General Dynamics Awarded $41 Million for RG-31 MRAP Spare Parts — Press Release

March 9, 2010 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Canada, Companies, Countries, Events, General Dynamics, Press Releases, logistics, production program 

General Dynamics Awarded $41 Million for RG-31 MRAP Spare Parts

LONDON, Ontario, March 8 /PRNewswire/ — U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada a USD$41.5 million delivery order modification for spare parts in support of RG-31 Mk5E vehicles under the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle program. General Dynamics Land Systems, the Canadian company’s parent corporation, is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) .

These parts will be used to support vehicles that are being manufactured under a delivery order awarded to General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada on February 17, 2010, for 250 RG-31 Mk5E vehicles for the MRAP program. In total, 1,652 RG-31 vehicles have been ordered under the MRAP program.

The contract was signed through the Canadian Commercial Corporation, a Crown Agency of the Canadian Government.

General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, located in London, Ontario, Canada, is a business unit of General Dynamics Land Systems of Sterling Heights, Michigan. For over 30 years, more than 2000 highly skilled technical employees have designed, manufactured, delivered and supported to global customers a unique family of light armoured vehicles (LAV). More information on the company is available at www.gdlscanada.com.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 91,700 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.generaldynamics.com.

Source: General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada

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Tunisia Orders Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules Airlifters — Press Release

March 3, 2010 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Events, Lockheed Martin, Press Releases 

Tunisia Orders Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules Airlifters

MARIETTA, Ga., March 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The government of Tunisia has signed a contract with Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) for the purchase of two C-130J Super Hercules airlifters with an initial three years of logistics support. Tunisia’s new C130Js, scheduled to be delivered in 2013 and 2014, will be the longer fuselage or “stretched” variant of the C-130J.

A contract signing ceremony took place at the Tunisian Ministry of National Defense (MND) in Tunis last month. During the ceremony, Abdellatif Chebbi, Tunisia MND chief of Cabinet, conveyed his appreciation for the successful conclusion of the negotiations and praised the capabilities and flexibility of the C-130J-30 aircraft. In addition, Dennys Plessas, Lockheed Martin regional vice president of Business Development, welcomed the Tunisian Air Force to the growing worldwide Super Hercules family.

“Tunisia is the 12th country to select the C-130J Super Hercules,” said Jim Grant, Lockheed Martin vice president of business development for Air Mobility. “More and more, as countries recognize and appreciate the proven qualities of this tremendously flexible platform, we are seeing it become the preferred airlift option.”

Tunisia currently operates a fleet of C-130Hs and C-130Bs, first purchased in the mid-1980s. The new C-130Js will support Tunisian operations across the mission spectrum, including relief efforts around the world, firefighting and traditional airlift sorties.

Other nations which are operating, or have ordered, the C-130J include Australia, Canada, Denmark, India, Iraq, Italy, Norway, Oman, Qatar, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The C-130J has become the standard by which all other airlift is measured in terms of availability, flexibility and reliability. C-130Js are currently deployed in two combat theaters and are operating at a very high tempo efficiently and reliably. In non-combat, but equally harsh environments, the C-130Js are often now the first to support humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.

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.

For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

Source: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company

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General Dynamics NASSCO Awarded $825 Million Contract for T-AKE Ship Construction — Press Release

March 2, 2010 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Events, General Dynamics, Press Releases 

General Dynamics NASSCO Awarded $825 Million Contract for T-AKE Ship Construction

SAN DIEGO, March 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) , has been awarded an $824.6 million contract from the U.S. Navy for the construction of two T-AKE dry cargo-ammunition ships.

Announced by the Department of Defense on February 26, the contract provides full funding to NASSCO for the construction of T-AKE 13, the future USNS Medgar Evers, and T-AKE 14, the unnamed final ship of the Lewis and Clark class. In December 2008, NASSCO received a $200 million contract to purchase the engines and other long lead materials for these ships. Construction of T-AKE 13 and 14 is scheduled to begin in the second and fourth quarters of 2010, respectively. NASSCO expects to deliver both ships to the Navy’s Military Sealift Command in 2012.

General Dynamics NASSCO employs more than 4,300 people and is the only full-service ship construction and repair yard on the West Coast of the United States. The shipyard delivered its ninth T-AKE ship on February 24 and is currently building the tenth through twelfth ships of the class. More information about NASSCO can be found at www.nassco.com .

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 91,700 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about the company is available on the Internet at www.generaldynamics.com .

Source: General Dynamics NASSCO

CONTACT: Karl D. Johnson of General Dynamics NASSCO, +1-619-544-8860,
Cell: +1-619-756-5039, kjohnson@nassco.com

Web Site: http://www.nassco.com/

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Lockheed Martin Delivers 50th Fully Missionized MH-60R Multimission Helicopter to the U.S. Navy — Press Release

February 10, 2010 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Events, Lockheed Martin, Press Releases, Sikorsky, UTC 

Lockheed Martin Delivers 50th Fully Missionized MH-60R Multimission Helicopter to the U.S. Navy

OWEGO, N.Y., Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ — Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) has formally delivered the 50th MH-60R helicopter, fully equipped for its mission to protect the U.S. Navy fleet from hostile submarines and surface ships.

The newest member of the SEAHAWK® family of maritime helicopters is designed and manufactured by Sikorsky, with advanced mission systems integration by Lockheed Martin.

“I am extremely proud of the MH-60R team, which has enabled this important milestone in the Romeo’s continued introduction to the fleet,” said Rear Adm. Steve Eastburg, Program Executive Officer Air ASW, Assault and Special Mission programs. “The enormous multimission capability of this platform continues to be leveraged by the warfighter in new and innovative ways. It is truly a game-changing platform that will deliver powerful capabilities, ranging from low-end to high-end warfare, in the years ahead.”

During the February 3 delivery ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s Mission Systems & Sensors facility in Owego, NY, Rear Adm. Paul Grosklags, vice commander, Naval Air Systems Command thanked Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky employees and other key suppliers for their contributions to this important program.

“The MH-60R has evolved over 30 years, through lessons learned during developmental testing, fleet deployments and maintenance on these rugged airframes and mission systems, in the harshest maritime environments,” said Grosklags. “It stands now as the premier multimission helicopter in operation today. The U.S. Navy is grateful for the tremendous teamwork and experience you bring to deliver this remarkable weapon system.”

This week, an aircrew from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven Zero (HSM-70) will fly the 50th aircraft from the Owego, NY, facility to its new home at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Fla. The aircraft is the 10th MH-60R delivered to HSM-70, which was established in February 2009.

