Defense Daily articles from February 2006

Defense Daily archives from February 2006

L-3 Delivers Strong Fourth Quarter; Acquires Small U.K. Firm.
February 1, 2006... By Calvin Biesecker L-3 Communications [LLL] yesterday reported strong fourth quarter financial results driven by its C3ISR and Government Services work, and the company also announced acquisitions of two small defense firms, including...

Lockheed Martin Wins $491 Million Contract For Third AEHF Satellite.
February 1, 2006... By Michael Sirak The Air Force let a $491 million production contract last month to Lockheed Martin [LMT] for the third, and likely final, Advanced Extremely High Frequency (EHF) communications satellite, the company said yesterday. ...

Air Force Eyes Small Jet For Surveillance, Training And Transport Roles.(air force services )
February 1, 2006... By Michael Sirak The Air Force intends to examine later this year the merits of small jet aircraft that could potentially serve in roles such as surveillance, training and transport, the service said earlier this week. In a request...

JASSM Scores Success In First Two Flights of Year, Lockheed Martin Says.(Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile)
February 1, 2006... By Michael Sirak Lockheed Martin's [LMT] AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) performed successfully last week in its first two flight tests of 2006, company officials said on Monday. The two tests, which occurred on...

General Dynamics Awarded $317 Million To Build Ninth T-AKE Ship.
February 1, 2006... By Geoff Fein The Navy awarded General Dynamics [GD] National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) a $317 million contract to build a ninth T-AKE logistics ship, bringing the total contract value to $2.8 billion, according to a...

Lockheed Martin Announces Team For APKWS II Competition.(Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... By Ann Roosevelt Lockheed Martin [LMT] yesterday announced its team in the competition for the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) increment II competition: HR Textron [TXT], Honeywell Defense and Space Electronics Systems...

Boeing Signs Chinook Preparation Production Agreement WithMoD.(Netherlands Defense Materiel Organization)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Boeing [BA] yesterday announced a production preparation agreement with the Defense Materiel Organization of the Dutch Defense Ministry for the possible purchase of Chinook helicopters. The agreement provides for the planning and long...

CACI Postpones ISS Purchase After Contract Loss.(CACI International )(Information Systems Support, Inc)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... CACI International [CAI] yesterday said it is delaying the closing of its pending purchase of Information Systems Support, Inc. (ISS) after ISS said it had lost the recompetition of a significant contract, requiring a revaluation of ISS. ...

Electric Boat Gets $1.1 Billion For Sub Work, Company Still Proceeds With Layoffs.
February 1, 2006... By Geoff Fein The Navy awarded General Dynamics [GD] Electric Boat a $1.108 billion contract modification to provide full-funding for FY '06 Virginia-class submarine, the company reports. The award modifies an August 2003 contract...

Lawmakers Will Question Military on Reason Behind Increase in Helicopter Accidents.(House Armed Services Committee )
February 1, 2006... By George Cahlink Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pa.), vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), believes military helicopter accidents have increased in recent years and will use a congressional hearing today to find out if faulty...

Boeing's Fourth Quarter Income Soars As Growth Remains Solid.
February 2, 2006... By Calvin Biesecker Boeing [BA] yesterday said its fourth quarter earnings more than doubled due to improved earnings at its commercial aircraft and defense divisions and several non-operating improvements while sales of commercial...

Lawmakers Far From Consensus On Plans For Upgrading Air Tanker Fleet.
February 2, 2006... By George Cahlink A new study on Air Force tankers designed to settle a debate over how to buy the aircraft seems to have raised more concerns among lawmakers who are split over how the service should go about buying the planes. The...

Navy Continues To Work Challenge of Small Crew For Littoral Combat Ship.
February 2, 2006... By Geoff Fein The Navy will face numerous challenges, from developing new training programs to the problem of information overload, as it looks toward decreasing crew sizes on everything from the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) to CVN-21,...

Belgium Selects General Dynamics Piranha Armored Infantry Vehicle.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... As part of its army transformation plans, Belgium has selected the General Dynamics [GD] Piranha IIIC 8x8 light armored vehicle under an agreement that could be valued at $604 million. The Piranha is built by GD's European Land Combat...

