News
North Korea says it tested a hydrogen bomb –
North Korea said Wednesday it had conducted a hydrogen bomb test, a defiant and surprising move that, if confirmed, would put Pyongyang a big step closer toward improving its still-limited nuclear arsenal.
Business
Boeing wins 10-year T-38C contract as U.S. Air Force looks to T-X –
Boeing has defeated an unnamed challenger to secure a 10-year contract worth up to $855 million for Northrop T-38C Talon avionics and logistics support, maintaining its involvement with the widely-used aircraft through 2026 as the U.S. Air Force fields a replacement “T-X” combat trainer.
Slovak defense ministry eyes Gripen lease deal after election –
Slovakia’s Defense Ministry is planning to sign a deal to lease Saab JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets from the aircraft manufacturer following the parliamentary election which is scheduled for March 2016, the ministry’s spokesman told local business daily E15.
Ghana to get Mi-35 helicopter –
The Ghanaian Air Force is in the process of acquiring one Mil Mi-35 assault helicopter, Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshal Michael Samson-Oje revealed in his end-of-year message.
Raytheon gets $12.2 million for work on Ford aircraft carrier –
Defense contractor Raytheon recently received an additional $12.2 million to continue work on a major priority — and a concern — for the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford.
Boeing wins 10-year contract for T-38C support –
Boeing has been awarded a 10-year $855 million contract to provide Northrop T-38C Talon avionics and logistics support.
Intermarine selected to deliver Italian Navy high-speed special forces vessels –
Italian shipbuilder Intermarine has been selected by the Italian Ministry of Defence to deliver two high-speed multirole vessels for special forces support, a source close to the program confirmed to IHS Jane’s.
Cool HD video shows how the F-35B can (theoretically) operate from remote airfields –
Taken May 6, 2015, the following footage features two F-35Bs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, based out at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, practicing short take off and vertical landings as part of required flying field carrier landing practices at the station’s auxiliary landing field.
U.K. extends C-130J support out to 2022 –
The U.K. Ministry of Defence has awarded a £379 million contract to support the Royal Air Force’s 24 Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules transport aircraft out until 2022.
VKS reports receiving extra Su-34s in 2015 –
The press office of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) has reported that in the final full week of 2015 the VKS received two additional Sukhoi Su-34 bombers.
Finmeccanica to supply Angola with maritime surveillance equipment, craft –
The Angolan government has signed an agreement to acquire two fast-attack naval craft and several coastal radar and repeater station systems worth €122 million from two subsidiaries of Italy’s Finmeccanica.
Analysis: South Sudan deploys S-125 SAM system –
South Sudan has had S-125 (SA-3 ‘Goa’) surface-to-air missile systems since at least 2013, IHS Jane’s can reveal.
Algeria orders 12 Su-34 ‘Fullback’ fighter-bombers from Russia –
The Algerian Air Force has ordered 12 Sukhoi (Su-34) ‘Fullback’ fighter bombers from Russian aircraft manufacturer Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association to replace an aged fleet of Soviet-era MiG-25s, which are long overdue for retirement from service, as part of an ongoing force modernization program.
India, France smooth out Rafale deal –
India has completed all negotiations and formalities to procure 36 Dassault Rafale fighters in flyaway condition and delivered all documentation related to the purchase to Paris on New Year’s Eve, official sources have said.
Defense
DOD has key role in Obama’s new gun control plans –
President Obama will charge Defense Department officials with a key role in his controversial new gun control initiatives, instructing them to research ways to improve firearms safety and become early adopters of that technology.
GAO suggests funding delay for untested ship –
Concerns that the Navy is pushing forward with construction of new close-to-shore combat ships without assurances that they will perform as intended has prompted calls for Congress to delay the program’s funding.
Pentagon reviewing plans to integrate women into newly opened combat roles –
Pentagon leaders are examining plans proposed by each military service to open about 225,000 previously male-only jobs to female troops in the coming months.
Pentagon approves request for proposal for nuclear submarine –
The Pentagon, at Dec. 21 acquisition meeting, approved release to industry of RFP for development phase of 12-ship Ohio-class replacement ICBM submarine, spokeswoman Maureen Schumann says.
Veterans
Embattled Phoenix VA exec: If I were guilty, I’d be fired –
A Veterans Affairs executive on administrative leave over the patient wait-time scandal says that if he had done anything wrong, the VA would have fired him by now.
Royal Navy officer who seized Enigma machine from raided German U-boat dies –
Lt. Cmdr. David Balme was credited with helping to shorten World War II by two years after he led the boarding party that raided a Nazi U-boat in Greenland in 1941.
Space
When two become one –
The Hubble Space Telescope captured a breath taking image of two galaxies merging into one.
