* The Aerospace Industries Association voices its concerns about cuts to national security space programs outlined in the 2012 House Defense Appropriations Bill.
* L-3 Communications’ Chief Executive believes the company is well placed to cope with the downturn in defense spending, sees the Middle East and India as its growth markets.
* Harris Corporation receives a $23 million contract to supply the Department of Defense with RF310M-HH handheld tactical radios.
* The Secretary of State for Defence, Dr Liam Fox, tells Parliament that the cost of UK military operations in Libya could reach £260 million ($416 million). Net estimate costs of military operations for six months is in the region of £120 million ($192 million), with an additional £140 million ($224 million) to replenish munitions.
* The 1st NATO aircraft downed over Libya is… USS Halyburton‘s [FFG-40] unmanned MQ-8B Fire Scout helicopter drone. The production line will receive a condolence telegram soon.
* Raytheon’s RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow naval air defense missile will follow its larger SM-3 ballistic missile defense weapon onto land, as a medium-range air defense option.
* Italy gives its new M-346/T-346A lead-in fighter trainer jets military type certification, a long but critical step in customer acceptance of a new type.
* DoD Buzz posts its final report from the Paris Air Show. Its verdict is that while the civil and commercial aerospace sector enjoyed the show, their defense counterparts were largely in “survival mode”.
* Danger Room reports on the latest development in “active protection” technology. Artis’ Iron Curtain system fires its countermeasure at the last moment before the munition hits its target.