S. warfighter the most capable beyond-visual range air-to-air missile ever fielded." The AIM-120D builds on the combat-proven AMRAAM family of missiles by integrating new technologies with legacy hardware and software. "Raytheon's ability to work with the customer to deliver reliable products to the warfighter is the cornerstone of our success," said Jim Knox, Raytheon Missile Systems' AMRAAM program director. "AIM-120D will help ensure future aerial victories for the U.S. warfighter and provide combatant commanders the reliability needed to deliver and maintain air dominance." The U.S. Navy and Air Force have tested AIM-120D on both the F/A-18 E/F and F-15C/D fighter aircraft. During the sixth flight test, accomplished two weeks prior to the most recent test, the AIM-120D achieved a direct hit on the target. Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide. Note to Editors: The AMRAAM family of missiles has been in production for more than 20 years. It is operational with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army and 33 international customers. More than 16,000 AMRAAMs have been produced. The missile is responsible for nine successful combat intercepts. Raytheon's AMRAAM program provides more than 1000 jobs in Andover, Mass., Farmington, N.M., McKinney, Texas., and Tucson, Ariz. Scores of Raytheon suppliers associated with the AMRAAM program provide middle class employment to hundreds of people across the U.S. Major suppliers include: Alliant Tech Systems, Keyser, West Va.; Atlantic Inertial Systems, Cheshire, Conn.; B-K Manufacturing, Arab, Ala.; Ball Aerospace, Boulder, Colo.; Cobham Defense Electronic Systems - M/A-COM, San Jose, Calif.; Cristek Interconnects, Anaheim, Calif.; Eagle Picher, Joplin, Mo.; Endevco, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.; Fairview Machine, Topsfield, Mass.; Flexible Circuits, Inc., Warrington, Pa.; General Dynamics, Anniston, Ala.; Hi-Rel, Claremont, Calif.; Kaman Aerospace, Middletown, Conn.; L3 Communications- Electron Devices, San Carlos, Calif.; L3-IEC, Anaheim, Calif.; Litton, Salt Lake City, Utah; Midcon, Joplin, Mo.; OECO, Milwaukie, Ore.; Precision Metal Products, El Cajon, Calif.; REMEC, San Diego; Teledyne Storm, Woodbridge, Ill.; TTM Printed Circuit Group, Stafford Springs, Conn.; Trak Microwave, Tampa, Fla.; UPCO, Fairfield, Calif.

DTN News: Boeing Team Rebuilds B-1 'Backbone' For US Air Force

DTN News: Boeing Team Rebuilds B-1 'Backbone' For US Air Force

*Source: Boeing IDS Communications

(NSI News Source Info) LONG BEACH, Calif., - May 29, 2009: A U.S. Air Force B-1B bomber returned to flight last week after a team led by The Boeing Company replaced its catastrophically damaged upper-center boron longeron – the aircraft's "backbone." The B-1, Swift Justice, was damaged during a routine training mission in December 2007. An engine-bleed air duct rupture triggered a temperature warning light, forcing the crew to land the aircraft at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B bomber returned to flight last week after a team led by The Boeing Company replaced its catastrophically damaged upper-center boron longeron -– the aircraft's "backbone." Here, the longeron is reinstalled at the Boeing Recovery and Modification Services Center in Long Beach, Calif. Replacing the upper-center boron longeron, which is essential for stability in flight, is not a simple task because the part is unique to each aircraft, with no spares available. “The boron backbone of the B-1 is an aggressive composite design, even by today’s standards,” said Mahesh Reddy, B-1 program director for Boeing Global Services & Support. “In order to perform the repair, we worked with the Air Force and industry partners to remanufacture the entire part.” Boeing Integrated Defense Systems and Boeing Commercial Airplanes employees from sites across the company worked together with the Air Force and material vendors to re-create the damaged part. Specialty Materials Inc. in Lowell, Mass., the original boron/epoxy supplier, provided 14,000 feet of 4-inch-wide unidirectional tape to fabricate the longeron. Cytec Engineered Materials Inc., in Tempe, Ariz., supplied the adhesive film and adhesive primer. Due to the part's complexity and 47.5-foot length, the Boeing Composite Fabrication & Assembly Center in Seattle was selected to perform the layup and cure the part in its 90-foot-deep autoclave. “The return to flight of this B-1 is a perfect example of how Boeing solves issues by applying skills and capabilities from across the company, our suppliers and our customer,” said Reddy. A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense 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 Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

DTN News: Northrop Grumman Completes Initial MP-RTIP Radar Performance Verification Flights

DTN News: Northrop Grumman Completes Initial MP-RTIP Radar Performance Verification Flights

*Source: Jim Stratford, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems

(NSI News Source Info) EL SEGUNDO, Calif., - May 29, 2009: Northrop Grumman Corporation has completed initial testing of the Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) sensor. All dedicated mode flights have been completed in the Radar System Level Performance Verification (RSLPV) program, verifying system performance of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) modes.

