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How Dangerous is the S-300 Syria is About to Receive?

How Dangerous is the S-300 Syria is About to Receive?

May 18, 2013 at 07:55 0 comments

What are the implications of Moscow delivering S-300 air-defense systems to Syria, could one weapon system decide the outcome of the Syrian power struggle, is the Russian missile system as invincible as it is described? Alexey Eremenko from the Russian news agency Novosti provides some answers. Defense-Update reports. “The missile [...]

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China’s Lijian UCAV “Sharp Sword” spotted taxiing

China’s Lijian UCAV “Sharp Sword” spotted taxiing

May 18, 2013 at 06:27 0 comments

China’s first jet-powered stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), the Lijian or “Sharp Sword,” was recently spotted undergoing taxiing tests in China.

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Israel Shipyards Introduces the SAAR 72 Mini-Corvette Design

Israel Shipyards Introduces the SAAR 72 Mini-Corvette Design

May 16, 2013 at 16:39 0 comments

Israel Shipyards is expanding the SAAR class of missile boats, extending the range from missile boats into ‘Mini Corvette’ class vessels. The new class is addressing the growing requirements of Israel and other nations in extending maritime control and sovereignty far from their territorial waters. Defense-Update reports from IMDEX 2013. [...]

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Indonesian Navy corvette KRI Frans Kaisiepo. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update

Photo Report: Singapore Hosts International Navies IMDEX 2013

May 16, 2013 at 15:12 0 comments

 

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First Unmanned Aircraft Launch from Carrier – A Moment in History

First Unmanned Aircraft Launch from Carrier – A Moment in History

May 15, 2013 at 15:26 Comments are Disabled

The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator (UCAS-D) completed its first ever carrier-based catapult launch from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) off the coast of Virginia May 14, 2013. “Today we saw a small, but significant pixel in the future picture of our Navy as we begin integration of [...]

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IMDEX 2013: World navies Gather in Singapore

IMDEX 2013: World navies Gather in Singapore

May 15, 2013 at 03:10 0 comments

Changi Naval Base, Singapore: 15 warships from nine countries around the world, including the latest patrol vessels, frigates, corvettes and destroyers, sailed into Singapore for the Warships Display at IMDEX Asia 2013 this week. The US Navy’s first ever littoral combat ship, USS Freedom, in its maiden overseas deployment, was [...]

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The Ugly End to the Largest Service Contract In U.S History

May 14, 2013 at 15:59 0 comments

Dealings between KBR and the Army have gotten “very nasty” as the two try to close out the largest government services contract in U.S. history, according to an article in Federal Times. The dispute is over whether the remaining work in the $38 billion Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP) III [...]

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An MQ-9 Reaper is tasked with armed recce missions, armed with laser guided bombs and Hellfire missiles. The export of such aircraft has sofar been limited to close US Allies due to ITAR and MTCR export restrictions. Photo: General Atomics

European Air Forces Seek a Common Weaponized UAS

May 13, 2013 at 18:00 Comments are Disabled

Some European countries may consider an Israeli made unmanned air system (UAS) as a platform for a “Black program” to create a European medium-altitude/long-endurance (MALE) armed UAS, i-hls reports. This is the assessment of European sources familiar with the advanced Israeli made UAS. According to Aviation Week, frustrated by apparent [...]

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The MCL demonstrated at the recent IDEX show.

Massive Rocket Launcher for the UAE

May 13, 2013 at 17:57 Comments are Disabled

The UAE is getting ready to face the Iranian threat. Jobaria Defense Systems (JDS) Multiple Cradle Launcher MCL has unveiled its Multiple Cradle 122mm Rocket launcher system at the recent IDEX defense expo in the UAE. i-hls reports. The MCL is A 10 wheel semitrailer mounting four power-operated rocket launchers, [...]

