News
North Korean hackers stole wing designs for U.S. fighter jet, says Seoul –
North Korean hackers stole wing designs for a U.S. jet fighter and photos of parts of spy planes from a South Korean company, according to authorities in Seoul, the latest in a series of alleged cyberattacks by Pyongyang.
Business
Contenders emerge for British tank upgrade program –
An effort by the British Army to extend the life of its Challenger 2 main battle tanks out to 2035 is due to move into a new gear next month as some of the world’s top armored-vehicle suppliers submit bids to secure work under the program’s assessment phase.
Boeing Defense shifts its priorities –
Leanne Caret was promoted to president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space and Security in February 2016 after leading the company’s Global Services and Support business. She opened a conversation with Aviation Week addressing head-on Boeing’s recent technical difficulties with the KC-46A aerial refueling tankers.
Germany’s DST to service UAE’s howitzers –
DST Defence Service Tracks arrived in Paris for the opening of the Eurosatory defense show June 13 with the ink hardly dry on a significant deal signed with the United Arab Emirates to undertake maintenance and repairs on the Gulf nation’s fleet of M109 self-propelled howitzers.
Rafael unveils lightweight SPARC solution for special forces –
Rafael Advanced Defence Systems unveiled a new vehicle-integrated lightweight concept variant of its SPARC trailer-mounted and remote-controlled launch system for the Spike Non-Line-of-Sight multi-purpose tactical missile at the 2016 Paris Air Show.
Elbit Systems unveils helmet-mounted sensor system –
Elbit Systems has unveiled a new helmet-mounted sensor system for armored vehicles.
Sofradir seeks to set a new IR tech standard –
Sofradir, a French manufacturer of military and civil infrared sensors, seeks to set a new technology standard with its Daphne device, which cuts the pixel pitch to 10 microns from a standard 15, said chairman Philippe Bensussan.
Work begins on Turkish utility helicopter program –
Turkish industry has formally begun production of Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk helicopters under the Turkish Utility Helicopter Program.
Aptima wins DCGS training contract –
Aptima has been awarded a $12.4 million Air Force contract to create a virtual trainer for the Distributed Common Ground System.
Indian excludes foreign vendors from its air-defense upgrade –
India’s Ministry of Defence has asked the Indian Air Force to modernize its aging Russian Pechora air defense systems by using only domestic defense companies in accordance with the “Make in India” policy.
Eurosatory 2016: Thales forms fleet management venture with Soframe –
French defense group Thales announced on 13 June that it had launched a military vehicles fleet management business with Soframe with an eye on opportunities in France and around the world.
Eurosatory 2016: BAE Systems details LAND 400 Phase 2 bid –
BAE Systems has unveiled a range of details about its bid for Australia’s LAND 400 Phase 2 combat reconnaissance vehicle programme, which is valued at U.S. $2.95-3.67 billion.
Eurosatory 2016: CZ Bren 2 assault rifle makes international debut –
Small arms manufacturer Ceská zbrojovka is showcasing its latest Bren 2 assault rifle outside of the Czech Republic for the first time at Eurosatory 2016 in Paris.
Defense
The Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency will test-fire its new larger SM-3IIA interceptor missile in space –
The SM-3 IIA can hit bigger targets, such as incoming enemy ballistic missiles, at longer distances than previous SM-3 interceptor missiles.
U.S. troops have new powers in Afghanistan. What exactly does that mean? –
It’s unclear what changes the Obama administration just implemented for U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
Army wants to buy back Guard Apaches in 2018 –
Army budgeteers are laboring mightily to fund four National Guard attack helicopter battalions in their 2018 request, if Congress doesn?t add the money for 2017, the service’s vice-chief. The Army also has “a resourcing strategy” to restore an 11th Combat Aviation Brigade “a mix of attack and utility helicopters” to be permanently based in South Korea, Gen. Daniel Allyn said this morning at the Heritage Foundation.
Army may have to limit distribution of best equipment –
As modernization budgets are squeezed, the Army might have to be more selective about which units receive the most advanced equipment, a top officer said June 13.
U.S. Army will seek to boost aviation forces in upcoming budget –
Providing a preview of upcoming budget plans, the U.S. Army’s vice chief of staff said the service is looking to fund an 11th combat aviation brigade (CAB) and to add four AH-64 Apache attack helicopter battalions for the Army National Guard.
U.S. Navy begins shipboard V-22 COD trials –
In preparation for the planned replacement of its legacy Northrop Grumman C-2 Greyhound transport aircraft, the U.S. Navy on 12 June received a Boeing MV-22 Osprey from Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 1 aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) for flight evaluation, the navy announced.
Marines want to turn Osprey into lethal flying tank –
The U.S. Marine Corps is progressing with a new project to arm its MV-22 Osprey aircraft with new weapons such as laser-guided 2.75in rockets, missiles and heavy guns — a move which would expand the tiltrotor’s mission set beyond supply, weapons and forces transport to include a wider range of offensive and defensive combat missions, Corps officials said.
Veterans
PTSD: What’s working, what’s ahead? –
As U.S. troops continue to come home with invisible wounds, research — including a big chunk being conducted in San Diego — continues to change the understanding and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.