Fox News story: Missile Defense Agency, Obama Campaign Logos Cause Internet Stir
Missile Defense Agency, Obama Campaign Logos Cause Internet StirFebruary 24, 2010
By Joshua Rhett Miller - FOXNews.com
The Internet is abuzz with comparisons of the "strikingly similar" logos of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the ubiquitous Obama 2008 campaign.
The Internet is abuzz with comparisons of the "strikingly similar" logos of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the ubiquitous Obama 2008 campaign.
The Missile Defense Agency, which is part of the Defense Department, now features a circular red, white and blue logo on its Web site that has been characterized in some reports as "scarily" similar to President Obama's former campaign symbol. Others have noted that it has a crescent and star design, evoking a common symbol for Islam.
The logo, which first appeared on the Missile Defense Web site in the fall, was designed by TMP Government, a marketing and communications firm that has managed Web site redesigns and logos for numerous government agencies, including recovery.gov and more than a dozen Defense and intelligence-related sites.
But this particular one has caught the eye of critics of the Obama administration.
"I'm having trouble seeing past the crescent and star in the new logo," one critic posted on WashingtonTimes.com. "Is this our signal to the muslim world that we're not going to shoot down their missiles?"
Another poster on WeaselZippers.net likened the logo to that of a "corny science fiction movie."
But others said it was all in the eye of the beholder, and that they saw little or no similarity between the Obama and Missile Defense logos.
Richard Lehner, a spokesman for the Missile Defense Agency, dismissed the comparison entirely.
"It's ridiculous," Lehner told Fox News. "It isn't a new logo to replace the official logo. It's a logo developed for recruiting materials and for our public Web site. Also, it was used prior to the 2008 election and it has no link to any political campaign."
Brian Collins, chairman and chief creative officer at COLLINS:, a New York-based design and innovation firm, said both logos use the "same visual language," complete with two circles and three stripes.
"The Obama logo is filled with messages of hope, it's about looking toward an optimistic future," he said. "They've taken those exact elements and they've made them more technical."
Collins said the newer Missile Defense Agency logo simply took on more patriotic colors to convey its message more quickly and simply. But he doesn't think the creative minds at TMP Government had Obama in mind when they produced their governmental branding.
"I wouldn't buy the argument that it's an evolution of the Obama identity," Collins said. "There are similarities but I don't see the genesis in the Obama logo."
Lockheed Martin-Built System Aims Laser in Successful Lethal Demonstration Against Ballistic Missile Target – Press Release
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Events, Lockheed Martin, Press Releases, development program, missile defense
Lockheed Martin-Built System Aims Laser in Successful Lethal Demonstration Against Ballistic Missile Target
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ — Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) announced today that the Beam Control/Fire Control system for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s Airborne Laser Testbed (ALTB) successfully aimed the High Energy Laser beam in an experiment Feb. 11, in which a boosting ballistic missile target was destroyed.
In the lethal demonstration, the directed energy system aboard the modified Boeing 747-400F aircraft engaged and destroyed the threat-representative ballistic missile target shortly after it was launched from a sea-based platform in the Pacific Ocean.
The Lockheed Martin-developed Beam Control/Fire Control system focused and directed the beam generated by the Northrop Grumman-developed megawatt-class High Energy Laser, and the Battle Management System developed by Boeing, Airborne Laser Testbed prime contractor, managed the engagement.
“Shooting down a threat-representative ballistic missile target is the latest in a remarkable series of firsts that the government and industry team has achieved in demonstrating this leading-edge technology,” said Doug Graham, advanced programs vice president, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. “This successful experiment validates the effectiveness of this revolutionary technology and makes it the most mature directed energy system in the world, opening the door to further new possibilities for the application of this technology.”
“The Beam Control/Fire Control System has performed with outstanding results in the most demanding mission to date,” said Mark Johnson, Airborne Laser Testbed program director, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. “The Beam Control/Fire Control System, which consists of a sophisticated suite of optics, low-energy lasers and software, has been rigorously tested in more than 140 flights since 2004, making technology history all along the way as a result the close partnership and dedication of the government and industry team.”
The Beam Control/Fire Control System tracks the target, determines range to the target, compensates for atmospheric turbulence and focuses and directs the High Energy Laser beam. Lower-energy lasers – the Track Illuminator Laser and the Beacon Illuminator Laser – determine where to point and focus the High Energy Laser. The High Energy Laser beam passes through an optical path before exiting through the conformal window on the nose of the aircraft on its way to the target.
The Missile Defense Agency manages the Airborne Laser Testbed (formerly known as the Airborne Laser (ABL)), which is executed by the U.S. Air Force from Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, N.M. The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) provides the modified aircraft and the Battle Management System and is the overall systems integrator. Boeing’s Airborne Laser Testbed industry partners are Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) , which supplies the High Energy Laser and the Beacon Illuminator Laser, and Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., which provides the Beam Control/Fire Control System.
Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including the first operational hit-to-kill missile. The company makes significant contributions to most major U.S. missile defense systems and participates in several global missile defense partnerships.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.
