DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated January 16, 2014

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated January 16, 2014
Source: K. V. Seth - DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-011-14 January 16, 2014
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 16, 2014: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued January 16, 2014 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

ARMY

CDM Constructors Inc., Bellevue, Wash., was awarded a $77,476,628 firm-fixed price contract to design and build a ‘Class A’ waste water treatment plant with nutrient removal and redundant process equipment to support the population of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Fiscal 2013 military construction funds in the amount of $77,476,628 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is March 1, 2016. Bids were solicited, via the Internet with 12 received. Work will be performed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle, Wash., is the contracting activity (W912DW-14-C-0002).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

KPMG LLP, McLean, Va., has been awarded a maximum $36,243,243 firm-fixed-price contract to provide all necessary management services, personnel and documentation required to support DLA’s financial audit. This contract is a competitive acquisition, and there were six offers received. Location of performance is Virginia with a Jan. 15, 2015 performance completion date. Using military services are federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Contracting Services, Richmond, Va., (SP4703-11-A-0017-0037).

Brit Systems*, Dallas, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $20,297,132 modification (P00007) exercising the first option year on a two-year base contract (SPM2D1-12-D-8309) with one two-year option and one one-year periods for digital imaging network-picture archive communication system. This is a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract. Location of performance is Texas with a Jan. 19, 2016 performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 through fiscal 2016 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa.

Safety Kleen, Richardson, Texas, has been awarded a maximum $12,930,214 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract for re-refined motor oil program parts. This contract is a competitive acquisition and there was one offer received. Location of performance is Texas with a Jan. 15, 2015 performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Va., (SPE4A6-14-D-0076).

St. Michaels Inc.**, Woodbridge, Va., has been awarded a maximum $10,490,323 firm-fixed-price contract to provide necessary support of management services, personnel and documentation required to support DLA’s financial audit. This contract is a competitive acquisition and there were six offers received. Location of performance is Virginia with a Jan. 15, 2015 performance completion date. Using military services are federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Contracting Services, Richmond, Va., (SP4703-14-A-0001-0007).

NAVY

General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Conn., is being awarded a $29,848,059 modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-2109) to exercise an option for engineering and technical design services to support research and development (R&D) of advanced submarine technologies for current and future submarine platforms. Advanced submarine R&D includes studies to support the manufacturability, maintainability, producibility, reliability, manning, survivability, hull integrity, performance, structural, weight/margin, stability, arrangements, machinery systems, acoustics, hydrodynamics, ship control, logistics, human factors, materials, weapons handling and stowage, submarine safety, and affordability. Work will be performed in Groton, Conn., and is expected to be completed by October 2014. Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation funding in the amount of $625,000 will be obligated at time of award. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

AIR FORCE

General Dynamics C4 Systems, Scottsdale, Ariz., has been awarded a $6,886,969 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00051) to an existing contract (FA8307-06-C-0010) for design and development of a CAROUSEL Applicable Specific Integrated Circuit solution. This modification adds the design, development, and testing of CAROUSEL crypto engines. Work will be performed at Scottsdale, Ariz., and is expected to be completed by March 21, 2016. Fiscal 2013 research and development funds in the amount of $831,000 are being obligated at time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Cryptologic Systems Contracting Division, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, is the contracting activity.

*Small Business
**Veteran Owned Small Business

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-011-14 January 16, 2014
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News - KITE FESTIVAL: Bollywood Actor Salman Khan With BJP's Prime Ministerial Candidate Narendra Modi At Kite Festival Uttarayan in Ahmadabad India

DTN News - KITE FESTIVAL: Bollywood Actor Salman Khan With BJP's Prime Ministerial Candidate Narendra Modi At Kite Festival Uttarayan in Ahmadabad India

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth 

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 16, 2014: Bollywood actor Salman Khan flies a kite during the kite festival  with the BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi at Uttarayan in Ahmadabad, India, while he promotes his new film Jai Ho.Bollywood actor Salman Khan flies a kite during a kite festival in Ahmadabad, India, while he promotes his new film Jai Ho.

Actor Salman Khan spent an afternoon with the BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on the kite-flying festival of Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti.