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SNPE to Merge into GIAT Industries

May 13, 2013 at 17:04 0 comments

Two major French defense companies, GIAT Industries and SNPE will be merging into a singleventity. The two companies are both owned by the French state, which supports the move. The mergerv will retain the activities, strategies and customer base of each company. By unifying complimentary activities the merged company will [...]

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The new configuration of Typhoon 30mm mounts an ATK Mk-44 Bushmaster II automatic cannon, with 400 rounds in ready magazines. The gun fires standard 30mm ammo including the new airburst (ABM).

Typhoon Expanding into Multi-Role Weapon Stations

May 13, 2013 at 11:00 0 comments

RAFAEL is unveiling at IMDEX 2013 a new missile-carrying variants of the Typhoon marine stabilized weapon system. Defense-Update reports from IMDEX Asia 2013. Two systems – MLS-ER and MLS-NLOS represent two modular evolutions of the combat proven Typhoon, enhancing the operational capabilities of small and medium naval crafts, responding to [...]

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The new configuration of Typhoon 30mm mounts an ATK Mk-44 Bushmaster II automatic cannon, with 400 rounds in ready magazines. The gun fires standard 30mm ammo including the new airburst (ABM).

Typhoon Expanding into Multi-Role Weapon Stations

May 13, 2013 at 07:00 0 comments

RAFAEL is unveiling new missile-carrying variants of the Typhoon marine stabilized weapon system at IMDEX 2013. Two systems – MLS-ER and MLS-NLOS represent two modular evolutions of the combat proven Typhoon, enhancing the operational capabilities of small and medium naval crafts, responding to evolving requirements of navies facing new asymmetric [...]

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The Super-Dvora Unmanned Surface Vessel (SD-USV) concept - proposed for maritime surveillance and EEZ patrol missions.

Small Boats – Big Gains!

May 13, 2013 at 00:00 0 comments

As domestic economies change into a global market, dependent on the ocean for energy, food and transportation, the open seas becoming contested areas, and pirates, outlaws and terrorists using isolated littorals as safe haven, prowling waterways and the open sea along international merchant routes, no wonder that governments are looking [...]

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Rheinmetall 'soft kill' system fires a blinding smoke screen against an incoming target. Photo: Rheinmetall

Self Protection for Small Boats

May 12, 2013 at 22:00 0 comments

Fighting modern warfare doesn’t mean you face the most sophisticated weapons or strongest enemies. In fact, combat in asymmetric warfare means facing an illusive enemy that, sometime can be equipped with superior weapons, challenging even the strongest armor and most sophisticated platforms. This article addresses countermeasures to a different type [...]

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Record Growth of IMDEX ASIA reflects Asia-Pacific Market Trend

Record Growth of IMDEX ASIA reflects Asia-Pacific Market Trend

May 12, 2013 at 19:50 0 comments

Exhibitors and delegates at the ninth International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEX Asia) will have the opportunity to meet more key players from international navies, coast guards and maritime agencies as the biennial exhibition is set to host the highest number ever of Navy Chiefs from all over the [...]

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Electrically Powered Ion Tiger Drone Set 48 hour Flight Record

Electrically Powered Ion Tiger Drone Set 48 hour Flight Record

May 12, 2013 at 17:41 0 comments

Researchers at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory flew their fuel cell powered Ion Tiger UAV for 48 hours and 1 minute on April 16-18 by using liquid hydrogen fuel in a new, NRL-developed, cryogenic fuel storage tank and delivery system. This flight shatters their previous record of 26 hours and [...]

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Second M346 Down

Second M346 Down

May 12, 2013 at 17:02 0 comments

An Italian built M-346 jet trainer crashed yesterday on a flight over Italy. The aircraft manufacturer Alenia Aermacchi said the single pilot that flew the twin-engine jet is in a good condition after ejecting from the plane designated CMX617 yesterday, after taking off from taking off from Turin-Caselle airport. The [...]

