Ukrainian Rebels Receive Russian Reinforcements

by Editorial Staff | Nov 12, 2014 | Daily Rapid Fire, DARPA, Europe - Other, Pre-RFP, Russia, USA

* AFP writes that according to NATO Russian columns including tanks, artillery and infantry vehicles have been entering eastern Ukraine, in line with earlier reports from other sources such as Reuters. Artillery strikes have been reported [WSJ video] in Donetsk. *...

India Finally Gets a Dedicated Defense Minister

by Editorial Staff | Nov 10, 2014 | Africa - Other, Canada, China, Daily Rapid Fire, France, India, IT - Cyber-Security, Japan, Policy - Doctrine, Satellites & Sensors, United Arab Emirates (UAE), USA

* India’s Prime Minister Modi expanded his cabinet [Reuters] yesterday and finally appointed a dedicated defense minister in the person of Manohar Parrikar, a former Chief Minister in the southern state of Goa whom the Economic Times describes as a “man...

End of Blitz Era for ISIS?

by Editorial Staff | Nov 7, 2014 | Coastal & Littoral, Contracts - Awards, Daily Rapid Fire, Europe - Other, Iraq, IT - Cyber-Security, Mines & Countermine-IED, Russia, USA

* ISIS is starting to suffer [AP] setbacks [NYT] in Iraq and Syria. Killing their momentum might go some way to dispel their mystique and make it harder for them to recruit and motivate jihadists. But in August during the battle for control of the Mosul dam...

Post US Mid-Terms Wrap Up: Elections Have Consequences?

by Editorial Staff | Nov 6, 2014 | Airbus, Asia - Other, China, Daily Rapid Fire, Helicopters & Rotary, India, Indonesia, Issues - Political, IT - Cyber-Security, USA

* If you haven’t read enough about how and why Republicans won the US Senate and increased their control of the House [The Hill], here are a couple pointers: Military Times’ elections guide | Familiar Faces in New Places on Senate Defense Committees...

US Marines Publish New Aviation Plan, Aircraft Retirement Schedule

by Editorial Staff | Nov 4, 2014 | Daily Rapid Fire, DARPA, India, IT - Cyber-Security, Middle East - Other, Pre-RFP, Russia, Scandals & Investigations, South Korea, USA

* The US Marines released their 2015 aviation plan [PDF], which shows they plan to retire their Harriers then their Hornets as they phase in F-35s in the second half of next decade. US Biz Dev * DARPA will hold a presenter’s day [FBO] about Electrical...