Composite Special Operations Boat Set To Begin Experimental Testing In May.(M Ship Co.'s M80 Stiletto)
February 2, 2006... By Geoff Fein M Ship Co.'s M80 Stiletto, the largest Navy vessel built using carbon fiber composite materials and with a unique M-hull design, was launched Tuesday as an operational experiment for the Pentagon's Office of Force...

Armor Holdings Notches Strong Fourth Quarter And Full Year.
February 2, 2006... By Calvin Biesecker Paced again by torrid growth in its primary business of armoring Humvees for the Army and Marine Corps, Armor Holdings [AH] on Tuesday reported strong fourth quarter and full year earnings and sales and said 2006 will...

Air Force Settles On 183 Raptors, Plans New Bomber By 2018.
February 3, 2006... By Michael Sirak ORLANDO, Fla.--The Air Force has accepted a smaller F-22 Raptor fighter fleet, would like to field a new long-range strike platform around 2018 and expects to commence the competition for a new tanker platform before the...

Raytheon Posts Solid Fourth Quarter On Aircraft, Defense Sales.
February 3, 2006... By Calvin Biesecker Raytheon [RTN] yesterday reported solid fourth quarter earnings and sales driven by higher sales at three of its six defense segments as well as continued strong performance at its aircraft operations. Net income...

Lockheed Eyes JSF Passive Sensor For B-2, Unmanned Combat Aircraft.(Joint Strike Fighter)
February 3, 2006... By Michael Sirak ORLANDO, Fla.-- Lockheed Martin [LMT] thinks the sophisticated passive detection and tracking system that it is building for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) has applications for additional stealthy platforms like the...

Navy's Work On DD(X) Could Guide Efforts On CVN-21 Manning, Official Says.
February 3, 2006... By Geoff Fein While the Navy is beginning to examine how it will operate the next generation of aircraft carriers with fewer personnel, the service has gained experience from its work on the DD(X) destroyer on how technology and training...

Key GOP Members Don't See Boehner Changing Defense Committees.(Grand Old Party)
February 3, 2006... By George Cahlink New House Republican Majority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) has little experience working on defense issues in Congress, but key GOP members don't see the leadership change impacting the defense committees, according to...

Earnings Dip At ATK In Third Quarter Despite Strong Sales.
February 3, 2006... By Calvin Biesecker Alliant Techsystems [ATK] yesterday reported a strong increase in third quarter sales but net income fell slightly largely due to higher operating expenses and a higher tax provision. Still, earnings per share...

HASC Chairman Hunter Warns Pentagon Against Budget 'Tradeoffs'.
February 3, 2006... By George Cahlink House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) is warning the Pentagon that cutting military personnel to pay for new weapons could jeopardize national security. "We shouldn't be in the...

Defense Watch.
February 6, 2006... The Latest Word On Trends And Developments In Aerospace And Defense Anaheim Globetrotter. The first of eight Boeing C-17 Globemaster III long-range transport aircraft destined this year for basing in Hawaii will arrive later this week at...

QDR Chronicles Path For U.S. Forces To Counter New Threats.(Quadrennial Defense Review)
February 6, 2006... By Michael Sirak The Pentagon's just-released Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) calls for increased investment in special forces, countering weapons of mass destruction and greater flexibility and speed in dealing with unpredictable...

Army Modular Momentum To Continue Under QDR.(Quadrennial Defense Review)
February 6, 2006... By Ann Roosevelt The Army will continue moving to a modular force to build flexibility and combat capability under the Defense Department's roadmap for change, the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). To build on current progress the...

QDR Affirms Navy Plans For Larger Fleet, Calls For Increased Focus On Pacific.(Quadrennial Defense Review)
February 6, 2006... By Geoff Fein The Pentagon's Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) endorses the Navy's plan to build a larger fleet that would include 11 carrier strike groups, accelerating procurement of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), and building two...

Lawmakers Raise Concerns About Pentagon's QDR, Plan Congressional Hearings.(Quadrennial Defense Review)
February 6, 2006... By George Cahlink Lawmakers are raising questions about whether the Pentagon's new strategic blueprint, the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), will provide enough money and forces to meet future national security threats. "It appears...

Pentagon's FY '07 Request Tops $439 billion.
February 7, 2006... By Michael Sirak The Pentagon has asked for $439.3 billion in FY '07 to continue transforming U.S. forces into more agile and adaptable units geared to fight not only major conventional wars but irregular conflicts and the enduring war...

