Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 11, 2011

Air Force Capt. Nicholas "Hammer" Helms gets down from a T-38 trainer jet after a flight at Edwards Air Force Base. He is training to be the nation's first drone test pilot. His job will be to give feedback to drone builders and develop the protocols for flying them. (Al Seib, Los Angeles Times / February 9, 2011)

Nation's First Drone Test Pilot Trainee Has The Right-Click Stuff -- L.A. Times

Unlike his brethren who risked their lives in experimental aircraft, Air Force Capt. Nicholas Helms will push the limits of what unmanned planes can do from the comfort of a computer workstation on the ground.

No place tells the story of modern aviation better than the skies over the desolate Mojave Desert surrounding Edwards Air Force Base.

This is where a 24-year-old Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier flying a fat orange jet called the Bell X-1 in 1947, and where the sleek rocket-powered North American X-15 became the first airplane to reach outer space in 1963. The space shuttle made its first landings here too.

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MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS

Former PACOM Chief: How will China use its new weapons? -- Defense Tech

Germany Will 'Contribute to an Arms Race,' Charges Opposition -- Spiegel Online

Russia to boost Kuril defense to ward off war -- RIA Novosti

Russian Air Force gets Alligator choppers -- RT

MKs request placing first defense system batteries in south -- Jerusalem Post

Probe into alleged corruption in Philippine military -- Channel News Asia

Brazil seeks better terms in Boeing jet bid-source -- Reuters

AIRSHOW-Eurofighter sees strong demand for fighter jet market -- Reuters

Chad military still using child soldiers: Amnesty -- AFP

Urban Ops Training – Iraqi Army -- Bring the heat, bring the Stupid

Israeli Robots Roam The Earth -- Strategy Page

Anti-Piracy - The "Wow We Really Look Stupid" Edition -- Information Dissemination

P&W: Cost of F-35 Engines Drops 16% -- Defense News

Pentagon’s Prediction Software Didn’t Spot Egypt Unrest -- The Danger Room

Butler: U.S. budget cuts aplenty in military spending -- Mercury News

General gives stinging rebuke to contractors -- The Hill

General: JFCOM downsizing to be complete by March 2012 -- Hampton Roads

Mullen: Army Looks to War College for Leaders -- U.S. Department of Defense

Lawmakers warn against cuts in military morale programs -- Miami Herald/McClatchy News

New Program to Help Military Homeowners, Bank of America Announces -- ABC News

National Military Strategy: Meet the New Boss - Same as the Old Boss -- American Genealist (commentary)