• F-35 Litening II Flight Testing Progress Detailed
• First Firing Test for Zumwalt's MK57 Vertical Launching System
• Airborne Systems Group Demonstrates new Tactical Parachutes
• Australians Conduct Sea Trials for Aqua Puma
• Boeing Introduces KC-X Team
• iRobot Introduces new Pacbot EOD Robot
• Saab is Pursuing Norwegian-Swedish Cooperation

Analysis:

• Hamastan Gaza - to become a Wahhabist Outpost?
  Saudi Arabian influence into the Gaza strip could introduce a new danger to secular Palestine - Wahhabism, which no less extreme than Hezbollah or al Qaeda.

• Deadly Scourge of the US Helicopter Pilots in Iraq
  The downing of six helicopters in the past three weeks shows that Iraqi insurgents are becoming more adept at attacking these aircraft, which the military relies on for a variety of critical functions, regarding them as central elements to counter insurgency warfare.
  

F-35 Litening II Flight Testing Progress Detailed

By the first week of February 2007 the first F-35 Lightning II (AA-1) performed seven test flights since its inaugural flight December 15. The aircraft so far has flown at 23,000 feet and achieved speeds of Mach 0.8 and a 16-degree angle of attack. The program's avionics testbed, known as CATBird, also performed eight flights, logged 24.8 hours, and is now poised to receive additional flight clearance.

First Firing Test for Zumwalt's MK57 Vertical Launching System

Raytheon Company's (NYSE:RTN) Integrated Defense Systems and BAE Systems have successfully completed a restrained test firing of a Standard Missile-2 BLK IV MK72 rocket booster on the new MK57 Vertical Launching System (VLS) missile launcher. The test demonstrated the system's ability to safely withstand a static burn of an MK72 rocket motor in the new launcher. The test was conducted at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico to prepare for deploying the MK57 Vertical Launching System on the DDG 1000 Zumwalt Class Destroyer.

Airborne Systems Group Demonstrates a new Tactical Parachutes

Airborne Systems Group demonstrated new parachute delivery systems during the company's "Airborne Days" demonstration event. Among the highlights were the Advanced Tactical Parachute System (ATPS) slated to replace the US Army's aging T-10 series non-steerable troop parachutes in use since the 1950's. ATPS is designed for improved safety, by reducing the rate of descent by 25 percent from 22 feet per second with the T-10 to an average rate of descent of 18 feet per second for a 385lbs Total Jumper Weight. Consequently, the decline in rate of descent will reduce the impact energy by almost 40% to lessen the potential for injury.

Australians Conduct Sea Trials for Aqua Puma

AeroVironment, Inc. (Nasdaq:AVAV) completed sea trials of the Aqua Puma unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for the Royal Australian Navy. The Australians are planning to deploy the UAS with the new Armidale class patrol boats. Aqua Puma is launched by hand, lands directly onto the sea surface and is recovered by hand from vessels. It is a next-generation FQM-151 Pointer, with the same form factor but increased endurance (1.5 hours) and enhanced sensor capability. AV has teamed with the Australian company XTEK For regional representation and support. The company's RQ-11 Raven UAS are operational with the Australian forces since 2005.

Boeing Introduces KC-X Team

Boeing formally announced it will offer an advanced tanker based on the KC-767-200 Long Range Freighter for the USAF KC-X program. Boeing's Global Tanker Team producing the KC-767 Advanced Tanker includes Smiths Aerospace, Rockwell Collins, Vought Aircraft Industries, Honeywell and the newest member -- Spirit AeroSystems. AMong the innovations included in the aircraft are advanced fly-by-wire boom, new wing refueling pods, a centerline hose drum refueling unit, and advanced 777 commercial digital flight deck and a third-generation remote vision refueling system.

iRobot Introduces new Pacbot EOD Robot

iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ:IRBT) is introducing a new a second-generation Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robot, designated to address evolving requirements for a stronger, faster and easier-to-use robot. Equipped with an EOD Kit, PackBot 510 is 30 percent faster, can drag larger objects, lifts twice the weight and has a grip that is three times stronger than its predecessor. The new robot uses a game-style hand controller for faster training and easier operation in the field. This new robot will begin shipping in April 2007. To date, iRobot has delivered more than 800 PackBot robots, and these powerful robots are in operation in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world.

Saab is Pursuing Norwegian-Swedish Cooperation

Saab Aerotech and the Norwegian company Heli-One announced the signature of a memorandum of understanding for the cooperation in providing support for helicopters in the Nordic and international market. Saab is seeking to expand its cooperation with Norwegian aerospace companies setting the scene to promote its offering of Gripen fighter aircraft in this country. The two companies are exploring mutual business opportunities, including the offering of Helo-One facility in Stavanger, Norway as training, maintenance and logistic support of the Swedish Defense Forces NH90 helicopters. Heli-One is a division within the CHC Helicopter Corporation Group and provides helicopter maintenance and logistic support for CHC’s fleet of helicopters and for civil and military operator’s world wide.