Rapid Fire: 2011-02-04

* DoD report to Congress on contracting fraud [PDF] details civil and criminal fraud committed by over 100 contractors, many of whom continued to receive funds from the department. * General Dynamics’ 10 million share buyback would be worth $757 million based on the closing stock price on Feb 3/11. * Lockheed Martin freezes CEO Robert Stevens’ salary at $1.8 million for 3rd year in a row. * Taiwan has inducted 2 more “frigates” to help deal with aggressive, illegal Chinese fishing vessels. Their 1,850-2,500t size and low armament suggest long-range Coast Guard Cutters, and indeed The Tainan and “Patrol Boat No. 7” are both serving in the new ROC Coast Guard Administration. * Burmese junta deploying SA-3/S-125 Pechora anti-aircraft missiles, after spotting UAVs in its air space. Whether they’d be effective at finding and hitting UAVs, is another question. * One thing we do know… the UAVs sure weren’t from the US Coast Guard. And won’t be any time soon, either. If they do decide to add anti-submarine responsibilities back to the USCG, that gap will really hurt. * An official video explains the role of Singapore’s Searcher UAVs in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan, and looks at their challenges. Note […]