Boeing Can’t Be Seen As Taking Advantage Of Being Sole Bidder
Filed under: Boeing, EADS, K-CX News, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Syndicated Industry News, northrop grumman
Now, that Boeing is the only bidder on the KC-X, the Seattle Times notes that Boeing now has to make sure that it is not seen as taking advantage of being the sole bidder:
Northrop Grumman walked away from the $40 billion Air Force refueling-tanker competition Monday, drawing a widely criticized and nearly decadelong procurement process close to an outright Boeing victory.
With the likely prospect of air tankers rolling out of Everett until around 2027 at least, the outcome could secure as many as 2,000 direct jobs in Everett and an additional 6,000 statewide at suppliers and others, according to previous Boeing estimates.
Yet Northrop’s withdrawal leaves Boeing with a pricing dilemma as it prepares a final bid. The Pentagon, embarrassed by the lack of competition, now will be under extra scrutiny over what it pays for its tankers.
On one hand, because the contract is a fixed price — meaning the winner must swallow the loss if program costs escalate beyond the price it bids — Boeing typically would be expected to aim high, especially with no competition.
At the same time, Boeing will want to avoid the appearance that it is taking advantage of Northrop’s withdrawal to jack up the price.
“This competition was supposed to be a model for future procurement,” said Issaquah-based aviation analyst Scott Hamilton of Leeham.net. “It’s clear the Department of Defense fell short again in running a procurement process that works.”
The contract is to supply the Air Force with 179 tankers used to refuel fighter, transport and bomber aircraft en route to their targets.
Northrop had teamed with EADS, parent of European planemaker Airbus, to offer a tanker based on the Airbus A330.
In 2008, the Defense Department cited a rough contract value of $35 billion, or about $196 million per airplane, plus an extra $5 billion in operational support and other costs.
Certainly, the rivalry in the previous round of the tanker competition between the Boeing 767 and the A330 drastically reduced the cost to the taxpayer.
Read the entire article at the Seattle Times.
Boeing Completes Preliminary Design of Free Electron Laser Weapon System
Boeing Completes Preliminary Design of Free Electron Laser Weapon SystemMarch 18, 2010
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has successfully completed the preliminary design of the U.S. Navy's Free Electron Laser (FEL) weapon system, a key step toward building a FEL prototype for realistic tests at sea.
During the preliminary design review held March 9 to March 11 at a Boeing facility in Arlington, Va., the company presented its design to more than 30 U.S. government and National Laboratory representatives. This electric laser will operate by passing a beam of high-energy electrons through a series of powerful magnetic fields, generating an intense emission of laser light that can disable or destroy targets.
"The Free Electron Laser will use a ship's electrical power to create, in effect, unlimited ammunition and provide the ultra-precise, speed-of-light capability required to defend U.S. naval forces against emerging threats, such as hyper-velocity cruise missiles," said Gary Fitzmire, vice president and program director of Boeing Directed Energy Systems. "The successful completion of this preliminary design review is an important milestone in developing a weapon system that will transform naval warfare."
In April 2009, Boeing was awarded an Office of Naval Research contract valued at up to $163 million -- with an initial task order of $6.9 million -- to begin developing FEL. The Navy is expected to decide this summer whether to award additional task orders to Boeing to complete the FEL design and build and operate a laboratory demonstrator.
Boeing Missile Defense Systems' Directed Energy Systems unit in Albuquerque and the Boeing Research & Technology group in Seattle support the FEL program. The company has partnered with U.S. Department of Energy laboratories, academia and industry partners to design the laser.
Boeing is developing laser systems for a variety of defense applications. Besides FEL, these systems include the Airborne Laser, the High Energy Laser Technology Demonstrator, and Laser Avenger, among others.
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.
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Technorati Tags:
Boeing (NYSE:BA), Naval Systems
Boeing Receives Additional Contract for Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems
Boeing Receives Additional Contract for Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing SystemsMarch 18, 2010
ST. LOUIS, -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced it received a $39.6 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense in December to provide 85 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS).
Boeing will deliver JHMCS aircraft hardware and pilot equipment for U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard F-15 Eagles, Air Force F-16 Falcons, and 10 international customers.
“The U.S. Air Force and international customers continue to rely on JHMCS to provide state-of-the-art targeting for aircraft weapon systems,” said Phil King, JHMCS program manager for Boeing. “It has become an indispensable tool for increasing pilots’ combat capability.”
The United States and international customers have ordered more than 3,300 systems to date, out of an estimated 3,700-system production program. The contract announced today is Boeing’s eleventh JHMCS production order since 2002.
First used in Operation Iraqi Freedom, the multirole JHMCS gives flight crew members the ability to rapidly acquire and designate a target simply by looking at it. By placing an aiming cross, projected on the helmet visor, over the desired target and pressing a button, pilots can quickly and easily aim weapons and sensors to designate and attack airborne or ground targets. The JHMCS visor also displays tactical information, aircraft altitude, airspeed, g-force and angle of attack to increase the user’s situational awareness.
Boeing is the prime contractor and integrator for JHMCS. Vision Systems International, based in San Jose, Calif., is the major subcontractor.
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.
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Technorati Tags:
Boeing (NYSE:BA), Contract $40m, Contract Win
Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Succeeds in First Vertical Landing
Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Succeeds in First Vertical LandingMarch 18, 2010 3:02:00 PM
NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, Md., -- A supersonic Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter rode more than 41,000 pounds of thrust to a vertical landing today for the first time, confirming its required ability to land in confined areas both ashore and afloat.
