* UK MoD and Home Office launch a 3-month industry consultation on defense equipment, support and technology.
* President Obama is expected to sign the FY 2011 defense authorization bill after the House passed the Senate version, which stripped WWII-related payments to Guam residents.
* Lame duck Congress kicks the can on US government spending legislation to the next Congress; Pentagon stuck on new weapons systems.
* House panel publishes report [PDF] criticizing Pentagon’s multi-billion dollar deals to buy aviation fuel for the US Manas Transit Center in Kyrgyzstan.
* Hawker Beechcraft’s $45 million agreement with the state will keep its manufacturing operations and at least 4,000 jobs in Kansas for the next decade.
* BACN communications system picks up 2010 awards from the Pentagon and others.
* Pakistan inducts its 1st squadron of JF-17 Thunder fighters, while India’s own Tejas LCA completes drop tank trials.
* Italy receives the first 2 production M346 lead-in fighter trainers from Alenia Aermacchi.
* 4th of 5 planned Airbus A400M development aircraft makes its 1st flight. Airbus Military is also preparing for A330 aerial tanker deliveries to Australia and Britain in 2011.
* General Dynamics Land Systems gets 3 contracts worth a combined $92.3 million for work on the US Army’s Stryker infantry combat vehicle.