Lockheed Martin Corp., Eagan, Minn., is being awarded a $43,988,555 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-06-D-0012) for the upgrade of seven P-3C aircraft for the government of Pakistan under the Foreign Military Sales program.

This modification in support of the Pakistan Navy P-3C upgrade program will replace the obsolete and unsustainable avionics systems currently installed with modern equipment that provides increased capabilities, reliability and will be sustainable for future operations.

Work will be performed in Eagan, Minn. (70 percent), and Greenville, S.C. (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The Naval Air Warfare Center, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity.

Space shuttle Atlantis‘ astronauts will spend Thanksgiving checking their ship for the ride home.

The shuttle and its crew of seven are aiming for a Friday morning landing at NASA’s Florida spaceport. Good weather is forecast.

The astronauts will test Atlantis‘ flight systems Thursday morning, take questions from TV reporters and then settle down to a holiday meal.

Commander Charles Hobaugh didn’t want anything special, so the crew is making do with what’s left in the pantry. Thursday’s menu includes barbecue beef brisket for some, chicken fajitas for others, and even sweet and sour pork.

Atlantis left the International Space Station on Wednesday. The shuttle dropped off tons of big spare parts.

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The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Nov. 18 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Italy of two unarmed MQ-9 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), one Mobile Ground Control Station and associated parts, equipment and logistical support worth approximately $63 million.

The Government of Italy has requested a possible sale of two unarmed MQ-9 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), one Mobile Ground Control Station, maintenance support, engineering support, test equipment, ground support, operational flight test support, communications equipment, technical assistance, personnel training/equipment, spare and repair parts, and other related elements of logistics support.

The estimated cost is $63 million.

Italy is a major political and economic power in NATO and a key democratic partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability around the world.

Italy requests these capabilities to provide for the defense of deployed troops, regional security, and interoperability with the United States. This program will increase Italy’s ability to contribute to future NATO, coalition, and anti-terrorism operations that the U.S. may undertake. By acquiring this capability,Italy will be able to provide greater protection for its forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. Italy will have no difficulty absorbing these additional aircraft into its armed forces.

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One person is dead and a second is injured after a small plane crashed in upstate New York.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Jim Peters says the Piper Cherokee was found at around 1:30 p.m. Sunday in a wooded area four miles southwest of Dutchess County Airport.

Peters says the pilot was trying to land after reporting an oil pressure problem.

The survivor of the crash was airlifted to a hospital. The names of the victims were not immediately released.

The plane took off from Orange County Airport and was headed to Danbury, Conn. But Peters says the pilot was trying to make an emergency landing in Dutchess County when the plane crashed.

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