Defense Daily International articles from June 2006

Defense Daily International archives from June 2006

Thales CEO Urges E.U.-U.S. Steps To Guard Airliners, Cargo, Power Plants.
June 2, 2006... By Dave Ahearn The European Union and United States should work together to coordinate their efforts against terrorist attacks involving airliners, cargo containers and nuclear power plants, said Denis Ranque, chairman and CEO of Thales,...

U.S., U.K Reach Accord On Joint Strike Fighter Technology Sharing.
June 2, 2006... By Michael Sirak The United States and United Kingdom have reached consensus on sharing technology under the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, the two nations announced during the visit of U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair last week...

Smiths Detection Nabs New York Transit Win For Explosives Detectors.
June 2, 2006... By Calvin Biesecker Opening up a new market for itself, Smiths Detection, a division of Britain's Smiths Group, last week said it has won a contract from the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to supply its police with...

International Sales Expected Soon For Operational Israeli UGV.
June 2, 2006... By B.C. Kessner LOD, Israel--Executives said Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) is producing the first operational units of its Guardium unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) system and that sales for international border and military applications...

Rolls-Royce: Keeping F136 Engine Would Save JSF Program Billions.
June 2, 2006... By Michael Sirak INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.--Maintaining the General Electric [GE]-Rolls-Royce F136 engine could save the Lockheed Martin [LMT]-led F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program more than $10 billion over its lifetime and provide a...

Boeing: Italian Tanker Certification Offers Insights As U.S. Program Nears.
June 2, 2006... By Michael Sirak With the massive U.S. Air Force tanker recapitalization program on the horizon, Boeing [BA] officials say they are learning invaluable lessons applicable to that program as they clear the first Italian KC-767A aerial...

Pakistan To Spend $375 Million For 130 HARPOON Missiles, Equipment.(Brief article)
June 2, 2006... Pakistan is looking to buy 130 HARPOON Block II anti-ship missiles as well as associated equipment and services for its fleet of P-3 aircraft and submarines, according to the Pentagon. The sale, which could cost as much as $370 million,...

EADS Starts Military Conversion of First Airbus A330 Tanker For Australia.(European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co.)
June 9, 2006... By Michael Sirak The first of five Airbus A330 aircraft being converted to multi-role aerial refueling platforms for Australia arrived at the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS) facility in Spain, where it will undergo its...

Navy Eyes New Base Concept To Support Small-Sized Riverine and Littoral Craft.
June 9, 2006... By Michael Sirak The Navy is considering the creation of hubs in places like Bahrain and Guam to support the new fleets of small-sized vessels it is fielding to operate on inland waterways and in littoral areas, an admiral said recently....

Ericsson Touts Communications Expertise In SBInet Bid.
June 9, 2006... By Calvin Biesecker Ericsson [ERICY], the Sweden-based telecommunications company, recently announced it will lead a team in bidding on the Department of Homeland Security's Secure Border Initiative (SBInet) program and touted its...

General Dynamics To Build Mine Protected Vehicles For Canadian Military.
June 9, 2006... General Dynamics [GD] will deliver 25 RG-31 Mine Protected Vehicles under a $28 million contract option from the government of Canada, the company said recently. Canadian Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor yesterday said, "These...

Chinese Naval Buildup Surprisingly, But Not Yet Alarming, Says Admiral.
June 9, 2006... By Michael Sirak The pace of Chinese naval expansion is faster than expected, but is not alarming yet, although Chinese intentions are not evident, a U.S. Navy admiral said recently. "Clearly...we kind of continue to be surprised by...

Cross Match Acquires German Facial Recognition Tech Firm.(Cross Match Technologies)(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... By Calvin Biesecker Cross Match Technologies recently said it has acquired C-VIS GmbH, a German-based firm that specializes in facial recognition analysis, giving it a new capability and enhancing its position as a multi-modal provider...

Japan To Spend $70 Million For 44 SM-2 Block IIIB Standard Missiles, Equipment.(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Japan plans to buy upward of 44 SM-2 Block IIIB standard missiles as well as associated equipment and services, with a potential total value, if all options are exercised, of $70 million, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency...

Latvia Orders AgustaWestland A109 Helicopters.(Brief article)
June 9, 2006... Finmeccanica's AgustaWestland company this month signed a contract with the Latvian Interior Ministry's State Border Guard for two A109 Power helicopters. The European Community using Schengen Facility program funds is financing the...

Japan Seeks $458 Million Sale of Missiles, Upgrades For Aegis Weapon System.
June 9, 2006... Japan is seeking to buy nine SM-3 Block IA standard missiles, along with associated equipment and support worth and estimated $458 million, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). Besides the nine missiles with MK 21...

Rolls-Royce Eyes Oil-Less Engine, Other Innovative Propulsion Concepts.
June 9, 2006... By Michael Sirak INDIANAPOLIS--Britain's Rolls-Royce's LibertyWorks advanced concept shop has divulged a list of novel engine designs that it is pursuing to power the U.S. Department of Defense's next-generation missiles, unmanned...