"Today's vertical landing onto a 95-foot square pad showed that we have the thrust and the control to maneuver accurately both in free air and in the descent through ground effect," said F-35 Lead STOVL Pilot Graham Tomlinson.
Tomlinson performed an 80-knot (93 miles per hour) short takeoff from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., at 1:09 p.m. EDT. About 13 minutes into the flight, he positioned the aircraft 150 feet above the airfield, where he commanded the F-35 to hover for approximately one minute then descend to the runway.
"The low workload in the cockpit contrasted sharply with legacy short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) platforms," said Tomlinson, a retired Royal Air Force fighter pilot and a BAE Systems employee since 1986. "Together with the work already completed for slow-speed handling and landings, this provides a robust platform to expand the fleet's STOVL capabilities."
Robert J. Stevens, Lockheed Martin chairman and chief executive officer, said, "Today's vertical landing of the F-35 BF-1 aircraft was a vivid demonstration of innovative technology that will serve the global security needs of the U.S. and its allies for decades to come. I am extremely proud of the F-35 team for their dedication, service and performance in achieving this major milestone for the program."
Doug Pearson, Lockheed Martin vice president of F-35 Test and Verification, said, "The successful first vertical landing today met our test objectives and demonstrates the F-35B's capacity to operate from a very small area at sea or on shore - a unique capability for a supersonic, stealth fighter. This is the first of many such tests to fully define the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) characteristics of the world's most capable 5th generation fighter. We will routinely conduct vertical landings and short takeoffs to further expand the operational flight envelope for the F-35B."
The aircraft in today's test, known as BF-1, is one of three F-35B STOVL jets currently undergoing flight trials at the Patuxent River test site. It is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofan engine driving a counter-rotating Rolls-Royce LiftFan(R). The shaft-driven LiftFan system, which includes a Rolls-Royce three-bearing swivel duct that vectors engine thrust and under-wing roll ducts that provide lateral stability, produces more than 41,000 pounds of vertical lift. The F135 is the most powerful engine ever flown in a fighter aircraft.
The F-35B will replace U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B STOVL fighters and F/A-18 strike fighters. The United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and the Italian Air Force and Navy will employ the F-35B as well. With its short takeoff and vertical landing capability, the F-35B will enable allied forces to conduct operations from small ships and unprepared fields, enabling expeditionary operations around the globe.
The F-35 program is using the Lockheed Martin-developed Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) for maintenance actions, spares tracking and technical data support. ALIS is part of the F-35's innovative sustainment architecture monitored by the F-35 Autonomic Logistics Global Sustainment (ALGS) Operations Center in Fort Worth. The early deployment of the F-35 net-enabled logistics system to be used by all nine partner countries helps ensure the F-35's smooth transition to operational status, and is a key enabler for lower life cycle costs.
The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations, advanced sustainment, and lower operational and support costs. Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development: the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.
Technorati Tags:
F-35, JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) Program, Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)
Oshkosh Defense Awarded $11.9 Million Delivery Order to Supply United Arab Emirates With HEMTT A4s — Press Release
Filed under: Oshkosh Truck Corp, Press Releases, U.S. Army, United States, logistics
OSHKOSH, Wis. — March 18, 2010 — Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), has received a delivery order from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (TACOM LCMC) to supply more than 40 next-generation Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT) to the United Arab Emirates.
The delivery order, valued at $11.9 million, is part of the UAE’s Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC)-3 missile systems purchase approved by the U.S. Congress. The HEMTT variants included in this contract are the Patriot tractor, wrecker and guided missile transporter. The vehicles will be built and delivered July through September 2011. The order was issued under the Army’s Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV) III contract.
“Our HEMTT A4 variants included in this order will provide transportation, resupply and recovery support for the PAC-3 missile systems,” said Andy Hove, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Defense. “Oshkosh Defense’s high-performance vehicles meet the durability, mobility and payload-capacity needs of militaries worldwide and thrive in the most demanding environments.”
The HEMTT A4’s advanced suspension, more powerful engine, air-conditioned cab and anti-lock brakes, in addition to the vehicle’s 13-ton payload capacity and off-road capabilities, will provide exceptional support to the UAE armed forces. Oshkosh Defense’s UAE-based facilities will supply regional aftermarket support services.
Along with vehicles such as the SandCat and Global Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET), the HEMTT A4 is part of Oshkosh Defense’s full line of international vehicles designed to meet a variety of logistical and operational needs around the world.
About Oshkosh Defense
Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is an industry-leading global designer and manufacturer of tactical military trucks and armored wheeled vehicles, delivering a full product line of conventional and hybrid vehicles, advanced armor options, proprietary suspensions and vehicles with payloads that can exceed 70 tons. Oshkosh Defense provides a global service and supply network including full life-cycle support and remanufacturing, and its vehicles are recognized the world over for superior performance, reliability and protection. For more information, visit www.oshkoshdefense.com.
About Oshkosh Corporation
Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corp. manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Medtec®, Jerr-Dan®, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline™, SMIT™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. Oshkosh products are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, log on to www.oshkoshcorporation.com.
®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.
bioTRAiTS finds Biometrics is a Rising Star at U.S. Defense Industry Trade Show Amidst Heightened Concern for Productivity, Security — Press Release
ORLANDO – Growing concern for security at U.S. military and defense industry facilities and productivity elevated biometrics technology to superstar status at the AUSA Institute of Land Warfare Winter Symposium & Exposition recently at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., USA.
One of the world’s most influential defense industry trade shows, the AUSA ILW Winter Symposium & Exposition attracted top military leaders from Active Army/Reserve Components; civilian executives of the Department of Army/Defense; Joint Force Commanders; and influential captains of industry, according to the AUSA web site.