"God will decide who is the best man for the country. May the best man win," said Mr Khan while interacting with reporters in Ahmedabad, who asked him if he endorses Mr Modi for the country's top job. "Modi saab should be able to fulfill his destiny," said the 48-year-old superstar, whose new film Jai Ho releases on January 24. (Watch Video Here)

"He is a great man, I have not seen this sort of development elsewhere," Mr Khan said. (Kai Po Che! Salman Khan flies a kite with Narendra Modi). But he also said voters must decide who is most suitable. "If you think Modi saab is best for you, vote for him. Vote for the best man in your constituency," he said, adding,"For you it's Modi. In my constituency Bandra,  they are Baba Siddique and Priya Dutt."

Mr Modi's smile appeared a little pained at that point. Both Mr Siddique and Ms Dutt are Congress leaders. (Pic of the day: You choose)

The Gujarat Chief Minister is described by his critics as a divisive leader who failed to protect hundreds of Muslims during communal riots in 2002 in his state. A court recently found that there is no evidence to merit his prosecution for complicity in the violence, as alleged by his opponents. It also upheld a Supreme Court investigation that had cleared Mr Modi.

Last week, Salman Khan was dragged into a political controversy over his dance performance at a festival in Uttar Pradesh, where thousands of people in riot-hit Muzaffarnagar are struggling to survive. (Shah Rukh Khan defends Salman's decision to perform in Saifai)

Defending himself, Mr Khan said his NGO, Being Human, had pledged to fund surgeries on 200 children in the state on behalf of all artistes who performed at the event. "We did our job. We just went for that one event, we have got to do nothing with any political party," he said. (Watch: 'We went to Saifai only to entertain')

Mr Khan is being tried for culpable homicide not amounting to murder in a court in Mumbai for running over five people with his SUV in 2002. (Salman Khan hit-and-run case: trial deferred to January 21)

He spent a few days in a Rajasthan jail in 2007 for allegedly shooting a black-buck deer.

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

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: The F-18 Fighter Jet - America’s Go-To Multipurpose Strike Fighter

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: The F-18 Fighter Jet - America’s Go-To Multipurpose Strike Fighter

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources  Washington Times

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 16, 2014: Since the 1960s, the U.S. Navy has needed a reliable carrier-based strike fighter, and the F-18 and its different iterations have answered the call.

To this day, the fighter jet is considered “the most advanced multi-role strike fighter available” to the U.S. Armed Forces, according to the U.S. Navy.

Also known as the “backbone of U.S. naval aviation strike warfare,” the F-18 Hornet — the single-seat E model and the two-seat F model — is capable of performing “virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum,” the U.S. Navy reported.

Today, Northrop Grumman plays a principal role in the aircraft’s design and production. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Block II, which can reach speeds of 1,360 mph and altitudes up to 50,000 feet, boasts a combat range of 1,275 nautical miles, according to the Navy.

The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a combat-proven strike fighter with built-in versatility. The Super Hornet's suite of integrated and networked systems provides enhanced interoperability, total force support for the combatant commander and for the troops on the ground.


Both the single seat E and two-seat F models convert quickly from one mission type to the next with the flip of a switch to provide consistent air dominance:

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

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated January 15, 2014

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated January 15, 2014
Source: K. V. Seth - DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-010-14 January 15, 2014
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 15, 2014: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued January 15, 2014 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Bluewater Defense Inc., San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, has been awarded a maximum $108,083,360 modification (P00013) exercising the first option year on a one-year base contract (SPM1C1-13-D-1020) with four one-year option periods for various types of permethrin uniform trousers.  This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract.  Location of performance is Puerto Rico with a Jan. 17, 2015 performance completion date.  Using military service is Army.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 through fiscal 2015 defense working capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa.

Intercomp Co.*, Medina, Minn., has been awarded a maximum $60,000,000 modification (P00102) exercising the fourth option year on a one-year base contract (SPM8EF-10-D-0001) with four one-year option periods for various weight set commercial scales.  This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract.  Location of performance is Minnesota with a Feb. 15, 2015 performance completion date.  Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 through fiscal 2015 defense working capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa.

KPMG LLP, McLean, Va., has been awarded a maximum $10,730,426 firm-fixed-price contract to all necessary management services, personnel and documentation required to support DLA’s financial audit.  This contract is a competitive acquisition, and there were six offers received.  Location of performance is Virginia with a Jan. 15, 2015 performance completion date.  Using services are federal civilian agencies.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 defense working capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Contracting Services, Richmond, Va., (SP4703-11-A-0017-0038). 

