Oshkosh Defense Awarded $11.9 Million Delivery Order to Supply United Arab Emirates With HEMTT A4s — Press Release

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.

MIDS JTRS Receives NSA Certification — Press Release

March 16, 2010 by admin · Comment
Filed under: California, Press Releases, U.S. Air Force 

SAN DIEGO – The Joint Program Executive Office for the Joint Tactical Radio System (JPEO JTRS) announced today that the Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) has received National Security Agency (NSA) Certification to provide secure distribution of situational awareness and command and control information among airborne warfighters. The NSA Certification was granted March 9, 2010 by Mr. Richard C. Schaeffer, Jr., Director, NSA Information Assurance Directorate (IAD). This is the first JTRS product to be certified at this level of security by the NSA.

“Formal NSA Certification is a monumental accomplishment for the MIDS JTRS Program and the JTRS Enterprise. This is another first for MIDS JTRS as the program continues to blaze new trails and pave the way for other JTRS products to be successful and meet warfighter requirements. The MIDS Program Office has been working extremely close with NSA for over six years to bring this leading edge, next generation technology to the warfighter at the right time. I want to thank NSA, the MIDS JTRS vendors, and all the government personnel for their outstanding work.  This is huge for the MIDS JTRS Program,” stated CAPT Scott Krambeck, USN, MIDS Program Manager.

The NSA Certification confirms that the MIDS JTRS terminal has met the highest standards in ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the data and the availability of the system. NSA Certification is a critical milestone in support of the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for MIDS JTRS on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.  A successful NSA Technical Review Board (TRB) was conducted on MIDS JTRS in December 2009 which was the precursor to this NSA announcement.

The MIDS JTRS terminal is the first in a series of networking systems that will provide a single chassis, multiple channel capability to the warfighter, significantly reducing the number of different and unique radios in the operational environment. Use of JTRS radios also means a very real reduction of the upkeep and spare parts necessary to support our forward deployed forces.

###

About JPEO JTRS

The Joint Program Executive Office for the Joint Tactical Radio System, headquartered in San Diego, Calif., was initiated in early 1997 to improve and consolidate the Services’ pursuit of separate solutions to replace existing legacy radios in the Department of Defense inventory. The JTRS program has evolved from separate radio replacement programs to an integrated effort to network multiple weapon system platforms and forward combat units where it matters most – the last tactical mile. JTRS will link the power of the Global Information Grid to the warfighter in applying fire effects and achieving overall battlefield superiority.

JTRS is developing an open architecture of cutting edge radio waveform technology that allows multiple radio types (e.g., handheld, aircraft, maritime) to communicate with each other. The goal is to produce a family of interoperable, modular software-defined radios which operate as nodes in a network to ensure secure wireless communication and networking services for mobile and fixed forces. These goals extend to U.S. allies, coalition partners and disaster response personnel. For more information, please visit http://jpeojtrs.mil/.

Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc. Announces First Pending Sale of the THOR-LVX Cargo Scanner — Press Release

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.

Goodrich Delivers 2,000th Helicopter Health and Usage Management System (HUMS) — Press Release

Goodrich Delivers 2,000th Helicopter Health and Usage Management System (HUMS)

Diagnostic health management system saves time, money for military, commercial helicopters

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 11, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Goodrich Corporation’s (NYSE:GR) Sensors and Integrated Systems business in Vergennes, Vt. marked the delivery of its 2,000th helicopter health and usage management system (HUMS) in a ceremony March 8, 2010 attended by employees and U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). Leahy has supported the company in winning more than $100 million in contracts to develop and deploy the HUMS systems for a number of helicopter platforms for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps.

“I am incredibly proud to mark this day with the men and women of Goodrich,” said Leahy. “2,000 HUMS units are a win for Vermont, the Department of Defense, and our men and women in uniform. These life-saving, money-saving devices keep our helicopters flying safely and have been at the heart of this region’s economy.”

Goodrich Sensors and Integrated Systems vice president Gary Loftus described how a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter unit, fully equipped with HUMS, recently set a new record for numbers of hours flown in a 12-month period and saved taxpayers $45 million in maintenance costs. “The HUMS units give feedback to mechanics that enable them to catch big problems while they are still small, inexpensive problems,” Loftus explained. “They also catch problems while the helicopter is either on the ground or in time to get the helicopter to the ground safely. Our employees are proud of the role they play in helping our warfighters save lives, time and money.”

Goodrich’s Health and Usage Management Systems (HUMS) give mechanics feedback on a helicopter’s engine performance, structural performance and rotor performance – allowing a helicopter to be serviced before major system failures. Before the use of HUMS units, helicopters were routinely taken out of service for unnecessary preventative maintenance. The units are onboard a variety of military and commercial helicopters including the U.S. Army’s UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook, the U.S. Marine Corps’ CH-53E Super Stallion, and Sikorsky’s commercial S-76D® and S-92 aircraft.

Goodrich Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a global supplier of systems and services to aerospace, defense and homeland security markets. With one of the most strategically diversified portfolios of products in the industry, Goodrich serves a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and service facilities. For more information, visit http://www.goodrich.com/.

Goodrich Corporation operates through its divisions and as a parent company for its subsidiaries, one or more of which may be referred to as “Goodrich Corporation” in this press release.