Media Contact:
Lynn Fisher, 408-742-7606; e-mail lynn.m.fisher@lmco.com
Source: Lockheed Martin
Boeing Airborne Laser Testbed Team Destroys Boosting Ballistic Missile — Press Release
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Events, Military Aviation, Press Releases, S&T, development program, missile defense
Boeing Airborne Laser Testbed Team Destroys Boosting Ballistic Missile
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., Feb. 12, 2010 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency on Feb. 11 successfully demonstrated the speed, precision and breakthrough potential of directed-energy weapons when the Airborne Laser Testbed (ALTB) engaged and destroyed a boosting ballistic missile.
This experiment marks the first time a laser weapon has engaged and destroyed an in-flight ballistic missile, and the first time that any system has accomplished it in the missile’s boost phase of flight. ALTB has the highest-energy laser ever fired from an aircraft, and is the most powerful mobile laser device in the world.
“The Airborne Laser Testbed team has made history with this experiment,” said Greg Hyslop, vice president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems. “Through its hard work and technical ingenuity, the government-industry team has produced a breakthrough with incredible potential. We look forward to conducting additional research and development to explore what this unique directed-energy system can do.”
During the experiment, the aircraft, a modified Boeing 747-400F, took off from Edwards Air Force Base and focused its high-energy laser at the missile target during its boost phase as the aircraft flew over the Western Sea Range off the coast of California.
“We’ve been saying for some time that the Airborne Laser Testbed would be a pathfinder for directed energy and would expand options for policymakers and warfighters,” said Michael Rinn, Boeing vice president and ALTB program director. “With this successful experiment, the Airborne Laser Testbed has blazed a path for a new generation of high-energy, ultra-precision weaponry. ALTB technology and future directed-energy platforms will transform how the United States defends itself and its friends and allies. Having the capability to precisely project force, in a measured way, at the speed of light, will save lives.”
MDA officially recognized directed energy’s warfare-changing potential last March, when it awarded its Technology Pioneer Award to three Boeing Airborne Laser Testbed engineers and three of their government and industry teammates for advancing key ALTB technologies.
Boeing is the prime contractor for the Airborne Laser Testbed, which is designed to provide unprecedented speed-of-light capability to intercept all classes of ballistic missiles in their boost phase of flight.
Northrop Grumman designed and built ALTB’s high-energy laser, and Lockheed Martin developed the beam control/fire control system. Boeing provided the aircraft, the battle management system and overall systems integration and testing.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world’s largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.
Media about the test may be found at the MDA website located here.
# # #
Lockheed Martin-Built System Aims Laser in Successful Lethal Demonstration Against Ballistic Missile Target
Filed under: Lockheed Martin, Syndicated Industry News
February 12, 2010
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced today that the Beam Control/Fire Control system for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's Airborne Laser Testbed (ALTB) successfully aimed the High Energy Laser beam in an experiment Feb. 11, in which a boosting ballistic missile target was destroyed.
In the lethal demonstration, the directed energy system aboard the modified Boeing 747-400F aircraft engaged and destroyed the threat-representative ballistic missile target shortly after it was launched from a sea-based platform in the Pacific Ocean.
The Lockheed Martin-developed Beam Control/Fire Control system focused and directed the beam generated by the Northrop Grumman-developed megawatt-class High Energy Laser, and the Battle Management System developed by Boeing, Airborne Laser Testbed prime contractor, managed the engagement.
"Shooting down a threat-representative ballistic missile target is the latest in a remarkable series of firsts that the government and industry team has achieved in demonstrating this leading-edge technology," said Doug Graham, advanced programs vice president, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "This successful experiment validates the effectiveness of this revolutionary technology and makes it the most mature directed energy system in the world, opening the door to further new possibilities for the application of this technology."
"The Beam Control/Fire Control System has performed with outstanding results in the most demanding mission to date," said Mark Johnson, Airborne Laser Testbed program director, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "The Beam Control/Fire Control System, which consists of a sophisticated suite of optics, low-energy lasers and software, has been rigorously tested in more than 140 flights since 2004, making technology history all along the way as a result the close partnership and dedication of the government and industry team."
The Beam Control/Fire Control System tracks the target, determines range to the target, compensates for atmospheric turbulence and focuses and directs the High Energy Laser beam. Lower-energy lasers - the Track Illuminator Laser and the Beacon Illuminator Laser - determine where to point and focus the High Energy Laser. The High Energy Laser beam passes through an optical path before exiting through the conformal window on the nose of the aircraft on its way to the target.
The Missile Defense Agency manages the Airborne Laser Testbed (formerly known as the Airborne Laser (ABL)), which is executed by the U.S. Air Force from Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, N.M. The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) provides the modified aircraft and the Battle Management System and is the overall systems integrator. Boeing's Airborne Laser Testbed industry partners are Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC), which supplies the High Energy Laser and the Beacon Illuminator Laser, and Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., which provides the Beam Control/Fire Control System.
Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including the first operational hit-to-kill missile. The company makes significant contributions to most major U.S. missile defense systems and participates in several global missile defense partnerships.
Technorati Tags:
Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD), Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)
Lockheed Martin Names Mathew Joyce Vice President and Program Manager for Ground-Based Midcourse Defense
Filed under: Lockheed Martin, Syndicated Industry News
February 3, 2010
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Feb 03, 2010 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) Space Systems Company announced today that it has named Mathew "Mat" J. Joyce vice president and program manager for Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD).
"Lockheed Martin is committed to helping our Missile Defense Agency customer meet its objectives for GMD Development and Sustainment," said Joanne M. Maguire, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "Mat Joyce brings the requisite experience and track record necessary to assume the on-going GMD operations and sustainment challenges as well as future development and production requirements."
The Missile Defense Agency issued a draft request for proposals (RFP) Jan. 19 for the Development and Sustainment Contract for the GMD system and associated facilities. The agency has announced that it expects to award the contract in 2011 to continue GMD development, manufacturing, test, training, operations support and sustainment support. Work will be performed in: Huntsville, Alabama; Alaska at Fort Greely and Eareckson Air Station; Colorado at Schriever Air Force Base; and California at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
"To this new position, Mat brings a proven track record in leading outstanding missile defense and strategic weapon system programs," said retired Major Gen. John W. Holly, vice president, Missile Defense Systems, Lockheed Martin Space Systems, to whom Joyce now reports. "Mat contributes extraordinary expertise in all aspects of development, production, testing, and operations and sustainment as we prepare to bid for the Missile Defense Agency's GMD Development and Sustainment Contract. He will be responsible for the day-to-day execution of the program, directing the team of Lockheed Martin employees and subcontractors dedicated to delivering consistent, performance-based outcomes across the GMD life cycle." Joyce will relocate from Sunnyvale, Calif., to Huntsville, where the Lockheed Martin GMD Program Office will be located.
Joyce's experience in missile defense and strategic weapons systems includes program management, engineering management, bid and proposal management, strategic planning and supplier management. Most recently, he was Lockheed Martin's vice president and program manager for the missile element of the Missile Defense Agency's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, which has achieved 100-percent mission success in six intercept flight tests since 2005. In addition, he previously served as chief systems engineer for the THAAD missile. Joyce also has held key Lockheed Martin leadership positions for the U.S. Navy's Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) program, which has achieved 130 successful consecutive flight tests of the Trident II D5 missile since 1989. His FBM assignments included program manager for the FBM Production and Deployed System Support Contract, leading missile production and support across four Navy sites, and resident director at Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic in Kings Bay, Ga., leading missile assembly, testing and delivery, as well as operations and sustainment services. Joyce, who holds a B.S. degree in chemistry from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich., joined Lockheed Martin in 1984.
Lockheed Martin's credentials for Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Development and Sustainment include more than 30 years of experience in midcourse missile defense development, production and testing, more than 50 years of experience in strategic weapon system operations and sustainment, and award-winning performance-based logistics expertise.
Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including the first operational hit-to-kill missile. The company makes significant contributions to most major U.S. missile defense systems and participates in several global missile defense partnerships.
Technorati Tags:
Appointments, Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)
CIBER Wins $26 Million IT Services Contract — Press Release
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Events, Press Releases
CIBER Wins $26 Million IT Services Contract
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — CIBER Federal, a division of CIBER, Inc. (NYSE:CBR) , announced today that it is part of the Dynetics team that won the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) Marshal Space Flight Center Information Technology Services Contract. Under the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Information Technology Services (MITS) contract, CIBER will provide over 60 personnel for five years, generating revenues exceeding $26 million. “This award represents a new foothold for CIBER in the strategically important Huntsville, Alabama, market, which houses not only NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center campus, but also the U.S. Army’s Redstone Arsenal and the Department of Defense’s Missile Defense Agency as well,” said Marcia Kim, CIBER Federal President.
CIBER’s history of providing IT and telephony to clients such as the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, and U.S. Navy is now complemented by extending these services to NASA, for whom CIBER Federal already serves through training contracts that include our award-winning work for the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) academy. Transition began in early December with CIBER beginning its role at Marshall Space Flight Center on or about February 1st. Dr. Ron Smith, a Sr. Vice President of CIBER’s Defense Technology Division, was selected to lead the Dynetics team transition. Dr. Smith will be working with Dr. Ron Nyberg, the Dynetics program manager for the NASA effort.
“CIBER is a key member of the NASA MITS Team. We are pleased to have them on board. They bring complementary strength to the Dynetics team through their years of proven service in the IT and telephony fields,” said Jonathan Whitcomb, Dynetics Sr. Vice President. Dynetics, Inc., a 35-year Huntsville-based leader in engineering, scientific and information technology (IT) solutions, is the prime contractor on this $355 million contract.
About CIBER, Inc.
