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General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems Awarded $153 Million Navy Submarine Contract
United States of America, 30 sepotember 2009

FAIRFAX, Va. – General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a $152.8 million contract by the U.S. Navy for FY 2010 and FY 2011 production and deployed-systems support for the United States and United Kingdom SSBN fire control system (FCS) and the SSGN Attack Weapon Control System (AWCS).

The contract includes the U.S. and U.K. Sea Based Strategic Deterrent (SBSD) Strategic Weapons System (SWS) Fire Control Subsystem-related efforts necessary for the concept development, prototyping and initial design efforts for a Common Missile Compartment (CMC) for the SSBN and SSGN OHIO Class replacement.

Under this contract General Dynamics will support equipment and SSP alterations (SPALTs) necessary to sustain the fire control and attack weapon control systems, including engineering support, performance evaluation, logistics, fleet documentation, reliability maintenance, engineering services and training.

The company will also provide technical and engineering support to the Common Missile Compartment concept-development efforts for Strategic Weapon System lifecycle cost-control evaluations related to the fire-control subsystem, and verify the operational and ongoing sustainment requirements for the SSBN fire control system and SSGN attack weapon control system, including its subsequent training, support, and advanced development laboratory equipment.

“We will continue to deliver highly reliable and innovative systems to the U.S. and U.K. Navy,” said Lou Von Thaer, president of General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems. “The SSGN Attack Weapon Control System, based on an open architecture approach, provides a platform for efficient insertion of new capabilities to the fleet.”

Work will be performed in Pittsfield, Mass., and is expected to be completed by December 2012.


Source: General Dynamics
 

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Fourth Fleet Achieves Pre-Accreditation During PANAMAX 09
United States of America, 30 september 2009

MAYPORT, Fla. -- U.S. 4th Fleet achieved a major milestone during PANAMAX 09 Sept. 11-22 upon receiving their Maritime Operations Center (MOC) pre-accreditation at the end of the exercise.

During the annual PANAMAX exercise, U.S. 4th Fleet used its role as Coalition Forces Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC) to test their MOC procedures, bringing them to an equal playing field with other MOCs in the Navy.

MOCs are an operational construct designed to provide fleets with the flexibility and control needed to execute missions at the operational level of war, from personnel, to intelligence, to logistics and communication.

During several exercise scenarios, including riverine operations, use of Unmanned Aerial Systems, and a hijacking/piracy event, during PANAMAX 09, 4th Fleet put their MOC to the test. A team of observers from U.S. Fleet Forces Command and the Naval War College followed the staff's activities during the exercise, viewing the various departments' roles in working groups, cells, and boards, and during battle rhythm briefings. Fourth Fleet was able to test interoperability, integrating many foreign military partner nation representatives, as well as U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps servicemembers and a strong reserve augmentation.

Rear Adm. David Anderson, Vice Commander U.S. Fleet Forces, commended Rear Adm. Victor Guillory, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet on his staff's performance during the exercise and pre-accredited 4th Fleet's MOC.

"It was apparent you took (pre-accreditation) very seriously and seeing how the staff cooperated, it was obviously a priority to you and your team," said Anderson.

The ability to work effectively within the joint environment is a necessity within the fleet today. The MOC construct enables increased maritime capabilities in the joint arena.

"Moving our MOC to the next level continues to be my top priority," said Guillory. "I want to mature 4th fleet staff activities, behavior, and products. For other MOCs and higher headquarters, we are ready for additional responsibilities that come with being a numbered fleet staff."

Fourth Fleet is the numbered fleet assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO), exercising operational control of assigned forces. Fourth Fleet conducts the full spectrum of maritime security operations (MSO) in support of U.S. objectives and security cooperation activities that promote coalition building and deter aggression.

As the Navy component command of U.S. Southern Command, NAVSO's mission is to direct U.S. Naval forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with partner nation navies within the maritime environment. Operations include counter-illicit trafficking, theater security cooperation, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.


PHOTO: CARIBBEAN SEA (Sept. 14, 2009) A multi-national naval force, including the San Antonio class-amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), USS Doyle (FFG 39), USCGC Mohawk (WMEC 913), the Colombian navy frigate ARC Independiente, the Dutch navy auxiliary ship HMNLS Amsterdam, and the Uruguayan navy frigate General Artigas, underway in formation as part of Fuerzas Aliadas PANAMAX 2009. FA PANAMAX is an annual multi-national training exercise tailored to the defense of the Panama Canal.
 

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East Timor to hold first joint military exercise with US
1 October 2009

Dili, Oct 1 (DPA) East Timor is scheduled to conduct its first joint exercise with the US military this month to bolster the skills of the country’s armed forces, US officials said Thursday.

