Pratt & Whitney PurePower(R) PW1000G Engine Selected to Power Russia's Irkut MC-21 Aircraft

MOSCOW, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Russia's Irkut Corporation has selected the Pratt & Whitney PurePower® PW1000G engine to power the Irkut MC-21 aircraft. The selection represents the third airframe application win for the PurePower engine, which provides customers a significant reduction in fuel burn and noise with lower environmental emissions and operating costs than today's engines. Pratt & Whitney is a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX - News).
The Irkut MC-21 is a family of 150 to 210 passenger aircraft with first flight planned for 2014 and entry into service in 2016.
"We are very proud that the Pratt & Whitney PurePower engine was selected for the Irkut MC-21 aircraft," said David Hess, president, Pratt & Whitney. "The PurePower engine is the only flight tested and proven engine on the market that offers validated step-change improvements in fuel burn, environmental performance and operating costs. We believe the PurePower engine with its Geared Turbofan technology offers the best benefits possible to Irkut's potential customers and provides a decisive advantage in making the aircraft competitive in the global marketplace."
The MC-21 program will allow Pratt & Whitney an opportunity to extend its PW1000G engine models to the 30,000 pound thrust class. In addition, Pratt & Whitney will contract with Irkut and with Russia's United Engine-Building Corporation (UEC) on the PW1000G engine for the MC-21 application.
The PurePower PW1000G engine is an all-new centerline engine that includes flight proven, next generation technology. The PurePower PW1000G engine features an advanced gear system that allows the engine's fan to operate at a slower speed than the low-pressure compressor and turbine. The combination of the gear system and all-new advanced core delivers double-digit improvements in fuel efficiency and environmental emissions and a 50 percent reduction in noise as well as reduced maintenance costs.
With core testing scheduled to continue through January 2010 and full engine testing planned for summer 2010, the PurePower engine program supports the Irkut MC-21 development timeline.
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 building industries.
This release includes "forward-looking statements" concerning new products and anticipated future revenues. These matters are subject to any necessary government approvals and potential risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in forward looking statements include the health of the global economy and strength of end market demand in the commercial aerospace industry; challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies and new products and services; and delays and disruption in delivery of materials and services from suppliers. For information identifying other important economic, political, regulatory, technological, competitive and other uncertainties, see UTC's 10-K and 10-Q Reports submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the information under the headings "Business," "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Cautionary Note Concerning Factors that May Affect Future Results," as well as the information included in UTC's Current Reports on Form 8-K.
Katy Padgett
Pratt & Whitney Commercial Engines
+1.860-565-3433
kathleen.padgett@pw.utc.com
Greg Brostowicz
Pratt & Whitney
+1.860-565-1655
gregory.brostowicz@pw.utc.com

Republic Airways eyeing Bombardier C-Series planes

* Also talking to Airbus and Boeing
* Says Bombardier planes cheaper to buy, burn less fuel
* Company to likely make a decision on planes in Q1 2010
TORONTO, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Republic Airways Holdings (RJET.O) said it is evaluating Bombardier Inc's (BBDb.TO) new C-Series regional aircraft as it looks to fleet replacement at its low-cost Frontier Airlines subsidiary.
Some 48 of 51 Airbus aircraft in Frontier's fleet are either owned or on leases that expire from 2013 to 2017, Hal Cooper, Republic's chief financial officer, said at a conference on Wednesday.
Republic closed the acquisition of the Denver-based regional carrier on Oct. 1 after Frontier emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.[ID:nN01269456]
"We are spending a lot of time with aircraft manufacturers trying to understand exactly what our refleeting options are," Cooper said, adding that they are also in talks with Airbus (EAD.PA) and Boeing (BA.N).
He said those two company's are offering lower operating costs for future deliveries and that their products would create long-term opportunities for any potential consolidation in the industry.
However, he called the new 100-to-149-seat narrow-body Bombardier C-Series aircraft, due to come into service in 2013, "a pretty interesting opportunity."
Bombardier is "really marketing a 15 percent or higher lower fuel burn, lower acquisition cost, better operating cost, better mission capability and a higher degree of passenger comfort. That's a very interesting airplane to us."
"Unlike Airbus and unlike Boeing, we believe we can tap into some very attractive export financing through the EDC there," he said, referring to Export Development Canada, a government agency.
The company will likely make its decision on which airliners to go with in the first quarter of next year, he added.
Republic Chief Executive Brian Bedford said the company has purchasing commitments for four Airbus A320's in 2011 and another four in 2012, that it inherited when it bought Frontier.
He stressed that they were just commitments, not obligations, and that Republic has the right to walk away from that contract with no cash damages.
Shares of Montreal-based Bombardier ended up 1.6 percent at C$4.58 on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Thursday. Shares of Republic were down 1.8 percent at $7.28 on the Nasdaq.
($1=$1.05 Canadian) (Reporting by John McCrank; Editing by Frank McGurty)