HSM-70 will deploy with 11 MH-60R aircraft aboard the USS George H.W. Bush carrier strike group (CVN 77) in 2011. To date, the U.S. Navy has established and equipped four MH-60R squadrons, with plans to fill out 16 more through the purchase of 300 aircraft.

“The 50th delivery is a great opportunity to reflect on the success of the MH-60R within the fleet, to look forward to the expansion of the MH-60R throughout the helicopter community and to recognize the organizations that have brought this tremendous capability to the Navy,” said Captain Dean Peters, the U.S. Navy’s MH-60 program manager. “Today, these highly integrated platforms are building a situational awareness picture of the surface and undersea domains that is proving invaluable to fleet operators.”

As mission systems integrator for the Sikorsky-built MH-60R, Lockheed Martin is responsible for integrating the helicopter’s digital cockpit, a multi-mode radar, acoustic sonar suite, long-range infrared camera and other advanced sensors to detect, identify, track and engage surface and subsurface targets. Lockheed Martin also integrates a self defense system to protect the aircraft from missile threats.

“The highly integrated nature of the Common Cockpit(TM) avionics suite and the mission systems allows the aircrew to spend less time interpreting data and more time prosecuting the target,” said George Barton, Lockheed Martin’s director of Naval Helicopter Programs.

U.S. Navy test squadrons concluded 1900 hours of rigorous MH-60R flight and mission systems evaluations in 2005. Since full rate production began in early 2006, Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky have delivered all MH-60R aircraft to the U.S. Navy ahead of schedule.

The companies expect to deliver up to 27 fully-missionized MH-60R aircraft in calendar year 2010 to the U.S. Navy as part of a five-year contract for 139 MH-60R aircraft through 2013. Extra production capacity exists to deliver an additional 20 aircraft each year for sale by the U.S. Government to international navies.

The U.S. Navy deployed with 11 MH-60R aircraft for the first time from January to July 2009 with the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) carrier strike group. During exercises in the western Pacific, the MH-60R proved to be an exceptional sub hunter and surface warfare weapons platform, accomplishing a 95 percent sortie completion rate, and showing it can perform utility and search and rescue missions among other secondary missions.

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.

For additional information, visit our web site: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

Source: Lockheed Martin

CONTACT: Frans Jurgens of Lockheed Martin, +1-607-751-3200,
frans.jurgens@lmco.com; or Paul Jackson, +1-203-386-7143,
Paul.Jackson@sikorsky.com, for Lockheed Martin

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Herley Subsidiary is Awarded Contract for Fast Switching Synthesizers for Advanced Simulator Applications — Press Release

February 9, 2010 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Events, IT, Press Releases, development program, logistics 

Herley Subsidiary is Awarded Contract for Fast Switching Synthesizers for Advanced Simulator Applications

LANCASTER, Pa., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Herley Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:HRLY) announced today that its Herley-CTI subsidiary located in Whippany, NJ has received an award worth approximately $1.1M for its flagship DS synthesizer product. The wideband DS direct synthesizer is an ultra low noise, fast switching signal source used widely in the test community for antenna measurements and communications, radar and electronic warfare (EW) system evaluation. The synthesizers ordered under this contract are for use in U.S. Navy radar and electronic warfare environment simulators.

Richard F. Poirier, CEO and President, commented, “This award expands on the recent series of important wins for the fast switching synthesizer product line at Herley-CTI. These wins include synthesizer orders for military and commercial laboratory simulator and test applications, as well as orders for customized units offering packaging and features compatible with radar, EW, and other embedded system applications. This order adds to the already significant number of Herley-CTI synthesizers in use at this U.S. Navy installation. We expect Herley-CTI to continue to supply high reliability, high performance products to this customer for both new systems and system upgrades.”

Herley Industries, Inc. is a leader in the design, development and manufacture of microwave technology solutions for the defense, aerospace and medical industries worldwide. Based in Lancaster, PA, Herley has seven manufacturing locations and approximately 1000 employees. Additional information about the company can be found on the Internet at www.herley.com.

Safe Harbor Statement – Except for the historical information contained herein, this release may contain forward-looking statements. Such statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements involve various important assumptions, risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this discussion can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “may,” “should” or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievement. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors including but not limited to, competitive factors and pricing pressures, changes in legal and regulatory requirements, cancellation or deferral of customer orders, technological change or difficulties, difficulties in the timely development of new products, difficulties in manufacturing, commercialization and trade difficulties and current economic conditions, including the potential for significant changes in US defense spending under the new Administration which could affect future funding of programs and allocations within the budget to various programs as well as the factors set forth in this report and in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For information at Herley contact:

Peg Guzzetti Tel: (717) 397-2777
Investor Relations www.herley.com

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ATK and NASA to Perform Final Ground Test for the Space Shuttle Program — Press Release

February 8, 2010 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Events, Press Releases, space 

ATK and NASA to Perform Final Ground Test for the Space Shuttle Program

Test will Ensure Safety for Four Remaining Shuttle Flights

PROMONTORY, Utah, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Alliant Techsystems (NYSE:ATK) and NASA will conduct the last ground test for the Space Shuttle program on February 25, marking the closure of a program that has spanned more than three decades and ushering in the era of the next generation of space exploration.

What: Horizontal ground test firing of a four-segment solid
rocket motor
When: Thursday, February 25, 2010
Time: 11:55 a.m. MST
Where: ATK Space Systems facility in Promontory, Utah

Test Objectives/Background:
— A total of 43 design objectives will be measured through 258
instrument channels
— This final test will be the 52nd test conducted for NASA’s Space
Shuttle Program
— The ground test will be conducted to ensure the safe fly-out of the
remaining four missions
— The first test was conducted on July 18, 1977
— The cases have previously flown on the space shuttle, collectively
launching 38 missions

Media Contacts:
Trina Patterson George Torres
Cell: 801-699-0943 Cell: 801-699-2637
E-mail: trina.patterson@atk.com E-mail: george.torres@atk.com

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DSIT Awarded Orders Totaling to More Than US $6,000,000, Including a US $4,400,000 Contract to Supply Its AquaShield(TM) Diver Detection Sonar Systems for Underwater Security — Press Release

February 4, 2010 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Countries, Events, IT, Israel, Press Releases 

DSIT Awarded Orders Totaling to More Than US $6,000,000, Including a US $4,400,000 Contract to Supply Its AquaShield(TM) Diver Detection Sonar Systems for Underwater Security

GIVAT SHMUEL, Israel, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — DSIT Solutions Ltd., a subsidiary of Acorn Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACFN) , has been awarded a contract to supply its AquaShield(TM) Diver Detection Sonar (DDS) systems for the protection of several coastal and offshore installations. The contract value is just over US $4,400,000. The AquaShield(TM) underwater security systems are intended for permanent installation to provide superior underwater intruder detection.

