Friday, July 3, 2009

F-35 Radar's Electronic Protection Capabilities Validated During Northern Edge 2009 Exercise

LINTHICUM, Md., July 3, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC - News) has announced that it successfully demonstrated key electronic protection capabilities of the F-35 Lightning II's AN/APG-81 radar during the recent Northern Edge 2009 (NE09) joint military exercise. The Northrop Grumman AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar was flown on board the company's BAC 1-11 test aircraft and was integrated into what is considered the United States' largest and most complex airborne electronic warfare (EW) exercise to date. Northrop Grumman demonstrated the electronic protection (EP) capabilities of the AN/APG-81, by successfully countering advanced electronic attacks (EA), which are intended to degrade, neutralize, or destroy friendly combat capability.
"This event represents a major milestone in electronic protection testing for the AN/APG-81 in an operationally representative environment. We have been able to prove a number of EP capabilities years ahead of normal development timelines," said Teri Marconi, vice president of Combat Avionics for Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems sector. "The AN/APG-81 is the world's most advanced fighter fire control radar. It has extremely robust electronic warfare capabilities, and these tests validate years of laboratory testing versus a wide array of threat systems."
"The radar was subjected to a scale of scenarios that far exceeded typical developmental or operational test program requirements," said Pete Bartos, a former U.S. Navy F/A-18 operational test director and currently Northrop Grumman program manager for fifth-generation fighter requirements, improvements and derivatives. "In the past, typical EP testing consisted of a few sorties versus a single or maybe two jammers at once. This test was unique in that it included flights versus multiple types of advanced jammers on several aircraft formations at once."
The AN/APG-81 radar is currently undergoing integrated avionics flight testing aboard the Lockheed Martin Cooperative Avionics Test Bed (CATBird) aircraft, and is being installed in production F-35s on the aircraft assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas. The AN/APG-81 is designed and produced by Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector.
Northern Edge 2009 is a joint field training exercise incorporating over 9,000 warfighters supervised by the Joint Electronic Protection for Air Combat (JEPAC). NE09 provided an operationally representative training environment that integrated over a dozen types of U.S. fighter and bomber aircraft as well as an entire U.S. Navy carrier strike group. Large force air, land, and sea combat scenarios along with airborne interdiction of maritime target scenarios provided unparalleled opportunities for warfighters to 'train-as-they-fight' in a complex radio frequency environment.
Team members from JEPAC collaborated with the U.S. Air Force and Naval Warfare Centers as well as the military service research laboratories to present and integrate a realistic twenty-first century threat capabilities in NE09, effectively exposing over 700 aircrew service members to an unprecedented level of advanced electronic attack scenarios. This environment presented a rare and valuable opportunity to observe the performance of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter's APG-81 radar.
The JEPAC is one of ten test projects under the Office of the Secretary of Defense-sponsored Joint Test and Evaluation (JT&E) Program that develops joint tactics techniques and procedures to improve combat effectiveness through the use of electronic protection via timely integration of specific target track generating capabilities with tactical shooters during combat employment through the use of enhanced testing methodologies such as Northern Edge. The NE09 exercise is approved by the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS); scheduled by the Commander, United States Pacific Command (USPACOM); and sponsored by the Alaskan Command (ALCOM).
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.
Contact:
Paul C. Cabellon
Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems
(410) 765-7192

Research and Markets: General Dynamics Corporation-Competitive Benchmarking Analysis