Members of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the US Navy are due to be in East Timor from Oct 13 to 23 to hold joint military exercises with the Falintil-FDTL (Force de Defesa de Timor Leste), said Hans Klem, the US ambassador to East Timor.

‘The primary focus is to work with FDTL to learn from them in their skills and to share our skills,’ Klem said.

The exercises will include humanitarian assistance activities and field exercises to enhance cooperation and partnerships between the US and Australia, whose troops will also participate.

There will be jungle, urban and infantry training, beach landings and engineering and medical projects, US military captain Brannan Simi said at the US embassy in Dili Thursday.

‘In partnership with the East Timor force and the international stabilization force, the US Marines and sailors will also be conducting limited training ashore,’ said Simi.

East Timor, one of the world’s newest countries, has a small force of 1,300 personnel that the government hopes to boost to 2,000 by 2012.

Illegal fishing is currently the country’s main external security issue.
 

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Orbit International Receives Contracts for U.S. Navy MK 119 Gun Computer System Cabinets and MK 437 Gun Mount Control Panels Valued in Excess of $4,447,000
United States of America, 1 October 2009

Hauppauge, New York, October 1, 2009 -- Orbit International Corp. (NASDAQ:ORBT), an electronics manufacturer and software solution provider, today announced that its Electronics Group has received several awards released against multi-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (“IDIQ”) agreements from a U.S. Navy Procurement Agency valued in excess of $4,447,000 for its MK 119 Gun Computer System Cabinet (GCSC) and MK 437 Gun Mount Control Panels (GMCP). These most recent awards were received by the Company’s Integrated Combat Systems, Inc. (“ICS”) subsidiary located in Louisville, Kentucky. Total system deliveries under these contract awards are expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2009 and continue through the second quarter of 2010.

The MK 119 GCSC is an unmanned, environmentally-isolated shipboard enclosure that houses a standard 19 inch electronics rack containing processors, electronic devices, cooling and power conditioning equipment that performs processing, interfacing and data extraction functions designed to meet the most stringent U.S. Navy operational systems requirements.

The MK 437 GMCP is a significant sub-system component that supports the Naval MK 160 Gun Computer System (GCS). The MK 437 GMCP includes custom fabricated enclosures; Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and Non-Developmental Items (NDI) components, which also are designed to meet the most stringent U.S. Navy operational systems requirements.

Both the MK 119 GCSC and the MK 437 GMCP control panels are used on all AEGIS Cruisers and Destroyers, and are operationally integrated with the 5”/54 MK-45 Gun Mount (GM) systems.

Ken Ice, President and Chief Operating Officer of ICS commented, “We are delighted to announce these latest orders placed against the multi-year IDIQ agreements in place for the MK 119 GCSC and MK 437 GMCP requirements. I believe the ICS business model for continued growth of custom systems integration and logistics support complements the Orbit International Corp. business model for expanded business opportunities in the marketplace.”

Dennis Sunshine, Orbit’s President and Chief Executive Officer commented, “These contract awards for the MK 119 and MK 437 were received by ICS significantly later than initially expected. However, as previously announced, ICS commenced the procurement process as well as the labor effort for the MK 119 in the second quarter of 2009. As a result, these cabinets are well into the work in process (“WIP”) cycle and the Company is working diligently to meet projected delivery dates on eight of the cabinets by year-end. These latest releases against the MK 119 and MK 437 multi-year IDIQ contracts validate our expectation of significantly improved operating performance for the third and fourth quarters of 2009, when compared to the first two quarters of the year.”

Sunshine concluded, “These critical multi-year U.S. Navy programs are designated and funded to upgrade and modernize the current U.S. Navy fleet. ICS continues to provide an integral part of this modernization program. The ICS capabilities will provide hardware and software solutions that will enhance the U.S. Navy fleet’s current relevance in the areas of air dominance, land attack and anti-submarine warfare, and will provide force protection in the littoral warfare mission.”


Source: Orbit International Corp.
 

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Lockheed Martin Test Pilot Receives Flight Test Safety Award
United States of America, 2 October 2009

OWEGO, NY, October 2nd, 2009 -- A Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] helicopter test pilot has received a major flight test safety award from the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP).

Jerry “Mac” McCawley, 46, a flight safety engineer and test pilot at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego, NY, received the Tony LeVier Flight Test Safety Award during the SETP’s annual banquet, September 26, in Anaheim, CA.

The Tony LeVier award formally recognizes an individual who has made a significant flight test safety contribution to a specific program, organization or the flight test profession. The award is named for the late Lockheed test pilot who was instrumental in proving the P-38 Lightning design and who flew the first flights of the P-80 Shooting Star, the XF-104 Starfighter, and the U-2.

