Vol. 18, Number 20, May 12, 2004 twr20v18.htm

Comment

Ballistic Missile Defence: "... an integrated Ballistic Missile Defense System capable of providing a layered defense for the United States and its deployed forces, friends and allies against ballistic missiles of all ranges in all phases of flight."  -- U.S. Missile Defence Agency

Canada in the Ballistic Missile Defence Regime

Guidance systems sold by North Korea to enhance the accuracy of  Syria's medium-range Scud D missiles are atrociously inaccurate according to data gathered by watchers in Israel, but the technology nevertheless takes the indigenous Syrian project to a new dimension. Israel must take this weapon system seriously and make certain that it's excellent "Arrow" home grown anti-missile missile system is up to snuff.

Israel has operated a missile defence system for years. Had it not, Israel would not likely exist today.

The Scud D is an old dog of a medium-range weapons delivery system, widely available, getting a new life from a handful of modern micro-chips. With enough money, almost anyone can do it.

Iran's Shahab-6 ballistic missile has the potential of striking Toronto, Canada with three rocket stages.

North Korea's Taepo Dong-2 ICBM could deliver a substantial nuclear payload to Vancouver. A three-stage variant could delete Montreal from the map. Within 6,000 kilometres a two-stage version would suffice.

Would Iran or North Korea ever want to kill Canadians? No, it is hard to concoct any reasonable expectation of that happening, so why worry about the capability if motive can't be found?

• In case of an accidental launch.

• Any non-state terrorist organization or failing state can be a player in the inter-continental missile game if it has enough money.

• Non-state entities will be exploited to deliver catastrophic blows to the West on behalf of nation states seeking plausible deniability for the act.

• North Korea, for one, will sell most anything to anyone for a price.

• As was in the case in Pakistan, rogue elements within NPT-member states sell their nation's technology to the highest bidder. 

• Iran will sell anything to anyone who is willing to kill Jews or Israelis.

Why would anyone want to attack a Canadian city? Blackmail? Retaliation against one of Canada's alliances? Demonstrate to the U.S. a capability to kill many millions of people by devastating a small Canadian city?

  Example of WMD blackmail:

Dear President Bush;
To prove our capability, we have today destroyed the Canadian city of Halifax with a 100 Kiloton nuclear bomb delivered by one of our very own missiles which re-entered from space like the hand of Allah. Pull your troops out of Iraq by month-end or we will kill New York City with just a slight change of the coordinates.

An inter-continental missile launched from a rogue state or by non-state operators from half way around the globe would likely carry a significant chemical, biological or nuclear payload.

Technology, delivery systems and warheads as well as 'know-how' are all available for a high price in cash dollars to the right buyer in the right place at the right time. Add to that the secondary proliferation of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction--regrettably invading 'coalition' forces last year failed to secure many agents, particularly chemical and biological but also some low-grade uranium--which delivered al-Qaeda-allied entities with a plethora of dangerous matériel having some war-head potential if they can exploit it with the right 'know-how'. That would mean free war head components thus minimizing costs to delivery. This is not a stretch. This is today's reality.

Meanwhile, although on May 29, 2003, Ottawa announced that Canada would enter into discussions with the U.S. about possible Canadian participation in the missile defence of North America, Canada's current plan for dealing with such a threat is still limited to diplomatic engagement with proliferators, export controls on missile-related technology, membership in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), and support for the Hague Code of Conduct on ballistic missiles.

Notwithstanding these valiant international 'Boy Scout' efforts, Canada is therefore extremely vulnerable inasmuch as the United States is vulnerable without a viable ballistic missile defence system. In this danger, we and the U.S. are inseparably joined at the hip.

By the year 2010, if not earlier, a missile attack traversing Canadian territory or into Canada is more than possible, it's a probability.

It is therefore an obligation of the Canadian federal government, no matter what opinion polls may indicate, to provide Canadians with defensive capability against missile attack or against errant missile hits by joining the U.S. and our mutual allies in the creation of the North American missile defence system.

The advantage of gaining a technological lead of at least five years over enemies and proliferators is a proven thing.