CIBER, Inc. (NYSE:CBR) is a pure-play international IT outsourcing and software implementation and integration consultancy with superior value-priced services and reliable delivery for both private and government sector clients. CIBER’s services are offered globally on a project- or strategic-staffing basis, in both custom and enterprise resource planning (ERP) package environments, and across all technology platforms, operating systems and infrastructures. Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colo., CIBER now serves client businesses from over 40 U.S. offices, 25 European offices and seven offices in Asia/Pacific. Operating in 18 countries, with more than 8,500 employees and annual revenue of $1.1 billion, CIBER and its IT specialists continuously build and upgrade clients’ systems to “competitive advantage status.” CIBER is included in the Russell 2000 Index and the S&P Small Cap 600 Index. CIBER, the Reliable Global IT Services Partner. www.ciber.com.
CIBER Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
Statements contained in this release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, as discussed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. CIBER undertakes neither intention nor obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. CIBER and the CIBER logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of CIBER, Inc. Copyright© 2010.
Source: CIBER, Inc.
CONTACT: Robin Caputo, Media Relations of CIBER, Inc., +1-303-220-0100,
rcaputo@ciber.com
Web Site: http://www.ciber.com/
Raytheon Center Receives OSHA’s Star Rating
Raytheon Center Receives OSHA's Star RatingTEWKSBURY, Mass., Dec. 23, 2009
Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Mission Capability Verification Center (MCVC), White Sands, N.M., received a star distinction from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for its commitment to workplace safety.
"This prestigious certification exemplifies Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' (IDS) unwavering commitment to the safety of our workplace environment," said David Hawkins, mission center executive at MCVC. "Through leadership engagement and employee participation we have established ourselves as a leader in safety performance."
The recognition was given as part of OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) that encourages companies to voluntarily meet strict workplace safety and health management standards. Star is the highest level of VPP certification possible.
The center is a part of IDS where Patriot and other missile systems undergo live-fire testing. This coveted distinction is the result of a three-day, on-site evaluation by a team of OSHA health and safety experts.
Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Global Capabilities Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security.
Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.
Technorati Tags:
Raytheon (NYSE:RTN)
U.S. Air Force and MDA To Net Sensors
Raytheon was awarded a contract last week to begin prototype development of an architecture to integrate U.S. Air Force and Missile Defense Agency (MDA) sensors. The contract is only worth $3 million so this idea is only at the very beginning of development. The Air Force operates the strategic space sensors for the United States. MDA has invested in a series of radars and other systems based on sea and land to support their mission. From the sound of it this contract is to see if a system may be built that integrates data from both sets of sensors and displays them together.
This capability exists already but it may not be in one system and may require some interface between humans. This will aid in sorting out targets and perhaps even if it works out get good enough data to support fire control solutions. Of course like with many of these kind of development programs it may prove hard to do.
Lockheed Martin To Get Billion Dollar Contract To Support AEGIS Radar Engineering
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Events, Lockheed Martin, MDA, Raytheon, S&T, Services, U.S. Navy, development program, missile defense, production program
The AEGIS air defense system started development forty years ago and has been in service with the U.S. Navy for about thirty on cruisers and destroyers. It is an integrated system of radars, software, missiles and vertical and rail launchers. The company that originally developed the radar was RCA but through acquisition and mergers it is now Lockheed Martin. The work on the radar has always been centered around Moorestown, NJ.
The system was originally for air defense but since the Nineties the Navy has been modifying it to support ballistic missile defense operations by creating the SM-3 missile. The SM-2 is the primary air defense missile currently in use. Raytheon makes the missile for the Navy. Lockheed was awarded a $1 billion contract to provide development work, engineering services and support to the missile defense part of the program last week. This contract is from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and not the Navy. The Obama Administration has focused on this naval system over the long range ground based systems and this indicates that commitment.
Raytheon-led Littoral Warfare Weapons Team Demonstrates Successful Underwater Launch
Raytheon-led Littoral Warfare Weapons Team Demonstrates Successful Underwater LaunchSeptember 14, 2009
TEWKSBURY, Mass. -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) marked a developmental milestone when it successfully demonstrated the underwater launch of a Raytheon AIM-9X air-to-air test missile shape from a submerged Tomahawk Capsule Launching System. This successful test is a significant step in demonstrating payload flexibility for submarines.
Conducted at the U.S. Army's Aberdeen Test Center, Aberdeen, Md., the test marked the first time an AIM-9X test missile shape has been launched from underwater. It is part of the Littoral Warfare Weapon (LWW) program managed by the Department of the Navy's Program Executive Office of Submarines.
"The Littoral Warfare Weapon program will test and develop increased capabilities as the U.S. Navy continues to expand undersea warfare in the littoral arena," said Michael Del Checcolo, vice president of Engineering, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. "This successful launch demonstrates a new degree of submarine self-defense capability against threats our warfighters may encounter from the air, land and sea."
Raytheon's LWW approach leverages the technologies and expertise of a team of industry and military partners, including Northrop Grumman and the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, R.I.
Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Global Capabilities Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security.
Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.
