* NATO chief says it would cost less than Euro 200 million for C2 center to link alliance’s existing missile defense systems.
* Life imitates Star Trek: USAF funds promising experiments with lasers and nanofluids to treat wounds. But the show never had to portray FDA approval, or it would still need to be on TV…
* More KBR Troubles: US DoJ joins a whistleblower lawsuit against KBR and 2 freight fowarding companies, a suit that alleges that the freight forwarding companies provided “unlawful kickbacks” to KBR employees under the LOGCAP 3 contract. KBR said that it was unaware of any violations by its employees and that receiving gifts would be against company policy.
* At the same time, the US Army awarded KBR a task order to provide base life support services – engineering and sustainment services, equipment maintenance, facility operations, food service, cleaning, laundry, water production, sewage and trash services – in Iraq under the no-bid LOGCAP 3 contract, instead of the competitive bidding LOGCAP 4 contract, at the request of commanders in the field.
* US Special Forces to take XM-25 airburst grenade launcher to Afghanistan this summer.
* GE discusses 3 improvement programs for its F414 engine, including enhanced performance EPE with 20% better thrust, more reliable F414 EPE, and improved fuel consumption. These are just some of the potential future improvements for the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet beyond Block II, and better F414s could also factor into products like India’s Tejas fighter and Saab’s JAS-39 Gripen NG.
* Rafale flies with improved Snecma M88 engines of its own.
* Chile accepts its first C-295 MPA maritime patrol aircraft.
* JAGM multi-role missile contenders complete wind tunnel testing for the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, begin preparing for flight tests.
* South Korea’s National Defense Ministry is requesting funding for improved underwater surveillance systems, such as modern sonar and naval radar, in response to the sinking of the ROKS Cheonan (PCC-772), a Pohang-class patrol combat corvette.