The Canada / U.S. North American Missile Defence system is also the next best step for NORAD.

Micheal John O'Brien, Editor

Ed. Note: Additional reading: Discussions with the United States on possible Canadian participation in the Ballistic Missile Defence of North America.

- News -

American Beheaded as Retaliation for Prison Abuse

Claiming the act was a retaliation for American abuse of Iraqi prisoners Al Qaeda's leader in Iraq beheaded a live American civilian and vowed more killings in revenge for the "Satanic degradation" of Abu Ghraib prisoners. The entire proceeding was video-taped.

Nicholas Berg (26) was a jobless American from West Chester, Pennsylvania visiting the Middle East war zone allegedly in the hope of finding work. Berg had apparently visited the northern city of Mosul where because he had no affiliation nor credentials was arrested in March by a suspecting officer and lost in the prison chaos till past month's end when FBI officials cleared his release. Berg was last seen in a Baghdad hotel on 10 April. Accordingly his kidnapping by Ansar al-Islamists must have lasted nearly a month.

During his time as a hostage, Berg's captors claim they tried to negotiate with Coalition Provisional Authorities (CPA) in Iraq for an exchange of prisoners.

The beheading video created on 7 May 2004 is non-contiguous and appears to be recorded in several separate sessions using an amateur Hi-8 video tape recorder mounted on a light tripod from at least four camera positions. Lighting is incandescent and the camera aperture settings are wide causing a short focal depth. White balance is not achieved. The image is then poorly converted from tape to a (Windows Media) digital video format at 7kbs (kilobits per second), video sample size of 24 bits, and monaural audio 156kbs, audio sample rate at 8khz, 16 bit. Sound/Video sync is lost half way through the video. The final windows media video file is edited on an Arabic language computer and is comprised of three clips.

The Muntada al-Ansar Islamist Website linked this low-quality edited videotape showing a man dressed in orange overalls sitting bound on a white plastic chair in a bare room; then in the second scene (third camera position), knelt on the floor with five masked persons each with slung automatic weapons behind him. 

"My name is Nick Berg, my father's name is Michael... I have a brother and sister, David and Sarah," said the bound man, adding he was from Philadelphia. 

The person in the center of the five masked persons read a wandering and repetitious statement in Arabic urging Muslims to seek revenge after pictures were published of Iraqi prisoners being hazed by U.S. troops at Abu Ghraib prison. 

"Nation of Islam, is there any excuse left to sit idly by", the speaker challenged as if making a call to arms, "and how can free Muslims sleep soundly as they see Islam being slaughtered, honour bleeding, photographs of shame and reports of Satanic degradation of the people of Islam, men and women, in Abu Ghraib prison?" 

The masked persons then held down the 26-year-old American on the floor and shouted "God is great" in Arabic above his screams as one of them, like a butcher, cut his head off with apparently considerable difficulty, using a large knife previously hidden in the killers' robe. The entire beheading takes nearly fifteen minutes although most of this time is edited out. At the end of the video the person second from the left in the line of five holds up the head of Berg. Later an unseen person lays the head on the torso of Berg's lifeless corpse.

Abu Musab al-Zarkawi (real name is Ahmad Al-Khalayla) is the center person of the five, the man who read aloud a largely rhetorical political statement as bad as any in Ottawa's or Washington's electioneering and then cut off Berg's head. The statement which was read from a three-page script on 8.5 x 11 inch paper was signed off with the Zarkawi name.

A body found in Baghdad by a U.S. military patrol over the weekend was identified on Monday, 10 May, as Nick Berg before the videotape was released.

The translated version of Zarkawi's statement can be read in the May 2004 section of TWR's Backgrounder on Abu Musab al-Zarkawi.

Video Analysis:
American Hostage Nick Berg Murder

Warning: Graphic and very disturbing content: beheading of Nick Berg in Iraq. Play video of American hostage (Nick Berg) beheading by Al Qaeda's  leader in Iraq (allegedly Abu Musab al-Zarkawi an Ansar al-Islam patron). Nicholas Berg had been held hostage for nearly a month in Iraq.

