Af/Pak & Other News (2/14/2012)

[dump...@hotmail.com]

Afghan leader to push for access to Taliban in Pakistan:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/14/us-afghanistan-pakistan-idUSTRE81D0Z720120214



Pakistan allows NATO to ship food to Afghanistan, sign of thawing
tension after airstrikes:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/police-say-they-have-arrested-an-american-at-a-pakistani-airport-with-bullets-in-his-luggage/2012/02/14/gIQAtLZTCR_story.html



Pakistan admits NATO has flown Afghan supplies:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gnJabZIKIeHkk9MNmBE4HN4VCkRw?docId=CNG.b779101791d85a0652720d98fc7b42a1.721



Afghanistan combat outpost 'Aryan' draws protest:

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/13/10400037-afghanistan-combat-outpost-aryan-draws-protest



Why Afghan Officers Prefer Heroin:

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htlead/articles/20120214.aspx




U.S. Cuts Cash for Its Own Afghan Exit Strategy:

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/02/u-s-cuts-own-exit-strategy/




Video: APKWS Goes to War:

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3af1c2263a-e927-46bf-9cb8-b78c10784c02&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest



Indian Air Force could buy six more C-17s:

http://alert5.com/2012/02/14/indian-air-force-could-buy-six-more-c-17s/



BAE to refurbish 440 Iraqi M113A2 carriers:

http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23509:bae-to-refurbish-440-iraqi-m113a2-carriers&catid=50:Land&Itemid=105




Military Wants $3 Billion for a War It Isn’t Fighting:

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/02/iraq-budget-still/




Oliver Stone's son converts to Islam in Iran:

http://news.yahoo.com/oliver-stones-son-converts-islam-iran-140347160.html



Syrian forces attack opposition, Arabs mull arms support:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/14/us-syria-idUSL5E8DB0BH20120214



Homs, anvil of Syria:

http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=363038



Bangkok blasts wound Iranian attacker, 4 others:

http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/14/10403593-bangkok-blasts-wound-iranian-attacker-4-others



Car bombs seen as Hezbollah's revenge:

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Car_bombs_seen_as_Hezbollahs_revenge_999.html




Israel to 'settle score' with Bangkok attackers:

http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2012/02/14/israeli_police_on_alert_after_overseas_attacks/




Israel embraces micro and mini unmanned systems:

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/in-focus-israel-embraces-micro-and-mini-unmanned-systems-367774/



IAI’s UAS Academy:

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/singapore-air-show/2012-02-14/iais-uas-academy



Russia to have S-400 defending its borders:

http://alert5.com/2012/02/14/russia-to-have-s-400-defending-its-borders/



Al-Qaida's top man in Europe freed from British jail:

http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/13/10400158-al-qaidas-top-man-in-europe-freed-from-british-jail



AU troops attack Shebab positions in Mogadishu:

http://www.defencetalk.com/au-troops-attack-shebab-positions-in-mogadishu-40461/



PAK-FA faster than F-22:

http://alert5.com/2012/02/14/pak-fa-faster-than-f-22/



US Navy cancels medium-range UAS contest:

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/us-navy-cancels-unmanned-helicopter-programme-368241/



Air Force Buys Reapers, Improves JSTARS To Help Cover Global Hawk
Cuts:

http://defense.aol.com/2012/02/13/air-force-builds-global-hawk-backup-plan-in-2013-budget/




The Air Force’s simple, no-frills, advanced new bomber:

http://www.dodbuzz.com/2012/02/13/the-air-forces-simple-no-frills-advanced-new-bomber/



Ekaterinburg:

http://www.informationdissemination.net/2012/02/ekaterinburg.html




Bell to Refurbish Royal Thai Army 212 Series Helicopters:

http://www.defencetalk.com/bell-to-refurbish-royal-thai-army-212-series-helicopters-40472/



Army Looks to Ft. Bliss to Modernize the Force:

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3a6a048ae8-ab50-4224-bd3f-6011db6e2e4a&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest



Royal Navy wants airships to resupply aircraft carriers:

http://alert5.com/2012/02/14/royal-navy-wants-airships-to-resupply-aircraft-carriers/



Cyberwar Is the New Yellowcake, Fueling a Cybersecurity-Industrial
Complex:

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/02/yellowcake-and-cyberwar/

[SolomonW]

On Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:29:36 -0800 (PST), dump...@hotmail.com wrote:

> Royal Navy wants airships to resupply aircraft carriers:
>
> http://alert5.com/2012/02/14/royal-navy-wants-airships-to-resupply-aircraft-carriers/

A more detailed report here plus a ripper of a picture

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/9079047/21st-century-airships-may-join-Navy-fleet.html

[bill]

You need to remember that the British government owns the two huge
airship fabrication sheds at Cardington in Bedfordshire.

One has been used by the government as a 'large covered space' for any
number of tasks (I did a motorcycle trainer instructors course in one in
about 1988) and I understand it is currently used as a covered area to
research building fires (Vince, where are you now that I need you...)

The other has been used several times in slightly ludicrous efforts to
revive the British airship industry.

--
"Hopefully the fair wind will resume, or this may well take all day."

Admiral Collingwood on being becalmed under the guns of six French ships-
of-the-line at Trafalgar

[Jeffrey Hamilton]

"SolomonW" <Solo...@citi.com> wrote in message
news:15ek2m5f3z1hi$.brrj40qdwccp.dlg@40tude.net...

Is it just me or does $60 million seem rather a lot of money ?

cheers....Jeff

[Keith W]

The entire article is a fine example of complete journalistic twaddle.

Examples

<Article Quote>
The Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle is set to revolutionise air
transport by being able to carry very heavy loads or intelligence kit long
distances with the ability to land anywhere, including on the water.
The Navy is looking to buy an LEMV to base above the fleet with
sophisticated surveillance cameras to spot threats and spy on enemy
movements. With a 50 ton payload it can also be used to carry urgent
equipment parts such as engines for Joint Strike Fighters out to ships.
</Article Quote>

Reality:
"Northrop Grumman Director of Airship Programs Alan Metzger told The
Engineer magazine that he expects LEMV to have about 3 weeks endurance,
carry 2,500 pounds of payload, and travel at speeds between 30 - 80 knots"

So the payload is ONE ton not fifty

Article Claim
"Commanders are also considering using it as a counter piracy vessel as the
LEMV can lower up to 150 commandos along with their fast inflatable boats. "

Pretty good trick from an UNMANNED blimp with a max payload that
is less than a Lynx helicopter


The real HAV 304 surveillance platform is an RPV
with an optional SINGLE seat capability that is powered
by 4 x 350 hp 4 litre V8 direct injection, diesel engines

Overall Dimensions:
- Length: 91 m (300 ft)
- Width: 34 m (113 ft)
- Height: 26 m (85 ft)

There are proposals (sketch on the back of a napkin stuff) for
larger aircraft but NOBODY has put money up for them


Keith

[Jeffrey Hamilton]

So it wasn't just me then, thanks for the detailed confirmation, Keith !
:)

cheers....Jeff

> Keith