Northrop Grumman's Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program sensor has completed the first of two radar system level performance verification flight phases. The sensor will be integrated onto the U.S. Air Force Block 40 RQ-4 Global Hawk and begin test flights later this year. This new sensor is slated for the RQ-4 Block 40 Global Hawk high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft system (UAS). Assembly of the first Block 40 aircraft, AF-18, is complete and awaiting the Air Force to begin flight testing. "This is a major milestone for the MP-RTIP program," said Duke Dufresne, vice president and general manager of the company's Strike and Surveillance Systems Division. "We are ready to deliver the first Global Hawk airframe for flight test and quickly follow-up with sensor integration for operational test and evaluation. Delivering this capability to our men and women in uniform will be a game changer in the ability to detect and track adversaries on the battlefield. "Additionally, the MP-RTIP sensor is a major element in the Alliance Ground Surveillance program for NATO, which includes eight Block 40 Global Hawks," he said. The RSLPV flight test program is being conducted by the U.S. Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center. The radar is being flown on Northrop Grumman's Proteus aircraft as a surrogate for the first Block 40 Global Hawk. By verifying sensor performance on Proteus, the sensor testing progressed without impact to production, significantly lowering the risk with regard to the Block 40 Global Hawk's operational capability. Concurrent mode testing for RSLPV is scheduled to be completed this summer, verifying full sensor capability prior to installation and testing on Global Hawk. Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for the MP-RTIP and Global Hawk programs and continues to move these technologies forward under the stewardship of the Air Force's Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and the Electronic Systems Center, located at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. Northrop Grumman's Norwalk, Conn., facility is the principal MP-RTIP radar developer along with principal subcontractor, Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, El Segundo. The Global Hawk system has logged almost 31,000 total program flight hours, of which nearly 24,000 hours were flown in support of current overseas contingency operations. The Global Hawk's range, endurance and large payload capabilities make it an ideal system to support a variety of customers. The Global Hawk is the world's first fully autonomous HALE UAS, collecting persistent ground surveillance data over a wide area for both military intelligence analysis and warfighters' battle management and targeting. Global Hawk will fly up to 60,000 feet for more than 32 hours providing surveillance day or night, regardless of weather conditions. Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

DTN News: BAE's Lightweight Howitzer Wins $118 Million In Further Orders

DTN News: BAE's Lightweight Howitzer Wins $118 Million In Further Orders

(NSI News Source Info) Hattiesburg, MS – May 29, 2009: The U.S. Army, Marine Corps and Canadian Forces have ordered additional BAE Systems M777 155mm lightweight howitzers, taking the company's order book for the type to 800 guns, BAE announced May 28. The three orders' total value is about $118 million, and the program is now worth in excess of $1.6 billion to the company. The United States is buying 38 more weapons, while Canada is ordering another 25 to add to the 12 already in service. U.S. and Canadian forces both operate the type in Afghanistan, where its ability to be transported by tactical helicopter makes it particularly useful in the difficult terrain faced by coalition forces. M777s are manufactured in BAE's Global Combat Systems plant at Barrow-in-Furness, United Kingdom, and final integration and testing takes place at the company's Hattiesburg, Miss., facility. The weapon can fire the M982 Excalibur smart munition, jointly developed by Raytheon Missile Systems and BAE, to a range of up to 40 kilometers with a high degree of accuracy. The circular error probability requirement is for less than 10 meters, and "the system has consistently demonstrated an ability to meet and exceed that requirement," said James Shields, program manager for the weapon at Picatinny Arsenal, speaking on the occasion of the delivery of the 500th M777 to U.S. forces in April. Even firing conventional ammunition, however, the M777's accuracy has met and exceeded expectations. Feedback from U.S. forces employing the weapon during operations in Afghanistan has revealed "shifts of only 50-60 meters after the first round - and that's just awesome," according to Col. James Matthies, TRADOC capabilities manager at Fort Sill, Okla. Ease of use and the efficacy of the digitization package were areas cited, Matthies said. The M777 is the first such weapon to make extensive use of titanium and aluminum alloys, resulting in an air-transportable weapon that, at 4,200 kilograms, weighs about half that of conventional 155mm systems. The total of 63 howitzers in the new orders comes shortly after the company forecast up to 150 additional orders by the end of 2009. Among potential purchasers are Australia, which is asking for 35 systems but could eventually procure up to 57, Denmark, India, Oman and Thailand. An order from Australia is anticipated before the end of the year, according to the company. In addition to the new order, BAE Global Combat Systems has received a contract for $3 million to reset 33 howitzers returning from deployment in Afghanistan with U.S. forces. This work will be carried out at the Hattiesburg facility.

DTN News: NATO TODAY May 29, 2009 - Georgian Soldiers In Joint NATO Military Exercises

DTN News: NATO TODAY May 29, 2009 - Georgian Soldiers In Joint NATO Military Exercises

(NSI News Source Info) TBILISI, Georgia - May 29, 2009: Georgian soldiers participate in a NATO military exercises at the Vaziani military base outside Tbilisi, Georgia, Thursday, May 28, 2009.

Russia has sharply criticized the war games, saying they raise the threat of renewed conflict in the country 10 months after the Russia-Georgia war.