The AquaShield(TM) diver detection system is a long-range fully automatic underwater security system. The system was specifically designed to provide maritime security for marine sites such as ports, power plants, oil and gas terminals and offshore rigs. The system adapts to the unique underwater topology, sea conditions and inherent sea life at each specific site.

Dan Ben-Dov, VP Sales & Marketing said, “This is one of the largest orders DSIT has received for its AquaShield(TM) systems to date. It is our understanding that DSIT is leading the world market for diver detection systems in terms of total value of sales in the past two years. Our customer base now includes government authorities, navies, security integrators and a growing and very important market – energy companies. With more than 3,000 coastal energy terminals and ports around the world we are very excited about the potential for growth. It is also gratifying that we are beginning to see returning customers indicating that our operational concept, products and service are meeting or exceeding their expectations.”

The AquaShield(TM) DDS is unique among underwater intruder detection systems. Its concept of operation relies upon two basic elements: adequate response time and fully automatic operation. The system locates Swimmer Delivery Vehicles (SDVs), swimmers and divers at very long ranges of up to 1,500 meters; thus providing sufficient time to respond to the threat. The system’s fully automatic operation mode that operates without human intervention means better performance at lower operating costs. Security personnel are only alerted when the automatic alarm indicates and tracks the underwater intruder.

“The significant growth in the field of diver detection systems at DSIT, along with the rest of the company’s sonar and acoustic products, has been happening at a very fast pace,” added Benny Sela, CEO at DSIT. “In the last year we have had to work hard and efficiently to meet the growing demand and our delivery commitments.”

In addition to the AquaShield underwater security system contract, the company also announced the award of several project contracts totaling close to $2M that have been signed during the last two quarters. The projects were ordered by return customers who have ordered similar software and hardware solutions from DSIT in the past; some of the projects have potential for substantial follow on production orders. The customers are both Israeli and foreign.

About DSIT

DSIT develops sonar and acoustic solutions and acts as a system integrator for advanced Security and Safety Command and Control systems. The Company’s offerings are designed to provide the latest in technology and its intelligent application for the energy, commercial, defense and homeland security markets. The Company’s offerings include: PortView Harbor Surveillance System (HSS), AquaShield(TM) Diver Detection Sonar (DDS), Sonar Simulators and Trainers, Mobile Acoustic Ranges (MAR), Underwater Acoustic Signal Analysis (UASA) systems, and Sonar Upgrade Programs (SUP). For more information visit www.dsit.co.il.

About Acorn Energy, Inc.

Acorn Energy, Inc. is a publicly traded holding company focused on improving the efficiency and environmental impact of the energy infrastructure, fossil fuel and nuclear industries. Our operating companies leverage advanced technologies to transform the existing energy infrastructure. Acorn’s strategy is to take primarily controlling positions in companies led by great entrepreneurs and add value by supporting those companies with marketing, strategy and business development. Acorn Energy is a global company with equity interests in CoaLogix, Coreworx, DSIT and GridSense. For more information visit www.acornenergy.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. For disclosure of additional risks and uncertainties which may affect DSIT’s business and prospects and Acorn Energy’s business generally, see the information under “Risk Factors” in Acorn Energy’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACTS
——–
Dr. Brandy Ben-Yosef
Marketing & Business Development Manager
DSIT Solutions Ltd.
+972 3 531 3333
marketing@dsit.co.il
——————–

Investor Contact:
Paul Henning
Cameron Associates
(212) 245-8800
Paul@cameronassoc.com

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Thermacore, Inc. Reaches 40 Year Milestone — Press Release

February 2, 2010 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Events, IT, Press Releases, logistics 

Thermacore, Inc. Reaches 40 Year Milestone

LANCASTER, Pa., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ — Thermacore, Inc. (www.thermacore.com) announced today that it has reached a historic milestone with the company’s celebration of 40 years in business.

Thermacore, Inc. was formed in 1970 for the purpose of transforming heat pipe technology from a laboratory curiosity into a marketable product to enhance standard heat sinks by dramatically improving thermal performance. Since its founding in 1970, Thermacore has produced tens of millions of heat pipes and other thermal management products to provide efficient cooling for military and aerospace electronics, medical equipment, power electronics, computer microprocessors, communications, and other electronic equipment.

In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, Thermacore led the charge in commercializing heat pipe technology for cooling computer microprocessors. The turning point came when Thermacore’s sintered powder wick technology became the accepted thermal management solution for a new generation of faster, more powerful processors in the mid-1990s, opening up a wealth of applications and making this technology a de facto standard. Because of that development, virtually every heat pipe with a sintered powder metal wick manufactured in the world today can trace its heritage back to early research and product development performed by Thermacore. They continue to hold that leadership position, moving advanced technology to commercialization with the application of vapor chamber heat pipes to commercial and military platforms, the implementation of pumped liquid cooling for computers and the integration of advanced materials to compliment heat pipe heat sinks, taking these technologies to the next level of integration.

“We’re proud to celebrate 40 years as a leader and innovator of thermal management technologies,” said Jerome Toth, Thermacore President and CEO. “It’s a tribute to the dedication and the engineering excellence of Thermacore employees, and is symbolic of the experience and knowledge that we can offer our customers.”

Key Developments

In the course of its 40 year history, Thermacore has benefited from talented and dedicated individuals whose capabilities have made scientific advances possible. Thermacore scientists and engineers have refined and developed many of the world’s leading thermal management technologies. The Thermacore team has over 100 patents to its credit and has authored hundreds of technical papers on the subject of thermal management. Several key accomplishments over the company’s history include the development of a patented planar heat pipe, or vapor chamber, which offers engineers the ability to have a highly efficient heat spreader that can incorporate “through holes” for design flexibility in attachment to the heat source. Other developments include the commercialization of a maintenance-free pumped single phase liquid cooling system for electronics cooling, and the development and commercialization of high temperature (>600 degrees Celsius) heat pipes for various applications such as semiconductor crystal growth, hypersonic aircraft, thermal storage, and concentrated solar power. Another notable accomplishment occurred when Thermacore expanded its offering of aerospace thermal control products. With over 20 years of Constant Conductance Heat Pipe (CCHP) flight heritage, Thermacore expanded its aerospace product offering by transferring a specialized technology called a “loop heat pipe” to the United States from a Russian entity in the early 1990’s, which culminated in a Loop Heat Pipe Flight Experiment aboard the space shuttle Columbia on STS-87.

