Northrop Grumman's Laser Systems Business Unit Announces Innovative Educational Partnership With Wekiva High School Photonics Academy

APOPKA, Fla., Aug. 31, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC - News) has helped establish the new Wekiva High School Photonics Academy by contributing $20,000 in cash plus laboratory equipment valued at $30,000.
Northrop Grumman, which operates its Laser Systems business unit in Apopka, helped to create the photonics academy in partnership with Orange County Public Schools and Valencia Community College. The Northrop Grumman financial contribution will be used to help defray program costs.
The academy is open to students at Wekiva High School in Apopka, with classes expected to commence later this month. To participate in the program students must maintain a 2.5 grade point average. Students are also required to also enroll in Valencia Community College, where they will receive college credits for the courses taken at the Photonics Academy.
"This is a great opportunity for the students at Wekiva High School and for us," said Gordon Stewart, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman Laser Systems. "Once they graduate from this program, they will be well on their way to becoming laser technicians. And, since we have a continuing need for trained and certified laser technicians, we are very pleased to be a part of this innovative education and training process."
Under this first-of-its-kind program, the students will take coursework in mathematics, science, communications, electronics, and optics. An in-depth sequence of laboratory learning experiences will develop the hands-on skills needed for operating and maintaining laser and photonics based systems.
"I am very excited about this opportunity, as it will not only enhance our students academically in establishing relevance to their science and math studies, but also because it will enhance their critical and creative thinking skills," said Wekiva High School principal Dr. D. Elise Gruber. "The opportunity to leave Wekiva High School 'job-ready' in a competitive and financially rewarding field is unique."
Northrop Grumman Laser Systems is one of the world's leading manufacturers of military Electro-Optical (EO) targeting systems. These include ground-based (manportable, handheld, and vehicle mounted) EO imaging/ranging systems for target location, laser designators/markers for precise guidance of smart munitions, and airborne laser rangefinders and designators fielded onboard many of the world's most sophisticated manned and unmanned aircraft.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

2009 Modern Day Marine Exposition Set for September 29 - October 1

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the international defense industry's most important annual events, the Modern Day Marine Military Exposition, will be held at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA, September 29 through October 1.
This 29th edition of the exposition will again provide Marines, members of other U.S. and allied forces, and civilian defense officials with up-close and personal views of current and future Marine Corps equipment and systems. Representatives from more than 400 companies will display products which support the ground, air and sea operations of expeditionary forces.
The event is sponsored by the Marine Corps League, a 70,000-member Marine Corps veterans' organization, and co-sponsored by Marine Corps Systems Command and Marine Corps Base, Quantico. It is endorsed by the Marine Corps Aviation Association.
Much of the equipment now being employed by Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan was first seen by military leaders, operations planners, acquisition managers, and the end users - air and ground combat Marines - at previous editions of the exposition.
New to the exposition this year will be an Expeditionary Force Aviation Pavilion spotlighting Marine Corps air assets - with emphasis on modernization of the service's air combat element for its worldwide missions. The Aviation Pavilion will present equipment, services and systems designed and produced specifically for Marine air/ground task forces. Marines serving as pilots, in other flying roles, and in aviation maintenance and logistics support have become renowned as innovators. They pioneered many techniques that have become doctrine for close air support by fixed-wing aircraft, defense of airspace, aerial reconnaissance, and employment of helicopters in combat and peacetime support missions.
The 2009 edition of the expo will also again feature special demonstrations in which ground robotics manufacturers will present real-time operations of their equipment over the Robotic Rodeo Demonstration Course.
Hundreds of defense experts, overseeing exhibits throughout several indoor and outdoor display areas, will represent the foremost U.S. and allied industries working to assure this country continues to field an expeditionary fighting force of Marine air-ground task forces better equipped - and even more formidable - than those now serving so successfully in high-tempo operations around the world.
Another of the event's most important activities will be a special, by-invitation-only, Report to Industry presented by Marine Corps general officers closely associated with all aspects of the Corps' equipment and systems research, development, testing and acquisition programs and policies. It will be followed by Marine Corps Systems Command Program Group Director Exhibitor Meetings in which members of industry will receive direct input from the men and women who manage the programs through which Marines acquire and field weapons and equipment for the Marine Corps.
Another special activity is a colorful Enlisted Awards Parade, honoring distinguished Marines and sailors with awards sponsored by the Marine Corps League. Additionally, a black-tie Grand Banquet and Awards Dinner will be held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in the Pentagon City section of Arlington, VA.
The 2009 Modern Day Marine Military Exposition is not open to the general public but will have its traditional "Family Day" on Thursday, October 1st - a day during which family members of Department of Defense military and civilian personnel may tour the exhibits to learn more about today's and tomorrow's military equipment, systems and technology.
Companies interested in exhibiting at the 2009 exposition may call Charlie Baisley (703) 812-2741, or may visit the expo web site: http://marinemilitaryexpos.com
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Innovative Research and Technology Transfer Conference to Be Held in West Virginia for First Time Ever

Morgantown to host mid-Atlantic conference in late fall as researchers and technologists compete for federal SBA R&D funding
MORGANTOWN, W.Va., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers and technologists from the nation's small, high-tech, innovative businesses will gather in Morgantown for the 2009 Mid-Atlantic SBIR/STTR Conference from November 30 through December 2. The event marks the first time West Virginia has played host to a conference focusing on the two nationally competitive U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) programs -- Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR).
The SBIR and STTR programs award more than $2.5 billion to small high-tech businesses. The SBIR program has participation by 11 federal agencies, while five federal agencies participate in the STTR program. The conference is officially hosted by the INNOVA Commercialization Group, an initiative of the West Virginia High Technology Consortium (WVHTC) Foundation, and the West Virginia Development Office.
"We are excited to be hosting the first SBIR/STTR conference to be held in West Virginia," said Guy Peduto, Director of INNOVA. "Participants from several states will take part in this conference, which will see presentations by and interaction with federal agencies, collaboration by attendees and opportunities to match people with resources to obtain federal research and tech transfer dollars."
The purpose of the 2009 Mid-Atlantic SBIR/STTR Conference is to bring together key technology and acquisition personnel from government and industry to enable the transition of SBIR- and STTR-funded research and development into products for government and private sector commercial markets.
West Virginia Department of Commerce Cabinet Secretary Kelley Goes, who oversees the West Virginia Development Office, said the two programs and the conference represent opportunities for this and other states.
"Today's high-tech entrepreneurs must innovate and commercialize to compete globally. This is a pivotal moment for the state to host the SBIR/STTR conference and nurture our high-tech businesses," said Goes.
"West Virginia's 'Bucks for Brains' program helps university research programs hire national talent and was a first step to fostering technology-based economic development. Other ingredients include technology transfer, demonstrations and venture capital that lead to new products, companies and jobs. That's where SBIR and STTR come in.
"These will be new jobs and good jobs for West Virginia and our region. This investment diversifies the economy, while nourishing the current industry base with innovation," Goes said.
Event organizers said that information on the Mid-Atlantic SBIR/STTR Conference is available on the conference web site at http://www.midatlanticsbir.com. The web site will be regularly updated as more information on the conference becomes available.
Several states have indicated strong interest in attending the conference, and a number of federal agencies have already confirmed participation in the form of providing SBIR program managers to speak about their respective programs.
"We are extremely happy with the feedback we have received from federal agencies and from SBIR contacts in a number of states," said Peduto. "We are putting together a strong agenda that will blend federal agency expertise and experience with valuable information from experts."
The INNOVA Commercialization Group, an initiative of the WVHTC Foundation, is a statewide commercialization effort designed to advance economic growth by increasing the number of new products introduced into the marketplace by West Virginia innovators. INNOVA drives this economic advancement by delivering high-quality entrepreneurial education programs, professional technical assistance and seed investment capital to regional businesses.
The WVHTC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Fairmont, W.Va., functioning as an engine of economic change for growing a statewide and regional high-tech business sector. The Foundation has established a multi-faceted approach to maximize economic growth, including emphasis on business infrastructure, research and development, and commercialization and workforce development.
The West Virginia Department of Commerce is the cornerstone of economic development for West Virginia, and through the West Virginia Development Office it serves companies from small entrepreneurs to global corporations. Commerce focuses on attracting and expanding business opportunities in the Mountain State, with a goal of creating good-paying jobs with benefits for the state's citizens.
Contact: Patrick Gregg at pgregg@wvhtf.org or 304.333.6773
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Aerospace Industry Leaders Join the National Technical Systems Engineering Services Group

