Operations
Other Conflicts
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
News Reports

Current Operations

• AFGHANISTAN ARMY VOA 22 Jul 2002 -- The first battalion of Afghanistan's new national army is about to be deployed, after receiving U-S Army basic training.
• AFGHAN/RUMSFELD VOA 22 Jul 2002 -- Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has confirmed that U-S forces have begun providing security for Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
• U-S-AFGHANISTAN VOA 22 Jul 2002 -- A presidential spokesman in Afghanistan says U-S troops are being deployed to guard the palace of President Hamid Karzai. The deployment follows the recent assassination of Afghanistan's vice president.
• UZBEK / TERRORISM VOA 22 Jul 2002 -- Although U-S-led anti-terrorism efforts have been focussed largely on Afghanistan, nationalist groups in neighboring countries, particularly Uzbekistan, have also worked with the Taleban and al-Qaida. Some of these groups have suffered heavily for their alliance with them. But do they still pose a threat?

Other Conflicts

• DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL United Nations 22 Jul 2002
• ISRAEL PALESTINIANS VOA 22 Jul 2002 -- Two Palestinian gunmen were killed Monday, in a firefight with Israeli forces near a Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip.
• ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS VOA 22 Jul 2002 -- Tensions in the Middle East seemed to ease a bit Monday with Israel and the Palestinians both announcing measures aimed at creating a better climate for a resumption of peace efforts.
• CONGO TALKS VOA 22 Jul 2002 -- Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have reached a peace deal after five days of talks in South Africa.
• SPAIN/MOROCCO DISPUTE VOA 22 Jul 2002 -- A ten-day standoff between Spain and Morocco over claims to a tiny island just off the Moroccan coast is over. U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell helped return the status quo.
• U-S-SUDAN VOA 22 Jul 2002 -- The United States has welcomed the interim peace agreement signed by the Sudanese government and southern rebels as a "strong indication" that an end to the two-decade-old civil conflict in the African country may be within reach.
• U-S-ANGOLA VOA 22 Jul 2002 -- The United States has praised progress being made in peace efforts in Angola, even though a Saturday deadline was missed for the full de-mobilization of UNITA rebels. The senior U-S diplomat for African Affairs, Walter Kansteiner, is visiting Angola for talks on the peace process this week.
• ISRAEL PALESTINIANS VOA 22 Jul 2002 -- An attack by an Israeli warplane at a location in the Gaza Strip late Monday night has killed at least 10 people and wounded as many as 100 others.
• EGYPT / REVOLUTION VOA 22 Jul 2002 -- Egyptian President Honsi Mubarak says Israel should seize what he calls a "historic chance" for peace with Arab nations. Mubarak made the comments in a speech marking the 50th anniversary of a coup that overthrew the country's British-backed monarchy.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Transcript: DoD News Briefing - Secretary Rumsfeld and Gen. Myers 22 Jul 2002 -- "Our operations today consist mainly of smaller operations, cave- by-cave searches, sweeps for arms, intelligence, small pockets of terrorists as they have dispersed. Understandably, forces are now rotating out of Afghanistan, including from the U.K. and Canada, even as they continue to play a critical role elsewhere in the world. Meanwhile, Turkey has increased its Afghan presence, sending some 1,400 troops to Kabul to assume leadership of the International Security Assistance Force. Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands will soon deploy F-16 fighters to Kurdistan for air operations over Afghanistan. Romania is deploying an infantry battalion to Afghanistan and has offered an infantry mountain company, a nuclear, biological and chemical response company and four MiG-21 fighters. And Slovakia will soon deploy an engineering unit. Special Operation forces from Norway, Denmark, Germany, Australia and other nations continue to work with U.S. Special Forces teams on the ground, combing through the caves, searching for Taliban and al Qaeda fugitives, gathering critical intelligence information."
• U-2 getting improved reconnaissance capability AFPN 22 Jul 2002 -- "To stay current with the latest reconnaissance technology, the U-2 fleet here is being upgraded from Block 0, or "legacy" aircraft, to the new Block 10 configuration. The $1.4 billion project, which began in 1998 and will be completed in the next two years, improves the aircraft's data-collecting capability by upgrading the airframe, sensors and data links."
• Carrier Air Wing Five Completes At-Sea Period Navy Newsstand 22 Jul 2002 -- Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) recently returned to its forward-deployed operating base, Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan, after approximately seven weeks of training aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63).