Army Modularity Momentum Backed In Budget Request.
February 7, 2006... By Ann Roosevelt Backing up Defense Department decisions in the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), the Army requested $110.4 billion for FY '07, the same amount the service anticipated in last year's FY '06-'07 budget request. In FY...

DHS Seeks $42.7 Billion In FY '07.(Department of Homeland Security)
February 7, 2006... By Calvin Biesecker Stressing the need to increase overall preparedness, meaning preparation for natural and man-made catastrophes, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) yesterday sent to Congress a proposed $42.7 billion budget for...

Navy Procurement Budget Rises With Addition of New Aircraft And DD(X).
February 7, 2006... By Geoff Fein The Navy's $127.3 billion budget reflects an increase in procurement by $2.2 billion, as the service begins to recapitalize its aircraft fleet and starts construction on DD(X). However, it trims research and development...

Air Force's FY '07 Budget Requests $130.4 Billion With Emphasis On Mods.
February 7, 2006... By Michael Sirak The Air Force's FY '07 budget request of $130.4 billion supports the service's priorities of winning the war on terrorism, modernizing and recapitalizing its aging platforms and supporting its airmen, the service's top...

Lawmakers Likely To Add More Money To Pentagon's $439 Billion Budget Plan.
February 7, 2006... By George Cahlink Congress is expected to back the Pentagon's request for increased national security spending in fiscal 2007 and will likely provide more dollars for the military as lawmakers resist cuts to some weapons programs and...

Air Force Studies How To Counter Hostile UAVs.(Unmanned Aerial Vehicles)
February 8, 2006... By Michael Sirak The Air Force is exploring how to defend against enemy unmanned aircraft, while not impeding the operations of its own pilotless platforms. The service has tasked the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board (AFSAB), its...

New Air Defense Role Would Require Coast Guard To Buy Five New HH-65s.
February 8, 2006... By Calvin Biesecker The Coast Guard's budget request for next year includes the purchase of five new twin-engine HH-65 Dolphin helicopters to help the service meet its soon-to-be acquired role for providing air defense in around...

Increased Use of Robots In Iraq Presents Repair, Maintenance Challenge.
February 8, 2006... By Geoff Fein With more than 2,400 robots currently in use in Iraq, doing everything from explosive ordnance disposal to force protection, somebody has to repair and maintain them as well as change their batteries and test them. ...

Army Ratchets Up Activity For Next Generation Truck Fleet.
February 8, 2006... By Ann Roosevelt The Army awarded a $12.25 million contract to International Military and Government LLC [NAV] and a $9 million contract to Lockheed Martin [LMT] over AM General and Stewart & Stevenson [SVC] to build demonstration models...

GD, Oshkosh Truck, Textron, To Demonstrate Survivability Capabilities For Army.(General Dynamics)
February 8, 2006... By Ann Roosevelt General Dynamics [GD], Oshkosh Truck Corp. [OSK] and Textron Marine & Land [TXT] are among 17 companies the Army has invited to demonstrate systems and technologies for the Comprehensive Force Protection Initiative...

Viisage Rounds Out Biometrics Offerings With New Acquisition.(SecuriMetrics Inc)
February 8, 2006... Viisage [VISG] on Monday said it has agreed to acquire SecuriMetrics, Inc., a provider of handheld iris-recognition technology and systems, in a $28 million cash deal that would largely complete its fast-paced effort to become a...

Lawmakers Want More Defense Dollars, Rumsfeld Downplays 'Bow Wave' Talk.(Several Senate Armed Services Committee)
February 8, 2006... By George Cahlink Several Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) members suggested Tuesday the Pentagon's $439.3 billion for fiscal year 2007 might not provide enough money for all the military's needs. The Pentagon on Monday sent...

Navy Won't Pursue Two Subs in FY '09, But Wants To Retire USS Kennedy.
February 8, 2006... By Geoff Fein Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Mullen said the service will not seek additional funding in FY '07 to being building two submarines a year in FY '09. "I said FY '12 for a specific reason. It's what I think we...

J-UCAS Offers Lessons For Emerging Unmanned Projects, Official Says.(Joint-Unmanned Combat Air Systems)
February 9, 2006... By Michael Sirak The experiences of the Joint-Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) program offer valuable lessons for the Air Force and Navy projects expected to emerge from it under the Department of Defense (DoD)'s new planning, the...