To view the original al Qaeda video of the Nicholas Berg killing you must download the zipped file.
(We are no longer streaming this content.
To view content currently streaming, open a Wednesday Report Media Window.)

"This shows the true nature of the enemies of freedom," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters. "They have no regard for the lives of innocent men, women and children. We will pursue those responsible and bring them to justice."

Canadian Forces Mission in Haiti Extension

The Canadian Forces has deployed about 500 personnel and six CH-146 Griffon helicopters to Haiti to assist the United Nations-sanctioned multinational force in bringing stability to the country. This CF commitment is named Operation HALO.

Task Force Haiti (TFH) deployed in early March 2004 as part of the United Nations Multinational Interim Force (MIF). Formed in late February, the MIF has a 90-day mandate to contribute to a secure and stable environment in Haiti, to facilitate the delivery of relief aid to those in need, and to help the Haitian Police and Coast Guard maintain law and order and protect human rights.

At the request of the United Nations, the Canadian Forces (CF) mission in Haiti will extend beyond its current mandate in order to permit Task Force Haiti (TFH) to assist in the expansion from the Multinational Interim Force (MIF) to the larger follow-on United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. All CF elements are expected to return to Canada by mid-September 2004.

The role of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti will be to support the continuation of a peaceful and constitutional political process, and the maintenance of a secure and stable environment.

Operation HALO comprises approximately 500 personnel:

• A company group primarily from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, located in Gagetown, New Brunswick;

• 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, with six CH-146 Griffon helicopters, from Valcartier, Quebec;

• A National Command Element that links the Chief of the Defence Staff in Ottawa with Task Force Haiti; and

• A National Support Element that delivers centralized administrative and logistics support services to Task Force Haiti.

Airlift support for this deployment is provided by squadrons operating CC-130 Hercules and CC-150 Polaris transport aircraft from 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario.

Upon completion of the initial mandate, most of the company group, as well as some command and support personnel, will be replaced by another company group and support personnel drawn primarily from 2 RCR. The rest of the task force personnel will remain to the end of the mandate extension.

The MIF was formed in late February to contribute to a secure and stable environment in Haiti, to facilitate the delivery of relief aid to those in need, and to help the Haitian Police and Coast Guard maintain law and order and protect human rights.

Chemical Warfare Agent Test Subject Gets Cash

Retired Canadian Forces corporal Roy Wheeler received a $24,000 payment at a ceremony held in Chilliwack, B.C. yesterday in recognition of his participation in chemical warfare agent tests. His application was the first to be approved under a new government programme. The cheque was presented by Major Angelo Battiston, Commanding Officer of the Area Support Unit, Chilliwack. 

The $50-million recognition programme for Canadian veterans who were involved in chemical warfare agent tests between the 1940s and the 1970s at Suffield, AB, and the Chemical Warfare Laboratories, Ottawa, was announced on Feb. 19, 2004 by the Minister of National Defence and the Minister of Veterans Affairs. The one-time $24,000 payment is in addition to pension benefits to which these veterans may be entitled. 

"Through their selfless service, veterans such as Mr. Wheeler spared their comrades in arms the horrors of chemical warfare," said the Honourable David Pratt, Minister of National Defence. "These volunteers provided the foundation for Canada’s response to the very real threat of chemical warfare a threat that continues to this day." 

"Mr. Wheeler represents all veterans who served their country as participants in these tests," said the Honourable John McCallum, Minister of Veterans Affairs. "This programme recognizes the contributions of these individuals publicly and acknowledges the debt of gratitude that Canadians owe them." 

In 1966, Corporal Wheeler, a lineman with 1 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters and Signal Squadron in Calgary, Alberta, participated in a trial that used diluted mustard gas at Suffield Experimental Station. The aim of the trial was to develop a training agent that could be safely used in field exercises. The data collected ensured that personnel who participated in later large-scale exercises could be exposed to realistic chemical warfare conditions with a minimum risk to their health and safety. 

The programme office for the Chemical Warfare Agent Testing Recognition Programme opened on April 5, 2004. The office has received more than 1,700 inquiries and more than 700 applications. Approximately 100 applications have been approved to date and cheques are already being mailed to eligible veterans. 

