LOCATIONS
13 Oct 09. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) yesterday officially opened its newly extended UK facilities for the design, manufacture and technical support of the company’s unmanned ground vehicles. The enhanced facilities located at Northrop Grumman’s Remotec site in Coventry, UK will support the full range of unmanned ground vehicles including Wheelbarrow and CUTLASS, the next generation vehicle being developed for the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The event was attended by Northrop Grumman executives, as well as MoD officials and local political leaders. They received a tour of the facility as well as briefings on and demonstrations of its unmanned ground vehicle system capabilities. Lieutenant-General Gary Coward, Chief of Materiel (Land), Defence Equipment & Support performed the official opening.
13 Oct 09. A new fortified military post, designed to accommodate 2,000 people, has been created for the Afghan National Army (ANA) in Farah province, a city in south west Afghanistan on the banks Farah River. The $68m US-funded garrison will house ANA troops thatare partnered with coalition forces in the province in western Afghanistan. The garrison is located a few miles from coalition headquarters, which is just outside the city of Farah. The close proximity to coalition headquarters will help the station with communication, partnership and training. The project was funded by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Work began in early 2008 to install barracks, power plants, communications systems, a wastewater treatment plant and sewer system. A military unit from the US Army’s 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Brigade is already at the facility working with an ANA unit battalion. (Source: army-technology.com)
15 Oct 09. Russia will establish a military base in Kyrgyzstan to unite military operations in the region, including the Kant base, according to Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) secretary general Nikolai Bordyuzha. A written proposal has been signed between the Russian president and his Kyrgyzstan counterpart for the constitution of single united airbase for the Russian armed forces. The memorandum declares that regulations for the base presence in the country will be worked out very shortly and the duration of the bases deployment will go on for 49 years. In addition, the written record provides for the possible establishment of an educational training centre in Kyrgyzstan. The CSTO was formed under the framework of the commonwealth of independent states and serves as a mutual defence alliance among Russia, Belarus, Armenia and the four Central Asian countries Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. (Source: army-technology.com)
06 Oct 09. Codan has relocated its United States headquarters for its high-frequency (HF) Military and Security Division from Manassas, Virginia to Pittsford, New York.
MARITIME
05 Oct 09. Overhauled Ark Royal returns to strike service. The UK Royal Navy’s Invincible-class aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal left Portsmouth on 25 September modified in its new role as the UK’s strike carrier following a six-month upgrade to prepare the ship to operate Harrier GR.9 attack aircraft. BVT Surface Fleet started the GBP12 million (USD19 million) contractor support period (CSP) upgrade on 13 March and has fitted the ship with workstations for Harrier engineers, new magazine stowage compartments for the aircraft’s armament, and a resurfaced flight deck to guide fixed-wing aircraft. (Source: Jane’s)
09 Oct 09. The Navy announced today the newest Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo/ammunition ship (T-AKE) would be named USNS Medgar Evers. The announcement was made by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus during a Jackson State University speaking engagement in Mississippi. Continuing the Lewis and Clark-class tradition of honoring legendary pioneers and explorers, the Navy’s newest underway replenishment ship recognizes civil rights activist M