DefenceTalkThe U.S. Navy completed the first series of developmental and operational testing (DT/OT) of Raytheon Company’s Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2. In at-sea tests conducted from the U.S. Navy’s Self-Defense Test Ship, RAM Block 2 missiles engaged two targets in tactical dual-salvo scenarios designed to demonstrate the advanced missile’s defensive capabilities. The DT/OT tests successfully […]https://www.defencetalk.com/raytheon-us-navy-complete-first-phase-of-ram-block-2-developmental-testing-47989/

DefenceTalkWASHINGTON — The United States military has “complete faith that our systems are secure and reliable,” a Pentagon spokesman said here today. The military is always concerned about cybersecurity and the chances of losing information to other nations, Army Col. Steve Warren said, but the department has invested a lot of money, time and expertise […]https://www.defencetalk.com/despite-hackers-dod-retains-faith-in-weapon-systems-47987/

DefenceTalkRemember the Future Combat System (FCS)? This was a complex “system-of-systems” which involved manned and unmanned ground and aerial vehicles, advanced weapons systems and sensors, some of them remotely operated and an all-encompassing command, control and communications network to hold it all together. After nearly a decade of development and the expenditure of tens of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/has-israel-created-a-system-the-us-army-couldnt-build-47983/

DefenceTalkAir Force officials announced May 29 they are consolidating depot maintenance for the F-22 Raptor at the Ogden Air Logistics Complex at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The depot maintenance work is currently split between the Ogden ALC and the Lockheed facility in Palmdale, Calif. “Palmdale has made a storied contribution to aviation and while […]https://www.defencetalk.com/air-force-to-consolidate-f-22-depot-maintenance-at-hill-afb-47981/

DefenceTalkAlenia Aermacchi and the Italian Air Force celebrate today the AMX 200,000 flying hours, a total of which includes both operational and test flight hours (2,200) since 1984, the date of the first flight of the prototype of the tactical support aircraft jointly developed by the then Aeritalia (46,5%), Aermacchi (23,8%) and the Brazilian Embraer […]https://www.defencetalk.com/italian-amxs-pass-200000-hour-mark-47979/

DefenceTalkThe United States and China have agreed to hold regular, high-level meetings aimed at setting standards for behavior on cybersecurity and commercial spying, the White House confirmed Sunday. The talks — first reported by The New York Times — have a wide agenda, focusing not just on hacking but also on developing ground rules for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-china-to-hold-regular-talks-on-hacking-white-house-48010/

DefenceTalkBy Jody Ray Bennett In January 2013, US military officials finalized a Status of Forces (SOFA) agreement with the government of Niger to increase military involvement throughout the country. While the move clearly reflected developments in neighboring Mali, it had long been an operational goal of the Pentagon to establish a drone base in the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/niger-new-drone-base-highlights-a-shift-in-us-west-african-relations-47985/

DefenceTalkFourteen Afghan air force members of the Kabul Air Wing Quick Reaction Force Company graduated from Ground Combat Skills Course in a ceremony May 29 at Kabul International Airport here. The graduation marked the completion of 50 hours of advanced upgrade training for the newest members of the QRF Company. The graduation and continued advancements […]https://www.defencetalk.com/elite-afghan-soldiers-complete-training-48000/

DefenceTalkThe European Union’s decision to lift its arms embargo on the Syrian opposition has provided Russia with a new defence of its controversial weapons deliveries to President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Russia reacted with fury to the EU’s decision Monday — advocated primarily by Britain and France — to lift its arms embargo on the rebels […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-embargo-move-boosts-russia-plan-to-arm-syria-47961/

DefenceTalkThe Defence Minister Shri AK Antony today expressed optimism that the country’s indigenously developed fighter aircraft – LCA Tejas – will get Final Operational Clearance of the Indian Air Force by the end of next year. Speaking at the Annual Awards Functions of DRDO here, he said, all stakeholders including the DRDO, IAF and HAL […]https://www.defencetalk.com/indias-lca-tejas-fighter-fully-operational-in-2014-47963/