CF Buys UAV from Arizona-Based Firm

As part of its continuing exploration into the potential utility of uninhabited aerial vehicles (UAVs), the Canadian Forces (CF) recently purchased the Silver Fox mini UAV system produced by Advanced Ceramics Research of Tuscon, Arizona. Thales Systems Canada is the prime contractor in the acquisition of this system, which is for a two-year period of combined concept development and experimentation. This contract was awarded to Thales on April 5 th .

Acquired after a competitive evaluation, the decision to purchase this modular, ‘plug-and-play' mini UAV is notable in that the Canadian Forces' UAV experimentation to date has been through the leasing of different platforms produced by various manufacturers. The decision to purchase this system – at a cost of $649,000 for the system, including training and service support -- was made for the flexibility that this approach would provide. This system is expected to be delivered to the CF by mid-July 2004.

The Canadian Forces, through the Canadian Forces Experimentation Centre (CFEC) at Shirley's Bay, Ontario, has been investigating the use of UAVs to address a recognized capability deficiency in the areas of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), and Command and Control. In support of this goal CFEC, through a series of synthetic and live experiments conducted since 2001 and by using leased UAV systems, has been obtaining data and knowledge to determine how UAVs can be used to resolve this deficiency.

Another difference is that the Silver Fox mini UAV system – which is unrelated to the current operational use of the Sperwer UAV system on Operation Athena in Kabul, Afghanistan -- will be a collaborative, CF -wide experimentation that will permit Canada's navy, air force and army, as well as Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), to enhance their understanding about the potential use of mini UAVs in the modern battlespace .

The flexibility obtained as a result of purchasing the already-available Silver Fox mini UAV system means that the CF will be able to trial a variety of payloads and communications suites, to experiment with this platform in various operating environments e.g. off a Canadian naval vessel, and to contribute toward doctrine development on the operational employment of UAVs.

While the Silver Fox mini UAV system – which will include the UAV platforms themselves plus associated payloads, ground control stations, remote video terminal, spares support for two years, ground support equipment, documentation, training and shipping containers – will be based out of the DRDC facility at Suffield, Alberta, it will be operated across Canada by various CF organizations on a shared basis. As an example, the Silver Fox mini UAV system will be employed during one of the phases of the upcoming comprehensive Atlantic Littoral ISR Experiment, slated to take place in the Baffin Island and across Atlantic Canada beginning later this August.

Cdn Defence Research and Development: Update

Defence R&D Canada (DRDC) is investing $33.5 million in six new projects proposed under the Technology Demonstration Programme, a collaborative initiative involving Canadian industry, academia, and government designed to encourage technology development for the Canadian Forces.

The Technology Demonstration Programme was introduced in 1999 to measure the impact of scientific and technological advances on military operations. It is typically aimed at technology evaluation and concept validation, with projects spanning three to four years in duration. In exchange for making investments and contributions, Canadian industry partners benefit from insight into future projects, the ability to take advantage of intellectual property, and the development of new skills within their workforce. The Technology Demonstration Programme strengthens Canada’s ability to compete in international markets through commercialization and technology transfers, and further contributes to economic prosperity through job creation and exports.

The six projects include: Electronic Countermeasures for Remote Controlled Improvised Explosive Devices ; Interoperable Combat Fluid Resuscitation Capability; Advanced Integrated Multi- Sensing Surveillance System; Space-Based Hyperspectral Image Exploitation; Multi-Sensor Torpedo Detection, Classification and Localization; and the Code Division Multiple Access Geo-location Demonstrator. Each project is related to the land, air, maritime, and joint elements of the Canadian Forces.

DRDC will display the results of on-going Technology Demonstration Projects April 22 and 23, 2004 at CANSEC , an annual exhibition sponsored by the Canadian Defence Industries Association, held at the Congress Centre in Ottawa.

DRDC is an agency of the Canadian Department of National Defence responding to the scientific and technological needs of the Canadian Forces. Its mission is to ensure that the CF remains scientifically and operationally relevant. The agency is made up of six research centres located across Canada with a corporate office in Ottawa. DRDC has an annual budget of $250 million and employs 1400 people. With a broad scientific programme, DRDC actively collaborates with industry, international allies, academia, other government departments and the national security community.

