Rapid Fire 2010-03-30: RAF Contracts Update

* UK MoD details latest defense RAF contracts and agreements, including maintenance for Hawk T Mk2 jet trainers, a cut in its A400M transport order, and a contract signing for its future CH-47F Chinook helicopters. * UK parliamentary committee warns that MoD’s military hospitals might not be ready to handle an increase in casualties from more intense fighting in Afghanistan. Committee of Public Accounts report | Telegraph | Daily Mail | Mirror. * South Korea defense minister thinks mine may be responsible for explosion aboard ROKS Cheonan (PCC-772), the Pohang-class patrol combat corvette that sunk with 46 crew members aboard. Associated Press | Wall Street Journal | Reuters | Korea Times | BBC * Teal Group: Worldwide Mission Model predicts 2,229 space payloads will be launched between 2010 and 2029, with 19% of those coming from the military; UAV market to reach $80 billion over 10 years. * Russia may unveil its next-generation T-95 main battle tank in summer 2010. * L-3 Wescam awarded $110 million contract to supply EO/IR MX-15Di imaging turrets for USAF fixed-wing aircraft. Equipped aircraft include the MC-12W King Air. * Harris gets $74 million follow-on order for Falcon III AN/PRC-152-C handheld radios with RF-5980-SA001 vehicle […]