Boeing Grip On Misdef Wanes With ABL Demise

choi

(1) Amy Butler, Boeing Grip On Misdef Wanes With ABL Demise. Aviation Week, Jan 6, 2012
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/g ... amp;headline=Boeing Grip On Misdef Wanes With ABL Demise

Quote:

"The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is now turning its attention to pursuing smaller directed-energy payloads to be fielded on high-flying unmanned aircraft within the next decade.

"MDA notes that during an August 2011 flight test, ABL tracked—though it did not engage or shoot down—a Minotaur IV Lite rocket from more than 500 km (310 mi).  But ABL never managed to shoot down an intercontinental ballistic missile, which was to be a key role for the system. It did, however, complete a laser track of a Minuteman III, meaning the system found the target and was able to follow it.

My comment: Basically this is a review, which said nothing new except the last several paragraphs, starting with the "Huntsville" gathering on Dec 12, 2012.

(2) China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng comments today (Monday) for the first time since US last week announced pivoting to Asia. PRINT reports will come out tomorrow.  

(3) It's Worse Than It Sounds. Strategy Page, Jan 9, 2012
http://strategypage.com/htmw/htsub/articles/20120109.aspx
("in 2009, India launched its first nuclear submarine, the INS Arihant (Destroyer of Enemies). This came after over a decade of planning and construction. What was not revealed at the times was that the Arihant was launched without its nuclear reactor, which was not ready until the following year.")

My comment: The report says, "The Arihant was launched in 2009 * * * The first of six Arihants is supposed to enter service this year as an SSBN (ballistic missile carrying sub)."

For a ship, to "enter service" is the same as to be "commissioned." One go to a Wiki site for any military ship, a table to the right of text will mention both launch and commissioned dates.

(4) Snipers Rule. Strategy Page, Jan 9, 2012
http://strategypage.com/htmw/htinf/articles/20120109.aspx
("Currently, about ten percent of American infantry are trained and equipped as snipers")

My comment:
(a) The "rule" in the title is a verb, not a noun.
(b) M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M110_Semi-Automatic_Sniper_System
(c) This report suddenly introduced the word Stoner. In fact, SR25 stands for Stoner Rifle 25 (designed by Eugene Stoner).