Recent Missile Defence Agency Milestones

May 3 - Missile Defence Air-Launch Target

The Missile Defence Agency (MDA) successfully conducted a demonstration launch of a Long Range Air Launch Target (LRALT) at 12:06 a.m. (EDT) Monday, May 3, 2004. The LRALT missile boosted a simulated reentry vehicle from a point just south of Midway Island to the vicinity of Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

The LRALT programme is managed by the Missile Defense Agency Targets and Countermeasures Directorate and developed for MDA by the U. S. Air Force Space & Missile Command and L3/Coleman Aerospace Corp. LRALT is based on two Minuteman II second stages taken from deactivated assets. The delivery system is air-extracted from a C-17 for launch on any azimuth. LRALT was developed as a target for realistic testing of the Ballistic Missile Defense System using air-launch as a method to relieve the test constraints imposed by fixed ground launch sites.

March 23 - Missile Defence Award

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) announced that Lt. Gen. James A. Abrahamson, U.S. Air Force (Retired), is the second recipient of the Ronald Reagan Missile Defence Award, an annual honor awarded to individuals or organizations to recognize outstanding support, innovation, and engineering and scientific achievement associated with technologies designed to defend against ballistic missile attack. General Abrahamson was the first director of the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO), the forerunner of the Missile Defense Agency, and served from March 27, 1984 to January 31, 1989. 

The award was presented to General Abrahamson during a ceremony at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. on March 23, 2004, during the 2nd Annual Missile Defense Conference sponsored by MDA and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). 

Former Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger received the award last year.

Earlier this month, another hurdle was successfully passed on the road to the missile defense Initial Defensive Capability (IDC) being put on alert. U.S. Pacific Fleet ships, in concert with the Ground-based Midcourse and C2BMC elements of MDA's Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) conducted a series of interoperability events continuing to build confidence in the Missile Defense Agency's efforts to develop a long-range surveillance and tracking capability in Aegis Destroyers and communicate that data to other elements of the BMDS to support engagement of ICBM ­class threats. 

Entitled Pacific Explorer II (PACEX II), the exercise teamed various elements of the BMDS, including Aegis BMD, C2BMC, GMD, U.S. Navy ships, satellites and shore stations across the globe in multiple tests. Extensive communications and interoperability capabilities, essential to the Ballistic Missile Defense System, were successfully demonstrated. 

March 5 -Two Million Man-hours Missile Defence Development

The Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Site Activation Command announced that the construction project at the Fort Greely Missile Defense Site recently passed a major safety milestone: more than 2 million man-hours worked without a lost time accident. 

For a construction site this large and with so many moving parts, a safety record like this is almost unheard of, according to Colonel Kevin Norgaard, Director of Site Activation Command.

"Completing the project in Alaska on the aggressive schedule we imposed in itself is a great accomplishment," said Colonel Norgaard. "Doing so with two million hours without a lost time accident is an extraordinary accomplishment and reflects the superb corporate safety culture that Fluor and its subcontractors have embraced."

While Site Activation Command has overall responsibility for the site, several major construction contractors and government agencies working for Site Activation Command are involved with developing and maintaining safety awareness on the construction site. These include Fluor Alaska working under the supervision of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and The Boeing Company (prime contractor for the programme) under supervision of Site Activation Command. 

March 3 - Missile Defence Intercept Test

The U.S Army conducted a successful intercept test flight of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., today at approximately 7 a.m. Mountain Standard Time. Preliminary test data indicate the missile successfully intercepted the target and mission objectives were achieved.

Test objectives of this mission included demonstrating the PAC-3 missile segment software and ground system improvements, demonstrating system capability to intercept and kill a short-range full-body tactical ballistic missile target, and demonstrating and validating successful operation of the PAC-3 missile seeker with a domestic source Traveling Wave Tube. The target for the mission was a Patriot-As-A-Target (PAAT), a Patriot legacy missile modified to represent a short-range tactical ballistic missile (SRBM).

