International Aerial Group Supports Israel’s Firefighting Campaign in Mt. Carmel

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Dec 5, 2010

carmel_forest_fire — Forest fire blazing out of control on Mt. Carmel in Israel, with crop dusters bravely attempting to save a settlement from the flames. The fire raged for three days, until suppressed by a combined, international effort by international effort by firefighters and an aerial firefighting aircraft gathered from Russia, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France and the USA. Photo: IDF

Faced with the worst forest fire since last Wednesday, Israel mobilized all firefighters, law enforcement and Home Front command in an effort to fight the blaze burning Jewish, Druze and Arab settlements across the mountain. Lacking effective rapid response capable of fighting the fire in the dense, dry vegetation, firefighters called air support which was too late and too small to handle the fire, which turned into a deadly firestorm killing 41 in wardens, policemen and firefighters trapped in the blazing inferno.

Devastated by the shocking news Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked for international support. Within few hours firefighting materials, water bombers and firefighters began to arrive to fight the blaze. Firefighters from Bulgaria and Jordan, Specialized water bombers seaplanes – the Bombardier CL-215 ad 415 from Greece and Turkey, firefighting helicopters from Cyprus, including an RAF helicopter stationed in the island, huge Ilyushin IL-76 water bomber and Beriev 200 Altair seaplane from Russia all joined the fight. Even the huge Evergreen 747 Supertanker arrived at the scene to pour over 75,000 liters (20,000 gal) of fire retardant over the dying flames.

Inspired and encouraged by the demonstration of such airpower, Netanyahu directed the government to recapitalize aerial firefighting, a service that deteriorated through the past decade, after being privatized by the government. The new initiative directed at the PM office will have to allocate the resources to establish a firefighting squadron within the Israel Air Force or other governmental agency. Until now, Israel had to rely on a commercial service provider, operating eight Ayres Trush crop dusters maintained in readiness on firefighting alert. If such squadron is indeed activated, it will be ready to support Israel, as well as neighboring countries including the Palestinian Authority, Jordan, and Egypt.

International Aerial Group Supports Israel’s Firefighting Campaign in Mt. Carmel

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Dec 5, 2010

Above: Two amphibian firefighters joining the fight over the Carmel mountain – a Hellenic Bombardier CL-415 and Russian Be-200 Altair. Photo: Nir Ben Yosef.

Israel's firefighting fleet relied sofar on eight AyresTrush aerial crop dusters, maintained on firefighting alert to respond to calls to put out forest fires.

Faced with the worst forest fire since last Wednesday, Israel mobilized all firefighters, law enforcement and Home Front command in an effort to fight the blaze burning Jewish, Druze and Arab settlements across the mountain. Lacking effective rapid response capable of fighting the fire in the dense, dry vegetation, firefighters called air support which was too late and too small to handle the fire, which turned into a deadly firestorm killing 41 in wardens, policemen and firefighters trapped by the blaze.

Among the foreign assistance sent to fighth the deadly fired in Israel were two Turkish CL-215 firefighters. The friendly Turkish gesture touched the Israelis after the prolonged rift between the two countries over the Israeli intercept of the Turkish flotilla to Gaza left ten Turks dead and many more wounded.

Devastated by the shocking news Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked for international support. Within few hours firefighting materials, water bombers and firefighters began to arrive to fight the blaze. Firefighters from Bulgaria and Jordan, Specialized water bombers seaplanes – the Bombardier CL-215 ad 415 from Greece and Turkey, firefighting helicopters from Cyprus, including an RAF helicopter stationed in the island, huge Ilyushin IL-76 water bomber and Beriev 200 Altair seaplane from Russia all joined the fight. Even the huge Evergreen 747 Supertanker arrived at the scene to pour over 72 tons of water over the dying flames.

Inspired and encouraged by the demonstration of such airpower, Netanyahu directed the government to recapitalize aerial firefighting, a service that deteriorated through the past decade, after being privatized by the government. The new initiative directed at the PM office will have to allocate the resources to establish a firefighting squadron within the Israel Air Force or other governmental agency. Until now, Israel had to rely on a commercial service provider, operating eight Ayres Trush crop dusters maintained in readiness on firefighting alert. If such squadron is indeed activated, it will be ready to support Israel, as well as neighboring countries including the Palestinian Authority, Jordan, and Egypt.