CALABASAS, Calif.-- Monday August 31, 2009, (BUSINESS WIRE)--National Technical Systems (NASDAQ: NTSC - News) announced today that two leading aerospace industry management experts have joined its Integrated Engineering Services Group.
Mr. Louis Winoski will head the Integrated Engineering Services Group. Mr. Winoski comes to NTS with 23 years of experience in the aerospace industry, having served in ownership and senior leadership roles for a variety of international aerospace manufacturing and design organizations.
Mr. Winoski has worked as President, CEO and member of the Boards at Tubetronics Inc., Vista, CA and Advanced Metal Components Inc., Menlo Park, CA. His international experience includes serving as Managing Director and board member of RSM Fabrications in Farnborough England. Prior to joining NTS, Mr. Winoski completed an assignment with Garner CAD Technik GmbH, a German-based provider of design services to the Aerospace Industry, where he headed its US subsidiary as COO. He concurrently served as Executive Program Manager for PFW Aerospace AG supporting the Boeing 787 Program and its global strategic partners.
Mr. Randy Groom has been appointed to the NTS Engineering Services Advisory Board. Mr. Groom is the former president of Beechcraft, the renowned manufacturer of business and general aviation aircraft that include the KingAir, Baron, and Bonanza brands.
In 2007, Mr. Groom left Beechcraft and established Groom Aviation, a consulting firm focused on improving business strategy, sales, distribution, marketing, product development, customer support, acquisition and divesture support, interim management, and board leadership. He is an accomplished executive and pilot, with an impressive background of improving business operations. Mr. Groom will help guide NTS’ transformation from a testing company to an integrated engineering and testing service organization.
Derek Coppinger, Senior Vice President of NTS, responsible for overseeing the development of the Company’s Engineering Services Group, remarked, “We are delighted that Lou and Randy have joined us. They bring seasoned leadership, significant aerospace experience and strong relationships in the industry. Randy’s addition to our Advisory Board is an endorsement of NTS and affirms our belief that we are responding correctly to evolving market conditions in these challenging times.”
NTS has been providing Engineering and Testing services to the Aerospace industry for over 45 years. Recent acquisitions and investments into growing business units are positioning NTS to provide unparalleled levels of services and offerings to the industry.
About NTS
National Technical Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of engineering and testing services to the defense, aerospace, telecommunications, automotive and high technology markets. Through a world-wide network of resources, NTS provides full life-cycle product integrity support, offering world class design engineering, compliance, testing, certification, quality registration and program management. For additional information about NTS, visit our website at www.ntscorp.com or call 800-270-2516.


The statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with uncertainties pertaining to customer orders, demand for services and products, development of markets for the companies’ services and products and other risks identified in the companies’ SEC filings. Actual results, events and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The companies undertake no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding National Technical Systems' business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.

China Southern Airlines says 1H profit down 97 pct

China Southern Airlines: 1H profit down 97 pct on lower revenue, weaker foreign exchange gains

SHANGHAI August 31, 2009,(AP) -- China Southern Airlines Ltd., one of China's three major state-owned carriers, said Monday its first-half profit fell 97 percent due to falling revenue and lower foreign exchange gains. Profit for January-June was 25 million yuan ($3.7 million), or 0.004 yuan per share, the carrier said. That compared with 818 million yuan in the first half of 2008.
Traffic revenue fell 9.8 percent to 23.6 billion yuan ($3.5 billion), despite an increase in traffic volume. International routes were the most severely affected.
China's state-owned airlines are struggling with weak demand amid the global economic crisis and have received billions of dollars in aid. China Southern's earnings were also hit by a sharp decline in foreign exchange gains in the first half of the year, due to a slowing in the Chinese yuan's appreciation against the U.S. dollar.
China Southern, based in the southern city of Guangzhou, reported a 4.8 billion yuan loss in 2008.
China Southern Airlines Ltd.: http://www.csair.com

NCC Sweden Networks 200 Remote Sites and 32 Major Offices Using Solutions From Aruba Networks

Major Scandinavian Construction Group Cuts Cost of Temporary and Fixed Networking by up to 90%
SUNNYVALE, CA--(Marketwire - 08/31/09) - Aruba Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARUN - News), a global leader in wireless LANs and secure mobility solutions, today announced that NCC Construction Sweden has deployed Aruba's Remote Access Point (RAP) solution at more than 200 remote sites and 32 major offices across Sweden. NCC is one of the leading construction and property development companies in the Nordic region. Within the NCC group, NCC Construction Sweden is responsible for projects spread across the length and breadth of one of Europe's largest countries, and its IT department provides data services throughout the service area from its headquarters in Solna, near Stockholm. The simple provisioning, high security, and centralized management of Aruba's remote networking solutions made it the vendor of choice for the project.
RAP software can be loaded into any standard Aruba access point and offers a truly instant-on, no set-up connectivity solution with the security of a VPN but no client software to manage. "Managing the operation of hundreds of remote, temporary offices was previously an expensive challenge, but Aruba's RAP solution has addressed that issue," said Anders Eklind, Datacom Manager at NCC Sweden. "The Remote Access Point has cut the cost of our remote office deployments by 90% compared to our traditional remote site solution. It has similarly reduced support costs. Despite the scope of the region and remote sites we cover, our IT team needs to spend just 5 hours a week deploying, operating, and supporting the 200 plus remote sites currently using Remote Access Points."
In addition to its remote sites in Finland, Russia, Poland and Estonia, NCC Sweden uses Aruba wireless LANs at its 32 major offices across Sweden. The new Malm� office adhered to Aruba's network rightsizing model of deploying wireless everywhere possible, wired LANs only where needed. By running less cable and buying fewer LAN switch ports, NCC Sweden was able to slash the IT installation costs by 50%, netting a savings of $30,000 for a network of 200 users.
"We did not originally set out to deliver a wireless network with 100% coverage at our offices," continued Eklind. "However we ultimately did so because the Adaptive Radio Management built into the Aruba operating system enabled the wireless network to automatically take account of local conditions. The result was excellent wireless performance without a dense deployment of access points."
Network rightsizing is a three step process that matches infrastructure with user needs. The first step entails assessing the actual or projected utilization of closet switches and ports. In a typical facility it is not unusual for 40% of wired ports to be underutilized or not used at all. The second step involves consolidating required ports into fewer switches to lower deployment and maintenance costs, and reduce electricity and HVAC usage. The third and final step involves deploying 802.11n Wi-Fi with Adaptive Radio Management to enhance the mobility and productivity of users who don't need a wired link. Aruba has developed a calculator to show the estimated monetary and CO2 emissions savings resulting from rightsizing.
"NCC Sweden's experience demonstrates that both capital expenditures and operating expenses can be significantly reduced through network rightsizing," said Andreas Ferm, Sales Manager for Aruba Nordics. "Breaking with the tradition of using wired networks not only saved money for NCC Sweden, but also improved employee efficiency and enhanced network security. Especially in these economic times, it makes sense to look for cost savings with fresh eyes, and Aruba's network rightsizing and RAP initiatives have much to offer in this regard."
Additional information about network rightsizing can be found on-line at http://www.arubanetworks.com/solutions/network_rightsizing.php.
About Aruba Networks
People move. Networks must follow. Aruba securely delivers networks to users, wherever they work or roam, using a combination of award-winning solutions:
�
-- Adaptive 802.11n Wi-Fi networks optimize themselves to ensure that
users are always within reach of mission-critical information. Rightsizing
expensive wired LANs by replacing them with high-speed 802.11n Wi-Fi
reduces both capital and operating expenses;
-- Identity-based security assigns access policies to users, enforcing
those policies whenever and wherever a network is accessed;
-- Remote networking solutions for branch offices, fixed telecommuters,
and satellite facilities ensures uninterrupted remote access to
applications;
-- Multi-vendor network management provides a single point of control
while managing both legacy and new wireless networks from Aruba and its
competitors.
The cost, convenience, and security benefits of our secure mobility solutions are fundamentally changing how and where we work. Listed on the NASDAQ and Russell 2000� Index, Aruba is based in Sunnyvale, California, and has operations throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific regions. To learn more, visit Aruba at http://www.arubanetworks.com. For real-time news updates follow Aruba on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ArubaNetworks.
� 2009 Aruba Networks, Inc. AirWave�, Aruba Networks�, Aruba Mobility Management System�, Bluescanner, For Wireless That Works�, Mobile Edge Architecture, People Move. Networks Must Follow., The All-Wireless Workplace Is Now Open For Business, RFprotect, Green Island, and The Mobile Edge Company� are trademarks of Aruba Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Jive and Carahsoft Partner to Power Web 2.0 Initiatives in Complex Multiagency Environments

