Rapid Fire 2011-05-06: A Stealthy Helicopter, in Many Ways

* Surviving tail wreckage of the H-60 Black Hawks used in the Bin Laden raid reveals unique “stealth” features. Bill Sweetman discusses the limits of helicopter stealth, and here’s a link to both tail wreckage photos and some derived conceptual illustrations. * The volume of mergers and acquisitions in the aerospace and defense market increased 70% in the 1st quarter of 2011, compared with 2010, according to the latest report by PricewaterhouseCoopers. * Electronic warfare requirements are expected to fuel demand for space-based communications systems, predicts Strategy Analytics. * South Korea continues to work on systems for its 3,000t KSS-III diesel-electric fast attack submarine project. It’s also extending its base’s technical capabilities, from combat systems to vertical launchers. * Qatar’s first C-130J-30 of 4, ordered in October 2008, finishes production. * Another test of the French GPS/laser guided AASM bomb, against a fast-moving target. Production of this AASM version is set to begin in 2012. * Are hybrid vehicles in the US military’s future? * Fueled by military ammunition sales, ATK posts highest annual earnings per share in company history ($9.32), as well as net income of $313 million and sales of $4.8 billion for FY 2011. * Russia launches […]