Rapid Fire: 2011-02-24

Rapid Fire: 2011-02-24

* As Libya erupts in civil war, articles examine European arms exports over the past few years. Notably, previous German sales of jamming equipment may now be hindering communication and evacuation efforts for foreign nationals. If the regime falls, it’s likely...
Rapid Fire: 2011-02-24

Rapid Fire 2011-02-23: SITE, NETCENTS

* Electromagnetic pulse gun developed by Swiss research institute EPFL could be used to explode IEDs remotely. * Looks like Brazil won’t be buying any new fighters in 2011. * Belgium’s defense spending is expected to grow at a modest 1.76% per year,...
Rapid Fire: 2011-02-24

Rapid Fire 2011-02-22: Military Vehicle Electronics

* Will Middle East unrest prompt governments to boost defense spending? Or kill/ delay existing arms deals, as has already happened in Iraq? * Meanwhile, Japan is considering its acquisition path for new fighters. The F-2 program didn’t go quite as hoped, but...
Rapid Fire: 2011-02-24

Rapid Fire 2011-02-18: Spike Anti Armor Missiles

* BAE Systems returns to profitability in 2010, but expects decline in 2011 sales due to reduced volume at its Land and Armaments unit and UK defense cutbacks. * Arrest made in 2010 theft of 3,000 US special ops laptops – worth $7.2 million – from an iGov...
Rapid Fire: 2011-02-24

Rapid Fire 2011-02-17: Personnel Security Clearance Program

* GAO takes DoD’s personnel security clearance program off its high-risk list [PDF] of programs facing fraud, waste, and management challenges; however, its weapons system acquisition program remains on the list. * DoD to expand cybersecurity personnel swaps...