U.S. Navy stopped test the electromagnetic catapult

U.S. Navy stopped test the electromagnetic catapult EMALS, intended for prospective aircraft grade Gerald Ford, soobshtava Defense News. The reason for this decision are the malfunctions that occurred during the first test 'launch' of the F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter aircraft of 18 December 2010 is expected to start testing again until the end of March this year The main problem is consistency in the operation of linear induction motors and current company General Atomics, which develops catapult EMALS, adjust the software of the complex to troubleshoot. This is yet another delay may affect the timing of construction of the aircraft carrier Gerald Ford, who has already finished 20%.

Increased military budget China - Again

In 2011 China will increase its defense budget by 12.7% compared with 2010, reports Associated Press. So in 2011 the development of its armed forces, China will spend 91.5 billion dollars, while in 2010 were 81milarda dollars, up 7.5 percent over 2009. The military budget represents 6% of the entire state budget and as a member of the CCP Central Committee Li Chzhaosin growth of defense spending does not threaten any country. But according to several experts, China's military spending to maintain armed forces, the purchase of weapons and equipment, and to develop new weapons models may be twice higher than officially announced. This causes particular concern in many countries such as Japan, India, Taiwan and USA. In early 2011 the Minister of Defense announced the renewal of the program to create a new generation strategic bomber, citing the need to project a rapid military-technological development of China. The Minister also announced the development of new radar and Reb and adoption of weapons on deck fighter F-35C Lightning II. Fearing a military preparations in China, Taiwan more insistently began to push for renewed talks with the U.S. to supply fighter jets F-16C / D Block 52 Fighting Falcon. India, which has territorial disputes with China also increased its military budget. Of particular concern causes early trials of promising Chinese 'stealth' fifth-generation fighter J-20, and also entry of weapons of anti-ballistic missile DF-21D.

DCNS conducts mooring tests frigate FREMM Aquitaine

The company DCNS announced the release of the final stage of the integration of equipment and acceptance testing of mooring head multipurpose frigate "Aquitaine" project FREMM, intended for the French Navy.
All major naval ship systems should be tested before sea trials, scheduled for spring of this year. Currently, 95% of electrical and hydraulic equipment has been installed, which allows testing of major systems: information and communications, navigation (navigation radar, the radar range detection), power systems, propulsion systems, command and control.
The first tests of electric motors and gas turbines have been successfully completed. In the near future, complete installation of security gates and a helicopter hangar shlyupbalok.
Formal contract for the construction of the French Navy for the first batch of eight ships FREMM Directorate-General for Armament (DGA) of France signed an agreement with MO DCNS in November 2005. New ships are intended to replace consisting in service class frigates "George Leahy", "Tourville", "d'Estaing d'Orve. In September 2009, the European Organisation for the purchase of arms (OCCAR) on behalf of the DGA signed a contract with DCNS to build three additional class frigates "Aquitaine".
Ceremony for the head of the frigate Aquitaine »(D630) was held at the shipyard in Lorient in December 2007. The ship was launched on April 29, 2010. It is planned that the frigate will be transferred to the French Navy in August 2012. All the 11 ships planned to put the customer in 2022.
According to the developers, FREMM frigate will be a vessel of length 142.2 m, 20 m wide, full displacement of about 6,040 m. The ship can reach a maximum speed of 27 knots and make transitions to a range of up to 6000 nautical miles at a speed of 15 knots.
The frigate is equipped with a multifunction radar Gerakles "Thales". The kit will include weapons FREMM developed by MBDA PKR MM40 «Block-3" Exocet "missiles" Aster 15 and Aster 30 "CD" Scalp Naval »(SCALP - Systeme de Croisiere Autonome a Longue Portee), known in France under the designation MdCN (Missiles de Croisiere Naval), as well as torpedoes, MU-90 "Impact". Due to the high level of automation of the ship's crew (including air group) is only 108 people. In addition, the board can accommodate 145 Marines.