The Thermacore organization itself has also evolved and grown over the years. Thermacore Europe was established in 1998 with the acquisition of Isoterix Limited, a thermal management solutions provider in the United Kingdom. This acquisition further broadened Thermacore’s global reach. Most recently, in August 2009, Thermacore completed the acquisition of k Technology Corporation in an effort to expand its thermal solution offerings with encapsulated Annealed Pyrolytic Graphite (APG) solid conduction heat spreading technology.

Read more

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Defense Solutions Holding, Inc. / DFSH Finalizing Foodstuff Contract with the Government of Iraq — Press Release

January 29, 2010 by Matthew Potter · 1 Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Events, Press Releases, logistics 

Defense Solutions Holding, Inc. / DFSH Finalizing Foodstuff Contract with the Government of Iraq

EXTON, Pa., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Defense Solutions Holding, Inc. (OTC:DFSH) (BULLETIN BOARD: DFSH) , announced today that it has issued a Performance Bond to the Government of Iraq following successful negotiations of a major foodstuff contract valued at more than $60 million.

Defense Solutions, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of DFSH that is licensed to operate in Iraq, responded to a request from the Iraq Ministry of Trade to submit a proposal to the State Company for Foodstuff Trading. In accordance with Iraq’s contracting procedures, Defense Solutions issued a bid bond to the Ministry of Trade in December, 2009. Since then, Colonel (Ret) Timothy Ringgold, CEO of Defense Solutions, returned to Baghdad to negotiate final contract terms. Following successful negotiations, Defense Solutions issued the performance bond to the Ministry of Trade as a final condition to make the contract operative. Delivery will be completed in four shipments over the next six months. First product shipment is expected within sixty days.

“The immediate requirement for foodstuffs for the 30 million Iraqis is immense. We are pleased that the Ministry of Trade has entrusted this contract to Defense Solutions,” stated Ringgold. “This opportunity represents the first of many for Defense Solutions in 2010 and beyond in Iraq.”

Defense Solutions began working in Iraq in 2005 when it refurbished and supplied 77 Battle Tanks under contracts with NATO, the Iraq Defense Ministry, and the US Army. Since then, Iraq’s Ministry of Trade licensed Defense Solutions as one of few American firms authorized to conduct both defense and commercial business in Iraq. Defense Solutions’ staff in Iraq consists of both US and Iraqi citizens, as does the staff at the company headquarters near Philadelphia.

About Defense Solutions:

Defense Solutions Holding, Inc. is headquartered in Exton, PA. Established in 2001, the firms’ founding philosophy was to deliver the world’s best solutions to military members so they can perform their jobs with minimal risk. Defense Solutions has worked for Federal and State departments and agencies, the White House, and international allied organizations including Iraq’s Defense Ministry, NATO, and the Multi-National Force in Iraq to devise and implement strategies supporting armed forces and civilian programs. Many of these programs directly support US and allied soldiers in combat.

For more information visit: http://www.ds-pa.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain matters discussed in this release may constitute “forward-looking statements.” Actual results and the timing of certain events may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Defense Solutions’ ability to control or predict, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties outlined in reports filed by Defense Solutions with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The statements made herein are made as of the date of this release, and Defense Solutions undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this press release, and Defense Solutions undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT:
Defense Solutions Holding, Inc.
Michael Buglio
+1.610.833.6000
buglio@ds-pa.com

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Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc. Begins Shipping Its Full Body Scanner — Press Release

January 27, 2010 by Matthew Potter · 1 Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Events, IT, Press Releases, development program, logistics 

Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc. Begins Shipping Its Full Body Scanner

COVINGTON, Ky., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Valley Forge Composite Technologies (OTC:VLYF) (BULLETIN BOARD: VLYF) is shipping ODIN(TM), its full body scanner, this week. ODIN is a state of the art full body scanning system based on Ultra-Low Dose Imaging Technology. It provides an enhanced ability to see most objects including liquids, explosives and other contraband carried on an individual, even when concealed.

The initial system is expected to be installed and operational by the middle of February at which point ODIN will undergo acceptance testing for 30 days before being put into full operation. It is believed that successful testing will result with a larger rollout.

“We have been informed that we were chosen because we are providing very high quality images”, stated Lou Brothers, CEO of Valley Forge.

For security reasons, Valley Forge has agreed to not disclose the end user of the product or the location of the initial installation.

For further information on ODIN or Valley Forge’s other contraband detection technologies, please visit its web site at www.vlyf.com .

About Valley Forge

Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc. develops, manufactures and distributes next-generation detection systems. Its THOR LVX(TM) system is designed to detect nuclear material, explosives and contraband hidden in cargo containers and baggage, even through shielding. VLYF is also marketing the ODIN personal screening system for use in airports, high-security buildings and border entry points. More information about Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc. can be found at www.vlyf.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a ’safe harbor’ for certain forward-looking statements. Statements in this press release that relate to Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc.’s future plans, objectives, expectations, performance, events, reports made by others, and the like, including a statement about the assumptions underlying a forward-looking statement, are forward-looking statements protected by the safe harbor. Investors should understand that future events, risks and uncertainties, individually or in the aggregate, are factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. These factors could include changes in economic conditions or government policies that may change the demand for the Company’s products and services and could include other factors discussed in the sections of the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, entitled ‘Description of Business’ or ‘Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation.’ This release is comprised of interrelated information that must be interpreted in the context of all of the information provided and care should be exercised not to consider portions of this release out of context. Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc. uses paid services of investor relations organizations to promote the Company to the investment community. Investments in the Company should be considered speculative, and, prior to acquisition, should be thoroughly researched. Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc. does not intend to update these forward-looking statements prior to its reporting of its quarterly or annual results.

Contact
Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc.
Roe Brothers
roe@vfct.com
Tel: (859) 581-5111

Source: Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc.