“During nearly five years at our Owego facility, Mac has been instrumental in flight testing mission systems developed and integrated aboard U.S. military helicopters,” said Jeff Bantle, vice president of Rotary Wing Programs at the Systems Integration – Owego facility. “Mac’s leadership style has proven to be highly effective in promoting a safe working environment in a rigorous flight test environment. We have benefitted enormously from his sound judgment and the practices he has instilled across our flight test operations.”

McCawley routinely flies with U.S. Navy aircrew based at the Owego facility when testing the sophisticated avionics and mission systems aboard new Sikorsky-built MH-60R and MH-60S multimission helicopters. Integration of on-board systems enables the helicopters to efficiently protect the U.S. Navy fleet from submarine and surface threats.

As the chief test pilot for the Unmanned K-MAX cargo lift helicopter, McCawley tests new subsystems that will enable the aircraft to fly without a pilot. Lockheed Martin is working with K-MAX® helicopter manufacturer Kaman Aerospace to transform the manned aircraft — used extensively by the logging industry — into an Unmanned Aerial System that can carry supplies to troops on the battlefield. Lockheed Martin and Kaman will demonstrate the Unmanned K-MAX to the U.S. Marine Corps later this year.

McCawley also flies test missions aboard Lockheed Martin’s UH-1H helicopter. The flight test helicopter is used extensively to put systems through their paces in an airborne environment when they emerge from the development laboratory.

Besides his flight achievements, the SETP also cited McCawley’s safety achievements with ground operations. He led the expanded use of safety gear, such as fall protection devices, used by the maintainers and test teams in the helicopter integration facility. These new procedures have enabled Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego to meet all OSHA and site safety requirements without hindering workload performance.

McCawley graduated U.S. Army flight school in 1983, and for the next seven years flew the AH-64 Apache and AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter as well as the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior scout helicopter. In 1989, he graduated from the U.S. Air Force flight school, and later qualified as an accident investigator and flight safety officer. During the next 15 years, he was a mission commander, standardization and evaluation pilot, instructor pilot, flight lead, as well as the F-15E Strike Eagle flight demonstration pilot.

In the Air Force, he flew more than 200 combat missions in Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom in the F-15C and F-15E fighter aircraft. He saw additional combat while attached to the 10th Mountain Division as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) in Somalia and Haiti.

Born and raised in Scranton, PA, McCawley lives in Clifford, PA with his wife Cyndi. They have two daughters, Lauren and Jaclyn. He is a member of the Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE), and an associate member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP).

“I’m very honored to receive the Tony LeVier award,” said McCawley. “The recognition reflects the achievements of the entire team I work with here at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego.”

Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego is the rotary wing center of excellence for Lockheed Martin Corporation. The company has more than 35 years of experience as a leading mission systems integrator of maritime helicopters, including the British Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk 1 helicopter fleet, and two generations of U.S. Navy helicopters, the SH-60B and the MH-60R.


Source: Lockheed Martin
 

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Sustainable Oils to Supply 100,000 Gallons of Camelina-Based Renewable Jet Fuel to U.S. Air Force
United States of America, 1 October 2009

Sustainable Oils, a producer of renewable, low-carbon and domestically produced camelina-based fuels, announced today it has been awarded a contract by the Defense Energy Support Center (DESC) to supply camelina-based jet fuel for the Air Force. The contract is for 100,000 gallons of HRJ-8 beginning 2009 through 2010, and includes an option to purchase an additional 100,000 gallons between June 2010 and December 2012.

“Once again, camelina is the choice for high-performance, domestically produced renewable jet fuel,” said Scott Johnson, president of Sustainable Oils as well as president of the North American Camelina Trade Association. “This contract sends a strong signal to growers around the state and across the country that there is a market for camelina. We’re expecting to see an increase in acreage as a result of this great opportunity.”

Last month, the DESC awarded a similar contract to Sustainable Oils for a minimum of 40,000 gallons of camelina-based jet fuel with an option to supply up to an additional 150,000 gallons. Combined, Sustainable Oils will deliver a minimum of 140,000 gallons -- and up to 390,000 gallons -- of camelina jet fuel to the U.S. military, dramatically increasing the need for acreage dedicated to camelina next year.

“This is a great opportunity for Montana farmers to not only drive additional revenue, but also participate directly in decreasing our country’s reliance on foreign oil,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “I know our agricultural community is up to the challenge to supply our armed forces with camelina-based fuels.”

Camelina was selected because it does not compete with food crops, has been proven to reduce carbon emissions by more than 80 percent, and has already been successfully tested in a commercial airline test flight. In addition, camelina has a naturally high oil content, is drought tolerant and requires less fertilizer and herbicides. It is an excellent rotation crop with wheat, and it can also grow on marginal land.

Camelina is the most readily available renewable fuel feedstock that meets the Air Force’s criteria, with the ability to scale up acreage to meet demand. The camelina for the contract was primarily grown in 2009 and harvested recently by farmers in Montana. The company also has several field trials in Washington State.

