Rapid Fire June 14, 2012: Naval Innovation
Support for the US Navy’s alternative fuel initiatives may be wavering in Congress, but for now the DoN keeps going. The RIMPAC 2012 exercise coming up this summer will include a “Great Green Fleet” demonstration with the use of fuel blends that include biofuels.
The US Navy’s Naval Research Laboratory chemistry division has developed siloxane-based coating material for flight decks with a longer lifespan than the current epoxy-based coating. The Navy has already been shifting to “Type V” polysiloxane paint for ship topsides. As a backgrounder, this DOD IG report [PDF, 2007] on non skid materials used by the Navy.
Iran’s “leading independent” (that is, obviously quasi-official) news agency has about one militaristic bombastic release a day. Now, what do you know, nuclear submarines are supposedly in the works. Wait, what became of Iran’s claims that its nuclear program was strictly civilian?
US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta told a panel of senators during an appropriations hearing that the ongoing closure of Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan is costing the US an extra $100M/mo.
A CV-22 Osprey from the USAF’s 1st Special Operations Wing crashed yesterday in Florida during a training mission. The 5 crew members were injured and taken to the hospital.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin (in charge of the defense industry) said his country was negotiating with Israel on a potential joint UAV program, according to RIA Novosti.
Meanwhile Philippe Petitcolin, the CEO of France’s Sagem is admitting that his firm needs to close a new drone contract in the next 12 months to justify staying in that market. L’Usine Nouvelle also features a video of some of the gear displayed at Eurosatory, including cambots on wheels and exoskeletons.
