Scumbag arms dealers, BAE Systems, have announced their intentions to set up an air training academy in Doncaster (they probably heard how lenient the Doncaster authorities are with other arms dealing companies). These multi-national, multi-billion, out of control, blood-money-men have moved into the £5 million ‘Hangar 3′ at Doncaster/Sheffield Robin Hood Airport. BAE claim that over the next five years the aviation training centre will train 500 apprentices from across the country to become qualified aircraft technicians.

This sounds rather innocent, but BAE Systems is not the British Aerospace of old (not that they were really much better in practice). As Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT) say…

BAE Systems, the company that was British Aerospace before it became too ‘global’ for ‘British’, is the world’s third largest arms producer. It makes fighter aircraft, warships, tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery systems, missiles, munitions and much more. Its only significant non-military business, Airbus, was sold off in 2006.

These arms are sold indiscriminately around the world and the company thrives on insecurity. Its 2005 Annual Report candidly states that “New threats and conflict arenas are placing unprecedented demands on military forces and presenting BAE Systems with new challenges and opportunities…”.

Not that this fazes Mike Morton, the director of Robin Hood Airport, who reckons: “The academy is another brilliant asset for young people in Doncaster, who can now benefit from the highest quality aircraft engineering training, which perhaps may have been unattainable otherwise.”

Which echoes Peel Holding’s lie that the airport would create 6000 local jobs. Like the airport itself, the academy will have a minimal impact – if any – on Doncaster’s communities (thought we’re pretty sure it will line the pockets of the usual suspects in local government and business community).

BAE Systems are one of the most corrupt, unethical and dangerous companies in the world. CAAT have published a number of reports on the company over the years including…
BAE: a company out of control (55kb) or webpage – Updated May 2008
BAE: a company out of control(52kb) or view as webpage – Apr 2007
BAE Systems in 2005 (183kb) or view as a web page – May 2006
BAE Systems in the News (1mb) – May 2005
BAE Systems Alternative Report (340kb) – May 2004
BAE Systems report from CAAT’s DSEi 2003 briefing – Sept 2003
BAE Systems Locations from CAAT’s 2003 Site Unseen Campaign
BAE Systems Alternative Report (314kb) – April 2002
BAE Systems Alternative Report (73kb) – April 2001

These all make grim, but essential reading – maybe Mike Morton should have read them before getting into bed with BAE?!?

The Barnsdale Brigade would recommend that you join the CAAT and boycott Doncaster’s Robin Hood Airport – and remember to tell them why…

Customer services
Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield
Heyford House
First Avenue
Doncaster
DN9 3RH

*Don’t bother phoning, they charge 10p & 17p per minute.

From The Houston Chronicle:

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon’s decision to shift the production of Army trucks from Texas to Wisconsin after 17 years caught Texas’ elected officials by surprise, raising questions about overconfidence, a loss of political clout and the impact of economic incentives provided to the winning company by Wisconsin’s Democratic governor.

Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry and the 34-member Senate-House delegation are rallying to salvage a deal for BAE Systems that could be worth $2.6 billion and sustain 10,000 direct and indirect jobs around the sprawling truck manufacturing plant in Sealy.

But as one Democratic operative puts it: “That’s like having a party in the corral after all the horses have run out.”

Original DVD cover

The 92-year-old Oshkosh Corp. undercut BAE Systems’ bid by roughly 10 percent. The Wisconsin company had support by a predominantly Democratic congressional delegation that helped Barack Obama carry the state last November. And the truck builder reaped the benefits of state assistance crafted by Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle.

Elected officials in Texas assumed the contract would remain in their state, relied on networks of support built up during Republican control of the White House and Congress and did not provide BAE Systems any state assistance.

…snip…

“It sounds to me like complacency may be the biggest factor in Texas losing this contract,” says political scientist Paul Light of New York University. “The Army made a decision to give the contract to the lowest bidder. If I were an elected official from Texas, I’d stop whining and start asking questions about why Texas didn’t put up the dollars to help the company keep that contract.”

The congressional watchdog, the Government Accountability Office, expects to decide by mid-December the outcome of BAE Systems’ appeal of the Army decision.

…snip…

“We are hopeful the government will reverse the decision in the interests of the U.S. military and the U.S. taxpayer,” says BAE spokesman Michael Teegardin.

The setback for Texas illustrates just how far the state’s political leverage has plummeted since Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, D-Houston, helped BAE’s predecessor win the initial contract in 1991 under President George H.W. Bush, and Sens. Phil Gramm, R-College Station, and Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Dallas, helped the company retain the contract in 2001 under President George W. Bush.

“We never saw this coming — we were completely blindsided,” says a top aide to Sen. John Cornyn, R-San Antonio, a former member of the Senate Armed Services Committee panel with jurisdiction over military vehicles.

Lawmakers and BAE officials alike felt “sucker punched,” added David Davis, a top Hutchison aide.

I’m not so convinced that KBH (Kay Big Hair) is freaking out over this. Is she going to use this in her campaign against Governor Goodhair? I can imagine her saying, “Hey y’all, I got that durned contract for Texas, and Little Ricky screwed it up for all of us!”

Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, whose Austin-to-Houston district includes the plant, learned of the Army’s decision while driving to an appearance in his district in late August. He and press secretary Mike Rosen immediately diverted to visit BAE officials in Sealy.

“In a time of war, terminating a relationship with a proven manufacturer does not seem to be a prudent choice,” McCaul subsequently wrote Defense Secretary Robert Gates in a letter signed by 25 members of Texas’ 32-member House delegation.

One congressional aide said Texas lawmakers should have been more alert to the possibility of losing a contract that Oshkosh had tried to win in 2001.

…snip…

Some Texas Democrats have seized upon the lost contract to criticize GOP officials. “Job protection is really job No. 1 for a member of Congress,” says former Democratic Rep. Chris Bell, a former Houston City Council member who served one term in the House before losing in 2004.

McCaul failed to enlist Democrats in Texas’ congressional delegation such as Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, to help protect the contract in a Democratic administration, says Matt Angle, a longtime Democratic operative who heads the political action committee known as the Lone Star Project.

Some members of Texas’ congressional delegation suspect political interference. There was “a political push that was inappropriate,” said one Senate aide

…snip…

McCaul, a former Justice Department prosecutor and former Texas deputy attorney general, said Pentagon contracts should be awarded “based on quality, realistic cost and how quickly the product can get to our troops on the battlefield.”

But Jay Kimmitt, head of the winning company’s Washington office, says Oshkosh won the contract on the merits without “inappropriate and unnecessary” intervention by the governor; Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold; or Rep. David Obey, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

Ellis Brachman, spokesman for the House Appropriations Committee, said the powerful chairman played no role.

…snip…

The $35 million in tax breaks and the economic assistance provided Oshkosh over 12 years signal that “Wisconsin is open for business,” Doyle said. But the truck manufacturer says the assistance “did not make the difference” in the outcome of the bidding.

…snip…

But Light, the political scientist, noted: “It doesn’t sound like Texas has much maneuvering room in the bid protest — a 10 percent difference in price is huge on a multibillion-dollar contract.”

I don’t know why the Rethugs are so up in arms about this. After all, Texas is recession-proof. Right, Little Ricky? And it’s not like those 10,000 workers will have to worry about losing their health insurance or anything.

Virgin Media is now acting as chief lapdog to the Lord Mandleson sell out of the internet to the dying music distribution industry. Virgin Media is to trial deep packet inspection technology to measure the level of so called illegal filesharing on its network. Customers being monitored will not be informed.

Virgin will use a product called CView, sold by Detica, a BAE subsidiary that specialises in large volume data collection and processing, and whose traditional customers are the intelligence agencies and law enforcement. BAE profited massively from the Neo Con Labour War in Iraq and Afghanistan, now it loks set to profit again from The War Against Piracy.

The CView product will operate at the centre of Virgin Media’s network with an aim of estimating the proportion of filesharing traffic that infringes copyright.

40 per cent of Virgin Media’s traffic will be monitored. If you are on Virgin and are not being monitored today, tomorrow you may well be. If this is truly limited to peer to peer traffic then your next game on your XBOX 360 may be monitored. It would be all but impossible to identify the difference between a game played on your XBOX 360 and an encrypted bit torrent file. This will therefore exaggerate the amount of “illegal” bit torrent traffic.

The system will look at traffic to identify peer-to-peer packets. The programme then looks at those packets to determine what is licensed and what is unlicensed, based on data provided by the record industry.

Virgin promises data will be aggregated and and made anonymous. The trial though has no scheduled end date.

It should be remembered that CView uses the the same technology that powered the Phorm advertising system, which monitored individual internet users to target advertisements. It too was trialled – by BT – without customers’ consent or knowledge. The Government faces an EU investigation for allowing this.

Detica will want to sell this to other ISPs. So there may be no escape from this. Once all ISPs have this, how anonymous will traffic be then?

Virgin Media’s implementation will they promise focus on music sharing. Of course their proposed music download service has nothing to do with this. Are you sure you will not be flagged because of a video you watch on youtube or even Vidzone on the PS3? Do you trust the list provided by the Music Industry?

Detica has is also trying to flog CView to the Government. In the sales document, Detica said that as well as aggregate data, CView could be used to categorise filesharers and apply technical measures against them, or target them to be sold legal alternatives.

Welcome to Digital Britain.

Aeroportos das cidades-sede terão R$ 5,5 bi até 2013

Três comissões da Câmara dos Deputados (Desenvolvimento Urbano, Desenvolvimento Viário e Desporto e Turismo) realizaram uma reunião ontem (terça, dia 24) com a Infraero e a Anac para definir os investimentos para a Copa do Mundo de 2014.