Soldiers of the 3/6 and 3/43 Air Defence Artillery, Fort Bliss, Texas, participated in today's test. The PAC-3 Missile is a high velocity, hit-to-kill missile and is the newest addition to Patriot family of missiles. The PAC-3 missile provides increased capability against advanced tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and hostile aircraft.

The PAC-3 missile successfully completed operational testing and began fielding in 2002. This was the first test mission flown since fielding and combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

The Patriot PAC-3 programme is managed by the U.S. Army and executed by the Army Programme Executive Office, Air, Space and Missile Defence and the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defence Project Office in Huntsville, Ala. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Dallas, Texas, is the prime contractor responsible for the PAC-3 Missile Segment. Raytheon Systems Company, the Patriot system prime contractor, is the system integrator for the PAC-3 missile segment.

January 9 - Booster Verification

Team Vandenberg successfully launched Booster Verification Test-5 at 10:40 a.m. today. BVT-5 tested a three-stage booster configuration for use with the Missile Defence Agency's Ground-based Midcourse Defence System. Built by Lockheed Martin Corp., the booster is one of two slated for use with the GMD system. The system is designed to intercept and destroy long-range ballistic missiles.

January 7 - $.7 Billion Small Kill Vehicle Contract

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company of Sunnyvale, Calif. is being awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity cost-plus-award-fee contract for the development and demonstration of a miniature kill vehicle (MKV) system. 

The maximum value of the contract is $768,000,000 performed over an eight-year period. 

The first task order for $27,000,000 will be awarded simultaneously with the contract award. The MKV programme will be managed by MDA Advanced Systems, which is responsible for developing advanced capabilities for integration into the Ballistic Missile Defence System. The MKV contract will be executed for MDA Advanced Systems by the U. S. Army Space and Missile Defence Technical Center in Huntsville, Alabama. 

The MKV system will deploy multiple, small kill vehicles from a single carrier vehicle. The integrated payload will be designed to fit on existing and planned interceptor boosters. The resulting system will be capable of engaging multiple midcourse targets from a single launcher, adding firepower and robustness to midcourse defences. The initial programme focus will be on the design and demonstration of the kill vehicle. The MKV system will be designed to integrate seamlessly into the Ballistic Missile Defence System with initial focus on its Ground-based Midcourse Defence element.

Standardizing Global Radio Frequency Identification

Boeing is sponsoring a series of symposiums worldwide to build consensus about standards for utilizing Global Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology on commercial airplanes.

Boeing and Airbus are collaborating on this effort. They've agreed to require Air Transport Association (ATA) SPEC 2000 automated identification and data capture guidelines and to jointly host the sessions.

"This technology offers the aviation industry many proven benefits, with the ultimate objective being continued safety, airworthiness and operational efficiencies for commercial airplanes," Kenneth Porad, RFID programme leader for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said. "By working together, Boeing and Airbus benefit by avoiding conflicting requirements with mutual customers and suppliers."

RFID involves 'smart label' identification tags installed throughout an airplane that store data including part and serial numbers, manufacturer codes, country of origin, date of installation and maintenance and inspection information. The tags contain a microchip and antenna and offer significant advantages over similar technologies, including no line-of-sight requirement for data transmission and a dynamic read/write capability.

The forums are June 8-9 in Atlanta, August 10-11 in Hong Kong, and October 19-20 in Munich. Participants will include airlines, aviation suppliers, regulatory agencies and third-party maintenance providers.

The events will offer detailed background information on recently completed in-service evaluations of RFID technology and will address industry concerns such as interference, certification, and standards.

China Airlines To Add Two More 747-400 Freighters

Boeing Company has confirmed an order by China Airlines for two Boeing 747-400 Freighters, valued at approximately $425 million at list prices.

The new airplanes are scheduled for delivery in 2006. In total, China Airlines has purchased 38 747-400s, 21 freighters and 17 passenger models. The airline has ordered more 747-400 Freighters than any other airline and currently has one of the world's largest 747-400 Freighter fleets.

