* The Pentagon sends out a memo [PDF] reminding DoD employees and DoD contractors that they're not to look at any still-classified documents, even if they're posted in the public domain, broadcast widely by media sources, and made available to the rest of the world....
USA Articles
Rapid Fire, June 12, 2013: A World of Surprises
* We know that many readers are preparing for the 50th Paris Air Show next week. Here's a recent BusinessWeek article describing the 5 best travel apps for your phone. To which we'd add: Expensify. For your mandatory contingency planning, we recommend perusing...
$7 billion Over 5 Years for US Army’s Software Engineering Center
In June 2013, the US Army Contracting Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD issued a 5-year multiple-award contract worth up to $7 billion. Winners will compete for task orders to support the Army's Software Engineering Center with development and systems engineering...
Rapid Fire, June 11, 2013: Neverending Surveillance of Americans
* Glen Greenwald's 1-2 punch scoop publicizing blanket capture of Verizon phone records, and the NSA's Prism program to collect data from customers of American technology firms, has a 3rd shot: his source, Edward Snowden, stepped forward voluntarily. After a...
Thailand Moving to Upgrade its F-16 Fleet
RTAF F-16A(click to view full) As Thailand invests in its future air force, which includes 4+ generation JAS-39 C/D Gripen fighters and S340 AEW air control planes, it still needs to pay attention to its 18-plane supporting fleet of 1980s-era F-16A/B Block 15s. A...
Stealthy JASSM Cruise Missiles for Finland’s Hornets
Finnish F/A-18D(click to view full) In 2007, Finland wanted Lockheed Martin's stealthy AGM-158 JASSM cruise missiles, in order to arm its F/A-18C/D Hornet fighters. Despite a history of good relations, in 2007, the US State Department said no. Fast forward to 2008....
Rapid Fire, June 10/13: New Space & Old Estimating Games
* POGO's Winslow Wheeler has just finished dissecting the F-35 program's official costs, in a series for TIME's Battleleand. Agree or disagree, it's a substantive criticism. Summary? "PAUCs based on unachievable production numbers, APUCs derived from learning curves...
Rapid Fire June 7, 2013: Surface Ship Torpedo Defense Tests
* US NAVSEA conducted last month tests of its Surface Ship Torpedo Defense (SSTD) system from USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77). * Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) delivered Minnesota (SSN 783) to the US Navy. It's their 10th Virginia-class submarine. * Should NATO...
Rapid Fire June 6, 2013: More Competition Coming to Medium Transport Aircraft Market?
* CEO of Airbus Military Domingo Ureña-Raso said the company was mulling developing a 16-18t transport aircraft, below C-130s and roughly at Embraer's level with its KC-390. * In the absence of having been proven guilty, AgustaWestland wants to be paid the funds held...

