DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated October 17, 2013

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated October 17, 2013
Source: K. V. Seth - DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No. 725-13 October 17, 2013
(NSI News Source Info) HONG KONG - October 17, 2013: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued  October 17, 2013  are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

NAVY

General Atomics, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $51,997,981 not-to-exceed order against a previously issued Basic Ordering Agreement (N68335-11-G-0003) for the procurement of Advanced Arresting Gear equipment required to stand up the Runway Arresting Landing Site (RALS) in support of CVN-78 testing. RALS will enable the Navy to run arresting simulations with live aircraft prior to employing those aircraft onboard ship. In addition, RALS will enable the Navy to troubleshoot issues found during certification and deployment of CVN-78. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif. (65 percent); Tupelo, Miss. (15 percent); Boston, Mass. (10 percent); Philadelphia, Pa. (5 percent ); Newark, N.J. (2.5 percent) and Dallas, Texas (2.5 percent), and is expected to be completed in October 2016. Fiscal 2013 other procurement, Navy contract funds in the amount of $25,479,010 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.

BAE Systems San Francisco Ship Repair, San Francisco, Calif., is being awarded a $12,494,114 firm-fixed-price contract for a 59-calendar day regular overhaul and dry docking availability of dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Amelia Earhart (T-AKE 6). Work will include inspection of the propeller shaft and stern tube, cleaning and painting of the hull, inspection and polish of the bow thruster propeller, installation of the chloropac unit, and overhaul of the seal valves. Earhart’s primary mission is to operate as part of a carrier strike group, providing fuel, ammunition, and dry and refrigerated stores to support the U.S. Navy ships at sea. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $14,474,915. Work will be performed in San Francisco, Calif., and is expected to be completed by February 2014. Working capital contract funds in the amount of $12,494,114 are obligated in fiscal 2014 and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with proposals solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N32205-14-C-3000).

ARMY

DynCorp International LLC, Falls Church, Va., was awarded a $72,264,323 modification (P00024) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, multi-year, foreign military sales (FMS) contract (W91CRB-10-C-0030) to provide mentoring and training services for the Afghanistan National Army across multiple locations in Afghanistan. This FMS contract is in support of Afghanistan. Fiscal 2014 procurement funds in the amount of $36,132,161 are being obligated on this award. The Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity.

Raytheon IDS, Andover, Mass., was awarded a $17,328,258 modification (P00004) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, multi-year, option-included, foreign military sales (FMS) contract (W31P4Q-13-C-0111) for repair and return services in support of PATRIOT missile parts. This FMS contract is in support of Israel, Kuwait, Taiwan, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates. Fiscal 2013 procurement funds are being obligated on this award. The Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources U.S. DoD issued No. 725-13 October 17, 2013
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DTN News - ISRAELI DEFENSE NEWS: F-35 Pilot Helmets To Be Made By Israeli Company

DTN News - ISRAELI DEFENSE NEWS: F-35 Pilot Helmets To Be Made By Israeli Company

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources IVC Post
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - October 14, 2013: The pilot helmets for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter would be exclusively manufactured by Israel-based firm Elbit Systems and its US partner, Rockwell Collins. Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon's Joint Strike Fighter Program Office chose the Israeli firm to make the hi-tech helmets over BAE Systems.

The Associated Press reported that Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon announced the news on Sunday. Ya'alon said, "The choice of Elbit Systems to produce the pilots' helmets is a vote of confidence in Israel's defense industries and their people."

According to news outlet New Hampshire Union Leader, London-based BAE Systems was hired by Lockheed and the Pentago to develop the helmet two years ago. This was after problems were seen on the Rockwell-Elbit helmet used for its pilot testing and training. However, Lockheed Spokeswoman Laura Siebert told Reuters that discontinuing BAE's work on the headpiece would allow the company to save USD 47 million. So far, Lockheed has already spent USD 57 million on the second helmet.


*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources IVC Post
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DTN News - RUSSIA DEFENSE NEWS: New Russian Bomber: Needless Expenditure or Future Necessity?

DTN News - RUSSIA DEFENSE NEWS: New Russian Bomber: Needless Expenditure or Future Necessity?

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Voice of Russia
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - October 11, 2013: On the threshold of the 100-year anniversary of the Russian Air Force, holiday events are steadily increasing in number. A round table with the participation of the most prominent Russian military analysts, devoted to the development of a potential new bomber for the Russian Air Force, has taken place in Moscow. However, while estimating the need for “aircraft of the future”, the specialists have differed in their views.

