Army Orders Next Generation Of Satellite Communication Terminals

The U.S. Army awarded Harris Corporation a contract to develop, produce, and install the next generation of satellite communication terminals. The Orlando Sentinel reports that this is a $600 million ten year contract. Harris makes radios and other communication systems primarily for the defense market. The contract also has five option years after the base award. The terminals will support the Army’s forces and missile defense efforts.

DoD Invests in New Cyber Security Test Range

Lockheed Martin won a $5 million plus contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to help develop the National Cyber Range. The Orlando Sentinel reports that this new “virtual” range will be used to test computer systems and software for security issues. Lockheed was one of seven companies that will collaborate on the range. Obviously as the military invests in more-and-more complicated software, IT systems and computer tools the threat of Denial of Service, hacking and stealing information increases. This range will support efforts to counter those threats.

Unitech to be Purchased by Lockheed

Lockheed Martin has agreed to buy Unitech sometime this year.  Unitech is a smallish simulation producing company located in the Orlando area.  The Orlando Sentinel reports that a deal to buy the company was worked out recently. Unitech complements the work that Lockheed has done in the simulation area in Orlando for years. The company has earnings of around $140 million, and it is common in these types of deals for private companies to pay about one year’s earnings for it. Many smaller defense contractors grow from one or two contracts to a size of between one to two hundred million and are then bought by another company. Larger companies buy them to gain work or expertise in a discipline or area that they might not have.

>