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Stryker Reports 7% Sales Growth, 10% Net Earnings Growth for Quarter Ended December 31, 2009 — Press Release

January 26, 2010 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Earnings, Events, Press Releases 

Stryker Reports 7% Sales Growth, 10% Net Earnings Growth for Quarter Ended December 31, 2009

KALAMAZOO, Mich., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Stryker Corporation (NYSE:SYK) reported operating results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2009 as follows:

Fourth Quarter Highlights

— Net sales increased 2.5% on a constant currency basis (6.8% increase
as reported) to $1,834 million
— Orthopaedic Implant sales increased 4.7% on a constant currency basis
(9.7% increase as reported)
— MedSurg Equipment sales decreased 0.7% on a constant currency basis
(2.5% increase as reported)
— Adjusted net earnings increased 10.3% from $299 million to $330
million and adjusted diluted net earnings per share increased 10.8%
from $0.74 to $0.82
— Reported net earnings increased 10.2% from $278 million to $306
million and reported diluted net earnings per share increased 10.1%
from $0.69 to $0.76
— Completed the acquisition of Ascent Healthcare

Highlights for the Year Ended December 31, 2009

— Net sales increased 1.7% on a constant currency basis (0.1% increase
as reported) to $6,723 million
— Orthopaedic Implants sales increased 5.7% on a constant currency basis
(3.8% increase as reported)
— MedSurg Equipment sales decreased 4.1% on a constant currency basis
(5.4% decrease as reported)
— Adjusted net earnings increased 0.9% from $1,170 million to $1,180
million and adjusted diluted net earnings per share increased 4.2%
from $2.83 to $2.95
— Reported net earnings decreased 3.5% from $1,148 million to $1,107
million and reported diluted net earnings per share decreased 0.4%
from $2.78 to $2.77

“We are pleased to have finished 2009 on a solid note after navigating a particularly challenging environment throughout the year. Our Orthopaedic Implant business continues to achieve solid results while our MedSurg business reinforces our conviction that the capital equipment market has stabilized. As we look ahead to 2010, we believe our broad geographic footprint and diverse product offering positions us well to deliver on our commitments,” commented Stephen P. MacMillan, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Net sales increased 6.8% to $1,834 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 and increased 0.1% to $6,723 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. On a constant currency basis, net sales increased 2.5% in the fourth quarter and 1.7% for the year.

During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company settled an outstanding patent infringement lawsuit and received $63 million in damages, attorney fees and interest pursuant to a confidential settlement agreement and will record a gain of $63 million ($43 million net of income taxes). In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company repatriated $787 million of cash from foreign earnings to the United States and recorded a charge of $67 million to recognize the income tax expense and related liability associated with the repatriation. The repatriated cash was used to fund the acquisition of Ascent Healthcare and will also be used for previously announced initiatives including the share repurchase authorization.

Excluding the impacts of the patent litigation gain, the income tax charge associated with the repatriation of cash from foreign earnings and previously announced restructuring charges recorded in 2008, adjusted net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2009 of $330 million increased 10.3% over adjusted net earnings of $299 million for the fourth quarter of 2008 and adjusted diluted net earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2009 of $0.82 increased 10.8% over adjusted diluted net earnings per share of $0.74 for the fourth quarter of 2008. Excluding the impacts of the patent litigation gain, the income tax charge associated with the repatriation of cash from foreign earnings and previously announced restructuring charges recorded in 2009 and 2008, adjusted net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2009 of $1,180 million increased 0.9% over adjusted net earnings of $1,170 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 and adjusted diluted net earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2009 of $2.95 increased 4.2% over adjusted diluted net earnings per share of $2.83 for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $306 million, representing a 10.2% increase over net earnings of $278 million for the fourth quarter of 2008. Diluted net earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2009 increased 10.1% to $0.76 compared to $0.69 for the fourth quarter of 2008. Net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2009 were $1,107 million, representing a 3.5% decrease from net earnings of $1,148 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. Diluted net earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2009 decreased 0.4% to $2.77 from $2.78 for the year ended December 31, 2008.

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General Dynamics Awarded $118 Million by U.S. Navy for Common Missile Compartment Work — Press Release

January 23, 2010 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Events, General Dynamics, Press Releases, production program 

General Dynamics Awarded $118 Million by U.S. Navy for Common Missile Compartment Work

GROTON, Conn., Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — General Dynamics Electric Boat has been awarded a $118 million contract modification by the U.S. Navy to continue concept studies, engineering and design of a Common Missile Compartment for the United Kingdom’s Successor ballistic-missile submarine and the U.S. Ohio replacement submarine. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) .

The award modifies a $76 million contract announced in December 2008 for engineering, technical services, concept studies and design of a Common Missile Compartment for the next-generation ballistic missile submarines under development for the Royal Navy and the U.S. Navy.

If all options are exercised and funded, the overall contract would have a value of more than $600 million.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 92,300 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.generaldynamics.com.

Source: General Dynamics Electric Boat

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General Dynamics Awarded $33 Million Order by U.S. Army for Bradley Fighting Vehicle Reactive Armor — Press Release

January 21, 2010 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Events, General Dynamics, Press Releases, production program 

General Dynamics Awarded $33 Million Order by U.S. Army for Bradley Fighting Vehicle Reactive Armor

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products has been awarded an order of approximately $33 million to produce reactive armor tile sets for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle by the U.S. Army Contracting Command in Picatinny Arsenal, N.J. Deliveries are expected to begin in June 2010. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) .

Work will be performed at the General Dynamics’ facility in McHenry, Miss., and deliveries are expected to be completed in November 2010. The program will be managed from General Dynamics’ Burlington Technology Center in Vermont. The order is an extension of a contract awarded in 2006. A strategic partner, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., Ordnance and Protection Division, will share the production workload in Haifa, Israel.

General Dynamics’ reactive armor system is composed of tiles that fasten to the exterior of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, allowing it to better withstand direct hits from a variety of anti-armor munitions.

“Our reactive armor package is a light-weight solution that can defeat full-scale, shape-charge threats of modern, long-range anti-tank missiles,” said Russ Klein, vice president and general manager of weapon systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products. “Our team in McHenry is proud to produce reactive armor tiles that save lives and prevent severe damage to combat vehicles in Iraq.”

General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, located in Charlotte, N.C., provides a broad range of system solutions for military and commercial applications. The company designs, develops and produces high-performance weapon and armament systems, defensive armor, countermeasure systems and aerospace composite solutions, as well as off-road axle and suspension systems. It is also a leading U.S. producer of biological and chemical detection systems. More information about General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products can be found on the Internet at www.gdatp.com.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 92,300 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.generaldynamics.com.

Source: General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products

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General Dynamics AMSEA Awarded $27 Million Contract by Military Sealift Command — Press Release

January 19, 2010 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Events, General Dynamics, Press Releases, logistics 

General Dynamics AMSEA Awarded $27 Million Contract by Military Sealift Command

QUINCY, Mass., Jan. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — General Dynamics American Overseas Marine (AMSEA) has been awarded a $27.2 million operations and maintenance services contract by the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC).