Peter Wengert, chief executive officer of bioTRAiTS, Inc., an Orlando-based global provider of biometrics technology to corporations, governments, institutions, and consumers worldwide, said he has never seen such strong interest in biometrics technology from defense industry contractors and government agencies.
“This year we were inundated with requests for proposals from the world’s biggest defense industry buyers and contractors,” Wengert said. “This was the third year we attended the AUSA Winter Symposium and this year felt like we arrived from another world. Everyone wanted information about biometrics,” he said.
bioTRAiTS was invited to participate in the AUSA ILW Winter Symposium & Exposition as a Team Member of URS Corporation (NYSE: URS), one of the leading providers of engineering, construction and technical services around the world and the nation’s 18th largest U.S. defense industry contractor, according to Government Executive magazine.
Biometric technology precisely measures unique human biological traits such as fingerprints, eyes, voice patterns and other markers that validate the identity of the subject. bioTRAiTS, Inc. markets advanced proprietary software that integrates biometrics with state-of-the-art hardware systems to provide identity security that is virtually foolproof.
“Biometrics technology provides the best means to identify, verify, and authorize secure entry into critical facilities,” Wengert explained. “It’s the only absolute way to tell the good guys from the bad guys.”
Wengert said government contractors see other major benefits too.
“We can track employee performance automatically and accurately report the hours they work on specific projects for billing purposes,” he said. Those ‘Time and Attendance’ functions are particularly valuable as many contractors anticipate program budget cuts and greater calls for precise accounting.
“When accurate, automated accounting of productivity is imperative, biometrics offers the very best solutions on the market today,” he said.
Wengert said he’s been asked to forward proposals to more than 18 major defense industry contractors and customers, including U.S. government agencies. “Typically we’d be thrilled to get two or three such requests,” Wengert said.
Each proposal will take up to a week to complete, Wengert said, but the result could range from a $50,000 pilot project to a custom design, installation and maintenance contract worth several million dollars.
“Security, accuracy and productivity are critical objectives in the defense industry and biometrics provides the most reliable technology tools to achieve all three,” Wengert explained. “We’re in the right place at the right time with the most appropriate solutions on the planet,” he said.
bioTRAiTS, Inc. is a University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program client located at the Central Florida Research Park in East Orlando.
* * *
For more information about this press release contact:
Peter A. Wengert, CEO bioTRAiTS, Inc., 3267 Progress Drive, Suite 103 , Orlando , FL 32826; 866-815-0888 or peter@biotraits.com;
Carol Ann Dykes, Site Manager, UCF Business Incubation Program, 407-882-0211, cdykes@mail.ucf.edu
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142 or LvershelCo@aol.com
About bioTRAiTS:
bioTRAiTS, Inc. is a biometric technology company committed to helping companies protect assets, increase profits and increase revenue. bioTRAiTS, Inc. provides customized software solutions to meet time, attendance and access control needs via recognition and verification of unique human characteristics. With over seven years experience in the field of electronic security, bioTRAiTS, Inc. consistently delivers an excellent return on investment and receives high marks for customer service.
About the UCF Business Incubation Program:
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 130 emerging companies (including more than 80 current clients) create over $800 million in annual revenue and more than 1600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With seven facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Winter Springs, The City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County and the City of St. Cloud, and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.
Raytheon Missile Systems Establishes Air and Missile Defense Systems Product Line
Raytheon Missile Systems Establishes Air and Missile Defense Systems Product LineMarch 17, 2010
WASHINGTON, -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Missile Systems business has established a missile defense product line. Already a world leader in missile defense, the company's new Air and Missile Defense Systems product line will create even greater alignment with its Missile Defense Agency customer.
"Missile defense is a major component of the company's portfolio," said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, Raytheon Missile Systems president. "With a broad array of products and solutions, Raytheon is ideally positioned to meet present and emerging missile defense requirements."
The Air and Missile Defense Systems product line includes proven RMS missile defense programs such as Standard Missile-3, Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle and development programs such as the Network Centric Airborne Defense Element.
"This move positions us for greater customer and mission focus, which will lead to even higher quality and execution," added Lawrence.
Technorati Tags:
Corporate Structure, Raytheon (NYSE:RTN)
Raytheon Awarded $12 Million for Patriot Missile Field Surveillance Program
Raytheon Awarded $12 Million for Patriot Missile Field Surveillance ProgramMarch 17, 2010
TEWKSBURY, Mass., -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) was awarded $11.9 million to provide material and technical services in support of the Patriot Missile Field Surveillance program.
This contract from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is a modification to a three-year contract awarded to Raytheon in January 2008 for the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System. Under the contract modification, Raytheon will continue to support the manufacture, assembly and testing of Patriot missiles through 2010.
"This work supports all Patriot customers -- the U.S. and our 11 international partners -- that have selected the combat-proven Patriot as the foundation of their air and missile defense strategy," said Sanjay Kapoor, vice president for Patriot Programs at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). "Raytheon is committed to supporting the operation of Patriot missile facilities with technical personnel, materials and test-related data to ensure the system performance and mission readiness of all Patriot systems."
Work for this contract will be performed by Raytheon IDS at the Integrated Air Defense Center, Andover, Mass.; IDS Headquarters, Tewksbury, Mass.; Raytheon Technical Services Company, Burlington, Mass.; Red River Army Depot, Texarkana, Texas; and Letterkenny Army Depot, Chambersburg, Pa.
Raytheon IDS is the prime contractor for both domestic and international Patriot Air and Missile Defense Systems and system integrator for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles.
