Rapid Fire 2010-10-04: Merlin Helos Carrying Sting Ray Torpedoes

* The Jerusalem Post gets a first-ever look into Israel’s “Sky Crows” electronic warfare unit, even as the CSM reports that the sophisticated “Stuxnet” software worm may be of Israeli origin. Its target? Iran’s Bushehr nuclear reactor.

* The US Small Business Administration suspends Virginia’s GTSI from government work on grounds of fraud, following a Washington Post investigation into contracting practices involving Alaska Native Corporations as fronts. GTSI vows to fight the suspension, even as it rejects a takeover offer from (ANC) Eyak Technology.

* New Pentagon rules widen the distinctions between contractors and government workers, but teamwork is still possible.

* Inter-Korean military talks end with no progress primarily because of ongoing tension over North Korea’s sinking of the ROKS Cheonan (PCC-772), a Pohang-class patrol combat corvette.

* NATO fuel trucks attacked and destroyed in Pakistan.

* Tactical radios: Harris receives $9.6 million contract to supply its RF-301M-HH handhelds to coalition forces in Afghanistan.

* Merlin the Magician: UK Royal Navy tests Merlin helicopters with Sting Ray Mod 1 anti-submarine torpedoes.

* L-1 gets $5.5 million order to expand licenses for the US DoD to use the company’s biometric ID system.