Lockheed Martin Enhancing Capabilities of Sniper Targeting Pod.
February 9, 2006... By Michael Sirak ORLANDO, Fla.-- Lockheed Martin [LMT] is expanding the capabilities of its Sniper targeting pod to integrate it more closely with battlefield information-sharing networks, company officials said last week. The goal...

Rockwell Collins To Purchase Simulation Business of Evans & Sutherland.
February 9, 2006... By Calvin Biesecker Rockwell Collins [COL] yesterday said it has agreed to acquire the simulation assets of Evans & Sutherland [ESCC] for $71.5 million in cash, giving it in-house visualization technology to go with the simulation...

MDA Requests $10.4 Billion In FY '07 For Its Part In The 'Long War'.(Missile Defense Agency)
February 9, 2006... By Ann Roosevelt The president's FY '07 budget requests $10.4 billion for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to continue developing and deploying capabilities to defeat any missile in any phase of flight--its part in preparing for the...

Lockheed Martin Sees Growing Role For Missile Warning Sensors.
February 9, 2006... By Michael Sirak ORLANDO, Fla.-- Lockheed Martin [LMT] is exploring how to expand the role of its airborne missile warning sensors so that they can contribute more to the overall situational awareness and survivability of the aircraft...

Marine Corps To Issue RFP For Unmanned Aircraft System For Infantry Units.(request for proposal)
February 9, 2006... By Geoff Fein The Marine Corps is expected to release a request for proposal (RFP) within a month for a Tier II unmanned aerial system (UAS) that will enable Marine infantry units to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance...

House Lawmakers Concerned About DoD Budget, Plans For Guard and Reserve.
February 9, 2006... By George Cahlink House Armed Service Committee (HASC) yesterday members raised concerns about the Pentagon's plans for the Army Reserve and Army National Guard and suggested Congress should increase the Defense Department's overall $439...

General Dynamics Awarded $289 Million For IED Jamming System.(Improvised Explosive Device)(Brief Article)
February 9, 2006... Marine Corps Systems Command has awarded General Dynamics [GD] a $289 million contract to develop, design, integrate, produce and install Remote Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Counter Measure systems, according to...

Senior DoD Officials Defend Decision To Halt C-17 Production At 180.(Department of Defense)
February 10, 2006... By Michael Sirak Senior Pentagon officials are defending the decision to stop the production of Boeing [BA]'s C-17 Globemaster III inter-theater transport aircraft in 2008, leaving it now in the hands of the Congress to decide the...

Army Budget Growing For Simulation Technologies, More Agile Systems Sought.
February 10, 2006... By George Cahlink The Army more than doubled spending on simulated training systems over the past five years and those dollars continue to grow as the service seeks more agile systems that can be sent to combat zones, according to Jim...

SI International To Acquire Federal IT Firm.(Zen Technology)
February 10, 2006... By Calvin Biesecker SI International [SINT] said on Wednesday that it has agreed to acquire information technology (IT) services provider Zen Technology in a $60 million cash deal that would expand its customer base within DoD and the...

DRS Reports Increased Earnings, Sales In Third Quarter.
February 10, 2006... By Calvin Biesecker DRS Technologies [DRS] yesterday reported higher sales and earnings in its third quarter driven by acquisitions and modest organic growth and the defense electronics and force sustainment company increased its...

'Spend More, Spend Better And Spend Together' On Research, Solana Says.(Javier Solana on defense spending)(European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2006... Proper funding of research and technology is key to transforming European military forces, but nations "should spend more, spend better and spend more together," Javier Solana, European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and...

Army On 'Sound Footing' With QDR, General Says.(Quadrennial Defense Review)(Lt. Gen. David Melcher)
February 10, 2006... By Ann Roosevelt The Defense Department's Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) and accompanying budget maintains the Army's plans and goals, the Army's deputy chief of staff G-8 said yesterday. "I believe that the Army has come through...

After Autonomous Flight Demonstration Fire Scout Set For Tests On Navy's HSV.(high speed vessel)
February 10, 2006... By Geoff Fein After completing nine successful shipboard autonomous take-offs and landings last month, Northrop Grumman [NOC] will begin testing its next variant of the Fire Scout vertical take off and land (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle...

