DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To MTU America Inc., Novi, Michigan Involves Foreign Military Sales To Israeli Navy

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To MTU America Inc., Novi, Michigan Involves Foreign Military Sales To Israeli Navy

Source: DTN News + CR-052-15 Dated March 20, 2015
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 23, 2015:  MTU America Inc., Novi, Michigan, is being awarded a $6,868,800 firm-fixed-price contract for three shipsets of propulsion system hardware and two spare marine gears for the Israeli Navy Super Dvora fast patrol boats. 

This contract involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Israel (100 percent). This contract to support the Israeli Navy under FMS case IS-P-LHC is a follow-on effort, which was previously performed under contract N00104-06-C-K058. 

This contract will provide the propulsion system equipment necessary to support the ongoing fleet maintenance and life cycle support of the Israeli Navy. 

Work will be performed in Friedrichshafen, Germany (70 percent), and Kristinehamn, Sweden (30 percent), and is expected to be completed by March 2017. 

FMS funding in the amount of $6,868,800 will be obligated at the time of award, and contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. 

This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(4) and FAR 6.302-4 International Agreement. 

The government of Israel is designated the sole source in its letter of offer and acceptance. 


The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-15-C-4127).

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources  + CR-052-15 Dated March 20, 2015
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DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: Europe Has Little Reason To Fear Russian Gas Cut-Off

Asia News Report: DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: Europe Has Little Reason To Fear Russian Gas Cut-Off

*Ukraine braces for new demonstrations as Russia threatens to stop gas supply

*Russia’s Gazprom warns Ukraine of New Gas War

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources DW
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 8, 2014: More than one third of Europe's gas needs are covered by Russian gas. The crisis in Ukraine has kindled fears that Russia could stop the flow.

The crisis in Ukraine is not only about politics, it's also about natural gas. Russia, a key gas producer, supplies Europe with about a third of the gas it needs - and Ukraine is an important transit state.

Almost 40 percent of the gas used in Germany comes from Russia. The Baltic States' dependency is even greater: Russia supplies them with almost 100 percent of the gas they need. Ukraine, too. The crisis in Ukraine, which also depends on Russian gas, has unleashed increasing concern about Europe's energy supplies. Moscow has been known to employ energy giant Gazprom to serve political ends.

Twice since 2006, Russia cut gas flows to Ukraine because of disagreements over transit conditions and prices. Russia also suspected Ukraine of siphoning gas from Russian pipelines passing through the country. Gazprom announced this week it would cancel a 30 percent discount on natural gas for Ukraine, and demanded the country settle its debts - a harsh blow for a country teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.

What if the dispute escalates and Moscow stops the flow of gas? Experts have said Western Europe would probably not be that badly affected.

"That wouldn't affect the EU very much," said Jonas Grätz of the Center for Security Studies (CSS) in Zurich, adding a cut would hit eastern nations like Hungary and Bulgaria more than states in Western Europe, where the gas reservoirs are still filled to about 60 percent - enough for up to four months.

"There's a glut on the international gas markets," said Claudia Kemfert, an energy expert with the Berlin-based German Institute for Economic Research (DIW). But Kemfert said in the long run, Europe is insufficiently prepared to purchase a third of the gas it needs elsewhere. "That is true in particular for countries in Southeast Europe that buy large amounts of gas in Russia."

Russia has many ways to transport natural gas -it could easily cut off Ukraine
If transit via Ukraine were blocked, Russian gas could instead flow through the Nord Stream Pipeline that takes natural gas from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea. Then, there's the Yamal-Europe natural gas pipeline which runs across Belarus and Poland to Germany. 

Should Russia halt all shipments, tankers could bring liquid natural gas to Europe from the Middle East. But Germany, for one, doesn't have a terminal to unload such tankers. In case of a longer disruption, gas buyers could also turn to Algeria and Norway.

