DefenceTalkJailed Kurdish rebel chief Abdullah Ocalan was set to call a “historic” ceasefire on Thursday, raising expectations for an end to a three-decade conflict with Turkey that has cost tens of thousands of lives. The widely anticipated ceasefire call is to come in a letter penned by the leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party […]https://www.defencetalk.com/turkey-awaits-historic-ceasefire-call-by-kurdish-rebel-chief-47231/

DefenceTalkPentagon officials have put off sending furlough notices to civilian employees until they’ve had a chance to analyze how pending legislation that would fund the federal government for the rest of the fiscal year will affect the Defense Department. Officials now estimate that furlough notices will go out on or about April 5, Navy Cmdr. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-delays-sending-furlough-notices-to-civilian-workforce-47222/

DefenceTalkRockwell Collins Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) was used by Northrop Grumman Corporation and the U.S. Navy as they successfully completed a series of deck handling trials of the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75). The exercises demonstrated the ability to maneuver the tailless, strike-fighter-sized aircraft quickly […]https://www.defencetalk.com/tactical-targeting-network-technology-for-deck-handling-trials-of-x-47b-47220/

DefenceTalkDefence and security company Saab has today signed a support contract for airborne surveillance system. The contract amounts to MSEK 1,100 over 2013-2017. The contract concerns a comprehensive set of spares and support services for a previously delivered system, Saab 2000 AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning & Control). The Saab 2000 AEW&C comprises of Saab 2000 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/saab-signs-support-contract-for-airborne-surveillance-system-47216/

DefenceTalkIndia successfully test fired a submarine-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile on Wednesday, the BrahMos Aerospace Russian-Indian company said. The missile was launched vertically from a submerged platform in the Bay of Bengal and flew its complete range of over 290 kilometers, BrahMos chief executive Sivathanu Pillai said. Ship- and ground-launched versions of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/india-tests-submarine-launched-supersonic-missile-47214/

DefenceTalkThe Ministry of National Defense has launched efforts to study the feasibility of building indigenous submarines, according to a statement released yesterday. The ministry “is accurately reviewing the relevant plans and budgets” for a four-year project it brought to the National Defense Industrial Development Foundation late last year, based on a resolution by the Legislative […]https://www.defencetalk.com/taiwan-confirms-plan-to-study-submarine-feasibility-47212/

DefenceTalkThe Army is developing a new Advanced Multi-Purpose 120mm tank round that combines six different capabilities into a single round, service officials said. The Advanced Multi-Purpose, or AMP, is ready to enter into the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase after a prototype successfully demonstrated Technology Readiness Level 6 through a science and technology program at […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-developing-new-120mm-amp-tank-round-47228/

DefenceTalkJoint STARS recently became the first Air Force airborne system to fully retrofit new terminals that will improve warfighter communication. The Joint STARS Communications and Network Upgrade program successfully installed, tested and fielded the first of its Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System, or MIDS JTRS, terminals. “This was a huge success for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/joint-stars-improves-warfighter-communication-47224/

DefenceTalkThis year marks the 40th anniversary of production of the Mi-24, the first purpose-built Russian combat helicopter, at Rostov Helicopter Plant, today called Rosvertol, a Russian Helicopters company. The design of the Mi-24, a strike and transport helicopter was, was so successful that versions are still in use today: some 1,500 Mi-24s serve with the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/mi-24-legendary-russian-attack-helicopter-turns-40-this-year-47218/

DefenceTalkThe first international student aviator at the 33rd Fighter Wing, training to be an F-35B Lightning II instructor pilot, completed his first sortie in the joint strike fighter here March 19. United Kingdom Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Frankie Buchler flew with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron-501. “There were no surprises, the jet was fun […]https://www.defencetalk.com/first-international-student-pilot-flies-f-35-47226/