Rapid Fire: Morning 2011-06-22
Jun 22, 2011 07:35 UTC by Defense Industry Daily staff- EADS Astrium Space Technologies’ Chief Executive touts its Spirale satellites as the backbone for a future French, European or NATO missile defense capability. Speaking at the Paris Air Show, Alain Charmeau also announced the company hopes to test a ballistic missile interceptor by 2016.
- The Chief Executive of ThalesRaytheonSystems also sees the company playing a major role in missile defense for Europe. Jack Harrington also confirmed that security against unconventional threats – particularly in the missile defense and cyber-security domains – will remain the partnership’s focus for the foreseeable future.
- Following recent comments that it has not given up hope of selling its Gripen fighter to India, Saab announces that it has entered into agreement with Mahindra Satyam to establish the Saab India Technology Center (SITC). The SITC will seek to facilitate aerospace and defense projects in India.
- Rafael’s President and CEO offers his perspective on the company’s success and the importance of acquiring foreign companies and developing partnerships to its global business strategy.
- Northrop Grumman continues to test its Fire-X unmanned helicopter, confirms that the US Navy’s adoption is ‘not a done deal’, and claims that there has been foreign interest.
- Cassidian Systems’ ECTOCRYP BLACK encryption device receives approval to participate in this month’s Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration (CWID). The device seeks to enable interoperability across geographically dispersed secure voice communications systems.
- New Zealand-based LanzaTech announces that it has been awarded funds from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to undertake research on low cost production of jet fuel from carbon monoxide-rich sources.
- Australia’s Minister of Defence announces that the Government is to undertake a Force Posture Review. Issues to be considered include the increasing strategic importance of the Asia-Pacific region and the security implications of Australia’s expanding offshore resource exploitation. The Review will also build upon the White Paper Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030 [PDF] and consider force posture and requirements.
- UAS Vision reports on the impact that the Indian firm Serial Innovations has upon US unmanned aircraft’s ability to send live video feeds smoothly.
- Defense Tech’s latest report from the Paris Air Show notes an abundance of small “civilian-looking” aircraft equipped with sensor packages that make them ideal for spying missions.
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