* The final debate between President Obama and Governor Romney (full video | transcript) showed relatively little differences between the two candidates on foreign policy. They agreed on a number of policy choices, from not sending US troops to Syria, to withdrawing...
USA Articles
Lease and Learn: L-3’s EW Training Aircraft
L-3 Learjet, EW-Equipped(click to view full) L-3 Flight International's modified Learjets include uprated on-board power systems, internal electronics, and the ability to carry a range of external pods to help them simulate enemy radar and communications jammers in...
Rapid Fire October 22, 2012: Of Unintended Consequences
* The USAF issued a solicitation for their 300-plane T-X trainer program, but don't get excited yet. It isn't even an RFI, just advance clarification re: Military Airworthiness Certification requirements. If Boeing really wants to invest in a new design, that will be...
Gulf Chokepoint: Seafox Saves the Day?
Seafox Mk.II(click to view full) Rising tensions in the Persian Gulf, coupling increasingly bellicose actions by Iran with pointed American warnings, have left international navies thinking hard about how to keep the Strait of Hormuz open for oil traffic. Naval mines,...
Rapid Fire Oct. 19, 2012: International Politics Beat Merger Attempts
* Hawker Beechcraft announced that it will not be acquired by Superior Aviation Beijing, an option they had been pursuing since July. Instead they will try to go through bankruptcy as a standalone business. CEO Steve Miller understated that "global politics may have...
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...
Afghan SpecOps gets PC-12NG Transport Planes
US SOCOM "U-28A"(click to view full) In October 2012, Sierra Nevada Corp. in Sparks, NV received a contract for 18 uniquely modified Pilatus PC-12/47E aircraft, which will be used by Afghan National Army Special Operations Forces. Sierra Nevada will handle the...
Rapid Fire Oct. 17, 2012: Russia Aims for Higher Budgets
* Russia plans to significantly increase its defense budget, says Duma's Defense Committee chairman Vladimir Komoedov. They are aiming for $97B or 3.7% of GDP by 2015. Possibly, if oil prices then are still high enough to support it. * The US House Armed Services...
Global MRAP: The International Light Armored Vehicle
ILAV w. MCATS(click to view full) The global trend toward mine-resistant vehicles has become unmistakable, and Iraq was the catalyst and proving ground. RG-31s of the US 101st Airborne and Australian Bushmasters were the first examples in Iraq, followed by the M1117...