De acordo com o presidente da Comissão de Desporto e Turismo da Câmara, deputado Afonso Hamm, o cronograma apresentado pela Infraero prevê o investimento de R$ 5,5 bilhões em 15 aeroportos das 12 cidades-sede, até 2013.

No entanto, uma das perguntas da reunião não foi respondida: o pico da Copa do Mundo vai ter vazão? A resposta desta dúvida pode sair hoje porque o presidente da República, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, está em reunião com representantes dos ministérios da Defesa, do Turismo e do Planejamento para discutir o assunto.

Ainda sem presidente, TAM corta funcionários

A companhia aérea TAM demitiu hoje cerca de 100 funcionários dos níveis de diretoria, gerência e administrativo. Trata-se apenas de pessoal dos escritórios – as equipes que trabalham nos aeroportos e nas aeronaves não sofreram cortes. Consultada, a TAM, admitiu que houve demissões, mas não confirmou o número. Ainda segundo a empresa, os cortes fazem parte de um “ajuste administrativo”.

O enxugamento acontece em meio a um cenário delicado para a TAM. Há pouco mais de um mês, a empresa procura por um presidente para substituir David Barioni, que deixou a companhia devido a discordâncias com o conselho de administração. Desde então, a consultoria de headhunting Spencer Stuart sondou diversos candidatos para a vaga em aberto. O executivo contatado mais recentemente foi Ricardo K, ex-presidente da Brasil Telecom – que ainda não deu sua resposta.

Infraero divulga cronograma preliminar do 3º terminal de Guarulhos

O Diário Oficial da União publicou o resultado da Habilitação da Concorrência Internacional para a contratação dos projetos para a construção do terceiro terminal de passageiros do Aeroporto de São Paulo/Guarulhos, com a aprovação da participação de sete consórcios. A licitação contempla serviços e estudos preliminares, projeto básico, projeto executivo e serviços complementares também para o edifício garagem, sistema viário de acesso, pátio de estacionamento de aeronaves, implantação da rede de queroduto e demais obras. O preço de referência desta etapa é de R$ 38 milhões. Esta nova licitação foi aberta depois que o projeto sofreu adequações, como a necessidade do aumento da área do novo terminal, que era de 160 mil m2 e vai para 232 mil m2. A previsão de elaboração dos estudos é de 23 meses a partir do contrato.

Airbus recebe compromissos de compra no valor de US$ 5,3 bilhões

A fabricante de aviões Airbus anunciou ter recebido compromissos de compra totalizando 33 aeronaves avaliadas em mais de US$ 5,3 bilhões, durante a feira de aviação de Dubai, ocorrida nos últimos dias. Esses compromissos incluem pedidos de 15 aviões no valor de mais de US$ 3,6 bilhões, além da assinatura de memorandos de entendimento para mais 18 aeronaves, totalizando cerca de U$ 1,7 bilhões. Os destaques do evento incluíram os pedidos da companhia aérea Air Austral para dois A380 no valor de US$ 655 milhões e da Ethiopian Airlines, para 12 jatos A350-900, avaliados em US$ 2,9 bilhões. Adicionalmente, a empresa Comlux assinou um pedido para a aquisição de um avião ACJ no valor de US$ 75 milhões.

FedEx desativa 10 A300 e 4 MD11

Airbus A300F da FedEx (Foto: Airliners.net / Clique para ampliar)

A companhia FedEx anunciou a desativação definitiva de sua frota de dez jatos Airbus A300-200F e de quatro MD-11F a partir do próximo dia 31 de maio. As aeronaves já estavam fora de uso e estocadas a espera da definição do seu destino. A crise econômica ditou essa redução da frota da companhia. Outros aviões podem ser também temporariamente retirados da frota.

Em maio, ExpressJet vai operar para a United Express

A partir do dia 1º de maio de 2010, a ExpressJet Airlines passará a operar 22 jatos Embraer ERJ-145, de 50 lugares, do sistema United Express. A operação será em substituição a outras empresas cujos contratos chegaram ao fim, sem alterar o plano de oferta preparado pela United para o próximo ano. A ExpressJet opera cerca de 1,1 mil voos por dia para 130 destinos nos Estados Unidos e no Canadá. Alguns desses serviços são operados em parceria com a United e a Continental Airlines. A empresa oferece ainda voos fretados e outros serviços para terceiros.

Trip faz ações promocionais para divulgar novos voos

A partir da próxima semana, a Trip realizará ações para promover os voos que ligam Belo Horizonte (MG) a Cabo Frio (RJ), Salvador (BA), Maceió (AL), Recife e Fernando de Noronha (PE). Além disso, durante os finais de semana, até 13 de dezembro, promotores uniformizados distribuirão brindes em diferentes pontos da capital mineira para ampliar a divulgação dos voos. “O objetivo da Trip com esta ação é aproximar os consumidores da marca e incentivá-los a aproveitar as melhores praias do Nordeste e Sudeste do País durante a estação”, disse o diretor de Marketing e Vendas da companhia, Evaristo Mascarenhas de Paula.

Aeroportos europeus manterão restrições a líquidos na bagagem até 2013 

De acordo com o jornal londrino The Guardian, a Comissão Européia estabeleceu novas diretrizes que prevêem que as atuais restrições de líquidos em bagagem de mão de passageiros de avião permaneçam até 2013. Após a data, os aeroportos europeus poderão retirar as limitações assim que instalarem equipamentos de inspeção de líquidos.

Já em 2011 serão permitidos o transporte de líquidos para passageiros em voos de conexão vindos de países fora da Comunidade Européia. Para isso, os recipientes deverão estar em bolsas fechadas e com recibos que expliquem sua origem, como no caso de produtos comprados no free shop.

Segundo a Comissão Europeia, dentro de três anos todos os aeroportos europeus poderão dispor de equipamentos detectores de explosivos líquidos.

TAM Cargo de Manaus ganha posto fiscal

A Secretaria da Fazenda do Amazonas inaugura hoje (25/11) um posto fiscal na Tam Cargo, unidade de cargas da TAM Linhas Aéreas, em Manaus.

O posto, que já opera em fase experimental, levará benefícios para os clientes e dará mais agilidade ao despacho de cargas na Zona Franca. “A liberação de notas fiscais eletrônicas será ainda mais rápida”, diz o diretor da TAM Cargo, Carlos Amodeo.

O portfólio de produtos da unidade foi planejado para atender a diferentes necessidade. Os serviços vão desde encomendas urgentes até o transporte de volumes para a importação e exportação. Com isso, a TAM Cargo atende a diversos segmentos de clientes, como confecções, calçados, farmacêuticos, automotivos e eletroeletrônicos, entre outros.

BAe Systems vai renegociar jatos

Um cliente não declarado do Oriente Médio repassou à companhia BAe Systems a responsabilidade de negociar um avião comercial Boeing B.767-300ER, equipado com turbinas GE CF6-80C2B7F e configurado para 196 passageiros. O contrato autoriza a BAe Systems a vender o aparelho para o transporte de passageiros ou para cliente desejoso de modifica-lo como cargueiro.

EuroLot negocia em Dubai

A companhia polonesa EuroLOT fechou com a firma StandardAero, uma companhia do grupo Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, os serviços de revisão e manutenção de motores Pratt & Whitney PW124B/127 . O contrato tem a duração de cinco anos e será executado nas oficinas da StandardAero em Tilburg,na Holanda, e de Winnipeg, no Canadá.

Edição especial do Baron

A fábrica Hawker Beechcraft está oferecendo aos seus clientes uma versão especial de aniversário do seu clássico bimotor executivo “Baron”, com pintura especial, interior de acabamento esmerado e hélices de alto desempenho Hartzell “Scimitar”. Nada menos que 6700 exemplares do “Baron” foram já produzidos e entregues desde o lançamento da versão 55, em 1960. A promoção atual comemora 50 anos de produção da aeronave.

Mais treinadores vendidos

A norte-americana Hawker Beechcraft fechou contrato de venda 24 aviões militares de treinamento T-6 para a Real Força Aérea do Marrocos, encomenda com a qual o total desses aparelhos vendidos em 2009 atingiu o total de 59. Este ano, antes do Marrocos, os Governos de Israel e do Iraque já haviam feito encomendas para o mesmo tipo de aeronave. Desde o ano 2000 a Hawker Beechcraft já entregou mais de 550 aeronaves tipo T-6.

Jetstar acelera recebimentos de aeronaves

Airbus A320 a Jetstar Airways (Foto: Jetphotos.net / Clique para ampliar)

Na contra-mão da maioria de suas co-irmãs comerciais do mundo, a empresa aérea Jetstar, da Austrália, definiu com a Airbus Industrie o recebimento de 11 aviões tipo A320 entre os meses de outubro de 2009 e março de 2010, e de outros 10 mais no ano fiscal que começa em abril de 2010. Cinco das aeronaves desse pacote que termina em março serão utilizadas pela subsidiária Jetstar Asia, de Singapura, e outras duas serão entregues a outra subsidiária, Valuair.

First time I’ve seen something quite this comprehensive (above).  They say “case studies,” but that’s liberal.  “Links to” is more fitting.  But even still, it’s a handy and quick compilation that includes examples from many of our clients, including:  Accenture, BAE Systems, Bayer, Chevron, Dell, Mattel, Rubbermaid, Virgin America and Xerox, and some large client competitors, including Crest, General Mills and Nokia.  Click on the pic above to get to the link, or click here.  Companies are listed alphabetically, with links to the social media efforts right there.

Cordula Bieri describes how a CAAT protest took on a comic theme to highlight the absurdity of an arms company boss speaking on ethics.

On a cold and wet Thursday evening, 12 November 2009, supporters of Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) gathered outside Savoy Place in central London to have a good laugh. What happened?

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) invited BAE Systems’ Chairman, Dick Olver, to give its annual Mountbatten Memorial Lecture on ethics. The head of a company which is being investigated in several countries for alleged corruption and bribery and yet still denies any wrongdoing. So, naturally, we were really interested what he had to tell us about ethics.