Second Stage Rocket Motor of Orbital's Taurus II Launcher Successfully Ground Tested

Company Begins Development Testing for Medium-Class Launch Vehicle in Preparation for First Flight in 2011

DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB - News), one of the world’s leading space technology companies, today announced that Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK - News) and the U.S. Air Force’s Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) successfully ground tested the second stage rocket motor of the company’s Taurus® II launch vehicle at AEDC in Tennessee. The solid-fuel CASTOR® 30 motor, which is supplied to Orbital by ATK Space Systems of Magna, Utah, was test fired for approximately 150 seconds, producing 72,000 lbs. of maximum thrust. In order to accurately test the motor performance, the static fire test was conducted using a vacuum chamber specially designed to simulate upper atmospheric conditions, since motor is designed to ignite at altitudes in excess of 100,000 feet.
“We are very pleased with the results of the ground test of the Castor 30 motor, which performed according to the specifications built into the design of the Taurus II rocket,” said Mr. Brent Collins, Orbital’s Taurus II Program Manager. “The ground test of the Castor 30 motor is the first major event in the testing phase of the Taurus II development program, having completed the engineering design and procurement work over the past year and a half. In addition to the second stage testing, we will soon begin the testing process for the rocket’s liquid fuel first stage at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.”
About Taurus II
Taurus II is a two-stage launch vehicle designed to provide reliable and affordable access to space for medium-class payloads weighing up to 12,000 lbs. Orbital currently has a backlog of nine Taurus II launches that support NASA’s cargo transportation requirements for the International Space Station. The first launch of the Taurus II rocket is scheduled for March 2011 to demonstrate the capabilities of the cargo delivery system the company is developing for NASA under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) research and development project. NASA has also selected Orbital for an eight-mission, $1.9 billion Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract, with operational missions to the ISS scheduled to begin in late 2011.
About Orbital
Orbital develops and manufactures small- and medium-class rockets and space systems for commercial, military and civil government customers. The company’s primary products are satellites and launch vehicles, including low-Earth orbit, geosynchronous-Earth orbit and planetary spacecraft for communications, remote sensing, scientific and defense missions; human-rated space systems for Earth-orbit, lunar and other missions; ground- and air-launched rockets that deliver satellites into orbit; and missile defense systems that are used as interceptor and target vehicles. Orbital also provides satellite subsystems and space-related technical services to government agencies and laboratories.
More information about Orbital can be found at http://www.orbital.com
Note to Editors: Photos and videos of the Castor 30 ground test will be available upon request to public.relations@orbital.com
Contact:
Orbital Sciences Corporation

Barron Beneski,

703-406-5528

Public and Investor Relations

beneski.barron@orbital.com

General Dynamics and nFocus Software Extend Mentoring Agreement to Broaden Training Management Product Line