There was at least one thing on which all the participants of the round table, which was held in the Rosbalt information agency, have agreed upon: Russia should continue maintaining the existing fleet of strategic aircraft in a proper condition and continue to upgrade them. The resources for the Tupolev Tu-95MS, Tu-160, and Tu-22М3 allow these aircrafts to remain in service for many years. In these conditions, the improvement of their equipment and weapons is one of the key tasks.

Such works are under way now. The Tupolev Tu-95MS and Tu-160 fighters are undergoing modernization and the first upgraded Tu-22М3М has already been handed over to the troops. Updated aircraft can use modern weapons, including non-nuclear precision-guided munitions, which makes them very useful in case of local conflicts. It is noteworthy that Russia currently has approximately 200 long-range aircrafts, including 66 Tupolev Tu-95MS and 16 Tupolev Tu-160s (the rest are Tupolev Tu-22М3s), and it is at the very least wasteful to leave all these heavy combat aircrafts without the possibility of carrying out non-nuclear tasks in local conflicts.

Despite the capabilities of the modernized Russian bombers, their resources are not infinite. They are to be replaced in 2030-2050 due to wear and tear on the airframes. Meanwhile, taking into account modern combat aircraft’s terms of development and serialized production, it is necessary to start development now in order to get a new aircraft by the beginning of 2030s. However, some specialists do not support this point of view. During the round table, Deputy Director of the Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies Andrey Frolov was the main opponent of new strategic aircraft development.
“At this stage, maintaining the full-fledged nuclear triad is very burdensome for Russia. In this connection, developing a new long-range aircraft of the fifth generation may become one of the programs that do not make sense, but demand a lot of financial resources,” Frolov stated.

Other participants of the discussion supported the development of new aircraft. “Russia needs strategic bombers of the fifth generation, first of all, in order to support its status of a nuclear power,” the National Defense magazine Editor-in-Chief Igor Korotchenko said.
According to the analyst, it is “the aviation component of the strategic nuclear forces that is most adaptable to the task of sending signals to the opponents in critical moments, reminding them of the fact that the Russian armed forces are capable of solving any problems in case of a war.”

The head of the Institute of Political and Military Analysis Alexander Sharavin has also supported the new development: “I do not oppose the idea of upgrading old aircrafts. But what shall we do in 30 years? It is clear that such aircraft as the PAK DA project cannot be produced in three, five, or even ten years. Such tasks take many years to be fulfilled.”
The fate of PAK DA – the Prospective Air Complex for Long Range Aviation – is not clear yet. Arguments of all the participants contain a core of common sense. It seems that the general conclusion from all the above can be formulated as follows:

1. Today, maintaining the classic nuclear triad – long-range aviation, land-based missiles, and nuclear underwater missile carriers – is a topic for discussion.
2. Nevertheless, the development of a new long-range combat aircraft seems to be necessary. Given the length of Russian borders and the need to respond to potential threats, which may occur in different regions, Russia needs a unit of aircraft capable of readily hitting targets beyond the range of tactical aircraft without refueling in the air.
3. Until it comes to serial production of the new aircraft type, its development is not unduly wasteful, and it may be stopped, slowed down, and resumed at any point without special expenses.
4. Until convincing proof is received that new types of weapons – such as remotely piloted delivery systems and other aircrafts – can effectively replace the classic long-range bomber, this work should be continued. Development of an aircraft up to the moment of launching a series usually takes 10-15 years. It is a sufficient term for determining the prospects of the program.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Voice of Russia
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DTN News - PAKISTAN DEFENSE NEWS: Pakistan Deal For Chinese J-10 Fighters Uncertain

DTN News - PAKISTAN DEFENSE NEWS: Pakistan Deal For Chinese J-10 Fighters Uncertain

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources DefenseNews
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - October 9, 2013: Tough International Monetary Fund conditions on Pakistan and concerns about untested technology likely will delay Islamabad’s plan to buy 36 J-10B Vigorous Dragon multirole fighters from China under a $1.4 billion deal signed in 2009, analysts said.

Current economic conditions “preclude any possibility of acquiring new weapon systems in the next two to three years, at least,” said retired Pakistani Air Commodore Kaiser Tufail, a veteran fighter and test pilot who is now an independent military analyst in Lahore.