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After the Damascus Attack: Ten Points to Consider

After the Damascus Attack: Ten Points to Consider

May 12, 2013 at 13:50 0 comments

One week has passed since the attacks near Damascus, which according to American sources destroyed advanced Fateh-110 surface-to-surface missiles making their way from Iran to Hizbollah in Lebanon. Now that the dust has settled and it seems as if the strike was contained – there was no immediate response either [...]

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The RynoHide lightweight body armor produced by Amendment II is the first to employ Carbon Nano-Tubes . It was a result of a partnership deal signed in 2011 by Amendment II and the Nano Institute of the University of Utah to develop carbon nanotubes for body armor applications. Photo: Amendment II

Lightweight Personnel Armor

May 11, 2013 at 12:45 Comments are Disabled

New materials promise improvements in the weight of body armor, but are unproven—and an alternative approach to the problem involves looking at whether some current systems are stronger and heavier than necessary. i-hls reports. Technological progress tends to be incremental, but the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) hopes to [...]

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Protecting Satellites in Orbit

Protecting Satellites in Orbit

May 11, 2013 at 12:31 Comments are Disabled

Carter said the US has established an integrated effort to in understanding the anti-satellite threat, and preparing a work plan on how the US can operate without spacecraft,” Carter told reporters at the National Press Club. i-hls reports. Carter said the initiative was looking at how to make U.S. military and [...]

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The Hamaseh drone unveiled last week is one of Iran's new generation of drones, based on designs that follow proven western UAVs. Hamaseh clearly resembles the Israeli Heron.

Teherans’ Drone Fever

May 11, 2013 at 12:03 0 comments

Last week Iran unveiled its latest drone dubbed “Hamaseh”. This unmanned aerial vehicle follows a classic twin-boom tail design, pioneered by IAI’s Scout and Tadiran Mastiff in the 1980s. On the My 9, 2013 unveiling ceremony the drone was shown carrying two 107mm rockets and what seems to be an [...]

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Liberator, the printed gun fires is currently designed to fire a single .308 cartridge. It is produced by printing it into a net shape from ABS thermoplastic material. The files for the printing of this product will be available free on the internet. Photo: Defense Distributed

WikiGun – 3D Printers Bring the Age of DIY Weapons

May 7, 2013 at 08:56 0 comments

Few months ago Texas based Defense Distributed had an idea – to produce weapon accessories using new 3D printing technology. It started with ‘printed magazines’ for AK47 made of from ABS, a thermoplastic material processed into net-shape form by 3D printers. Each magazine sells for $47. A more complex system [...]

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New Ultra-Strength Steel Introduce a More Affordable Material for Aviation

New Ultra-Strength Steel Introduce a More Affordable Material for Aviation

May 6, 2013 at 14:12 0 comments

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has developed an ultra-strength steel of high fracture toughness that is significantly less expensive to manufacture than existing products. The new material also has high fracture toughness, particularly during stress corrosion cracking in salt water, making it applicative for the manufacturing of critical parts auch as [...]

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“Shore-based testing allows our combined Navy/Northrop Grumman team to control test conditions before taking the aircraft to the ship,” said Matt Funk, Navy UCAS test team lead. “We are gradually building up to the maximum load conditions we expect to see during an arrested landing aboard an aircraft carrier.” Photo: US Navy

Arrested Landing Completes X-47B Unmanned UCAS-D Preparations For Carrier Tests

May 6, 2013 at 12:25 0 comments

The U.S. Navy’s X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator performed its first arrested landing at Patuxent River, Naval Air Station in Maryland, on May 4. The landing using arresting gear was a key step in maturing the system for its upcoming carrier-based tests later this month. The X-47B is [...]

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Samsung is now cleared for use in the U.S.    government

Samsung is now cleared for use in the U.S. government

May 6, 2013 at 09:30 Comments are Disabled

The handset maker announced that its Knox-enabled mobile devices have been approved by the Pentagon for government use. Samsung’s Knox software offers high-level encryption, a VPN feature, and a way to separate personal data from work data. The software also enables IT administrators to manage a mobile device through specific [...]