GR – Electronic Systems

Source: Goodrich Corporation; GR – Electronic Systems

GTEC Wins $18.7 Million Award to Provide Expeditionary Field Feeding Units to U.S. Army — Press Release

GTEC Wins $18.7 Million Award to Provide Expeditionary Field Feeding Units to U.S. Army

MCLEAN, Va., March 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Global Defense Technology & Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:GTEC) , a provider of mission-critical, technology-based systems, solutions, and services for national security agencies and programs of the U.S. government, announced that it has received an $18.7 million delivery order with the U.S. Army Materiel Command to provide expeditionary field feeding units, also known as containerized kitchens (CK), to the U.S. Army in support of the military’s force modernization and mobility efforts. Delivery of the CKs is anticipated to begin in 2011.

Designed to improve quality of life for U.S. forces operating in challenging environments, the CK is a ruggedized and transportable commercial grade kitchen with the ability to feed 800 troops three fresh meals per day. Currently GTEC CKs are deployed in places such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Korea, Germany and as part of the recent humanitarian efforts in Haiti.

John Hillen, President & CEO commented, “This order underscores GTEC’s commitment to serve as a mission-partner for our U.S. military customers by developing and integrating the capabilities required to support the warfighter in an increasingly mobile and expeditionary environment.”

About Global Defense Technology & Systems, Inc.

Global Defense Technology & Systems, Inc. (GTEC) provides mission-critical technology-based systems, solutions, and services for national security agencies and programs of the U.S. government. Our services and solutions are integral parts of mission-critical programs run by the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, Department of Homeland Security, federal law enforcement agencies, and other parts of the federal government charged with national security responsibilities. Learn more about Global Defense Technology & Systems at www.gtec-inc.com .

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements or industry results to differ materially from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in Global Defense Technology & System Inc.’s (GTEC) Annual Report on Form 10-K, and such other filings that GTEC makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and GTEC undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements in the future except as required by law.

SAIC Awarded Contract by the U.S. Navy Program Executive Office of Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) — Press Release

SAIC Awarded Contract by the U.S. Navy Program Executive Office of Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I)

Company to Help Engineer, Integrate and Test C4I Technology Solutions

MCLEAN, Va., March 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE:SAI) today announced it has been awarded a prime contract by the U.S. Navy’s Program Executive Office (PEO) of Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) to develop Department of Defense command and control (C2) software, as well as modification and enhancement of existing C2 systems. The multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, has a three-year base period of performance, two one-year options and a ceiling value of more than $625 million for SAIC. Work will be performed primarily at PEO C4I’s headquarters in San Diego, Calif.

PEO C4I provides integrated communication and information technology systems, delivering end-to-end connectivity and enabling decision superiority to ensure mission success of U.S. naval forces. It acquires, fields, and supports C4I systems that extend across Navy, joint, and coalition platforms. This includes managing acquisition programs and projects that cover all C4I disciplines: applications, networks, communications, intelligence and surveillance, and reconnaissance systems for afloat platforms and shore commands. Under the contract, SAIC will provide support in areas including software engineering, design, development, integration and modification, as well as test and evaluation. SAIC will also provide integrated logistics support, and configuration and program management services as required.

“We look forward to helping PEO C4I identify effective and affordable solutions to emerging C2 (command and control) requirements, and assisting them as they continue to acquire, integrate and deliver C4I technology to the naval warfighter operating on afloat platforms, at shore commands, or in a joint service environment,” said Peter Dube, SAIC senior vice president and business unit general manager.

About SAIC

SAIC is a FORTUNE 500® scientific, engineering and technology applications company that uses its deep domain knowledge to solve problems of vital importance to the nation and the world, in national security, energy and the environment, critical infrastructure, and health. The company’s approximately 45,000 employees serve customers in the U.S. Department of Defense, the intelligence community, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, other U.S. Government civil agencies and selected commercial markets. Headquartered in McLean, Va., SAIC had annual revenues of $10.1 billion for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2009. For more information, visit www.saic.com. SAIC: From Science to Solutions®

Statements in this announcement, other than historical data and information, constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be very different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in SAIC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 31, 2009, and other such filings that SAIC makes with the SEC from time to time. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

ArdentMC Receives HUBZone Certification, Brings Jobs to Economically Challenged Areas — Press Reelase

March 10, 2010 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Events, Press Releases 

ArdentMC Receives HUBZone Certification, Brings Jobs to Economically Challenged Areas

FRONT ROYAL, Va., March 10 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Ardent Management Consulting (ArdentMC) announced receipt of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) HUBZone designation. Firms meeting specific employment criteria may be designated as SBA HUBZones, which assist the Federal government in ensuring federal contracting and employment opportunities are available in underutilized and underemployed regions.

ArdentMC’s principal office, in Front Royal, Virginia, is the first of multiple efforts ArdentMC expects to undertake over the next three years to identify motivated, qualified IT resources from outside of the Washington DC Beltway to support Federal Initiatives in the eGovernment, Homeland Security and Defense areas. ArdentMC delivers business process, management consulting, software development and systems integration services to a host of clients in the Federal, State, Local and Private Sectors. ArdentMC technical consultants specialize in Geospatial Information Systems, Portfolio Management, Systems Integration, and Data Center Consolidation. ArdentMC has expanded its Federal business, working with agencies to include the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Small Business Administration, and others.