Technorati Tags:
Contract <$10m, Contract Win, Contract win, Patriot, Raytheon (NYSE:RTN)
U.S. Department of Energy Selects Lockheed Martin to Advance Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Utility Power Plans
U.S. Department of Energy Selects Lockheed Martin to Advance Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Utility Power PlansMarch 17, 2010 9:17:00 AM
MANASSAS, Va., -- The U.S. Department of Energy recently selected Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) to receive two grants totaling $1 million to advance the technology commercialization of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC). The grants support the company's effort to produce an economically viable, utility-scale renewable energy source leveraging the temperature difference of the ocean's warm surface water and colder water below.
Under the first grant, Lockheed Martin will develop a tool to estimate the amount of energy that can be extracted from the ocean's thermal layers. The geographic information system-based dataset and software tool will be used to identify regions of the world viable for OTEC and seawater-based air conditioning (SWAC). The resulting resource mapping will provide critical information to policy makers, the energy industry and the public about regional OTEC and SWAC feasibility.
SWAC, which uses cold seawater located near coastlines to supply air-conditioner coolant, has the potential to significantly reduce electric utility loads during high summer demand periods and is a proven technology currently in use in Hawaii, Bora Bora, Stockholm and Ottawa.
Under the second grant, Lockheed Martin will develop estimates of performance and life-cycle costs associated with utility-scale OTEC systems to demonstrate the economic feasibility of such projects. The resulting data will provide justification for pursuing commercialization of OTEC and generate investment interest in this stable, renewable energy source.
"The Department of Energy awards provide Lockheed Martin the opportunity to further demonstrate the capability of OTEC," said Jeffrey Napoliello, vice president of Lockheed Martin's New Ventures line of business. "As a self-sustaining energy source, with no supplemental power required, OTEC will help our nation and our military achieve their renewable energy goals."
The Department of Energy grants follow an $8.12 million Department of Defense award to Lockheed Martin in September 2009. That contract from the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command calls for development of critical OTEC system components and further matures its design for an OTEC pilot plant, an incremental step in developing large-scale utility plants. In 2008, Lockheed Martin received a $1.2 million Department of Energy contract to demonstrate how special cold water piping could be fabricated to carry the large volumes of seawater required to produce commercial power.
Lockheed Martin's experience with OTEC technology dates back to the 1970s when the company built "Mini-OTEC." This early prototype remains the world's only floating OTEC system to generate power in excess of what is required for self-sustainment. Since that time, Lockheed Martin has continued to mature and validate the critical technologies necessary for an OTEC system that could generate a utility-scale power supply.
In addition to its work in OTEC, Lockheed Martin is working with its customers to address the nation's energy and climate challenges in the areas of next-generation alternative energy, energy efficiency, and storage and climate monitoring.
Technorati Tags:
Contract <$10m, Contract Win, Contract win, Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)
Backers of Two Tanker Contracts Want To Stay Anonymous
Filed under: EADS, K-CX News, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., backers, bad news, campaign manager, detriment, e mail, grumman, mail exchange, northrop grumman, tankers, wichita eagle, women in uniform
The investors backing a campaign asking the government to split its contract for aerial refueling tankers between Boeing and Northrop Grumman want to remain anonymous for now. The campaign is called Build Them Both. “We are funded by a group of investors who have asked to remain nameless at this time,” said the effort’s campaign manager, Carrie Giddens. The group is not union sponsored and does not have ties to either Northrop or Boeing, Giddens said in an e-mail exchange. However, “we have sought out funding from both companies, their suppliers and unions who would be impacted by building them both.” The requests went out in the past two weeks. On Monday, Giddens called Northrop’s decision to pull out of the bidding process “bad news for American workers, our men and women in uniform, and for the taxpayer.” With only one company seeking a contract, 50,000 jobs that would have been created won’t be, Giddens said in the statement. “Without an ongoing competition there is no way to control costs, to the detriment of our military and taxpayer.”
Lockheed Martin Awarded Task Order for Continued Production of Symphony IED Jammer Systems
Lockheed Martin Awarded Task Order for Continued Production of Symphony IED Jammer SystemsMarch 16, 2010 9:10:00 AM
SYRACUSE, N.Y., -- The U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) a sole source indefinite-delivery-indefinite-quantity contract for Symphony Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RC-IED) Defeat jammer systems. With an initial task order valued at $40.8 million, the contract runs through September 2014 and has a ceiling value of $940 million.
The Symphony systems are U.S. Government-approved for sale through the Foreign Military Sales program to allied, coalition and partner nations for operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and other nations.
"Symphony is mounted on convoy vehicles and has been proven in combat against Radio-Controlled IEDs," said Carl Bannar, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's Radar Systems business. "The system was engineered and built to provide continuous electronic force protection against RC-IEDs in the most rugged, tactical and extreme environments."
Symphony is programmable and designed for easy installation, operation and maintenance on a diverse set of platforms used by security forces worldwide. It is compatible and interoperable with other communications systems and jamming devices.
Lockheed Martin performs Symphony system production, vehicle system integration, depot and logistic support and engineering work at facilities in Florida and Virginia, as well as in theater. Lockheed Martin has produced Symphony since 2006, has delivered more than 1,000 systems and, prior to the latest contract, had received orders totaling $126 million.
Technorati Tags:
Contract win, EW (Electronic Warfare), Land Systems, Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems Awarded $31 Million Navy F/A-18 Mission Computer Contract
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems Awarded $31 Million Navy F/A-18 Mission Computer ContractMarch 16, 2010 11:32:16 AM
FAIRFAX, Va., -- General Dynamics
Advanced Information Systems has been awarded a $30.6 million contract for the production of 118 Type-3 advanced mission computers (AMC) for the F/A-18 Super Hornet aircrafts. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).