Through this contract, General Dynamics will provide full-service operations and maintenance for seven Navy Large, Medium-Speed, Roll-On/Roll-Off (LMSR) vessels. Services will include crewing, engineering, maintenance, procurement and provisioning.

“AMSEA has successfully operated the vessels in this program for the last five years and looks forward to continuing our superior service for our customer under this new contract,” said Captain Thomas Merrell, president of General Dynamics, American Overseas Marine.

MSC’s LMSR program significantly enhances the U.S. sealift capability for the new millennium. LMSRs have been the primary movers of U.S. military equipment during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Each LMSR can carry an entire U.S. Army Task Force, including 58 tanks and 48 other tracked vehicles, as well as more than 900 trucks and other wheeled vehicles. The LMSRs are each crewed by approximately 30 civilian mariners.

As a full service ship operator for more than 25 years, General Dynamics, American Overseas Marine provides complete marine operations, engineering and professional services to customers in the government and commercial sectors. The company is part of the Marine Systems group of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) . More information about General Dynamics American Overseas Marine is available at www.gdamsea.com.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 92,300 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.gd.com.

Source: General Dynamics American Overseas Marine

CONTACT: Kevin Kimball of General Dynamics American Overseas Marine,
+1-617-376-8450, Fax: +1-617-472-4925, kkimball@gdamsea.com

Web Site: http://www.gdamsea.com/

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Northrop Grumman to Move Corporate Office to Washington, D.C. Region — Press Release

January 4, 2010 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Events, Northrop Grumman Corp., Press Releases 

Northrop Grumman to Move Corporate Office to Washington, D.C. Region

Move will bring company leaders closer to federal government, key customers

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced a decision to move its corporate office from Los Angeles to the Washington D.C. region by 2011. The company is engaged in a search to identify a specific location within the Washington, D.C. region, including the District, Maryland and Virginia. It plans to complete the search by spring 2010 and open the new corporate office by summer 2011.

“As a global security company with a large customer base in the Washington, D.C. region, this move will enable us to better serve our nation and customers,” said Wes Bush, chief executive officer and president.

The new corporate office will include approximately 300 people. Although the company is moving some corporate staff from Los Angeles, the state of California remains a significant location for Northrop Grumman research, development and manufacturing. Approximately 30,000 employees, a quarter of Northrop Grumman’s worldwide employment, work in California. Its Aerospace Systems sector is headquartered in Redondo Beach, and each of the company’s other four sectors have major facilities in the state.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation

CONTACT: Media, Dan McClain, +1-310-201-3335, or Investors, Paul
Gregory, +1-310-201-1634, both of Northrop Grumman Corporation

Web Site: http://www.northropgrumman.com/

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Herley Reports Earnings for First Quarter of Fiscal 2010 — Press Release

December 12, 2009 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Earnings, Events, Herley Industries, Press Releases 

Herley Reports Earnings for First Quarter of Fiscal 2010

LANCASTER, Pa., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Herley Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:HRLY) today reported financial results for its First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2010.

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 were $47.7 million compared to $35.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. Income from continuing operations was $3.6 million, or $.26 per diluted share, compared to a loss from continuing operations of $.9 million, or $(.07) per diluted share, last year. The loss from discontinued operations last year of $.5 million, or $(.03) per diluted share, resulted from the sale of the ICI business in November 2008. Net income for the first quarter was $3.6 million, or $.26 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.3 million, or $(.10) per diluted share, last year.

The Company’s EBITDA for the first quarter of 2010 was $6.9 million compared to $1.1 million last year. The Company’s Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2010 was $7.4 million compared to $1.7 million last year. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income plus the impact of foreign exchange transactions, excluding interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and litigation costs.

The Company reported a revenue increase of $12.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to last year. The 35% increase was primarily related to increased deliveries under major production programs. In addition, an increase of approximately $2.0 million in sales was due to the inclusion of three months of Eyal’s revenues in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to the inclusion of two months of its revenues for the comparable prior quarter. Gross profit in the quarter was $13.3 million (27.9% gross profit margin) compared to $6.6 million (18.7% gross profit margin) last year, an increase of $6.7 million. The increase in gross profit and gross profit margin during fiscal 2010 was principally a result of leveraging our fixed costs on the sales increase as well as anticipated improvements in margins related to manufacturing efficiencies and a favorable program mix.

Selling and administrative (“S&A”) expenses for the first quarter were $7.7 million, or 16.1% of sales, compared to $7.3 million, or 20.7% of sales, last year. The $.4 million increase in S&A expenses was primarily attributable to an increase of approximately $.9 million in commissions and related sales expenses associated with the increase in sales and approximately $.2 million due to the inclusion of a full quarter of Eyal’s expenses since its acquisition in last year’s first quarter, partially offset by approximately $.7 million related to cost reductions, including payroll-related expenses.

The Company reported operating income during the first quarter of fiscal 2010 of $5.1 million compared to an operating loss of $.7 million last year. The prior-year quarter included a gain on the sale of certain assets of approximately $.6 million.

At November 1, 2009, the Company’s balance sheet is strong, with total cash and cash equivalents of $13.8 million, working capital of $90.8 million and long-term debt, exclusive of settlement commitments, of $20.2 million. Capital expenditures were $1.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to $2.0 million last year.

Richard F. Poirier, Chief Executive Officer and President, commented, “We are very pleased by the results of this quarter. We maintain a strong backlog, and are continuing to realize the benefits of transitioning from development to full production on major programs. We are also looking to expand into new programs, and continue to concentrate on strengthening relationships with our customers.”

Richard Poirier, Chief Executive Officer and President, will host a conference call on December 11, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the financial results for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2010, which ended November 1, 2009. To join the conference call, dial 1 (888) 425-4188, referencing Conference ID #42650178.

A taped replay of the call will be available on December 11, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. through December 18, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. To listen to the replay, dial: 1 (800) 642-1687 (U.S.) or 1 (706) 645-9291 (International), and Conference ID #42650178.

In addition, the conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed through the following URL: http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=64188. To listen to the live call on the Internet, go to the web site at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software.