Technorati Tags:
Missiles, Naval Systems, Raytheon (NYSE:RTN)
IDGA To Hold Defense Acquisition 2009
Filed under: Ace Electronics, Business Line, Events, Federal Budget Process, Trade Shows and Events, development program, production program, training
IDGA will hold Defense Acquisition 2009
The volume of changes within defense procurement and acquisition has been noticeable. New administration members, changing military strategies and shifting jobs within the sector have all contributed to a sense of uncertainty within this field. Defense Acquisition will address many of these uncertainties by focusing on: Policy Updates, Acquisition Forecasts Across the Services, Critical Chem/Bio Updates, Updates to the DAI Initiative and much more.
Download the completed brochure
Featured Speakers Include:
– Colonel Scot Miller, USA, Principal Deputy, Acquisition & Logistics Center, U.S. Special Operations Command
– David Van Buren, Acting Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Air Force
– Jaymie Durnan, Deputy Director, Joint Advanced Concepts, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (OUSD AT&L)
– Katrina Wahl, Director of Acquisition, Missile Defense Agency
Download the brochure to find out the rest!
IDGA looks forward to seeing you at this much anticipated event!
NG COIL tech has successful test flight
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Northrop Grumman says a recent flight test of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's Airborne Laser marked a milestone for the technology.
Airborne anti-missile laser weapon clears test
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Boeing and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency have moved closer to developing an airborne high-energy laser weapon that will shoot down an upcoming offensive missile.
Boeing Airborne Laser Team Fires High-Energy Laser in Flight — Press Release
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Events, Military Aviation, Northrop Grumman Corp., Press Releases, development program, missile defense
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., Aug. 20, 2009 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency on Aug. 18 successfully fired the high-energy laser aboard the Airborne Laser (ABL) aircraft in flight for the first time, moving closer toward
ABL’s upcoming missile shoot-down demonstration. During the test, the modified Boeing 747-400F aircraft took off from Edwards Air Force Base and fired its high-energy laser while flying over the California High Desert. The laser was fired into an onboard calorimeter, which captured the beam and measured its power.
“This was a significant test of the Airborne Laser’s capabilities, demonstrating that the system has truly moved from the drawing board to
reality,” said Greg Hyslop, vice president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems. “We have seen that the Airborne Laser’s
high-energy laser is functioning aboard the aircraft and that ABL is ready for more flight tests to further validate its viability as a mobile missile defense system.”
Michael Rinn, Boeing vice president and ABL program director, said, “This test shows that ABL is on track to shoot down a boosting ballistic missile later this year. After years of development, the team is excited to be so close to delivering this transformational and unique directed-energy weapon system. We think ABL will be a game-changer for weapon systems the same way stealth technology transformed aerial ombat.”
Before the upcoming missile shoot-down demonstration, ABL’s high-energy laser will undergo a series of additional flight tests, building toward lethal capabilities. It will advance from being fired into the onboard calorimeter to being sent through the beam control/fire control system, exiting the aircraft through a nose-mounted turret. This will represent a major achievement in directed-energy technology because it will be the first time a megawatt-class laser has been coupled with precise pointing and atmospheric correction in an airborne environment. The team will follow this milestone with the firing of the high-energy laser against a variety of increasingly challenging targets, culminating with an airborne intercept test against a ballistic missile in the boost phase of flight.
ABL returned to flight in April, following integration and ground testing of the high-energy laser aboard the aircraft at Edwards. The team on Aug. 10 engaged an instrumented boosting missile with a low-power, atmosphere-compensated laser beam. ABL’s development history includes numerous flight tests in 2007 that demonstrated its ability to track an airborne target, measure and compensate for atmospheric conditions, and deliver a surrogate high-energy laser’s simulated lethal beam on a target. In September 2008, the team fired the high-energy laser aboard the aircraft in ground testing for the first time.
Boeing is the prime contractor for ABL, which is designed to provide unprecedented speed-of-light capability to destroy all classes of ballistic missiles in their boost phase of flight. In addition, Boeing is using internal investments to examine directed energy’s potential to address several other critical missions, including defending against aircraft, cruise missiles and surface-to-air missiles.
Northrop Grumman designed and built ABL’s high-energy laser. Lockheed Martin developed the weapon system’s beam control/fire control system, and Boeing provided the battle management system. A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing
Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.
# # #
Contact:
Marc Selinger
Boeing Missile Defense Systems
703-414-6138
marc.selinger@boeing.com
Chuck Cadena
Boeing Missile Defense Systems
703-872-4503
chuck.cadena@boeing.com
http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=803
Boeing Airborne Laser Team Completes 1st Airborne Test Against Instrumented Target Missile –Press Release
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Military Aviation, Press Releases, S&T, development program, missile defense
Boeing Airborne Laser Team Completes 1st Airborne Test Against Instrumented Target Missile
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., Aug. 13, 2009 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency on Aug. 10 successfully completed the Airborne Laser’s (ABL) first in-flight test against an instrumented target missile, achieving a historic milestone.