Under IMF loan terms, the government faces harsh conditions on raising revenue and controlling spending, including on military equipment.

A Chinese defense delegation visited Pakistan the last week of September to discuss the status of stalled defense deals. Whether this included the J-10 order is unclear.

The J-10B Super-10 is an advanced variant of the J-10A, first fielded in late 2003 with China’s Air Force. The new Super-10 will reportedly be powered by the Chinese-designed WS-10A turbofan engine, which will replace the J-10A’s Russian Saturn AL-31FN. Built by Chengdu Aircraft Industries, the jet is based on Israel’s Lavi indigenous fighter program by Israel Aerospace Industries that was canceled in 1987.

Even if a friendly Arab Gulf state provided financing, Tufail said more used Lockheed Martin F-16Cs from US stocks are preferable, “rather than trying out a new weapon system that is an unknown commodity in the realm of modern-day combat.”

Tufail questioned the wisdom of buying one squadron of J-10s.

To be cost effective “at least three to four squadrons would justify the additional wherewithal and maintenance facilities that would be needed,” he said.

Over-reliance on US high-technology equipment like fighters worries Pakistani officials, and while Tufail said diversification “be explored fully, with China and Russia as suitable sources,” in the case of the fighter, the government may not have another option.

Should a deal occur, however, Tufail foresees no problems with directly or indirectly acquiring Russian equipment such as the J-10’s AL-31FN engine.

The J-10B was first revealed to the public in early 2009. Images appearing on Chinese-language military websites indicate the J-10B had a new nose configuration with an infrared search and tracking system and a “new Diverterless Supersonic Intake configured engine air intake,” also seen on the Chengdu FC-1 Xiaolong (Fierce Dragon), which is co-produced in Pakistan as the JF-17 Thunder, said Richard Fisher, a senior fellow of Asian military affairs at the International Assessment and Strategy Center.

At least one prototype J-10B has featured the indigenous Shenyang-Liming WS-10A turbofan engine, but it remains to be seen whether all production J-10Bs will feature the WS-10A or the Russian Saturn AL-31F turbofan,” Fisher said.

“I think the JF-17 arrangement has been a workable one so far, and future weapon systems with core Russian and Chinese components can be acquired by the Pakistan Air Force on a similar basis, without difficulty,” Tufail said.

Russia allowed China to supply Pakistan the JF-17s Klimov RD-93 engine despite Indian opposition, and prospects have since improved.

“The thawing of Pak-Russo relations over the past few years is certainly a welcome development, and should help override Indian objections to any military cooperation between Pakistan and Russia,” Tufail said.

Technological advances may also scrap the J-10 deal.

Tufail believes the air force may be turning to the stealthy Chengdu J-20 though this is not presently “anything beyond a mere statement of intent.”

“It is a futuristic aircraft, not yet fully operational, and its capabilities are hardly known, so reading too much into this may be rather premature,” Tufail said.

The J-10B would offer Pakistan some advanced fourth generation capabilities.

“The canted nose cone immediately led to speculation that the J-10B also featured a new fixed antennae phased array radar and this was confirmed in 2011,” Fisher said. “There remains some speculation that this radar may be a ‘passive’ versus an ‘active’ electronically scanned array [AESA], but the key point is that the J-10B is clearly a 4+ generation fighter that also included upgraded cockpit systems and electronic warfare systems.”

But if Pakistan chooses not to become the first customer for an export configured J-10B, at $50-60 million per aircraft it will become attractive to countries like Venezuela, Argentina, Peru, Malaysia and Indonesia, who are looking for an affordable multi-role fighter, Fisher said.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources DefenseNews
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DTN News - HISTORICAL EVENTS ON OCT 9: Today in History for October 9th

DTN News - HISTORICAL EVENTS ON  OCT 9: Today in History for October 9th

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources AP
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - October 9, 2013: (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - October 9, 2013: October 9 is the 282nd day of the year (283rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 83 days remaining until the end of the year.


