Rapid Fire 2010-12-02: BAE Tops UK Supplier List

* Number 1: BAE Systems tops money list of UK Ministry of Defence’s suppliers, receiving close to GBP 4 billion (about $6.25B) in financial year 2009/10.

* Hybrid birds: Frost & Sullivan predicts that more military satellite programs will follow the UK Skynet 5 model, where private industry builds, owns and operates satellites for military use.

* Next Up, Japan: Following the US-South Korean naval exercises in the Yellow Sea, Japan will conduct joint military exercises with the US, involving 44,500 troops, later this week.

* Northrop Grumman VP C4I says the US military has made progress with “open architecture” electronics, but needs to make more changes to reap the full benefits.

* Raytheon finishes test flights for RAM Block 2 ship defense missile, prepares for production.

* Up to $42 million to SAIC for tactical data link engineering and technical support to the US Navy’s PEO for C4I.

* Research and Markets: Study identifies India, China, and the Middle East as the fastest growing markets for military ground equipment over the next 12 months.

* Hacky Pak: The Pakistan Navy website and other Pakistani government websites were hacked by the self-styled Indian Cyber Army.