* Robust military aircraft sales offset decline in commercial aircraft sales, as US aerospace industry sales [PDF] reach a record $216.5 billion in sales this year.
* Royal Navy to withdraw HMS Illustrious strike carrier from service in 2014, eliminating all carriers from the fleet. HMS Ocean amphibious helicopter carrier will provide long-term helicopter landing capability. The LPD ship HMS Albion takes over from Ark Royal as the navy’s flagship, and all 4 remaining Type 22 frigates will be withdrawn from service in 2011.
* German government okays defense minister’s proposal to end conscription from July 1, 2011.
* South Korea gets serious about military, civil defense drills.
* Israeli F-16s probably aren’t going to Romania – but the Greeks may be interested.
* Singapore considering a buy of surplus American P-3C Orion maritime patrol planes.
* French DGA tests the GPS/IIR variant of its AASM rocket-boosted glide bomb, hits within 1m at night from 50 km.
* Israel’s Elbit Systems acquires M7 Aerospace, a San Antonio, TX-based supplier of aviation logistics support to the US military, for $85 million in cash.
* Lockheed Martin gets $45 million contract to support sensors for the US Army’s BETSS-C persistent surveillance system for troops stationed in theater.