Military Space News, Nuclear Weapons, Missile Defense

December 25, 2015

Thales and Airbus to supply French military satellite communications
Washington (UPI) Dec 23, 2015
The French defense procurement agency has contracted Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defense and Space to construct their next generation of military communication satellites. The Comsat NG contract covers two military communications satellites for the French armed forces. Once completed, the satellites will be launched to replace the aging Syracuse 3A and Syracuse 3B, which were launched in 2005 and 2006 respectively. The new satellites are scheduled to enter service in 2021. Thales offi ... read more

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Russia delivers S-300 missile system to Kazakhstan free of charge The Russian government has completed the free delivery of its S-300 air defense system to the government of Kazakhstan, according to Russian media reports. ... more		Modi meets Putin in Russia with eye on defence deals Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a visit that could see the two countries agree a number of defence and energy deals worth billions of dollars. ... more		PM Abe's cabinet approves largest defence budget Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet on Thursday approved Japan's biggest ever annual defence budget, as the country bolsters its military amid territorial rows and concerns over China's expanding naval reach. ... more
				China tests rail-based long-range missile capable of hitting US China this month tested a new rail-car-mounted long-range missile capable of hitting targets in the United States, according to American intelligence agencies monitoring the test. A canister e ... more		Forensic seismology tested on 2006 munitions depot 'cook-off' in Baghdad Back in October 2006, a mortar round hit the ammunition supply depot at the U.S. Forward Operating Base Falcon south of Baghdad. The round started a smoldering fire punctuated by whizzing skyrockets ... more

India's Modi on surprise 'goodwill' Pakistan visit Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise "goodwill" visit to arch-rival Pakistan on Friday, with the first such trip in a decade seen as a step towards normalising ties between the nuclear-armed neighbours. ... more		Scientists produce 50 grams of plutonium-238 For the first time 30 years, federal scientists have produced plutonium-238. ... more		NASA and DOE plan fission power plant on Moon by 2030 Berkeley Scientists set to home in on 100 signals from Seti at Home Firefly prepares Alpha Block II upgrade for Flight 8		Russian, US Space Companies Seal Satellite Deal for First Time For the first time ever a private Russian space company, Dauria Aerospace, has struck a deal on the sale of two of its satellites to a US company, Aquila Space, the Russian company's general directo ... more
				45th Space Wing launches ORBCOMM; historically lands first stage booster The U.S. Air Force's 45th Space Wing successfully supported the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket during its mission to put ORBCOMM's OG2 communications satellites in to orbit Dec. 21 at 8:29 p.m. from Sp ... more		Okinawa countersues Japanese government over US base move The defiant southern region of Okinawa countersued Japan's government Friday over local resistance to a new US military base, the latest chapter in deepening mistrust between central authorities and the strategic island. ... more

Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison & Memory Foam Mattress Review

Arab League denounces Turkish troop deployment in Iraq Arab foreign ministers condemned on Thursday a Turkish military deployment in Iraq as an "assault" on the country's sovereignty, demanding Ankara withdraw the forces. ... more		US air strikes in Afghan district under Taliban siege The US launched air strikes Thursday to bolster Afghan forces scrambling to beat back Taliban insurgents who seized large swathes of a key opium-rich district, following the first British deployment to the volatile region in 14 months. ... more		Cosmic krypton timestamps reveal Australia landscape evolution and resources Fire on Ice: The Arctic's Changing Fire Regime Warming trend to intensify crop droughts across Europe and beyond		Taiwan presidential frontrunner vows to seek peaceful China ties The frontrunner for Taiwan's 2016 presidential election, opposition leader Tsai Ing-wen, on Friday pledged that if elected she would seek peaceful ties with mainland China while maintaining democracy on the island. ... more
Regime air strike kills Syria rebel chief ahead of peace talks Powerful Syrian rebel chief Zahran Alloush was killed in a regime air strike east of Damascus on Friday, dealing blows to both the nearly five-year uprising and a fragile peace process. ... more		Kurdish-Arab alliance pushes IS back in north Syria An alliance of Kurdish and Arab rebels advanced Thursday against the Islamic State jihadist group in Syria's north in a new offensive backed by US-led air strikes, its spokesman said. ... more		Iraq 'nets 40 IS operatives' in major swoop Iraq's intelligence service said Thursday it detained 40 members of the Islamic State group as part of a major operation in Baghdad and Diyala provinces. ... more		Bombs, snipers slow Iraq forces' advance in Ramadi Iraqi forces dodged sniper fire, car bombs, roadside bombs and booby traps as they battled Friday to root out jihadist fighters hunkered down in a strategic compound in central Ramadi. ... more

	Palantir raises $880 mn in new funding round Secretive software company Palantir Technologies raised nearly $880 million in a new funding round, according to a regulatory filing available on Thursday. ... more		China to expel French journalist, reporter tells AFP China has refused to renew the press credentials of a French journalist, effectively expelling her, unless she recants one of her stories, the reporter told AFP Friday, the first such case since 2012. ... more

Scientists uncover new quantum state that could power future technologies

Self-healing composite can make airplane, automobile and spacecraft components last for centuries

Pendulum device taps power from ocean currents

PM Abe's cabinet approves largest defence budget		Japan PM faces make-or-break test three years later		Germany withdraws Patriot missiles from Turkey		Italy receives Predator-A drones		Army unit retires Hunter unmanned aircraft systems
BAE Systems to provide radar support for U.S. Air Force		Czech Republic upgrading leased Gripen fighters		China's new counterterrorism bill inspired by US: foreign ministry		India donates Mi-25 helicopters to Afghanistan		Civilians escape IS grip as Iraqi forces push on in Ramadi

Suspected French extremist caught entering Australia

Damascus ready to enter Geneva peace talks: Syria FM

Mali pro-govt armed group accuses France of killing 4 fighters

Elbit upgrades tactical intelligence capabilities for Asian country

BAE Systems expands factory for F-35 component work

New NATO UAV completes flight test

Preparing for the Unexpected in Space

Italy's Finmeccanica reorganizes

Turkey tests its first armed unmanned aerial vehicle

New SBIRS ground system celebrates two major milestones

Aegis Ashore missile defense system goes online in Romania

Israeli missile interceptor passes final test

Laser-derived X-ray method finds hidden nuclear materials

Aerojet completes design milestone for AR1 Engine

Poland acquiring air defense system

Lockheed Martin meets F-35 delivery goal

France, Russia to 'strengthen' information exchange on IS

New tactical radio order for Harris Corporation

UN to host next round of Syria talks in Geneva

Christmas Day cleanup after storms kill 14 in US

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