Rapid Fire 2010-12-23: FY 2011 NDAA

* 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 […]