Rapid Fire Oct. 18, 2012: Continuing CASD

* Kongberg’s stealthy, sub-sonic Naval Strike Missile has just finished its 1st shipboard launch tests, and performed successfully. The market for naval missiles is crowded, but Kongsberg believes that the new F-35 fighter may give it an important edge. * The US Army has test-flown a civilian Eurocopter EC145-T2, as part of its evaluations for the next Armed Aerial Scout helicopter. All of the models it will test have a tough job ahead of them, as the Army could just keep rebuilding and modernizing its Vietnam-era Kiowa fleet. * The hull for the future HMAS Canberra amphibious aviation and assault ship has arrived in Australia, aboard the FLO/FLO ship MV Blue Marlin. Australian firms will now attach the superstructure “island,” and get the ship ready for delivery. * UK Prime Minister David Cameron says he is committed to the country’s continuous at-sea deterrent (CASD): “if we are to have a nuclear deterrent, it makes sense to ensure we have something that is credible and believable, otherwise there is no point in having one at all. […] Yes, being continuously at sea is a key part of our deterrent.” * A J-15 may have performed a touch-and-go on China’s recently commissioned […]