Sustainable Oils has the largest camelina research program in the nation. The company’s camelina breeding program began in 2005 and has steadily expanded to include more than 140 trials across North America from 2005-2009. The company is also evaluating more than 90 breeding populations of camelina to analyze agronomic and oil qualities and to develop new high-yielding varieties. Sustainable Oils leverages biotechnology resources from its Seattle-based agricultural biotech parent company Targeted Growth.

Camelina has also been proven to significantly reduce carbon emissions in aviation fuel. A life cycle analysis (LCA) of jet fuel created from camelina conducted at Michigan Tech University in conjunction with UOP LLC, a Honeywell Company, and Sustainable Oils found that the renewable fuel reduces carbon emissions by 80 percent compared to petroleum jet fuel.

In January, Sustainable Oils sourced the camelina for Japan Airlines’ historic biojet demonstration flight, whose biofuel blend was comprised primarily of camelina. In August, camelina again performed under high-performance conditions in a 100 percent blend of fuel powering the Boeing U-787 hydroplane in a series of demonstration laps at the Seafair Cup in Seattle.


Source: Sustainable Oils, LLC
 

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Northrop Grumman Announces Successful G/ATOR AESA System Tests
United States of America, 5 October 2009

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) today announced a prototype partial array antenna representative of the U.S. Marine Corps Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) active electronic scanned array (AESA) has completed successful testing at a company antenna test range in Norwalk, Conn., where all planned test objectives were met. This provides a high degree of confidence that the first EDM fully populated array (currently under integration/test) will likewise be a success.

The antenna tests successfully demonstrated key radar building blocks for the G/ATOR system including transmit and receive functionality, hardware and software communications, array tuning and calibration techniques. The partial array is now being integrated with additional radar subsystems for follow-on testing at Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector headquarters in Baltimore. Meanwhile, a second G/ATOR AESA is scheduled for testing at the Norwalk test facility later this year.

"G/ATOR's true multi-mission capabilities will change the way the Marines fight and win," said Pat Newby, vice president of Weapons and Sensors for Northrop Grumman's Land Forces Division. "The successful results from the radar array tests provide a high degree of confidence that the array design will meet or exceed all system performance requirements."

G/ATOR is a highly mobile multi-mission radar that will replace and enhance the functionalities of five of the six current U.S. Marine Corps ground-based radars, providing significant increases in operational capabilities as well as large reductions in operations and maintenance costs. G/ATOR is the first ground based multi-mission radar to be developed by the U.S. Department of Defense.

The heart of the G/ATOR system, the AESA, is comprised of an integrated network of mini-radars in the form of transmit/receive modules that enables G/ATOR to successfully detect, track and engage numerous different target types, at multiple positions and in varying paths and trajectories. The flexibility of G/ATOR's AESA architecture also enables growth to address additional missions.


Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation
 

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Wasp Begins Southern Partnership Station Deployment
United States of America, 5 October 2009

USS WASP, At Sea -- Multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) departed Naval Station Norfolk Oct. 4 for a three month deployment in support of Southern Partnership Station (SPS).

Wasp's crew of approximately 1,100 Sailors and 365 embarked Marines will work alongside Mayport-based Destroyer Squadron 40 to build and instill interoperability and cooperation between U.S. and partner nation naval forces through a variety of exercises, theater security cooperations (TSC), military-to-military engagements and other positive engagement opportunities.

"Having this opportunity to show what Wasp is all about is important on a number of levels," said Wasp Commanding Officer Capt. Lowell D. Crow. "We've trained hard, we've worked hard in preparing and now it's time to let it show. I'm proud of the work that we've accomplished in such a short period of time, and I'm excited at the prospects we have ahead of us with this deployment."

Wasp's SPS mission is to continue to strengthen the United States' and 4th Fleet's commitment to the region by fostering partnerships, building relationships and improving partner nation capabilities.

"I have no doubt in my mind that it will be a success, and that once again we're going to exceed the expectations that have been set," said Crow. "The sense of pride and accomplishment is apparent throughout the ranks of the crew and mixing that with anticipation for a successful deployment makes for a positive environment."


File Photo: USS Wasp (LHD 1), Length: 257 m. The Wasp-class amphibious assault ships of the United States Navy are designed to land forces on hostile shores, and they are the largest vessels of this type in service anywhere in the world.
 

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ATK Receives Contract Option to Produce LW30mm M789 HEDP for Apache Helicopter
United States of America, 5 October 2009

LW30mm Provides Firepower for Apache Helicopters

Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has been awarded a $25 million contract option to provide lightweight (LW) 30mm M789 High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP) tactical ammunition for the AH-64D Apache attack helicopter. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island, Ill., awarded the contract. This option is in addition to an $86 million base award that ATK announced in July. Production on this contract option will begin in March 2011 at the company's facilities in Radford, Va. and Rocket Center, W.Va.

