Delivery of 10,000 MRAP in Iraq , Very Soon

The 10,000th mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle is scheduled to be delivered to troops supporting Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom Sept. 25 by Air Mobility Command Airmen.

MRAPs were introduced in 2007, and AMC Airmen have been working around-the-clock planning, coordinating and executing air transport missions to rush the lifesaving vehicles to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Using a variety of aircraft, including C-5 Galaxies, C-17 Globemaster IIIs and contracted AN-124s, AMC officials have transported nearly 3,000 -- roughly one third -- of the total number of MRAPs delivered to the warfighters.

MRAPs are constructed with V-shaped hulls and a raised chassis design to deflect underbelly blasts, and have proven to be lifesavers against improvised explosive devices, small arms fire and mines.

"Our Airmen are directly helping to keep our troops on the ground safer," said Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, the commander of Air Mobility Command. "I'm extremely proud of them and their efforts to speed the delivery of this lifesaving equipment to our forces."

The efforts of AMC's Airmen are part of a multiservice effort to quickly get the vehicles in the hands of troops on the ground. The Air Force was the primary delivery option for MRAPs until December, when the Navy also began transporting the vehicles.

"It's a great feeling to deliver MRAP vehicles to the (area of responsibility) because of the impact on safety it provides other servicemembers," said Master Sgt. Bill Lesage, a C-17 loadmaster with the 14th Airlift Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. "At the end of a long duty day, you really feel a sense of accomplishment knowing that the MRAP is saving lives."

Atomic Submarines for India

A top Pakistan Newspaper "Jang" has claimed that Russia has provided India with two Atomic Submarines after a secret deal between two countries.One of the Submarine named as "Mittri" is old version. Other submarines is reported as "JONI" . This news is being circulated in Pakistan media.It is going to be a great threat for Pakistan. India has not still rejected this claim of "JANG" newspaper.
Indian Admiral has also declared that India will be able to build a nuclear submarine in the next year.

First Littoral Combat Ship Delivered to US Navy

The Lockheed Martin led industry team delivered the nation's first Littoral Combat Ship, Freedom (LCS 1), to the U.S. Navy on 22 September 08. The delivery milestone marks the Navy's preliminary acceptance of LCS 1, clearing the way for the ship's crew to prepare her for commissioning and service.

The 378-foot Freedom -- a survivable, semi-planing steel monohull -- will help the Navy defeat growing threats and provide access and dominance in the littoral battlespace. Reaching speeds over 40 knots and displacing 3,000 metric tons, Freedom is a fast, maneuverable and networked surface combatant with operational flexibility to execute focused missions, such as mine warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare and the potential for a wide range of additional missions including maritime interdiction and humanitarian/disaster relief.

In 2004, the Navy awarded a contract to the Lockheed Martin team to develop the first LCS. Construction began in February 2005 and Freedom was christened and launched in September 2006. This represents less than half the time typically required to design, build, launch and deliver a first-in-class combatant. Freedom successfully completed sea trials in August 2008 and will be commissioned on November 8, 2008 in Milwaukee, WI and eventually home-ported in San Diego, CA.

The Lockheed Martin-led industry team for LCS also includes naval architect Gibbs & Cox, ship builders Marinette Marine, a subsidiary of The Manitowoc Company, Inc. and Bollinger Shipyards, as well as best-of-industry domestic and international teammates to provide a flexible, low-risk war fighting solution.

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2007 sales of $41.9 billion.

New-Generation Strategic Missile Test By Russia

Russia tested a new-generation strategic missile from a submarine, the latest launch of a multiple-warhead weapon designed to breach anti-missile shields.

A new-generation Bulava ballistic missile was successfully fired from the White Sea to the Kura testing site in Kamchatka in Russia's far east.

The Bulava was fired by the Dmitry Donskoi nuclear submarine off the northwest coast of Russia, can be equipped with up to 10 individually targeted nuclear warheads.

The test comes amid Russian anger at US plans to locate a powerful missile-tracking radar in the Czech Republic as well interceptor missiles in Poland to combat what it says are threats to global security.

Analysts say Russia has moved to upgrade its missile systems to counter the US shield, which Moscow sees as an attempt to undermine its nuclear deterrent. Washington insists the shield is far too small to defend against Russia and is meant to protect against "rogue states" like Iran.

The test came three weeks after Russia test-fired an intercontinental Topol RS-12M missile, also designed to avoid detection by missile-defence systems.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev promised a "military response" to a US-Polish agreement last month to set up the US interceptor missiles.

A Russian general was later quoted as saying Russia could aim intercontinental missiles at the sites.

US-Russia relations recently hit a post Cold War low after Moscow sent tanks into neighbouring Georgia in what it said was a bid to protect its citizens in the breakaway region of South Ossetia from a Georgian attack.

The Bulava missile, which has a range of 8,000 kilometres (5,000 miles), was first tested successfully in December 2005.

It is the sea-based version of the Topol-M, designed to be fired from Moscow's new Borei class of submarines.

