* Filling a Black Hole: UK government releases its Strategic Defence and Security Review [PDF], which calls for cuts in defense spending to plug a GBP 38 billion “black hole” in future defense plans by canceling weapons systems, trimming MoD expenses, and reducing the number of military personnel.
* The Lexington Institute’s Daniel Goure has a sharper view: “Britain’s Defense Review And The End Of NATO.”
* Meanwhile, Goure’s colleague Loren Thompson is less than thrilled with local trends: “What Force Multiplier? U.S. Military Losing Cost-Exchange Advantage In Combat.” Though Thompson should remember the $2 million or so in death benefits for those 4 soldiers in a Humvee, before he makes MRAP cost comparisons.
* Foreign Legions: French defense firms are looking for opportunities overseas as the French government plans to reduce defense spending in its 2011 budget.
* ‘Jesus Nut’: US federal investigators say they have evidence that Kustom Products of Coos Bay, OR, provided phony helicopter replacement parts, including a nut called the “Jesus Nut” used to secure the rotor on the Kiowa attack helicopter. No comment from Kustom Products.
* Stormy Forecast: Lockheed Martin posts a 28% decline in 3rd quarter profit and cut its 2010 earnings forecast. Meanwhile, Northrop Grumman CEO and President Wes Bush is urging the US government to maintain industrial capacity.
* Agilent Technologies gets $35 million contract to supply 1,600 MG microwave analog signal generators for the US Army’s test equipment modernization program.
* UN panel calls for stronger oversight and regulation of private military contractors in war zones.