Archive for February, 2008
Friday, February 29th, 2008
BAE Systems has driven the Future Combat Systems’ (FCS) Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) Cannon more than 10,000 miles through its one-of-kind test center that evaluates the reliability of the NLOS Cannon in an operational environment.
“Through our specially designed Mission Equipment Vibration Table (MEVT), we are taking the NLOS Cannon through a 20-year life-span within 12-18 months,” said Jim Unterseher, BAE Systems vice president of Army Programs. “This enables us to pinpoint and correct any reliability issues on-site and apply design changes to the prototypes that will be rolled out this year so that soldiers will not experience reliability problems during tests in the field.”
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Posted in Defence Research and Development | No Comments »
Friday, February 29th, 2008
Today, Friday 29 February 2008, BAE Systems shipyards in Glasgow started to cut steel for the Royal Navy’s sixth Type 45 Destroyer, Duncan. The Type 45s are larger and more powerful than the Type 42 Destroyers they replace. They will be able to carry up to 235 crew, including 60 Royal Marine commandos and their equipment. There is also significant scope within the design of the ship to accommodate new equipment through its life.
The first Type 45 Destroyer, HMS Daring, is due to be handed over to the Royal Navy later this year following further extensive sea trials.
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Posted in Military News - Europe | No Comments »
Friday, February 29th, 2008
Mr.Ratan Tata Chairman Tata Group of Companies visited the Indian Pavilion during the Singapore Air-show 2008 held recently. Mr.Tata showed keen interest in the development programme of Light Combat Aircraft “Tejas”. The Indian Pavilion which was coordinated by Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies and Industries (SIATI) Bangalore, had the representation of DRDO/ADA, ISRO, Tata Group and other Indian enterprise.
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Posted in Defence Products Manufacturing Companies | No Comments »
Friday, February 29th, 2008
Eurocopter encountered a tremendous success at the world’s most important Helicopter Exhibition, Heli-Expo 2008 in Houston, for its brand-new EC175, after it lifted the veil off its new 7 ton class helicopter on the first day of the Show. Eurocopter signed intentions to buy with 13 different customers during the 3 days of Heli-Expo for a total of 111 units, confirming the huge demand for such a helicopter. Eurocopter also reached outstanding bookings for the rest of its range with 120 orders, marking its continued success in extremely active North American and international markets.
Right after having unveiled a full-scale mock-up of its EC175, Eurocopter announced the first two launch customers of its new 7 ton class, 16 passenger helicopter, marking its official introduction on the market. Bristow Group, the largest U.S oil & gas operator and VIH, a well-known Canadian player in this segment, were the first two customers to sign for the EC175, rapidly followed by many others from all continents. All these customers were overwhelmed by the numerous advantages of the EC175, especially its unique cabin capacity in addition to its range, payload, advanced technology, comfort and operation costs.
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Posted in International Aerospace News | No Comments »
Friday, February 29th, 2008
Lockheed Martin recently completed three successful tests of the DAGR(TM) semi-active laser guidance kit for 2.75-inch/70mm rockets - two guided flight tests and a multi-purpose sled test - demonstrating the system’s precision-strike accuracy, off-axis capability and delayed fuzing mode. DAGR is now 6-for-6 in control vehicle and guided test vehicle flights, beginning in February 2006.
The DAGR guidance kit adapts to rockets such as the Hydra 70 and CRV-7, with high explosive and blast fragmentation warheads, to provide guided-rocket performance comparable to that of the precision-strike laser-guided HELLFIRE II missile, and can be launched from both the M299 and M310 “smart” launchers.
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Posted in Defence Products Manufacturing Companies | No Comments »
Thursday, February 28th, 2008
An independent group will investigate allegations that ‘gross mismanagement’ by the Marines Corps deprived its frontline force of blast-resistant vehicles that could have saved troops’ lives. The Marine Corps has requested the Defense Department Inspector General’s Office take a closer look at claims in a report written by a civilian employee of the Corps who charged, among other allegations, that the Marines delayed an urgent wartime request for mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles in 2005.