Another firefighting team was deployed with an RAF helicopter from the Royal Air Force base in Akrotiri, Cyprus.

Boeing Selected to Develop a new Multi-Int Airborne System for the U.S. Army

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Dec 4, 2010

mc_12 — The U.S. Air Force began operating MC-12 ISR Aircraft at Bagram and Kandahar fields in Afghanistan earlier in 2010. In June this year, the Army received proposals from several U.S. companies for the delivery of similar aircraft known as 'EMARSS', to provide close ISR support to the land forces. Photo: US Air Force

The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) was selected by the U.S. Army to develop the Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (EMARSS). The company was awarded $88 million firm-fixed-price contract to develop and integrate the mission package, through the 24 month Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase, delivering up to 12 EMARSS systems – four developmental aircraft, with options for two additional planes and six low rate initial production (LRIP) planes. The Army plans to conduct another competition for full-rate production of additional 28 aircraft. The total cost of the program is expected to exceed $320 million.

EMARSS addresses part of the operational requirements contemplated for the Aerial Common Sensor (ACS). It will be designed to operate as part of the Aerial Exploitation Battalions (AEB), which are assigned to the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM). When operated in support of theater commands, the collection of Intelligence, Surveillance and Renaissance (ISR) will be handled through centralized processing, exploitation and dissemination (PED). However, unlike the former ACS, EMARSS will also have a simultaneous capability to directly support tactical forces, transmitting critical full-motion video and intelligence products to engaged tactical forces.

It will provide a persistent capability to detect, locate, classify/identify and track surface targets in nearly all weather conditions, day or night, with a high degree of timeliness and accuracy. The suite will comprise an Electro-optic/Infrared (EO/IR) payload with Full Motion Video (FMV) sensor, a COMINT collection system, an Aerial Precision Guidance (APG) system, line-of-site (LOS) tactical and beyond line-of-site (LOS/BLOS) communications suites, two operator workstations and a self-protection suite.

The contract covers the four initial EMD units to be delivered within two years and provides options for two more EMD and six LRIP systems to be delivered in four years. EMARSS is a manned multi-int platform to be installed on an existing platform (currently the MC-12 is considered).

“By working closely with our business partners in Phantom Works, we were able to rapidly define and develop a solution tailored to the warfighter’s needs,” said Roger Krone, president of Boeing Network & Space Systems. “The sensor and network capabilities Boeing is offering, along with the reliability and flexibility of the King Air platform, will provide the Army with a new level of battlefield mission support.”

Boeing Awarded $30 Million for A160T Transport UAVs to Support U.S. Marines in Afghanistan

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Dec 3, 2010

a160_sling — In March 2010 Boeing demonstrated the capability of its A-160T to transfer more than 2,000 pounds of cargo, addressing an urgent requirement raised by the Marines. Photo: Boeing.

The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has awarded Boeing [NYSE: BA] a contract worth close to $30 million for the delivery of unmanned cargo aerial vehicle services supporting U.S. Marine Corps in Afghanistan. The service also awarded Lockheed Martin/Kaman, the competing team, a $45.8 million contract for a parralel development of the heavier, unmanned KMAX platform.

Under the contract Boeing will provide two A160T Hummingbird unmanned vehicles, three ground control stations, spares, training and support. The A160T aircraft designated for the contract are being completed at the new production line launched by the company in Mesa, Ariz., March 2010.

In order to meet the operational needs of the Marine Corps, the Navy made a decision to award two contracts to reduce potential deployment delays and inability to meet performance requirements. The Navy will conduct a Quick Reaction Assessment (QRA) in summer 2011 to prove systems’ ability to sustain cargo-carrying capability in an operational environment. Immediately following a successful QRA, one contractor’s in-country service option will be exercised and their system will deploy to Afghanistan.

The Navy intends to field Cargo UAS in fall 2011 for a six-month deployment. After the initial deployment, Navy and Marine Corps leadership will assess the value of the capability and determine if an extension or re-compete contract should be pursued.

