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The article offers suggestions for choosing best electronic materials including printed-circuit-board (PCB) materials, electromagnetic (EM) shielding materials and packaging materials for defense-based application. Topics discussed include selection of suitable relative dielectric constant of the material used in computer-aided-engineering (CAE), use of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in microwave PCBs and use of fillers in providing mechanical strength to PCB.

The article reports on the expansion of India's defence procurement from 2003-2010. As stated, the Indian government aims to manufacture 70 percent of its military equipment domestically which needs a massive infusion of technology and investment to produce state-of-the-art systems for the Indian Armed Forces. It notes that India's military equipment is 70 percent Russian origin and used the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route to obtain equipment like C-130J Hercules aircraft.

The article discusses the reasons on the decrease of fatalities from roadside bomb attacks in Iraq. The fatality decrease has been announced by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), in which the fatalities from roadside bombings had dropped by nearly 90 percent over the previous year. It states that the reasons for the decrease as pointed out by the Pentagon officials, includes on the deployment of some 7000 new Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to Iraq, increased assistance from the Iraqis themselves which improved intelligence and surveillance capabilities, and better training of U.S. forces in counter-IED detection and tactics as joint operations with Iraqi and U.S. forces are trained together.

The article reports that the U.S. and Israeli forces are concerned about attacks from Hezbollah forces and electromagnetic pollution that may damage their intelligence network. Israeli troops fighting in southern Lebanon were attacked by an arsenal of advanced rockets and missiles, including the powerful C-802 anti-ship weapon. Israel is also concerned about the increasing threat to its well-organized network-centric military force. The U.S. forces fear threat from microsatellites that could be programmed to circulate close to the main U.S. satellites to explode, collect data or simply obscure sensors or damage transmitters.

The article presents news briefs related to defense technology. European defense giant European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. has developed an electronic nose that is sensitive enough to detect minute traces of dangerous substances on hands, clothing or objects. In a lab in Georgia, an entomologist and an engineer who teamed up to solve the problem of farm pests say they've created a reliable, low-cost weapon in the war on improvised explosive devices. U.S. forces in Iraq may soon be armed with a non-lethal pain ray designed to burn skin to the point of extreme discomfort. U.S. Special Operations Command is putting the screws to its Advanced SEAL Delivery System with new plans that leave the miniature submarine in murky waters. Prime contractor Northrop Grumman Corp. delivered the first mini-submarine in 2003 for developmental testing.

The drive to build weapons to autonomously attack moving vehicles has stalled at the U.S. Defense Department. Instead, developers are embarking on a wide-reaching effort to equip bombs and missiles with data links to guide them to their targets. Some engineers worry that the pursuit of data links is too slow in starting and could leave munitions trailing other systems as the Defense Department implements its vision for network-centric warfare. Even if planned activities were fully funded, which they currently are not, the relevant communications equipment won't be fielded until the turn of the decade, warns Judy Stokley, the Air Force's deputy program executive officer for weapons.

The article offers information on the plan of delivery of the U.S. MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial systems (UAS) by France. It mentions that the third of 12 Reaper systems on order, it is expected to arrive in Niamey, Niger, at the beginning of 2015, according to Laurent Collet-Billon, head of French defense equipment agency. Also includes statement of French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

The article reports on how unrest in Iraq and Ukraine could alter U.S. defense plans. Topics addressed include whether the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) offensive into northern Iraq will force U.S. defense spending higher, how U.S. defense exports is affected by these events, and the availability of another opening to sustain equipment that operates in permissive environments. Also mentioned is the need for the U.S. to revisit the capacity-versus-capability trade.

The article reports on the plans of the government of Qatar to spend 87 million riyals on equipment for its armed forces, which was announced during the Dimdex defense show held in Doha, Qatar on March 27, 2014. It discusses the reaction from industry officials to the plan, the two countries where the contract will be awarded to, and equipment and air vehicles included in the contract.

