DefenceTalkUN Security Council members are seeking “clarity” on opposition claims that Syrian troops used chemical weapons in an attack near Damascus, Argentina’s UN envoy, the council president, said Wednesday. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s office said earlier he was “shocked” by the reports and that UN weapons experts in Syria to probe previous allegations were […]https://www.defencetalk.com/un-council-seeks-clarity-on-syria-chem-weapons-claim-48846/

DefenceTalkDefence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) initiated a project for design and development of an aero-engine in 1989 for requirements of combat aircraft. Since then, a considerable progress has been made in development of aero-engine. However, full objectives have not been achieved, like desired thrust. Hence, GE-F404 engine has been selected as power plant for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/india-drops-kaveri-engine-for-lca-will-power-future-ucav-48770/

DefenceTalkJust as sunglasses protect the wearer’s eyes from the ultraviolet rays of the summer sun, some materials protect eyes and sensors from laser devices. U.S. Army Research Laboratory scientists are looking at findings from university partners to determine which materials provide the most effective protection against lasers. “Bringing new levels of protection from lasers to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-scientists-collaborate-for-stronger-laser-protection-48767/

DefenceTalkHundreds of thousands of Defense Department civilian employees who have had to take a weekly unpaid day off from work since July 8 are getting some relief, as the total number of furlough days has been reduced from 11 to six, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced today. Here is the complete text of the secretary’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-announces-reduction-in-civilian-furlough-days-48678/

DefenceTalkCivilian and military logisticians from the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s Theater Logistics Support Center-Europe and Maintenance Activity Kaiserslautern are at Kaiserslautern Army Depot preparing M2A2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles for retrograde and transportation to the U.S. The departure of the 88 Bradleys coincides with the departure of M1 Abrams tanks from Europe earlier this year, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/end-of-era-bradley-fighting-vehicles-leave-germany-48665/

DefenceTalkThumping sounds of helicopter blades kicked up swirls of dirt as Soldiers directed 4th Combat Aviation Brigade aircraft to sling-load equipment as part of a field training exercise on Fort Carson, July 25. The 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade “Iron Eagles,” 4th Infantry Division, conducted their first field […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iron-eagles-conduct-1st-field-exercise-at-carson-48644/

DefenceTalkRussian video game publisher 1C Company boarded a former US aircraft carrier to re-write the Cuban Missile Crisis that had super powers on the brink of nuclear war in 1962. The tense Cold War stand-off has an apocalyptic outcome in the “Nuclear Union” computer game showcased late Thursday amid vintage fighter jets on the hangar […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russian-war-games-play-on-former-us-aircraft-carrier-48632/

DefenceTalkThe bid of startup company, AVX Aircraft Corporation, took many by surprise when it announced plans to participate in the Joint Multi-Role (JMR) predecessor to the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program. The newly formed company has sky-high hopes of being selected to build technology demonstrators and eventually win the JMR/FVL program. AVX is against the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/avx-aircraft-corporation-taking-down-the-defense-establishment-48567/

DefenceTalkA recent international contract brings Raytheon awards for uncooled thermal systems for allied countries to more than $75 million over the last 12 months. Under the contracts, Raytheon will deliver PhantomIRxr bioculars, thermal weapon sights and driver’s vision enhancer (DVE) systems. “Raytheon’s uncooled thermal systems give forces a clear advantage: Operating in complete darkness enables […]https://www.defencetalk.com/raytheons-advanced-uncooled-thermal-technology-preferred-by-international-land-forces-48509/

DefenceTalkCombat Air Forces, or CAF, units from multiple commands began flying again today after many stopped flying in April of this year due to sequestration. The restored flying hour program represents $208 million of the $1.8 billion reprogramming allocation authorized by Congress. The money reinstates critical training and test operations for the CAF fleet across […]https://www.defencetalk.com/combat-air-forces-to-resume-flying-48470/