New Body Armor for Australian Troops... Using Latest Shield Technology

Honeywell announced its Spectra Shield II ballistic material will be a key component in a new body armor system for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Honeywell's latest shield technology will be used in protective hard body armor plates as part of the new Modular Combat Body Armour System (MCBAS). Manufactured by Australian Defence Apparel (ADA), the modular system provides protection for the neck, chest, upper and lower arm, groin and buttock, and upper and lower leg.

Honeywell launched Spectra Shield II last year as a new line of Spectra fiber-based materials with improved ballistic stopping capability for body and vehicle armor. Spectra Shield II has demonstrated up to 20 percent greater ballistic performance than Honeywell's standard Spectra Shield product line, which already uses one of the strongest man-made fibers in commercial use today. Pound for pound, Spectra fiber is 15 times stronger than steel yet light enough to float.

Spectra Shield II incorporates Honeywell's newest and improved fiber, Spectra S3000, which was developed specifically to help armor manufacturers and the military counter new ballistic threats.

Honeywell's patented Spectra Shield and Spectra Shield II materials are used in advanced armor systems for a wide a range of ballistic protection and security applications -- from bullet-resistant vests, breastplates, and helmets to combat vehicles and military aircraft -- where lightweight solutions and durability are critical.

Honeywell Spectra Shield products are manufactured by bonding parallel strands of fiber in place with an advanced resin system. In addition to Spectra fiber, Honeywell adapts this technology to other fibers, including aramid.

Spectra fiber is made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene using a patented gel-spinning process. The fiber exhibits high resistance to chemicals, water, and ultraviolet light. It has excellent vibration damping, flex fatigue and internal fiber-friction characteristics. It also has up to 60 percent greater specific strength than aramid fiber.

In addition to armor, Spectra fiber also can be used for high-performance marine applications such as lifting and mooring lines, industrial slings and security netting, as well as for novel curtains used to protect windows and doors during hurricanes.

Honeywell maintains an active Spectra fiber and ballistic material research and development program aimed to meet increased demand for its high performance armor materials.

Honeywell Specialty Materials, based in Morristown, N.J., is a $4.9 billion, global leader in providing customers with high-performance specialty materials, including fluorine products; specialty films and additives; advanced fibers and composites; intermediates; specialty chemicals; electronic materials and chemicals; and technologies and materials for petroleum refining.

Honeywell International is a $38 billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials.

SA-manufactured Armoured Vehicle, New Version

BAE Systems South African business, Land Systems OMC, has launched the RG31 Mk6E, which would debut at the African Aerospace & Defence 2008 show in Cape Town on Wednesday. The RG31 Mk6E is the latest version of the company's explosive mine resistant personnel carrier RG series of vehicles, which are manufactured in Johannesburg. The RG31 is a 4x4 mine-protected vehicle with a V-shaped hull that protects the crew against anti piercing rifle fire, anti-tank mine detonations, and a number of improvised explosive devices. We are confident that this latest development, will further entrench our South African business as the world s leader in mine protected vehicle technology, said Land Systems South Africa MD Johan Steyn. Among the latest developments incorporated in the RG31 Mk6E were new anti-mine seats, which provide enhanced protection to the occupants from lumbar spinal injuries caused by the shock-waves associated with land mine detonations. The seats incorporate shock attenuation crushable elements developed at Land Systems OMC. Tests have shown that these absorb some of the vertical impulse associated with mine blasts, reducing the likelihood of injury during large landmine explosions. Earlier RG-series vehicles could also be equipped with the new seats. Land Systems OMC s RG-series of products have boosted South African exports by more than R3,5-billion, since the company received a Canadian armed forces order for RG31 Mk3 vehicles in 2003. Steadily increasing orders for vehicles, spares and support from new customers around the globe have also boosted exports. The RG series builds on the three decades of experience we have gained in South Africa, through vehicles such as the Casspir, Mamba and Mfezi. Its success is a result of our ongoing investment into ever improving the vehicle s protection levels. We achieve this by applying new concepts and designs influenced by customer and operator feedback and simulation, explained Steyn.

Israel Grounded its Cobra Helicopters

News
Israel's air force has grounded its fleet of Cobra helicopters after two Israeli soldiers died when one of the aircraft crashed on Sept. 10 near the northern town of Afula.

The helicopter crashed about 10 minutes after takeoff, while on a routine training flight with another helicopter.

The helicopter that crashed was carrying a large amount of explosives, which caused a fire, military radio reported.

An early report from army radio suggested the crash might have been sparked by a midair collision between the two aircrafts.

But a witness told public radio that he had seen the helicopter lose a rotor before hitting the ground. Investigators are now looking for technical faults.

Introduction Of Cobra:

Cobra is an attack helicopter with maximum firepower, armed with missiles, rockets, cannon and machine gun.

Features:

Cobra is a two-bladed, tandem-seat (front & back), attack helicopter powered by a single turbine engine. This weapon system performs anti-armor, air cavalry and armed reconnaissance roles and can attack point (individual) targets with its anti-armor and anti-helicopter capabilities. It also provides fire support and security missions. The mix of weaponry depends on the model. Cobras can be armed with TOW and Hellfire anti-armor missiles, Sidewinder anti-aircraft missiles, Sidearm anti-radar missiles, Hydra 70 rockets, 20mm (.80 caliber) cannon and a 7.62mm (.30 caliber) machine gun.