Rapid Fire: 2010-04-30

* USMC Gen. James Mattis: “Power Point makes us stupid” – including on the front lines. If you must use it, but don’t want Microsoft to be worth a division or 2 to the enemy, “Preparing More Powerful Presentations” has some tips. * 40% of the 9,000 additional NATO troops pledged in December 2009 have arrived in a stabilizing Afghanistan, according to a US DoD report to Congress [PDF]. * Testimony lists surveillance shortfalls as biggest handicap in dealing with Latin america’s narco-terrorists. A growing armada of semi-submersible smuggling vessels don’t make that job any easier. * Strategy Analytics: US defense industry demand will represent 50% of $376 million GaN microelectronics market by 2014. * 6 issues in military robotics. * First KC-130J “Harvest Hawk” gunship kit completes Phase 1 testing; laser/GPS-guided “Viper Strike” now part of initial combat fielding for summer 2010. * French legal team arrives in Kuala Lumpur to probe corruption charges over the 2002 sale of Scorpene-class diesel submarines to the Malaysian government. * Former Malaysian general, 4 other retired senior officers file $1.6 million lawsuit for wrongful dismissal over the theft of 2 F-5E fighter jet engines. * The Defense Information Systems Agency is holding […]