Woman-owned, Phoenix small business to learn project management techniques to meet user needs within U.S. Department of Defense.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics C4 Systems has successfully extended its U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) mentor-protege contract with nFocus Software(TM), a woman-owned small business specializing in outcome tracking and training management software. The contract extension, approved by the DOD Office of Small Business Programs, enables nFocus to continue as a General Dynamics protege to gain further development assistance in broadening its software and services to better serve the U.S. military.
Under the mentoring program, large companies mentor small-business proteges in completing and executing contracts with the government. The companies first signed their mentor-protege agreement in 2006. The new contract extends through 2012.
The contract will focus on product development and project management training for nFocus staff as well as business and revenue growth strategies. The company will participate in Human Centered Design training to ensure future iterations of the nFocus training management software have relevant, user-friendly features and capabilities. The contract also calls for General Dynamics to assist nFocus Software in implementing Earned Value Management (EVM) and other project and program management processes. EVM is a business process that keeps projects on track by evaluating budget and time spent against the plan, actual work and work-completed. Project and program management processes are essential training for nFocus personnel eventually to manage DOD programs as a prime contractor.
nFocus Software's web-based training system has become the leading outcome-tracking and training- management software for the public sector. With 3,500 installed locations with non-profit, community-based and military clients around the world, the company's TraxSolutions(TM) Student Management System provides the base functionality for the U.S. Army's Digital Training Management System. The system tracks the training of every soldier and unit in the Army.
General Dynamics C4 Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD - News), is a leading integrator of secure communication and information systems and technology.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 92,300 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 online at www.gd.com.

ATK Successfully Ground Tests New CASTOR(R) 30 Upper Stage Solid Rocket Motor

Motor will be used for NASA Commercial and Government Launch Vehicles

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK - News) successfully tested its newly developed CASTOR® 30 upper stage solid rocket motor today at the U.S. Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) in Tennessee.
The test was a significant milestone for ATK, which developed the motor using internal research and development funding. The CASTOR 30 fills a key position in the company's "Family of Motors" product line concept. This concept provides a set of fully developed rocket motors to the market place that have been specifically selected to satisfy the maximum number of current and future military and commercial customer missions.
A version of this motor is being used by Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB - News) in its Taurus®( )II medium-class launch vehicle. It is slated to perform commercial cargo re-supply missions to the International Space Station (ISS) for NASA, to be demonstrated under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program for later delivery missions to the ISS under the Commercial Resupply Services contract. A slightly modified version of the CASTOR 30 is also being used as the basis for the third stage of the U.S. Air Force Large Class (92-inch) Stage (LCS) program. Other potential applications have also been identified.
'This was an important test for ATK today," said Scott Lehr, ATK vice president and general manager of Strategic and Commercial Systems. "The CASTOR 30 solid rocket motor offers a number of low-cost, high-performance features and fills a niche in the market that will make it an important part of ATK's future solid rocket motor business. We see this as an important addition to our Family of Motors product portfolio."
The CASTOR 30 is designed to ignite at altitudes in excess of 100,000 feet. In order to accurately test the motor performance the static fire was conducted at AEDC using a vacuum chamber specially designed to simulate upper atmospheric conditions. All channels of data were collected which will allow ATK to validate their predictive models. The motor utilized a prototype version of a newly developed Electromagnetic (EM) Thrust Vector Control (TVC) system, manufactured by Moog Inc, to provide nozzle steering. This system, once qualified, will also have applications across multiple solid rocket motor product lines.
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: the development of new rocket motors, 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.
Media Contact:

Trina Patterson

Phone: 801-699-0943

E-mail: trina.patterson@atk.com

Investor Contact:

Jeff Huebschen

Phone: 952-351-2929

E-mail: jeff.huebschen@atk.com

CAE wins military contracts valued at more than C$100 million

- Royal Netherlands Air Force expands CH-47 Chinook training at CAE's MSHATF

- German Army enhances CAE GESI command and staff training system

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - 12/10/09) - (TSX:CAE - News)(NYSE:CAE - News) - CAE today announced a series of military contracts with the Netherlands, Germany, and other global defence forces. The contracts, valued at more than C$100 million, include a major contract with the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) to expand CH-47 Chinook helicopter training at CAE's Medium Support Helicopter Aircrew Training Facility (MSHATF) in the United Kingdom.
"Our MSHATF continues to be the most advanced helicopter training facility of its type in the world, and a perfect example of CAE's capabilities as a training systems integrator," said Martin Gagne, CAE's Group President, Military Products, Training and Services. "The RNLAF are a major third party user of the MSHATF and their decision to increase their training with CAE is a welcome endorsement of our strategy to offer contemporary turnkey training services tailored to customer requirements."
Under terms of the contract with the RNLAF, subject to usual approvals, CAE will first upgrade one of the CH-47 full-mission simulators located at the MSHATF to ensure concurrency with the RNLAF's current Avionics Control and Management System (ACMS) Block 5 CH-47D and new Block 6 CH-47F Chinook helicopters. Following the simulator upgrade, RNLAF Chinook aircrews will continue training at the MSHATF through 2018, gradually increasing training to at least 1,000 hours per year.
"With all these features, the simulator will enable the RNLAF pilots to train in the most advanced digital cockpit currently available for the Chinook helicopter," according to LTC Cor van der Gaag, RNLAF's project leader for both the new-build CH-47F Chinook and simulator upgrade program.
The RNLAF began training their CH-47 Chinook aircrews at the MSHATF in 2003. Up until now, the RNLAF training curriculum included emergency, instrument, night-vision goggle (NVG), and tactical flight procedures during type conversion and recurrent training. The simulator upgrade will expand training to include a Terma-developed Chinook Aircraft Survivability Equipment (CHASE) electronic warfare suite and an L-3 Wescam forward-looking infrared (FLIR). In addition, a digital Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) will support training pilots to land in brown-out conditions.
German Army
Germany's procurement office for information technology and management (Bundesamt fur Informationstechnik und Informationsmanagement der Bundeswehr) has contracted CAE Gmbh to provide major product enhancements to the CAE GESI command and staff training system for the German Army. As part of the CAE GESI product improvement development program, CAE is enhancing the GESI constructive simulation system to address new and emerging training requirements, including operations other than war (OOTW), peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance, military operations in urban terrain (MOUT), joint and multi-national operations, emergency management and disaster planning. In addition, the CAE GESI system will be expanded to run complex and comprehensive exercises from the company level up to division level.
CAE is a world leader in providing simulation and modelling technologies and integrated training solutions for the civil aviation industry and defence forces around the globe. With annual revenues exceeding C$1.6 billion, CAE employs more than 6,500 people at more than 90 sites and training locations in 20 countries. We have the largest installed base of civil and military full-flight simulators and training devices. Through our global network of 29 civil aviation and military training centres, we train more than 75,000 crewmembers yearly. We also offer modelling and simulation software to various market segments and, through CAE's professional services division, we assist customers with a wide range of simulation-based needs. www.cae.com.
Contact:
CAE contact