RESTON, Va., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Jive Software, the Social Business Software leader, today announced that its Social Business Software (SBS) is now available via GSA schedule through a partnership with Carahsoft Technology Corp., a leading government IT solutions provider.
Already in use by numerous federal government agencies including members of the U.S. intelligence community, NASA, the U.S. Army and Air Force Medical Services, Jive SBS helps traditionally siloed organizations overcome challenges associated with teams and initiatives being divided by country, region, bureau or assignment.
Carahsoft is a top-ranked GSA Schedule Contract holder that serves as the master government aggregator for many of its best-of-breed vendors. Jive is the only social business platform offered by Carahsoft. As part of this partnership, Carahsoft will provide proactive sales and marketing support to drive demand for Jive SBS in the public sector.
Due to the complex and changing organizational structure at many government agencies, information is often difficult to find or inaccessible, resulting in duplication of effort and lost time. In addition, limited peer-to-peer interaction among government personnel across global offices and the inability to track and manage multiple conversations impedes decision making. Government agencies have historically relied on inefficient email or word of mouth to identify experts and locate relevant content in other bureaus. Information is often trapped in siloed systems, charts and presentations, forgotten archives, or retained by the individual, making it nearly impossible to identify, exchange and analyze data quickly and efficiently.
"Social Business Software is rapidly becoming a top imperative across organizations in both the private and public sectors. Increasingly, government organizations are relying on Jive to find and involve the right people in critical initiatives," said Robert Brown, senior vice president of Client Services at Jive Software. "Our partnership with Carahsoft makes it possible for these organizations to better align with President Obama's call for government transparency, participation, collaboration and innovation."
"Jive supports the public sector as it takes a more collaborative approach to service delivery and policy making through the adoption of social media technologies," said Craig P. Abod, Carahsoft president. "We are pleased to welcome Jive as our leading Web 2.0 solution partner, and to add the company's products to our GSA schedule."
Working with organizations including NASA, the U.S. Army, Air Force Medical Services and members of the U.S. intelligence community, Jive is helping to connect the dots - agency to agency, department to department, people to people and system to system. Jive SBS employs the most rigorous security measures in the industry, and is essentially the defacto standard for the intelligence community, with tens of thousands of users.
About Jive Software
Jive frees people to engage in open, natural business conversations and workflows that typically are trapped inside of emails, phone calls or meetings. As the leading enterprise-class suite of SBS applications for Global 2000 companies and governments, Jive's collaboration software and community software solutions are the first to effectively manage employees, customers, and partners on a unified platform built for tens of thousands of users and millions of page views.
About Carahsoft
Carahsoft Technology Corp. is the trusted Government IT solutions provider, combining technological expertise with a thorough understanding of the government procurement process to help federal, state and local government agencies select and implement the best solution at the best possible value. As a top-ranked GSA Schedule Contract holder, Carahsoft is the largest government partner and serves as the master government aggregator for many of its best-of-breed vendors. The company's dedicated Solutions Divisions support proactive sales, marketing and delivery of Symantec, Storage Solutions, VMware, Adobe, Open Source, HR, HP Software, Intelligence, and SAP.
Carahsoft is consistently recognized by its partners as a top revenue producer and is listed among the industry's fastest growing firms by VARBusiness, CRN, Inc., Washington Technology, and the Washington Business Journal. In 2009, Carahsoft was listed among the top ten revenue producers on the Inc.500 list of fastest growing privately held companies, and received the VAR Business Top Revenue Generator Award. Visit www.carahsoft.com

TuVox and Virgin America Renew Partnership

Airline Signs Three Year Agreement With Leading Speech Solution Provider
CUPERTINO, CA--(Marketwire - 08/31/09) - TuVox, a leading provider of Hosted Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and On Demand speech applications, today announced that Virgin America has renewed their partnership for three years with TuVox to further build-out Virgin America's call routing and voice self service applications.
TuVox has been providing Virgin America guests with no-wait, voice self service since Virgin America first took flight in 2007. This latest agreement extends Virgin America's association with TuVox through 2012.
"Virgin America has always been about providing the air travel industry's best customer experience, whether it be with their revolutionary aircraft or their unique approach to guest service," said John Kirst, TuVox' SVP for Global Sales and Marketing. "From the beginning, Virgin America embraced the idea of having a conversational, state-of-the-art, speech based telephone self service solution that reflected their cutting edge approach to air service."
A TuVox telephone "front door" has always greeted Virgin America's guests who contact the airline via 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN. An expanded array of Virgin America self-service options -- powered by TuVox -- is on deck for deployment in the near future. These customer self-service options include identifying and verifying a guest's identity and then allowing guests to manage their flight itineraries using the power of their voice.
About TuVox
Since 2000, TuVox has become synonymous with superior caller experience. TuVox customers achieve improved customer retention and increased revenue through innovative combinations of technology and live agent service. Companies benefit from reduced costs by optimizing the mix of live and automated service. TuVox caller experience solutions shorten and improve calls by anticipating caller intent, personalizing call flows, and overcoming the limits of touch-tone systems by using natural-language, conversational speech applications. TuVox leverages customer investments in next-generation technology with a choice of hosted or premise deployment. TuVox customers regularly receive awards for innovation and excellence, and include companies such as 1-800-Flowers.com, AMC Theatres, Canon, Progress Energy, Telecom New Zealand, Time Customer Service, Virgin America and Wachovia.
Visit TuVox on the web at http://www.tuvox.com
About Virgin America
Virgin America is a new, California-based airline that is on a mission to make flying good again -- with brand new planes, attractive fares, topnotch service, and a host of fun, innovative amenities that are reinventing domestic air travel. The Virgin America experience is unlike anything else in the domestic skies, with mood-lit cabins, custom-designed leather seats, power outlets, in-flight internet available on every flight, and a video touch-screen and remote control at every seatback that offers guests 25 films, live TV, videogames, seat-to-seat chat, an on-demand food ordering, and much more. The airline's base of operations is San Francisco International Airport's ultra-modern International Terminal.
Since launching in August 2007, Virgin America has captured a list of travel industry best-in-class awards, including: "Best Domestic Airline" by Cond� Nast Traveler; "Best Domestic Airline" in Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards for two consecutive years; and No. 1 among U.S. carriers for quality in First Class in Zagat's 2007 and 2008 Global Airlines Survey.
Visit Virgin America on the web at www.virginamerica.com