These unmanned vehicles will be owned by the government-owned, but will be supported by the manufacturer under the new contract. The contract calls for a period of predeployment operations at a military facility in the continental United States, followed by options for a six-month deployment to Afghanistan.

X-37B Unmanned Space Plane Lands at Vandenberg AFB After 220 Days in Space

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Dec 3, 2010

x37b_landed1 — The X-37B is shown here after landing at 1:16 a.m. Pacific time today, concluding its more than 220-day experimental test mission. It was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., on April 22. Photo: Boeing

After spending 220 days in space the U.S. Air Force’s X-37B unmanned re-entry spacecraft landed at Vandenberg Air Force Base just after midnight (1:16am pacific time) December 3, 2010. X-37B designated the ‘First Orbital Test Vehicle’ (OTV-1), was built by Boeing [NYSE: BA] to experiment rapid deployment of space assets under the Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office (AFRCO). The X-37B program is demonstrating a reliable, reusable unmanned space test platform for the Air Force, providing developmental risk reduction for such program. The unmanned spacecraft was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, in Florida on April 22.

A view taken by a FLIR Systems thermal camera, recording the landing of the unmanned X-37B space plan.

x37b_landed_fwd — The X-37B has landed after concluding its more than 220-day experimental test mission. Photo: Boeing

The X-37B is the United States’ first unmanned vehicle to return from space and land on its own. Previously, the manned space shuttle was the only space vehicle capable of returning to Earth. Russia has already tested a similar unmanned concept with the Buran unmanned space shuttle 22 years ago but did not pursue this direction further than proof of concept.

The success of this inaugural mission demonstrates that unmanned space vehicles can be sent into orbit and safely recovered. “This marks a new era in space exploration, and we look forward to the launch of the second vehicle in 2011.” said Paul Rusnock, Boeing vice president of Experimental Systems and program director for the X-37B. Boeing’s experience in space-based unmanned vehicle spans a decade and includes support to the Air Force Research Lab’s X-40 program, NASA’s X-37 program, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s X-37 Approach & Landing Test Vehicle (ALTV) program.

What was the X-37B doing during the eight months mission in space? The Air Force is not releasing information about the current or future mission, but, according to DODBuz, it is clear the spacecraft has a spacious payload bay that can accommodate small satellites, or other payloads that could be retrieved after a short mission. Amateur spacecraft trackers following the mission of the spacecraft have indicated it performed at least four maneuvers while in space, demonstrating its ability to position a small reconnaissance or communications satellite in low earth orbit, responding to theater intelligence requirements in support of Combatant commanders.

North Korean ‘smoking gun’ spotted: Rocket Launchers in Positions aimed at South Korean Yeonpyeong island

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Dec 1, 2010

korea_1 — This satelite image clearly shows the 'smoking gun' - scorch marks trailing four of the six rocket launching positions used by the North Korean Army on November 23, 2010. Photo: Eros-B satellite, by Imagesat

North Korea fired scores of artillery rockets at the South Korean Yeonpyeong island on November 23, 2010, killing two soldiers. Two soldiers and two civilians were killed in the attack, 18 wounded. (For larger images please check this post)

The South Korean army returned fire with artillery and scrambled fighter planes to the area. The image above taken by Israel’s Eros B satellite, obtained by Defense Update from the satellite operator Imagesat, shows the empty firing positioned lined up on the roadside, from where the North fired about 200 rockets. A standard 122mm BM-21 rocket battery comprises six vehicles, each carrying 40 ready to fire rockets in launch tubes.

bm21 — BM-21 multiple launch 122mm rocket system - such rockets were used by the North Korean army in its attack on the south, 23 November 2010.

This satelite image clearly shows the ‘smoking gun’ – scorch marks trailing each of the four positions, the fifth shows faint scorch marks, while the sixth (at the bottom) doesnot have such marks at all, indicating that the battery actually fired rockets but was leaving the site before spending its ammunition. The cause of that action could be South Korean counterfire directed at these launchers. Ten impact craters are clearly seen in the image, hitting within a 150 meter circle, centered about 100 to the left of the rocket battery. The number of rockets fired by the four-five vehicles also matches the numer of hits counted on the South Korean island (about 200 rounds).