During the test, the modified Boeing 747-400F aircraft took off from Edwards Air Force Base and used its infrared sensors to find a target missile launched from San Nicholas Island, Calif. The Boeing-developed battle management system aboard ABL then issued engagement and target location instructions to the beam control/fire control system, which acquired the target and fired its two solid-state illuminator lasers to track the target and measure atmospheric conditions. ABL then fired a surrogate high-energy laser at the target, simulating a missile intercept. Instrumentation on the target verified that the surrogate high-energy laser hit the target.
“This test demonstrates that the Airborne Laser can fully engage an in-flight missile with its battle management and beam control/fire control systems,” said Michael Rinn, Boeing vice president and ABL program director. “Pointing and focusing a laser beam on a target that is rocketing skyward at thousands of miles per hour is no easy task, but the Airborne Laser is uniquely able to do the job.”
The test follows ABL’s engagement of two un-instrumented missiles in early June, which allowed the team to fine-tune the engagement sequence. ABL will now undergo flight tests in which the aircraft will fire its high-energy laser, first into an onboard calorimeter, then through its beam control/fire control system. The ABL team then will test the entire weapon system against in-flight missiles, culminating with ABL’s first high-energy laser intercept test against a ballistic missile later this year.
ABL would deter potential adversaries and provide speed-of-light capability to destroy all classes of ballistic missiles in their boost phase of flight. Eliminating missiles in their boost phase would reduce the number of shots required by other elements of the layered ballistic missile defense system.
“ABL’s revolutionary speed, mobility, precision and lethality would make it a great asset to America’s warfighters,” Rinn added.
Boeing is the prime contractor and overall systems integrator for ABL, and provides the modified aircraft and battle management system. Northrop Grumman supplies the high-energy laser, and Lockheed Martin provides the beam control/fire control system.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.
http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=796
Brownback Lauds Successful Airborne Laser Test — Press Release
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Congress, Department of Defense, Events, Kansas, MDA, Military Aviation, Services, States, development program, missile defense
Brownback Lauds Successful Airborne Laser Test
Congratulates Missile Defense Agency, industry team on successful in-flight test of laser tracking system
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Sam Brownback today commented on successful tests of the Airborne Laser tracking system over the weekend. “The ABL continues to make history,” Brownback said. “Last Saturday, for the first time, a boosting missile was tracked by lasers able to compensate for atmospheric conditions and remain locked on target for an extended period of time.”
The Airborne Laser is a modified Boeing 747 that carries laser systems designed to track and destroy ballistic missiles during the early, or boost, stages of flight. The ABL consists of three lasers, a tracking laser, an environmental laser that compensates for atmospheric variables, and a weaponized laser, all working in conjunction to track and destroy missiles in their boost phase. The successful test was conducted this weekend while the plane was in flight and was able to continuously track a launched missile.
Brownback continued, “I want to congratulate the Missile Defense Agency and its industry partners on this test. Every day, their hard work brings us a step closer to having a boost phase defense against ballistic missile threats. Especially with North Korea’s recent provocative behavior, ABL’s progress is more important than ever.”
The Airborne Laser is scheduled to undergo a series of tests this summer, culminating in a full system test to shoot down a missile this fall.
STATEMENT: Michael Rinn, Boeing vice president and ABL program director:
This is the first time in history anyone has actively tracked a boosting missile with a laser while closing atmospheric compensation loops. This was done at significant ranges and for many times longer than would be required to kill the missile had the high-energy laser been used.
Additional missile engagements will fine-tune the pointing accuracy and performance of the system. This significant test is a major step toward conducting this year’s missile-intercept test, which will demonstrate the unprecedented speed, mobility, precision and lethality that ABL could provide to America’s warfighters.
Northrop Tries To Save Kinetic Energy Interceptor
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Congress, Department of Defense, Events, Federal Budget Process, MDA, Northrop Grumman Corp., Restructuring, S&T, Services, development program, missile defense
Update — On June 10th the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) terminated the Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) for the convenience of the government. This meant that all of Northrop’s lobbying to continue the program to at least conducting the first key test in the program was wasted.
Moving quickly like he has on the FCS and VH-71 programs the Secretary of Defense Robert Gates had another stop work order issued for a program recommended for cancellation in the 2010 budget. MDA told Northrop Grumman to halt the KEI program. This $4 billion contract had only recently been issued and the first test flight of the propulsion system was planned for later this year.
Congress has shown a great deal of support for this program recently and the decision to end it was not well received. There was some concern expressed that the program had not been given a chance to demonstrate its capability. The total missile defense budget saw almost a twenty percent cut with this and the Ground Based Mid-Course system making up the bulk of that money. The plan is to focus on the Navy’s system as well as shorter ranged Army ones.
Northrop has proposed that even with the termination of the program they will still be able to meet schedule and complete the booster test. This may be an attempt to sway Congressional and Administration support for continuing the program beyond 30 September 2009. If they really can meet this test schedule and the history of missile defense programs is not in their favor due to the complexities of the tests and technology then it might help them carry the program over.