AIG weighing many options for ILFC -sources

* AIG, Udvar-Hazy weigh several options for ILFC -sources
* Options include carving out separate firm -sources
* Udvar-Hazy in early talks to buy ILFC portion -WSJ (Rewrites throughout, adds details, byline, changes dateline)
By Paritosh Bansal and Jui Chakravorty Das
NEW YORK, Aug 31 (Reuters) - American International Group Inc (AIG.N) and Steven Udvar-Hazy, head of its International Lease Finance Corp unit, are weighing several options for the aircraft leasing business, including breaking up the company, two sources familiar with the matter said on Saturday.
The alternatives include the possibility of carving out a new, independent company, the sources said, but added that discussions were in preliminary stages and nothing had been determined yet.
Separately, the Wall Street Journal reported that Udvar-Hazy was in early talks to buy a portion of ILFC's aircraft portfolio and start a new leasing company.
AIG and ILFC President John Plueger declined to comment. Udvar-Hazy could not be reached immediately for comment. The sources declined to be identified because discussions are private.
ILFC, one of the biggest customers of Boeing Co (BA.N) and Airbus (EAD.PA), has been on the block since late last year after its parent's near-collapse.
But a sale has proven to be a challenge due to its mountain of debt and funding needs amid the financial crisis. The company had more than $30 billion in debt, some of which starts to mature in October.
ILFC had a book value of about $8 billion as of June 30, but it drew bids that valued it at less than half that.
In June a source told Reuters that AIG had picked a consortium that included private equity firms Onex Corp (OCX.TO) and Greenbriar Equity Group as the preferred bidder for the unit.
Udvar-Hazy was expected to stay on and head the unit under the new buyer as part of any sale, the second source said. Initially, Udvar-Hazy had considered becoming one of the buyers in a consortium of bidders, but eventually decided against it, the source added.
Another source familiar with the situation said on Friday that the auction process had been paused as AIG's new CEO, Robert Benmosche, reviews the divestiture process.
Benmosche told Reuters this week that the fate of the airplane leasing company was under review. "I am looking at ways we can structure this so we can get more value for what that business is today. Remember that we own more than 1,000 commercial aircraft," he said.
"We have to look at ways of financing the debt on those planes as we continue to take very good, healthy lease income," he told Reuters. (Additional reporting by Ben Klayman in Chicago, editing by Eric Walsh)

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne's Space Shuttle Main Engines Deliver Extra Supplies to Expand International Space Station

CANOGA PARK, Calif., Aug. 31, /PRNewswire/ -- Three Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME) successfully powered the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on Mission STS-128 yesterday to deliver extra supplies and equipment to support a six-person crew onboard the International Space Station. The SSME is the world's only fully reusable high performance rocket engine rated for human space flight. Discovery launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on the 30th flight to the space station. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX - News) company.
"The additional crew and supplies are extremely valuable to scientific research and discovery, and we're proud to help NASA as it continues to expand the International Space Station," said Jim Paulsen, SSME program manager, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. "The successful launch speaks volumes about our talented, dedicated work force."
Discovery's main payload is the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, which is carrying extra supplies and equipment to help establish a six-astronaut crew capacity on the space station. The payload includes science and storage racks, a treadmill and a crew quarter. In a series of spacewalks, astronauts will also remove and replace material processing equipment outside Columbus, the European Space Agency's laboratory, and retrieve an empty ammonia tank assembly.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc., a part of Pratt & Whitney, is a preferred provider of high-value propulsion, power, energy and innovative system solutions used in a wide variety of government and commercial applications, including the main engines for the space shuttle, Atlas and Delta launch vehicles, missile defense systems and advanced hypersonic engines.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and commercial building industries.

STS-128 Launches on Mission to Deliver Science Equipment to International Space Station

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., Aug.29 /PRNewswire/ -- Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off today on a 13-day mission to deliver more than seven tons of supplies, science racks and environmental hardware to the International Space Station marking the start of the transition from assembling the ISS to using it for continuous scientific research.
"This mission is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire human space flight team," said Mark Nappi, Vice President of Florida Operations for United Space Alliance (USA). "The ISS is making great progress, the Space Shuttle continues to perform, and we're making important decisions about the future of exploration. It's an exciting time to contribute to this effort."
USA, NASA's prime human spaceflight contractor, processes and prepares each Space Shuttle for launch. On average, a Shuttle processing flow requires 750,000 man hours and involves thousands of tasks aimed at preparing the orbiter, the two solid booster rockets and the external fuel tank for launch.
On this mission Discovery will carry the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module that serves as a pressurized cargo carrier. Leonardo will carry 15,200 pounds of cargo including two major additions to Station research facilities - the Materials Science Research Rack-1 and the Fluids Integrated Rack, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. STS-128 also will deliver a new crew member to the Station and return another after almost 1.5 months aboard the Station.
During STS-128 crewmembers will participate in science investigations geared at gathering data about sustaining life in space environments, docking and rendezvous technology, materials science, and physiological studies. Space Shuttle Discovery also will return to Earth with scientific samples from current Station science studies including experiments geared at nutrition, immune system investigations, and physical and biological sciences.
"The Space Shuttle team is an experienced and trusted group," Nappi said. "It is their commitment that enables the Space Shuttle to be such a versatile and reliable vehicle for human space flight. We're looking forward to watching this mission advance the Space Station and our human presence in orbit."
About United Space Alliance:
United Space Alliance is a world leader in space operations with extensive experience in all aspects of the field. Headquartered in Houston, USA has more than 9,000 employees working in Texas, Florida and Alabama. Currently, USA is applying its broad range of capabilities to NASA's Space Shuttle, International Space Station and Constellation programs as well as to space operations customers in the commercial and international space industry sectors.

Aerojet Engines Support NASA's STS-128 Mission to International Space Station

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aerojet, a GenCorp (NYSE: GY - News) company, announced today that its engines will be critical to the success of the STS-128 mission following this evening's launch to the International Space Station. Aerojet engines are used for on-orbit operations, space station reboost and during landing.
On this 13-day mission, the STS-128 crew will deliver needed supplies to the Station and conduct three space walks. Mission Specialist Nicole Stott will also replace STS-127 Mission Specialist Tim Kopra. This is the Shuttle's 30th trip to the Station and the 128th Space Shuttle flight.
Aerojet's Orbital Maneuvering Engines, 38 primary and six Vernier thrusters on each Orbiter, as well as gas generators supporting the Auxiliary Power Units, have flown on every Shuttle mission since its launch inception in 1981. These technologies are critical to the Shuttle's maneuvering abilities, the external tank separation and control of the entry vehicle and de-orbit efforts. "After nearly three decades in partnership with NASA on the Space Shuttle program, Aerojet is once again proud to provide the technology necessary for mission success," said Aerojet's Executive Director of Strategic Communications, Glenn Mahone. Aerojet engines and thrusters are also planned for use on Orion and Ares - the new human space flight programs under development at NASA.
Aerojet is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader principally serving the missile and space propulsion, defense and armaments markets. GenCorp is a leading technology-based manufacturer of aerospace and defense products and systems with a real estate segment that includes activities related to the entitlement, sale, and leasing of the company's excess real estate assets. Additional information about Aerojet and GenCorp can be obtained by visiting the companies' Web sites at http://www.Aerojet.com and http://www.GenCorp.com.

