* Kongberg’s stealthy, sub-sonic Naval Strike Missile has just finished its 1st shipboard launch tests, and performed successfully. The market for naval missiles is crowded, but Kongsberg believes that the new F-35 fighter may give it an important edge.
* The US Army has test-flown a civilian Eurocopter EC145-T2, as part of its evaluations for the next Armed Aerial Scout helicopter. All of the models it will test have a tough job ahead of them, as the Army could just keep rebuilding and modernizing its Vietnam-era Kiowa fleet.
* The hull for the future HMAS Canberra amphibious aviation and assault ship has arrived in Australia, aboard the FLO/FLO ship MV Blue Marlin. Australian firms will now attach the superstructure “island,” and get the ship ready for delivery.
* UK Prime Minister David Cameron says he is committed to the country’s continuous at-sea deterrent (CASD): “if we are to have a nuclear deterrent, it makes sense to ensure we have something that is credible and believable, otherwise there is no point in having one at all. […] Yes, being continuously at sea is a key part of our deterrent.”
* A J-15 may have performed a touch-and-go on China’s recently commissioned Liaoning carrier, but there are still a number of steps before carrier launches and landings: WSJ | People’s Daily.\
* France’s DCNS is selling landing grids to China Marine Surveillance that they will use on offshore patrol vessels to land helicopters or VTUAVs.
* Russia has DARPA envy and will set up a defense research agency staffed with about 100 people.
* In Turkey’s Hurriyet: Turkey, Syria, Iran, Iraq and Russia. Can Iran’s unexpected support for a peace envoy tasked with negotiating a cease-fire in Syria help?