2012 As German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits Greece, an estimated 25,000 protest in Athens
2012 The 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded to Serge Haroche and David Wineland for their work on quantum optics
2011 In Poland, the Polish People's Party coalition becomes the first government to be reelected since Poland transitioned to democracy in 1989
2011 Germany's Sebastian Vettel becomes the youngest driver to win the Formula One World Championship twice
2010 Wild celebrations occur as a drill reaches an underground chamber with 33-trapped Chilean miners inside
2010 The New York Yankees beat the Minnesota Twins, progressing to Major League Baseball's 2010 American League Championship Series
2008 Iceland takes control of 3 banks due to the global financial crisis
2006 North Korea conducts first atomic weapons test
1997 ABL players allowed to own stock in the league
1997 Hurricane kills 123 in Acapulco Mexico
1997 NC's Dean Smith winningest college basetball coach retires
1997 New York Rangers are 1st NHL team to open with 4 straight ties
1997 Nobel prize for literature awarded to Dario Fo
1996 Howard Stern's book "Miss America" released in paperback
1994 Darmstadt creates element 110
1992 Great meteorite seen from Kentucky to New York
1991 "On Borrowed Time" opens at Circle in Sq Theater New York City for 99 performances
1991 Bush declares "total confidence" in nominee Clarence Thomas

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources AP
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DTN News - US FINANCIAL CRISIS: US Government Shutdown 2013 (Video)

DTN News - US FINANCIAL CRISIS: US Government Shutdown 2013 (Video)

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Reuters
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - October 9, 2013: The White House signalled on Monday that it would be open to a short-term hike in the U.S. debt limit as the United States moved a step closer to its first-ever default while a separate impasse, a partial government shutdown, entered its second week.


The shutdown, which centres on a fight over funding for President Barack Obama’s new health care law, has pushed hundreds of thousands of workers off the job, closed national parks and museums and stopped an array of government services.

A default could have far bigger consequences. Economists say it could trigger a financial crisis and recession that would echo 2008 — or worse. The 2008 financial crisis plunged the country into the worst recession since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

President Barack Obama makes a statement about the government shutdown during a visit to FEMA headquarters. The president thanked workers at the FEMA for doing their jobs under "less than optimal circumstances".zoom

Gene Sperling, a senior Obama economic adviser, reiterated a vow not to negotiate on the debt because it would sanction the threat of default as a bargaining chip and increase the chance of default in the future.

A defiant John Boehner, the Republican leader of the House of Representatives, has insisted that Obama must negotiate on changes to his health care law and spending cuts if he wants to end the shutdown and avert a default.

The uncompromising talk rattled financial markets early Monday as stocks slumped. China, which holds $1.277 trillion in U.S. Treasury bonds and stands as the United States’ biggest foreign creditor, urged that all efforts are made to avoid a default.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Reuters
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DTN News - AIRLINES NEWS: Airbus Clinches Landmark Jet Order With Japan Airlines

DTN News - AIRLINES NEWS: Airbus Clinches Landmark Jet Order With Japan Airlines
*Airbus And Japan Airlines Sign Their First Ever Order - Airbus

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources  Reuters & Airbus
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - October 7, 2013: Airbus (EAD.PA) clinched its first jet order from Japan Airlines (9201.T) on Monday, cracking a big national market long dominated by the European firm's main rival, Boeing (BA.N).

The U.S. planemaker acknowledged it had paid a penalty for the mechanically troubled debut of its 787 Dreamliner.

The landmark deal for 31 wide-body A350 jets with a combined $9.5 billion list price follows an intense battle between the two manufacturers as JAL and domestic rival ANA Holdings Inc (9202.T) seek dozens of new long-haul jets over the next decade.

The agreement, which is also likely to unsettle a Japanese aerospace industry that builds large portions of Boeing's jets, includes options for another 25 of the A350s.

"This is a huge win for Airbus and a big loss for Boeing," said aerospace analyst Scott Hamilton, managing director of Seattle-based Leeham Co.

"Airbus has been trying to break the wide-body monopoly of Boeing for decades and likewise Boeing has been wanting to keep Airbus out of JAL and ANA."

Shares in Airbus parent EADS rose 1.75 percent in Paris on the good news for the A350, a twin-engine plane designed to carry between 270 and 350 passengers.

First deliveries of the A350 are expected in about a year. JAL expects to start using the plane from about 2019.

Boeing has for decades seen off attempts by the European company to secure an order with JAL. The American firm has benefited from links with its own Japanese parts suppliers and deep political ties between Tokyo and Washington to maintain a share of the national market above 80 percent.

Delays to the 787 Dreamliner and its subsequent grounding after batteries overheated have, however, tarnished Boeing's image and cast doubt on its ability to deliver aircraft on time, industry experts said. Both JAL and ANA are major Dreamliner buyers.