“Because of the serious nature of the allegations, the Marine Corps leadership felt that bringing in an independent third party to hopefully resolve this issue was the best course of action,” Corps Spokesman Marine Col. David Lapan said in an interview today. The mismanagement claims came to light Feb. 15 when a leaked copy of the report by Franz Gayl, an employee in the Plans, Policies and Operations Department of Headquarters Marine Corps, was published by the Associated Press.
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Posted in Military News - America | No Comments »
Thursday, February 28th, 2008
Alliant Techsystems, the U.S. Navy, and the Italian Air Force announced today that the company’s Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) has successfully completed another challenging missile firing at the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station on Feb. 21. This test was a critical milestone in the program and keeps it on track for low-rate initial production (LRIP).
The missile was launched off-axis and at low altitude from the wing of an F/A-18C Hornet. The operationally realistic launch profile posed a significant challenge to the missile as its sensor did not have direct line-of-sight to the target. After launch, the missile successfully detected, identified, located, and guided to a representative enemy air defense radar installation, scoring a direct hit.
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Posted in Defence Products Manufacturing Companies | No Comments »
Thursday, February 28th, 2008
U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen, in a recent visit to General Dynamics C4 Systems, said the Rescue 21 program is operationally ready. Rescue 21 is now the Coast Guard’s primary command, control and communication system and is effectively locating vessels in distress and helping the Coast Guard rescue mariners in the regions in which it is deployed. During his visit to General Dynamics, Admiral Allen met with employees who work on the system, participated in a program review and toured the Rescue 21 production facility.
“With every rescue made and life saved, we are seeing the return on our investment in Rescue 21,” said U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen. “Rescue 21 is helping the Coast Guard take the ’search’ out of search and rescue. We’re proud of the strong partnership we have developed with General Dynamics to put this vital lifesaving tool into the hands of Coast Guard men and women.”
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Posted in Para Military and Coast Guard News | No Comments »
Thursday, February 28th, 2008
BAE Systems, through its Ground Systems line of business, and teammate Navistar International Corporation today unveiled a fully-operational system the team will use to compete for Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program. JLTV is the U.S. multi-service initiative for fielding a family of future light tactical vehicles.
The BAE Systems Ground Systems-Navistar JLTV design optimizes what’s referred to as the “iron triangle” - payload, protection and performance - to meet all requirements of the JLTV program. The 16,000-pound vehicle incorporates lessons learned from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle program and features the latest in lightweight, advanced armor and a v-shaped hull design to provide unmatched crew protection. The vehicle will out-perform existing tactical systems by providing exportable power that exceeds JLTV requirements and existing MRAP capabilities.
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Posted in Defence Products Manufacturing Companies | No Comments »
Thursday, February 28th, 2008
Finding Sydney Foundation search begins to locate the missing Royal Australian Navy cruiser HMAS Sydney II. HMAS Sydney II was lost in November 1941 in the Indian Ocean off Western Australia with its entire crew of 645, following a fierce engagement with the German raider Kormoran.
The SV Geosounder, with renowned shipwreck investigator Mr David Mearns, is due to depart today from the port of Geraldton, Western Australia, to begin the search.
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Posted in International Marine News | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 27th, 2008
BP replaced its annual production by 112 per cent in 2007, taking its proved reserves of oil and gas to 17.8 billion barrels. It also added some 2.4 billion new barrels to its non-proved resource base which now stands at a further 42.1 billion barrels of oil equivalent.
Assuming a $60 oil price, the strength of this position – reinforced by recent access to new opportunities in Oman, Libya and Colombia, along with heavy oil in Canada – supports production potential of around 4.3 million barrels a day by 2012, BP chief executive Tony Hayward said today.
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Posted in Commodity And Energy | No Comments »