A Northrop Grumman video on the program is below which is kind of amusing as it is done as a fake newscast:
SBIRS Continues
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Congress, Contract Awards, Department of Defense, Events, Lockheed Martin, MDA, S&T, Satellites, Services, U.S. Air Force, development program, missile defense
The troubled Space Based Infra-Red System (SBIRS) satellite based detection system program has had its highs and lows over the last fifteen years or so. The constellation of satellites will be used to provide detection of missile launches across the globe and will replace the original DSP system. SBIRS is divided into high and low systems and has suffered from cost and schedule problems over its lifetime.
There is no denying that the aging DSP satellites need replacing and the Air Force and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) have worked hard to keep the SBIRS program going over the years despite criticism from Congress, various Presidential Administrations and outside groups.
On the 2nd of June Lockheed Martin announced that they had received a contract for the third high satellite of that constellation. This $1.5 billion contract will be for the payload, satellite and ground control systems. The launch will be paid for out of a different contract. To date two payloads are in space and the first two satellites are in development with the first planned launch sometime in 2010.
Photo from Lockheed Martin.
Boeing-IAI Missile Defense Interceptor Shoots Down Target in Test – Press Release
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Countries, Events, IAI, Israel, development program, missile defense
Photo Courtesy of Israel Aerospace Industries.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., April 29, 2009 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] built part of the Arrow II interceptor that successfully shot down a ballistic missile target April 7 in a test of Israel’s national missile defense system. The operationally realistic test, conducted in Israel by the Israel Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, used an interceptor co-produced by Boeing and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and equipped with new capability enhancements.
“This successful test underscores the effectiveness of the cooperative relationship we have forged with IAI on the Arrow program and other international missile defense initiatives,” said Greg Hyslop, vice president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems. “Boeing is proud to co-produce Arrow II interceptors, which provide the state of Israel with a proven defense capability against ballistic missile threats.”
The event marked the co-produced Arrow II’s second intercept in two attempts, as well as its third successful flight test. The Arrow II is part of the Arrow Weapon System, which Israel and the United States have jointly developed to defend Israel against the growing threat of short-and medium-range ballistic missiles.
Under an agreement with IAI, the prime contractor for the Arrow Weapon System, Boeing provides several Arrow II interceptor components, including the Section II electronics assembly (part of the avionics and guidance subsystem); the nose cone; the canister assembly that houses the interceptor; electrical subsystems; and motor cases. IAI is responsible for system integration and final interceptor assembly in Israel.
Boeing’s major suppliers on Arrow II are Alliant-Techsystems (ATK) of Iuka, Miss., and Clearfield, Utah; Manes Machine, of Fort Collins, Colo.; Patterson Machine, of Union Grove, Ala.; and Sanmina-SCI, of Huntsville, Ala.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.
###
Contact Info:
Marc Selinger
Boeing Missile Defense Systems
(703) 414-6138
marc.selinger@boeing.com
Chuck Cadena
Boeing Missile Defense Systems
(703) 872-4503
chuck.cadena@boeing.com
Boeing Airborne Laser Engineers Receive Missile Defense Agency Award – Press Release
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Congress, Department of Defense, Events, Lockheed Martin, MDA, Military Aviation, Northrop Grumman Corp., Services, U.S. Air Force, development program, missile defense
WASHINGTON, April 29, 2009 — Three Boeing [NYSE: BA] Airborne Laser (ABL) engineers and three of their government and industry teammates received the Technology Pioneer Award from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) on March 23 for advancing technologies that would enable ABL to intercept and destroy ballistic missile threats.
MDA presented the award at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics/MDA 7th Annual Missile Defense Conference in Washington to honor the recipients’ work in developing critical technologies central to implementing high-power directed energy on ABL as a new class of powerful weaponry for the warfighter. Two critical ABL components are the high-energy laser to shoot down ballistic missiles soon after they are launched, and the beam control/fire control system that points the
laser beam while compensating for atmospheric turbulence. The laser, the beam control/fire control system and a state-of-the-art battle management suite are now integrated aboard the ABL aircraft, which underwent the largest modification to an airplane ever accomplished by Boeing. ABL is scheduled to perform a missile-intercept test this year.
“The six members of the joint government-industry team that received this prestigious award greatly deserve this recognition,” said Michael Rinn, Boeing vice president and ABL program director. “Thanks to their technical skill, teamwork and boundless dedication, we will soon be able to demonstrate the revolutionary speed, mobility, precision and lethality that the Airborne Laser could provide to America’s warfighters. ABL could change not only missile defense, but warfare in general, and these technology pioneers have blazed a path for other directed-energy weapons to follow.”
The honorees are:
* Don Clapp, ABL chief engineer and mission assurance manager, Boeing
* Jeff Hartlove, ABL deputy program manager, Northrop Grumman
* Steve Lamberson, ABL chief scientist, ABL System Program Office, MDA
* Dave Morris, ABL chief scientist and system performance manager, Boeing
* Harold Schall, ABL chief engineer for integration and testing, Boeing
* Paul Shattuck, ABL beam control/fire control chief engineer and technical director, Lockheed Martin.
