Israel's Peres says Ahmadinejad 'taking world for a fool'

Israel's Peres says Ahmadinejad 'taking world for a fool' (NSI News Source Info) Jerusalem - September 28, 2008: Israeli President Shimon Peres sharpened his attack on Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday, accusing him of "taking the world for a fool" in his statements to the UN General Assembly. "(Ahmadinejad) has committed a fatal error, and is taking the world for a fool. He thinks he is an absolute prophet, proclaiming that there is no more hope for the United States or Israel," Peres told Israeli public radio. "It is shameful to Islam, to all religions, to the United States, and to democracy. His voice does not come from heaven but hell and one day it will pass away like a breeze," he said in the interview conducted in New York. Israel has long considered Iran its greatest threat, both because of Tehran's accelerating nuclear programme and repeated statements by its leaders predicting the demise of the Jewish state. In a blistering speech before the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Peres said Iran was "at the centre of violence and fanaticism" and had "built a danger to the entire world." Israel and the United States accuse Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons, while Tehran has insisted its programme is entirely peaceful and vowed to proceed despite three rounds of UN Security Council sanctions. Israel is the Middle East's sole if undeclared nuclear armed state with an estimated arsenal of 200 warheads. Neither the United States nor Israel has ruled out a military response to the Iranian nuclear standoff, and on Thursday Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak said all options remain on the table. "Iran continues to exert every effort in its activities to achieve a nuclear weapons capability," he said in a statement. "For now there is still time for addressing the issue diplomatically, but we believe we must not renounce any option and we do not think anyone else in the world should either," he added. In his own address to the assembly on Tuesday, Ahmadinejad lashed out at what he called international "bullying" and vowed to press ahead with Iran's nuclear drive. As for Israel, he said "the Zionist regime is on a definite slope to collapse and there is no way for it to get out of the cesspool created by itself and its supporters."

Boeing 787 Static Airframe Complete First Test

Boeing 787 Static Airframe Complete First Test (NSI News Source Info) EVERETT, Wash. - September 28, 2008: The Boeing 787 Dreamliner static test airframe, located at the Boeing [NYSE:BA] factory in Everett, underwent the first in a series of tests required to demonstrate the airframe's durability. During the test, known as "high blow," the airframe reached an internal pressure of 14.9 lbs. per square inch gauge (psig) - 1.5 times the levels expected to be seen during operations. The test lasted about two hours. This test is one of three static tests that must be completed on the airframe prior to first flight.

NATO closely monitors Russian warships on route to Caribbean

NATO closely monitors Russian warships on route to Caribbean (NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - September 28, 2008: A long-range sortie of the Russian naval task group to the Caribbean has drawn close attention from NATO, a Navy spokesman said on Saturday. A naval task force from Russia's Northern Fleet, comprising the nuclear-powered missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Admiral Chabanenko, and support ships, left a naval base in northern Russia early Monday to conduct training exercises in the Atlantic, including joint naval drills with the Venezuelan navy in November. "Patrol aircraft from the Norwegian Navy have flown four times near the Russian task group in the Norwegian Sea," Capt. 1st rank Igor Dygalo said, adding that the movements of the Russian convoy are also closely monitored by the U.K. HMS Argyll frigate. During the current tour of duty the Russian warships would participate in joint naval exercises with the Venezuelan navy in the Caribbean on November 10-14, in line with the 2008 training program and in order to expand military cooperation with foreign navies. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who recently visited Russia, earlier confirmed that Venezuela would hold joint naval exercises with Russian warships in the Caribbean and said the Russian navy would receive a warm welcome in the Latin American country. Russia announced last year that its Navy had resumed and would build up a constant presence in different regions of the world's oceans. A task force from the Northern Fleet, consisting of the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, the Udaloy-Class large AWS ships Admiral Levchenko and Admiral Chabanenko, as well as auxiliary vessels, conducted from December 2007 to February 2008 a two-month tour of duty in the Mediterranean Sea and North Atlantic.