On Friday July 3, 2009, 5:13 am EDT
DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/ca2e38/general_dynamics_c) has announced the addition of the "General Dynamics Corporation-Competitive Benchmarking Analysis" company profile to their offering.
General Dynamics Corporation is a defense conglomerate & the fifth largest defense contractor in the world as of 2008. The company has four main business segments: Marine Systems, Combat Systems, Information Systems & Technology and Aerospace. The company generated US$ 29.3 billion as revenues for 2008 & is headquartered at Falls Church, Virginia. The company has restructured markedly in the last two decades & the key events included sale of its famed F-16 production unit at Fort Worth to Lockheed & re-entry into the airframe business by acquisition of Gulfstream Aerospace.
This report brings to forefront a comprehensive competitive benchmarking analysis of the General Dynamic's business & presents an insightful perspective by stacking the company with key business competitors in the global aerospace & defence industry on key business performance matrices. The business competitors have been selected based on their relative size, scale of operations & compatibility of products & service offerings.
The report includes a comprehensive comparative analysis of the
Business Structure & Overview
Revenue Share by Business Segments
Comparative Employee Ranges by Business Segments
Shareholding Structure
Mapping Geographic Footprints
Competitive Positioning
Product Portfolio Analysis
Comparative Financial Performance Analysis
Key Financial Ratios
Analysis of Key Business Strategies & Plans
Comparative Analysis of Order Backlog Status
Comparative SWOT Analysis
The report can be used to analyze competitive positioning & strategy, corporate planning & to identify business trends & opportunities. The report will be useful for decision makers, top management of companies, Suppliers & Vendors, current & potential investors, industry & company analysts & those associated with the industry or the company.
The report is comprehensive yet concise; enabling & ensuring prompt and informed decision making.
Key Topics Covered:
1. Business Overview
2. Comparative Product Portfolio Analysis
3. Mapping Geographic Footprints
4. Competitive Positioning
5. Financial Benchmarking 2006-2009(Q1 Results)
6. Comparative Analysis of Key Financial Ratios
7. Comparative Stock Performance Analysis
8. Key Business Strategies & Plans (Additional strategies & plans available in the report)
9. Strategic Initiatives (There are more initiatives covered in the report)
10. Significant Business Developments (There are more developments covered in the report)
11. Order Backlog Status- Comparative Analysis
12. Comparative SWOT Analysis
13. Key Issues, Risk Factors & Industry Trends
Companies Mentioned:
Northrop Grumman
Boeing
Lockheed Martin
General Dynamics
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/ca2e38/general_dynamics_c
Contact:
Laura Wood
Senior Manager
press@researchandmarkets.com
Fax from USA: 646-607-1907
Fax from rest of the world: +353-1-481-1716

France extends search for Air France black box

PARIS, July 3 (Reuters) - Investigators have extended the search for the flight recorders of an Air France (AIRF.PA) plane that crashed into the Atlantic last month and still hope to find them, France's transport minister said on Friday.
Flight AF 447 from Rio de Janeiro to Paris crashed on June 1, killing all 228 people on board, but investigators have so far failed to pick up any signals emitted by the "black box" recorders. The signals are sent out for at least 30 days. "We could stop around ... July 10, but we won't. If we don't find them with the classic means, we will continue through submarine exploration," Transport Minister Dominique Busseareau told French radio.
He said the chances of finding the black boxes were fairly weak, but they would nevertheless try.
French investigators said on Thursday the plane hit the water intact and at high speed, but was missing for six hours before an emergency was declared.
Evidence from wreckage indicates the plane was broken apart by impact with the water, which it struck facing forwards. (Reporting by Elizabeth Pineau; Editing by Sophie Hares)

Q+A-Japan eyes Lockheed Martin's F-22 fighter jet

TOKYO, July 3 (Reuters) - Japan is eyeing moves in the U.S. Congress aimed at extending production of Lockheed-Martin Corp's radar-evading F-22 Raptor fighter, which has raised hopes Tokyo may be allowed to buy a plane previously banned from export.
Here are some questions and answers about the F-22.
WHAT IS THE F-22?
Described by one analyst as the "Ferrari" of jet fighters, Lockheed-Martin Corp's (LMT.N) F-22 is widely considered the most advanced fighter plane in use today. Almost invisible to radar, it also boasts high-tech intelligence gathering equipment. But the state-of-the-art package comes at a steep price -- the U.S. paid more than $140 million per plane, not including development costs. Japan might pay an estimated $250 million per aircraft -- a total of $10 billion if it bought 40 planes.
Critics say the F-22, which has not been deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan, is a relic of Cold War military strategy.
WHY DOES JAPAN WANT IT?
Japan's fleet of F-4 jet fighters, whose design dates back to the 1960s, is ageing and becoming increasingly difficult to maintain. Replacing the fleet with F-22s could potentially enable Japan to evade North Korean defences and gather information about its secretive neighbour. It would also enable Japan to maintain a technological edge over China's rapidly expanding military. Some analysts say Japan may view the fate of the F-22 deal as a symbol of its U.S. alliance, about which many have doubts as China grows in importance. Others say Japan simply wants what it sees as "the best."
Japan's main opposition Democratic Party, which polls show has a good chance of taking power at an upcoming election, says it needs more information before deciding whether the F-22 is value for money.
WHY HAS THE UNITED STATES AVOIDED EXPORTING THE F-22?
A 1998 law passed by Congress banned foreign sales of the Raptor to keep secret the aircraft's radar-evading "stealth" technology. Past leaks of confidential information from Japan's Defence Ministry have underscored such concerns. But the prospect that production of the F-22 may soon end, affecting jobs in many parts of the United States, has prompted a push among U.S. lawmakers to develop an export version that could be sold to Japan.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, however, has repeatedly said he wants to cap production at 187 aircraft, the last of which would roll off the production line in late 2011 or early 2012.
WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES FOR JAPAN?
The F-35, being developed by a consortium of countries and to go into full production by Lockheed-Martin in 2014, may be one of the most realistic options. In some ways less advanced than the F-22, it is also far cheaper at about $60 million for a basic model.
A team from BAE Systems (BAE.L) visited Japan in June to promote the rival Eurofighter Typhoon, developed by a European consortium, but critics point out that the aircraft is already somewhat dated.
Analysts say Japan's history of producing under licence from U.S. companies makes it less likely to pick a European option, though the Typhoon would be considerably cheaper than the F-22, at about $100 million per plane.
Boeing's (BA.N) F-15 might also be an option for Japan. Boeing is seeking partners to develop a "stealth" version of the plane. (Additional reporting by Jim Wolf in Washington; Editing by Alex Richardson)