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Royal Navy warship HMS Montrose fires a Harpoon anti-ship missile off the coast of Scotland. Photo: Crown Copyright

HARPOON MISSILE OBLITERATES TARGET IN SUCCESSFUL HIGH SEAS FIRING

May 6, 2013 at 08:00 0 comments

The Royal Navy conducted a test firing of Harpoon anti-ship missile from HMS Montrose at the Scottish exercise areas in the Northern sea.

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ISDEF 2013 Preview

ISDEF 2013 Preview

May 6, 2013 at 00:00 0 comments

Positioned to be the largest defense expo in Israel, the 6th edition of ISDEF defence and security exhibition has become a summit of business and defence. Taking place in Tel Aviv exhibition center in June 4-6, 2013 the event is expected to host 250 exhibiting companies and 15,000 visitors from 60 countries.

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Marine grade panel PC. Photo: AIS.

AIS Introduces a New Line of Marine PCs

May 6, 2013 at 00:00 0 comments

American Industrial Systems (AIS) has launched a new line of marine PCs which come with rugged touch screen interface. the new touch PCs are designed to withstand the harsh maritime environment, has long-term vibration resilience and low sensitivity to electromagnetic interference (EMI). The new touch PCs are suitable for bridge [...]

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Working on the behalf of the French defence procurement agency DGA (French Ministry of Defence procurement agency), since the 1960's, the company has produced the submarine-launched MSBS family (M1, M2, M20, M4) of the French deterrent force. The latest version, the M-45, is currently deployed on board France's new generation submarines. The MSBS-M51, an ultra-modern missile with considerably enhanced performance, has been under development since 1992.

M51 Nuclear Missile Fails on a Test Launch from a Newly Upgraded Submarine

May 5, 2013 at 23:15 0 comments

A French M51 submarine launched ballistic missile malfunctioned during a test launch Sunday, and had to be destroyed while in flight, the Ministry of Defense said. It was the 6th flight test of the latest French strategic ballistic missile and the first involving the newly modernized ‘Vigilant’.

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Updated: Air Attacks – Syria 2013 – An Open Hunting Season?

Updated: Air Attacks – Syria 2013 – An Open Hunting Season?

May 5, 2013 at 18:59 0 comments

The recent escalation of tension in Syria comes at a time when the Assad regime, actively supported by the Iranians through their Lebanese proxy Hezbollah and backed by quiet nod from Moscow, is succeeding to turn the tide of repeated wins by the rebels. Until this turn, Sunni rebels were [...]

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Israel Extends SPICE Family of Air-Launched EO Guided Weapons

Israel Extends SPICE Family of Air-Launched EO Guided Weapons

May 5, 2013 at 11:37 Comments are Disabled

The Israeli Air Force (IAF)  has a proven capability to attack targets from standoff range. One such weapon is the Spice weapon guidance kit developed by the country’s leading missile developer RAFAEL. i-hls reports. The guidance kit has become more lethal and can now be used in a “variety” of attack [...]

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The Syrian air force Russian-made MiG-21 plane landed with in the King Hussein military base in Mafraq. Jordan has granted political asylum to the Syrian pilot, Colonel Hassan Merei al-Hamade.

Unmanned Syrian Mig-21 fitted for chemical warfare?

May 5, 2013 at 03:46 Comments are Disabled

Is this Syria’s “doomsday ” weapon? Intelligence sources say that the Syrian air force has adapted old Russian made MIG-21 fighter aircraft to fly unmanned and carry chemical warfare materials. This information is now being investigated by a number of intelligence organizations i-hls reports. A Syrian MiG-21, that landed in [...]

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Boeing X-51A Waverider hypersonic missile carried by a US Air Force B-52H prior to the third and final test flight. Photo: USAF

Hypersonic Missile Sets World Record on Longest Hypersonic Flight

May 4, 2013 at 23:18 0 comments

The fourth and final flight of the Boeing X-51A Waverider test program has accomplished a breakthrough in the development of flight reaching Mach 5.1 over the Pacific Ocean May 1. The WaveRider unmanned hypersonic vehicle traveled more than 230 nautical miles in just over six minutes over the Point Mugu Naval [...]