Russia's biggest customer

Both the EU Commission and the German government maintain that the Crimea crisis does not endanger gas supplies to the European Union. Germany Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel pointed out that Russia has always honored its contracts with Western Europe.

"There's no reason to be concerned at the moment," EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger said, adding that the gas reserves are actually higher than they were last year due to Europe's mild winter temperatures.

Russia is not likely to cut gas supplies to Europe. "Russia heavily depends on energy deliveries to Europe," Kemfert said. "Some 60 percent of Russia's state income is due to oil, gas and coal sales - and a large part of that goes to Europe."

Halting all gas exports to Europe would hurt Russia's economy

Grätz added that "a different approach was needed to be taken to Russia's dependence on the European market." One possibility, he said, would be the strict implementation of European market rules on all dealings with Gazprom. Russian President Vladimir Putin has often used the energy giant to serve his own geopolitical goals. If European countries cut imports of Russian energy, it would negatively impact Gazprom as 60 percent of its revenue comes from the European market.

"When Gazprom has problems then Putin will also have problems because he needs the company in order to achieve projects in Russia, such as Sochi, and the supply of gas to rural regions as well as using the company as a means to conduct foreign policy," Grätz said.

Pressure on Ukraine

Russia is currently the European Union's third largest trading partner. In 2012, Russia exported 215 billion euros ($300 billion) worth of goods to the EU and imported 123.4 billion euros from the 28-member bloc. Germany currently represents Russia's third largest trading partner, exporting mainly cars, machines and chemical products. Russia, however, is Germany's 11th most important trade partner, just behind Poland.

The situation in Ukraine, however, is very different, and the EU is concerned about the country's energy supply. After meeting this week with EU energy ministers, Oettinger said the bloc was considering helping Kyiv pay its energy bill. It is also considering sending gas to Ukraine in pipelines that run through Slovakia.

Related Images on Ukraine Crisis;

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources DW
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DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN DEFENSE NEWS: Eleventh C-5B Inducted To Become Super Galaxy

Asia News Report: DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN DEFENSE NEWS: Eleventh C-5B Inducted To Become Super Galaxy
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin
 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 7, 2012: Lockheed Martin inducted the 11th aircraft to the C-5M Super Galaxy production line on Feb. 1, 2012. 

Based at Dover Air Force Base, Del., this aircraft has supported the warfighter’s operations across the globe. It has delivered cargo in locations such as Iraq, Italy, Germany, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Spain and Turkey. 

Aircraft 86-0017 has accumulated more than 18,000 flight hours and more than 4,300 full-stop landings

Mission The C-5 Galaxy is one of the largest aircraft in the world and the largest airlifter in the Air Force inventory. The aircraft can carry a fully equipped combat-ready military unit to any point in the world on short notice and then provide the supplies required to help sustain the fighting force. 

Features 
The C-5 has a greater capacity than any other airlifter. It has the ability to carry 36 standard pallets and 81 troops simultaneously. The Galaxy is also capable of carrying any of the Army's air-transportable combat equipment, including such bulky items as the 74-ton mobile scissors bridge. It can also carry outsize and oversize cargo over intercontinental ranges and can take off or land in relatively short distances. Ground crews are able to load and off-load the C-5 simultaneously at the front and rear cargo openings, reducing cargo transfer times. Other features of the C-5 are: 
   · Able to operate on runways 6,000 feet long (1,829 meters).
   · Five landing gear totaling 28 wheels to distribute the weight. 
   · Nose and aft doors that open the full width and height of the cargo    
     compartment to permit faster and easier loading. 
   · A "kneeling" landing gear system that permits lowering the parked 
     aircraft to facilitate drive-on/drive-off vehicle loading and adjusts the 
     cargo floor to standard truck-bed height. 
   · Full width drive-on ramps at each end for loading double rows of 
     vehicles. 
   · A system that records and analyzes information and detects 
     malfunctions in more than 800 test points. 

