Rapid Fire: 2010-06-10

Rapid Fire: 2010-06-10

* Running of the Bulls: Deutsche Bank is bullish on military aircraft segment but cautious about weapons production firms. * FOR SALE: US defense security contractor Xe Services, formerly known as Blackwater Worldwide, is on the block. * I, Robot: General Dynamics-led...
Rapid Fire: 2010-06-10

Rapid Fire 2010-06-09: Diesel-Electric Helos

* A400M transport aircraft: What a long strange trip it’s been! * Don’t get no respect: Pentagon opposes US Senate bill giving USMC equal billing to US Navy in department’s title. * US State Department accepts first modernized S-61T helicopters. *...
Rapid Fire: 2010-06-10

Taking Back The Infantry Half-km: Britain’s L129A1

SA80A2s, Iraq(click to view full) If fighting in Iraq was mostly about Close Quarters Battle, experience on the ground in Afghanistan is driving home the opposite imperative: marksmanship and lethality at range. US studies like the influential “Taking Back the...
Rapid Fire: 2010-06-10

Rapid Fire 2010-06-08: German Subs Head for Early Retirement

* Pentagon directive hopes to cut up to $100 billion in support costs over 5 years, by looking at personnel policies, medical costs & Tricare, organizational restructuring, acquisition practices and logistical efficiencies. They might want to look at how security...
Rapid Fire: 2010-06-10

Rapid Fire: 2010-06-07

* Pakistan to increase its defense spending by 17% in FY 2010-2011 to fund war against Taliban/ al-Qaeda in its “lawless frontier.” * Britain contracting with BAE for a better 5.56mm bullet, under their MASS umbrella contract. Major improvements like 6.5mm...