The article discusses the Phase 3 of the LAND 121 military vehicle in Australia. It notes that it is the result of 3A and Phase 3B, which known as Phase 5 and its key element is to acquire protected vehicles and Military Off the Shelf (MOTS) vehicles. It mentions that the Phase 3 will see 2900 Medium Heavy MOTS vehicles acquired with 1500 of these vehicles protected to Level 2.2B protection. It also specifies that the Phase 5 of the projects will look the acquisition of unarmoured vehicles in this class, which mostly likely to be allocated to reserve and stay at home and training units.

Focuses on the use of computer systems for military operations of the U.S. Army. Overview of the Tactical Minefield Database System prototype used by the Coalition Forces Land Component Command; Problem with the technique used by Army engineers during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan; Account of the search for a system that could share minefield information by way of the common operational picture and put it in a database format.

Discusses issues faced by the U.S. Army concerning construction equipment. Importance of the awareness of the environment being operated in; Explanations with regard to the adaptation of equipment to meet Army requirements; Challenges related to budget in the procurement of construction equipment.

This article discusses rumors that the nations of China and Russia are working on the development of unmanned combat drone aircraft. Topics include the Anjian and Warrior Eagle potential manufacturer display models for the Chinese drones, a theory by International Assessment and Strategy Center fellow Richard Fisher about China's development of a delta-jet combat drone with a fuselage, and contracts with Russian manufacturers Transas and Sokol for the creation of long-endurance drones.

The article examines plans by Italy's air force to acquire Hellfire missiles produced by the U.S. aerospace industry firm Lockheed Martin to equip the air force's U.S. Predator and Reaper drone aircraft. Resistance to the Hellfire arms transfer within the U.S. government is examined. Italy's planned deployment of the drone aircraft in the Afghan War is noted.

Reader comments are presented which were posted on the publication's Website in response to articles published on previous issues on production of jet transports by the aircraft industry and on imports of counterfeit spare parts from China for U.S. military equipment.

Letters to the editor are presented in response to the article "What's Next For Deep Space Crew Vehicle," by Frank Morring Jr., and "F-35 Under Fire In Italy," by Andy Nativi.

The article reports on the plans of the U.S. Army to take an incremental approach to fielding a new tactical signals intelligence system. The Army is simplifying its approach toward a future Aerial Common Sensor (ACS) after learning a host of lessons from the ACS program termination in 2005. The program was canceled due to a mismatch between Army and contractor understanding of the requirements and, ultimately, the faulty choice of the ERJ 145 as a host platform.

The article reports that oil-rich Kazakhstan plans to use some of its extra cash to upgrade its 87,000-member military with the latest space technologies, including space-based communications, navigation and mapping gear. Nursultan Nazarbayev, the Soviet apparatchik-turned-elected-president, says that they are ready to procure the best equipment available in the world. Initial beneficiaries are likely to be Russia and China.

The article informs that Australia is boosting military spending and, as part of a new defense budget, is allocating money for new weapons to meet some of the military's long-lingering equipment requests. The total 2005-06 budget request is A$17.5 billion, up from A$16.4 billion requested last year and A$1 billion above what Canberra expected to request for 2005-06. Continued budget growth is projected. Budget plans have spending increasing to A$19.3 billion in 2008-09. Among the new items included in the latest budget are A$139.3 million spread across three years to conduct trials of unmanned aircraft and buy two patrol boats to protect Australia's offshore gas and oil platforms in the north.

The LNB-6300-50-112 low-noise block-down converter has applications in the commercial and military satellite communication markets. This X-band LNB converts the X-band downlink frequencies of 7.25-7.75 to an output frequency of 950-1450 MHz. Key performance specifications include conversion gain of 50 dB., typical noise figure of 1.3 dB. and flatness of +/-0.5 dB. above 40 MHz. Temperature range is -30C to +60C. Local oscillator frequency is 6.30 GHz and local oscillator stability is +/-13 KHz.

The article focuses on the joining of the Indra and Elettronica to forces to co-develop and market a next generation Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL)-based directed infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) system. Article mentions about the Elettronica's and Indra's latest developments in technology.