AIR FORCE

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Northrop Grumman Information Systems, Herndon, Va., has been awarded a $52,298,661 firm-fixed-price cost-reimbursement modification (P00013) to exercise option contract line items on an existing contract (FA8726-13-C-0001) to continue performance of comprehensive tasks and provide personnel, facilities, aircraft subsystems and support equipment for the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node E-11A platform.  Work will be performed at Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan, as well as Wichita, Kan., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 23, 2015.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $31,778,000 are being obligated at time of award.  Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/HNAK, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., is the contracting activity.

NAVY

Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded $26,682,561 for cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable delivery order 0067 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-12-G-0006) in support of the V-22 aircraft.  This order provides for on-site flight test management, flight test engineering, design engineering, and related efforts for the Naval Rotary Wing Aircraft Test Squadron.  Work will be performed at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Md. (53 percent); Philadelphia, Pa. (32 percent); and Fort Worth, Texas (15 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2014.  Fiscal 2013 aircraft procurement and fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation, Navy funds in the amount of $26,682,561 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, Tewksbury, Mass., is being awarded a $25,485,600 modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-10-C-5126) for fiscal 2014 class services engineering efforts in support of DDG 1000 Zumwalt Class Destroyer Program.  These efforts include class engineering, integration and production, and training and life cycle support services.  Work will be performed in Portsmouth, R.I. (29 percent); Tewksbury, Mass. (26 percent); Sudbury, Mass. (26 percent); Moorestown, N.J. (10 percent); Marlboro, Mass. (6 percent); Herndon, Va. (1 percent); Houston, Texas (1 percent); Leesburg, Va. (0.5 percent), and Minneapolis, Minn. (0.5 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2014.  Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation; fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy, fiscal 2008 and 2014 shipbuilding and conversion, Navy funding in the amount of $10,829,922 will be obligated at time of award.  Contract funds in the amount of $200,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded a $13,556,862 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-10-C-0020) to provide 17,226 engine flight hours in support of the MV-22 aircraft.  Work will be performed in Oakland, Calif. (70 percent) and Indianapolis, Ind. (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in November 2013.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy funds in the amount of $13,556,862 are being obligated on this award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

*Small Business

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources U.S. DoD issued No. CR-010-14 January 15, 2014
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated January 14, 2014

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated January 14, 2014
Source: K. V. Seth - DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-09-14 January 14, 2014
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 14, 2014: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued January 14, 2014 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

 

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

 

Pacsgear, Inc.,* Pleasanton, Calif., has been awarded a maximum $30,000,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for radiology systems, subsystems, accessories, service, manual, and repair/spare parts.  This contract is a competitive acquisition, and there were fifty offers received.  This is a one-year base contract with four one-year option periods.  Location of performance is California with a Jan. 13, 2015 performance completion date.  Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies.  Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2014 defense working capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPE2D1-14-D-0003). 

 

Robin Industries, Inc., Independence, Ohio, has been awarded a maximum $10,694,880 firm-fixed-price contract for vehicle track shoe assemblies.  This contract is a competitive acquisition and there were two offers received.  This is a one-year base contract with one option period.  Locations of performance are Ohio and Texas with a Nov. 14, 2014 performance completion date.  Using military service is Army.  Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2014 Army working capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Warren, Mich., (SPRDL1-14-C-0027). 

 

Esaote North America, Inc., Indianapolis, Ind., has been awarded a maximum $7,500,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for radiology systems, subsystems, accessories, services, manual, and repair parts.  This contract is a competitive acquisition and there were fifty offers received.  This is a one-year base contract with four one-year option periods.  Location of performance is Indiana with a Jan. 13, 2015 performance completion date.  Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies.  Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2014 defense working capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPE2D1-14-D-0002). 

 

ARMY

 

Stanley Consultants, Inc., Muscatine, Iowa was awarded a $60,000,000 firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity foreign military sales contract for general and design architect-engineer services for U.S. Central Command.  Funds and work performance location will be determined with each order.  Estimated completion date is Jan 13, 2019.  Bids were solicited via the Internet with twenty received.  Army Corps of Engineers, Winchester, Va., is the contracting activity (W912ER-14-D-0001).

 

Baker-AECOM (joint venture), Moon Township, Pa. was awarded a $60,000,000 firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity foreign military sales contract for general and design architect-engineer services for U.S. Central Command.  Funds and work performance location will be determined with each order.  Estimated completion date is Jan 13, 2019.  Bids were solicited via the Internet with twenty received.  Army Corps of Engineers, Winchester, Va. is the contracting activity (W912ER-14-D-0002).