ArdentMC’s new SBA HUBZone designation means Federal program managers, contracting officers, and contracting specialists will have an easy avenue to allow ArdentMC and other HUBZones to deliver their services, assisting Federal agencies in meeting small business contracting goals and supporting President Obama’s goal of helping bring new jobs to those who need them around the country.

“As a small business, working with the Federal government can be a challenge, and ensuring that federal dollars make it beyond the large beltway companies isn’t easy. Our new HUBZone designation helps fulfill on the administration’s commitments, while also providing an easier avenue for government agencies to work with ArdentMC. I’m thrilled ArdentMC has been certified as a HUBZone, and look forward to helping under-served areas gain access to new opportunities,” said Brandon LaBonte, President of Ardent Management Consulting.

For more information on ArdentMC’s HUBZone Status, please visit http://www.ardentmc.com/

About ArdentMC

As a HUBZone-certified small business in Virginia with offices in Front Royal and Reston, Ardent Management Consulting is a results-oriented program management and IT consulting firm specializing in large scale program management, business process consulting and complex systems integration for clients ranging from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and Federal Civilian agencies, as well as Fortune 500 entities within the private sector. ArdentMC was founded on the principle that serving our clients is a privilege — and that succeeding in solution delivery for our clients’ missions requires superior, highly dedicated resources, a focus on execution, and never-ending commitment to excellence. For more information about ArdentMC, please visit http://www.ardentmc.com/.

Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy Is ‘Effective, Suitable and Mission Capable’ for USAF Operations — Press Release

Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy Is ‘Effective, Suitable and Mission Capable’ for USAF Operations

MARIETTA, Ga., March 9 /PRNewswire/ — The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) Center has rated the C-5M as “effective, suitable and mission capable” based on results from OT&E testing completed in January 2010.

The OT&E phase spanned four months, evaluating various performance aspects to validate the capability and reliability of the C-5M. These positive test results enable the Super Galaxy to continue to support critical missions flown in support of world-wide operational contingencies.

“The C-5M test was a resounding success because of teamwork between the test team, the user, the contractor and the program office,” said Col. John Scorsone, Director of Test and Evaluation for Air Mobility Command. “The integrated test team will now transition to an integrated fielding team which will build on past relationships to help this program achieve even more record-breaking results.”

In addition to setting 42 world records last year, the C-5Ms delivered needed cargo to the warfighter during OT&E and continue to perform combat support missions today. Performance during OT&E proved the modernized A and B models of the C-5 are redefining strategic airlift for the military and will be a force multiplier for decades to come.

Payload and range improvements in the C-5M enable a fully loaded aircraft to fly unrefueled for more than 5,000 miles and bypass traditional en route stops. This not only saves thousands of gallons of fuel, but decreases the amount of time needed to get precious cargo to the warfighter’s destination.

“The C-5M is a game-changer and we are excited about the world record-breaking capabilities it provides those protecting freedom across the globe,” said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin C-5 program vice president. “We greatly appreciate the dedication and exceptional work of the Air Force active and reserve crews flying and maintaining the C-5M during OT&E.”

Current USAF plans call for 52 fully-modernized C-5Ms by 2016 with the next delivery scheduled for September 2010 to Dover Air Force Base, Del.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) 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 Aeronautics Company

Northrop Grumman Expands Composites Manufacturing Training for Major Turkish F-35 Supplier — Press Release

Northrop Grumman Expands Composites Manufacturing Training for Major Turkish F-35 Supplier
Hands-on training helps Turkish Aerospace Industries prepare for its role as a second source supplier for jet’s center fuselage

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., March 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is adding momentum to Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc.’s (TAI) readiness to build complete center fuselages for the F-35 Lightning II aircraft by teaching its engineers how to build the complex composite structures used in the jet.

From Jan. 18 to Feb. 12, the company conducted rigorous classroom and hands-on training at its Advanced Composites Center in El Segundo for more than a dozen engineers and manufacturing specialists from TAI. The training was the third in a planned series of classes designed to teach TAI employees, ultimately, how to build a complete F-35 center fuselage.

“To date, TAI has made great progress in learning the tools and techniques of composites manufacturing,” said Mark Tucker, vice president and F-35 program manager for Northrop Grumman’s Aerospace Systems sector. “The recent training helped solidify their understanding of how to successfully produce and handle the actual composite inlet ducts used in the F-35.”

TAI is a second source supplier of F-35 center fuselages to Northrop Grumman, a principal member of the Lockheed Martin-led F-35 industry team. The Turkish company is slated to produce 400 center fuselages for the program beginning in the low rate initial production phases.

Guided by Northrop Grumman F-35 subject matter experts, the training engaged the TAI employees actively in the production of forward and aft inlet ducts for the jet. It included learning how to use the complex fiber placement mandrels that define the shape of the ducts; operating the machines that perform the actual fiber placement process; preparing the ducts for curing; performing post cure processing; and machining and conducting a final inspection of the completed parts.

According to Tucker, one of the parts that the TAI team helped produce – a forward inlet duct – will be integrated into one of the first major structural assemblies to be produced at TAI’s new F-35 assembly facilities in Ankara, Turkey later this year.

For Turker Dolek, a senior member of the TAI group, the benefits of the training extended far beyond simply refining and maturing their F-35 composite manufacturing skills.