Herley Industries, Inc. is a leader in the design, development and manufacture of microwave technology solutions for the defense, aerospace and medical industries worldwide. Based in Lancaster, PA, Herley has seven manufacturing locations and approximately 1,000 employees. Additional information about the Company can be found on the Internet at www.herley.com

Safe Harbor Statement – Except for the historical information contained herein, this release may contain forward-looking statements. Such statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements involve various important assumptions, risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this discussion can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “may,” “should” or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievement. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors including but not limited to, competitive factors and pricing pressures, changes in legal and regulatory requirements, cancellation or deferral of customer orders, technological change or difficulties, difficulties in the timely development of new products, difficulties in manufacturing, commercialization and trade difficulties and current economic conditions, including the potential for significant changes in US defense spending under the new Administration which could affect future funding of programs and allocations within the budget to various programs as well as the factors set forth in this report and in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For information at
Herley, contact:

Peg Guzzetti Tel: (717) 397-2777
Investor Relations www.herley.com
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Unmanned Aircraft Systems Market Blazes Ahead Due to Ongoing War Operations, Finds Frost & Sullivan — Press Release

December 11, 2009 by Matthew Potter · 1 Comment
Filed under: Press Releases 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Market Blazes Ahead Due to Ongoing War Operations, Finds Frost & Sullivan

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Dec. 11 /PRNewswire/ — Defense companies that wish to claim a stake in the intensely competitive unmanned aircraft system (UAS) market will find the task challenging. Mature technologies, coupled with increasing consolidation, are making the UAS market a difficult space to enter. These challenges are not likely to hold back the market, especially with the Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) demand for UAS at an all-time high due to the ongoing war operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Although the troop withdrawal in Iraq and lower defense budgets could have a long-term negative impact on the UAS market space, the market is expected to increase between 2009 and 2013.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.aerospace.frost.com/), U.S. Unmanned Aircraft Systems Market, finds that the market earned revenues of $3.16 billion in 2008 and estimates this to reach $3.81 billion in 2013.

If you are interested in more information on this research, then send an e-mail to Sarah Saatzer, Corporate Communications, at sarah.saatzer@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, company e-mail address, company website, city, state and country.

“By focusing on UAS subsystems, the U.S. defense industry will still be able to take advantage of a market space that is rapidly changing both technologically and competitively,” says Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Lindsay Voss. “Six years after the onset of rapid UAS procurement, the U.S. DoD is still demanding more persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets in the air. This ensures growth in the UAS space while many other areas of aerospace and defense are contracting.”

Apart from the benefits of lower costs of purchase and operation, unmanned aircraft eliminate the need for an onboard crew, making it easier for the military to tackle more advanced missions. Warfighters are demanding more full-motion video and since unmanned aircraft are the foundation for this vital resource, they are emerging as critical assets in the battlefield.

“From nano and small systems weighing less than 2 pounds to the 10,000 pound Global Hawk, UAS is changing the dynamics of the military aviation market space,” notes Voss. “Companies that have traditionally provided manned assets to their military customers can no longer ignore the trend, and many are embracing unmanned aviation.”

The overwhelming demand for constant ISR from warfighters has kicked the UAS market into overdrive, stimulating dramatic growth for key UAS companies.

New participants are not likely to find the going as easy as the entrenched competitors. Companies that could provide an 80 percent UAS solution ten years ago dominate the market today across all key platform categories. Market domination by well-established companies has already driven some participants out of the market and forced others to diversify their product and/or service offerings.

“Diversification is proving to be an important strategy as new market participants seek to be profitable in the UAS space,” observes Voss. “Companies that are able to offer value to their military customers through current product offerings while expanding into key UAS market sub-segments are improving their competitive positions.”

The emergence of vital growth sub-segments such as UAS services and subsystems are creating numerous opportunities for participants, especially with UAS continuing to proliferate in the battle space. Companies will have to make the most of the opportunities in these diversified areas if they wish to solidify their positions in the market.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Market is part of the Defense Growth Partnership Services program, which also includes research in the following markets: U.S. DoD 2010 budget, U.S. military software defined radio markets, U.S. C4ISR services market, Middle East land ISR radar market assessment, European air ISR sensors, and maritime security assessment – EU. All research services included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best in class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company’s Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO’s Growth Team with disciplined research and best practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from 40 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit http://www.frost.com/.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Market
N600

Contact:
Sarah Saatzer
Corporate Communications – North America
P: 210. 477.8427
E: sarah.saatzer@frost.com

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AIA Recommends Flexibility in OCI Rules — Press Release

December 9, 2009 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Events, Press Releases 

AIA Recommends Flexibility in OCI Rules

ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The U.S. government needs to adopt Organizational Conflict of Interest rules that function effectively without forcing unnecessary divestitures in industry, AIA Vice President Cord Sterling said in testimony Tuesday.

“In order to tighten Organizational Conflict of Interest requirements while still allowing DoD access to needed skills, any rule must be flexible, narrowly construed and consistently applied across government,” Sterling said in testimony at a public hearing on implementing acquisition reform.

“Divesting a portion of a business should be a last resort and because of the industrial base implications of such a decision, should be approved by the Senior Procurement Executive based on a business case,” Sterling said.

AIA attributes the increase in frequency of organizational conflicts of interest to three factors: industry consolidation; loss of “in-house” technical expertise in government because of significant reductions in the acquisition workforce; and increasing complexity of modern systems requiring integration of weapons, information technology and command and control.

“AIA believes that DoD should develop and implement a clear, organization-wide policy that encourages use of systems engineering expertise, while ensuring strict mitigation of OCIs,” Sterling said. “With a clear policy and regulatory guidance, the federal government can take advantage of the significant technical expertise that many defense contractors have to offer.”

The testimony is available on AIA’s web site.

Founded in 1919, the Aerospace Industries Association represents the nation’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military, and business aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aircraft systems, space systems, aircraft engines, materiel, and related components, equipment services, and information technology.

Source: Aerospace Industries Association

CONTACT: Alexis Allen of Aerospace Industries Association,
+1-703-358-1075 office, +1-703-362-0682 cell, Alexis.allen@aia-aerospace.org

Web Site: http://www.aia-aerospace.org/

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Lockheed Martin Delivers First Production F-35 Electro-Optical Targeting System — Press Release

December 1, 2009 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Events, Lockheed Martin, Military Aviation, Press Releases, development program, production program 

Lockheed Martin Delivers First Production F-35 Electro-Optical Targeting System

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ — Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) has marked successful entry into low rate initial production on the F-35 Lightning II Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS). The first production units have been delivered to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth, TX, for integration onto the aircraft.

Embedded into the F-35’s fuselage with an innovative faceted sapphire window, the low-drag, stealthy EOTS is the world’s first and only sensor combining forward-looking infrared and infrared search and track functionality. The F-35 EOTS will provide Lightning II pilots with significant air-to-air and air-to-ground situational awareness in a single compact and completely passive sensor.

“Our team looks forward to meeting its commitment to provide a superior targeting system to F-35 pilots around the world as we gear up to produce more than 3,000 units,” said Rich Hinkle, program director of F-35 Lightning II EOTS at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “This delivery marks a pivotal achievement for the EOTS as we transition from a system design and development program to a production program.”