ATK's Solid Rocket Boosters Help Launch Space Shuttle Discovery

*ATK Manufactured the Lightweight Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure Carrier (LMC) in Discovery's Payload Bay
MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems' (NYSE: ATK - News) Reusable Solid Rocket Motors (RSRM) ignited at 11:59 p.m. EDT, Aug. 28 launching the Space Shuttle Discovery and its crew on their 13-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS). More than 100 RSRM flight sets have been launched to date, marking a two-decade track record of flawless performance.
"The launch of Space Shuttle Discovery and the upcoming fall launch of the Ares I-X, highlight the capabilities and progress ATK and NASA have made in developing the most reliable and affordable family of solid rocket motors ever produced," said Blake Larson, ATK Space Systems President. "For the past 20 years, the reliability of these motors has been unmatched. They will continue to be instrumental to the success of the remaining shuttle flights as well as future human spaceflight programs."
The 149-foot-tall solid rocket boosters each produced more than 15 million horsepower, safely launching the shuttle to approximately 28 miles in altitude in just over two minutes. After the flight, the RSRMs were jettisoned from the orbiter and external tank by ATK's 16 Booster Separation Motors (BSMs). Each booster has eight BSMs: four on the forward skirt and four on the aft skirt. The separation motors propelled the RSRMs to a safe distance from the shuttle orbiter, enabling the spent boosters to parachute down through the Earth's atmosphere where they splashed down into the ocean and were recovered for reuse. The solid rocket motors were produced at ATK's facility in Promontory, Utah.
ATK, under a contract with the Goddard Spaceflight Center in Maryland, also provided the sustaining engineering for the Lightweight Multi-Purpose Experiment Support Structure Carrier (LMC) flying in Discovery's payload bay. The 1,100 pound LMC was manufactured at ATK's facility in Beltsville, Md., and functions as a non-deployable carrier providing launch and landing transportation. For STS-128, the 16-foot by 3-foot carrier transported the Ammonia Tank Assembly (ATA), a critical Orbital Replacement Unit, and will return from the station with a spent ATA as well as the European Technology Exposure Facility.
Discovery is also carrying the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module, which contains life support racks and science racks, on this 30th mission to the ISS. The astronauts will perform two spacewalks to remove and replace a materials processing experiment outside the European Space Agency's Columbus module.
ATK and NASA have constantly improved their techniques and processes to increase the safety and mission reliability of the RSRMs. These motors have undergone countless subscale material characterization tests that tie together complex analyses with hard data. They have also undergone 27 full-scale ground tests, including a successful five-segment static test performed in October 2003.
"Over the past few decades, ATK and NASA have applied a rigorous testing and upgrades program to ensure the safety and reliability of these motors," said Mike Kahn, ATK Space Systems executive vice president. "These investments directly contribute to the safety and cost-effectiveness of the motors as we move into the Ares I-X and Ares I flights."
The remaining shuttle flights will be supported by ATK's rocket motors while similar versions of the RSRM and BSM motors are being tested and developed for use on NASA's newest crew launch vehicle, Ares I. The Ares vehicle will replace the shuttle, continue to support missions to the ISS and U.S. space exploration for years to come. ATK as the prime contractor, is on schedule and under budget for this historic event. The first prototype of Ares I, the Ares I-X, is scheduled to roll to the launch pad in October, in preparation for its inaugural test flight later that month.
ATK is a premier aerospace and defense company with more than 18,000 employees in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and revenues of approximately $4.8 billion. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.
Certain information discussed in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although ATK believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Among those factors are: assumptions related to the challenges of developing next-generation space launch vehicles; changes in governmental spending, budgetary policies and product sourcing strategies; the company's competitive environment; the terms and timing of awards and contracts; and economic conditions. ATK undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For further information on factors that could impact ATK, and statements contained herein, please refer to ATK's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

AIG paused auction of aircraft leasing firm - source

NEW YORK, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Insurance giant American International Group (AIG.N) has paused the auction of its aircraft leasing firm, International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC), as its new CEO reviews the divestiture process, a source familiar with the situation said on Friday.
The new CEO, Robert Benmosche, is responsible for leading AIG in repaying more than $80 billion in U.S. bailout loans while keeping the insurance company stable. Part of that repayment is to come from cash raised from asset sales.
However, the sale of ILFC, which is run by Steven Udvar-Hazy and one of the biggest customers of Boeing Co (BA.N) and Airbus (EAD.PA), has proved to be a challenge due to its mountain of debt and funding needs.
Benmosche told Reuters this week that the fate of the airplane leasing company was under review. "I am looking at ways we can structure this so we can get more value for what that business is today. Remember that we own more than 1,000 commercial aircraft," he said.
"We have to look at ways of financing the debt on those planes as we continue to take very good, healthy lease income," he told Reuters.
AIG declined to comment. The source declined to be identified because the talks are private.

Raytheon Standard Missile-6 Completes Key Developmental Test

WHITE SANDS, N.M., Aug. 28, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN - News) Standard Missile-6 has completed tests which validate the extended-range anti-air warfare missile's airframe and autopilot performance.
By performing a series of preprogrammed maneuvers, the SM-6 missile was pushed to the limits of its performance, allowing the U.S. Navy to gather vital simulation validation data.
"The technology that was proven in this test will provide the Navy with the weapon system it needs for outer and area defense to defeat current and future missile threats," said Louis Moncada, Raytheon Missile Systems' director of the SM-6 program. "This control test vehicle launch is the fourth test of the SM-6 following two guided test vehicle launches in 2008 and the recent advanced area defense interceptor test in May."
SM-6 takes full advantage of the legacy Standard Missile airframe and propulsion elements, while incorporating advanced signal processing and guidance control capabilities of Raytheon's Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile. This merger of these two proven technologies allows SM-6 to use both active and semiactive modes.
"The SM-6 program remains on budget and on schedule," said Kirk Johnson, the Navy's Standard Missile program director. "The weapon system provides advanced capabilities across the entire threat spectrum. The SM-6 will greatly enhance our fleet defense."
Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 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 87 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 73,000 people worldwide.

General Dynamics President and CEO Johnson to Speak at Investor Conference

FALLS CHURCH, Va., Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- General Dynamics (NYSE: GD - News) President and Chief Executive Officer Jay L. Johnson will speak at the Morgan Stanley Global Industrials Unplugged Conference in New York on Wednesday, September 2, at 8:45 a.m. ET.
General Dynamics will provide a live webcast of the presentation via A replay will be available shortly after the live presentation.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 92,000 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/