“What we are also learning from Northrop Grumman is how to handle and manage manufacturing problems,” explains Dolek. “We’re very impressed that the company is encouraging all of its suppliers to bring their best effort to the program. All of the Northrop Grumman employees on the program are doing their best. We’re very honored to be part of this project.”

The TAI training is part of Northrop Grumman’s on-going commitment to help expand international participation in the F-35 program, build a reliable global supply chain, and help Lockheed Martin transition the program successfully from its current system development and demonstration phase into the LRIP and full-rate production phases.

Northrop Grumman is responsible for designing and producing the center fuselage for all three variants of the F-35. The company also designed and produces the aircraft’s radar and other key avionics including electro-optical and communications subsystems; develops mission systems and mission-planning software; leads the team’s development of pilot and maintenance training system courseware; and manages the team’s use, support and maintenance of low-observable technologies.

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

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

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

Oshkosh Defense Receives $35 Million in Awards for M-ATV Interface Upgrades and Expanded Aftermarket Support — Press Release

Oshkosh Defense Receives $35 Million in Awards for M-ATV Interface Upgrades and Expanded Aftermarket Support

Oshkosh Defense Receives $35 Million in Awards for M-ATV Interface Upgrades and Expanded Aftermarket Support

OSHKOSH, Wis. — March 8, 2010 — Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), announced today it has received three awards valued at more than $35 million from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC) for MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) upgrades and in-theater support. The company received two awards for more than 6,400 M-ATV Self Protection Adaptive Roller Kits (SPARKS) upgraded interface brackets, as well as an award expanding Oshkosh Defense aftermarket support in-theater that will place 18 additional Oshkosh field service representatives (FSR) in Afghanistan and six in Iraq.

SPARKS are mine roller systems designed to be fitted to tactical wheeled vehicles and are used to protect soldiers from improvised explosive devices (IED). The roller system makes contact with the IED and causes the device to detonate away from the vehicle and crew. Oshkosh M-ATVs include an existing SPARKS interface. Recently, the SPARKS mine rollers have undergone revisions under U.S. government direction. These upgraded interface brackets will allow Oshkosh® M-ATVs to be fitted with the upgraded SPARKS.

Upgrade kits will be shipped to the Defense Distribution Depot Red River in Texarkana, Texas, in June 2010. The government will ship the brackets to receiving units in theater for installation on Oshkosh M-ATVs. Oshkosh FSRs will support with installation as necessary.

Oshkosh FSRs support the M-ATV and other vehicles in-theater, providing training and the complete spectrum of service and support in Iraq and Afghanistan. Oshkosh FSRs operate at any theater forward base that would support the M-ATV and that may require more access to Oshkosh Corporation than internal assets can provide.

Oshkosh has produced the M-ATV at a rapid pace, meeting the government’s accelerated delivery schedule. To date, the aggregate amount of awards Oshkosh has received for 8,079 M-ATVs, upgrade kits, spare parts kits and aftermarket support is valued at more than $4.74 billion. In addition to providing exceptional survivability, the M-ATV uses the Oshkosh-patented TAK-4® independent suspension system to deliver superior off-road mobility on Afghanistan’s challenging mountainous terrain and unimproved road networks.

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.

Boeing Launches Compact 3-D Imaging Camera– Press Release

Boeing Launches Compact 3-D Imaging Camera

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., March 8, 2010 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced it has begun offering a new, compact, energy-efficient camera that provides three-dimensional images for military and commercial applications.

Boeing Directed Energy Systems and wholly owned Boeing subsidiary Spectrolab have jointly developed the camera using their own research and development funding, and successfully tested it over the past two years by attaching it to mobile ground platforms and a Boeing AH-6 Little Bird helicopter. Equipped with advanced sensors that were developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lincoln Laboratory and transferred to Boeing under a teaming arrangement, the cube-shaped camera is one-third the size and uses one-tenth the power of most comparable 3-D imaging cameras.

“Our three-dimensional camera fits a lot of capability into a small package,” said Nasser Karam, vice president of Advanced Technology Products at Spectrolab. “Its compact design and modest power needs will allow it to be deployed on a wide range of platforms, including unmanned aerial and ground vehicles that don’t have much room or power to spare.”

The camera, which Boeing can customize for each customer, has many potential uses, including mapping terrain, tracking targets and seeing through foliage. To create a 3-D image, the camera fires a short pulse of laser light, then measures the pulse’s flight time to determine how far away each part of the camera’s field of view is.

“The camera combines cutting-edge sensor technology with Boeing’s advanced pointing and tracking solutions and real-time processing to provide our customers with highly integrated 3-D imaging payloads for ground, airborne or space-based applications,” said Joseph Paranto, Growth lead for Directed Energy Systems in Albuquerque.

Boeing is currently integrating the camera into compact 3-D imaging payloads on unmanned aerial vehicles and will be testing that capability this spring. The team will also add 3-D video capability to the camera soon to complement its existing still-image capability.

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.

Strategic Partnership Announced Between AIS and DFKI — Press Release

March 6, 2010 by Matthew Potter · Comment
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Events, Press Releases 

Strategic Partnership Announced Between AIS and DFKI

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, March 5 /PRNewswire/ — Advanced Integrated Systems (AIS) and the German Research Institute for the Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) will work together on integrated solutions for civil safety and security, it was announced today. The two entities are presently co-exhibiting innovative concepts, solutions and products at the International Security and National Resilience Exhibition and Conference (“ISNR”) which opened here yesterday. AIS is a strategic partner of the Conference in association with the Ministry of Interior.