Following the attack the North deployed more mobile rocket launcers near the coastline. Three new batteries are clearly show on the following satellite images taken on November 24, 2010. The images show the new units under camouflage nets, in their firing positions. Part of these positions are protected by earth berms, while others are exposed in the open. The image also shows clear vehicle tracks leading to each of the sites.

Italian, Israel Air Force Conduct Joint Training Exercises in Sardinia, Southern Israel

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Nov 26, 2010

cagliari_iaf — F-15 and F-16 Fighter aircraft from four Israel Air Force squadrons deployed to Sardinia for two weeks in November, to train with the Italian Air Force. Photo: IDF

The Israeli and Italian air Forces concluded an extensive, two-week exercise in Sardinia today. Members from four Israel Air Force fighter squadrons participated in the exercise, “The Twin-Tail Knights” and “The Spearhead” flying F-15Cs and Ds from the Tel-Nof base, and the “Defenders Of The South” and “The Golden Eagle” squadrons from the Nevatim IAF base, flying F-16. The exercise was the first international training deployment of the “Eitam” (G550), an Early Warning & Control aircraft aircraft. The Italian element in the exercise played the ‘red team’ of adversary air force, challenging the Israelis with Eurofighter Typhoons, AMXs, Panavia Tornado and F-16s ‘aggressors’.

International training deployments are essential for the IAF to maintain pilot skills in extended range operation, under changing weather conditions, over unfamiliar areas, fly at low altitude over the vast uninhibited areas of the island, perform precision navigation flights and practice cooperation with foreign NATO elements as part of coalition operations. The IAF is deploying to Sardinia for several years. In October 2009 Israeli Air Force F-15E and F-16I also deployed to Cagliari base in Sardinia, to participate in a similar exercise. According to Lt. Col A., “The Golden Eagle” squadron leader, the international training program will incorporate more air forces in the future, and the Italian Air Force plans to deploy aircraft on training missions to Israel in the future.

Two weeks later, eight Italian Tornado strike fighters deployed to Israel Air Force Base at Ovda for eight days. Ovda is located in the southern Negev desert near the city of Eilat, where they ‘fought’ against the IAF ‘Flying Dragon’ playing the ‘red team’ aggressor squadron. The Italians were able to experience unfamiliar desert areas, simulating potential contingencies. The area around IAF Base Ovda is instrumented to represent realistic targets typical of full scale conflist as well as asymmetric (hybrid) warfare, along with air defense threats, providing a high level of realistic training unavailable in Europe. Training in such conditions effectively introduces NATO pilots to potential missions.

Few weeks ago IAF helicopters units were deployed to Greece and Romania for similar training. Earlier this summer a CH-53 helicopter was lost over the Karpatian Alps, killing its crew of five personnel, during one such international training session. In past years the IAF was regularly training in Turkey, under the Anatolian eagle and bilateral cooperation training agreement Israel and Turkey established in past years. However this cooperation ceased this year under government pressure.

Turkey is Seeking its Own Missile Defense

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Nov 26, 2010

Eurosam, the consortium producing SAMP-T is currently competing against U.S, Russian and Chinese bidders for a Turkish national missile defense project expected to be worth $2 billion. Turkey is seeking to establish a national missile defense that will be separate from the NATO missile defense shield launched by the European alliance in Lisbon last week. Apart from SAMP/T from Eurosam, Turkey is also considering the Patriot PAC-3 from Lockheed Martin, the Russia’s S-400 built by the Russian missile consortium Almaz, and Chinese FD-2000. Turkey considers fielding four sites, the first to be established in Istanbul and Ankara, with two other locations to be decided based on threat level.

The current program represents less than half the scope of a more ambitious plan discussed two years ago, fielding 12 missile defense sites throughout the country, at an investment of more than four billion dollars. The former plan also considered the acquisition of the Israeli Arrow 2 missile defense system or the Green Pine radar system, but these have been ruled out after the collapse of the Israel-Turkey defense cooperation, that followed the political rift between the two countries, led by Turkish prime minister Tayyip Erdogan.