CAAT supporter Dan, dressed as Dick Olver, gave people a warm welcome and invited them to come inside to listen what an arms dealer might have say about ethics. His announcements were met with hysterical laughter. Close by a sad clown was weeping  – what future would he have as a comic with the BAE boss bagging all the laughter?

Some CAAT supporters joined the audience inside to listen to Dick Olver’s presentation. In fact, his lecture was rather unexciting.  He talked a lot about ethical leadership and the crucial role of engineers in solving major global challenges. He mentioned various examples of ethical dilemmas engineers might face, but failed to mention any ethical dilemmas when selling deadly arms to countries in conflict or with great development needs.

Dick Olver called on universities, professional bodies, governments and companies to work together to solve ethical dilemmas. He didn’t acknowledge that civil society might also be interested in defining what is ethical and what is not.

After his speech the audience members asked questions about corruption, the Nimrod scandal and the ethics of arms trade in general. Unfortunately, the time for questions passed much too quickly. So we will have to wait until the next opportunity presents itself to question Dick Olver.

A warm thank you to all the CAAT supporters who protested outside and asked critical questions inside!

British Airways e Iberia anunciam acordo de fusão

As companhias aéreas européias British Airways e Iberia anunciaram ter chegado a um acordo preliminar para uma futura fusão, que criaria uma das maiores organizações do mundo. O acordo determina que os acionistas da companhia espanhola Iberia ficam com 45% da nova empresa, enquanto os acionistas da companhia britânica British detém 55% do capital. Também está previsto a manutenção das duas marcas e as operações atuais. A nova organização apresenta uma frota em operação de mais de 400 aviões, que voam para cerca de 200 destinos ao redor do mundo. A Comissão Europeia deve avaliar e aprovar a fusão até o início do próximo ano.

OceanAir lança promoção relâmpago hoje (dia 14)

A OceanAir, a partir de hoje (sábado, dia 14), lança uma promoção de tarifas para compras neste final de semana, com embarque previsto até o dia 30. Com parcelas a partir de R$ 4,50, o passageiro poderá adquirir o bilhete em 12 parcelas sem juros pelo cartão Mastercard. Mais informações pelo site www.oceanair.com.br , ou pelos tels. 4004-4040 e 0300-789-8160.

US Airways recebe autorização oficial para operar no País

Foi publicado na última quarta-feira, no Diário Oficial da União, a decisão da Agencia Nacional e Aviação Civil (Anac) que autoriza a empresa US Airways, de nacionalidade norte-americana, a operar, no território nacional prestando serviço aéreo de transporte regular internacional de passageiro, carga e mala postal. A empresa começa a operar entre o Rio de Janeiro e Charlotte, na Carolina do Norte (EUA), a partir de 16 de dezembro. O voo diário e direto será a bordo de um Boeing 767 e terá duração de 8h45. A empresa já tem planos, inclusive de estabelecer um novo voo no País já em 2010.

Em SP, Star Alliance discute estratégias para 2010

Ontem (quinta, dia 12), líderes de 11 companhias que compõem a Star Alliance reuniram-se no escritório da Tap, na capital paulista, para discutir estratégias para o mercado brasileiro. O encontro contou com a presença da diretora regional da Star Alliance, Nanci Cheberenchick, e com os representantes da Air Canada, Air China, BMI, Continental, Tam, Lufthansa, Swiss, South African Airways, Turkish e United. Na oportunidade, foram discutidas formas diferenciadas de divulgação dos produtos Star, benefícios e melhor adequação às necessidades do trade. Também foram tratados projetos comuns, ficando em destaque o produto “RTW – Round the World Fare”, onde o passageiro pode viajar para qualquer destino operado pela aliança a um preço especial e com flexibilidade no planejamento do itinerário.

Governadora do RN cobra da Infraero melhorias em Natal

O presidente da Infraero, Murilo Marques Barboza, recebeu a governadora do Rio Grande do Norte, Wilma de Faria, na sede da empresa, em Brasília, na última terça (dia 10). A governadora solicitou melhorias para o Aeroporto Internacional de Natal/Augusto Severo. “Estou preocupada com o aumento de demanda e as melhorias prometidas. Também temos muita necessidade de ampliação da área internacional”, alertou a governadora.

Barboza lembrou à governadora que, com a definição do modelo de desenvolvimento do Aeroporto de São Gonçalo do Amarante – já incluído no Programa de Desestatização do Governo Federal – será possível planejar melhor os investimentos para o Aeroporto Augusto Severo a longo prazo. “A Infraero está finalizando, em São Gonçalo do Amarante, as obras de infraestrutura das pistas de pouso e decolagem e de taxiamento, além dos sistemas de auxílio e proteção ao voo. Ao todo, até 2010, os investimentos chegam a R$ 114 milhões”, disse. As pistas do São Gonçalo do Amarante terão capacidade para receber aviões como o cargueiro 747-400, o MD-11 e o A380.

Anac publica relatório sobre tarifas cobradas na venda de passagens 

A Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (Anac) publicou hoje em sua página na Internet o Relatório Yield Tarifa relativo ao mês de outubro de 2009. O documento faz o acompanhamento econômico das tarifas públicas que foram cobradas na venda de passagens.

O Yield Tarifa não considera as tarifas especiais para o mercado corporativo  (negociadas diretamente entre as companhias aéreas e empresas públicas e privadas), de fretamento (acertadas com as agências de turismo) e os assentos oferecidos gratuitamente ou com desconto diferenciado (para tripulantes, funcionários, crianças que não ocupam assentos, programas de milhagem e endosso de passagem).

O Relatório é feito com base nas informações fornecidas pelas companhias aéreas nacionais e informa os valores nominais por setor. Além disso, a Anac atualiza mensalmente esses dados com base no Índice de Preços ao Consumidor Amplo (IPCA / IBGE)  e, por isso, a cada mês as tabelas serão recalculadas por esse  indicador.

Turkish anuncia data de voo direto entre GRU e IST

A Turkish Airlines anunciou a data de seu voo sem escalas entre São Paulo e Istambul. A partir de 28 de março próximo, a companhia aérea retira da rota a escala em Dacar, no Senegal. A empresa já havia anunciado a mudança, embora a data de início do voo direto não tivesse sido confirmada. Em março, o voo completa um ano. A companhia, que chegou ao Brasil com duas frequências semanais, opera três voos atualmente. O TK 016 sai de São Paulo (GRU) às 23h25, às quartas, sextas e domingos. Sem a escala, a chegada em Istambul será às 18h05. O retorno de Istambul tem saída às 10h45, também às quartas, sextas e domingos, chegando no Brasil às 18h55 – já sem a escala.

Infraero quer incentivar setor de logística de carga no Maranhão 

A Infraero pretende fomentar a atividade de logística de carga aérea e o crescimento da movimentação de cargas internacionais e nacionais no Estado do Maranhão. Com esse objetivo, foi realizado na última quinta-feira (12/11), em São Luís, o I Workshop de Logística Modal Aéreo do Maranhão.

Segundo o diretor comercial da Infraero, Fernando Nicácio, a instituição pretende intensificar as ações de preparação para absorção da iminente demanda proveniente dos novos empreendimentos industriais em andamento no Estado. O evento reuniu representantes do poder público local, de companhias aéreas, de empresas importadoras e exportadoras, da Receita Federal e da Infraero.

No workshop foi apresentado o Plano de Desenvolvimento Industrial do Maranhão (PDI), que inclui a questão da logística entre os projetos prioritários para a indústria, a fim de que sejam criadas condições para a melhoria da competitividade, redução de custo e aumento da velocidade de transporte.

Sudoeste do Paraná vai ter voos diários para Curitiba em 2010 com a Sol Linhas Aéreas

A ponte aérea entre o Sudoeste do Paraná e Curitiba vai ser uma realidade no ano que vem. Foi celebrado em Cascavel, um acordo entre a deputada estadual Luciana Rafagnin (PT), os prefeitos de Pato Branco, Roberto Viganó (PDT), e de Francisco Beltrão, Wilmar Reichembach (PSDB), com o presidente da Sol Linhas Aéreas, o empresário Marcos Solano, que vai possibilitar que a empresa aérea paranaense de aviação regional coloque em operação rotas diárias e regulares, interligando as cidades de Cascavel e Curitiba, passando pela região Sudoeste.

A previsão é de que isso aconteça ainda no primeiro trimestre do ano. Resta adequar a infraestrutura dos dois aeroportos daquela região, para que a ANAC – Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil – autorize os voos.

“O Sudoeste precisa estar ligado com Curitiba e com os demais estados do Brasil por meio de um transporte aéreo regular e é por isso que estamos apostando no potencial de desenvolvimento da região”, disse Solano. A deputada Luciana, principal articuladora da proposta, comemorou o acordo entre os municípios e a empresa de aviação de Cascavel, lembrando que além de beneficiar as duas cidades-pólo do Sudoeste do Paraná, ele fez com que a região se unisse em torno de um objetivo comum. “Há um ano estamos discutindo e analisando cada detalhe do projeto. Ao sair unido, o Sudoeste só ganha com isso”, afirmou.

Cargueiros em contrato na Austrália

A empresa Cobham Aviation Services Austrália adquiriu três jatos BAe 146 QT da BAe Systems num contrato de A$ 100 milhões. As aeronaves operavam sob a forma de leasing desde os anos de 1990 e a Cobham garantia tripulantes e manutenção. Nesse período os aviões tem voado com regularidade de quase 100% transportando 20 mil toneladas de carga aérea por ano.