ATK produces more than eight million rounds of medium-caliber ammunition per year, including the revolutionary air-bursting rounds it developed for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, and a complete suite of ammunition for ATK's new LW 25mm chain gun. The company is a leading supplier of integrated medium-caliber systems that include medium-caliber cannons, ammunition, and electronics and fire control, delivering affordable and innovative technology to provide enhanced solutions and capabilities to customers worldwide.


Source: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
 

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Second Northrop Grumman-Built National Security Cutter, Waesche, Completes Successful U.S. Coast Guard Acceptance Trials
United States of America, 2 October 2009

The Northrop Grumman Corporation-built (NYSE:NOC) National Security Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) completed a successful acceptance trial Thursday after undergoing meticulous testing in the Gulf of Mexico. The ship's return to Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding's Gulf Coast facility following trials marks the final test of Waesche before her delivery in early November.

During the acceptance trial, Waesche performed all required sea trial evolutions for the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), working together with the U.S. Coast Guard. The team conducted extensive testing of propulsion, electrical, damage control and combat systems.

"This ship is a quantum leap over the class of ship that it replaces," said U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Lance Bardo, prospective commanding officer, Waesche. "The handling characteristics and the performance are light years ahead. Over the last six weeks, the amount of work that Northrop Grumman has done to bring this ship to delivery-ready status is phenomenal. It exceeds my expectations."

Waesche is the second ship in the new class of highly capable, technologically advanced multi-mission cutters. The NSC was built under contract from Integrated Coast Guard Systems, a joint venture of Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin.

"Congratulations to the shipbuilders, the Coast Guard and the industry team on a very successful acceptance trial," said Mike Duthu, Coast Guard program manager for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - Gulf Coast. "Over the course of the last two days, we demonstrated the operational characteristics of the systems aboard Waesche to the INSURV board and everything went very well. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of the shipbuilders to get us to this point. We could not have done it without them."

Waesche's keel was laid Sept. 11, 2006, marking the fifth anniversary of the vicious attack that launched the United States into the global war on terror, renewing interest in updated homeland defense. First-in-class Bertholf's keel was laid one year earlier in 2005. Waesche was christened July 26, 2008.

"We could only have achieved this success through the hard work and dedication of the craftspeople here at Northrop Grumman," said Richard Schenk, vice president of test and trials, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - Gulf Coast. "Their long hours, hard work and with a lot of sweat they got this ship ready in a time period that nobody believed was possible. As a result, we were able to get to sea on our scheduled date and perform the demonstrations that our customer asked of us. We are now sure that the Coast Guard is going to receive a quality product and when it sails away, we can all be proud of the ship the Coast Guard has accepted."

The NSC is a 418-foot vessel with a 4,480 ton displacement at full load. Her twin screws combined with dual diesel and gas turbine engines give the ship the thrust she needs for a quick 28-knot intercept speed, but also allow for her to exhibit a 60-day endurance with a range of 12,000 nautical miles.

The cutter includes an aft launch and recovery area for two rigid hull inflatable boats, an expansive flight deck able to accommodate a range of rotary wing aircraft and modern command and control systems. In addition, the cutter features improved habitability and a sailor-centric design to facilitate optimized crewing and, enhance onboard quality of life for a mixed gender crew.




Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation
 

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Raytheon 3rd-Generation EO/IR Mast-Mounted System Debuts at AUSA
United States of America, 5 October 2009

Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) debuted a 3rd-generation electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) Mast-Mounted System (MMS) to equip combat vehicles with greater standoff, strategic surveillance and targeting capabilities.

At the 2009 Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition, Raytheon, in coordination with Lockheed Martin, featured an MMS on a new General Dynamics Land Systems wheeled combat vehicle demonstrator. The capability debut included an optimized work station inside the vehicle for improved situational awareness and joint, multimission support.

"Raytheon's Mast-Mounted System leverages investments and lessons learned from past Army modernization efforts to provide safe and responsive under-armor [operated from inside the vehicle], on-the-move reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition capability," said Glynn Raymer, vice president, Raytheon Network Centric Systems Combat Systems. "We've also incorporated networking capability and architecture, and a common display to support incremental modernization across a number of platforms.

"In addition, our capability leverages the Army's latest 3rd-generation EO/IR technology to provide greater resolution and performance at extended ranges, day or night, in all types of weather and in harsh battlefield conditions," added Raymer.

Mounted on a five-meter (about 16 feet) telescopic mast, the MMS meets operational requirements for both Stryker reconnaissance and fire support mission role variants. The capability can be adapted for other ground combat vehicles requiring the next generation of surveillance and fire control to include the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP), MRAP-All Terrain Vehicle, Abrams, Bradley, and the emerging Ground Combat Vehicle and Joint Lightweight Tactical Vehicle.