The advanced mission computer is the nerve center of the Super Hornet, providing situational awareness and combat systems control to the flight crew. A ruggedized, high-performance/high-reliability mission and display- processing system, the AMC relies on a Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS), open systems architecture. It performs general purpose, input/output, video, voice and graphics processing and is designed to operate reliably in the extreme environmental conditions of today's high-performance fighter aircraft. The AMC is able to process the high-speed data flows from the latest in sensor technology.
"General Dynamics is committed to continuing its legacy of providing advanced warfighting capability to the F/A-18 program," said Lou Von Thaer, president of General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems. "Our open architecture approach allows for technology refreshes and new generations to avoid obsolescence and provide improved performance for the Navy."
General Dynamics has been delivering AMCs for the F/A-18 since 2002. Since then, the nature of the work on this program has expanded from production for newly produced aircraft to include supplying Navy efforts to retrofit operational aircraft. This contract will primarily be performed at the General Dynamics facility in Bloomington, Minn., and will be completed by the end of 2011.
Headquartered in Fairfax, Va., General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems is a provider of end-to-end mission solutions in systems integration, development and operations support to customers in the defense, intelligence and homeland security communities. With a focus on cyber, maritime and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance solutions, the company
integrates land, air, sea, space and cyber assets to support the strategy and execution of customer missions.
Technorati Tags:
Contract win, F-18 Hornet, General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), USN (US Navy)
Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc. Announces First Pending Sale of the THOR-LVX Cargo Scanner — Press Release
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Countries, Events, Press Releases, development program, logistics
Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc. Announces First Pending Sale of the THOR-LVX Cargo Scanner
COVINGTON, Ky., March 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc. of Covington, KY (OTC:VLYF) (BULLETIN BOARD: VLYF) and Caravan International Corporation of New York, NY, announce today that the Federation of Malaysia has included THOR LVX(TM) as a line item in the upcoming Five Year Acquisition Plan. THOR LVX will be used by the Royal Malaysian Customs Department to screen containers at selected major ports in Malaysia.
“We are honored to be chosen by the Malaysian government to help them protect their ports of entry”, said Louis Brothers, CEO of Valley Forge. “We believe that this will be the first of many orders of THOR LVX from Pacific Rim countries and from around the globe.”
THOR LVX is an advanced screening system for sea and airline cargo. It provides enhanced detection capability with high processing speed and great accuracy. THOR LVX can scan a 40′ shipping container in approximately 30 seconds, allowing it to quickly detect many types of contraband including explosives, narcotics and radioactive materials.
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, narcotics and other 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.
About Caravan International
Caravan International Corporation is an export management company representing high technology companies in the aerospace, security / threat detection, communications and advanced electronics areas.
Caravan International Corporation is proud to represent Valley Forge Composite Technologies. More information on Caravan International can be found at www.caravan-ny.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.
Marinette Marine Facility Expansion to Enhance Lockheed Martin’s Littoral Combat Ship Program
Marinette Marine Facility Expansion to Enhance Lockheed Martin's Littoral Combat Ship ProgramMarch 15, 2010 11:08:00 AM
MARINETTE, Wis., -- Marinette Marine Corporation, a member of the Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT)-led Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) industry team, recently broke ground for an expansion to nearly double the size of its main indoor ship construction building -- an investment to support the construction of the U.S. Navy's LCS.
The expansion will provide enough indoor space to simultaneously house two complete LCS hulls and parts for two additional ships. The building enhancements also allow greater use of Marinette Marine's proven modular construction process, which will enable the Lockheed Martin team to construct LCS more cost effectively.
The ground-breaking is the latest in a recent series of investments made by the shipyard's parent company, Fincantieri, as part of its five-year, $100 million plan to modernize its U.S. shipbuilding operations and support the LCS program. In 2009, Marinette Marine installed higher-capacity overhead cranes, plasma-cutting tables and pipe-bending machines to increase efficiency and capacity. In 2008, Lockheed Martin also became a minority partner in the shipyard, while continuing to share its project management and lean manufacturing techniques to meet the LCS program's cost and schedule goals.
"This is a terrific investment by Fincantieri and represents the commitment they're willing to make to continue quality shipbuilding at Marinette Marine," said Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin. "It's an investment in the men and women employed there, in the community that is so supportive of this company, and in their ability to give the Navy a well-built LCS at a competitive price."
"This groundbreaking represents a significant milestone in the transformation of Marinette Marine to the premier mid-tier shipyard in the United States," said Giuseppe Bono, Fincantieri's chief executive officer. "The building expansion will allow us to fully complete a large ship such as LCS completely indoors at an even higher degree of completion and quality."
Marinette Marine constructed and launched the nation's first LCS, USS Freedom. Commissioned by the U.S. Navy in 2008, USS Freedom was deployed two years ahead of schedule and recently completed three successful drug interdictions. The shipyard is also constructing the Navy's third LCS, Fort Worth (LCS 3).
"Fort Worth is on cost and on schedule, with 90 percent of its modules under construction and more than 30 percent of the ship complete," said Dan Schultz, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's Ship and Aviation Systems business. "The improvements underway at Marinette Marine increase the team's capacity in meeting the U.S. Navy's need for an affordable, survivable LCS. We've already seen a 30 percent reduction in labor cost from our first ship."
"With investments from Fincantieri and a strong partnership with the state, Marinette Marine continues to move forward as a world leader in high-quality ship building," said Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle. "The recent launch of the USS Freedom is a testament to the hard work and ingenuity of the Marinette Marine Corporation workforce. With this groundbreaking Marinette Marine will become even more competitive, and create more jobs in this community."
