Briefings : Brimstone, French defence cuts, Military blogging (updated)

• A new version of the Brimstone guided missile is to be tested on RAF Tornado GR4s. The tests will be carried out in 2011 to clear the missile ahead of it entering service with the RAF at a later date. The new version of Brimstone is intended for a "low-collateral, precision-attack capability deployable against manoeuvring and fixed targets in short- to medium-range close air support or counter-insurgency operations". So it should enter service just in time for our pull out from Afghanistan.
  
• France is to cut it's defence spending by 3.5 billion euros as part of it's efforts to cut it's deficit. That amounts to less than 4% of the defence budget and may be off-set by some asset sales. Current procurement programmes will not be affected it is claimed.
• The Dutch may pull out of the JSF's initial operational test and evaluation phase. Spain is reducing it's P-3 upgrade programme to just 4 aircraft.
• In comparion to recent moves by the Chinese military to ban it's personnel from blogging the British forces in Afghanistan have launched a mass blogging initiative by personnel writing regular posts from the front line. Posts have been written by personnel from the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.
• The 1940 sinking of the British troopship Lancastria saw the loss of up to 6000 lives and is Britain's worst naval disaster yet news of the loss was suppressed at the time to not give the Germans a propaganda coup. Survivors and supporters are now trying to get the ship's resting place recognised as a war grave. 
• The first Type 45 destroyer HMS Daring is linked to the city of Birmingham (my home) apparently. City dignitaries including the Lord Mayor were given a tour of the new ship.
• Freeze the wages of public sector workers, hooray! Wait that includes 140,000 service personnel, boooo!

RAF unveils Brimstone precision strike missile hit

The RAF have released a video of the first combat firing of the Brimstone precision strike missile. In the video an insurgent hiding in a wall was successfully hit by the missile which demolished part of the wall, the Guardian reports, though left the rest standing. The attack took place last year, the missile being fired by a Harrier.

Paveway IV bomb could enter service next year

Paveway IV could enter service with the RAF later this year following the successful passing of tests. The test in the UK consisted of 14 bomb releases by an RAF Harrier GR9. The bomb will equip the Harriers, Tornado GR4 and Typhoon. The GPS and laser guided weapon completed impact, air burst and delayed detonation tests and was highly accurate. Its a good comeback for the Raytheon bomb after it failed an initial evaluation last year because of problems with it's fuse and explosives. The bomb will become operation on the Harrier next year and other types later on.