News of the deal, confirming a Reuters report, dominated a major aviation gathering in Spain where Boeing sought to draw a line under recent problems besetting its prestige airliner.

"It's a heartbreak," Kostya Zolotusky, managing director of Boeing Capital Corp, told aircraft financiers in Barcelona.

Problems with the Dreamliner made it hard for JAL to stick with Boeing: "We recognize that we made it very challenging for them in introducing 787 and will work to correct that," he said.

Besides the 787's woes, bureaucratic and political influence over fleet purchases by JAL, which the Japanese government bailed out in 2010, has waned since it went public again a year ago and the Democratic Party that rescued it lost power.

In a sign of how JAL's once cozy government ties have become strained, the carrier on Friday complained that it was unfairly treated over landing rights at Tokyo's Haneda airport after ANA received twice as many new landing slots.

FLYING THE FLAG

Airbus also showed its readiness to move in on Boeing's turf in the Japanese aerospace manufacturing industry, including cooperation in research and development.

"With this order, it gives us more momentum to look for potential joint R&D efforts for the future generation of aircraft," Fabrice Bregier, chief executive of Airbus, told a news conference in Tokyo with JAL President Yoshiharu Ueki.

Ambassadors from Britain, Germany and France and the European Union representative in Japan attended the briefing, each with national flags displayed before of them.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said significant European diplomatic efforts had gone into winning the deal.

Ueki did not say what JAL would actually pay for the A350s, which vie with Boeing's yet-to-be-launched 777X, but industry analysts said it would be typical to secure generous discounts in such a groundbreaking deal.

"This is seriously bad for Boeing. They need to do a little soul searching," said Richard Aboulafia, airline analyst with the Virginia-based Teal Group. The 787 problems, he said, "inevitably led to doubts about execution, resources and time".

Ueki denied problems with the 787 were a factor in the decision, however - but also repeated JAL's apologies to customers for disruptions to service caused by the Boeing's grounding in January.

He attributed Airbus's successful wooing of his company in part to timing: delivery for the A350, due to begin flying passengers next year, will ensure it is available when JAL needs it at the end of the decade, while the debut of the 777X is further out and less certain.

JAL's new Airbus aircraft, powered by Roll-Royce (RR.L) engines, will begin entering service in 2019, the companies said. Boeing says the 777X will enter service in 2020.

As part of Airbus's sales pitch, the aircraft maker invited Ueki to its base in the French city of Toulouse and gave the former pilot - who spent his flying career on Boeings - a chance to try out one of its A380 simulators.

Ueki said he found the Airbus side-mounted joystick control, which differs from the traditional central column found in Boeing cockpits, easy to use.

AGING FLEET

The battle between the two aircraft makers will now shift to ANA, which is looking for around 25 new jets to replace its aging fleet of long-haul Boeing 777s from 2020.

ANA is still gathering information on the 777X and the A350, Ryosei Nomura, a spokesman for the airline, said.

"This is Airbus's largest order for the A350 so far this year and is the largest ever order we have received from a Japanese airline," Airbus CEO Bregier told reporters.

Boeing, whose ties to Japan date back to the country's postwar reconstruction under U.S. occupation, said it was disappointed but respected JAL's decision.

"We have built a strong relationship with Japan Airlines over the last 50 years and we look to continue our partnership going forward," a company spokesman said via email.

If they chose Boeing's 777X, both JAL and ANA would have to commit to being a launch customer again for a new Boeing jet.

Delays to the 787, a third of which is built in Japan, and its subsequent grounding may have made JAL wary of buying an aircraft that Boeing has yet to officially commit to building. That gave Airbus a rare opening in Boeing's best market.

ANA's boss, Shinichiro Ito, told Reuters last month that his airline would consider possible delivery delay risks when choosing replacements for its older long-haul 777 jets.

With the world's biggest fleet of Dreamliners and being the first airline to fly the innovative carbon composite plane, ANA has been most affected by delays. The aircraft's grounding this year has resulted in millions of dollars of losses.

Japanese suppliers including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd (7011.T) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd (7012.T) are expected to join the 777X construction programme, although Boeing has yet to say how much of the work it will pass their way.