Joint research will focus on the growth sectors of civil safety and security, crisis management, visualization and security robotics as well as the challenges of effective urban management. Technologies that are being developed for these activities include video and image data processing, interface management and semantic analytics – all areas of research in which each firm excels.

Khalfan Al Shamsi, head of AIS in Abu Dhabi, emphasized that this new relationship will bring significant benefits to AIS, “The shared research and collaboration that will take place between AIS and DFKI marks an important and exciting new development in the field of civil safety and security. Our work together will involve some of the best and the brightest among the world’s scientific and research community. We are delighted that the prestigious DFKI shares our interest in creating and exploiting new opportunities through research and development in our shared fields of interest.”

Since its formation in 1988, the aim of DFKI has been to translate cutting-edge research quickly into practice-oriented application solutions. The institute is one of the leading centers of excellence worldwide which through its proactive and demand oriented projects nationally and internationally has acquired the reputation of being a competent and reliable partner boosting the industry with innovation.

AIS’ technology, products and systems includes critical asset protection, urban management and ALANQA, its subsidiary for the design, manufacture and sale of the next generation of extreme vehicles for the military and private sectors.

Media Contacts
Michael France/Justin Dini
Brunswick Group
212-333-3810

Source: Advanced Integrated Systems

EODT to Provide Munitions Clearance at Nevada Test and Training Range — Press Release

EODT to Provide Munitions Clearance at Nevada Test and Training Range

LENOIR CITY, Tenn., March 4 /PRNewswire/ — EOD Technology, Inc. (EODT), an industry leader in munitions response services, has been contracted to provide surface clearance to locate and remove munitions and explosives of concern (MEC) at the Tonopah Test Range, an area within the Nevada Test and Training Range controlled by the U.S. Air Force. The clearance will be conducted over several different target areas within a 1,200-acre section of the test range during a four-month period.

The Tonopah Test Range, located midway between the cities of Las Vegas and Reno in south-central Nevada, was used by the U.S. Department of Energy to conduct historic non-nuclear yield testing of weapon systems, research rockets, and artillery. As a result, the area is currently contaminated by unexploded ordnance, radioactive constituents, and other hazardous materials.

“As a Department of Defense site, the Tonopah Test Range also serves as a specialized Department of Energy testing site, and EODT is qualified and prepared to operate in this unique environment,” said Matt Kaye, EODT president and CEO. “Our extensive past experience is supported by an outstanding safety record, so we are confident we will complete this project safely and successfully.”

The contract, valued at $800,000, is in support of the Navarro Nevada Environmental Services contract with the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office. Funding for the project is provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the recent act signed into law by President Obama to revitalize the economy.

To find out more information about the historic Department of Energy activities conducted at the Tonopah Test Range, visit http://www.nv.doe.gov/library/factsheets/DOENV_1056.pdf

About EODT

EOD Technology, Inc. (EODT) is an employee-owned, ISO 9001:2008 registered professional services company providing strategic stability operations support and integrated critical mission solutions that ensure the safety and operational readiness of government and corporations worldwide. Headquartered in Lenoir City, TN, EODT has a global presence with offices in Washington, D.C.; Huntsville, AL; Tucson, AZ; Baghdad, Iraq; Kabul, Afghanistan; Lagos, Nigeria; Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town, South Africa; and San Jose, Costa Rica.

http://www.eodt.com/

Student Teams Ready to Battle Lunar Terrain at NASA’s 17th Annual Great Moonbuggy Race — Press Release

Student Teams Ready to Battle Lunar Terrain at NASA’s 17th Annual Great Moonbuggy Race

WASHINGTON, March 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — More than 100 student teams from around the globe will drive their specially crafted lunar rovers through a challenging course of rugged, moon-like terrain at NASA’s 17th annual Great Moonbuggy Race in Huntsville, Ala., April 9-10.

Some 1,088 high school, college and university students from 20 states and Puerto Rico, Canada, Germany, Bangladesh, Serbia, India and Romania are expected to participate in the race at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

Students begin to prepare for the event each year during the fall semester. They must design, build and test a sturdy, collapsible, lightweight vehicle that addresses engineering problems similar to those overcome by the original Apollo-era lunar rover development team at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville in the late 1960s.

The buggies are based on the design of those classic rovers, which American astronauts drove across the moon’s surface during the Apollo 15, 16 and 17 missions in the early 1970s. Teams of students build their vehicles using trail bike tires, aluminum or composite-metal struts and parts. The best teams drive trains, gears, suspension, steering and braking systems they find or construct.

Top prizes are awarded to the three teams in both the high school and college/university divisions that post the fastest race times, which include assembly and penalty times. A variety of other prizes are given by race corporate sponsors. These include “rookie of the year” and the “featherweight” award, presented to the team with the lightest, fastest buggy.

NASA’s Great Moonbuggy Race is one of many educational projects and initiatives the agency conducts each year to attract and engage America’s next generation of scientists, engineers and explorers. They will carry on the nation’s mission of exploration to unchartered destinations in our solar system.