Goodyear Celebrates 111 Years of Innovation

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In celebration of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company's 111th anniversary, the company is recognizing its most significant moments in history with a compilation of "Goodyear's top 111 innovations, inspirations and historic firsts."
The list reflects Goodyear's pioneering spirit of innovation throughout the years, which has been felt across the earth, the skies and even the moon.
"Innovation is what has made Goodyear what it is today," said Jean-Claude Kihn, Goodyear's senior vice president and chief technical officer. "Not only is innovation an important part of our past, but it's even more so our goal for the future."
More than a century of innovation has secured Goodyear's place in history. Some of the company's most memorable contributions include:
*1901: Goodyear adopts the wingfoot trademark, saying it will help Goodyear circle the Earth.
*1908: Goodyear develops the All-Weather tread design. The diamond-shaped studded pattern would be used for more than 40 years with only minor modifications and become a well-known symbol of Goodyear tire quality.
*1918: The Wingfoot Express makes the first cross-country trucking journey from Boston to San Francisco, demonstrating the toughness and reliability of Goodyear tires. It was also the first truck to feature a sleeper cab.
*1920: Goodyear Hall (a center containing an auditorium, classrooms, recreational facilities and the state's largest gymnasium at the time) is constructed in Akron, Ohio. A dream of future CEO P.W. Litchfield, the center made Goodyear a pioneer of employee wellness and education.
*1925: Goodyear's first commercial blimp, the Pilgrim, debuts. The airship is 50,000 cubic feet and is the first non-rigid craft to use helium.
*1947: Goodyear establishes one of the earliest industrial programs to encourage protection of the environment, the Goodyear Conservation Awards recognizing resource management. In 1973, Keep America Beautiful Inc. would select Goodyear's environmental improvement program as the nation's best.
*1963: The Orange Bowl becomes the first live sporting event to be nationally broadcast to television from a Goodyear blimp.
*1970: Goodyear tires land on the moon as part of the Apollo 14 mission.
*1977: Goodyear introduces the Tiempo, the first tire designed for year-round use in all climates. The Tiempo would become the most successful tire in company history, selling 3.5 million in the first year.
*1991: Goodyear launches the Aquatred, which would become the most award-winning tire in industry history. With its unique, deep-groove aquachannel, the tire set new standards for wet traction and changed the way drivers think about new tires.
*2009: Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tires help save consumers gas money by reducing rolling resistance compared to the Goodyear Assurance.
For the entire list of Goodyear's 111 innovations, including historic photos and videos, visit Goodyear was founded Aug. 29, 1898 by Frank Seiberling in Akron, Ohio.
Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It employs nearly 70,000 people and manufactures its products in more than 60 facilities in 25 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry.

Harris Corporation Increases Quarterly Dividend 10 Percent to 22 Cents Per Share

MELBOURNE, Fla., Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Board of Directors of Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS - News), an international communications and information technology company, has increased the quarterly cash dividend to 22 cents per share, compared to the previous quarterly dividend of 20 cents per share. This dividend is payable September 18, 2009, to shareholders of record September 9, 2009. The annual dividend rate will increase from 80 cents per share to 88 cents per share.
"We are very pleased to announce this increase in our quarterly dividend," said Howard L. Lance, chairman, president, and CEO. "Harris achieved excellent financial performance in fiscal 2009, with strong revenue, earnings, and cash flow. As we reported August 12, 2009, new contract wins, improving order rates, and a solid pipeline of additional opportunities provide us with increased confidence in our outlook for fiscal 2010. This dividend increase further demonstrates the company's ongoing commitment to increasing shareholder value."
About Harris Corporation
Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $5 billion of annual revenue and more than 15,000 employees -- including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems, and services. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions. Such statements are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements about our outlook are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties. Other factors that may impact the company's results and forward-looking statement may be disclosed in the company's filings with the SEC. Harris disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Marine Veteran, IT Expert Douglas R. Lopez to Head Tidewater Operations for Engineering Services Network (ESN)

ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- ESN, a trusted leader in engineering and technology solutions, announced today that Douglas R. Lopez has been promoted to director of ESN's Virginia Tidewater Operations.
"Doug Lopez' engineering and technical expertise will serve ESN's customers well in the Tidewater region," said Raymond F. Lopez Jr., President and CEO of ESN, a service-disabled, veteran-owned company.
ESN is an engineering, IT and business consulting company based in Arlington, VA, that specializes in military and government contracts.
Douglas Lopez began his career at ESN as a senior systems analyst in IT, providing advanced engineering design for Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) IT-21 LANs and Blown Optical Fiber Plant (BOFP) installations. He is an expert CNAL/CNAF networks manager, with a background in LAN/WAN engineering, design, support and configuration management for the U.S. Navy.
Lopez helped ESN in supporting various customers' information technology modernization initiatives to include Commander, Naval Air Forces and Commander, Naval Network Warfare Command. Lopez then was transferred to support those commands as program manager of COMNAVAIRFOR (East) and COMNAVNETWARCOM.
Lopez' promotion is among several personnel advancements at ESN.
-- Paul Barber has been promoted to senior vice president of operations, from Southeast Region manager (in the Tidewater VA area).
-- Kurt Hampe replaces Barber as vice president, director of the Southeast Region (VA Tidewater area).
-- Gregg Schneider will serve as acting director of Charleston SC Operations, with Shane Partridge serving as Charleston technical director.
Lopez is a veteran who served in the U.S. Marines Corps. His enlistment was up in 1994. Before joining ESN in 1998, he was on the management team of both 3Com Corp. and USRobotics where he helped execute the 56K modem line. In addition, he also was a quality engineer and inspector at USRobotics, where he was responsible for numerous product deployments in the IT industry.
Lopez and his wife, Stephanie Lopez, reside in Virginia Beach. She works at Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School in Virginia Beach, VA. They have two sons, Ryan, 17, and Brett, 11.
ESN (Engineering Services Network, Inc.) is a trusted leader in engineering and technology solutions. For more than a decade, we have been proudly standing shoulder to shoulder with our military and government customers, delivering critical services for missions that matter. ESN provides services in five key areas: engineering and technical support; strategic and program management; testing and evaluation; operations support; and information technology.
Based in Arlington, VA, ESN has regional and field offices throughout the U.S. and worldwide. Founded in 1995, ESN has achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification. ESN customers include the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, Military Sealift Command, Department of Health and Human Services and other federal agencies. ESN is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB). For more information, please visit ESN at esncc.com.

Concurrent Technologies Corporation Awarded Competitively-Bid Armament, Research, Development, and Engineering Center Contract

JOHNSTOWN, Pa., Aug. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) recently won a competitively-bid contract to participate in the support of the Army Armament, Research, Development, and Engineering Center (ARDEC) Rapid Prototyping and Technology Initiative (RPTI) Program. The contract is a multi-award (i.e., four other companies won contracts) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract valued at $300 million over five years. The ARDEC RPTI program is intended to assist ARDEC's mission to rapidly respond to the warfighter's need for armament-related products and services.
The CTC Team consists of CTC and thirty-one other companies including large businesses, small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, and universities. CTC Team members in Western Pennsylvania include Enterprise Ventures Corporation (EVC), Catalyst Connection, DSN Innovation, Dynacom, Penn State Electro-Optics Center, and Gautier Steel. This contract provides the CTC Team with the opportunity to bid on Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) and Firm Fixed Price (FFP) orders for the processing, supply, and development of armament-related materials, equipment, processes, and products.
Headquartered at Picatinny, New Jersey, the ARDEC is the Army's principal researcher, developer, and sustainer of current and future armament and munitions systems. ARDEC's overall mission is to improve already fielded items, develop new ones, maintain a strong armament technology base in government, industry and academia and provide technical support to the Soldier in the field. In this way, the Center achieves its vision of "Innovative Armaments Solutions for Today and Tomorrow."
According to Edward J. Sheehan, Jr., CTC's President & Chief Executive Officer, "Since this is a multiple award IDIQ contract, task orders and delivery orders will be competed among the prime contractors. Our efforts will be managed by a virtual Program Management Office with personnel at several locations: Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Johnstown, Pennsylvania; and Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri." Sheehan added, "Being selected as one of the prime contractors for the ARDEC RPTI contract is a significant accomplishment for CTC and our teammates, and it signifies CTC's reputation of providing quality products and services to our clients. With our team's extensive experience, we look forward to making considerable contributions through this contract."
CTC's Gary Wallace will be the Program Manager for the new ARDEC contract. About the new contract, he said, "The most rewarding aspect of this award for me is that this contract is intended to increase ARDEC's responsiveness to meet the Soldier's immediate field requirements. Having the opportunity to help make Soldiers more effective or keep them safe in the field is a way we can serve our military men and women who selflessly serve our nation every day."
CTC is an independent, nonprofit, applied scientific research and development professional services organization providing innovative management and technology-based solutions to government and industry. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, CTC's primary purpose and programs are to undertake applied scientific research and development activities that serve the public interest. For more information, visit www.ctc.com.

