Rapid Fire 2011-05-10: Copper Bullets

* House Armed Services Committee releases full committee markup of the FY 2012 defense authorization bill, which revives the F136 engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. * Peru’s $1 billion SIVAM Amazon basin surveillance program attracts IAI interest, centered on its Gulfstream G550 CAEW platform. Neighboring Chile uses the same Phalcon radar technology, mounted on a 707. In Peru, IAI can be expected to compete with Embraer’s ERJ-145 based R-99A/B surveillance aircraft, which handle SIVAM duties for Brazil. * Israel is planning to invest $1 billion in development and production of the Iron Dome rocket/artillery defense system, says Defense Ministry. * Azerbaijan is expected to sign agreements with Turkey to buy Kasirga TR-300 rocket launcher systems, Pars armored vehicles, and other items at the IDEF-2011 defense trade fair being held in Istanbul this week. * Turkey expects to receive its 1st Boeing E-737 AEW&C aircraft by the end of 2012, with the other 3 arriving in 2013. The $1.6 billion contract was signed in 2003, with delivery expected by 2007. Australia’s Project Wedgetail has faced the same kinds of delays, due to problems developing the E-737 platform. * Taiwan is monitoring China’s refurbishment of the ex-Soviet Navy aircraft carrier […]