An industry team is planning a wheeled combat vehicle demonstration to include MMS at the RECON Summit, Fort Knox, Ky., November 2009, and during the Army's Advanced Expeditionary Warfighting Experiment, Fort Benning, Ga., January 2010.


Source: Raytheon Company
 

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Sailors, Marines Arrive in Manila to Participate in Relief Efforts
United States of America, 5 October 2009

MANILA, Philippines -- The USS Denver (LPD 9) Amphibious Task Group (ATG), along with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), arrived in Manila Oct. 4 to assist the government of the Philippines in their relief efforts in the wake of Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma.

Approximately 2,900 Sailors and Marines, along with trucks, helicopters and landing craft arrived on the dock-landing ships USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and USS Tortuga (LSD 46).

The amphibious transport dock Denver offloaded Marines from the 31st MEU and their equipment Oct. 2 and continued on to Indonesia to participate in Indonesia's relief efforts, following a recent series of powerful earthquakes in the country.

"Amphibious Task Groups are designed to be flexible," said Capt. Donald A. Schmieley, commander of Amphibious Squadron 11. "The combination of technology, personnel and experience that the ATG/MEU team brings with it is well-suited for missions like this."

Denver ATG was previously scheduled to visit the Philippines for PHIBLEX, an amphibious landing exercise conducted with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Denver ATG is forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan. The group reports to Commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, Rear Adm. Richard Landolt, who is headquartered in Okinawa, Japan.
 

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U.S. Air Force Selects Northrop Grumman to Provide Contractor Logistics Support for the KC-10 Extender
United States of America, 2 October 2009

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a nine-year contract to provide Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) for its fleet of KC-10 Extender refueling tanker aircraft. The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract has a total ceiling value of $3.8 billion.

"We are excited to partner with the Air Force on the KC-10 CLS program and are committed to working with the Air Force to ensure the KC-10 is ready to support air mobility requirements anywhere, anytime," said Ronald D. Sugar, Northrop Grumman chairman and chief executive officer. "This award further demonstrates Northrop Grumman's important role as a premier provider of air mobility solutions."

Under the terms of the contract, Northrop Grumman will provide supply chain management, depot-level logistics integration and support, engine maintenance, aircraft maintenance and modifications for the KC-10 refueling tanker. The tanker/cargo aircraft is part of the Air Force's Air Mobility Command arsenal and has supported anti-terrorist and humanitarian operations around the globe. The team will perform the work at depots located at Northrop Grumman's Lake Charles Maintenance and Modification Center, Lake Charles, La., and at teammate TIMCO Aviation Services' facility in Greensboro, N.C.

Northrop Grumman's other partners include AAR CORP, Wood Dale, Ill.; Chromalloy Gas Turbine LLC, San Antonio; and MTU Maintenance, Richmond, British Colombia.

"The KC-10 Extender is the U.S. Air Force's strategic air mobility asset today, and the Northrop Grumman team is committed to ensure its operational readiness to meet all mission requirements through world-class program management, innovation and commitment to excellence," said James Cameron, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman's Technical Services sector. "Our clear focus now is to conduct a flawless phase-in that will facilitate the superior program performance that both the U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman demand, which is also what is required to support the great men and women of our armed services serving this country proudly across the globe protecting freedom's frontier."

The contract also includes aerial refueling system support for two Netherlands KDC-10 aircraft.

Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation


File Photo: U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender refueling tanker aircraft
 

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Raytheon Awarded $73 Million U.S. Army Contract for Excalibur Ia-2 Rounds
United States of America, 5 October 2009

Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) received a $73.3 million U.S. Army contract for the production of Excalibur Ia-2 155 mm precision-guided projectile rounds.

Excalibur Ia-2 is the next generation of precision-guided projectiles for U.S. Army and Marine Corps artillery. Using GPS precision guidance technology, Excalibur rounds provide warfighters with an accurate first-round, fire-for-effect capability in urban settings.

"Instead of focusing on CEP (circular error probable) that allows for target misses up to 60 meters (196 feet), we're redefining what precision means to the warfighter today," said Steve Bennett, Raytheon's Excalibur program director. "Precision means consistently impacting the target within 10 meters (32 feet). Excalibur provides the warfighter with precision that is essential to the protection of civilians and combat forces."

Raytheon recently demonstrated the success of the Excalibur Ia-1's new inertial measurement unit by firing nine shots with a 100 percent success rate. Recent Excalibur Ia-2 testing demonstrated precision well within 10 meters (32 feet) of the target.

"Excalibur rounds are important to the success of our warfighters in Afghanistan," said Lt. Col. Mike Milner, U.S. Army Excalibur product manager. "They deserve the kind of precision capability Excalibur can deliver."