Relevant Articles:

November 2010: ALTBMD Integrates NATO Assets

August 2008: S-300, Tor SAMs to Challenge Turkish Air Force Fighter in Training

SAMP/T Successful on First European Missile Defense Intercept Test

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Nov 26, 2010

France carried out the first ballistic missile intercept with the SAMP/T Surface-to-Air Medium Range missile system last month; however, the news release about the test was delayed by one month. Considered an important milestone in the development of European missile defense capability, the test was conducted on 18 October 2010 at the DGA Missile Launch Test Centre (CELM) in Biscarosse in southwest France.

According to the DGA, the target used for the firing was representative of a medium-range ballistic missile. This firing deployed the Aster 30 Block 1 missile variant developed for the French Air Force’s ‘Mamba’ medium range air defense system and optimized for the interception of aerial as well as ballistic threats.) SAMP-T is the first European missile system offering missile defense capability. It is one of several systems considered by the NATO Active Layered Theater Ballistic Missile Defense (ALTBMD) program.

aster_abm — SAMP-T missile system, one of the candidates for the future European missile defense systems, successfully intercepted a ballistic missile target for the first time last month in France. Photo: DGA / CELM

The Aster program is the most ambitious European missile program ever launched and the second largest defense program managed by OCCAR after the A400M tactical transport aircraft. Aster missiles are currently deployed with three European navies (rance, U.K. and Italy all operating the Aster 30) and two international navies – Saudi-Arabia and Singapore, operating the Aster 15. SAMP/T was declared operational in September 2010 with in French Luxeuil Air Defence Artillery squadron. Turkey is also interested in the SAMP/T capability.

The Aster missile family includes the naval variants Aster 15 and Aster 30 and land-based SAMP/T. The enhancement of the Aster 30 Surface-to-Air Medium Range missile system to ballistic missile interceptor spanned over six years beginning 2003.
The SAMP/T system combines the Thales Arabel radar, a real-time engagement module and the Aster 30 missile developed and produced by MBDA. The French Air Forces’ Future Surface-to-Air Family (FSAF) acquisition program (also known as Mamba) DGA is acquiring 15 SAMP/T systems from the EUROSAM consortium. The Italian Army will also receive 10 SAMP/T systems.

According to the manufacturers, during the test the systems successfully performed all the intercept phases, from target detection and designation and handoff to the fire control module, target acquisition by the ARABEL radar, computation of engagement sequence and firing decision. The target was intercepted at the intended range.

(SAMP/T is the acronym for Surface Air Moyenne Portee Terrestre)

France’s Mars Industry Consortium Selected for Scorpion Architecture Design

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Nov 26, 2010

The French Ministry of Defense announced the selection of an industry group comprising Thales, Sagem and Nexter, to lead the architecture development of the French land forces modernization program known as ‘Scorpion‘. The announcement, originally expected in June this year, was delayed after the French government committed to deep budget cuts. The Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), the French defense development and procurement arm, awarded the team €21 million contract to finalize Scorpion system architecture, preparing for the next phase of specific systems development and acquisition in two years. Contractor selection for the specific elements of Scorpion is expected towards the end of 2013, leading to initial fielding in program in 2016. Scorpion is currently budgeted at around €5 billion.

The consortium’s proposal to the DGA centred around the creation of a dedicated company, ‘Master of Architecture Scorpion’ (MARS), thereby “ensuring autonomous governance and a simplified industrial organisation” the official announcement stated. “The company will work in close, ongoing partnership with DGA, headquarters and land forces teams, with a clear focus on operational realities. This platform-based, collaborative approach, implemented on both a face-to-face and network basis, represents a new challenge, which MARS will address in a spirit of transparency, with the best interests of the armed forces in mind. The company is also committed to impartiality in its engineering choices and in dialogue with industrial partners.” the partners declared in a joint statement.