Motor do Phenom 300 é homologado

A Pratt Witney Canadá recebeu da autoridade Transport Canadá o certificado de homologação do motor PW535E, selecionado para impulsionar o jato executivo “Phenom 300″ da Embraer. Isso aconteceu 26 meses do início dos ensaios do novo motor e sua certificação vai permitir que a Embraer obtenha a homologação da aeronave no prazo previsto.

Clarion's ideal of "The Spirit of Christmas"

Dan Viesnik explains why CAAT supporters dress up for the Spirit of Christmas and the message they are bringing to visitors.

Clarion’s idea of the “Spirit of Christmas” seems to involve facilitating arms sales by and to repressive regimes with lousy human rights records and/or urgent development needs, including Israel, China, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Indonesia, Colombia and Angola – all of whom were either represented or officially invited to DSEi 2009. Earlier this year, Clarion joined the Defence Manufacturers’ Association, underlining its commitment to the arms industry.

The company has a rather diverse product portfolio: as well as arms fairs and the Spirit of Christmas Fair, they also organise The Baby Show, which UNICEF and sponsors Bounty withdrew their association from last year when alerted to Clarion’s links with the arms trade, and the International Horse Show.

Jackson, Mississippi ranks eleventh in Business Week’s Forty Strongest U. S. Metro Economies.
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/10/1022_40_strongest_us_metro_economies/12.htm

Officials with CE-Bio, LLC, have unveiled plans to locate a nutritional supplements manufacturing facility in a 57,000-square-foot plant at the Metro Industrial Park in Olive Branch.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/10/ce-bio-moving-to-larger-facility/

Start-up company Meridian Furniture held a ribbon cutting ceremony at recently renovated facilities in Iuka.  The company will initially employ 75 people, with as many as 150 jobs expected to be created as they expand.
http://tinyurl.com/ycl3glq

G&G Steel recently completed a $950,000 expansion that is expected to increase employment at the company from its current 30 to about 140 employees.
http://tinyurl.com/y8p5qx3

A financial hitch has delayed legislative action for a company that plans to build a $300 million factory in the Mississippi Delta, but lawmakers say they still expect the project to come through.
http://tinyurl.com/y8dmxh7

Leaders of the largely rural Appalachian rural belt that runs from southern New York to northern Mississippi are seeking ways to use alternative energy initiatives to spark the 13-state region’s long-sluggish economy.
http://tinyurl.com/y9v9fcn

Foreign firms flock to south Mississippi.  At least 18 companies have ties to foreign shores. They include some of the most recognizable names in the world, such as the United Kingdom’s Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems and Italy’s Finmecanica.
http://tinyurl.com/y98xnk7

After sitting gutted and empty for years, an historic, pioneering department store is getting new life as a luxury corporate apartment building in Vicksburg.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/11/the-valley-gets-new-life/

Whit Hughes, deputy director of the Mississippi Development Authority, said a regional mindset for economic growth makes sense, especially when wooing foreign investors.  “When the economy does improve, they’ll be looking for low-cost, high quality options such as our states,” he said.
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/oct/30/auto-execs-warm-hands-around-vw/?business

The Alliance, made up of business leaders, economic development officials and government officials, hopes the aerospace industry’s already significant presence in the Gulf South region will persuade the Department of Defense to award Northrop Grumman the task of replenishing the Air Force’s fleet of refueling planes.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/10/states-join-forces-to-land-kc-45/

Lyn Arnold, executive director of the Tunica County Chamber of Commerce, says Tunica’s efforts to attract more manufacturers are continuing to move forward.
http://tinyurl.com/yaypbnt

Sandy Holifield, who handles commercial development for the Jones County Economic Development Authority, said Wednesday that officials are “real excited” about the openings.
http://www.leadercall.com/local/local_story_302111101.html

The Stone County Economic Development Partnership (SCEDP) has helped Stone County become among the first counties in the state to take part in the Mississippi Development Authority’s (MDA’s) asset mapping project. Asset mapping identifies, categorizes and quantifies a community’s assets.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2009/10/county-puts-assets-on-the-map/

Community Development Foundation President David Rumbarger of Tupelo Miss., shows off one of the Apple Macbooks, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, that will be given to every student from 6-12 grades starting next year. The program is part of a partnership between the Tupelo Public Schools District and Apple.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20091027/NEWS/91027035/1263/rss

Three multimillion-dollar projects planned for the Northside (Jackson) have been temporarily put on hiatus as developers weather the economic storm and wait for contracts to be finalized.
http://tinyurl.com/yajb8vk

Several Web sites serve up a wealth of information about home-based businesses, from different types of businesses to tax considerations and avoiding work-at-home schemes.
http://www.sunherald.com/383/story/1699004.html

We agree with assessments that suggest the deepest part of the recession may be past, but as Community Development Foundation President David Rumbarger said last week, “We don’t know how steep the climb is on this side of the valley.”
http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/3596405#

Congress has provided $25 million for engineering and other preparations for storing some the nation’s petroleum reserves in the Richton Salt Domes.
http://tinyurl.com/y9s85gy

The Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, featuring some of the top golfers on the Champions Tour, will be played at Fallen Oak Golf Course on April 28-May 2, 2010.
http://www.sunherald.com/sports/story/1715893.html

An Arkansas company expects to complete by mid-December its acquisition of Greenwood’s PYCO oil mill.
http://tinyurl.com/y9fep9r

The Mississippi Manufacturers Association and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Mississippi present “Profit 101” and “Sales Development” Wednesday, Nov. 11, to help manufacturers improve their businesses.
http://www.mma-web.org/UserFiles/File/Seminars/MEP%20Sales-Profit.pdf 

Join the MEDC group on LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=2323556 (members only)

Register now for the Nov. 17 MEDC Regional Chamber Workshop Series — sponsored by Cellular South — in Newton featuring Shane Moody of the Destin Area Chamber (back by popular demand).

Attend national professional development courses (EDI, CDI, IOM and New South) in 2010 and let MEDC pay your tuition.  Apply now for your scholarship – www.medc.ms – Professional Development – funded by MEDC, MDA, Mississippi Power Company and Tennessee Valley Authority.

Register now for the Dec. 8 Member-to-Member Seminar in Jackson featuring Chandler Russ, Director of the Existing Industry and Business Division at MDA.

Go to www.medc.ms for registration and scholarship information.

Carol Hardwick, Executive Director
Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC)
P. O. Box 3721, Jackson, MS  39207
www.medc.ms 
MEDC 2010 Winter Conference . February 3-5 . Hilton . Jackson
MEDC 2010 Summer Conference . July 21-23 . Beau Rivage . Biloxi

MEDC is Mississippi’s professional association of economic development and chamber of commerce professionals. 

The results of the 2008 call for proposals for security research under the FP7 programme are starting to filter through. I’ll detail the interesting ones here and try and produce some kind of overview document once all the contracts are released.

The SCIIMS project on a “Strategic crime and immigration information management system” is a three-year FP7 project led by BAE Systems and featuring Indra and Elsag Datamat (a Finmeccanica company). According to the contract summary, SCIIMS “will focus upon an overarching question from which the developed system, demonstration and experimentation will answer: In the European Union context how can new capabilities improve the ability to search, mine, and fuse information from National, trans-national, private and other sources, to discover trends and patterns for increasing shared situational awareness and improving decision making, within a secure infrastructure to facilitate the combating of organized crime and in particular people trafficking to enhance the security of citizens?”

The SCIIMS Consortium “will utilize State of the Art products which will form the platform to develop new innovative capabilities and technologies. This approach is designed to provide the EU with an early exploitation opportunity by the consortium & User Groups”.

Capabilities and technologies will include:
- Data Mining of large data sets utilizing a data stream approach.
- Information Management, and fusion techniques in order to analyze relationships between different pieces of information.
- Web/database semantics tools to provide comprehensive search and retrieval of information.
- Decision aids based on self learning probabilistic tools.

So, more data mining, more sharing of data, more defence-industry led EU surveillance projects – business as usual for the FP7 programme.

Start date:2009-11-01
End date:2012-10-31 
Duration:36 months 
Project Reference:218223 
Project cost:3595562 EURO 
Project Funding:2318996 EURO 
Programme Acronym: FP7-SECURITY
Programme type:Seventh Framework Programme 
Subprogramme Area:Secure strategic information management system 
Contract type:Collaborative project (generic) 
Subject index:Information, Media, Security 
Other Indexes:Organised Crime,Data Mining,General Assembly,Web 
Crawling,Experimentation,Demo,User Groups,Information Fusion,
Data Integration,Decision Aids,People Trafficking,People
Smuggling,Consortium

Charles Haddon-Cave QC has delivered a crushing indictment of the MOD in his report on the loss of an RAF Nimrod on 2 September 2006 while on operations in Afghanistan. Although he says BAE Systems and QinetiQ are also to blame, it is the MOD and the government that is ultimately responsible for all military matters. One particular aspect is critical in understanding what went wrong:

The MOD suffered a sustained period of deep organisational trauma between 1998 and 2006, beginning with the 1998 Strategic Defence Review. Financial pressures and cuts drove a cascade of multifarious organisational changes which led to a dilution of the airworthiness regime and culture within the MOD and distraction from vital safety and airworthiness issues as the top priority.

At last, someone has highlighted the root problem in the MOD and the Services at large: that constant activity has and continues to cause deep trauma to the organisation when it should be concentrating on operational matters. The report goes on to say:

There was a shift in culture and priorities in the MOD towards ‘business’ and financial targets, at the expense of functional values such as safety and airworthiness. The Defence Logistics Organisation, in particular, came under huge pressure. Its primary focus became delivering ‘change’ and the ‘change programme’ and achieving the (so-called) ‘Strategic Goal’ of a 20% reduction in output costs in five years and other financial savings.

There we have it. Demands for savings forced an institutional shift in priority away from providing the right military capability to delivering military savings.  Making savings is what all reviews and reorganisations are ultimately about, and by God they will make them.  Service is not a business, it is a duty and a critical national requirement.

