Embraer receives flight test software system
Sao Jose Dos Campos, Brazil (UPI) Sep 4, 2014 -
Software that will allow Embraer to complete aircraft systems integration on its new KC-390 airlifter has been delivered by Rockwell Collins.
The Pro Line Fusion flight test software is now under configuration control, the company said, but additional explanation was not provided.
"This milestone is very important for Embraer to progress to their first flight and exemplifies how ...
more
EU considers travel ban on Russian defence minister
Brussels (AFP) Sept 04, 2014 -
The European Union may impose a travel ban on Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu as part of a new package of sanctions targeting Moscow over the crisis in Ukraine, sources said Thursday.
The 28-nation bloc is set to decide by Friday on fresh economic and other measures against Russia over allegations that it has sent troops and weapons to support Ukrainian rebels.
"The minister's nam ...
more
Navy center of Excellence continues under SCRA management
Charleston, S.C. (UPI) Sep 04, 2014 -
The U.S. Navy's Shipbuilding and Advanced Manufacturing of Center of Excellence will continue to be run by SCRA Applied R&D.
The five-year indefinite-quantity contract carries a maximum value of $99 million and is a re-compete win for South Carolina Research Authority Applied Research & Development, which has operated the center in Charleston, S.C., for the past 11 years.
"SCRA A ...
more
Possible death of Shebab chief something to celebrate: AU commander
Bujumbura, Burundi (AFP) Sept 04, 2014 -
The commander of African Union troops in Somalia said Thursday the continent would celebrate if the death of the chief of extremist Shebab rebels in a US missile strike was true.
General Silas Ntigurirwa, commander of the 22,000-strong AU force (AMISOM), said the killing of the feared Islamist chief Ahmed Abdi Godane - if confirmed - would be a "proud and happy moment for all Africa".
...
more
DARPA issues RFI for robotic space services for satellites
Washington (UPI) Sep 4, 2014 -
The U.S. military is looking for space robotic services for critical satellites in geostationary Earth orbit.
Satellites currently in geostationary orbit - 22,000 miles above the Earth - are designed to operate without upgrades or repairs for their lifespan, meaning they are larger in size, more complex and more costly than satellites in low Earth orbit.
The U.S. Defense Advanc ...
more
South Africa 'refuses' Dalai Lama visa for Nobel summit
Cape Town (AFP) Sept 04, 2014 -
South Africa has refused to grant a visa for the Dalai Lama to attend the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Cape Town next month, his representative said Thursday.
The government "conveyed by phone to me they will not be able to grant the visa for the reason that it would disturb relations between China and South Africa," Nangsa Choedon told AFP.
The refusal could provoke a boycot ...
more
Raytheon's Small Diameter II bomb completes GTV testing
Tucson (UPI) Sep 4, 2014 -
Small Diameter Bomb II is closer to low-rate initial production following guide test vehicle flights against stationary and moving targets.
The testing - the final required GTV tests before Milestone C acquisition approval - was recently conducted with the U.S. Air Force, the company said.
"These guided tests were successfully accomplished against separate targets in both movin ...
more
US to hold new nuclear talks with Iran in Geneva
Washington (AFP) Sept 04, 2014 -
American and Iranian officials will resume negotiations in Geneva on Thursday as they seek to hammer out a full nuclear deal ahead of a November deadline, US officials said.
The US team led by Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns and Under Secretary Wendy Sherman will meet with Iranian officials on Thursday and Friday in the Swiss city, the State Department said in a surprise late-night stat ...
more
Iraq strikes kill IS chief's aide: general
Kirkuk, Iraq (AFP) Sept 04, 2014 -
Air strikes in northern Iraq on Thursday killed the top aide of jihadist Islamic State (IS) chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the country's ranking army officer said.
"Iraqi warplanes carried out a security operation today, resulting in the killing of... Abu Hajr al-Suri," General Babaker Zebari told AFP.
Zebari said the strikes in Nineveh province were "based on accurate intelligence informat ...
more
China makes rare admission of naval near-miss
Beijing (AFP) Sept 04, 2014 -
China has honoured a submarine captain for averting an underwater "emergency" after his crew reportedly saved the vessel from sinking into waters thousands of metres deep, in a rare disclosure of a near-disaster.
Beijing has been increasing its naval might and reach in recent years, and it is an unusual admission for China's military, which President Xi Jinping regularly urges to strengthen ...
more
France 'still building' controversial warship
Paris (AFP) Sept 04, 2014 -
France may have frozen the delivery of the controversial "Mistral-class" helicopter gunship to Russia, but its construction is still ongoing, a well-informed source said on Thursday.
President Francois Hollande announced on Wednesday that the time was not right to deliver the high-end warship to Russia given the situation in Ukraine.
But a source close to the issue said that Hollande's o ...
more
Time pressing on Afghan troop accords: NATO head
Newport, United Kingdom (AFP) Sept 04, 2014 -
Time is pressing for Afghanistan, without a new president since June elections, to sign accords allowing NATO to carry out its post-2014 military training mission, alliance head Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Thursday.
"Time is of the essence," Rasmussen said as he arrived for a two-day NATO summit in Newport, Wales.
"We need to know very soon whether (the accords) will be signed," he said, ...
more
NATO leaders accuse Russia, aid Ukraine
Newport, United Kingdom (AFP) Sept 04, 2014 -
NATO leaders on Thursday accused Russia of failing to take "a single step towards peace" in Ukraine even as President Petro Poroshenko voiced "careful optimism" about forging a ceasefire with pro-Moscow rebels.
The leaders gathered at a summit of the Western military alliance in Newport, Wales agreed to set up new funds to help Ukraine's military effort and treat wounded soldiers in a five-m ...
more
World powers, Iran to meet in New York on September 18: EU
Brussels (AFP) Sept 04, 2014 -
Six world powers and Iran will hold new talks in New York on September 18, EU officials said Thursday, as efforts intensify toward clinching a nuclear deal ahead of a November deadline.
The talks involving the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany and led by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton "will continue in New York as of September 18", Ashton spokesman Michael M ...
more
US, S. Korea set up wartime unit to destroy North's nukes: report
Seoul (AFP) Sept 04, 2014 -
South Korea said Thursday it would create a joint military unit with the United States, as a report suggested the contingent would target North Korea's weapons of mass destruction if a full-scale conflict broke out.
The mechanised unit led by a US major general will be set up in the first half of next year, the South's defence ministry said, as part of elaborate preparations for any future w ...
more