 

Alutiiq Diversified Services, LLC, Anchorage, Alaska was awarded a $6,989,861 firm-fixed-price bridge contract for Redstone Information Technology Services to maintain operational continuity until the selection board has evaluated contractor proposals.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $25,774 were obligated at the time of the award.  Work will be performed in Huntsville, Ala.  Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala. is the contracting activity (W9124P-14-C-0023).

 

NAVY

 

Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc., Monroeville, Pa., is being awarded a $593,104,854 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for naval nuclear propulsion components.  Work will be performed in Monroeville, Pa. (66 percent), and Schenectady, N.Y. (34 percent).  No completion date or additional information is provided on naval nuclear propulsion program contracts.  Fiscal 2014 shipbuilding and conversion, Navy 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 (N00024-14-C-2101). 

 

General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Conn., is being awarded a $15,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-13-C-4308) to provide non-nuclear submarine repair work on Groton-based submarines under the New England Maintenance Manpower Initiative (NEMMI).  Under the terms of the contract, Electric Boat will provide NEMMI tasks in support of non-nuclear maintenance, modernization and repair of operational nuclear powered submarines, floating dry docks, support and service craft and plant equipment assigned to the Naval Submarine Support Facility, New London, Conn.  Work will be performed in New London, Conn., and is expected to be completed by December 2014.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy contract funds in the amount of $15,000,000 will be obligated at time of award, and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-13-C-4308).

 

Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training, Manassas, Va., is being awarded an $8,863,977 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-09-C-6247) for the production of Technical Insertion 14 (TI-14) Integrated Submarine Imaging Systems (ISIS) and spares.  The ISIS provides mission critical, all weather, visual, and electronic search, digital image management, indication, warning, and platform architecture interface capabilities.  Work will be performed in Johnstown, Pa. (46 percent), Manassas, Va. (26 percent), Northampton, Mass. (17 percent), and Chantilly, Va. (11 percent), and is expected to be completed by March 2017.   Fiscal 2013 and 2014 shipbuilding and conversion, Navy and Fiscal 2014 other procurement, Navy contract funds in the amount of $8,863,977 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

 

DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY

 

Agentase LLC, Pittsburgh, Pa., has been awarded an $11,206,720 cost contract. The work will support the DARPA’s In Vivo Nanoplatforms program (IVN). IVN seeks to develop new classes of adaptable nanoparticles for persistent, distributed, unobtrusive physiologic and environmental sensing as well as the treatment of physiologic abnormalities, illness and infectious disease. Work will be performed in Pittsburgh, Pa., (44.59 percent); Cambridge, Mass., (8.04 percent); Davis, Calif., (40.92 percent) and College Station, Texas, (6.45 percent).  The estimated completion date is April 14, 2015.  Fiscal 2013 research and development funds are being obligated at time of award.  The contracting activity is DARPA, Arlington, Va., (HR0011-14-C-0030).

 

*Small Business

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources U.S. DoD issued No. CR-09-14 January 14, 2014
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News: F-16 Fighting Falcon Top Stories / Headlines News Dated January 7, 2014

DTN News: F-16 Fighting Falcon Top Stories / Headlines News Dated January 7, 2014
*International Media on F-16 Fighting Falcon Related News

  Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth 

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 7, 2014: Comprehensive daily news related to F-16 Fighting Falcon and associates respectively.

*Comprehensive daily news related to F-16 Fighting Falcon and associates respectively.

*International Media on F-16 Fighting Falcon Related News

Bagram runway reopens: First F-16s arrive

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

The first of several F-16 Fighting Falcons arrived at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Dec. 15, 2013.

Read more...

Fighter pilot goes above, beyond call of duty

Friday, November 15, 2013

"It was dusk, one of the worst times to use night vision goggles. The sun was going down over my right shoulder. The Mediterranean was dark and the sky was dark, like being in a gigantic black hole. It was hard to tell which way was up and which way was down. We started looking for targets outside of Tripoli. We had determined, by the amount of surface-to-air equipment there, the Gaddafi regime would be using it to target coalition aircraft. Eliminating the equipment was a high priority."

Read more...