(Additional reporting by Natalie Huet and Brian Love in Paris, Alwyn Scott in New York and Siva Govindasamy in Singapore; Editing by Edmund Klamann, Dean Yates and Alastair Macdonald)

Airbus And Japan Airlines Sign Their First Ever Order - Airbus

Japan Airlines (JAL) has signed a purchase agreement for 31 A350 XWBs (18 A350-900s and 13 A350-1000s), plus options for a further 25 aircraft. This is JAL’s first ever order for Airbus aircraft.* It is also the first order Airbus has received from Japan for the A350 XWB, confirming its continuing success with world leading airlines across the globe. JAL and Airbus aim for entry into service from 2019, with the airline’s A350 XWBs gradually replacing its ageing fleet approximately over a six year period.

“We will utilize the A350 XWB to maximum, which offers high level of operational efficiency and product competitiveness, while positively catering to new business opportunities after slots at airports in Tokyo are increased,” said Yoshiharu Ueki, President of Japan Airlines. “In addition to improving profitability with advanced aircraft, we always aim to deliver unparalleled services to customers with the latest cabin and steady expansion of our route network.” 

"Japan Airlines is well known as one of the most preferred airlines in the world providing its passengers with an excellent flight experience. We sincerely welcome Japan Airlines as a new Airbus customer and feel honored by this first ever order from Japan for our all-new A350 XWB,” said Fabrice Bregier, President and CEO of Airbus. "It fills us with pride to see a leading Japanese airline start a new chapter with us. This highlights a very bright and flourishing future for both of us, JAL and Airbus.”

In a typical three-class layout the A350-900 comfortably seats more than 300 passengers on routes as long as 8,100 nautical miles (nm). The A350-1000 is the largest member of the A350 XWB Family, seating 350 passengers on even longer missions up to 8,400 nm. 

All A350 XWB models are equipped with the new Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.  
Over 70 percent of the A350 XWB’s weight-efficient airframe is made from advanced materials combining composites (53 percent), titanium and advanced aluminium alloys. 

In addition to innovative materials, the A350 XWB brings together the very latest in aerodynamics, design and advanced technologies and provides significant improvement in fuel efficiency compared with competing models.

To date, the A350 XWB MSN1 has completed around 300 flight test hours out of the campaign’s total 2,500 hours which are to be achieved by five flight test A350’s over the next 12 months. Entry into commercial service of the A350-900 is scheduled for the second half of 2014. With this latest commitment, Airbus has recorded more than 750 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 38 customers worldwide.

* Before the merger by Japan Airlines and Japan Air Systems (JAS), JAS ordered Airbus aircraft. 

More on Airbus presence in Japan


Headline News : A strategic order from JAL expands Airbus' presence in the Japanese market

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Reuters & Airbus
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: US May Intervene on Sale of Chinese Missile System to Turkey

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: US May Intervene on Sale of Chinese Missile System to Turkey

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Want China Times
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - October 7, 2013: The United States may intervene to stop Turkey buying the FD-2000, the export version of China's HQ-9 surface-to-air missile, Burak Ege Bekdil wrote in Defense News on Oct. 3.

Turkey selected the FD-2000 for its new air defense system on Sept. 26, rejecting other options including the US Patriot system, Russia's S-300 and the European Aster 30. It will be used by the Turkish air force as a long-range air and anti-missile defense system to defend the airspace over the country's interior, while Patriot missiles deployed by NATO are guarding the country's border with war-torn Syria.

However, concern from the United States and other NATO members has arisen as to what extent the Chinese missile system can be integrated with the Patriot air defense system along the border, according to Bekdil. As China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corp has been named the contractor for Ankara's first long-range air defense architecture, Washington is also worried about the proliferation of nuclear techonology into Turkey.

The Beijing-based company is currently under US sanctions for violations of the Iran, North Korea and Syria Nonproliferation Act. "We are concerned about that Chinese company, and its role as a nuclear weapons technology proliferator in the world," Francis Ricciardone, the US ambassador to Turkey, told Defense News. "This is not a NATO system. China is not a member of NATO. This is one of the issues."

Turkey's loyalty as a NATO member has also been called into question by the organization over fears that the integration of the two systems could lead to classified information regarding the Patriot system being leaked to China. "How could Turkey, protected by NATO assets, ignore the alliance's concerns and opt for an air defense system to be built by a non-friendly country?" asked a NATO defense attache.

A Turkish official stated that the FD-2000 was selected based on considerations of price, technology, local work share, technology transfer and credit financing terms.