The article offers information on the capability and commitment of Australian Aerospace Ltd. to provide military and civic helicopters in the Australia-Pacific region. It says that the company benefits from its local suppliers which support aviation companies ahead in technology and equipment. It states the Ferra Engineering (Ferra), based in Tingalpa, South East Queensland that serves as the producer of light metal parts for defense, aerospace, and electronics and automotive industry sectors. The company was involved in facilitating the Australian Defence Industries (ADI) to protect contracts of Eurocopter Tiger and White Cleland that increases the Australian defense and intellectual property rights. It also features the Australian Aerospace Composites (AAC) that was established in 2008.

The article offers information on National Physical Laboratory (NPL), established in 1900 in Great Britain. NPL was set up with the aim to eliminate Great Britain's dependency on Germany for importing optical glass, which was an essence for many instruments used in armed services. It contributed in the growth of British automotive engineering industry by providing assistance to solve immediate problems through experimentation, calibration of instruments, and maintenace of fundamental standards.

The article offers information about the futuristic bodysuit for the U.S. Armed Forces.

The article offers information on the U.S. Marine Corps' order of Falcon III AN/PRC-117G radios, amplifier adapters, and other military accessories from the international communications and information technology company Harris Corp.

The article discusses the Australian Defense Department budget which has an additional 950 million dollars. It says that improved force protection in Afghanistan, which includes the purchase of Saab agile multi-beam radar, received 500 million dollars. It says that Strategic Reform Program will deliver an added one billion dollars of internal savings. It adds that Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) purchase of Super Hornets and Multi-Role Tanker Transport received 500 million dollars each.

The article announces on the contract awards amounted to 1.15 billion dollar received by Boeing from the Canadian government for 15 new CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. The contract underlies that the company will have to match Canada's purchase price by executing contracts and investments of equal value with Canadian industry. Peter Mackay, Canada's Minister of National defence, states that the contract is a key in ensuring the Canadian Forces are a first class and modern.

The article reports on the announcement of the Minister of Defence, Senator John Faulkner and Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, Greg Combet relative to the Government's commitment to ensure that the Anzac class frigates are able to operate effectively for the remainder of their operational lives. Reportedly, the said project will cost 158 million dollar in its first phase. Faulkner states that the anti-ship missile defence (ASMD) program will improve frigate's ability.

The article reports on the support given by RAAF Chief Air Marshal Mark Binskin in favor of the future conversion of some of the aircraft to the Electronic Warfare 'Grizzly' variant. In the rollout ceremony for Australia's first F/A- 18F Super Hornet, he states that he supports the RAAF Growler/Grizzly idea because he believes it is something to look forward to over a number of years. However, he adds that the decision is more than just buying a pod that the training of crews to operate is needed.

The article discusses various reports published within the issue, including one by John Edwards on his overview of military technology, wherein he looks at systems that allow soldiers to co-generate electricity from trash in the field, and another by Roger Allan on biomedical implants.

The article reports on the efforts of China's arms manufacturers to sell its products in international markets, particularly in the U.S. After conflicts with the U.S. over adoption of a law to invade Taiwan, the European Union has been hesitant to lift an arms embargo on China. Despite initiatives to curb the supply of weapons of mass destruction-related goods and technologies to other countries, Chinese companies continue to engage in problematic transfers. An example of which was China North Industries Corp., who has sold its missile technology to Iran.

Presents news briefs on the defense industry in the U.S. as of April 2005. Increase in the cost of equipment for soldiers; Leakage of a memo written by U.S. General-in-Charge of Army Reserve Forces James R. Helmly regarding his criticisms against the reserve mobilization process; Dispute between the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army regarding the strategy that should be used to destroy target on ground.

Focuses on the RainStorm program developed by Northrop Grumman Corp. to pinpoint the location of enemy forces through images gathered by the Predator unmanned aerial vehicle. Features of the program; Deployment of the system in the U.S. Air Force; Assertion of Integrated System Sector director John Bradburn that the program is a key technology for taking time-sensitive targets.

Comments on the decision of U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to terminate the Army's Crusader howitzer military program. Importance of advanced defense technologies to combat terrorism and other threats; Purpose of the Crusader artillery system; Opportunities for electronics companies from the technology systems planned by Rumsfeld.