* The US Missile Defense Agency’s FTM-18 test goes well, as the AEGIS BMD 4.0.1/ SM-3 block IB missile combination tracks & hits a separating ballistic missile target. That’s the same configuration that will be used on land in Europe, as of 2015.
* Meanwhile, the Dutch just signed an agreement with Thales to upgrade their high-end air-defense ships’ SMART-L radars for early ballistic missile detection.
* Denmark has added itself to the LITENING pod’s customer list, buying the latest G4 model for its F-16s. The Danes have delayed their competition for an F-16 replacement, so this kind of upgrade becomes important.
* LPD 23 Anchorage, the 7th of the USA’s big San Antonio Class amphibious assault ships, has reportedly passed US Navy INSURV trials.
* The Pentagon is about to submit an omnibus reprogramming request to face a $3B increase in fuel costs.
* While there’s ground to doubt Lockheed Martin’s claim that they are going to be compelled to send WARN Act notifications to most of their staff because of sequestration, the assertion by Sean O’Keefe (CEO of EADS NA) that the sequester will lead to significant termination fees sounds credible.
* Congressman Ron Barber [D-AZ] is replacing Dutch Ruppersberger [D-MD] in the US House Armed Services Committee.
* The UK National Audit Office reviewed the MOD’s inventory management, was left wanting.