“NASA is committed to inspiring young people in science, technology, engineering and math, and the Great Moonbuggy Race is an excellent way for us to reach out to young people and get them excited and involved in technical opportunities available to them,” said Mike Selby, an avionics technical assistant in the Marshall Center’s Engineering Directorate. While completing his engineering degree at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Selby was a member of the school’s moonbuggy teams, helping them to a second-place finish in 1995 and to first place in 1996. Since 2001, he has served each year as a volunteer scorekeeper.

The race is hosted by the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, and is sponsored by Lockheed Martin Corporation, The Boeing Company, Northrop Grumman Corporation, and Jacobs Engineering ESTS Group, all of Huntsville.

For a list of this year’s competitors, visit:

http://moonbuggy.msfc.nasa.gov/email.html

For more information about the competition, visit:

http://moonbuggy.msfc.nasa.gov/

For information about other NASA education programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/education

Source: NASA

CONTACT: Sonja Alexander of NASA Headquarters, Washington,
+1-202-358-1761, sonja.r.alexander@nasa.gov, or Angela Storey of NASA Marshall
Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala., +1-256-544-0034,
angela.d.storey@nasa.gov

New Zealand Defence Force Awards Lockheed Martin 10-Year Logistics Contract — Press Release

New Zealand Defence Force Awards Lockheed Martin 10-Year Logistics Contract

ORLANDO, Fla., March 3 /PRNewswire/ — Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) was awarded an initial 10-year contract valued at more than $100 million by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) to provide its Army with warehousing and repair services.

The contract allows for syndication with other New Zealand agencies, including New Zealand Police, for which Lockheed Martin could also assume warehousing and facilities maintenance work. The agreement includes the maintenance, repair and overhaul of the organization’s equipment and supply chain services ranging from soldier store acquisition, such as tents and weapons, to warehouse sustainment.

The New Zealand Army is composed of 7,500 regular and reserve forces and civilian personnel. Approximately 500 NZDF personnel are deployed on multiple peacekeeping operations, United Nations missions and defence exercises around the world. The Army’s fleet of more than 500 vehicles includes NZ Light Armoured Vehicles, Pinzgauer Light Operational Vehicles, Unimogs, and transport, service and supply vehicles.

“Our goal is to ensure we provide the best possible supply service in the most cost-effective way,” said Debra Palmer, vice president of enterprise logistics solutions at Lockheed Martin’s Simulation, Training & Support business unit. “We are focused on improving the availability of equipment and supplies to sustain current operations while moving toward improved capabilities in the future.”

Lockheed Martin offers similar services to a number of military customers. These include asset management capabilities to the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence through its Joint Asset Management Engineering Solution, a program which will ultimately enable the MoD to manage its land-based equipment throughout all its services by providing an end-to-end logistics management system. In addition, Lockheed Martin supports the U.S. Marine Corps with the Embedded Platform Logistics System, and manages the supply chain for automotive parts for the U.S. military’s land-based vehicles with the Fleet Automotive Support Initiative.

The contract begins in June 2010 after a transition from the current service providers.

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: www.lockheedmartin.com

Source: Lockheed Martin

CONTACT: Media: Dana Johnson, +1-407-306-7303, dana.johnson@lmco.com

JANSON Communications Releases Military Facebook Study — Press Release

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

In a timely press release Janson Communications studied military use of Facebook. We just added a fan page to Facebook for DPN. Press Release follows:

Facebook usage is growing within the DoD

MANASSAS, Va., March 3 /PRNewswire/ — JANSON Communications, a full service communications agency focused on Defense, Aerospace and Government Technology industries, released the results of its Military Facebook Study today. The study examines the use of Facebook pages by the U.S. military to identify trends, best practices and typical uses. “JANSON took a detailed look at how the military is using Facebook for communication efforts and some very interesting results surfaced,” said Fred Wellman, Senior Director of Communications, Public Relations and Social Media at JANSON, who lead the project.

JANSON’s Research and Analysis team examined over 680 military pages and grouped the pages into four category types; location, personality, organization and recruiting pages. The study revealed:

— 22% of pages lacked of clear terms of use governing behavior of fans;
— 84% of pages had no interaction with fans at all during the study
period;
— Most of the Facebook pages viewed were not marked as the
organization’s “official” page, leading to potential confusion with
fan-created pages and “clone” pages.

With the recent release of the long-awaited DoD social media policy, use of these channels is likely to grow within the military as instrumental internal and external communications tools. While many military organizations have already embraced social media, the JANSON study reveals that many still struggle to find an adequate strategy and set of best practices with which to operate.

“The lessons learned in this study apply not only to the military, but any organization in government, business or the non-profit sector. JANSON is excited to have been the first firm to look closely at this unique communications niche,” said Janet Chihocky, Founder and CEO.

To view the Military Facebook study, go to www.jansoncom.com. If you would like to know more about the Military Facebook Study or speak with a JANSON executive, contact Christina Rubino at crubino@jansoncom.com or 703.393.2500.

About JANSON Communications

JANSON Communications is a full-service strategic communications firm focused on supporting the defense, aerospace and government technology sectors. The company specializes in market research and analysis, communications planning, social media, public relations, branding and media training, taking a partnership approach with its clients. Headquartered in Manassas, VA, JANSON also has a location in Huntsville, AL. For more information, visit www.jansoncom.com.