Lucintel Webinar on "Opportunities and Competitiveness of Indian Composites Market" on September 18th, 2009

DALLAS--August 28, 2009, (BUSINESS WIRE)--The Indian composites industry is growing at a rapid pace and is expecting double digit growth rates in the next 4-5 years. Many segments are demonstrating strong growth potential with multiple business opportunities across the composites supply chain. For instance, India has made remarkable progress in wind energy where composites consumption has exceeded even that of Japan. The Indian composites industry has a strong manufacturing base and proven expertise in R& D and technology development poising it for continued breakout growth rates.
Lucintel is organizing a webinar on “Opportunities and Competitiveness of Indian Composites Market” scheduled on 18th Sep-2009 to further probe the market opportunities in India including market sustainability, new materials, improved mechanized processes, quality management and new innovations.
A panel of eminent speakers will detail various dimensions of the Indian composites industry. SM Kapoor, CEO, Taneja Aerospace will focus on the role of medium scale industry in the growth of Indian aerospace industry, Sajal Ghosh, GM, Tata Autocomp, will highlight opportunities and competitiveness in the automotive sector, SM Vaidya, Sr. Vice President of Godrej Aerospace will discuss scenarios and future composites potential in Indian aerospace market. Ajit Lele and Hiten Ghelani, Managing Director & General Manager of Mahindra Composites will discuss on the Opportunities for the overall Indian Composites Marketplace while Projjal Roy, Director for Lucintel India, will address “Investment opportunities in the Indian Composites Market.”
The availability of inexpensive human resources and investor friendly policies is facilitating significant opportunities for global player for their expansion and investment programs. Many global companies such as Dupont, DSM, Sabic, Amiantit, Pentair, Vestas, LM and Enercon have already entered the Indian composites market and established strong manufacturing bases to cater to the domestic and export markets. Strong R&D investments are being made to improve productivity and quality to meet the increasing demands of local as well as export markets.
The webinar will provide valuable understanding to engineers, managers, senior executives, investors, sales and marketing executives of the composites world. Be sure to take advantage of early bird registration before September 5th and to learn more about this webinar and to register kindly click on the following link:
http://www.lucintel.com/Webinar/webinar-india-2009.pdf. For registration, sponsorship and group discount, please contact Event Manager: Tushita Roy at tushita.roy@lucintel.com.

ATK Demonstrates Integrated Weapon Systems Capability at Ft. Benning

*Live-Fire Event Featured Advanced Medium Caliber Systems on Ground Combat Vehicles

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK - News) demonstrated its innovative firepower capabilities at the U.S. Army's Ft. Benning Red Cloud Range, on August 27, 2009. During the live-fire event, ATK demonstrated advancements to its battle-proven Bushmaster Chain Gun systems, on a variety of platforms, with enhanced precision, lethality, reliability, and range to address current and future operational needs.

ATK is a leader in integrated weapon systems capabilities that include remote-operation, electronics and fire control, and compatibility with a full-suite of ATK ammunition, including a compatible Programmable Airburst Munition (PABM) that extends operational effectiveness.
During the event, ATK fired four cannons in the following live-fire configurations:
*Lightweight 25mm Bushmaster Chain Gun (LW25) integrated into a Kongsberg mount on a Textron MSV
*LW25 integrated into a Palletized Autonomous Weapon System (PAWS), mounted onto a HMMWV
*30mm M230 Link Fed (LF) integrated into the Viper Gun System (Viper)
*30mm/40mm Mk44 Bushmaster Chain Gun with PABM
The LW25 is the newest member of the Bushmaster family; its compact size and low-recoil design makes the LW25 ideally suited for ground combat, surface combatant, and rotary-wing applications. The system is also compatible with the current family of remote weapon stations employed on Stryker, Bradley, HMMWV and MRAP vehicles. The LW25 system enhances operational flexibility and performance in a light-weight integrated armaments package.
PAWS is a self-contained Palletized Autonomous Weapons System that is user scalable to specific mission requirements. PAWS is designed to accommodate most small- and medium-caliber weapons and can be mounted on a wide range of vehicles, or deployed autonomously to satisfy a range of security needs. PAWS' remote weapon station also contains a self-contained sensor package and power supply.
The 30mm M230 Bushmaster Chain Gun has served as the sole gun system for the AH-64 Apache Helicopter for more than 30 years. The link-fed (LF) variant, combined with the M789 high-explosive, dual-purpose (HEDP) round, brings the Apache's devastating firepower to platforms of all kinds and can be remotely operated or fired in a crew-served configuration.
Viper, developed collaboratively between ATK and Nobles Manufacturing, Inc., is an affordable "plug and play" weapon station that incorporates a patent-pending Gun Mount Braking System (GMBS), which allows for superior weapon stabilization during firing. Viper can be installed on multiple platforms and incorporates a flex chute and ammunition magazine into a compact and versatile weapons platform while offering economy and agility to meet the security needs of U.S. and international customers.
The Mk44 Bushmaster Chain Gun is the U.S. Marine Corps' weapon of choice for its Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV). The Mk44 increases firepower and range of 25mm systems and is designed for remote operation. This chain gun is in production and in service on various international ground combat and surface combatant platforms.
The Mk44 fires the only type-classified PABM in the U.S. arsenal. This revolutionary new round can be programmed by the fire control system to function in either point detonate, point detonate delay, or air burst modes, defeating targets on contact or in defilade. ATK's airburst technology will also be available for the company's new LW25 chain gun.
ATK is a premier aerospace and defense company with more than 18,000 employees in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and revenues of approximately $4.8 billion.
Certain information discussed in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although ATK believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Among those factors are: the applicability of Bushmaster Chain Gun systems to address future military operational needs, changes in governmental spending, budgetary policies and product sourcing strategies; the company's competitive environment; the terms and timing of awards and contracts; and economic conditions. ATK undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For further information on factors that could impact ATK, and statements contained herein, please refer to ATK's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Spirit Chief Executive Jeff Turner Speaking at Morgan Stanley Global Industrials CEOs Unplugged Conference

WICHITA, Kan., Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. (NYSE: SPR - News) President and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Turner, will speak at the Morgan Stanley Global Industrials CEOs Unplugged Conference in New York City, N.Y., at approximately 11:45 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009.
Mr. Turner's remarks will be webcast and presentation materials will be available at http://www.spiritaero.com/investor.aspx.
Individuals are urged to check the web site in advance to ensure their computers are configured for the webcast.
On the web: http://www.spiritaero.com
About Spirit AeroSystems Inc.
Based in Wichita, Kan., Spirit AeroSystems is the world's largest independent supplier of commercial airplane assemblies and components. In addition to its Kansas facility, Spirit has locations in Tulsa and McAlester, Okla., Prestwick, Scotland, and Samlesbury, England, and is developing new manufacturing facilities in North Carolina and Malaysia. In the U.S., Spirit's core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components. Additionally, Spirit provides aftermarket customer support services, including spare parts, maintenance/repair/overhaul, and fleet support services in North America, Europe and Asia. Spirit Europe produces wing components for a host of customers, including Airbus.