The specific element in Scorpion comprise about a thousand new multi-role armored vehicles (VBMR) replacing current wheeled armored personnel vehicles (VAB) beginning in 2016, and about 70 new armored reconnaissance combat vehicle (EBRC) scheduled to enter service around from 2019, replacing current AMX 10RC. The program also includes comprehensive modernization of the Leclerc tank. The program also includes the fielding of a new battle command system “Scorpion Information Combat Systems (SICS). The program also integrates some of the modern elements recently introduced to the French land forces, such as the armored infantry fighting vehicle (VBCI) and Felin infantry combat suits. Eventually, Scorpion will equip all French battle groups.

Israeli Satellite Images Locate North Korean ‘smoking gun’: Rocket Launchers in Positions aimed at South Korean Yeonpyeong island

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Nov 24, 2010

North Korea fired scores of artillery rockets at the South Korean Yeonpyeong island on November 23, 2010, killing two soldiers. Two soldiers and two civilians were killed in the attack, 18 were wounded. (Read our post reporting the incident on the same day)

The South Korean army returned fire with artillery and scrambled fighter planes to the area. The image above taken by Israel’s Eros B satellite, obtained by Defense Update from the satellite operator Imagesat, shows the empty firing positioned lined up on the roadside, from where the North fired about 200 rockets. A standard 122mm BM-21 rocket battery comprises six vehicles, each carrying 40 ready to fire rockets in launch tubes.

This satelite image (above) clearly shows the ‘smoking gun’ – scorch marks trailing each of the four positions, the fifth shows faint scorch marks, while the sixth (at the bottom) doesnot have such marks at all, indicating that the battery actually fired rockets but was leaving the site before spending its ammunition. The cause of that action could be South Korean counterfire directed at these launchers. Ten impact craters are clearly seen in the image, hitting within a 150 meter circle, centered about 100 to the left of the rocket battery. The number of rockets fired by the four-five vehicles also matches the numer of hits counted on the South Korean island (about 200 rounds).

Following the attack the North deployed more mobile rocket launcers near the coastline. Three new batteries are clearly show on the following satellite images taken on November 24, 2010. The images show the new units under camouflage nets, in their firing positions. Part of these positions are protected by earth berms, while others are exposed in the open. The image also shows clear vehicle tracks leading to each of the sites.

All images: Eros B satellite by Imagesat International BV

North Korean Artillery Barrage Strikes South Korean Island

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Tamir Eshel

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Nov 23, 2010

North Korea fired scores of artillery shells at the South Korean Yeonpyeong island on Tuesday, killing two soldiers. Two soldiers were killed in the attack, 17 wounded. Three civilians were also hurt. The South Korean army returned fire with artillery and scrambled fighter planes to the area. South Korea was conducting military drills in the area at the time but said it had not been firing at the North.

It is not the first time the north fires at the island (the last attack came in January 2010) but today’s attack was the largest and most massive since the end of the Korean War. The Island is close to a disputed maritime border on the west of the divided peninsula that has seen clashes in the past. Yeonpyeong is located 120 km (75 miles) west of Seoul, close to the North Korean coast.

The attack came as the Pyongyang – backed by China, are pressing regional powers and the west to return to negotiations on the North’s nuclear weapons program. Part of this pressure was the revelations of the new uranium enrichment facility at Yongbyon. The tension between the two countries rose sharply early this year after Seoul accused the North of torpedoing one of its navy vessels, killing 46 sailors.

While South Korea adopts a hard line against the North, its flexibility in retaliation is limited due to North Korean overt determination to escalate the conflict. While South Korea maintains an impressive military power, its role is mostly defensive, as Seoul is reluctant to escalate a conflict that could devastate its economy. The U.S. has about 28,000 troops in South Korea.

On the other side of the border, North Korean has over a million soldiers in uniform, and a massive rocket and artillery pointed at the South capital Seoul, putting a over 25 million people at risk. The two Koreas are still technically at war — the Korean War ended only with a truce – North Korea said its wealthy neighbor started the fight.

North Korea, one of the world’s poorest economies, is dependent on China for economical support. China has urged returning to the nuclear disarmament negotiations but has also fended off calls from Washington and its regional allies to use its vital food and energy aid to North Korea as a lever.

