DefenceTalkIn another historic step for the Afghan Air Force, an AAF Cessna 208 configured for battlefield casualty evacuation successfully transported a seriously injured solider and three minor casualties from Kandahar, Afghanistan to Kabul International Airport Feb. 11. The Afghan-tasked, planned and led mission validated the recently-signed CASEVAC Concept of Operations between AAF Commander Maj. Gen. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/first-afghan-air-force-c-208-casevac-a-success-46851/

DefenceTalkDARPA held a multi-program performer meeting for researchers to hear presentations on the latest innovations and promising approaches in the area of Big Data and data analytics. Speakers during the day-long event included representatives from the White House, FBI, universities from across the country and leading companies from the private sector who are focused on […]https://www.defencetalk.com/extracting-relevance-from-mountains-of-data-46832/

DefenceTalkSpace-based sensors can expand the range and effectiveness of the U.S. Navy’s Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) capabilities, a recent missile defense test has shown. Conducted Feb. 13 by the Navy and U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), an Aegis “launch on remote” test used tracking data from the Space Tracking and Surveillance System-Demonstrators satellites […]https://www.defencetalk.com/space-based-sensors-a-ballistic-missiles-worst-nightmare-46830/

DefenceTalkDefence and security company Saab has signed an agreement with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for Gripen E. The agreement includes development and modification of Gripen E for Sweden during the period 2013-2026 and a possible order for new production of Gripen E from Switzerland. FMV has today placed an initial development order of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/saab-signs-next-generation-fighter-aircraft-gripen-e-development-deal-46827/

DefenceTalkNorthrop Grumman will help drive down costs and speed the availability of new hardware and software upgrades for the B-2 stealth bomber under a recently awarded contract from the U.S. Air Force. The contract covers Technology Development (TD) Phase 2 of a multiyear effort by Northrop Grumman to modernize the B-2’s defensive management system (DMS). […]https://www.defencetalk.com/next-phase-of-modernizing-b-2-defensive-systems-starts-46834/

DefenceTalkOn Capitol Hill Feb. 13, the Army’s chief of staff told lawmakers in very clear terms what budget reductions under sequestration would do to Soldiers and Army readiness. “It has grave consequences and immediate readiness impact on our forces,” Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno told members of the House Armed […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sequestration-could-mean-training-reduction-for-80-percent-of-ground-forces-46812/

DefenceTalkThe Obama administration has released an Executive Order (EO) designed to improve the cybersecurity of the nation’s critical infrastructures such as power plants, financial systems, and telecommunications networks. The document represents a solid first step, but as the administration and leaders in Congress recognize, much remains to be done. This paper summarizes five strengths of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/assessing-the-cyber-security-executive-order-46808/

DefenceTalkAstrium, Europe’s leading space technology company, and its partner Actia Sodielec, specialists in military telecommunications, have been awarded the Comcept contract by the French defence procurement agency (DGA). The contract will run for 17 years. As of 2014, Comcept will provide the French armed forces with access to additional broadband satellite capacity over and above […]https://www.defencetalk.com/astrium-to-develop-french-mod-satellite-communications-network-46806/

DefenceTalkIndia and France on Thursday concluded negotiations on the Short Range Surface to Air Missile nearly worth of $6 billion during the talks between French President Francois Hollande and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who also said talks on $10-billion deal for Rafale fighter aircraft are “progressing well”. After comprehensive talks, the leaders said views were […]https://www.defencetalk.com/india-france-agree-on-6-billion-missile-deal-46800/

DefenceTalkNorthrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) will highlight a wide range of defence and security solutions, including cyber-protected C4I solutions, airborne early warning and control systems, aerial surveillance, fire control radars and marine navigation systems, at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. IDEX 2013 is the only tri-service defence and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/northrop-to-highlight-global-defence-and-homeland-security-capabilities-at-idex-2013-46810/