Germany had supplied Libya with arms for 83 million euros for the period 2005-2009

Germany between 2005 to 2009 supplied arms to Libya, totaling 83.5 million euros. Only in 2009 the volume of deliveries totaled 53.2 million euros. Libya were put off, helicopters, communications and equipment for their jamming and radar. It is reported by Deutsche Welle referring to the newspaper Saarbrücker Zeitung, which received official government response to the request leftist faction in the Bundestag. According to the newspaper, in 2009, arms deliveries from Germany to the Middle East reached its peak. Their volume reached almost 1.1 billion euros. The recipients of the arms were Libya, Egypt, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Notably, in 2009, the government dismissed the supply of weapons only for 24,4 million euros. In a statement the government in this sense that Germany is "very carefully" take care that the weapon used to maintain peace, security and stability in the region. The fact that some requests were rejected, is "a sign of accurate and differentiated policy of arms exports, indicated in document.

Libyan rebels captured eight British military

Libyan rebels have captured  British military special forces in the east of the country after secret diplomatic mission for making contact with opposition leaders failed reveals newspaper Sunday Times. The team consisted of eight soldiers from the SAS (Special Air Service), were captured while escorted diplomat in anti-government controlled areas, the newspaper said.
British Foreign Office said in a brief message that it could "neither confirm nor deny" the news.
Earlier on Saturday, the Geneva-based rights group Human Rights Solidarity, which employs Libyan refugees, said by telephone told Reuters that "eight soldiers from the special forces" were captured by insurgents. British Defense Ministry also declined to comment on the news.
Interference of SAS is probably infuriated the Libyan opposition leaders who had ordered the soldiers to be closed military base, says the Sunday Times.
Opponents of Muammar Gaddafi's fear that he may use any license for Western military intervention to request continuing patriotic support more than two weeks revolt against 41 years of management.
Referring to Libyan sources, the Sunday Times said that British troops were captured in Benghazi, the second largest city in Libya and a center of resistance, and were led to one of the main opposition leaders for questioning.
The publication added that the diplomat, who was accompanied, is preparing a visit to its superior counterpart to establish diplomatic relations with the rebels.
The Sunday Times said that the Libyan opposition leaders tried to cover up the incident for fear of violent reactions of ordinary Libyans.

U.S. Air Force launched a second experimental space plane X-37B

Air Force (Air Force) United States launched a second experimental space plane, which outwardly resembles a small shuttle. Launcher Atlas 5 orbited aircraft X-37B, Having started from Cape Canaveral. First the same plane, which was launched into space last spring, spent 270 days in space, then landed in California in December 2010, the RBC with reference to the Associated Press. X-37B - orbiting unmanned aircraft developed by Boeing, which as written media, designed to test future launch technologies in orbit and descent into the atmosphere. It began as a joint project of U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Boeing. He was later given the American Air Force. Since much of the program objectives and a series of aircraft X-37B is kept secret.

Battles are already in Tripoli. Insurgents shot down a plane

On the streets of Tripoli is very intensive shooting. According to the BBC-B, in the Libyan capital shoot with firearms, in particular, to hear burst. Reported that the shooting is so intense in Tripoli has not been heard from the beginning of armed confrontation supporters and opponents of Muammar Gaddafi. So far in the city remained relatively calm, and Mr Qaddafi himself claimed that the authorities held him tightly and his supporters. And in the area of Ras Lanuf in western Libya shot down military plane, which belonged to the forces loyal regime of Muammar Gaddafi, said the radio station Europe1. The report stresses that the car was knock down just risen. Since the beginning of civil war in the Libyan army, which maintained allegiance to the government, actively used aircraft against the forces of the rebels. In the air they have the advantage, as it seems, the insurgents failed to capture serviceable military aircraft, says RosBusinessConsulting. We remind that the Libyan opposition created a National Council. Its chairman said the National Council - is now the sole legitimate representative of Libya.