* The Iron Dome defense system is again proving quite effective, leading Hamas to try other tactics, including launching strikes deeper into Israel, trying commando infiltration by sea, and launching bomb-loaded drones. Hamas reportedly fired more than 1,000 rockets...
DID site Articles
ATK’s PGK: Turning Shells into Precision Artillery
ATK's PGK(click to view full) Alliant Tech Systems' GPS-guided Precision Guidance Kit hopes to do for artillery shells what Boeing's JDAM tail kit has done for conventional bombs - or what ATK's APMI kit has done for 120mm mortars. The Western way of war has largely...
Prospect of Israeli Ground Attack in Gaza Met with Concern
* A barrage of over 100 Palestinian rockets was aimed at Israeli cities on Saturday, and IDF told North Gaza residents to evacuate ahead of launching a significant attack. * Jordan's King is unhappy about that prospect, and US State Secretary John Kerry is echoing...
Oman’s HSSV Fast Transport Catamarans
TSV-72 concept(click to view full) The US Navy's JHSV ships won't be the only ones of their kind. Oman, which already operates a pair of 65m Austal fast catamarans as civil ferries, has decided to add a pair of slightly larger ships for military use. The USA's JHSVs...
South Africa’s Sad Military: Why Maintenance Matters
SAAF JAS-39D(click to view full) In 1999, South Africa became the Saab JAS-39 Gripen's 1st export customer, ordering 26 fighters. The country is generally considered to be one of Africa's stronger economies, and a regional security partner. On the defense front, their...
Grand Salaam! Eurofighter Flies Off With Saudi Contract
RSAF Eurofighter(click to view full) In 2005 talks were underway for a Saudi purchase of Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 2 advanced air superiority and strike aircraft from Britain's BAE Systems - with an important (albeit denied) set of conditions on the Saudi side....
US Air Force Launches Bomber RFP Likely After Years of Classified Work
* The US Air Force asked for proposals for its new LRS-B strategic bomber, on which it plans to spend [PDF] more than $900M during the coming fiscal year, and more than $3B/year by FY18. A memo from the Congressional Research Office explains that there's probably been...
Sued from Orbit: SpaceX and the EELV Contract
SpaceX Falcon(click to view full) On April 25/14, aerospace innovator SpaceX filed suit in US Federal District Court against the US government and the firm's ULA competitor. Their legal challenge centers around the USAF's multi-year sole-source, 36-core EELV contract...
Thailand Nixes Second-Hand U206 Submarine Deal – But Stands up a Sub Squadron
German U206A(click to view full) At the end of March 2011 Jane's reported that the Thai government had agreed to buy 2 of Germany's retired Type 206A diesel electric submarines, for a bargain price of about $220 million. There was reportedly an agreement in principle,...