And that these changes were to take place ‘against a backdrop of dramatically increased operational demands as a result of the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq (not to mention Fire Brigade strikes), shows how poorly the Armed Forces have been led over the last decade.

Of course, military people themselves must not abrogate their responsibilities – and they will not – but leadership begins and ends at the top, with the grand strategy and the willingness to resource the capabilities needed to meet that strategy.

Länsrätten i Stockholm har idag kommit fram till att Försvarets Materielverks upphandling av nya hjulgående pansarfordon inte har gått rätt till. Hela upphandlingen har kantats av märkliga händelser, exempelvis att man inte verkar tagit hänsyn till sina egna experters utlåtande, avdelat nya experter men inte heller lyssnat på dem.

Länsrätten konstaterar att FMV inte följt Lagen om offentlig upphandling (LOU).

Förhoppningsvis kan man nu göra om det här och då på ett tillfredsställande sätt. Vem som vinner upphandlingen får vi se det viktigaste är dock att upphandlingen ger bästa möjliga resultat för Sverige och i fri konkurens mellan olika leverantörer. Viktigt att poängtera att detta inte under några som helst omständigheter får bli ett politiskt beslut.

Star Alliance chega hoje a 25 aéreas com Continental

A330 da BMI com pintura da Star Alliance (Foto: Airliners.net / Clique para ampliar)

“Quando você viaja de econômica em uma companhia aérea, o que mais deseja é o upgrade para a primeira classe. A Continental consegue fazer isso hoje. Seu upgrade para a maior e melhor aliança da aviação mundial”, disse o presidente e COO da Continental Airlines, Jeff Smisek, agora, na coletiva de imprensa que marca a entrada da companhia aérea na Star Alliance. Neste momento, executivos da Continental, entre eles Smisek, eleito CEO da companhia aérea a partir de janeiro, e Larry Kellner, o atual CEO, dirigem-se para o Aeroporto de Newark, onde CEOs de outras aéreas da aliança, bem com o presidente da Star Alliance, Jaan Albrecht, participam da cerimônia oficial de entrada da 25a companhia da aliança.

A Continental passa a ser a terceira aérea dos Estados Unidos a integrar a Star Alliance (depois da fundadora United e da US Airways), que tem mais de 19 mil voos diários, em mil aeroportos de 169 países. “A Continental é perfeita para a Star Alliance, assim como a aliança é perfeita para a Continental, pela complementaridade que representam”, disse Smisek, ressaltando que a Continental é a única aérea com hub em Nova York, respondendo por 25% das operações nos três aeroportos da cidade (La Guardia, JFK e Newark), e 74% das operações de Newark. A Continental é a quinta maior companhia aérea do mundo.

No mapa de rotas apresentado pela empresa, a América do Sul aparece como o ponto mais fraco da aliança. A entrada da Tam, em abril do próximo ano, e a soma de forças da Continental e Unitede na região devem começar a mudar essa realidade. Na América Latina, México e Caribe são os pontos fortes da Continental, que para o México oferece 65 voos diários para 29 destinos.

Kassab contemporiza em novas leis para helicópteros 

O prefeito Gilberto Kassab (DEM) vetou o artigo do projeto aprovado pela Câmara que restringia o funcionamento de helipontos privados ao período das 7h às 20h em São Paulo. Ele estabeleceu um horário mais flexível, das 6h às 23h. Kassab regulamentou a implantação dos pontos de pouso de helicópteros, que ainda não tinha legislação municipal específica, ao sancionar (transformar em lei) o projeto do vereador Chico Macena (PT). Há hoje cerca de 320 helicópteros registrados em São Paulo, que tem 215 helipontos autorizados pela Anac (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil). Do total, somente 85 já contam com a licença da prefeitura. Em alguns casos, dependendo da localização do heliponto, a prefeitura poderá tornar o horário das operações mais restritivo, ao conceder a licença. Também foi vetado o dispositivo do projeto que proibiria pilotos de permanecer sobrevoando o mesmo local por mais de 30 minutos. Kassab retirou ainda a proibição do funcionamento a menos de 500 metros de estabelecimentos como hospitais e escolas. A distância caiu para 300 metros, mas ficam livres da restrição os pontos de pouso destinados a hospitais, polícia e Forças Armadas e as sedes dos governos municipal e estadual. O comandante Jorge Bitar Neto, dono de empresa de taxi aéreo em São Paulo, afirma que, caso haja muitos helipontos fechados, pode aumentar o volume de tráfego nos regulares. “Os que sobrarem irão receber uma carga enorme de pousos, por serem únicos.” Em relação aos helipontos já instalados, a lei prevê que os donos devem comprovar sua regularidade em 30 dias, a partir de sábado. O ruído máximo permitido é de 95 decibéis.

Passaredo prepara entrada de novos sócios no capital 

Após suspender a sua operação entre 2002 e 2004 por causa de uma crise financeira, a Passaredo Linhas Aéreas negocia a venda de parte de seu capital e quer dobrar de tamanho. Segundo o presidente José Luiz Felício Filho, a companhia regional paulista mantém conversações com um fundo de investimento brasileiro e uma empresa aérea estrangeira.

A negociação deverá ser concluída até o final de 2010. Os nomes dos potenciais investidores, porém, foram mantidos em sigilo pelo executivo, filho do fundador do grupo Passaredo, José Luiz Felício.

“O Brasil, com a possibilidade de abertura de 20% para 49% de participação de capital estrangeiro no setor, cria uma tendência natural das empresas aéreas de fora investirem aqui”, diz Felício Filho.

Enquanto negocia com possíveis futuros investidores, a Passaredo anunciou ontem um investimento de US$ 90 milhões para praticamente dobrar de tamanho. Os recursos serão financiados por empresas de leasing de aeronaves para a aquisição de até oito jatos ERJ 145 da Embraer, para 50 passageiros. 

TAM terá voos extras no feriado

A TAM Linhas Aéreas programou frequências extras para atender seus clientes durante o feriado de 2 de novembro. Ao todo, 46 voos vão incrementar a malha doméstica da companhia. A iniciativa visa a suprir a crescente demanda, já que muitos passageiros reservaram suas viagens com antecedência. Os voos foram programados para os dias de maior movimento nas saídas para o feriado – 30 (sexta-feira) e 31 (sábado) – e retorno – dias 2 (segunda) e 3 (terça). Além das frequências, a TAM vai manter diariamente três aeronaves de reserva, posicionadas em aeroportos estratégicos, para eventuais necessidades: duas em São Paulo (Guarulhos) e outra no Rio de Janeiro (Galeão). Adicionalmente, a companhia terá equipes extras de tripulantes técnicos (pilotos e co-pilotos) e de cabine (comissários) e mobilizará reforço de efetivo para o atendimento aos clientes.

Lan fará Rio–Santiago direto a partir de janeiro

A partir de 1º de janeiro, a Lan iniciará uma operação de quatro frequências semanais entre o Rio de Janeiro (Galeão) e Santiago, no Chile. O voo será direto, e o equipamento escolhido para a operação é o Airbus A320. A aeronave partirá do Rio quinta, sexta, sábado e domingo, às 19h40, e chegará em Santiago às 23h20. Na volta, parte da capital chilena às 13h40 e pousa na Cidade Maravilhosa às 18h45. A companhia está oferecendo uma tarifa especial para marcar o lançamento do voo. O benefício é válido para compras até 2 de novembro, e o pagamento pode ser feito em até cinco vezes, sem entrada.

Duelo de taxis aéreos na Europa

Duas ativas empresas de táxi aéreo se prepararam para lançar serviços concorrentes de voos fretados baratos com pequenos jatos nos céus da Europa. São elas a inglesa Blink e a alemã JetBird. A Blink recebeu em setembro seu jato Cessna “Mustang” de número 17 e a rival germânica recebeu seu primeiro “Phenom 100″ da Embraer. A Blink encomendou 30 dos jatinhos Cessna e pretende aumentar essa compra com nova encomenda para outros 6. A JetBird tem uma encomenda para 59 dos aviões da Embraer que devem ser entregues em cadência rápida a partir de agora.

Acesso ao aeroporto do Galeão

O Governador do Rio de Janeiro e o Presidente da Infraero reuniram-se no Palácio das Laranjeiras (RJ) para discutir alternativas capazes de melhorar o acesso ao Aeroporto Internacional do Galeão. A alternativa mais aceita é a adoção de um BRT (Bus Rapid Transportation), linha expressa de ônibus que utilize via própria. Sistemas desse tipo serão necessários pela escolha do Rio para sediar os Jogos Olímpicos.

Cessna testa Citation com winglets

A norte-americana Cessna tem em testes um jato executivo Citation X equipado com “winglets” nas extremidades das asas. A aeronave, equipada como laboratório voador, avalia as vantagens dessa modificação para reduzir o arrasto aerodinâmico e aumentar a autonomia de voo.

ATR de patrulha marítima

Já está em testes o primeiro exemplar de uma versão de patrulha marítima do bimotor ATR 42-500, desenvolvida pela Alenia Aeronáutica para uma encomenda da Nigéria. O protótipo está sendo ensaiado em Turin-Caselle e deve ser entregue ao cliente ainda este ano.

BAe concorre para substituir T-38

A inglesa British Aerospace Systems admitiu estar disputando a concorrência aberta nos Estados Unidos para fornecer um novo jato de treinamento supersônico destinado a substituir os já muito usados T-38. A BAe não anunciou ainda qual indústria norte-americana será sua parceira nessa concorrência ma sabe-se que vai apresentar uma versão modificada do treinador “Hawk”. A italiana Alenia e a Korea Aerospace também estão na lista.