FGM, Inc. Wins $60 Million Systems Engineering Contract

NECC Systems Engineering Contract Will Allow FGM to Continue to Provide Key Systems Engineering Support to the NECC Program
On Thursday July 2, 2009, 1:16 pm EDT
RESTON, Va., July 2 /PRNewswire/ -- FGM, Inc. announced today that the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific awarded the company an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a ceiling value of approximately $60 million. This contract, the Net Enabled Command Capability (NECC) Systems Engineering contract, will be used to support all NECC systems engineering activities for the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). NECC will be the cornerstone of Department of Defense (DOD) command and control (C2), evolving the current Global Command and Control System Family of Systems (GCCS-FoS) to a net-centric, single architecture. NECC support services will include technical operations, integrated logistics, test and evaluation, training, modeling and simulation, security engineering, and other related systems engineering support.
FGM assembled a team for this procurement composed of the leading experts in net-centric strategies, best practices, and systems implementation including Amyx, Inc., CACI International, Inc., DISC/BIT, Knowledge Consulting Group, and TeleConsultants, Inc.
FGM's President and CEO, Scott Gessay, said: "FGM has a long history of serving DISA and has supported the successful evolution of the NECC program since its inception. FGM is looking forward to leveraging 20 years of corporate experience providing high-end systems engineering for C2 systems to support the NECC JPMO in delivering the next generation operational system to the warfighter."
Founded in 1987, FGM is an industry leader in providing innovative information technology (IT) services for the Federal government. FGM is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with offices in Honolulu, Hawaii; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and San Diego, California. They specialize in software and systems development and integration, including Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) environments.
For more information visit the FGM web site at www.fgm.com.

Bombardier Announces Closing of a $600 Million US Syndicated Letter of Credit Facility

On Thursday July 2, 2009, 11:06 am EDT
Bombardier (TSX:BBD.A - News)(TSX:BBD.B - News) announces today that it has closed a $600 million Letter of Credit Facility agreement with a syndicate of first quality financial institutions, mainly North American-based.
This facility, which was oversubscribed, is dedicated to supporting Bombardier Aerospace's operations as well as the general needs of the Corporation, and replaces the facility which was to expire in December 2009. Bombardier successfully attained its objectives of securing availability for the issuance of letters of credit until December 2011.
"Bombardier is pleased with this solid demonstration of bank support for its business plan, especially in this difficult economic environment," said Pierre Alary, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Bombardier Inc.
National Bank Financial Inc., RBC Capital Markets and UBS Securities LLC have jointly arranged the facility as Mandated Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners.
About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from commercial aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2009, were $19.7 billion US, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com.

Lockheed Martin Wins Role on U.S. Air Forces Europe Advisory and Assistance Contract

GREENBELT, Md., July 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT - News) has been selected to compete for future task orders under the U.S. Air Forces Europe Advisory and Assistance Services contract.
The Corporation is one of two awardees for this indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract. The contract has a one-year base and four one-year option periods, and a Lockheed Martin ceiling of $375 million.
"We are excited about the opportunity to support the Air Force's mission in Europe," said Lockheed Martin IS&GS-Defense President, John Mengucci. "I am confident that we will be able to provide USAFE with a cost effective program and a full range of management solutions."
The contract gives USAFE flexibility to obtain engineering and technical services, and management and professional support for operations in England, Germany, Italy, Kosovo, Bosnia, and Africa. Lockheed Martin's teammates include CIBER, Inc. of Greenwood Village, Colo.; TEAM Integrated Engineering, Inc. of San Antonio, Texas; and MacAulay Brown, Inc. of Dayton, Ohio.
USAFE, with headquarters at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, is a major command of the U.S. Air Force. It is also the air component of the U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command. USAFE directs air operations in a theater spanning three continents and covering more than eight million square miles.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.
For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com