* Der Spiegel reports that the German federal government is backing with "Hermes" export credit guarantees a $1.9B deal with Saudi Arabia for 100 patrol boats. It's not clear to what extent the left-wing SPD is on board with sales that it criticized while in the...
* IHS Jane's projects global defense spending to reach $1.55T in 2014, the first (slight) increase in years. They expect China's military budget to overtake the combination of France, Germany and the UK next year. This is consistent with earlier data from SIPRI...
Norwegian C-130H byTorbjorn Kjosvold(click to view full) Back in February 2007, the Norwegian Forsvarsnett said: "The Armed Forces have six C-130H Hercules transport aircrafts today [DID: 335 skv, out of Oslo-Gardermoen]. These were bought in 1969 and are outdated....
* According to Politico the Department of Defense is trying to find ways to reduce its personnel and infrastructure spending that could fly under the congressional radar. Uphill Battle in Bahrain * BAE is still optimistic about supplying Bahrain with Eurofighters as...
HK M320 on M4(click to view full) Sometimes, 5.56mm just isn't going to get the job done - and neither will any other standard rifle caliber. Shoulder fired rockets are heavy, which limits carrying capacity, and can't fill all needs with their warheads. That's why...
* Northrop Grumman's 2013 sales were down 2.2% to $24.7B. Total backlog shrunk 9.3% to $37B, with a book-to-bill ratio of only 89% in 2013. Thus the company predictably provides guidance below $24B in revenue for 2014. Aerospace and Electronic systems have actually...
Early brochure(click to view full) The L-band, solid-state, 3-D AN/FPS-117 remains a very popular air surveillance radar around the globe, and can support both military and civilian functions. They're designed for relatively good range and minimal maintenance, even in...
* Boeing reported 2013 revenue up 6% to a record $86.6B. Total backlog grew by $51B to $441B. As big as that number is, Airbus towers above it with more than $800B in their order book, or 8 years of production. Is this too much of a good thing? Boeing's Defense, Space...
AH Mk.1(click to view full) Britain flies a unique version of the AH-64D Apache Longbow, built under license from Boeing by AgustaWestland. Their AH Mk.1s have put their more powerful Rolls Royce/ Turbomeca RTM322 engines to good use in Afghanistan's lift-killing "hot...