Source: Raytheon Company


 

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Integral Systems Announces Continued Partnership With the US Air Force on RAIDRS Block 10
United States of America, 2 October 2009

Integral Systems, Inc., (Nasdaq: ISYS) today announced its continued partnership with the US Air Force on the Rapid Attack, Identification, Detection and Reporting System Block-10 (RAIDRS RB-10) program. On September 25, the US Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center obligated $27,740,754 to implement the restructure of the program from a 6 fixed and 3deployable site configuration, to a 5 transportable system construct. The Air Force has approved the system restructure under a contract modification with a ceiling of $77,662,446.

RB-10, managed by the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) through its Space Superiority Systems Wing, detects, identifies, locates, classifies, and reports interference events against our military space assets. It includes automated detection sensors, information processors, and a reporting architecture.

"Integral Systems is proud to continue our partnership with the Air Force to provide the Warfighter with this important and highly anticipated capability," said Jeff Benesh, Vice President of Air Force Programs, Integral Systems.


Source: Integral Systems, Inc.
 

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First Cruiser Sails with New Fuel-Saving Hull Coating
United States of America, 3 October 2009

WASHINGTON -- Navy engineers announced Oct. 1 that a new underwater hull coating applied to USS Port Royal (CG 73) is being tested to validate the projected saving of more than $180,000 in fuel costs per year. Testing will assess fuel cost savings for the ship while underway.

The special coating is part of Naval Sea Systems Command's (NAVSEA) Fleet Readiness Research & Development Program (FRR&DP) Underwater Hull Coatings initiative to apply new anti-fouling hull coatings on Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. Marine fouling causes hydrodynamic drag, significantly impairing fuel efficiency, and coatings to prevent or inhibit this growth are constantly evolving.

"Marine fouling is a chronic and costly problem for Navy ships," said Petter Kristiansen, FRR&DP program manager. "In addition to the increased fuel consumption, cleaning and recoating ship hulls is expensive and time-consuming, and recoating can only be done while a ship is in dry dock. The hull coatings will help reduce marine bio-fouling, build-ups of tubeworms, mussels, barnacles and other shell organisms on the ship's hull."

Port Royal is the U.S. Navy's first guided-missile cruiser, and second ship overall, to receive the new hull coatings, that was applied during a maintenance availability period at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in September. USS Cole (DDG 67) was the first ship to receive.

"The new process uses a fouling-release coating system. It is a silicone-based, non-toxic technology that provides a very smooth, slick, low friction surface," Kristiansen explained. "Settling marine organisms like barnacles, tunicates and algae can't attach themselves firmly to the slick surface. Those that do attach, do so weakly and are usually washed away when ships are underway, or are removed during regularly scheduled pierside hull inspections and cleanings."

Once fully implemented on the 70-plus active ships across the two classes, the program could potentially deliver fuel consumption cost avoidances of more than $12.6 million per year, based on fuel oil prices of $100 per barrel.

The Port Royal left dry dock Sept. 24 and is scheduled to rejoin the fleet later this year. Kristiansen said FRR&DP will closely monitor the coating's performance over the next 12 to 18 months.

NAVSEA is committed to fiscal responsibility and streamlining our maintenance and modernization processes to maintain current readiness at a lower cost.

 

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Kilgore Flares Awarded Multi-Year Flare Contract
United States of America, 5 October 2009

Chemring Group PLC ("Chemring") is pleased to announce that its US subsidiary, Kilgore Flares Company LLC ("Kilgore"), based in Toone, Tennessee, has been awarded an IDIQ (indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity) contract for the supply of M206, MJU-7A/B, and MJU-10/B infra-red (IR) decoy flares to the US Department of Defense. The flares are used by the US Army and US Air Force to protect both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft from the threat of IR guided missiles. The contract extends over a five year period, and has a maximum potential value of $804 million. A first delivery order at a value of $42 million, for delivery in 2010 and the first quarter of 2011, has already been placed on Kilgore.

Dr David Price, Chief Executive of Chemring, commented "This contract is the largest ever IDIQ award received by Chemring from the US Department of Defense and underpins our countermeasures business at Kilgore over the next five years."

Chemring is an international leader in defensive countermeasures and energetic materials. The countermeasures division comprises Alloy Surfaces Company, Inc. and Kilgore Flares Company LLC in the US, and Chemring Countermeasures Limited in the UK.


Source: Chemring Group PLC
 

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BAE Systems Receives $63.9 Million U.S. Army Contract for Prototype Paladin Integrated Management Vehicles
United States of America, 5 October 2009

BAE Systems has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Army Tank Automotive & Armaments Command for the procurement and fabrication of five prototype M109A6 Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) self-propelled howitzer vehicles and two prototype M992A2 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicles (FAASV). The total contract value is $63.9 million.