Acordo Fokker – Dash Eight

Já está em fase de implementação um acordo que reúne os operadores de aeronaves Fokker F.50 e F.100 e aviões “Dash Eight”. O acordo reúne as competências das empresas Fokker Services e Denim Air. A Fokker assegura o suporte técnico manutenção e peças de reposição e a Denim entra com planejamento, rotas, serviços e detalhes como tripulantes e burocracia. A idéia é oferecer os serviços a pequenas novas empresas aéreas que começam a operar e ainda não têm estrutura nem experiência.

Caças MiG-35 voam para a Índia para avaliação

Dois caças multifuncionais MiG-35, novos de fábrica (C/n 961 e 967) seguiram do Centro de Testes de Voo de Zhukovsky, próximo de Moscou (Rússia), para a Índia, na segunda semana de outubro, para serem avaliados pelos indianos em vistas da concorrência milionária MMRCA, da Força Aérea da Índia. Curiosamente, não houve nenhum comunicado ou informação oficial sobre a ida das duas aeronaves, da Rússia para a Índia, para tal período de testes de voo e avaliações, nem pelo governo ou orgãos da Rússia, nem pelos da Índia.

Air France recebe primeiro Airbus A380 nesta sexta

A Air France será a primeira empresa da Europa a receber o Airbus A380. A cerimônia solene de entrega do avião será nesta sexta (dia 30) na fábrica da Airbus em Hamburgo, na Alemanha. A Air France comprou um total de 12 unidades do A380. Veja a foto do primeiro super-jumbo da Air France aqui: http://fl410.wordpress.com/2009/09/16/vale-um-clique-4/

District 751 Members who work for BAE Systems have a new boss — Linda Hamilton, who had previously led the company’s land and armaments division.

Hamilton was named president and chief executive of BAE’s North American operations on Monday. The promotion makes her one of the highest-ranking women executives within the defense industry.

BAE Systems Inc. is the American-subsidiary of British defense conractor BAE Systems PLC.  Its Redmond facility is part of its Platforms Solutions business, which provides systems for commercial and military aircraft.

TAM altera horários de voos no Norte e Nordeste devido ao horário de verão 

Airbus A319 da TAM (Foto: Aidan Formigoni / Clique para ampliar)

A TAM Linhas Aéreas informa que, devido ao horário de verão, os voos operados pela companhia nas regiões Norte e Nordeste terão seus horários de chegada e partida antecipados em uma hora em relação ao horário local em vigor. A mudança inclui todos os voos da TAM operados nas seguintes cidades: Aracaju (SE), Belém, Marabá e Santarém (PA), Boa Vista (RR), Fortaleza (CE), Ilhéus, Porto Seguro e Salvador (BA), Imperatriz e São Luis (MA), João Pessoa (PB), Macapá (AP), Maceió (AL), Manaus (AM), Natal (RN), Palmas (TO), Porto Velho (RO), Recife (PE), Rio Branco (AC) e Teresina (PI). Os passageiros podem confirmar os novos horários dos voos pelo site www.tam.com.br , call center (4002-5700 ou 0800 5705700 para todo o Brasil), lojas da TAM ou por meio dos agentes de viagens.

Aeroporto em Volta Redonda

Foi oficialmente anunciada a construção de um novo aeroporto na cidade de Volta Redonda (RJ), cujas obras devem estar concluídas em dois anos. Os planos do novo aeroporto foram já aprovados pelas autoridades responsáveis pelo controle ambiental.

Luz no fim do túnel

O organismo internacional IATA divulgou estudo sobre o desempenho previsto do transporte internacional de passageiros pelas empresas de aviação comercial em 2010, quando deverá ser atingido um crescimento de 4% sobre o total de 2009. Este ano será fechado com uma queda de quase 5% sobre o número de 2008.

Números da América Latina

A ALTA – Associação de Transporte Aéreo da América Latina e Caribe anunciou que no passado mês de agosto as empresas a ela associadas transportaram 10,7 milhões de passageiros, resultado 2,7% superior ao do mesmo mês de 2008. O tráfego (passageiros/Km) cresceu 2,6% em agosto e o aproveitamento da oferta foi de 70,6%, numa proporção de 1,8% sobre o aproveitamento de agosto do ano passado. Entre janeiro e agosto o total de passageiros transportados foi de 79,9 milhões.

Frontier e Lynx saem do Chapter 11

As companhias norte-americanas Frontier Airlines e Lynx Aviation saíram da proteção anti-falência garantida pelo Chapter 11 da legislação dos EUA, juntando-se à Chautauqua Airlines, à Midwest Airlines, à Mokulele Airlines, à Republic Airlines e à Shuttle America na condição de subsidiárias da Republic Airways Holdings.

Carga: Iata prevê crescimento

O organismo internacional IATA divulgou números sobre o desenvolvimento do transporte aéreo previsto para o ano que vem. No segmento de carga aérea a IATA antecipa um aumento de 5,5% em 2010 sobre o desempenho de 2009, quando foram transportadas 14,5% menos cargas que em 2008.

Roll Out do G650

A Gulfstream retirou da linha de montagem seu primeiro jato executivo tipo G650, cujos voos de ensaio começam antes do fim do ano e cuja homologação está prevista para 2011. A aeronave destaca-se por ser o modelo Gulfstream com maior espaço interno de cabina (102 pés X 77 pés), e o mais veloz (Mach 0.925 em cruzeiro) desenvolvido até hoje pelo fabricante, caracterizando-se por asas de novo desenho e alto desempenho e por duas turbinas Rolls Royce RB725.

Goodrich inaugura em São Carlos

A Goodrich do Brasil vai inaugurar, no próximo dia 28 de outubro, na cidade paulista de São Carlos, sua primeira oficina de manutenção, reparo e revisão geral de equipamentos para aeronaves na América Latina e Caribe. É a sexta unidade desse tipo criada pela Goodrich fora dos Estados Unidos, equipada para apoiar tecnicamente equipamentos como naceles, reversores, superfícies de controle de voo e outras componentes de aeronaves. Mais informações pelo telefone (11) 3040-2405.

BAE fecha fábrica

A inglesa BAe Systems anunciou que pretende encerrar as atividades de sua unidade industrial de Woodford (Ceshire), na Grã Bretanha, tão logo ela termine a entrega dos jatos de patrulha marítima “Nimrod” MRA4, que hoje produz para a Real Força Aérea. Os derradeiros exemplares dessa encomenda da RAF serão entregues em 2013, e depois disso os 630 funcionários da indústria serão demitidos.

Galeão ainda está longe de saturar, diz Anac 

Segundo dados apresentados pelo coronel Valdir Padilha, gerente de Malha Aérea Internacional da Anac, o Aeroporto Internacional do Galeão, no rio de Janeiro, deverá apresentar saturação de seus terminais somente em 2013. “Isso é uma previsão partindo do que temos atualmente. Até lá, pode haver investimentos e melhorias e essa expectativa mudar”, afirmou. O pátio do aeroporto deve alcançar saturação somente após 2025, e a pista, em 2023.

Argentina terá voo diário da South African durante a Copa do Mundo de 2010 

A South African Airways (SAA) anuncia que vai aumentar a atual operação de Buenos Aires de três voos por semana para voo diário, de 7 de junho a 18 de julho de 2010, ampliando significativamente a oferta de assentos durante a Copa do Mundo de Futebol que acontecerá na África do Sul no mesmo período.

“Nossa operação para a Argentina foi reiniciada em abril deste ano com três voos semanais entre Buenos Aires e Johannesburg. Com estas frequências adicionais vamos reiterar a expectativa positiva para o aumento no tráfego de passageiros não só da Argentina mas de toda a América do Sul para a África do Sul” durante a Copa do Mundo, afirmou Nelson de Oliveira, Diretor Geral da SAA para a América do Sul.

A aeronave que será utilizada será um Boeing 747-400 com um total de 357 assentos divididos em Classe Econômica e Classe Executiva.

Jad Taxi Aéreo e TWO Taxi Aéreo realizam encontro nacional sobre segurança de voo

Como operar as aeronaves de forma segura e atuar com foco na prevenção de acidentes é o tema do 3° Encontro Nacional de Segurança de Voo, que as empresas Jad Taxi Aéreo e a TWO Táxi Aéreo, ambas pertencentes ao Grupo Jad, realizam no próximo dia 1º de novembro, das 8h30 às 18h30, no espaço de eventos do Quality Resource Hotel, em Itupeva, interior de São Paulo.

Direcionado a clientes, parceiros e a todos os funcionários das empresas, o evento terá uma programação intensa relacionada aos diferentes aspectos de prevenção de acidentes. Para isso, contará com palestras de especialistas como o coronel Domingos Afonso Almeida de Deus, oficial do CENIPA (Centro de Investigação e Prevenção de Acidentes Aeronáuticos) órgão do Comando da Aeronáutica, bem como do comandante Davi Branco Filho, da Embraer, e do coronel Davi Campos dos Santos.

A Jad Taxi Aéreo e a TWO Táxi Aéreo operam juntas um total de 26 aeronaves em todo o Brasil e possuem um efetivo de 48 tripulantes, entre comandantes e co-pilotos. Entre as aeronaves estão os Grand Caravan da Cessna, além de modelos Navajo, Seneca e Aero Commander.

“A segurança de voo é uma das premissas de todas as nossas operações, por isso um evento dessa natureza é muito importante para todos os funcionários e clientes, e nos permite incrementar constantemente a qualidade nos serviços prestados”, afirma o diretor Anderson Davo, ressaltando que 95% das operações das empresas envolvem carga e 5%, passageiros.