The C-5 has the distinctive high T-tail, 25-degree wing sweep, and four TF39 turbofan engines (C-5A and B) mounted on pylons beneath the wings. These engines are each rated at 43,000 pounds of thrust and weigh 7,900 pounds (3,555 kilograms) a piece. They have an air intake diameter of more than 8.5 feet (2.6 meters). Each engine pod is nearly 27 feet long (8.2 meters).

The Galaxy has 12 internal wing tanks with a total capacity of 51,150 gallons (194,370 liters) of fuel -- enough to fill 6 1/2 regular size railroad tank cars. A full fuel load weighs 332,500 pounds (150,820 kilograms). A C-5 with a cargo load of 270,000 pounds (122,472 kilograms) can fly 2,150 nautical miles, offload, and fly to a second base 500 nautical miles away from the original destination -- all without aerial refueling. With aerial refueling, the aircraft's range is limited only by crew endurance.

BackgroundLockheed-Georgia Co. delivered the first operational Galaxy to the 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, now known as Joint Base Charleston, S.C., in June l970. C-5s are operated by active-duty, Reserve, and Air National Guard crews. They are currently stationed at Dover AFB, Del.; Travis AFB, Calif.; Lackland AFB, Texas; Martinsburg ANGB, W.V.; Memphis ANGB, Tenn. and Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass.

In March 1989, the last of 50 C-5Bs was added to the 76 C-5As in the Air Force's airlift force structure. The C-5B includes all C-5A improvements as well as more than 100 additional system modifications to improve reliability and maintainability. 

Based on a study showing 80 percent of the C-5 airframe service life remaining, AMC began an aggressive program to modernize the C-5 in 1998. The C-5 Avionics Modernization Program included upgrading the avionics to improve communications, navigation and surveillance/air traffic management compliance. The upgrade also added new safety equipment and installed a new autopilot system.

Another part of the C-5 modernization plan is a comprehensive Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program. The centerpiece of this program is the General Electric CF6-80C2 (F-138) commercial engine. This engine delivers a 22 percent increase in thrust, a 30 percent shorter take-off roll, has a 58 percent faster climb rate and will allow significantly more cargo to be carried over longer distances. With its new engine and upgrades, the C-5 becomes the C-5M Super Galaxy. This modernization program will enhance aircraft reliability and maintainability, maintain structural and system integrity, reduce cost of ownership and increase operational capability well into the 21st century.

Media Contact:

Chad E. Gibson
Office:             770-494-3847      
Mobile:             678-761-4623      

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin
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DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN DEFENSE NEWS: MEADS Partner Nations Approve Flight Test Demonstrations Of Advanced System Capability

Asia News Report: DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN DEFENSE NEWS: MEADS Partner Nations Approve Flight Test Demonstrations Of Advanced System Capability

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - ORLANDO/MUNICH/ROME, June 21st, 2011: The National Armaments Directors of Germany, Italy and the United States have approved a revised set of development objectives for the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) program, including two intercept flight tests by 2014.

The refocused development program ensures that key national technologies will be demonstrated and that MEADS will readily mature into the advanced and effective terminal-phase air and missile defense system specified by Germany and Italy, and a viable option for U.S. procurement.

MEADS International (MI) President David Berganini said, “MEADS is a highly robust and flexible system, and that is why it is so important to keep this system moving forward. For example, with just a battle manager, launcher and fire control radar, MEADS provides full 360-degree protection against evolved threats at longer range than any system available today. Additionally, plug-and-fight capability lets other assets seamlessly join the network.”

MEADS is designed to provide full 360-degree protection and to defeat the emerging threat spectrum. It can defend up to eight times the coverage area of current sectored systems while using far fewer system assets. This allows for a substantial reduction in deployed personnel and equipment, with less demand for airlift, which significantly reduces overall system operation and support costs.