Raytheon Bids On Next-Generation Radiation Monitoring Project.(Raytheon Aircraft Co.)(Bubble Technology Industries)
February 10, 2006... By Calvin Biesecker Raytheon [RTN] yesterday said it has teamed with a small Canadian firm, Bubble Technology Industries (BTI), to enter a Department of Homeland Security- led effort to develop and produce next-generation radiation...

DoD Report Questions Joint Standoff Weapon's Accuracy And Suitability.(Department of Defense)
February 10, 2006... By Geoff Fein Testing of Raytheon's [RTN] Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) baseline variant revealed weapons accuracy limitations not identified in prior tests and the unitary warhead variant was deemed effective but not suitable in...

Defense Watch.(the latest trends in the Aerospace And Defense industry)
February 13, 2006... The Latest Word On Trends And Developments In Aerospace And Defense Growing Threat. Col. Edward Ward, logistics chief for the Robotic Systems Joint Project Office, tells attendees at the AUVSI Unmanned Systems Program Review 2006 that the...

Air Force Eyes Joint Global Hawk Operations With Pacific Allies.
February 13, 2006... By Michael Sirak The Air Force is in discussions with countries including Australia, Japan, Singapore and Thailand to establish a regime to jointly operate a fleet of Northrop Grumman [NOC] RQ-4 Global Hawk high-altitude unmanned...

MDA Ramps Up Flight Test Plans.(Missile Defense Agency)
February 13, 2006... By Ann Roosevelt The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) plans seven Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) flight tests, as well as flight tests for Navy Aegis ballistic missile defense (BMD), the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), and...

DOT&E Report Finds Issues With SSGN Ohio-Class Mission And Support Systems.(Director, Operational, Test and Evaluation)(Submersible, Ship, Guided, Nuclear (nuclear powered cruise missile submarine))
February 13, 2006... By Geoff Fein A Pentagon report found that the SSGN Ohio-class conversion program has numerous minor issues with strike mission and support systems that contribute to an overall high-risk evaluation. However, both the Navy and the...

Acquisition Chief Wants To Promote More Competition.(Kenneth Krieg )(Department of Defense )(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... By Michael Sirak The Department of Defense (DoD) should promote more competition and do more to attract vendors to it that have not traditionally done business with it, the Pentagon's acquisition chief told reporters last week. "As...

General Dynamics To Provide New Marine Corps LAV-A2s.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... General Dynamics [GD] has received a $128 million increment of a $258 million contract for 130 new eight-wheeled Light Armored Vehicles (LAV-A2) in a variety of configurations for the Marine Corps. The contract has a potential value of...

Spain's Marine Safety Agency To Buy AB139 Helicopters.(Brief Article)
February 13, 2006... Finmeccanica's AgustaWestland said last week it was been awarded a contract for three AB139 medium-twin helicopters from Sasemar, the Spanish Marine Safety Agency. The helicopters will be in the search and rescue configuration. Sasemar...

Elbit Completes First Phase of Asian Coastal Security Project.(Elbit Systems Ltd.)
February 13, 2006... By B.C. Kessner TEL AVIV, Israel--Elbit Systems [ESLT] last week said its Ortek homeland defense subsidiary completed deployment of its first Peripheral Coastal Security system as an $8 million initial stage of a project for a customer...

Former Navy Admiral Sestak Running For Congress Against Rep. Curt Weldon.(Joseph Sestak)
February 13, 2006... By George Cahlink Recently retired Navy admiral Joseph Sestak is joining the growing list of Democratic war veterans running for Congress this fall taking on Rep. Curt Weldon (R-Pa.), vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee....

AAI Corp. Acquires UAV Assets of Allied Aerospace.(Unmanned aerial vehicles)
February 14, 2006... By Calvin Biesecker Seeking to enhance its capabilities in area vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), AAI Corp. yesterday said it has acquired the UAV assets of Allied Aerospace Industries. Terms of...

Pentagon Deems JCAD False Alarm Rates 'Unacceptable' For Shipboard Use.(Joint Chemical Agent Detector)
February 14, 2006... By Geoff Fein The Joint Chemical Agent Detector (JCAD) may have adequate detection capabilities and tolerable false alarm rates, but its false alarm rates for shipboard use are unacceptable, according to a review of Pentagon test and...

Alion Acquires Small M&S Firm.(Alion Science and Technology Corp. and BMH Associates Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2006... By Calvin Biesecker Alion Science and Technology yesterday said it has acquired BMH Associates, Inc., a small veteran-owned firm that provides advanced software and systems engineering and specializes in distributed interactive...