Serviço:

Jad Taxi Aéreo e TWO: 3° Encontro Nacional de Segurança de Voo

Data: 01/11/09

Local: Quality Resource Hotel, em Itupeva (SP)

Horário: das 8h30 às 18h30

Informações (11) 3129-5158

Pluna voará para Foz e já pensa em BSB, BH e CPQ

A Pluna inaugura no dia 18 de novembro a quinta base regular no Brasil, desta vez em Foz do Iguaçu (PR). A empresa uruguaia fará dois voos por semana, às quartas-feiras e aos sábados, ligando a Argentina, o Chile e o Uruguai à cidade e vice-versa, segundo o gerente comercial da Pluna para o Brasil, Gonzalo Mazaferro. De acordo com o executivo, para 2010 a companhia estuda três novos mercados para operar no País: Brasília (DF), Belo Horizonte (MG) e Campinas (SP). Ainda de acordo com Mazaferro, a nova empresa do grupo fundada na Argentina, a Aerovip, inclusive, já está fazendo os registros com os órgãos reguladores para poder operar no País a partir de 2010.

This is John Stanton’s 20th article on the Human Terrain System, with his previous ones available here at: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19.

John sent this article a few days ago, my apologies for being late. It is reproduced here with his permission, and has already been published in CounterPunch, which is also featuring an extended article by David Price in its print edition (a summary is coming next on this blog).

John has also published a book of his work on the Human Terrain System: General David Petraeus’ Favorite Mushroom.

*******************************************************************************************

Human Terrain System 2009-2010: US Congress Rewards Failure, Puts Personnel in Harm’s Way

by John Stanton

• “They are writing hours down that they do not work.”
• “If the Department of Defense does not take a close look with a microscope at the program, then millions or perhaps billions of dollars will be wasted by the federal government and taxpayers.  The biggest and most grotesque problem that this program faces is the fear of calling it what it really is — Intelligence.”
• “I believe there are some serious power struggles and back stabbing within the HTS Program. The students are paying the price. Too many in HTS seem to be on a power kick or need their egos boosted. They say things to students or in front of students that are wrong or against US Army regulations.”
• “The social science personnel need serious screening to keep the psycho ones out. There seems to be an over abundance of them in the program. They all seem to be on some type of crusade.”
  
• “It may be the commander’s battle space but it is your research.”
• “Many HTT personnel would be willing to avoid the US Army Unit of Assignment mission to protect their research, and stand idly by while US /Coalition Forces and Local Nationals suffered casualties. This is not US Army policy and is completely contradictory to the HTS manual.”
• “Forget the money speech. Drill it into the heads of everyone your work belongs to the US Army, not you.”
• “HTS personnel do not recognize that the security element is in charge of the HTT’s safety when outside the wire — not the Social Scientist or the Team Leader. If the security element commander says it is time to go, then it does not matter if it is a Sergeant or a Captain giving the order — we leave, period. The Security Team Commander is responsible for the safety of an HTT. No Social Scientist has the tactical training or experience to make a critical decision.”
• “A Social Scientist, who remains in the program, should be investigated for placing a classified brief from theater on the shared drive when not everyone in the class had a final clearance. He can spin it any way he wants but the fact is the brief is classified.”
• “He was trying to pimp his book and see how many names he could drop. He dropped F-bombs and dipped tobacco during class. He was totally unprofessional.”
• “There are no written reports on anything the unit wants that are worth a damn.”
  

Doctor Max Forte over at Open Anthropology highlights some interesting language contained in the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009.

“HTTs [Human Terrain Teams] are currently proving their value in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the committee believes that capability would prove equally valuable in other combatant command areas of responsibility. The committee recommends $90.6 million in Operation and Maintenance for the purpose of fielding additional HTTs to meet the current Central Command requirement of 26 teams. The committee encourages the Department to begin training, equipping, deploying, and sustaining human terrain teams with other regional combatant commands to include at least one each for Pacific Command, Southern Command, and Africa Command.”

The House and Senate Armed Services Committees are supporting an HTS program that is still in its infancy and whose concept — as of October 2009 — has not yet been proven. It can hardly qualify as a success story even though it was glowingly  portrayed as such by the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense,  Advanced Systems and Concepts in 2008 (acq.osd.mil/jctd/success.html). None other than the SECDEF, a Brigade Commander and “Sheiks of Al Tajy North, Iraq” weighed in by intimating that the US Army Human Terrain System was the best war fighting tool since the clenched fist. Wow! Not!

It is unfortunate that the proponents of using the US Army TRADOC HTS to divine the Human Terrain remain blind to program weaknesses and dubious data collection and reporting methodology. They are content to charge the American Anthropological Association as the primary opponent of HTS though it is those internal to the program — that have gone or are going through the HTS experience — that are its most vocal critics and, at the same time, strong supporters of the concept.

So here we are in October 2009 and reports continue to come in describing persistent problems with recruitment, training, deployment, and in-country performance. Sources indicate that little has changed to address these issues. Fraud in the form of over billing has now been alleged.

Social Scientists Do Not Understand the Mission: Screening Needed

“The academics in the program understand the world of quantitative and qualitative research and have typically worked alone,” said a source.  “They simply do not understand the team concept. This creates friction with other team members.  Further, the academics associated with the program only understand counterinsurgency from reading articles, books, and/or policy statements. This, they feel, makes them matter experts in the field.  Very few, if any, have ever been actively involved (on the ground) and experienced counterinsurgency in a direct fashion.  Just because someone (an academic) has read Galula, Kilcullen, Sepp, Nagl,  Schoomaker, Army FM 3-24, 3-24.2, or 3-0 does not mean that they have become experts in the field. Academics find it insulting to their intelligence that someone without a PhD could possibly know more [about counterinsurgency] than they do.” [Max Forte: one wonders if they are referring here to Karl Slaikeu, who took leave from his allegedly lucrative conflict resolution business to reinvent himself as a counterinsurgency theorist.]

Sources report that training needs improvement and that training should use real down range scenarios to teach the students.  For example, Counterinsurgency Training does not touch on platoon, company or battalion levels. These are the levels at which HTTs interact with the most. Training should include Patrolling, Reaction to Snipers, IED, Weapons Safety and Handling at a minimum.

“Students need to understand how training ties in with a combat unit’s downrange mission.  This point is the most important and is not explained or stressed during coursework. HTT personnel must understand that they are there to support the commander’s mission. This is not clearly understood by the students,” said one source. According to a source, HTT personnel can pick and choose research items and present what they want to the unit.

Some social scientists within HTS believe that their mission is to make the US Army a kinder-gentler fighting force when dealing with non-combatants, while at the same time warring with insurgents and other unfriendly elements.

Training rarely follows the HTS Handbook or is completely contradictory to it, according to sources. “Instructor’s put their personal spin during classes discussing politics, ethical beliefs, religious beliefs, and war stories. This is not conducive to a training environment and is very unprofessional. The instructors do not present the training well and it is obvious they are not trained in how to instruct. When the participation method of instruction is used the instructors often lose the class or lose control of the class.  There is too much training geared toward the Social Scientists and very little for Research Managers and Analysts.”

Peer evaluations should be modeled after the US Army evaluations. This leaves students no opportunity to evaluate someone’s personality and only allows for the review of someone’s performance and behavior.  In a program loaded with super-egos, this is very important.

According to sources, new social scientists to the HTS program were extended an invitation by the HTS lead social scientist. “Too many times I have heard that there was a personal invitation extended to them,” said one source. “Nearly all of the social scientists that I have had interaction with are in the program solely for the purpose of getting published at the conclusion of their deployment and return home.” According to sources, the social scientists guard their information as if it were Military Top Secret.  A local Unit Commander has continually been denied research data by social scientists who claim their work is proprietary, they say.

Sarcastic Know-it-Alls

Some HTS personnel are abrasive, sources indicate. One was rude and arrogant and would belittle the students during class. In one instance, sources say, a briefing by one instructor turned sour as she informed students that “the Social Scientist runs the teams and no one else has a say in anything.”  Clearly, according to sources, the instructor did not know the difference between an aggressive operation and a non- aggressive operation.  “For example, students are instructed that they will not be involved in a kinetic operation, such as a cordon and search. But any mission can go kinetic at anytime. “

The anthropology instructors have no practical experience with the HTS mission and attempt to relate their personal experiences in places like Africa studying AIDs/HIV to the students, sources report. The mission of the HTS is being lost in translation.  Sources say they can’t stress enough that “it is being presented to students that all the HTT will be doing is research on culture and people in the area. It is not understood that the HTT works for the unit of assignment, researching the items the unit wants and the HTT can lawfully perform. The primary focus is on the commanders.”

According to sources, a good example of this is an Ethics Class given by one instructor.  “Through the entire presentation he was adamant about how to handle research data. He made clear that HTT members should not write down any names of interviewees because this information should not be given to the military to be used for kinetic purposes. When the question was asked, What if the information gathered would directly impact the safety of the unit the HTT is assigned?  The instructor responded that the information was the property of the researcher and did not have to be given to the US Army Unit of Assignment.  He also stated that HTT personnel should avoid writing any information down so it could not be forced from the researcher. That being the case, many HTT personnel would be willing to avoid the US Army Unit of Assignment mission to protect their research, and stand idly by while US and Coalition Forces and Local Nationals took casualties. This is not US Army policy and is completely contradictory to the HTS manual.

Bright Spots

“There are numerous people in the HTS program who have an overabundance of knowledge related to counterinsurgency and the human terrain.  But these people are ignored because they do not have a PhD in Anthropology, Psychology, Political Science, etc.  It is my opinion that people who are in positions such as HTA’s, RM’s, and TL’s are just as important, if not more important, than the social scientists in that they are the ‘link’ between the military and social science,”  said one source.

According to sources, there are a number of training personnel who are top-notch. “The Immersion Training for Afghanistan is great.  The Language Training by one instructor is excellent. He takes a lot of time with us and is very patient.  The Geological Training conducted by another instructor was very educational. The History of Islam class is excellent.” According to one source, “I now have a better understanding of how Islam functions and why the attitudes of Islamic people seem so different from our own. It was very enlightening to see that Islam believes many of the same things as Christians do.”