Russia refuses to allow NATO inspectors at its missile bases

Russia refuses to allow NATO inspectors at its missile bases (NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW - September 28, 2008: Russia will not allow Czech and Polish inspectors at its missile bases but is ready for further talks on the presence of its observers at U.S. missile shield sites in central Europe, the Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. Foreign media reported last week that both the Czech Republic and Poland oppose a permanent Russian presence at planned U.S. missile defense facilities on their territories claiming that the permission could be granted only on the basis of reciprocity. "The U.S. missile bases are being deployed near our borders and they demand that we must open access to our strategic sites for U.S. allies - Poland and the Czech Republic. There is no even a trace of logic in such demands," the ministry said in a statement. "All we can see in these demands is the unwillingness to hold a professional dialogue aimed at getting concrete results. It seems that neither Poland nor the Czech Republic is interested in the constructive dialogue at this point," the statement said. However, the Foreign Ministry reiterated that Moscow will seek further talks on the U.S. missile shield in central Europe "whenever our partners are ready to sit at the negotiation table." Russia fiercely opposes the U.S. plans to deploy 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and a tracking radar in the Czech Republic as a threat to its national security. Moscow has warned it would be forced to target its missiles at Poland if the former Soviet-bloc state hosts the interceptor missiles.

Chinese astronaut conducts successful debut spacewalk

Chinese astronaut conducts successful debut spacewalk (NSI News Source Info) BEIJNG - September 28, 2008: A Chinese astronaut has successfully returned to his spacecraft after conducting the first spacewalk in the history of the Chinese space program, state television showed. During the 15-minute spacewalk, which started at 16.45 Beijing time (08.45 GMT), Zhai Zhigang, 42, waved China's national flag and carried out several equipment tests. The astronaut wore a $4.4 million space suit weighing 120-kg (265 lb), which was developed by Chinese specialists with the help of Russian technologies and Russian experts monitored the suits throughout the mission. With this achievement, China becomes the third country in the world after Russia and the United States to carry out successful spacewalks. China's Shenzhou-7 spacecraft lifted off on Thursday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the country's northwestern Gansu Province, bringing three astronauts on a three-day mission at an orbit with a maximum altitude of 343 km (213 miles). China, which previously sent astronauts on space missions in 2003 and 2005, has recently unveiled comprehensive space exploration plans. The country plans to build its own orbital space station and create a space laboratory before 2020.

Ukraine says ship seized by Somali pirates contains 33 tanks

Ukraine says ship seized by Somali pirates contains 33 tanks (NSI News Source Info) KIEV - September 28, 2008: A Ukrainian ship seized by pirates off the Somali coast on Thursday contained 33 T-72 tanks along with other armaments that were on their way to Kenya under a contract, Ukraine's defense minister said Friday. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry earlier cited the ship owner, Tomax Team Inc., as saying there were three Russian, 17 Ukrainian and one Latvian nationals on board the Faina ship, which was flying the Belize flag. President Viktor Yushchenko has urged his government to do everything possible to ensure the crew's release. Pirates are increasingly active in the waters off Somalia, which has no effective government and no navy to police its coastline. The International Maritime Bureau said more than 30 incidents of piracy were registered in the region in 2007. More than 30 attacks have been committed so far this year off the coast of the East African nation. Russia's Navy has sent a missile frigate to waters off the Somali coast to fight piracy in the region, a Navy spokesman said Friday.

Boeing to Acquire Tapestry Solutions to Enhance Its Growing Global Services & Support Business

Boeing to Acquire Tapestry Solutions to Enhance Its Growing Global Services & Support Business (NSI News Source Info) ST. LOUIS - September 27, 2008: The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced an agreement to acquire Tapestry Solutions, a San Diego-based company specializing in services and software systems that improve the tracking and distribution of equipment, spare parts and personnel for the U.S. Department of Defense and other government and non-government agencies. Tapestry Solutions' tools, such as the Joint Distribution Logistics Model and Battle Command Support Sustainment System, are U.S. Army standards that increase asset visibility, optimize distribution and enable dynamic logistics planning. Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) President and CEO Jim Albaugh said the acquisition should accelerate the growth of the company's service and support business. "Boeing has a great opportunity to address an expanding market where we can bring together our proven large-scale integration capabilities with Tapestry Solutions' unique logistics management, decision support systems, and cutting-edge modeling and simulation technologies," Albaugh said. "It's all about meeting our customers' enduring needs for heightened readiness and supply-chain situational awareness." Dennis Muilenburg, president of IDS Global Services & Support, added, "Combining Tapestry Solutions' capabilities with Boeing's expertise in supply chain management and integration, we are positioned to help our customer solve real-world problems and drive a transformation in distribution processes. Tapestry Solutions' data fusion, logistics and knowledge management products and services will enhance our global logistics support network. From point of origin, inter-modally into theater, to point of use, we'll be able to offer services with better ability to pinpoint the location of assets wherever they are in the supply chain, improve predictability on arrival times, streamline logistics command and control, and reduce operating costs." Once acquired, Tapestry Solutions will operate within IDS Global Services & Support. Terms of the cash transaction were not disclosed. This transaction, anticipated to close by the end of October following regulatory approvals, does not affect Boeing's financial guidance. "Tapestry Solutions is thrilled to be working with Boeing. Boeing has a vision for the future of logistics command and control that is right in line with our experience supporting customers worldwide," said Galen Aswegan, president and CEO of Tapestry Solutions. "Tapestry Solutions' products and expertise in real-time monitoring, training and support of world-wide distribution channels will benefit from Boeing's large-scale commercial and military operations and product offerings." Tapestry Solutions has approximately 350 employees with the majority located in San Diego where the company has its headquarters. Approximately 150 employees are embedded with customers in Iraq and at other operational locations throughout the world.