General Dynamics Wins Belgian Light Armored Vehicle Work.
June 16, 2006... General Dynamics' [GD] MOWAG GmbH announced yesterday the Belgian Ministry of Defence has chosen the Piranha IIIC 8x8 vehicles in seven variants under a potential $604 million contract, for its Armored Infantry Vehicle (AIV) program. "We...

EADS North America Buys Small U.S. IT Firm.(EADS N.V. acquires Dynamic Process Solutions, Inc. )(Brief article)
June 16, 2006... The U.S.-based division of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS) last week said it has added to its presence in this country by acquiring Texas-based Dynamic Process Solutions, Inc. (DPSI), a small provider of military...

Australian Navy Taps Tenix LADS For Laser Depth Sounder.(Tenix Defence Systems to provide laser airborne aepth sounder to Royal Australian Navy )(Brief article)
June 16, 2006... Australia's Tenix LADS Corp. said recently it has won a multimillion contract to supply and support the Royal Australian Navy with its Laser Airborne Depth Sounder (LADS) system. The award followed an international tender process...

BAE SYSTEMS Taps Saft America Battery For FCS Manned Ground Vehicles.(BAE SYSTEMS PLC)(SAFT America Inc.)
June 16, 2006... BAE SYSTEMS has selected Saft America to supply the Battery Module, High Voltage (BMHV) for the Future Combat System (FCS) Manned Ground Vehicle (MGV) program under a $2 million contract. "Saft America was selected after a thorough and...

Raytheon Forms Team To Bid On Estonia Air Defense Work.(Ericsson Microwave Systems AB)(Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace)(Raytheon Aircraft Co.)(Brief article)
June 16, 2006... Raytheon [RTN] said recently it has joined with Norway's Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Sweden's Ericsson Microwave Systems to compete for the Estonian Very Short Range Air Defense Missile System (VSHORADMS). Also yesterday, Sweden's...

Patria Unveils New Unmanned Mortar Turret In Paris.(Patria (Finland) introduces patria nemo )(Brief article)
June 16, 2006... Patria unveiled a new, in-house designed single-barrel 120mm mortar at the Eurosatory 2006 defense and security exhibition in Paris this week. Finland and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS) own Patria. Patria Nemo...

Experts Say China Threatens Taiwan And More; U.S. Can't Afford To Lose.
June 16, 2006... By Dave Ahearn China is building up its military so that it will be able not only to challenge the United States by invading Taiwan, but also to challenge U.S. military dominance throughout the region, experts said recently. China...

Saab To Acquire Ericsson's Defense Business.(Saab-Scania AB to acquire Ericsson Microwave Systems AB)(Brief article)
June 16, 2006... Saab this week said it has agreed to acquire the defense business of Ericsson [ERICY] for about $517 million, giving the maker of the Gripen fighter plane more control over the aircraft's radar system and opportunities to develop business in...

Army Transportation School Taps NGRAIN 3D Aid For Course.(NGRAIN)(Brief article)
June 16, 2006... Canada's privately held NGRAIN this week said it will provide the U.S. Army Transportation School an interactive 3D training aid to support the Detroit Diesel's [DCX] 12V71 engine course. The 3D training for the diesel engine includes...

House Panel Lifts Decade-Long Ban On Overseas Sales of Lockheed's F-22 Fighters.(Lockheed Martin Corp.)
June 23, 2006... By George Cahlink The House lifted a ban Tuesday on overseas sales of the Air Force's F-22 Raptor aircraft by Lockheed Martin [LMT] as it approved a $427.4 billion 2007 defense appropriations bill. Lawmakers quickly agreed by voice...

CNO Calls For New Maritime Strategy To Take On Effects of Globalization.(Chief of Naval Operations)
June 23, 2006... By Geoff Fein Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Mullen recently called for the development of a new maritime strategy to address new challenges and the expansion of globalization. Mullen delivered his remarks during a speech...

L-3 Acquires U.K.-Based Mine Warfare, ASW Systems Provider.(L-3 Communications Corp. acquires Nautronix Defence Group)(Brief article)
June 23, 2006... L-3 Communications [LLL] recently said it has acquired United Kingdom- based Nautronix Defence Group, a provider of mine warfare and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) systems and products for the U.S. and international navies. L-3 said it paid...

Army Missions To End At Netherlands Site.(Brief article)
June 23, 2006... The Defense Department said last month it expects to save $13.1 million annually by closing an Army site in the Netherlands as part of European Command's force structure realignment and transformation. By Sept. 30, the United States will...