Quality Controlled Manufacturing Inc. Awarded United Technologies Corp. Supplier Gold Status

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Quality Controlled Manufacturing Inc. (QCMI) has received Supplier Gold status, a prestigious honor from United Technologies Corp. (UTC) and its subsidiary Hamilton Sundstrand.
UTC's Supplier Gold status recognizes suppliers for exceptional performance for at least 12 consecutive months. For a UTC supplier to be awarded Supplier Gold status, it must meet stringent requirements for quality, delivery, lean practices and customer satisfaction.
In achieving UTC Supplier Gold status, QCMI joins an elite group from multiple industries who supply UTC businesses.
"Supplier Gold is a tremendous privilege and responsibility," said Bob Grande, QCMI president and CEO. "It's crucial we continue to use lean principles and 6Sigma methods to retain Supplier Gold status. Our ongoing focus is on achieving maximum value by eliminating waste in all processes while reducing cycle times to meet market demands."
"Having QCMI achieve Supplier Gold is a great demonstration of teamwork between UTC and QCMI to provide outstanding supply chain performance to our valuable customers," said Dennis Mayhew, Hamilton Sundstrand Supply Chain Commodity manager. "Congratulations to everyone at QCMI for their effort in meeting and sustaining such high levels of customer service."
About Quality Controlled Manufacturing Inc. (QCMI)
Emerging as one of nation's leaders in complex machined components and assemblies, QCMI was founded by Bob Grande in 1978. The San Diego County manufacturing firm has two facilities totaling over 78,000 sq. ft. and employs 52. QCMI is ISO9001/AS9100 registered and Nadcap accredited. Award-winning QCMI specializes in the precision machining of all metals including exotic alloys. QCMI services provide customers with components that have complex shapes, contours, exacting tolerances and stringent quality requirements. Services include: CNC turning, milling and grinding; conventional machining; welding; EDM; fabrication; inspection; and non-destructive testing (NDT). Bob Grande, owner of Quality Controlled Manufacturing, has been a member of Vistage International, the world's leading chief executive organization since 2005. For more information about QCMI visit http://www.qcmfginc.com.
About Hamilton Sundstrand
With 2008 revenues of $6.2 billion, Hamilton Sundstrand is headquartered in Windsor Locks, Conn. Among the world's largest suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and industrial products, the company designs, manufactures and services aerospace systems and provides integrated system solutions for commercial, regional, corporate and military aircraft. It also is a major supplier for international space programs. For more information on Hamilton Sundstrand, please visit http://www.hamiltonsundstrand.com.
About United Technologies Corp.
Based in Hartford, Conn., United Technologies Corp. is a diversified company that provides high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries.
Contact: Doug Grande
Corporate Communications
Quality Controlled Manufacturing Inc.
(619) 980-0387
dgrande@qcmfginc.com
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Gates to tour Lockheed F-35 fighter plant

WASHINGTON, Aug 28 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will visit a Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) production plant for the F-35 fighter aircraft, the Pentagon's costliest arms purchase program, and an L-3 aircraft facility, highlighting their importance to the U.S. Defense Department, a Pentagon spokesman said on Thursday. Gates, on his way back from vacation on Monday, will speak to reporters at the Lockheed plant in Fort Worth, Texas, and then pay a visit to an L-3 Communications Holdings Inc (LLL.N) plant that turns out so-called Project Liberty reconnaissance aircraft in Greenville, Texas.
"These are two very important aviation programs to the Department of Defense," said Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman.
The visit comes amid mounting speculation the Pentagon might have to scale back the F-35 as part of stepped-up budget belt-tightening.
For instance, the private Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments -- several of whose one-time experts are now serving in senior Obama administration jobs -- cited the F-35 as just one example of programs ripe for review by the Department of Defense during a once every four years top-to- bottom reassessment now under way.
"Rather than buying both new long-range bombers and thousands of short-range F-35 fighters, DoD might consider whether the new bombers ... could represent a cost-effective substitute for some number of these new fighters," the center's Todd Harrison wrote in a report released this month.
Lockheed is developing three radar-evading F-35 models to replace at least 13 types of aircraft for 11 nations initially. At a projected cost of about $300 billion over two decades, the United States currently plans to buy 2,443 F-35s for the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.
Eight countries are F-35 co-development partners: Britain, Canada, Italy, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Turkey and Australia.
Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC.N) and BAE Systems Plc (BAES.L) are Lockheed's chief F-35 sub-contractors. Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development. One is built by United Technologies Corp's (UTX.N) Pratt & Whitney unit. The other by a team of General Electric Co (GE.N) and Rolls-Royce Group Plc (RR.L). (Reporting by Jim Wolf; editing by Andre Grenon)

Wall St gains as oil jumps; Boeing leads Dow

NEW YORK August 28, 2009, 7:17 am EDT (Reuters) - U.S. stocks closed higher on Thursday as investors turned back an early sell-off, thanks to a rebound in oil prices.
The Dow posted its eighth straight gain, led by Boeing Co (NYSE:BA - News), which rose 8.4 percent to $51.82. The U.S. aircraft manufacturer said its long-delayed 787 Dreamliner would make its first flight by the end of the year.
For the first three days of the week, stocks rose early and fell later, but the pattern reversed on Thursday as shares built momentum throughout the session in tandem with assets identified with improved demand, such as crude oil.
U.S. front-month crude oil prices rose $1.06 to settle at $72.49 a barrel, after dipping as low as $69.83 earlier in the day.
"The market turned around when oil took off," said Dave Rovelli, managing director of U.S. equity trading at Canaccord Adams in New York.
"Energy stocks were getting hit, and when they took off, the energy stock rally brought the whole market up."
ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP - News) ended up 0.3 percent at $45.73.
The Dow Jones industrial average (DJI:^DJI - News) gained 37.11 points, or 0.39 percent, to end at 9,580.63. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index (^SPX - News) added 2.86 points, or 0.28 percent, to 1,030.98. The Nasdaq Composite Index (Nasdaq:^IXIC - News) rose 3.30 points, or 0.16 percent, to 2,027.73.
Once again, trading was dominated by a handful of troubled financial companies. The stock of bailed-out insurer American International Group Inc (NYSE:AIG - News) surged nearly 27 percent to $47.84 after the new chief executive, Robert Benmosche, told Reuters on Wednesday he did not favor a fire sale of its assets.
AIG's new CEO also said in the interview that in a year, people will say the company is performing well.
AIG's stock price has spiked since the beginning of August in a rally initially spurred by the insurance giant posting its first profit in seven quarters. Analysts have also cited a short squeeze as contributing to the run-up as short investors have given up on bearish bets.
According to data from the New York Stock Exchange, short interest in AIG fell 2 percent in the first half of August, compared with the end of July. About 18 percent of the stock is held short.
Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C - News) also jumped 9.1 percent to $5.05 on a report that hedge-fund manager John Paulson is buying the troubled bank's shares.
An S&P index of financial shares gained 1 percent to 197.83.
Dell Inc (NasdaqGS:DELL - News) was one of the Nasdaq's top gainers, up 6.7 percent at $15.65 after reporting better-than-expected profit and sales just before the market closed.
Analysts have pointed to light summer volume and caution over a potential pullback as the reason for the market's lackluster performance this week.
Adding to that caution are concerns that an economic recovery may end up being weaker or slower than originally anticipated. Expectations of a recovery have fueled a months-long rally that has pushed the S&P 500 up more than 50 percent from March's 12-year closing low.
Volume was light on the New York Stock Exchange, with 1.16 billion shares changing hands, below last year's estimated daily average of 1.49 billion. On the Nasdaq, about 2.16 billion shares traded, also below last year's daily average of 2.28 billion.
Advancing stocks outnumbered declining ones on the NYSE by a ratio of roughly 8 to 7.
On the Nasdaq, though, the opposite trend held sway: About 14 stocks fell for every 13 that rose.