Designed to operate in littoral waters, the Lockheed Martin-led team's LCS features semi-planing steel monohull that provides the Navy with a survivable, fast, and agile shallow-draft warship that maximizes mission flexibility and accessibility. With a proven open architecture networked, combat-management system common to other surface combatants in U.S. and international navies, the Lockheed Martin team's LCS provides unprecedented levels of reliability and interoperability with global maritime forces.
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Corporate restructuring, LCS (Littoral Combat Ship), Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT), Naval Systems
General Dynamics Itronix Launches New GDAssure(TM) Program that Certifies Customer Computer Systems Prior to Installation
General Dynamics Itronix Launches New GDAssure(TM) Program that Certifies Customer Computer Systems Prior to InstallationMarch 15, 2010 11:48:06 AM
SUNRISE, Fla., -- General Dynamics Itronix introduces the new GDAssure(TM) Solution Validation and Installation Certification Program that evaluates and certifies that a
customer's rugged computer, software and peripherals operate as they are intended in a simulated day-to-day operating environment. The GDAssure program reduces the time and costs associated with a computer system that, once installed, fails to operate correctly.
The program assembles a team of engineers, system architects and others who test and evaluate various aspects of a system's configuration and performance. An analysis might include the evaluation of wireless accessories including printers, bar code scanners, GPS modules, operating software and mounting hardware for vehicle installations. Testing can also incorporate vibration, shock, drop, extreme operating temperatures and other tests based on a system's configuration and operating environment. The final analysis documents the components that worked as intended and those that need to be re-evaluated.
"This program is useful to a wide range of government, public safety, utilities, transportation and other organizations that expect their computer-based systems to successfully and efficiently operate across the enterprise, with minimal impact on their day-to-day operations," said Frank Romeo, solutions & services marketing manager for General Dynamics Itronix.
The GDAssure Solution Validation and Installation Certification Program is available as part of a sales contract and takes from 60 to 90 days to complete.
GDAssure Solution Validation and Installation Certification Program is part of the General Dynamics Itronix GDAssure Service portfolio that offers a variety of lifecycle, professional and managed services, including:
Standard three-year warranties;
Enhanced warranty programs;
No Fault Max full warranty coverage;
Advanced Exchange (swap-out repair);
Battery Maintenance;
Gold Disk Load;
Asset Tracking & Management;
Customer Service Account Management;
Product Disposal services; and
Customized Packaged Solutions.
General Dynamics Itronix is a leading developer of wireless, rugged computing solutions for mobile workers, offering a full range of field computing systems, including full-sized laptops, ultra-mobile notebook PCs and tablet PCs. The company is part of General Dynamics C4 Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).
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General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), Information Technology
Lockheed Martin Delivers Innovative Full-Motion Video Intelligence System to USJFCOM
Lockheed Martin Delivers Innovative Full-Motion Video Intelligence System to USJFCOMMarch 15, 2010 11:13:00 AM
SUFFOLK, Va., -- The U.S. Joint Forces Command is testing a brand new video intelligence system delivered by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) that will help commanders take better control of the flood of video being generated on the modern battlefield. The Valiant Angel system uses broadcast television technology to help commanders collect, archive, search, analyze and share full-motion video.
This first Valiant Angel system was delivered just over 90 days after contract award. Joint Forces Command awarded a team comprised of Lockheed Martin, Harris Corporation and NetApp a $29 million contract to develop the system in September. The Valiant Angel Network Operations Center and first node was delivered on December 4th to the Command's Joint Intelligence Laboratory, where it is undergoing integration testing in advance of a planned deployment to Afghanistan this spring.
"Full-motion video is one of today's most pressing tactical intelligence challenges," said Dan Rice, Lockheed Martin Vice President for Spatial Solutions. "With so many sensors out there generating so much video, it can be overwhelming for the user to manage. Joint Forces Command recognized early on that this challenge was in need of an innovative new solution - and one that could get into the hands of warfighters immediately. We're proud to be working with USJFCOM to rapidly turn Valiant Angel from contract award into an operational system."
Once the system completes the testing phase, Lockheed Martin will produce and field several Valiant Angel "nodes" to Afghanistan. Each node consists of a suite of high-capacity servers that store and archive video footage from multiple sensors and UAVs, coupled with a software system that lets users catalog, tag, search, and analyze video clips. For instance, users can search the archive for a specific person or vehicle, or they can fuse mapping, geospatial, and multi-source intelligence data with video feeds to conduct in-depth analysis. Valiant Angel works with both archived video and with live, incoming video streams.
The Valiant Angel system incorporates tools and technologies from Lockheed Martin's Audacity(TM) video analysis system, Harris Corporation's Full-Motion Video Asset Management System (FAME(TM)), and NetApp's Data ONTAP high-performance storage technology.
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Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)
Christopher Gregoire Named Lockheed Martin Vice President and Controller
Christopher Gregoire Named Lockheed Martin Vice President and ControllerMarch 15, 2010 4:08:00 PM
BETHESDA, Md., -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today announced that Christopher Gregoire has been named Vice President and Controller effective Mar. 29, 2010.
Gregoire will succeed acting Controller Mark Bostic. Bostic will continue his position as Vice President, Accounting, for the Corporation after serving more than seven months in the capacity of acting Controller.
In his new position, Gregoire will lead the Corporation's accounting, financial planning & analysis, government finance and tax functions.
"His extensive background in finance and accounting allows Chris to bring formidable skills in financial management and reporting that will benefit the Corporation," said Bruce Tanner, Lockheed Martin Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "His public and private sector experience will enhance our entire Corporate team."