British-Israeli JV to Produce Carbon Nanotubes for Defense Applications

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Tamir Eshel

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Nov 22, 2010

A new company established today in Israel will produce carbon nanotube fibre for the enhancement of body armor and composite armour systems for vehicles. The new material is stronger than Kevlar and other ballistic fabrics, but still flexible and lightweight. TorTech Nano Fibers Ltd. The company is a joint venture company owned by Israel’s world leading armor and survivability company Plasan and University of Cambridge spin-out company Q-Flo. According to the agreement, Plasan will have exclusive sales and marketing rights to defence-orientated materials, whilst Q-Flo will retain rights for other potential applications.

“We believe Q-Flo’s carbon nanotubes have the potential to revolutionise the defence industry through a new range of lightweight, flexible and incredibly strong armored material” Said CEO of Plasan Group, Dan Ziv. “Through TorTech, we intend to produce a carbon nanotube-based yarn, which can be woven into the strongest-ever man-made material. Plasan’s expertise will then enable the design and production of a revolutionary new range of body and vehicle armor” said According to Q-Flo’s CEO, Dr. Dai Hayward.

This is the first time the technology will be scaled up for industrial production. The current process for making the fibre is only capable of turning out one gram per day.

Prof Alan Windle and Dr Martin Pick, who spun out Q-Flo in 2004, developed a process that winds fibre from an ‘elastic smoke’ consisting of floating carbon nanotubes. The smoke is created by growing carbon nanotubes on tiny floating iron catalysts inside a reactor. The floating nanotubes entangle, and create an ‘elastic smoke’. This smoke can then be wound up into a continuous fibre using Q-Flo’s specially designed machine. The fibre is so thin that it is barely visible to the naked eye.

It is believed the fibre could be used to make ropes, cables, fabric and composite materials, as well as body armor. While the material’s axial strength and stiffness is in the range of conventional carbon fibre, its toughness exceeds Kevlar by three times. At the same time it is also lighter in weight. Its yarn-like nature also means that it can be successfully woven into the matrix resin of composites.

North Korea Accelerates Nuclear Plans – Construct Light Water Reactor, Uranium Enrichment Facilities at Yongbyon

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Tamir Eshel

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Nov 22, 2010

yongbyon nuclear facility eros B satellite photo — North Korean wants to complete the construction of a new, 100-megawatt light-water reactor at the nuclear site at Yongbyon by 2012. An uranium enrichment facility has already been established at a nearby location. EROS-B satellite photo by Imagesat International.

The scope of the North Korean nuclear program is much larger than previously estimated by the west, as the North develops new nuclear capabilities at an alarming pace. Pyongyang is not trying to hide its activities, but openly invites U.S. nuclear scientists to witness the advanced state of the program, creating substential deterrence and pressuring Washington to enter negotiations.

Read the full report

U.S. nuclear scientists recently invited to North Korea’s Yongbyon nuclear facility had the opportunity to witness the constrcution of a new light water reactor and new uranium enrichment facility accommodating thousands of centrifuges. One of the U.S. scientists, Jack Pritchard, a specialist on North Korea and retired US Army officer, reported upon his return the new reactor at Yongbyon, located near the location of the demolished cooling tower constructed to support the 5MW reactor constructed by the North in the 1990s. The site is visible in the image above, taken by the Israeli EROS B satellite on October 29, 2010.

The new reactor under construction is only part of Pyongyang’s revamped nuclear technology development. According to Robert Carlin, one of the three scientists visiting Yongbyon recently, the Yongbyon facility also includes a large uranium enrichment facility. “The North Koreans say it was 2,000 [centrifuges]. It was a lot.” said Carlin. “None of the experts that I knew predicted the North Koreans could build anything like this number… Everybody predicted they were at a very early stage,” Carlin said.

Diplomats and scientists alike largely agree that the latest developments are a game-changer. A military attack is unthinkable, but so is allowing a runaway nuclear program. In a report on the meeting, Carlin’s colleague Siegfried Hecker concluded: “The only hope appears to be engagement.” That means restarting stalled negotiations with North Korean leaders, whose hand appears to have been dramatically strengthened.

Read the full report

Photo: Imagesat International

Defense-UpdateMilitary Technology & Defense News

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