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USAF B-52H drops a GBU-57A-B MOP demonstrator on a flight test. Photo: USAF

USAF Readies Massive Ordnance Penetrator for Showdown in Iran

May 4, 2013 at 21:59 0 comments

The US has enhanced its biggest bunker buster bomb specifically to enable the destruction of Iran’s underground Fordow uranium enrichment plant near the city of Qom. 20 such bombs – the biggest and heaviest bomb in the US arsenal, will be delivered this year, following the completion of upgrades and testing.

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Defense White Paper Outlines French Cyberwarfare Priorities

Defense White Paper Outlines French Cyberwarfare Priorities

May 4, 2013 at 19:35 0 comments

France has recently published a white paper on defense, the ‘Livre Blanc’ outlines the priorities planned for the next five years, in the areas of national defense – land, air, maritime and space, as a well as as in the areas of homeland security and cyberwarfare. This article covers the [...]

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“Red Light” in Western Africa – The rising Terror in Africa Risks Energy Infrastructures and Threatens Economy

“Red Light” in Western Africa – The rising Terror in Africa Risks Energy Infrastructures and Threatens Economy

May 4, 2013 at 10:41 Comments are Disabled

Western companies active in the raw materials and energy fields operating from Mauritania to Chad, Algeria and Nigeria, are all exposed to growing terror threats south of the Sahara, even in countries previously considered safe for operations. Dangers are not limited only to the lawless Sahara area, but are expanding [...]

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IAI has equipped these Herons operated by the Australians with COMINT, SIGINT in addition to standard MOSP and radars. Photo: Australian defence

“Israel – an unmanned air systems (UAS) super power”

May 3, 2013 at 05:54 Comments are Disabled

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said Israeli companies were behind 41 percent of all UAVs exported in 2001-11. Those Israeli exports went to 24 countries, including the United States. i-hls reports. That volume’s expected to expand as production costs are relatively low. Israeli industry officials boast that it’s [...]

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US Air Force Monitors Commercial SATCOM Channels to Locate Jamming

US Air Force Monitors Commercial SATCOM Channels to Locate Jamming

May 3, 2013 at 04:00 Comments are Disabled

The US Air Force has been operating a globally deployed network of Rapid Attack Identification Detection Reporting Systems – satellite communications nodes that monitor civilian satellite communications signals and detecting the source of interference and jamming that could disrupt military communications dependent on those channels

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Dual Mode Seeker Brimstone (DMSB) missiles fitted with a Litening targeting pod to a Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 aircraft. Photo: MBDA

Brimstones for Reapers?

May 3, 2013 at 03:59 Comments are Disabled

The US Air Force is looking at equipping its General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft with British-developed Brimstone missiles, to reduce collateral damage. The Reapers flown by the US Air Force are currently employed with AGM-114R Hellfire ‘Romeo’ missiles and laser guided bombs. i-hls reports ALthough the AGM-114R has been [...]

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A tethered RoboBee insect-size robot takes to the air on the first controlled flight, summer 2012. Photo:

Insect Size RoboBee Performs Controlled Flight

May 2, 2013 at 22:15 0 comments

A team of researchers from the Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are developing an insect sized robot that made its first flight last summer. Half the size of a paperclip, weighing less than a tenth of a gram, RoboBee inspired by the biology of a fly and conceived through manufacturing breakthrough and miniaturization.

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Russian Amphibious Support Ship Arrive at Haifa for a First Visit in an Israeli Port

Russian Amphibious Support Ship Arrive at Haifa for a First Visit in an Israeli Port

May 2, 2013 at 11:00 0 comments

The Russian Amphibious Support Ship Azov arrived yesterday at the port of Haifa, in northern Israel, on a three day visit, it is the first time a Russian warship calls at an Israeli port. Defense-Update reports. The Azov is one of six Russian naval vessels deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean, [...]

