Rapid Fire 2011-05-23: Open Source Military Software

• Die Welt reports that Iran & Venezuela are collaborating on a hardened underground silo complex for Shebab-3 medium range ballistic missiles, on the Paraguana peninsula above Coro, Venezuela.

• A leaked UN report says Iran and North Korea are exchanging ballistic missile technology, with help from China. Al-Jazeera Inside Story (incl. video).

• GAO faults DoD’s efforts to include combatant commands in weapons system development.

• Chile has reportedly picked Elbit Systems’ Hermes 900 as its next high-end UAV. While the Hermes 450 has been a popular export, this would be the larger Hermes 900 MALE (Medium Altitude, Long Endurance) UAV’s 1st export order.

• India conducts 2 successful tests of its indigenously developed Astra medium range air-to-air missile.

• Spain fails to reach NATO target of spending 2% of GDP on defense in 2010. Just like most other NATO countries.

• DoD publishes open-source technology guide for military software, in an effort to encourage contractors to implement open technology development, rather than proprietary technology, for defense systems.

• Russia wants assurance from NATO that a European missile defense system is not be directed at their country. As long as they don’t launch missiles against NATO members, it won’t be.

• These are not you parents’ sea mines.

• US Defense Secretary Robert Gates warns against sharp cuts in the size and reach of US forces.