SSN 780, sea trials(click to view full) Jan 21/11: General Dynamics Electric Boat Corporation in Groton, CT receives a $44.3 million cost-plus-fixed fee contract modification for the Virginia Class Block II fast attack submarine USS Missouri's [SSN 780] post shakedown...
USA Articles
MASS for Effect: The UK’s Long-Term Ammo Contract
Latest updates: Improved 5.56mm; New production facility opening. 81mm mortar(click to view larger) A weapon without ammunition is useless, which is why ammunition is almost always a strategic national capability whose production must remain in-country. On the other...
Rapid Fire 2011-01-21: Russia’s 2010 Armament Sales
* Boom goes bust: An EADS A330 MRTT tanker plane being developed for the Royal Australian Air Force loses part of its refueling boom during tests with a Portuguese F-16 fighter. * Russia's arms sales continue to climb, as the Russian Centre for Analysis of Global Arms...
Dutch Sign 10-Year Ammo Agreement with Rheinmetall
PzH 2000NL firing,Afghanistan(click to view full) In December 2010, the Dutch Ministerie van Defensie signed a 10-year, EUR 200 million (about $270 million) framework agreement with Rheinmetall Defence that lets the Netherlands order a wide range of different...
Rapid Fire 2011-01-20: Saudis Want Tech Transfers
* US long-term economic security requires cuts in defense spending, argues Michael O'Hanlon of the liberal Brookings Institution. * Saudi Arabia wants to produce 70% of military equipment locally using foreign technology transfer, plans to offer greater investment...
Rapid Fire 2011-01-19: Inside NORAD
* Crunch time for General Dynamics and Boeing cases. They argue that the government improperly invoked the state secrets privilege, in order to hide information that would help them prove their side of cases surrounding the A-12 naval stealth fighter's program...
Desert Chameleon APCs for Kuwait
Desert Chameleon(click to view full) In mid-January 2011, Advanced Defense Vehicle Systems (ADVS) announced an initial delivery of their new 6x6 wheeled armored personnel carrier (APC) design to Kuwait's Ministry of the Interior. The vehicle's full size cannon may be...
Maintaining France’s LaFayette Frigates
FS La Fayette(click to view full) DCNS recently announced a EUR 60 million (about $80 million) contract for through-life support (TLS) services from 2011-2015 to the French Navy's 5 La Fayette Class frigates: F710 La Fayette, F711 Surcouf, F712 Courbet, F713 Aconit,...
Rapid Fire 2011-01-18: US to Prioritize Older Systems
* "Most Dangerous Week Ever"? * India's foreign direct investment cap is crippling the Indian defense industry, argues Sushant Singh of the Takshashila Institution. * Israel Military Industries Ltd. (IMI) to merge with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd? * Fall of...

