Rapid Fire Evening 2011-06-01: Malcolm O’Neill Resigns

* U.S. Army Acquisition chief Malcolm O’Neill resigns. * Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ May 24/11 swan song speech at the neo-conservative AEI think-tank continues to echo. See the official transcript of his remarks, and the video. * Vice Admiral John Blake tells Congress that a projected shortfall in the number of attack submarines may force the Navy to examine extending the lives of some subs. Shipbuilding expert counters it may be hard to extend service of fast-attack subs because of limitations on the lives of pressure hulls. * Russia may begin purchasing Antonov’s An-70 military transport aircraft between 2012 and 2013. * Cobham announce that its HeliSAS Autopilot and Stability Augmentation System has been granted Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) status by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the Eurocopter AS350 model series and EC130 helicopters. * Boeing opens Exploration Launch Systems Engineering and Integration office near Kennedy Space Center to support the operational readiness of NASA’s next launch system. * Israel may see David’s Sling as a wider air defense replacement for its MIM-23 Hawk missiles, not just a high-end rocket killer. * As China’s first aircraft carrier moves closer to commencing sea trials doubts are raised about the ship’s ‘military impact’.