Boeing is the prime contractor and overall systems integrator for ABL, which is designed to provide speed-of-light capability to destroy all classes of ballistic missiles in their boost phase of flight. ABL also has the potential to be deployed for other missions, including destroying aircraft and surface-to-air missiles.
The ABL aircraft is a modified Boeing 747-400F whose back half holds the high-energy laser, designed and built by Northrop Grumman. The front section of the aircraft contains the beam control/fire control system, developed by Lockheed Martin, and the battle management system, provided by Boeing.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.
###
Contact Info:
Marc Selinger
Boeing Missile Defense Systems
(703) 414-6138
marc.selinger@boeing.com
Chuck Cadena
Boeing Missile Defense Systems
(703) 872-4503
chuck.cadena@boeing.com
Boeing Airborne Laser Team Begins Weapon System Flight Tests – Press Release
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Events, Lockheed Martin, MDA, Northrop Grumman Corp., Press Releases, Services, development program, missile defense
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., April 24, 2009 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency have begun Airborne Laser (ABL) flight tests with the entire weapon system integrated aboard the ABL aircraft.
ABL, a heavily modified Boeing 747-400F aircraft, completed its functional check flight April 21 from Edwards Air Force Base with the beam control/fire control system and the high-energy laser onboard, confirming the aircraft is airworthy, ready for more airborne tests, and on track for its missile-intercept demonstration this year. “With ABL’s return to flight, we are on the verge of fully demonstrating the unprecedented speed, mobility, precision and lethality that ABL could provide to America’s warfighters,” said
Michael Rinn, Boeing vice president and ABL program director. ABL would deter potential adversaries and provide speed-of-light capability to destroy all classes of ballistic missiles in their boost phase of flight. Eliminating missiles in their boost phase would
reduce the number of shots required by other elements of the layered ballistic missile defense system. ABL also has the potential to be employed for other missions, including destroying aircraft and surface-to-air missiles.
The program has logged many accomplishments over the past several years. In 2007, ABL completed almost 50 flight tests that demonstrated its ability to track an airborne target, measure and compensate for atmospheric conditions, and deliver a surrogate high-energy laser beam on the target. In 2008, the team completed installing the high-energy laser onboard the aircraft and, for the first time, operated the entire weapon system at high power levels. Boeing is the prime contractor and overall systems integrator for ABL, and provides the modified aircraft and battle management system.
Northrop Grumman supplies the high-energy laser, and Lockheed Martin provides the beam control/fire control system. A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of
military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees
worldwide.
###
Contact Info:
Marc Selinger
Boeing Missile Defense Systems
(703) 414-6138
marc.selinger@boeing.com
Chuck Cadena
Boeing Missile Defense Systems
(703) 872-4503
chuck.cadena@boeing.com
MDA Awards Boeing Contract for Missile Defense
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Congress, Contract Awards, MDA, Services, development program, missile defense
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) awarded Boeing the FY09 option to continue work on the Ground Based Mid-Course Defense program. Business Week reports that the contract is worth about $250 million. This is the system that used to be called National Missile Defense (NMD) with sensors and missiles based in Alaska. There are also other radars and sensor scattered across the globe. The contract has an FY10 option included in it as well. There have been some rumblings from the Democrats that this is a program they are looking at to significantly cut in the future. SmartBrief reports that Senator Levin has discussed this as an option for the next budget.
MDA Awards Pratt & Whitney Development Contract
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Events, Federal Budget Process, MDA, Pratt & Whitney, Services, UTC, development program, missile defense
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) awarded Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne a contract to being development of a new Directional Attitude Control System (DACS). The press release is at TradingMarkets.com. The initial contract is worth about $12 million. The DACS will be part of the Multiple Kill Vehicle program MDA previously announced that will allow one interceptor missile to carry more than one KV to attack enemy threat systems.
MDA Awards Raytheon Interceptor Development Contract
Filed under: Contract Awards, MDA, Raytheon, development program, missile defense, space
Reuters reports that the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has awarded a over $400 M contract to Raytheon for development of a new interceptor to the Ground Based Missile Defense System. The contract is for a new, multiple kill vehicle payload to allow the attack of multiple targets with one interceptor. The current system installed in Alaska utilizes interceptors with one kill vehicle on them. This new system would minimize the number of interceptors required to destroy a target, especially if their are a number of decoys also as part of the attack.
Raytheon spreads the wealth around
Filed under: Contract Awards, MDA, Raytheon, Sonju Industrial, development program, missile defense, production program
Raytheon subcontracted with the small business Sonju Industrial to build missile components. See an article here. Sonju Industrial is a small business and will partner with Raytheon through the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) mentor-protege program. The contract will allow significant growth of Sonju Industrial. This is another example of how defense dollars flow to every part of the US and their significance to the nation’s economy.
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