The revolutionary network-centric battle manager allows any combination of sensors and launchers to form an Air and Missile Defense battle element for specific mission objectives. Through this capability, MEADS can become the hub for national air and missile defense networks.

MEADS International, the MEADS prime contractor, worked with its NATO MEADS Management Agency (NAMEADSMA) customer to define and prioritize program objectives within authorized funding. By 2014, MI will finalize and demonstrate the MEADS system design and capabilities through modeling, demonstrations and three flight tests with two being intercepts. The scope adds nation-unique follow-on activities to complete system development.

NAMEADSMA General Manager Gregory Kee said, “Because of its advanced capabilities, there is international interest in MEADS. In budget-constrained times, nations need a capability that is modern, operationally more capable than existing systems, and with reduced manning requirements and lower operational costs. MEADS will offer the most advanced terminal-phase air and missile defense technology available at the conclusion of this revised design and development program.”

To support final system integration and flight test activities, MI has taken ownership of facilities at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. Test personnel will move onto the range in May to implement the development test program.

MEADS incorporates the hit-to-kill PAC-3 MSE Missile in a system that includes 360-degree radars, netted-distributed battle management/communication centers and high-firepower launchers. The system design combines superior battlefield protection with extensive flexibility, allowing it to protect forces and critical assets against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft.

MEADS also provides an open architecture for 21st century air and missile defense system-of-system integration capabilities that allow operational mission-tailoring. MEADS is designed to provide greater firepower with less manpower than current systems, producing dramatic operation and support cost savings.

MEADS International, a multinational joint venture headquartered in Orlando, Fla., is the prime contractor for the MEADS system. Major subcontractors and joint venture partners are MBDA in Italy, LFK in Germany and Lockheed Martin in the United States.

The program completed Critical Design Review in August 2010 and has entered the proof of concept test phase that will culminate in two intercept flight tests. Under the Design and Development Memorandum of Understanding, the United States funds 58 percent of the program, and European partners Germany and Italy provide 25 percent and 17 percent respectively as partners in the NATO Medium Extended Air Defense System Management Organization (NAMEADSMO). Its program management agency NAMEADSMA is located in Huntsville, Ala.

Craig Vanbebber, (972) 603-1615

email craig.vanbebber@lmco.com

Medium Extended Air Defense System Information

Medium Extended Air Defense System Photos

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Medium Extended Air Defense System Product Cards

Medium Extended Air Defense System

Medium Extended Air Defense System Videos

Medium Extended Air Defense System Interactives

	Air and Missile Defense Online Interactive Brochure
	MEADS Microsite

Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS)

MEADS is a mobile Air and Missile Defense System that will incorporate the hit-to-kill PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) Missile in a system that includes 360-degree surveillance and fire control sensors, netted-distributed battle management/communication centers and high-firepower launchers. The system will combine superior battlefield protection with extensive flexibility, allowing it to protect maneuver forces and critical assets against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft. MEADS will replace Patriot systems in the United States and Germany and Nike Hercules systems in Italy.

MEADS will provide capabilities beyond any other fielded or planned air and missile defense system. It will be easily deployed to a theater of operations and once there, will keep pace with fast-moving maneuver forces. MEADS will provide an open architecture for 21st century air and missile defense system-of-system integration capabilities that allow operational mission-tailoring. MEADS will also provide greater firepower with less manpower than current systems, producing dramatic operation and support cost savings.

A multinational joint venture headquartered in Orlando, FL, MEADS International's participating companies are MBDA in Italy, LFK in Germany and Lockheed Martin in the United States. Today, 1800 employees from these companies are completing final engineering designs for MEADS program, which is closely watched as a model for collaborative transatlantic development.

The United States funds 58 percent of the MEADS program, and European partners Germany and Italy provide 25 percent and 17 percent respectively as partners in the NATO Medium Extended Air Defense System Management Organization (NAMEADSMO). Its program management agency NAMEADSMA is located in Huntsville, AL.

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*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin

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