Source: JANSON Communications

CONTACT: Christina Rubino, JANSON Communications, +1-703-393-2500,
crubino@jansoncom.com

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

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

Austrian Air Force successfully reaches 1,500 flying hours — Press Release

Austrian Air Force successfully reaches 1,500 flying hours

The Eurofighter Typhoons in service with the Österreichische Luftstreitkräfte, Austria’s Joint Armed Forces Command have successfully reached the 1,500 flying hours milestone.

This success came to prove the important role the aircraft plays in the air policing task within the Austria’s defence system. In 33 Priority ‘A’ missions, the Austrian Air Force have repeatedly safeguarded the Austrian Air Space whilst 240 Priority ‘B’ operations were accomplished to ensure constant air surveillance.

With the Eurofighter Typhoon as the best and most effective defence system available, the Austrian Armed Forces are capable of providing active Air Security 24 hours a day, seven days a week for many years to come.

The recent task for the Austrian Eurofighter Typhoons to defend the air space above the World Economic Forum in Davos as well as the deployment during the Euro 2008 football championship in
Austria and Switzerland, demonstrated perfectly the interoperability of their Alpine Air defence system.

JTRS Science and Technology Forum to be Held at UC San Diego March 9-11, 2010 — Press Release

JTRS Science and Technology Forum to be Held at UC San Diego March 9-11, 2010

SAN DIEGO – The Joint Program Executive Office for the Joint Tactical Radio System (JPEO JTRS) (http://jpeojtrs.mil ) will sponsor its annual JTRS Science and Technology Forum (JSTeF), March 9-11, on the campus of the University of California, San Diego, in La Jolla, California; along with the Wireless Innovation Forum (WinnF) (www.sdrforum.org) and the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (Calit2) (http://www.calit2.net).

The keynote address will be delivered on March 9 by Howard Pace, the Acting Joint Program Executive Officer, who will discuss the importance of JTRS wireless communications and networking for the Department of Defense; and the roles of industry and academia in developing future software defined radio capabilities. Other speakers will include Rear Admiral Janice C. Hamby, Vice Director of C-4 systems (J-6) Joint Chiefs of Staff and Rear Admiral Richard C. Bachman, Commander Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR).

The remainder of the conference will feature presentations by recipients of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract awards from JPEO JTRS, demonstrating their technology projects and capabilities for potential integration into defense or commercial applications products. The conference will also feature numerous technical information exchanges among members of the Wireless Innovation Forum, as well as research and product exhibits and tours of the Calit2 research laboratory facilities.

Media representatives are invited to attend 8:30 to 11:30, March 9 in theCalit2 Auditorium of Atkinson Hall. For additional information, please refer to the conference website at http://jtrs.calit2.net.

###
About JPEO JTRS

Since its inception in early 1997, the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) has evolved from a loosely associated group of radio replacement programs to an integrated effort to network multiple weapon system platforms and forward combat units where it matters most – at the last tactical mile. In 2005, JTRS was restructured under the leadership of a Joint Program Executive Officer headquartered in San Diego, California. JTRS is harnessing the power of the Global Information Grid (GIG) to help the warfighter achieve overall battlefield superiority.

By developing and implementing an open architecture of cutting-edge radio waveform technology, multiple radio types (e.g., handheld, ground-mobile, airborne, maritime) are now capable of communicating with one another. The ultimate goal is to produce a family of interoperable, modular, software-defined radios that operate as nodes in a network that provides secure wireless communication and networking services for mobile and fixed forces, consisting of U.S. Allies, joint and coalition partners, and in time, disaster response personnel.

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

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/

High Court grants injunction against BAE settlement — Press Release

High Court grants injunction against BAE settlement

The High Court has granted an injunction prohibiting the Director of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) from taking any further steps in its plea bargain settlement with BAE Systems.

The injunction is in force until the Court has decided whether or not to give permission to Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) and The Corner
House to apply for a judicial review of the settlement. It will make this decision by 20 March 2010.

Lawyers acting for The Corner House and CAAT formally lodged papers seeking judicial review permission on Friday 26 February 2010, together
with a request for the injunction.

LEGAL DOCUMENTS
Interim Injunction Order:
http://www.thecornerhouse.org.uk/pdf/document/InterimInjunctionOrder.pdf

Injuction Application:
http://www.thecornerhouse.org.uk/pdf/document/InjunctAppln.pdf

Judicial Review Application: Facts and Grounds:
http://www.thecornerhouse.org.uk/pdf/document/FactsAndGrounds.pdf

For further information, background and earlier press releases, go to:
http://www.thecornerhouse.org.uk

Military Veterans to Receive Career and Financial Guidance Through Gradient Gives Back Community Outreach Program — Press Release

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

Military Veterans to Receive Career and Financial Guidance Through Gradient Gives Back Community Outreach Program

Minneapolis, MN – February 22, 2010 – Announced today, transitioning military veterans will have the chance to receive financial and career assistance in 2010 through the Gradient Gives Back Community Outreach Program. The program, launched by Gradient Financial Group, the country’s leading financial services firm, and Afterburner, the global leader in organizational execution, aims to help the 220,000 military veterans transitioning into civilian life this year.

