Rapid Fire 2011-04-15: Portugal Defense Budget Woes

* Reuters Special Report: How Libya is a showcase in the new arms race. Dassault’s Rafale fighters definitely grabbed attention with their reconnaissance and ground attack punch – still needs a targeting pod, though. Competing Eurofighters are touting EGBU-16 GPS/laser-guided bomb tests and showcasing their Paveway precision attack punch in Libya, complete with targeting pods, while Tornados fire the new MBDA Brimstone anti-armor missiles. Meanwhile, the US State Department has reportedly restricted some proposed regional arms sales from American firms. * Qatar supplies French-made Milan anti-tank missile systems to Libyan rebels. Can they use them effectively? * SpaceX prepping Falcon 9 Heavy rocket, aims to surpass EELV performance and break the $1,000 per pound barrier for payload delivery to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). * Northrop Grumman, US Navy successfully test laser weapon by setting target boat on fire. * After posting a healthy 8.6% annual growth rate from 2006 to 2010, Portugal’s defense budget is headed for a .45% annual decline through 2015, according to iCD Research. Of course, if Portugal’s lenders keep raising their rates… any Wall St. types want a used F-16 for their garage? Maybe a U212A submarine to cruise Cape Cod? * US Army Rapid Fielding […]