"The Paladin provides critical fire support for soldiers in the Heavy Brigade Combat Team," said Joe McCarthy, vice president and general manager, Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT) Systems for BAE Systems. "The PIM program will ensure that this essential fire support system remains sustainable through its projected life beyond the year 2050."

The Paladin PIM uses the existing M109A6 main armament and cab structure while replacing outmoded chassis components with up-to-date components from the Bradley Combat Systems to increase sustainability and commonality across the HBCTs. Paladin PIM incorporates a state-of-the-art “digital backbone” and robust power generation capability. PIM also integrates electric elevation and traverse drives, electric rammer and a digital fire control system. The M992A2 FAASV provides armor protected ammunition delivery for the M109A6 Paladin.

Design and engineering analysis work for the vehicle structure, automotive systems and electric and vehicle electronics will be performed at BAE Systems facilities in Pennsylvania, California, New York, Minnesota and Michigan as well as U.S government facilities at the Army Research and Development Center in Picatinny, New Jersey. The remanufacture program for the Paladin fleet will be performed in partnership with the Anniston Army Depot and at BAE Systems facilities in York, Pennsylvania and Elgin, Oklahoma.

The M109A6 PIM is supported by the Army as a vital technology enhancement program to sustain the M109 Family of Vehicles well into the future, and maintain the combat capability of the HBCT.

Source: BAE Systems

 

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L-3 Wins Special Operations Contract for Expeditionary Unmanned Systems
United States of America, 5 October 2009

NEW YORK -- L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) announced today that the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has awarded its Geneva Aerospace division a contract for expeditionary unmanned systems. This contract has a potential value of $250 million over five years.

L-3 will provide its Viking 400 Unmanned Aircraft System, along with training and sustaining engineering for SOCOM’s Expeditionary Unmanned Aircraft System (EUAS) program.

“We are very pleased to be working with SOCOM on this important program,” said Todd Gautier, vice president of Business Development. “The Viking 400 is an excellent, proven system providing expanded payload, endurance and operational performance to meet the challenges of expeditionary operations."

The company offers a full range of Unmanned Systems products and services ranging from individual components through fully integrated systems. These include remote video terminals, video management systems, communications & datalinks, Electro Optic Infrared (EO/IR) and Electronic Warfare (EW) sensors, training & simulation, command and control systems and operational services.

Recently, L-3 introduced its family of Unmanned Air Systems from the tube-launched expendable Cutlass Small UAS to the Tactical Viking UAS Family and the medium altitude long endurance (MALE) Mobius Optionally Piloted Aircraft (OPA).


Source: L-3 Communications
 

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EMALS completes Highly Accelerated Life Testing, begins System Functional Demonstration launch motor commissioning
United States of America, 28 september 2009

NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, MD -- The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) is one step closer to launch with the completion of the first phase of Highly Accelerated Life Testing and the second phase of System Functional Demonstration (SFD) commissioning.

“This testing allows our engineers to gather data and prepare the Navy for the next evolution of EMALS tests” George Sulich, EMALS Integrated Program Team lead said.

“While HALT gives an indication of how the system’s launch motor will perform under at-sea conditions,” Sulich said, “SFD commissioning prepares us for upcoming test launches of dead-loads and aircraft.”

The HALT gauges the EMALS launch motor’s ability to operate in simulated at-sea environmental conditions on board the carrier. HALT also supplies the system’s engineers with the data necessary to verify EMALS’ peak performance, even in extreme conditions.

The SFD testing replicates full-scale launching capabilities of EMALS. Commissioning is performed to ensure all components of SFD are prepared for actual dead-load and aircraft launches. Dead-loads are large-wheeled, steel-framed vehicles used in lieu of aircraft to test catapults. The dead-load is weighted to simulate the launch weight of an actual aircraft for each test event.

The second phase of SFD commissioning integrated and tested all power components of the system with the launch controller. The upcoming third phase will integrate the remainder of the system, and test the ability to convert electrical power to mechanical force by static and low-speed motion of the armature, the component that interfaces with dead loads and aircraft.

The testing culminates with the launch of dead-load weights and non-operational test aircraft at Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst, N.J. Commissioning with dead loads is scheduled to begin this fall.

EMALS design provides greater flexibility in launching capabilities of both current and future generations of the carrier air-wing.

“EMALS is the launching system for a whole new generation of Sailors and air wings,” said Capt. Randy Mahr, Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Program Office (PMA-251) program manager here. “We’ve been using the venerable steam catapults for more than 50 years, and the upgrade to EMALS expands our envelope for efficiency, safety and performance.”

Production of EMALS equipment has begun, and the technology is on schedule for delivery to CVN 78.


Gerald R. Ford Class (CVN-78) artist's depiction. U.S. Navy's Future Super Aircraft Carrier Programme.
The length will be: 333 m.

 
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