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Israel on high alert on the Syrian border

Israel on high alert on the Syrian border

April 30, 2013 at 13:42 0 comments

The IDF today called to service 2000 reservists in what is defined as a “sudden drill”. The reservists will be in northern Israel until the end of the week. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are on the highest alert today as the civil war in Syria moved to another “dangerous [...]

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Israeli Surveillance Systems for Brazil’s SISFRON

Israeli Surveillance Systems for Brazil’s SISFRON

April 29, 2013 at 21:16 0 comments

Elbit Systems will supply electro-optical observation and surveillance systems for the Brazilian border security program known as ‘SISFRON’. The systems will be supplied via Elbit Systems’ Brazilian subsidiary AEL Sistemas, starting in 2014

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Updated: Iron Curtain Successful in Firing Tests on BAE’s GCV

Updated: Iron Curtain Successful in Firing Tests on BAE’s GCV

April 29, 2013 at 20:12 0 comments

The Iron Curtain active protection system (APS) for protected vehicles has recently passed a successful test series on board an armored vehicle provided by BAE Systems for U.S. government testing. According to the company CEO Keith Brendley, the system is ready for integration on combat vehicles.

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The new INS Rahav is seen here at the dry dock at Kiel, Germany. A German Navy Type 212 submarine berthed in front of the Rahav provides a size comparison between the two classes.

Israel’s Navy Receives the Fifth Dolphin Submarine

April 29, 2013 at 14:49 0 comments

Israel received today the fifth Dolphin-Class submarine. “INS Rahav” will arrive in Israel during the course of 2013, upon the completion and installation of its relevant systems.

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Bionic Ears Provide Combat Advantage, Hearing Protection for the Warfighter

Bionic Ears Provide Combat Advantage, Hearing Protection for the Warfighter

April 29, 2013 at 13:42 0 comments

Warfighters pay a high price for lack of auditory protection, but often they consider such price justified, for it keeps them sharp to react quickly and effectively, thus staying alive in combat. Sharpening the warfighter’s hearing while while protecting them from short and long terms risks, next generation of hearing protection are expected soon at a battlefield near you…

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Lt. General Bogdan Christopher, PEO JSF

F-35 PEO: “any foreign partner pooling out will have an effect on the others, a ‘death spiral’”

April 26, 2013 at 21:02 0 comments

Lt. General Christopher C. Bogdan, the Program Executive Officer outlined the achievements and hurdles of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) in his testimony in front of the Senate Armed Services committee. While the program is now in a better shape, obstacles still remain, in software integration, affordability and future operating & support.

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French Defense Minister Jean Yves Le Drian

France to Announce a New Defense Strategy

April 26, 2013 at 18:15 0 comments

The French President Francois Hollande will release a long-awaited update to the nation’s defense strategy Monday. The new strategy is likely to address France’s role in the newly European defense policy, under the current fiscal stress, parallel to the diminishing presence of US forces in the continent.

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SatTrooper 1000 from Gilat was selected by the IDF to provide satellite links for  dismounted infantry units. Photo: Gilat

Israel’s Infantry Units to Receive Gilat Satellites Manpack SATCOM Terminals

April 26, 2013 at 09:14 0 comments

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has selected Gilat Satellite Networks’ SatTrooper-1000 military Manpack Satellite Communications (SATCOM) terminal to equip combat units with advanced, beyond line of sight tactical communications. I-HLS reports The new terminal communicates data, video and telephony at broadband speeds, via a satellite link, thus overcoming distance or interference [...]

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CV-90 Armadillo Begin Field Evaluations in Denmark

CV-90 Armadillo Begin Field Evaluations in Denmark

April 25, 2013 at 11:05 0 comments

The Danish Army has received five Armadillo type armored infantry fighting vehicles for testing. The Armadillo is one of several options considered by the Danish Army. Tests are expected to continue through the summer, leading to final selection in February 2014.

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