"The 747-400 Freighter has proven to be an excellent performer for China Airlines," said Philip Wei, president, China Airlines. "We anticipate continuing increases in cargo demand and expect that these new freighters will be significant contributors to China Airlines' profitability."

The Taiwanese carrier now has total unfilled orders for 12 747-400 freighter and passenger models, with four deliveries this year.

"Our great ‘working together' relationship with China Airlines has been in place for more than 37 years," said Larry Dickenson, senior vice president, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Sales. "The airline's continued investment in expanding their 747-400 Freighter fleet is an example of their unrelenting commitment to high quality and reliable service."

The 747-400 Freighter family has no peer among today's cargo airplanes with nearly 100 in service worldwide, operated by the world's leading air cargo carriers. The 747-400 Freighter can carry 124 tons (113,000 kg) of cargo up to 4,450 nautical miles (8,240km).

In all its versions, the world's fleet of 747 Freighters -- more than 260 in all -- provides almost half the world's freighter capacity. The 747 Freighter is a key element in the development of today's air cargo marketplace.

Canadian Helicopters EMS Service Excels

Canadian Helicopters was honored last month by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation for attaining more than 80,000 accident-free flight hours in its Aeromedical Critical Care helicopter operations. 

The accomplishment was commemorated in a plaque presented to Rob Blakely, Canadian Helicopters Vice President of Operations by Jeanne Connor-Osborn, Sikorsky's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Programme Manager. Also in attendance at the tribute were representatives of the Ontario Ministry of Health, the Nova Scotia Ministry of Health.

Canadian Helicopters, the largest EMS helicopter provider in Canada, has 25 year of aeromedical experience. It operates 12 medical Sikorsky S-76 helicopters for the provincial governments of Ontario and Nova Scotia. More information can be found at www.CanadianHelicopters.com.

"Canadian Helicopters has shown an excellence second to none in this noble and necessary mission," said Tommy Thomason, Vice Present for Civil Programmes at Sikorsky. "And we are proud to provide the S-76, which is recognized for its outstanding EMS capability in terms of speed, cabin volume and shape, and low door sill."

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacturing and service. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation, of Hartford, Conn. (NYSE:UTX), which provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.

MH-60s Hits 50,000 Hr. Air Time Milestone

The U.S. Navy MH-60S fleet combat support helicopter passed a significant milestone recently by eclipsing the 50,000 flight hour mark. 

"The significance of this event is particularly noteworthy because the programme went from the drawing board to fleet introduction in just a few years," said Paul Martin, Sikorsky's Senior Vice President for Government and Advanced Development Programmes. "The aircraft was initially fielded simultaneously in three separate locations and has exhibited exemplary readiness and safety records." 

MH-60S fleet combat support helicopters are serving the U.S. Navy around the world. Many of the aircraft supported Operation Iraqi Freedom. In addition, MH-60S crews have won numerous Sikorsky Winged-S Rescue Awards, continuing a tradition dating from 1950. 

The MH-60S will provide flexibility for reconfiguration, serving in combat search and rescue as well as providing Naval Special Warfare support to joint theater operations. The helicopter will anchor the fleet logistics role in carrier strike group and amphibious ready group operations. 

Along with its counterpart, the Sikorsky MH-60R, the MH-60S will form the basis for the Navy's Helicopter Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and will replace all other existing Navy helicopters by 2010. Together, the aircraft will provide a full array of maritime helicopter capabilities, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface ship warfare (ASuW), medevac, logistics, Combat Search And Rescue, and Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM). 

The MH-60S is a baseline BLACK HAWK configuration with SEAHAWK engines, rotor system and dynamic components, including the SEAHAWK's automatic rotor blade folding system, folding tail pylon, improved durability gearbox, rotor brake and automatic flight control computer. This aircraft is the latest in the H-60 family of aircraft whose ruggedness, survivability and versatility have made the H-60 the world's standard utility helicopter. 

In September 2002, the U.S. Navy granted the MH-60S helicopter programme a Milestone III Full Rate Production Decision authorizing the Navy's purchase of up to 271 MH-60S aircraft. The Navy has already ordered 119 aircraft and 64 helicopters have been delivered as of April 2004. 

