US Ammo Shortage: GD Now A Second Source Prime as it Delivers Guns, Ammo

by Joe Katzman | Jul 5, 2010 | Ammunition, Contracts - Awards, Delivery & Task Orders, General Dynamics, Guns - under 20mm direct, Policy - Procurement, USA

Ma Deuce, raising demand… In July 2005, “Pass The Ammunition: Army Taking Action on Small-Cal Shortages” began covering some of the steps the US Defense Department was taking to address this issue. Few reserves, a low production rate, and some of the...

July 4th weekend

by Joe Katzman | Jul 4, 2010 | DID site

DID is not publishing on Monday, as part of the July 4th weekend. We also hope our Canadian readers enjoyed their Canada Day celebrations (July 1st).

China Orders Giant Russian “Zubr” Hovercraft

by Joe Katzman | Jul 2, 2010 | China, Issues - International, Power Projection, Rumours, Russia, Surface Ships - Combat

Zubr, landed & unloading(click to view full) Defense News (via Defense Tech) reports that China has just ordered 6 “Zubr” hovercraft from Russia’s Almaz Shipbuilding. The Zubr Class is the world’s largest hovercraft, displacing 555 tonnes....

Raytheon’s Lot-10 AIM-9X Missile Orders

by Joe Katzman | Jun 30, 2010 | Asia - Other, Australia & S. Pacific, Contracts - Awards, Design Innovations, Missiles - Air-Air, Raytheon, Support Functions - Other, USA

F-16 launches AIM-9X(click for AIM-9X zoom) The AIM-9X is the USA’s newest short-range air-to-air missile, using an advanced array seeker that widens the missile’s “boresight” cone, and allows a TV-like “imaging infrared” picture...

China’s K-8 Jets: A Killer for Myanmar

by Joe Katzman | Jun 30, 2010 | Alliances, Asia - Other, China, Contracts - Awards, Domestic Security, Events, Fighters & Attack, Issues - International, Issues - Political, Other Corporation

K-8, Zimbabwe(click to view full) Burma’s air force relies heavily on Chinese weapons. A handful of Russian MiG-29s will grow to 30 in the wake of a 2009 order, but the rest of its fighter fleet is made up of Chinese MiG-21 (60 J-7s) and MiG-19 (12 J-6 and 36...