Gradient and Afterburner are seeking up to 50 transitioning military veterans across the U.S. to earn a seat at one of three Veteran Transition Assistance Boot Camps. These fully-immersive, three-day courses will help transition military veterans into civilian life through Afterburner’s military-to-business vernacular training, coaching and career placement.

Top candidates from each boot camp will be vying for select positions with Afterburner’s network of Fortune 500 clients and will be awarded two years-worth of financial services from Gradient, which will include asset analysis, risk tolerance assessment, retirement planning, home mortgage origination, tax planning, and debt review and reduction strategies.

One deserving military veteran will be selected in late 2010 to receive the Ultimate Financial Gift – six months of mortgage/lease payments; waiver of home mortgage origination or refinancing fees; debt reduction; free tax planning and filing of 2010 and 2011 taxes; and career counseling and guidance.

To learn more about Gradient Gives Back Community Outreach Program or to nominate a deserving veteran in your community, visit: www.gradientgivesback.com. Follow us on Twitter @gradientgives.

Raytheon Wins $886 Million Contract to Develop Next-Generation GPS Control Segment — Press Release

Raytheon Wins $886 Million Contract to Develop Next-Generation GPS Control Segment

Program to improve security, accuracy and reliability of GPS satellites

AURORA, Colo., Feb. 26, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The U.S. Air Force has selected Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) for an initial contract of $886 million to develop a new element of the Global Positioning System to improve the accuracy of information from GPS satellites.

The contract represents the first two development blocks of the advanced control segment (OCX), which will have a significant impact on GPS capabilities. The OCX system will include anti-jam capabilities and improved security, accuracy and reliability and will be based on a modern service-oriented architecture to integrate government and industry open-system standards.

“We are excited to partner with the Air Force to provide the best-value GPS control system for the future,” said Lynn Dugle, president of Raytheon’s Intelligence and Information Systems business. “Raytheon’s broad experience in delivering satellite-to-ground command and control systems will ensure that our nation’s military and civil GPS users worldwide are provided new capabilities.”

The OCX will dramatically affect GPS command, control and mission capabilities and make it easier for the operations team to run the current GPS block II and all future GPS satellites.

“Raytheon is proud to deliver innovative technologies to help the Air Force meet its mission of protecting GPS operational services,” said Bob Canty, GPS OCX vice president and program manager for Raytheon. “The advanced control segment is a critical program for our nation’s combat forces, coalition partners, as well as domestic and international civil users. By selecting Raytheon, the Air Force recognizes our experience and commitment to take GPS to the next level.”

The GPS, a satellite-based radio navigation system for the military and the public, comprises three major segments: the user segment, the space segment, and the control segment, which includes a master control station and ground antennas.

“The OCX concept was created to separate the control and space segments,” Canty said. “Technologies were evolving so rapidly and were so critical to execution that specialized skills were needed. The GPS wing saw the same need for specialized expertise on GPS OCX.”

Raytheon brings more than four decades of experience in command and control systems for satellites to the OCX program. Teammates include The Boeing Company, ITT, Braxton Technologies, Infinity Systems Engineering and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The contract was awarded by the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base.

Raytheon Company, with 2009 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 88 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 75,000 people worldwide.

Source: Raytheon Company

Oshkosh Defense Named Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year — Press Release

Oshkosh Defense Named Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year

OSHKOSH, Wis., Feb 26, 2010 — Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), received the 2009 Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year (MOTY), winning the Grand Award in the “Mega” category for companies with more than 750 employees. Oshkosh was selected as the top company in this annual state-wide competition among Wisconsin-based manufacturers.

Oshkosh Defense was recognized for its operations and business excellence during the past year, and was judged on criteria, including financial growth, environmental solutions, technological advancement, operational excellence, commitment to employees and community support.

“The award acknowledges the progress and growth at Oshkosh Defense, as well the hard work and experience of our employees,” said Andy Hove, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Defense. “This award is a tribute to the dedication of our workforce in building the finest military tactical wheeled vehicles to help supply our Armed Forces and help protect the lives of someone’s son, daughter, mother or father.”

For Oshkosh Defense, 2009 was a remarkable year. The Defense division won two major contracts and hired hundreds of new employees. The division first received an award on June 30, 2009 for the MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) program, resulting in a $4.74 billion contract for 8.079 vehicles to be used in Afghanistan’s harsh rugged terrain. The contract award brought an immediate ramp up in production for this brand-new vehicle. This was an “urgent” needs project for the U.S. Army, and Oshkosh and its employees were able to design, test, build and begin delivering these life-saving vehicles to Afghanistan in less than a year — a truly remarkable accomplishment.

The next significant award came on Aug. 26, 2009 for the Army’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV).These two momentous programs are in addition to the existing programs and vehicles that Oshkosh provides for medium tactical wheeled vehicles for the Marine Corps and the Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV) for the Army.

“Our success is the direct result of attention to detail from our management, the skill and determination of our employees and a companywide commitment to continuous improvement. Each day we come to work with a purpose and leave with a great sense of pride,” said Hove.

Nominees for the Wisconsin MOTY awards must have major manufacturing operations in the state. Winning companies are also recognized for having made Wisconsin a better place to live and work through their operations and business excellence.

MOTY winners were announced at an awards program on Thursday, Feb. 25 at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee. The MOTY Awards Program is co-sponsored by Michael Best and Friedrich LLP, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP, and Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.

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.

Next Page »

>