ATK Conducts Successful PGMM Ballistic Flight Test.(Alliant Techsystems Inc. Defense Systems Group's Precision Guided Mortar Munition)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2006... AlliantTechsystems' [ATK] Precision Guided Mortar Munition successfully demonstrated its ballistic characteristics in a series of recent flight tests, the company said yesterday. A total of 49 rounds were shot over three days from a 120mm...

Northrop Grumman Awarded $93 Million Contract Modification For LHA-6.
February 14, 2006... The Navy yesterday exercised a $93 million contract modification to Northrop Grumman [NOC] Ship Systems for detail design and procurement of long- lead time materials on the LHA-6 amphibious assault ship program, the company reported. ...

Australia Passes Legislation Allowing Faster Military Response To Terror Incidents.(efence Act 1903 )(Brief Article)
February 14, 2006... Australia yesterday amended the Defence Act 1903 legislation to allow the Defence Force (ADF) to respond more rapidly and effectively in the event of a terrorist incident. The changes to the act will: improve the coordination mechanisms...

Lockheed Martin Delivers First PAC-3 Stockpile Reliability Test Missiles.(Patriot Advanced Capability-3)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2006... Lockheed Martin [LMT] recently delivered the first Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Stockpile Reliability Test missiles to the Army, the company said. The delivery, at the company facility in Camden, Ark., marked the first major...

CEA To Continue ANZAC Ship Radar Work.(Ship Anti-Ship Missile Defense upgrades)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2006... CEA Technologies recently signed a $9 million contract with the Australian Defence Material Organization to continue design and development of phased array radar systems--CEAFAR and CEAMount--for the ANZAC Ship Anti-Ship Missile Defense...

Marine Corps' Lightweight Prime Mover Losing Funding, Still No Contract Award.(Brief Article)
February 14, 2006... By Geoff Fein Funding in FY '07 for the Marine Corps' Lightweight Prime Mover (LWPM) will likely be used to help stand up the service's new Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC), according to a source. In the Navy's FY...

Army 160th SOAR Receives Airworthiness Release For MH-47G CAAS.(160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Common Avionics Architecture System)(Brief Article)
February 14, 2006... The Army 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR)(Airborne) has received an airworthiness release from the Army Aviation Engineering Directorate for its MH-47G helicopter upgraded with the Rockwell Collins [COL] Common Avionics...

Lockheed Awarded $136 Million Air Force Contract For C-130J Work.
February 14, 2006... The Air Force yesterday awarded Lockheed Martin [LMT] a $136.4 million Undefinitized Contractual Action (UCA) to increase the FY '06 through FY 08 C- 130J aircraft quantity from 37 to 39 to convert the C-130J multi-year contract from a...

Lawmakers Opposing Proposal To Eliminate Second Engine For JSF.(Joint Strike Fighter)
February 15, 2006... By George Cahlink Lawmakers are questioning the Pentagon's proposal to save money by canceling plans to build a backup engine for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), saying the move could end up costing the Defense Department in the long...

Fixed-wing Unmanned Aircraft Are Air Force's Best Near-Space Option.
February 15, 2006... By Michael Sirak More so than balloons and airships, high-flying unmanned aircraft are the best near-term option for the Air Force to exploit the untapped region of "near space" for persistent overhead observation, information gathering...

DHS Selects Six Firms To Support National Training Exercises.(Department of Homeland Security)(Brief Article)
February 15, 2006... By Calvin Biesecker The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has selected six contractors to compete for a potential $350 million in task orders over five years in support of the National Exercise Program, which provides training and...

Navy Continues To Support Development of ERM Projectile, Nash Says.(Extended Range Munition)
February 15, 2006... By Geoff Fein The Navy is serious about developing the Extended Range Munition (ERM), a 5-inch guided projectile to provide surface fire support up to a range of 62 nautical miles for Marines and soldiers on the ground, according to the...

Global Hawk Achieves First UAV Military Airworthiness Certification.(Northrop Grumman Corp.'s unmanned aerial vehicle)
February 15, 2006... Northrop Grumman [NOC] Monday said its RQ-4A Global Hawk became the first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to achieve a military airworthiness certification on Jan. 25 by the Air Force, facilitating routine operations within the national...