Rapid Fire 2011-08-02: AV8-B Harriers’ Weapons Loads

• Brookings Institution and University of Maryland scholars tell the National Bureau of Asian Research that the United States and India should co-develop weapons technology to overcome technology transfer restrictions. They also argue that India’s rejection of US bids for its Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) requirement was based upon worries over supply reliability.

• The UK Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) announces the development of the National Training Estate Prime (NTEP) contract. The contract value may reach £900 million ($1.4 billion).

• The US Marines have doubled their AV8-B Harriers’ weapons loads in Afghanistan, by moving the planes’ LITENING target pod.

• The first 4 of 24 new F-16 C/D Block 52 fighter jets have left Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, TX, on a ferry flight to Morocco.

• Turkey’s BMC is rumored to have orders for its blast-resistant Kirpi vehicle from Iraq and Afghanistan.

• Russia is planning to buy up to 120 Iskander-M (SS-26 Stone) tactical missile systems. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry is reportedly putting the final touches to technical specifications for the replacement of its Voevoda (SS-18 Satan) intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

• The Czech Defense Ministry is to impose sanctions on Omnipol because defects on its new EADS CASA C-295 turboprop transport aircraft have not been repaired on time.

• South Africa’s Hawk trainers are receiving upgrades; now they can also use GPS-guided Umbani glide bombs, with a 40km/24 mile range.

• A photograph emerges reportedly showing changes to China’s fifth J-10B prototype multirole fighter.