* US Navy Vice Adm. Mark Harnitchek, Director of the Defense Logistics Agency since November 2011, published his revised 2012 guidance [PDF] that conveniently highlights where the changes are. Among them, improved support for reset and force drawdown processes in Afghanistan starts with optimized use of the Northern Distribution Network (NDN), a necessity pointed out on DID just two days ago. Airlift through the NDN (dubbed Northern Distribution Nightmare by Foreign Policy – see also this WaPo map which was drawn before options like use of the Ulyanovsk Russian airport were discussed) is way more expensive than using Pakistan’s GLOC (Ground Lines of Communication) and Karachi port. As in, as much as 3 to 5 times more expensive to ship out about 50,000 vehicles.
* As a side note, when USMC Lieutenant General Frank A. Panter, Jr. discussed options at a recent HASC hearing, he never said Indian but rather NDN, contrarily to bad transcripts floated in the Indian press. How would India even make sense if you glance at a map? It beats us too.
* The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission published a report [PDF] on indigenous weapons development in China’s military modernization. They conclude that many analysts have let themselves being misled and blindsided by trends from past decades that no longer apply. “U.S. analysts and policymakers should expect to see continued advancements in the ability of the PRC to produce modern weapons platforms, and an attendant increase in the operational capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army.”
* Russia’s VVS Commander Gen. Zelin briefly detailed their acquisition goals to 2020. They include trainers, fighters, and transport aircraft.
* The latest Approach [PDF] aviation safety magazine is focused on fuel. Details matter, for instance various NATO countries use different flavors of JP-8 fuel, and the JP-8+100 F-37 type used by Canada should be used only in emergencies in US aircraft, which really want the F-34 variant.
* Lockheed Martin delivers its 4,500th F-16. That’s a slow day at some auto plants, but a remarkable multi-decade figure for a modern fighter jet. The customer for plane #4,500? Morocco.
* BAE has delivered a helmet-mounted display system for Britain’s Tornado fleet, which is now serving in Afghanistan. The GR4s are on the chopping block under the 2010 SDSR plan, but the front lines needed the capability. BAE’s push into this field has seen recent successes, from the Eurofighter Typhoon’s HMSS to BAE’s status as back-up provider for the F-35.
* Thales has delivered the 1st production-install RBE2-AA AESA radar to Dassault, for installation on a new Rafale fighter.
* Chile has signed an MoU with GE to provide spare parts, line and shop replaceable units for its F-16 fleet’s F110-GE-129 engines through 2016. Chile currently flies about 46 F-16s.