NATO Completes C-17 Agreement

NATO Completes C-17 Agreement

(NSI News Source Info) September 27, 2008: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has arranged 12 members to commit to acquiring C-17 airlifters, marking the first major weapon systems purchase for the alliance in 30 years. NATO hopes to take delivery of its first C-17 in March. That aircraft is being provided by the United States as part of its participation in the strategic airlift initiative aimed at fixing chronic shortfalls for cargo hauling for the alliance. NATO, for now, is depending heavily on U.S. lift and chartered Antonov An-124 airlifters to support forces operating in Afghanistan. Two more C-17s will be bought directly by the alliance from Boeing - and likely U.K. maintenance will go through the U.S. contract. Delivery of the two NATO-bought airlifters should follow around three and six months respectively from the first aircraft. NATO will base the aircraft at Papa air base in Hungary. The 12 participants so far are: Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, and the United States. The Czech Republic is still debating the issue, but chances are seen as slim they will commit. Italy has asked for an extension to sign-up until December. NATO's last major aircraft purchase were the E-3 Awacs.

The USA’s M4 Carbine Controversy

The USA’s M4 Carbine Controversy (NSI News Source Info) September 27, 2008: In February 2007, “2006 Carbine Competition: What Happened, Revealed” discussed an Army solicitation for competitive procurement of 5.56mm carbines, which was withdrawn once sole-source incumbent Colt dropped its prices. The DoD’s Inspector General got involvedwith a critical report, but the Army dissented, defending its practices as a sound negotiating approach that saved the taxpayer a lot of money on the contract. As it turns out, there’s a sequel. A major sequel, that’s only getting bigger with time. It seemed like a routine request. Order more M4 carbines for US forces in the FY 2007 supplemental, FY 2008 budget, and FY 2008 supplemental funding bills. It has turned into anything but a routine exercise, however – with serving soldiers, journalists, and Senators casting a very critical eye on the effort and the rifle, and demanding open competition. With requests amounting to $375 million for weapons and $150 million in accessories, they say, the Army’s proposal amounts to an effort to replace the M16 as the USA’s primary battle rifle – using specifications that are around 15 years old, without a competition, and without considering whether better 5.56 mm alternatives might be available off the shelf. Meanwhile, the M4/M16 family is both praised and criticized for its current performance in the field.

Australia Buying 24 Super Hornets As Interim Gap-Filler to JSF

Australia Buying 24 Super Hornets As Interim Gap-Filler to JSF (NSI News Source Info) September 27, 2008: Recent controversies over Australia’s involvement in the F-35 Lightning II program, amid criticisms that the F-35A will be unable to compete with proliferating SU-30 family aircraft in the region, lacks the required range or response time, and will either be extremely expensive at $100+ million per aircraft in early (2013-2016) production, or will not be available until 2018 or later. The accelerated retirement of Australia’s 22 long-range F-111s in 2010 sharpened the timing debate in particular, with a recently retired Air Vice-Marshal and the opposition (now governing) Labor Party both weighing in with criticisms and alternative force proposals. In December 2006, The Australian reported that Defence Minister Brendan Nelson was discussing an A$ 3 billion (about $2.36 billion) purchase of 24 F/A-18F Block II Super Hornet aircraft around 2009-2010. A move that came as “a surprise to senior defence officials on Russell Hill”; but is now an official purchase as requests and contracts work their way through. Australia’s new Labor government’s later decided to keep the Super Hornet purchase, cementing the deal.