Gregoire was previously the Principal Accounting Officer and Assistant Controller for Sprint Nextel Corporation, where he led more than 100 finance professionals and was responsible for all external financial reporting and disclosures to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as well as other duties.
Gregoire is a former partner of Deloitte & Touche LLP in McLean, Va. He also is a former Professional Accounting Fellow at the SEC. Gregoire is a Certified Public Accountant and has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Virginia Tech.
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Appointments, Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)
MRAP-ATV Continues To Drive Work For Plasan Bennington
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Department of Defense, Events, Oshkosh Truck Corp, Plasan, Services, States, Vermont, logistics, production program
The MRAP-ATV is the new lighter, more maneuverable MRAP made for service in Afghanistan. Oshkosh won the production contract and so far has been awarded contracts for over 8,000 vehicles by the U.S. military. Plasan Bennington makes armor plates for the vehicles and as Oshkosh receives contracts so does the Vermont company.
It announced that Oshkosh had given it a sub-contract worth over $170 million as part of a recent order of 1,460 MRAP vehicles. As the U.S. industry geared up to produce not only MRAPs but also uparmored HUMVEE and trucks several companies expanded their capabilities. Plasan Bennington is one along with BAE Systems. Protection against IED and mines demands the production of sophisticated metal plates for use on military vehicles.
Now Reports That EADS May Bid After All
Filed under: Boeing, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Syndicated Industry News
There is a rumor that the Pentagon may delay the deadline for submission of a proposal for the KC-X to accommodate either a solo bid or another partnership. This contradicts what was reported yesterday that EADS-NA CEO Sean O’Keefe said the company wouldn’t bid without Northrop Grumman (NOC). It will be seriously difficult for the company to bid by itself. It would need to find another U.S. company to work with.
This might be second thoughts by DoD as they realize how difficult doing a single bid contract award will be. This is not a sole source contract but right now it would only receive one qualified offer.
Wall Street Journal Says Trans Atlantic Defense Deal Falters
The Wall Street Journal has weighed on the KC-X Tanker bid process, in an article entitled “Trans Atlantic Defense Deal Falters.” The article notes:The decision by Northrop Grumman Corp. and its European partner this week to drop out of a $40 billion competition to build aerial-refueling tankers for the Air Force is the latest example of how trans-Atlantic defense ventures have faltered. Many observers view the size of the tanker deal, and the prominent role played by Northrop partner European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co., as the most significant instance of how trans-Atlantic partnerships can get tripped up. Noorthrop billboard in Alabama in 2008 advertised a future tanker plant, but the company quit the project. “There’s no doubt that this outcome will reinforce the long-held understanding in Europe that the U.S. defense market is highly protected,” said Alex Nicholl, a specialist on European defense companies at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies. “This is not the first time that the rules of a U.S. competition have been rewritten to suit the American competitor. No doubt it won’t be the last.”Read the entire article at theJournal.
Fourth 787 Joins Boeing Flight-Test Fleet: Press Release
EVERETT, Wash., March 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) has added the fourth 787 Dreamliner to its flight-test fleet with the completion of the first flight of ZA003. The airplane departed Paine Field in Everett, Wash., at 10:55 a.m. (Pacific time) and landed at 2:01 p.m. at Boeing Field in Seattle.
Captains Ray Craig and Mike Bryan piloted the airplane on its three-hour-and-six-minute flight. ZA003 is the final 787 with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines to enter the flight-test program.
“We’ve done a significant amount of ground testing on the new systems on ZA003 in preparation for first flight. Engineering, manufacturing and flight operations have really pulled together as a team to enable first flight,” said Craig. “It has been very rewarding to watch the Boeing team pull together in support of this milestone.”
ZA003 is the only 787 in the flight test fleet that will include elements of the passenger interior features including cabin and crew support systems. The 787 is introducing new passenger amenities and provisions for a more comfortable flying experience. Among the new features are improved lighting, bigger stowage bins, larger windows with electrochromatic shades and redesigned lavatories with easier access.
In addition to demonstrating that the interior meets certification requirements, ZA003 will be used to conduct tests on systems, noise performance, flight-deck operations, avionics, electromagnetic effects, high-intensity radio frequency response and extended operations (ETOPS).
“The Boeing team is doing great work. We’ve established a good pace of accomplishment on the program,” said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The priorities are clear and the entire team is focused.”
General Dynamics Awarded $9 Million Contract for U.S. Army Medical Command Lean Six Sigma Support
General Dynamics Awarded $9 Million Contract for U.S. Army Medical Command Lean Six Sigma SupportJuly 6, 2009 10:00:00 AM
FAIRFAX, Va., -- General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a $9.2 million dollar, three-year contract to support the U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) and Office of the Surgeon General.
General Dynamics will support the Army MEDCOM Lean Six Sigma Concepts and Methodologies program by providing instruction and consulting services to internal organizations for MEDCOM's Director of Strategy and Innovation.
"General Dynamics is thrilled to provide its Lean Six Sigma experience and expertise to the U.S. Army Medical Command," said Ken Hess, vice president and general manager at General Dynamics Information Technology. "We will lend our organizational capabilities, traditionally used with supply chain management, to MEDCOM for achievement of sustained results and mission success of promoting, sustaining and enhancing soldier health."
As a trusted systems integrator for more than 50 years, General Dynamics Information Technology provides information technology (IT), systems engineering and professional services to customers in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, federal civilian government and commercial sectors. With approximately 16,000 professionals worldwide, the company manages large-scale, mission-critical IT programs delivering IT services and enterprise solutions.