Shopping list for jet fighters show airforce inadequaciesManila Standard Today What the Philippines needs are multi-role fighters such as the US-made F-16 and F-18, France's Mirage 2000 or Russia's MIG -29, Rillona said. See all stories on this topic »
4. 421st FS pilots save fighter jetHilltop Times The F-16 pilot with two years of training, responded by bringing his aircraft to the minimum required altitude for an uncontrolled ejection should that be ... See all stories on this topic »	Hilltop Times
Markets seen shrinking for big-ticket jet fightersUPI.com The F-15 and F-16 enjoy long-term customer base but some among those are looking to next-generation replacement, Defense News points out. See all stories on this topic »	defenceWeb
Will The Boeing Company (BA) Get Kicked out of the Defense ...Next iPhone News Out of these seven, three rank among the 10 best-selling fighter jets in the world — respectively, Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT)'s F-16, ... See all stories on this topic »

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

DTN News - NORTH KOREA NEWS: Dennis Rodman Says He Loves Kim Jong-un As He Arrives For Birthday Exhibition Game

DTN News - NORTH KOREA NEWS: Dennis Rodman Says He Loves Kim Jong-un As He Arrives For Birthday Exhibition Game

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources metro.co.uk
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 6, 2014: (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 6, 2014: Dennis Rodman has spoken of his love for Kim Jong-un as he prepares to take part in an exhibition game for the North Korean leader’s birthday.

The basketball star made the announcement after being pushed on whether he would challenge Mr Kim on his controversial human rights record.

‘That’s not the right thing to do. He’s my friend first,’ he told Sky News.

‘He’s my friend. I don’t give a s***. I tell the world: he’s my f****** friend, I love him.’

Kim Jong Un and Dennis Rodman share a hug in Pyongyang (Picture: Reuters)
Kim Jong-un and Dennis Rodman share a hug (Picture: Reuters)
The 52-year-old didn’t close the door on the possibility of bringing up issues such as labour camps, where around 200,000 political prisoners are thought to be held.

He added: ‘And I hope that if this opens doors and we can actually talk about certain things, then we can do certain things but I am not going to sit there and go in and say “hey guy, you’re doing the wrong thing”.’

Rodman arrived in North Korea on Monday with a group of former NBA players, including Vin Baker and Cliff Robinson.

The US players will play a team from North Korea in Pyongyang on Wednesday to mark Mr Kim’s birthday in what is being referred to as ‘basketball diplomacy’

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

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: How The Su-30 MKI Is Changing The IAF’s Combat Strategy

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: How The Su-30 MKI Is Changing The IAF’s Combat Strategy
Analysis: Internationally, a project for one year takes ten fold longer in India. Decisions are taken at a snail pace and time is wasted on unnecessary red tape bureaucracy. Defense procurement system is politically corrupt, as an example urgently needed Hawk Mk132 advanced jet trainers for Indian Air Force, which took 30 odd years to acquire at the cost of hundreds of young Indian Air Force pilots life. India is the largest democratically governed country in the world as is an exemplary system for other nations to follow suit, but at the same time the system is a curse with too many voices and noises, NO ACTION. India should have for some period a system of administration similar to China, which is straightforward with no two way decision, would benefit for the betterment of the country at large. (DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News)

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources January 5, 2014 Rakesh Krishnan Simha
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 6, 2014: The versatile and constantly evolving nature of the Sukhoi enables the Indian Air Force to think big and strike far. With the induction of large numbers of class leading Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has not only made a huge technological transition from a MiG-21 dominated fleet, its war fighting doctrine has also changed, focusing on long-range and strategic missions.

Aggressiveness is a fundamental requirement of air combat, and the IAF has traditionally been an attack orientated force. For instance, on December 3, 1971 in response to Pakistan Air Force (PAF) raids on 11 Indian airbases, the IAF responded with initial air strikes the same night, which were expanded to massive retaliatory air strikes the next morning.

In previous wars, it didn’t matter if their opponents had better aircraft and radars, IAF pilots compensated for it with their superior training and ingenuity. IAF pilots truly internalised what Sergei Dolgushin, a Russian Air Force ace with 24 victories in WWII, said is a prerequisite to be a successful fighter pilot: “a love of hunting, a great desire to be the top dog”.

Long range and two fronts
It was with the MiG-29 Fulcrum that the IAF for the very first time acquired a superior aircraft compared with those operated by the PAF. However, the qualitative edge was marginal. On the other hand the Sukhoi-30 MKI is an “air dominance fighter” that is allowing the IAF to perform a multiplicity of missions required to keep in step with India’s rising global stature. The Sukhoi’s versatility – owing to its extended range, speed, firepower and super-manoeuvrability – has given the IAF considerable leeway in deploying the aircraft in offensive missions.

