* Will Middle East unrest prompt governments to boost defense spending? Or kill/ delay existing arms deals, as has already happened in Iraq? * Meanwhile, Japan is considering its acquisition path for new fighters. The F-2 program didn’t go quite as hoped, but...
* BAE Systems returns to profitability in 2010, but expects decline in 2011 sales due to reduced volume at its Land and Armaments unit and UK defense cutbacks. * Arrest made in 2010 theft of 3,000 US special ops laptops – worth $7.2 million – from an iGov...
* GAO takes DoD’s personnel security clearance program off its high-risk list [PDF] of programs facing fraud, waste, and management challenges; however, its weapons system acquisition program remains on the list. * DoD to expand cybersecurity personnel swaps...
* What about FY 2011?: While the Pentagon is asking for $671 billion in FY 2012 (DoD Comptroller breakdown), Gates tells Congress, “We need $540 billion in FY 2011!” * The Russian Defense Ministry grounds its fleet of Mi-28 attack helicopters after an...
AN/PAS-13 family(click to view full) Thermal sights on weapons see heat. This has advantages in complete darkness, or in the presence of obscurants like dust storms, normal smoke, etc. because they can still pick out human and vehicle targets. Using deep infrared...
