Rapid Fire: 2010-06-17

* Critics question the timing of the NY Times story on Afghanistan’s potential $1 trillion in mineral wealth – and the course of the war – but not the story’s facts. The Times’ James Risen defends his story, and says he’s been on it for some time now thanks to contacts in the geological survey teams. * CSC gets SeaPort-E order worth up to $135 million to support Navy’s PEO Aircraft Carriers, which is responsible for managing the design, development, construction, modernization, and lifecycle of US Navy aircraft carriers. * BAE signs a deal to use Iveco’s SUPERAV 8×8 amphibious wheeled APC as the basis for the US Marines’ upcoming MPC competition. That doesn’t look like good news for BAE’s own SEP; Patria Oyj & Lockheed announced an AMV MPC entry in 2007… * India’s Samay Live reports tough conditions attached to use of Pakistan’s new F-16s… * LOGIR guided 70mm rocket test goes well, moving the USN/ROK effort closer to joining a crowding field of offerings. * SAIC snags follow-on contract worth up to $49 million to support video processing capability of USAF DCGS, a globally networked ISR system. * Russia moves to keep up, with new President-S helicopter […]