In April 2013 the IAF held its largest-ever combat exercise involving as many as 400 combat aircraft plus 200 transport planes and helicopters. The exercise was aimed at testing the IAF’s capability for a two-front war against China and Pakistan, by deploying “swing forces” from the western theatre right across to the east.

As part of the war games, Sukhoi-30MKIs flew 1800 km bombing missions from Chabua in Assam to the western front, with mid-air refuelling. This is possible because the Sukhoi has a range of 4.5 hours on internal fuel, and IAF pilots are known to lead missions over 10 hours.

BrahMos and the mini air force
The Su-30 MKI has 12 hard points for missiles and bombs. The IAF is carrying out structural modifications on the Sukhois to enable them to carry the air launched variant of the BrahMos cruise missile. If the contracting firms are able to reduce the mass and weight of the missile, the aircraft would be able to carry up to three of these missiles.

In previous wars the IAF avoided attacks on non-military infrastructure, preferring to target tanker farms and military bases. The decision to equip the Sukhois with the BrahMos creates new synergies and signals a new intent. The Sukhoi’s radar can detect tall buildings at a distance of 400 km and small building at 120 km. The BrahMos is a highly destructive missile and belongs to a class of Russian missiles that are designed to cut small warships in half. So in the next war expect a lot of damage to enemy infrastructure – dams, power stations and industrial clusters are all likely to be targeted.

There is another ominous angle. India’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC) has asked for 40 nuclear capable strike aircraft to be used conjointly with land-based and submarine launched ballistic missiles. Although it’s not clear whether the IAF or the SFC will operate this mini air force, what is clear is that exactly 40 Su-30 MKIs have been converted to carry the BrahMos. That’s some coincidence.

A nuclear warhead on an air-launched BrahMos fired from a super-manoeuvrable Su-30 MKI won’t just further enhance the IAF’s strike capability and aircraft survivability, it would also complicate the enemy’s defence planning.

Mission capable
Such complex missions require powerful navigation systems. India has chosen to buy barebones Sukhois from Russia and then cram them with Israeli and French equipment. Plus, the already excellent Bars radar, which can track an aircraft at 125 km and a battle tank 40 km away, is being replaced with the Russian Zhuk active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars.

Another quantum leap the IAF is making is in beyond visual range (BVR) missiles for the Su-30 MKI. Complementing the Zhuk radar will be the Novator KS-172 air-air missile, with an estimated 300-400 km range and a speed of Mach 4. If Russia and India can bring this missile to production, the IAF will finally be capable of anti-AWACS and anti-satellites missions.

The Su-30 MKI has also given a fillip to the DRDO, which has designed and developed the aircraft’s electronic counter measures suite, including the radar warning receiver and frequency hopping radios and identify friend or foe system. Irkut President Alexy Fedorov says the Su-30 MKIs are being upgrade to the ‘Super Sukhoi’, which has features similar to a fifth generation aircraft.

Numbers game
It is a fact that quantity has a quality all its own. Including aircraft under order, India’s Sukhoi-30 MKI fleet is currently pegged at 272. It is an impressive number for such a high-end and expensive weapons platform. This shows a keen sense of judgement by the IAF, which realises that 100 per cent fleet utilisation is impossible and having a large number of air superiority aircraft around is the key to getting the job done.

With such numbers at its disposal, the IAF is now able to build a network of bases around the country. Earlier, because of the low range of its fighter aircraft and coupled with the fact that the IAF had to quickly deploy them in war, most Indian air bases – such as Adampur, Jammu, Amritsar and Jodhpur – were close to the Pakistan border.

But now Sukhois are also being stationed at places such as Thanjavur in the deep south, Chabua in the northeast and Pune in western India. Because of its long legs and speed the Sukhois can join battle at a few hours notice.

A worrying factor, however, is the planned force of 272 Sukhois falls well short of the 400 Sukhoi-30 equivalents and knockoffs in the Chinese air force. If the 126 French Rafales are inducted over the coming years, India should achieve at least quantitative parity with China. That is, until the Chinese stealth fighters arrive. 

*Related Images of Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources January 5, 2014 Rakesh Krishnan Simha
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS