Wednesday, June 09, 2010

DTN News: India, Sri Lanka Consider Energy Cooperation

DTN News: India, Sri Lanka Consider Energy Cooperation
*To step up high-level military exchanges
*India to assist in the restoration of Palaly Airport and Kankesanthurai Harbour
*Colombo-Tuticorin, Talaimannar-Rameswaram ferry services to be resumed
Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - June 10, 2010: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa has proposed discussions on establishing a joint information mechanism on the possibility of oil and gasfields straddling the India-Sri Lanka maritime boundary. In a joint declaration, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured Mr. Rajapaksa that this proposal would receive his government's attention and the matter could be discussed further between the two sides. The two countries also agreed to promote dialogue on security and defence issues and step up high-level military exchanges and training of military personnel. Newly recruited Sri Lankan police personnel would be given additional training in Indian institutions. They agreed to institute an annual defence dialogue between the two governments. The two countries would promote the use of space technology for a variety of societal services. India offered to extend the bandwidth to set up satellite-interactive terminals in Sri Lanka. An agreement on conducting a feasibility study for the interconnection of the Indian and Sri Lankan electricity grids was also signed. The two leaders were confident that the agreement would make a significant contribution to enhancing bilateral cooperation in the energy sector. In a step towards strengthening the security and legal framework of the bilateral relationship, Dr. Singh and Mr. Rajapaksa witnessed the signing of the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters and Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners. Both leaders agreed to revive the Joint Commission mechanism and hold its next meeting in the second half of 2010 in order to devise a fuller agenda of bilateral cooperation in various fields. The two leaders were briefed on the progress in discussions between the National Thermal Power Corporation of India and the Ceylon Electricity Board of Sri Lanka on a joint venture to build a 500-MW coal-fired power plant at Sampur in Trincomalee, incorporating environmentally friendly technologies. Sri Lanka expressed its appreciation of India extending an additional concessionary line of credit of $200 million. Mr. Rajapaksa appreciated the credit facilities for about $800 million for railway projects in Sri Lanka. The procurement of rolling stock from India would take place in a phased manner. In the light of past experience, a Steering Committee would oversee the timely completion of the contracted work. In restoring physical and cultural infrastructure and promoting normality in northern Sri Lanka, India agreed to assist in the rehabilitation of the Palaly Airport and the Kankesanthurai Harbour as also help in renovating the Duraiappah Stadium and constructing a cultural centre in Jaffna. India and Sri Lanka agreed to resume ferry services between Colombo and Tuticorin and between Talaimannar and Rameswaram. The two leaders noted the involvement of the Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) in addressing rehabilitation of war widows, and witnessed the signing of an MoU on Setting Up of Women's Trade Facilitation Centre and Community Learning Centre at Batticaloa. They also witnessed the signing of the MoU on a Small Development Project Scheme. In bilateral trade, it was agreed that a more comprehensive framework of economic cooperation was required. Officials would hold intensive consultations to develop a framework for sustainable economic partnership and addressing outstanding issues. A CEOs forum would involve the public and private sectors in a dialogue to generate ideas to deepen and broaden the bilateral economic relationship and help chart the future course of business and trade interaction. The two leaders agreed on establishing the Consulate-General of India in Jaffna and in Hambantota to reinforce consular cooperation and friendly links. India welcomed Sri Lanka's interest in establishing an extra post in India, in addition to those in Chennai and Mumbai. They expressed satisfaction with the Joint Statement on Fishing Arrangements of October 2008 and agreed to explore ways to strengthen the safety and security of fishermen and, in this context, directed their officials to revive the meetings of the bilateral Joint Working Group on Fishing. It was also decided to enhance and promote contacts between the fishermen's associations on both sides. Both leaders welcomed the proposal for the restoration of the Tiruketheeswaram temple at Mannar and witnessed the signing of the Programme for Cultural Cooperation for the period 2010-2013. It was agreed to step up links in the educational sector with the two leaders announcing the launching of an “India-Sri Lanka Knowledge Initiative.” Under this Initiative, the University of Colombo would establish a Centre for Contemporary Indian Studies with the support of the Government of India. India announced an expansion of its scholarship programmes in Sri Lanka, including addressing special needs of Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka and upcountry areas. India also responded positively to the request to extend technical assistance to the 10-year Presidential Initiative to steer the island country towards a Trilingual Society by 2020. Both sides agreed to collaborate in the establishment of a research institute on agriculture in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Welcoming the growing connectivity between the countries, the two leaders called for greater cooperation in tourism and promotion of people-to-people contacts, especially between youth.
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DTN News: Boeing Converted Freighter Joins Cargoitalia's MD-11 fleet

DTN News: Boeing Converted Freighter Joins Cargoitalia's MD-11 fleet
Source: DTN News / Boeing Dt. June 8, 2010
(NSI News Source Info) MILAN, ITALY - June 10, 2010: The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] is supporting the expansion plans of Cargoitalia S.p.A. by providing the Italy-based, all-cargo operator with its third MD-11 freighter under a long-term lease. Boeing Capital Corporation, the company’s aircraft financing arm, structured the deal for the newly completed MD-11 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF), with Boeing conducting the modification work at its subcontractor facility in Singapore. Following its acceptance by Cargoitalia, the aircraft flew directly to the operator’s main base at Malpensa Airport here, where it awaits entry into service. The new BCF joins two other MD-11s leased from other sources in the carrier’s scheduled and charter service operations from Italy to the Middle East, Asia and North America. Cargoitalia expects to put it into service on its emerging Milan-Shanghai route beginning in July. “We are very pleased to add an aircraft with the increased quality and capability of the new MD-11 BCF to our fleet. It will be a fundamental tool for developing our cargo network and putting our growth strategy into place,” said Giacomo Manzon, Cargoitalia managing director. Since ALIS Italian Airlines purchased the company in 2008, Cargoitalia has seen a complete turnaround of its operations including almost all of its management and a re-launching of its brand. “Our fleet plan has been a key factor in this, and we are very happy with the performance of the MD-11 freighter. We are considering further fleet development and continue to work on refining our plans and operations, based on one of the most modern freighter models available,” Manzon said. Compared to earlier MD-11s freighters, the new BCF features an updated flight deck and cargo-handling system, better fuel efficiency and increased operating capabilities. It carries a 205,400-pound (93.2 tonne) structural payload at a range of 3,486 nautical miles (6,456 kilometers) at 630,500 pounds (286,000 kg) maximum takeoff weight. The main and lower deck cargo compartments hold a total of 36 96- by 125-in. pallets or containers. The MD-11 freighter is the leader in the 90-tonne freighter class, with some 175 aircraft in active service at well-known cargo operators and freight forwarders worldwide including FedEx, UPS and Lufthansa among others. Boeing Capital has a number of newly converted Boeing freighters on lease to operators including recent customers Aeroflot and Ethiopian Airlines. A sister MD-11 now undergoing conversion will be available for placement later this year. "From a financier’s perspective, investment in a MD-11 freighter conversion is a great move in terms of the aircraft’s residual value. It takes a strong aircraft asset beyond its role as a passenger carrier and extends it to a new cargo-focused life, maximizing its value in the process,” said John Kent, Boeing Capital senior director for Europe. “Cargoitalia’s MD-11BCF brings the engineering expertise of a Boeing-managed conversion with the best in lifecycle support,” said Dan da Silva, vice president, Freighter Conversions, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “These assure that the airplane will provide superior performance to Cargoitalia’s operation.” Overall, Boeing has converted more than 100 MD-11 passenger airplanes to freighters. Contacts:
John Kvasnosky, Boeing Capital Corp., 206-898-9528 (cell); Bob Saling,
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Cargo/BCF activities, 206-852-3327 (cell); Elena Bollazzi, Cargoitalia Marketing & Communications (phone) +39 0331 663 653. Photo(s) and caption(s) are available with this release on http://boeingmedia.com/

DTN News: Boeing Willing To Let Japan Develop New Deriviative Of F/A-18

DTN News: Boeing Willing To Let Japan Develop New Deriviative Of F/A-18
Source: DTN News / Flight International By Leithen Francis
(NSI News Source Info) TOKYO, Japan - June 10, 2010: Boeing, which is proposing the F/A-18E/F for Japan's forthcoming FX fighter competition, would be willing to let the nation develop its manufacturing capability through the joint development of a new derivative of the Super Hornet. If Japan wanted to further develop the Super Hornet, by coming up with a new derivative, then Boeing would respond positively, says Defense, Space and Security vice-president for international business development Mark Kronenberg. "We would want to come up with a package that helps them with their aspirations," he adds. Japan has yet to issue a request for proposals for the FX competition, but plans to buy 40-50 fighters to replace some of its McDonnell Douglas F-4s.
In the early 1990s, Lockheed Martin worked with Japanese industry to develop the Mitsubishi F-2, a derivative of its F-16, but US law-makers at the time blocked it from transferring some technology. But Kronenberg says technology transfer, with regards to Japan, is less of an issue today. In the 1980s and early 1990s, Japan seemed to be "20ft tall", because the country's corporations were buying so many businesses overseas, but times have changed and US law-makers are now less wary of it, he says. When asked if it is feasible to manufacture 40-50 fighters in Japan under licence, Kronenberg says: "It depends on how much you want to pay to get that new manufacturing capability. I think Japan is willing to pay." He adds that Tokyo's long-term objective is to have the technological and manufacturing capability to develop its own fighter. Some industry observers predict that whichever company wins the FX competition is also likely to win in a subsequent FXX requirement. This is likely to seek over 100 fighters to replace some of Japan's older Boeing F-15s. In a separate development, Japan's nearest neighbour South Korea announced in January that it is studying whether to develop an indigenous fighter. Its government says that if it decides to proceed, completion of the first aircraft would be in 2021. Boeing would also be interested in assisting Seoul with its KFX indigenous fighter programme "if it was part of a long-term path", says Kronenberg. "We would rather partner in significant markets like Korea rather than compete," he says. Maybe longer-term some F-15SE technology could be applied, he adds. The South Korean already operates F-15Ks.

DTN News: Lockheed Martin F-35 Ground-Test Article Completes Testing Five Months Ahead Of Schedule

DTN News: Lockheed Martin F-35 Ground-Test Article Completes Testing Five Months Ahead Of Schedule
Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin Dt. June 9th, 2010
(NSI News Source Info) FORT WORTH, Texas, - June 10, 2010: The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II program successfully completed F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) full-scale static testing – with zero structural failures – five months ahead of schedule and in less than half the time of legacy programs. The test program was conducted on AG-1, an F-35A dedicated to validating the strength of the jet's airframe. During testing, the strength and stability of the aircraft structure were verified to 150 percent of design limits or 13.5 G's (force of gravity), with 174 critical load conditions, or pressures, applied to the airframe to evaluate its structural integrity. Testing was conducted predominantly at BAE Systems’ Structural & Dynamic Test Laboratory in Brough, England. The U.K. tests began in August 2009 and were accomplished in 295 days – a rate that exceeded the record-setting pace previously established by the F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing static test program. Mick Ord, BAE Systems managing director for the F-35 program, said, "This was a major milestone, and the test results demonstrate that the F-35 has a fantastic airframe. As a principal subcontractor to Lockheed Martin, one of the capabilities BAE Systems brings to the F-35 programme is our structural test expertise. The structural and dynamic test facility at Brough is a centre of excellence in the U.K. Our team has performed admirably to complete the test schedule on AG-1 ahead of program." The F-35 Lightning II 5th generation fighter combines advanced stealth with supersonic speed and high agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and lower operational and support costs. Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with principal industrial partners Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. The F-35 program has about 900 suppliers in 43 states, and directly and indirectly employs more than 130,000 people. Thousands more are employed in the F-35 partner countries, which have invested more than $4 billion in the project. Those countries are the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 136,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion. Media Contacts: John R. Kent
Office: 817-763-3980
Email: john.r.kent@lmco.com Chris Geisel
Office: 817-763-2643
Email: christian.g.geisel@lmco.com F-35 photos and videos at:

DTN News: First Three C-130J Super Hercules For India Near Completion At Lockheed Martin Facility

DTN News: First Three C-130J Super Hercules For India Near Completion At Lockheed Martin Facility
Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin - June 9th, 2010
(NSI News Source Info) MARIETTA, Ga., - June 10, 2010: The first three C-130J Super Hercules for India take the final positions on Lockheed Martin’s assembly line in Marietta, Ga. India will receive six aircraft plus support, with the first aircraft arrival in India scheduled for February 2011. The six C-130Js will give the Indian Army and Air Force new special operations capabilities using the world’s most advanced airlifter.
The Indian Air Force purchased six C-130J-30s in early 2008 at a cost of up to US$1.059 billion. It is a package deal with the US government under its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, and India has retained options to buy six more of these aircraft for its special forces for combined army-air force operations. Media contact:
Peter Simmons
Communications
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
678-662-4747

DTN News: Northrop Grumman Supplies Navigation Radars For German Navy Ships

DTN News: Northrop Grumman Supplies Navigation Radars For German Navy Ships
Source: DTN News / Northrop Grumman Corporation
(NSI News Source Info) CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., - June 10, 2010: Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC - News) has been awarded a contract to supply new radar systems for installation on 10 German Navy ships. The contract was awarded to Northrop Grumman's Naval and Marine Systems Division by the German Navy procurement authority through the responsible naval departments. The new 10-ship contract follows the successful completion of a four-year, $4.3 million program, under which the existing radars on 70 German navy ships were replaced by the company's Sperry Marine BridgeMaster™ E radar sets. Under the new contract, Northrop Grumman will install its new-generation Sperry Marine VisionMaster™ FT radar systems on 10 additional German Navy ships. Two of the vessels will be fitted with the company's unique dual-channel radar technology, which permits two independent asynchronous radar units to be displayed and controlled on a single console. The company will also provide training, spares, installation, engineering and project management support. "Northrop Grumman is the leading supplier of navigation radars for many European navies, including France, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Greece, Norway and Poland as well as Germany," said J. Nolasco DaCunha, vice president of Naval Systems International at Northrop Grumman's Naval and Marine Systems Division. "Worldwide, the company has supplied more than 12,000 radars to over 60 international navies and coast guards." Northrop Grumman's Naval and Marine Systems Division, headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., and with major engineering and support offices in New Malden, United Kingdom and Hamburg, Germany, provides smart navigation and ship control solutions for the international marine industry with customer service and support through offices in 16 countries, sales representatives in 47 countries and authorized service depots in more than 250 locations worldwide. Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.
Please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/ for more information.

DTN News: UN Approves 'Toughest Ever' Iran Sanctions

DTN News: UN Approves 'Toughest Ever' Iran Sanctions
Source: DTN News / ABC News By North America correspondent Kim Landers, staff - June 9, 2010
(NSI News Source Info) UNITED NATIONS, New York - June 10, 2010: The UN Security Council has imposed new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. Council members voted in favour of a fourth round of sanctions, including tighter finance curbs and an expanded arms embargo which will prohibit Iran from buying heavy weapons such as attack helicopters and missiles. Twelve of the 15 UN Security Council members voted for the resolution, with Brazil and Turkey voting against it and Lebanon abstaining. Significantly, both Russia and China backed the sanctions. The United States says the sanctions are the toughest yet, but Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has already quipped that they are "like a used hanky which should be thrown in the dustbin". The United States says the fresh round of sanctions sends an "unmistakable message" to Iran that it should stop its nuclear program. US president Barack Obama says he is still open to talks with Iran about its nuclear activities. He says while he does not expect Iran's behaviour to alter overnight, he hopes the government will eventually change tack. "This resolution will put in place the toughest sanctions ever faced by the Iranian government and it sends an unmistakable message about the international community's commitment to stopping the spread of nuclear weapons," he said. Iran's ambassador to the UN, Mohammed Khazaee, has warned the Security Council that his nation will press ahead with what he calls its "right to develop nuclear technology". "No amount of pressure and mischief will be able to break our nation's determination to pursue and defend its legal and inalienable rights," he said. The new sanctions include restrictions on Iranian banks, a new cargo inspection regime, and an expansion of the existing arms embargo. But the 10-page sanctions resolution does not include any crippling economic sanctions, or an oil embargo. Russia's ambassador Vitaly Churkin expressed hope that Iran could be coaxed back to the negotiating table. "We expect that Iran will act in a pragmatic and reasonable way and respond positively to the six facilitators' ... openness to dialogue to effectively resolve the Iranian nuclear issue," he said.
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DTN News: Financial News June 9, 2010 ~ U.S Debt To Rise To $19.6 Trillion By 2015

DTN News: Financial News June 9, 2010 ~ U.S Debt To Rise To $19.6 Trillion By 2015 **Analysis: It is imperative that US economy should remain stable and steady. Any down trend effect would impact world wide that has been witnessed a year ago on US mortgage crisis which created a global financial crisis that hit the world in 2008, last updated June 2, 2009 with closure of thousands of multiple factories in China. Financial crises directly result in a loss of paper wealth, they do not directly result in changes in the real economy unless a recession or depression follows. Many economists have offered theories about how financial crises develop and how they could be prevented. There is little consensus, however, and financial crises are still a regular occurrence around the world. DTN News remain convinced that global economic integration benefited all nations respectively. By Roger Smith DTN News Defense-Technology News
Source: DTN News / Reuters Reporting by Donna Smith; Editing by Kenneth Barry
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - June 9, 2010: The U.S. debt will top $13.6 trillion this year and climb to an estimated $19.6 trillion by 2015, according to a Treasury Department report to Congress. The report that was sent to lawmakers Friday night with no fanfare said the ratio of debt to the gross domestic product would rise to 102 percent by 2015 from 93 percent this year. "The president's economic experts say a 1 percent increase in GDP can create almost 1 million jobs, and that 1 percent is what experts think we are losing because of the debt's massive drag on our economy," said Republican Representative Dave Camp, who publicized the report. He was referring to recent testimony by University of Maryland Professor Carmen Reinhart to the bipartisan fiscal commission, which was created by President Barack Obama to recommend ways to reduce the deficit, which said debt topping 90 percent of GDP could slow economic growth. The U.S. debt has grown rapidly with the economic downturn and government spending for the Wall Street bailout, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the economic stimulus. The rising debt is contributing to voter unrest ahead of the November congressional elections in which Republicans hope to regain control of Congress. The total U.S. debt includes obligations to the Social Security retirement program and other government trust funds. The amount of debt held by investors, which include China and other countries as well as individuals and pension funds, will rise to an estimated $9.1 trillion this year from $7.5 trillion last year. By 2015 the net public debt will rise to an estimated $14 trillion, with a ratio to GDP of 73 percent, the Treasury report said.
(Reporting by Donna Smith; Editing by Kenneth Barry)
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DTN News: France, Germany Will Work Together According To EADS

DTN News: France, Germany Will Work Together According To EADS
* Gallois not pessimistic about Franco-German dialogue
* CEO says euro not weak, at reasonable level
Source: DTN News / Reuters
(NSI News Source Info) BERLIN, Germany - June 9, 2010: The head of Airbus parent EADS (EAD.PA) dampened fears of a Franco-German rift over the European debt crisis on Wednesday, saying the euro zone's largest economies knew they had to work together. "I don't think that France and Germany are diverging. Certainly they could have different opinions but both of them know they have no other choice but to work together," EADS Chief Executive Louis Gallois told a news conference. Relations between Germany and France have frayed during the European debt crisis, with the two countries presenting different visions of how to overcome the problems that are battering many euro zone nations. EADS was created 10 years ago from a merger of key interests between France and Germany, followed by Spain. Despite efforts to run EADS as a normal company, it is often seen as a sensitive barometer of touch-and-go relations between Paris and Berlin. "I am not truly pessimistic on the Franco-German dialogue. On a lot of topics they could diverge but at the end of the day they have to find common solutions. If not there is no longer Europe, we know that,"Gallois said. "On a lot of issues Europe goes to the end of the cliff; they find solutions when they are at the end of the cliff," the veteran industrialist and former French civil servant said. France wants to create an "economic government" for the euro zone, with regular summits of the 16 leaders and a dedicated secretariat, to coordinate economic policy. Germany is unconvinced and is banging the drum for greater budget austerity. Gallois said the euro, down 16 percent to $1.19 EUR= this year, was "not weak but at a reasonable value". Gallois was speaking at the Berlin air show which opened with a splash on Tuesday as Airbus announced $14 billion in new orders including another 32 superjumbo A380's for the Arab world's largest airline, Dubai's Emirates. Gallois said recent industrial problems on the Airbus A380 had been brought under control and that the company had enough cash for "reasonable" sized acquisitions in defence services or security in the United States despite the weakening of the euro. He said talks to finalise a recent seven-nation funding accord to prop up the delayed A400M troop carrier would probably miss an end-June deadline but would be successfully completed.