"The Chinese bid is perfectly in compliance with our terms and conditions," said Murad Bayar, head of the Ankara-based Undersecretariat for Defense Industries. "As part of this program, a Turkish defense company will be tasked with integrating the air defense system into a network operated by the Turkish Air Force." Even though some Chinese techonology may be used, Bayar sought to assured the Defense News that the missile will be a Turkish missile, not Chinese.

Meanwhile, experts and analysts have questioned whether the FD-2000 will be allowed to be integrated with other NATO missile defense systems. "NATO has the technical capabilities to isolate the Turkish air defense architecture by denying Ankara the interface data necessary for any integration," said a Western defense official. This will eventually leave the FD-2000 system useless and give the United States a pretext to block the contract, as it has done in the case of Israel in the past.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Want China 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 
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DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: IAF Looking To Induct Seven More C-17 Aircraft: NAK Browne

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: IAF Looking To Induct Seven More C-17 Aircraft: NAK Browne

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

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - October 3, 2013: The Indian Air Force is looking forward to add to its fleet seven more C-17 heavylift aircraft which are capable of ferrying tanks and artillery guns close to the borders with China and Pakistan. 

"As far as the transport fleet is concerned, we are looking at inducting six additional C-130J and seven C-17s in the near future," IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne said. 

"Also in the pipeline is the procurement of 45 Medium Transport Aircraft, presently, under joint development between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Russia," he said in an interview with Defence Ministry's Sainik Samachar magazine. 

India already has placed an order for 10 C-17 aircraft from the US Air Force worth over Rs 20,000 crore and three have already been inducted at its Hindan air base near here. 

A C-17 has the capability to land at short airfields such as the Daulat Beg Oldie advanced landing ground in Ladakh sector and carry 150 combat-ready troops to a distance of 4,200 km in one go. 

Meanwhile, the IAF chief said the three services are working towards creating a separate command to tackle threats and issues in the Cyber arena which will soon be sent for approval of the Cabinet Committee on Security. 

"The Services are working towards the formation of a Tri- Services Cyber Command and a comprehensive draft CCS note has been worked out along with the requirements of manpower and financial costs," he said. 

"An interim structure for the cyber command would be formed after the approval of the Defence Ministry and the full fledged command structure would take shape only after the CCS approval," the IAF chief stated. 

The IAF chief said the proposed Cyber Command would be fully integrated with the other existing national structures of cyber security. 

Browne said with the induction of latest equipment and platform, the force has emerged as a strategic force from being a tactical one earlier. 

Similar proposals to have a Special Forces command are also pending for approval by the government.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources ET Economic 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 
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DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: IAF May Deploy Additional Sukhoi Squadron At Chabua Base In Assam

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: IAF May Deploy Additional Sukhoi Squadron At Chabua Base In Assam

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

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - October 3, 2013: An additional squadron of advanced combat aircraft Sukhoi-30MKI is likely to be stationed at the Indian Air Force’s eastern-most station in view of the strategic importance of the base.   

Sharing the news here, Wing Commander Gaurav Mani Tripathy told journalists yesterday on the eve of the 81st Air Force Day that the Sukhoi-30MKI multi-role fighter plane squadron is used to patrol the skies in the region.  

With the Mig-21 era coming to an end at the station - the last squadron moved out in 2009 - Tripathy said that the base underwent a major renovation and expansion of facilities in preparation for the induction of the Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, which arrived in February 2011.

Speaking about the Su-30MKI, Tripathy said the aircraft was manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) under licence from Russia’s Sukhoi.

He said that the heavy, all-weather, long-range Indian variant of the fighter plane was more advanced than the basic SU-30MK and more capable than those used by China (SU30MKK/MK2) and Malaysia (SU-30MKM).  

Talking about the Chabua base, he said, “The station has served as a major supply point for troops deployed in Arunachal Pradesh with various transport aircraft and helicopters operating from here.”

The Chabua base was built in 1939 and used throughout World War II by Allied Forces against invading Japanese forces.

As an IAF base, Chabua took on a training role as MiG-21s were based here for the instruction of young fighter pilots, Tripathy said.

On the occasion of the 81st anniversary of the IAF, the station is set to achieve all tasks in peace or in war, in line with the IAF’s credo of ‘People First, Mission Always’, the Wing Commander added.

“Over the years, the transport and helicopter fleets have emerged as the lifelines for both our troops at forward posts, as well as the civilian population in remote areas and in times of natural disasters,” he added.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources India TV 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 
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