Still, sources say, training should focus on the tribal problems, and areas of external tribal disputes. If HTT personnel had a general understanding of the differences between the Pashtu, Uzbek, and others, as well as why for example the Taliban was able to take over the country and it people when others in history could not do both, they say.

The Introduction to Anthropology Class and the Open Source Research Class received good marks.

“Language Training is the best,” said one source. “I would recommend staying away from the writing Arabic, three weeks is not enough time. Concentrating on conversational language would be more helpful. “

Sources had high praise for one instructor and some of the films made available to them for viewing in class. “The documentaries that another instructor has shown us are informative and provide a different view of how people used to live in Afghanistan before the Soviet invasion. The instructor has, as is his normal operational procedure, taken extra time with us to ensure we understand the language and proper usage. He is a very fine instructor.  The documentaries we have watched from the library are very good and informative in their own respect. But students who come here in future classes must understand that some of the issues portrayed in these films are blamed on the US and NATO. These documentaries are also very much based on Women’s Rights and how the women of Afghanistan are being mistreated and how this is the fault of the USA. It must be understood that some of the things said maybe offensive to some students and could cause serious differences between students of different genders, political persuasions, rank and religious background.”

Dark Spots: Fraud, Waste Abuse Again: Regulations and Policy Are Just Guidelines

Logistical nightmares remain the norm for HTS personnel during deployment. One source believes that the entire operational side of HTS needs to be overhauled. Transportation miscues, identification badge errors, delayed clearances, HTT arrival in-country not expected by military personnel, and billeting issues have yet to be smoothed out.

Worse, according to sources, is that some HTT personnel are inflating hours on time sheets charging the US government for activity never undertaken. Research reports have little value. “They have no product that can be given to the US Army Units of Assignment.  Army personnel have been asking for a product but have been given just enough verbal information by HTT personnel to keep them off their back.”

“This needs to be reported to someone,” said one source.

John Stanton is a Virginia based writer specializing in national security and political matters. His book, General David Petraeus’ Favorite Mushroom—Inside the US Army Human Terrain System—is available here http://www.wisemanpublishing.com/page11.php. Contact John at cioran123@yahoo.com.

Battlefield dispatch from General Whitewash and his brigade of rebel clowns:

Today at 1700 hours a highly militarised clown battalion laid siege to the BAE Systems stand at the Edinburgh University Careers Fair on Chambers Street. In a bid to disrupt the recruiting efforts of the world’s third largest arms company these brave clowns performed great feats of surrealist mayhem.

Their daring-do extended to other stalls when they were alerted to the presence of such villains as Shell, RBS and Procter & Gamble, all of which futilely attempted to conceal their misdeeds – which range from massive environmental and social degradation (here’s lookin’ at you Shell and RBS) to the routine torturing of animals for cosmetics’ testing (hello Procter & Gamble!) – behind nice and shiny PR smokescreens. Good thing these clowns come fully equipped with bullsh*t detectors!

Back at the BAE stand, company reps were definitely not overheard explaining to students how the company equips F-16 warplanes used by the Israeli army to reduce Palestinian and Lebanese villages to rubble. Like lightening clowns were despatched, heavily armed with sarcasm and fluorescent clothing, to make sure potential graduate employees were fully educated in the glorious history of BAE’s deadly dealings. 

Thus, in the same week the government’s Serious Fraud Office has decided to pursue charges against multi-billion-pound BAE Systems for multiple counts of international corruption, the company was hindered, if only temporarily, in its attempts to ensnare graduates by these excitable, conscientious and non-violent rebel clowns. 

One clown, identified as General Whitewash, commented “Clowning is the most effective way of getting our message across. It is a parallel response to the plainly ridiculous idea of giving this prodigiously unethical and possibly criminal company a platform to recruit on our campus. Honk, honk.” 

You can contact the clowns on: rca.edinburgh@googlemail.com

Links:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/02/bae-systems-global
http://www.caat.org.uk/press/recent.php?url=20091001prs- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8284073.stm- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8284549.stm

[UNITED KINGDOM] Allegations investigated in a suppressed 1992 UK National Audit Office report into a ’slush fund’ run by defence contractore BAE Systems for Saudi royals have re-surfaced. The Government’s  Serious Fraud Office has recently sought permission to prosecute BAE over bribery charges (for more: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/industrials/article6856498.ece).

Defence equipment firm BAE Systems rejected a deal to end an investigation into alleged corruption but could still restart talks on reaching a settlement, newspapers reported on Sunday.

BAE turned down an up to 300 million pound settlement offer in a Serious Fraud Office case, the Sunday Times and Sunday Telegraph said.

Quoting an unnamed senior source from the firm, the Sunday Times said the original figure was rejected by BAE because it could have left them open to lawsuits for alleged misuse of shareholder funds.

It said a figure of 20 million pounds was more like what could be paid.

A deal could be approved without a need for a trial if a suitable plea bargain was agreed without an admission of liability, the papers said.

The Serious Fraud Office announced last week it would seek prosecution of BAE Systems over alleged corruption involving contracts with European and African nations.

BAE Systems could not be immediately reached for comment on the reports.

To supplement the report by John Stanton, “US Congress Requests Assessment of Army‘s Human Terrain System: Independent Assessment Due from SECDEF by March 2010,” one should note the following background documents to which the request for the assessment refers.

The NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010 points out that,

In the committee report (H. Rept. 110-652) accompanying the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, the committee expressed support for expansion of the HTT concept, including to other combatant command areas of responsibility.

The committee is aware of anecdotal evidence indicating the benefits of the program supporting operations in the Republic of Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The committee also notes that a number of press accounts provide anecdotal evidence indicating problems with management and resourcing. The committee finds it difficult to evaluate either set of information in the absence of reliable, empirical data.

Let us turn then to the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, specifically Title XV of H. Rept. 110-652. (if you have trouble accessing the document, you can obtain it here: 9.3 Mb PDF). Quoting directly from pages 271-272 (underlining added):

Human, social, and cultural behavioral modeling advanced development

The budget request contained $9.4 million in PE 63670D8Z and $6.0 million in PE 64670D8Z for human, social, cultural, and behavior (HSCB) modeling advanced development.

The committee notes that today’s military forces are involved in a growing number of complex missions from counterinsurgency to security and stability operations. These missions are best served by a security force that understands and appreciates the individual, tribal, cultural, ethnic, religious, social, economic, and other aspects of the human terrain. The committee supports the Department’s effort to reshape their approach to research, training, and doctrine to adapt to the current irregular warfare environment. The Department’s creation and deployment of Human Terrain Teams (HTT) that employ cultural awareness and analysis practices notes one approach toward adapting to complex military operations.

In title XV of this Act, the committee notes the contributions of the prototype HTTs currently supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and believes that sound research and resulting tools are key technology enablers for success of these teams now and in the future.

The committee recommends $13.4 million, an increase of $4.0 million, in PE 63670D8Z and $8.0 million, an increase of $2.0 million, in PE 64670D8Z for the continued development, demonstration and rapid transition of key technologies supporting human terrain understanding and forecasting to include, Mapping the Human Terrain Joint Capability Technology Demonstration and the Conflict Modeling, Planning and Outcome Experimentation Program.

On page 279:

Social science research within the Department of Defense

As noted elsewhere in this title, the committee is encouraged by the effort within office of the Director for Defense Research and Engineering (DDR&E) to place an increasing focus on the human, social, and cultural behavior (HSCB) elements of research. The committee is further encouraged by a corresponding emphasis within the science and technology (S&T) programs of the respective services.

The committee has also been encouraged by the success of integrating social science expertise into Department of Defense operations via the Human Terrain Teams (HTT), which provide culturally relevant advice to military decision makers. As has been pointed out in recent testimony before the committee, these teams provide value added to traditional military operational planning and have been instrumental in saving lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The committee believes that more programs in the future should be informed by social science research.

Despite this recent emphasis on efforts such as HSCB and the deployment of HTTs, the committee is concerned about the dearth of social scientists within the Department’s S&T community and especially within program management leadership positions. The committee believes the Department should take steps to leverage social scientist expertise existing within other parts of the federal government, such as the National Science Foundation.

And on page 475:

Human Terrain Team Support

The committee supports the concept for the prototype Human Terrain Teams (HTT) currently supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. HTTs have been instrumental in saving the lives of coalition troops by reducing casualties among Afghani and Iraqi civilians. HTTs provide our warfighters with non-kinetic options in planning and carrying out their missions. The committee is aware that the first prototype HTT is credited with reducing kinetic operations by more than 60 percent during its first 6 months of deployment in Operation Enduring Freedom. HTTs are critical enablers to shaping military planning in pre-conflict environments, and are supportive of reconstruction and stabilization efforts. HTTs are currently proving their value in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the committee believes that capability would prove equally valuable in other combatant command areas of responsibility.

The committee recommends $90.6 million in Operation and Maintenance for the purpose of fielding additional HTTs to meet the current Central Command requirement of 26 teams. The committee encourages the Department to begin training, equipping, deploying, and sustaining human terrain teams with other regional combatant commands to include at least one each for Pacific Command, Southern Command, and Africa Command.

BAE Systems  refuse de  régler une amende de 328 millions d’euros pour mettre un terme à une enquête sur une affaire de corruption et préfère  examiner le dossier de  plus près. Le service de répression des fraudes britannique a déclaré qu’il était prêt à poursuivre le premier groupe de défense européen, soupçonné de corruption dans des contrats en  Tanzanie et Afrique du Sud, mais également en Roumanie et République tchèque, dont les faits remontent au début des années 1990. Affaire à suivre.