Defense Industry

• BAE SYSTEMS MEMS IMU guides ERGM to test success BAE Systems 22 Jul 2002 -- The BAE Systems SiIMU™ successfully aided the guidance of an Extended Range Guided Munition (ERGM) round 39 nautical miles to its designated target area at White Sands Missile Range, NM.
• BAE SYSTEMS announces the world's first active, electronically-scanned array radar for helicopters BAE Systems 22 Jul 2002 -- BAE Systems has developed the world's first production Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for helicopters. The Seaspray 7000E is being officially launched at the Farnborough International Air Show and is the latest in BAE Systems' highly successful family of Seaspray surveillance radars. The Seaspray 7000E is also suitable for uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs) and light maritime patrol aircraft.
• Kingdom of Bahrain to procure Hawk trainers BAE Systems 22 Jul 2002 -- BAE Systems today welcomed the announcement by the Kingdom of Bahrain that it has selected the Hawk trainer aircraft to meet the future training requirements of the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF). This programme further strengthens the strategic relationship between the Kingdom of Bahrain and BAE Systems.
• BAE SYSTEMS-IFS selected for Gripen support risk reduction BAE Systems 22 Jul 2002 -- BAE Systems-IFS has been selected by Saab Aerospace as the preferred supplier and first choice with whom to begin negotiations, for the risk reduction activity for the Maintenance and Ground Support System (MGSS) for the Gripen new-generation swing-role fighter. The MGSS will be used to support Gripen aircraft for export customers and internally across the entire Saab Aerospace organisation.
• Aviation Fibreturf provides grass roots solution for army's Middle Wallop airfield BAE Systems 22 Jul 2002 -- Aviation Fibreturf has been chosen by the UK Ministry of Defence for extensive grass runway repairs at the School of Army Aviation, Middle Wallop.
• Carnegie Mellon and Boeing Win Unmanned Ground Combat Vehicle Award Boeing 22 Jul 2002 -- The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has awarded Carnegie Mellon University's National Robotics Engineering Consortium and teammate Boeing [NYSE: BA] $5.5 million to build and test a prototype robotic unmanned ground combat vehicle or UGCV. The vehicle will be the first attempt at an autonomous ground combat vehicle that can operate on all types of terrain.
• Boeing Initiates Global Support Network With Fokker Services Agreement Boeing 22 Jul 2002 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today signed a teaming agreement with Fokker Services, B.V., to establish a new European Support Center. The center is part of a larger global support network that will offer comprehensive life-cycle maintenance and service for military aircraft around the world.
• Boeing Chinook Modernization Program For Egyptian Air Force Is On Track Boeing 22 Jul 2002 -- The air force that defends one of the world's oldest civilizations soon will be adding some of the most advanced Boeing [NYSE: BA] transport helicopters to its fleet.
• Tiger Serial Production gains Momentum: Eurocopter ramps up EADS 22 Jul 2002 -- Series production of the Franco-German Tiger combat helicopter - one of Europe's most important helicopter programmes - is in full swing at Eurocopter's Marignane and Donauwörth plants. Following the successful roll-out of the first production Tiger, UHT S-01 (Unterstützungshubschrauber Tiger, i.e. Combat Support Helicopter Tiger of the German Army), at the company's Donauwörth plant on March 22 this year, the aircraft is now being readied for its first flight. Delivery to the German Army Air Corps is scheduled for the end of 2002.
• The Tiger: Versatility and Discretion at the Service of Firepower EADS 22 Jul 2002 -- Over the last 40 years, the helicopter has progressively established itself as a weapon system that no military operations combining ground and air forces can do without.
• Eurocopter EC 635 - a capable Military Light Utility Helicopter EADS 22 Jul 2002 -- The EC 635 is the military version of the light twin-engine EC 135 helicopter. Within the framework of the development programme EC 635 Portugal, the following weapons systems: - the HMP 400 12.7 mm gun, the GIAT NC621 20 mm gun, and the 12-round, 70 mm FZ 231 rocket launcher, in various configurations respectively - have already been qualified for this helicopter. The Portuguese Army Aviation has ordered nine of these machines.
• FENNEC: High Performance, Multi Functions, & Complementarity in a Light Helicopter, for a Wide Range of Land and Naval Missions EADS 22 Jul 2002 -- The Fennec, the military version of the Ecureuil, offers adapted solutions to the wide variety of missions engaged by military commanders.
• The French HORIZON Onboard Surveillance System in the Fjords of Norway EADS 22 Jul 2002 -- The NATO STRONG RESOLVE military exercise took place in Norway from March 1st to 15th. Approximately 19,000 people, 150 aircraft, and 50 ships took place in the maneuvers in both land and sea regions of the Norwegian territory.
• Lockheed Martin, GE Aircraft Engines Form Engine Overhaul Joint Venture GE Aviation 22 Jul 2002 -- Lockheed Martin Aircraft & Logistics Centers and GE Aircraft Engines have agreed to develop a military aircraft engine center of excellence at the existing LMALC Kelly Aviation Center in San Antonio, Texas, under a newly-formed joint venture.
• GE Aircraft Engines Pursuing Mach 4 Jet Engine At NASA Research Center GE Aviation 22 Jul 2002 -- GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE) is beginning the development of revolutionary high-speed turbine technology for a new Mach 4 jet engine in conjunction with NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio USA.
• GE F110/F404 Fighter Engines Poised To Expand Presence GE Aviation 22 Jul 2002 -- GE Aircraft Engines' (GEAE) F110 and F404 military fighter engines are poised to further expand their worldwide presence through new platforms and technology.
• GE/Rolls-Royce JSF F136 Program Details GE Aviation 22 Jul 2002