The F-35 EOTS production is ramping up to produce up to 200 units a year. “The outlook for the F-35 program is very strong,” Hinkle said. “Our success in supporting the program is vital to the F-35’s mission to provide dominant airpower across the full air-to-air, air-to-ground mission spectrum.”

The latest generation infrared sensor technology, the F-35 EOTS builds upon the success of Lockheed Martin’s Sniper® Advanced Targeting Pod to provide high-resolution imagery, automatic target tracking, infrared-search-and-track, laser designation and range finding, as well as laser spot tracking–all at greatly increased standoff ranges. Modular components allow the F-35 EOTS to be maintained on the flight line for true two-level maintenance.

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 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

For additional information, visit our website:

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

Source: Lockheed Martin

CONTACT: Heather Kelly of Lockheed Martin, +1-407-356-5351,
heather.kelly@lmco.com

Web Site: http://www.lmco.com/

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Lockheed Martin Super Hercules Deliveries Strengthen USAF and USMC Fleets — Press Release

November 21, 2009 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Events, Lockheed Martin, Press Releases, production program 

Lockheed Martin Super Hercules Deliveries Strengthen USAF and USMC Fleets

MARIETTA, Ga., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Demonstrating the increase in the C-130J build and delivery rate, Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) simultaneously delivered two C-130Js on Nov. 19 to two different customers – a C-130J to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and a KC-130J to the U.S. Marine Corps.

The USAFE C-130J was accepted by Brig. Gen. Mark C. “Marshal” Dillon, commander of the 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, and commander, Kaiserslautern Military Community, Germany. The KC-130J Tanker was accepted by a Marine Corps flight crew and will be based at VMGR-152, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan.

“Adding another C-130J is not a linear addition; it’s geometric in terms of the capability of the airplane,” Dillon said. “One plus one doesn’t always equal two, sometimes it equals three or four because of the great capability of the C-130J. After spending the last two weeks at Little Rock Air Force Base and seeing the tremendous capability of the C-130J, it’s just going to add capability to Ramstein, Europe and that part of the world – which our country needs and our European partners need.”

“Delivery of two aircraft to two customers in one day is a clear indication of the accelerating pace of the C-130J program,” said Ross Reynolds, Lockheed Martin vice-president, C-130 programs. “The worldwide demand for this proven airlifter continues to grow and we are steadily increasing production to meet the demand.”

The Ramstein delivery represents the eighth C-130J for the base, which will receive 10 C-130Js by the end of 2009. Four more will be delivered in 2010. The KC-130J is the 36th of 46 aircraft on order to be delivered to the USMC.

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 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

For additional information, visit our Web site:

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

Source: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company

CONTACT: Peter Simmons, +1-770-494-6208, cell, +1-678-662-4747,
peter.e.simmons@lmco.com, or Sam Grizzle, +1-703-413-5775, cell,
+1-678-662-9162, sam.c.grizzle@lmco.com, both of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
Company

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Army Buys Javelin Support

July 14, 2009 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Events, Lockheed Martin, Press Releases, Raytheon, Services, U.S. Army, logistics, production program 

The U.S. Army contracted with the Javelin Joint Venture to buy spares and support for the advanced anti-tank missile. This company is owned by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon and provides production and support for the system. The total contract value over the next five years is about $300 million.

The Javelin provides man portable anti-tank defense for U.S. Army and Marine troops. It may also be used to attack buildings or dug in enemy troops. By utilizing a pop-up attack profile the missile attacks the weaker, top armor of vehicles. Like all of these kind of systems it is expensive and as such the U.S. began introducing older man packed systems, like the Light Anti-tank Weapon (LAW), in Iraq to attack buildings.

As with a great deal of modern U.S. equipment the Javelin was designed to counter the large Warsaw Pact forces in Europe that never had to be fought. It has been adapted to the situation and requirements since 9/11.

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Raytheon to Upgrade Radars on F-18 Aircraft

May 28, 2009 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Events, IT, Military Aviation, Raytheon, Services, U.S. Navy, production program 

The U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon a contract to retrofit new AN/APG-79 advanced radars on older F-18 aircraft. The APG-79 is an advanced, electronic beam scanning radar. This allows the radar to be steered digitally rather then mechanically like older systems. The radar provides a more reliable, higher resolution and longer range system then previous equipment.

The contract is worth almost $60 million and will be installed on F-18E/F Super Hornets already in service with the Navy. Raytheon has been providing the APG-79 to Boeing as it delivers the new aircraft over the last few years. 134 radars have been provided for new construction and with this contract 38 total aircraft will be retrofitted. The current plan is to retrofit 133 existing aircraft.

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Canadian Frigate Upgrade Goes International

May 8, 2009 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Canada, Contract Awards, Countries, Elbit, Elbit Systems, Events, IT, India, Israel, production program 

The Canadian Navy is conducting a modernization program for their Halifax class frigates. Lockheed Martin Canada has won the contract to upgrade the electronics and command and control systems on board the ships. As part of this that company awarded the Israeli based Elbit Systems subsidiary, Elisra Systems, a contract for electronic warfare equipment.

That contract is worth about $55 million. Israel has had to develop a fairly sophisticated indigenous arms industry that covers all aspects from large weapon systems to small arms to electronics. In the last few years those companies have started to win foreign contracts. India recently has turned to Israel for an Airborne Early Warning (EAW) system. This contract demonstrates how capable the Israeli industry is, and is probably a sign of more such contracts to come.

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New Variant of JSOW Begins Production

March 20, 2009 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Events, Military Aviation, Raytheon, Services, U.S. Navy, development program, production program 

Raytheon received a contract from the U.S. Navy to begin production of the newest variant of the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW). PR Newswire has the company’s press release on this $106 million contract. The contract pays for transition from the current JSOW C to the JSOW C-1. The C-1 adds a data link and ability to engage moving targets. The JSOW utilizes GPS for guidance and is integrated on various aircraft such as the F-16 and F/A-18. The JSOW will also be utilized by the upcoming F-35. Raytheon will build 350 systems with test equipment under the contract.

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Israel Buys More UAV’s

January 26, 2009 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Contract Awards, Countries, Elbit, Events, Israel, Military Aviation, production program 

Fresh off the recent successful use of UAV in support of operations against Hamas in Gaza, the Israeli government awarded Elbit Systems a contract for more Skylark 1 systems.  The press release is carried at PRNewswire.com.  The contract will also buy logistics support and training for the system. The value of the contract is about $40 million.

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