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Contract win, General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), Information Technology, US Army
Raytheon’s Excalibur Ib Demonstrates Accuracy During First Guided-Flight Tests
Raytheon's Excalibur Ib Demonstrates Accuracy During First Guided-Flight TestsJuly 6, 2009
YUMA PROVING GROUND, Ariz., -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) fired two precision-guided projectiles from a Paladin gun system during the first guided flight test of the Raytheon Excalibur Ib program.
The Excalibur Ib is a precision-guided artillery projectile based on Raytheon's combat-proven Excalibur 1a. The tests demonstrated how the new base design, changes to the Excalibur Ia warhead, fuzing and control actuation system work together to simplify the design, reducing round production costs and increasing system reliability.
The rounds, with Raytheon's new fixed-base design, software, and Excalibur Ia guidance and control section, exited perfectly from the gun tube, demonstrating correct fin erection and stable flight.
"Our robust and well thought out test program has achieved more than 50 successful test firings in less than a year," said Kevin Matthies, Raytheon's Excalibur Ib program director. "The Raytheon Excalibur Ib team continues to demonstrate the success of Raytheon's increased reliability design."
Raytheon's Excalibur Ib features a titanium base, uses fewer parts and requires simpler manufacturing than Excalibur Ia. Excalibur Ib is expected to reach full-rate production in 2016.
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Artillery, Raytheon (NYSE:RTN)
Lockheed Martin Delivers 1,000th Vertical Launch ASROC Missile
Filed under: Japan, Lockheed Martin, Syndicated Industry News
July 6, 2009 9:03:00 AM
AKRON, Ohio, -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) recently marked the production and delivery of the 1,000th Vertical Launch ASROC (VLA) missile during a ceremony at the company's Akron, OH, facility. The milestone VLA missile is part of a contract for the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force.
The world's only urgent attack operational antisubmarine warfare (ASW) weapon for surface combatants, VLA missiles provide vessels with the capability to attack submarines beyond the submarine's attack range, even in adverse weather conditions. Lockheed Martin supplies VLA missiles to the U.S. Navy as well as the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force through a combination of Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and direct commercial sales.
"The VLA missile has proven to be a very robust weapon," said Capt. Tom Wears, U.S. Navy program manager. "This weapon will be a critical component of the U.S. Navy's inventory for many years."
"This milestone demonstrates the longstanding teamwork and commitment from the VLA Program Team to our customers and to the warfighter," said Rick Perez, vice president of Lockheed Martin's Defense Systems market segment.
"We are pleased that the VLA missile is the primary ASW weapon for Japan's newest surface combatant ships," said Naoji Tomita, vice president and general manager, Mitsubishi International Corporation. Mitsubishi is Lockheed Martin's trading partner for the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force.
Development of the VLA missile began in 1984 and production units have been delivered to the U.S. and allied navies since 1992.
To provide defense against existing and future ASW threats, Lockheed Martin is currently extending the range of the VLA. This new missile, the VLA Extended Range (VLA-ER), will provide four to five times more range by adding a wing glide kit to the existing system. VLA-ER reuses nearly 90 percent of the existing VLA and includes a common configuration allowing both ship and air launch.
Technorati Tags:
Japan, Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT), Missiles, Naval Systems
Sniper ATP Demonstrates Enhanced ISR Capability at Empire Challenge
Sniper ATP Demonstrates Enhanced ISR Capability at Empire ChallengeSeptember 15, 2009
ORLANDO, FL, -- Lockheed Martin's [NYSE: LMT] Sniper. Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) demonstrated its advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability during the recent joint forces Empire Challenge exercise. The enhancements respond to U.S. defense officials' call for improved ISR for convoy route reconnaissance and battlefield situational awareness.
During the joint and coalition military exercise conducted at Nellis Air Force Base, NV, and China Lake Naval Air Station, CA, pilots demonstrated a Sniper pod with enhanced algorithms, a digital data recorder and a high-definition sensor and datalink. U.S. Air Force crews flew the pod on an F-16 in support of the exercise's key objective - to evaluate proposed ISR solutions for Warfighter requirements.
"Field reports from ongoing contingency operations routinely attest to the use of the Sniper ATP to conduct non-traditional ISR missions," said Ken Fuhr, Fixed-Wing Program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "To better serve the Warfighter, we're expanding the pod's role as an ISR tool. Empire Challenge provided an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the pod's capability in support of improvised explosive device search, convoy support and armed overwatch."
During the exercise, Sniper pod's ISR capabilities demonstrated autonomous reconnaissance and data collection, providing a complete battlefield picture for intelligence operations. Directed by pre-defined or pilot-designated flight points, this capability can be used to monitor convoy routes or wide areas of interest, in addition to capturing images of infrastructure such as oil pipelines, power lines and roadways.
Packaged in a single lightweight pod, Sniper ATP's enhanced image clarity provides critical long-range, positive identification of both moving and stationary air and ground targets, as well as real-time targeting for advanced laser-guided weapons. It is also equipped with a video downlink that relays high-resolution streaming video to forward-deployed forces for non-traditional ISR and rapid target coordination.
Competitively selected as the U. S. Air Force's advanced targeting pod in 2001, the Sniper ATP is used by the U.S. Air Force in current combat operations and is actively deployed on five different U.S. and coalition platforms.
With a proven 98 percent field availability rate and demonstrated supportability worldwide, Sniper ATP is designed to be "plug-and-play" for optimal flexibility. The Sniper pod is operational on U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard and multinational F-16, F-15, B-1, CF-18, Harrier, A-10 and Tornado aircraft. It is currently being integrated and is flying on the B-52. Sniper pods provide discriminating capability to the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard and 11 international air forces, including coalition partners.
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C4ISTAR, Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)
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