• The GE/Rolls-Royce JSF Team Preparing For First Full-Engine Test In 2004 GE Aviation 22 Jul 2002 -- The GE/Rolls-Royce F136 engine team for the U.S. Joint Strike Fighter Program (JSF) will undergo a series of rig and subsystems tests this year and in 2003 in preparation for the first full-engine tests in 2004.
• GE Plans Thrust Increase, Other Improvements For F414 Engine; Number Of Potential Applications Growing GE Aviation 22 Jul 2002 -- GE's F414 engine, the powerplant for the U.S. Navy's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, is currently rated at 22,000 pounds (98 kN) thrust. However, GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE) has established a growth roadmap that increases thrust by as much as 25 percent.
• Turkey Orders Four CFM56-7-Powered 737 AEW&C Aircraft GE Aviation 22 Jul 2002 -- The Undersecretariat for Defense for the Government of Turkey has approved the purchase of four CFM56-7-powered Boeing 737 Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Aircraft. The engine order, which is subject to U.S. State Department and Congressional approval, is valued at approximately $40 million.
• USAF Expands CFM56-2-Powered RC-135 Fleet GE Aviation 22 Jul 2002 -- The U.S. Air Force (USAF) has released funding to purchase 24 additional CFM56-2 engines to re-engine six RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft for delivery in the 2003/2004 time frame. The order is valued at approximately $120 million.
• Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Awards the Ramta Division of Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd. a Contract for an All-Composite Folding H-60 Stabilator Israel Aerospace Industries 22 Jul 2002 -- Beer Sheva, Israel - Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation has awarded the Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Ramta Division a contract for the design and development of composite folding stabilator outer wings for the H-60 series of Black Hawk and Seahawk helicopters.
• Lockheed Martin's JASSM Demonstrates Unique Missile Capabilities Lockheed Martin 22 Jul 2002 -- Lockheed Martin's Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) successfully demonstrated a state-of-the-art anti-jam GPS feature in a test last week from an F-16 aircraft at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
• F-22 Raptor - A Transformational Weapon that Continues to Meet and Exceed All Key Performance Parameters Lockheed Martin 22 Jul 2002 -- The F-22 Raptor, now in production and continuing flight testing in California, continues to meet or exceed all technical performance parameters, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company president Dain Hancock confirmed during a press conference today conducted with U.S. Secretary of the Air Force James Roche. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. is a business area of Lockheed Martin Corp. [NYSE: LMT].
• Lockheed Martin, GE Aircraft Engines Form Engine Overhaul Joint Venture Lockheed Martin 22 Jul 2002 -- Lockheed Martin Aircraft & Logistics Centers and GE Aircraft Engines have agreed to develop a military aircraft engine center of excellence at the existing LMALC Kelly Aviation Center in San Antonio, Texas, under a newly-formed joint venture.
• Lockheed Martin Announces UK Team Athena to Compete for Ground Based Air Defence Programme Lockheed Martin 22 Jul 2002 -- A team of U.S. and British aerospace and defence companies today announced formation of Team Athena, which will compete for the Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) Phase 1 programme.
• Northrop Grumman Wins Development Contract From Boeing for F-18 Display Modernization Program Northrop Grumman 22 Jul 2002 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Navigation Systems Division has been awarded a $31 million (U.S.) contract by The Boeing Company to develop advanced flat panel color displays for the Canadian Forces and Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 aircraft. Northrop Grumman is teamed with Kaiser Electronics in San Jose, Calif., for this contract.
• Northrop Grumman Developing Aircraft Technology That 'Sees' Corrosion Behind Paint Northrop Grumman 22 Jul 2002 -- Mechanics may no longer have to open as many sections of aircraft to search for corrosion if they use a new technology being developed by a Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC)-led team.
• Successful test flight series demonstrates capabilities of “Eagle” Unmanned Aerial Vehicle EADS 22 Jul 2002 -- EADS has achieved a further success in positionning its Systems & Defence Electronics (S&DE) business unit as the leading european supplier in the field of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
• Northrop Grumman Presents WATCHKEEPER Program Solution at Farnborough International Air Show Northrop Grumman 22 Jul 2002 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Integrated Systems sector has announced its approach to achieving the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MoD) requirement for WATCHKEEPER, an unmanned system that will deliver an integrated image intelligence, targeting and exploitation capability to meet the U.K. land commander's critical information needs.
• Northrop Grumman Completes Successful Flight of Airborne Electro-Optic Sensor System Northrop Grumman 22 Jul 2002 -- (PRIMEZONE) A Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) team, including Arete Associates, Tucson, Ariz., completed the first of a series of flight tests conducted earlier this month of an airborne electro-optic sensor system on a government test range off the Atlantic coast of Florida.

News Reports

• Toppling Saddam Hussein VOA 22 Jul 2002 -- In recent days, public debate has intensified over the wisdom and feasibility of U-S military involvement in toppling the government of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Analysts differ on the merits of a U-S led military campaign and they question what kind of government might replace the Iraqi dictator. With this Dateline report on the prospects for toppling Saddam Hussein, here's Judith Latham.