The MH-60S is currently flying with ship-based detachments from five Navy squadrons located in Guam, San Diego, and Norfolk, Va. 

Northrop Grumman Conference Today - Live on the Web

Northrop Grumman Corporation will hold its annual Institutional Investor Conference in New York City on Wednesday, May 12. Company senior management will discuss current performance and the outlook for 2004 and 2005. The conference will begin at 8 a.m. EDT and will be webcast live on the company's Web site at www.northropgrumman.com 

Raytheon Chief Headed for Major Appointment

U.S. President Bush has announced he intends to appoint William H. Swanson to the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC). Swanson is chairman and CEO of Raytheon Company. NSTAC is composed of up to 30 industry leaders appointed by the president. In its advisory role to the president, the NSTAC provides analyses and recommendations on a wide range of policy and technical issues related to telecommunications, information assurance, infrastructure protection, and other national security and emergency preparedness concerns.

In addition to his appointment to the NSTAC, Swanson is a member of the Secretary of the Air Force Advisory Board, a trustee of the Association of the U.S. Army, and a member of the Board of Governors of the Aerospace Industries Association. He also is a member of the CIA Officers Memorial Foundation board of advisors and associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Swanson joined Raytheon in 1972 and has held a wide variety of leadership positions. Before becoming chairman in January 2004, he was CEO and president of the company.

Raytheon Company, with 2003 sales of $18.1 billion, employs 78,000 people worldwide 

Raytheon's SeaVue Radar Aboard Predator Variant

Raytheon Company has successfully integrated and demonstrated its SeaVue maritime surveillance radar and AAS-52 Multi-spectral Targeting System (MTS-A) aboard a General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Mariner unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a derivative of the Generals Atomics Predator B UAV.

"The successful April flight demonstration from El Mirage, Calif., is a perfect example of what a motivated team can accomplish," said Jack Kelble, president of Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems. "In order to meet an important demonstration request, we installed and integrated the SeaVue and MTS-A mission systems, and then performed the necessary flight verification tests in only three weeks. This is a remarkable engineering achievement."
In addition to demonstrating the Mariner UAV's performance and operational flexibility at various altitudes, the flight highlighted the sensors' combined maritime surveillance capabilities and network connectivity when operating together on one platform. This flight demonstrated many of the capabilities outlined in the U.S. Navy's Broad Area Maritime Surveillance requirement.

The SeaVue family of radars is designed to detect small maritime targets in high seas and provide superior maritime situational awareness. The system's flexible architecture enables it to meet a wide variety of surveillance requirements and support multiple missions. Depending on the configuration, typical missions include maritime surface search and target tracking, ship imaging and classification, overland mapping, search and rescue, weather avoidance and navigation, harbor and economic zone surveillance, and environmental monitoring such as oil spill detection and ice flow mapping. SeaVue was designed as a light weight, low cost, surveillance radar that can be easily installed on smaller aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned vehicles. To date, more than 100 SeaVue radar systems are in operation around the world.

The AAS-52 MTS-A is a multi-use electro-optical, infrared, and laser detecting-ranging-tracking set, developed and produced for use in military systems. Using state-of-the-art digital architecture, this advanced electro- optical/infrared (EO/IR) system provides long-range surveillance, target acquisition, tracking, rangefinding, and laser designation for all tri-service and NATO laser-guided munitions.

As a premier mission systems integrator, Raytheon's family of unmanned technologies provides customers with netted solutions for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Precision Engagement, and Homeland Security operations. Key technologies include: ground and airborne command and control systems with satellite connectivity; integrated Global Positioning Systems (GPS); netted weapons and fire control solutions; signals intelligence; stand alone and integrated EO/IR and radar sensor systems; self- protection suites; and communications systems.

Raytheon Company's Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) designs, develops and manufactures advanced systems for precision engagement; missile Defence; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Headquartered in El Segundo, Calif., SAS has 11,000 employees and additional facilities in Goleta, Calif.; Forest, Miss.; Dallas, McKinney and Plano, Texas; and several international locations. 

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