* Follow the Money: US Senate report [PDF] charges that private security contractors in Afghanistan have funneled money to Afghan warlords and Taliban activities; Pentagon says [PDF] it is revamping its contracting practices.
* Southern California aerospace suppliers large and small see spending cuts and closures ahead. Nearly 5,500 California firms with a total current workforce of more than 130,000.
* Israel signs the formal Letter of Agreement with Lockheed Martin for 20 F-35A fighters.
* US and Chinese defense chiefs meet in Hanoi as Vietnam displays military forces, beefs up its submarine and fighter force to counter China’s moves in the South China Sea.
* Portugal isn’t happy with the readiness rates for its EH101 search-and-rescue helicopters. Canada and Britain (vid. Jan 28/08 entry) have reported similar problems.
* Brazil won’t pick its future fighter until after the coming election. Unless the election’s results change from current polls, however, it probably won’t make a difference.
* US GAO dismisses US Aerospace’s KC-X protest, leaving just Boeing and EADS to compete for the aerial tanker order. The question is, was US Aerospace’s bid ever anything more than a stunt?
* US Maritime Sealift Command inducts new double-hulled State Class tanker ship, retires 2 older Champion Class T5 tankers.
* India plans to launch a number of indigenous military surveillance, imaging, navigation, and communication satellites.
* Sweden’s REMO 870 coastal radar upgrade program passes factory acceptance testing, prepares for full-rate production.
* JLTV, EFV support getting shakier with USMC, Capitol Hill.