Australia Plans $2.5 Billion Buy of Eurocopter MRH90 Helicopters.(European Defence and Space Co. provides helicopters to Australia. Army)(Brief article)
June 23, 2006... Australia plans to buy 34 MRH 90 helicopters from the European Defence and Space Co. subsidiary Eurocopter to replace the navy's Sea King and Army Black Hawk helicopters. The MRH 90 selection complements the government's decision in 2004...

Hill Headed For Showdown Over 'Buy America' Rules For Weapons Materials.
June 23, 2006... By George Cahlink The Senate and House are headed for a showdown later this year over whether weapons builders should face tighter restrictions on buying metals from foreign suppliers. The Senate last week unanimously adopted a...

Australia Offers Industry Multi-Billion DCP For 2006-2016.
June 23, 2006... Australia on Tuesday released the public version of the Defence Capability Plan (DCP) 2006-2016, outlining more than $37.5 billion in major capital equipment proposals the government will evaluate over the next decade, the defense minister...

German Budget Committee Green Lights More DINGO 2 Vehicles.
June 30, 2006... The German Parliament's Budget Committee this week approved approximately $136.7 million to procure 149 all-protected transport vehicles, type DINGO 2, made by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. The vehicles include 15 to fill an immediate...

United Industrial Buys Australian UAV Developer.(Unmanned Aerial Vehicle)
June 30, 2006... By Calvin Biesecker United Industrial Corp. [UIC] recently said it has acquired Aerosonde Pty Ltd., a small Australian-based developer and producer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) used in civil and military missions, in a deal that...

Elbit Unveils Larger Skylark UAV Designed For GWOT.(Unmanned Aerial Vehicle)(Global War on Terrorism)(Skylark II)
June 30, 2006... By B.C. Kessner TEL AVIV, Israel--Elbit Systems' [ESLT] new Skylark II unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was designed to meet new requirements for mobile brigade and battalion level forces and with a special focus on the global war on...

Britain Signs $1.7 Billion Helo Deal With Finmeccanica.(Brief article)
June 30, 2006... Italy's Finmeccanica last week said its AgustaWestland subsidiary signed an agreement worth $1.7 billion with the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the supply of 70 Future Lynx helicopters to the British armed forces, with the...

AgustaWestland Taps LHTEC, General Dynamics, For UK Future Lynx Work.(Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company)
June 30, 2006... Finmeccanica's AgustaWestland awarded a $140 million contract to the Honeywell [HON] Rolls-Royce joint venture Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company (LHTEC), and an approximately $44 million contract to General Dynamics' [GD] U.K. unit,...

QinetiQ Taps Duane Andrews To Run U.S. Operations.(Brief article)
June 30, 2006... Britain's QinetiQ has named Duane Andrews to be its new CEO of North American operations, succeeding Phil Odeen, the former chairman of TRW until it was acquired by Northrop Grumman [NOC] in 2002. Andrews most recently was the chief...

Lithuania Selects Alenia Aeronautica C-27J Spartan.
June 30, 2006... Finmeccanica's Alenia Aeronautica recently signed a contract with Lithuania for three C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft. The Spartan is the latest in a series of airlifters, including the C-27A and G-222, deployed in support of...

Plasan Sasa Lands Large Vest Order, Foresees Personal Armor Breakthrough.
June 30, 2006... By B.C. Kessner KIBBUTZ SASA, Israel-- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently awarded Plasan Sasa one of the largest tenders ever issued in the country for personal armor, rewarding company research and development efforts that its CEO...

Smiths Detection Gets DoD Contract For Chemical Agent Monitor.
June 30, 2006... Smiths Detection has received a $9.5 million contract from DoD to produce over 2,000 Improved Chemical Agent Monitors (ICAM), which is a hand-held post- attack device used for quickly locating the presence of nerve and blister agent...

Egypt To Buy Boeing Avenger Systems Under FMS Agreement.(Foreign Military Sales)(Brief article)
June 30, 2006... Boeing [BA] this week said it signed a $50 million Foreign Military Sales agreement with the Army to deliver Avenger short-range air defense fire units, spares and logistics support to Egypt. Avenger is the U.S. Army's mobile,...

Korea To Spend $111 Million For 48 SM-2 Block IIIB Missiles, Parts.(Brief article)
June 30, 2006... The South Korean government is looking to buy 48 SM-2 Block IIIB tactical standard missiles as well as associated equipment and services worth $111 million, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). Along with the...

Australia Shares U.S. Concern Over Potential N.K. Missile Test, Minister Says.
June 30, 2006... By Ann Roosevelt Australia's defense minister reinforced his nation's concerns over a potential long-range missile test by North Korea during a visit to Washington, D.C. "We are very, very concerned about it and I think every person...

Raytheon Gets $72 Million Contract For Australian Aegis SPY-1D Radar Work.
June 30, 2006... The Navy on Monday awarded Raytheon [RTN] a $72.8 million contract for long-lead material items and critical work center efforts in support of SPY-1D (V) AEGIS Weapons System Transmitter Group production for Australia's Air Warfare Destroyer...