Nathalie Bourque, Vice President

Public Affairs and Global Communications

514-734-5788

nathalie.bourque@cae.com

OSI Geospatial Signs $5.7M U.S. Army Contract

OTTAWA, Dec. 10 /CNW Telbec/ - OSI Geospatial Inc. (TSX: OSI - News; "OSI") announced today that its U.S. Operations has signed a three-year U.S. Army contract valued at approximately $5.7 million. Under the terms of this contract, the company will provide engineering, training and support services. The company expects to recognize approximately $1.9 million in revenue annually for the next three years.
"We have been working on this program for close to three years and the award of this contract is clear evidence that we are making a significant contribution to this important U.S. Army program," said Ken Kirkpatrick, President and CEO of OSI Geospatial. "I am very pleased with the results that our team has achieved and look forward to continued success on this program."
About OSI Geospatial
OSI Geospatial Inc. delivers advanced geospatial systems and software that enable shared real-time situational awareness for military, safety and security applications. Our products and services enable our customers to integrate and visualize live data with any combination of sensor data, imagery, maps and charts. This capability provides our customers with enhanced operational performance, safety and security through shared real-time situational awareness. OSI Geospatial systems and software are in use by military, government, and commercial customers around the world. The company is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. For additional information please visit www.osigeospatial.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements and information which reflect the current view of OSI Geospatial Inc ("OSI") with respect to future events and financial performance. Any such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and OSI's actual results of operations could differ materially from historical results or current expectations. Additional information on these and other potential factors that could affect OSI's financial results are detailed in disclosure documents filed from time to time with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities.
Copyright (C) 2009 OSI Geospatial Inc. and its affiliated or related companies. ECPINS and COP-IDS are registered trademarks of Offshore Systems Ltd., an OSI Geospatial company. IGEN and C3CORE are registered trademarks of CHI Systems Inc., an OSI Geospatial company. Other company brand, product and service names are for identification purposes only and may be either trademarks, service marks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Data subject to change without notice.
For further information
Sandra Oneschuk, Investor Relations, (613) 287-8004 or 1-888-880-9797, (613) 287-0466 (FAX), invest@osigeospatial.com

CPI Aero Announces $1.03 Million Order from Lockheed Martin

EDGEWOOD, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CPI Aerostructures, Inc. (“CPI Aero®”) (NYSE Amex: CVU) announced today that it has received an order from Lockheed Martin Corporation (“Lockheed”) to produce aircraft structural assemblies for the U.S. Navy’s P-3 “Orion” aircraft, valued at $1.03 million. Work on this order will commence immediately and deliveries will run through mid 2011.
Edward J. Fred, CPI Aero’s CEO and President, stated, “This order from Lockheed, a long-term customer with whom we have had a solid relationship, diversifies the parts we produce on a platform for which we’ve already provided quality deliveries and enables us to continue to support a vital U.S. Navy program. This award enhances our current business and we believe it improves our prospects for future orders from Lockheed.”
About Lockheed Martin Corporation
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.
About CPI Aero
CPI Aero is engaged in the contract production of structural aircraft parts for leading prime defense contractors, the U.S. Air Force, and other branches of the armed forces. In conjunction with its assembly operations, CPI Aero provides engineering, technical and program management services. Among the key programs that CPI Aero supplies are the UH-60 BLACK HAWK helicopter, the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter, the MH-60S mine countermeasure helicopter, the E-2D Hawkeye, the Gulfstream G650, C-5A Galaxy cargo jet, the T-38 Talon jet trainer, the A-10 Thunderbolt attack jet, and the E-3 Sentry AWACS jet. CPI Aero is included in the Russell Microcap® Index.
The above statements include forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which are described from time to time in CPI Aero’s SEC reports, including CPI Aero’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009, June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2009.
CPI Aero® is a registered trademark of CPI Aerostructures, Inc.

Contact:
CPI Aero

Vincent Palazzolo,

631-586-5200

Chief Financial Officer

www.cpiaero.com

or

Investor Relations Counsel

The Equity Group Inc.

Lena Cati,

212-836-9611

Linda Latman,

212-836-9609

www.theequitygroup.com

To Support Its Aircraft Contracts, BAE Systems Overhauls Training With OutStart Learning Content Management Software

LONDON--(Marketwire - 12/10/09) - BAE Systems is taking a new, holistic approach to the way it develops training for its Military Air Solutions' customers around the world. Spurring this new method of doing business is a concept that the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence and its defence contractors call "through-life capability management." Essentially, through-life capability management ensures that the capabilities needed to accomplish missions are sustained consistently and logically, from cradle to grave. BAE Systems decided that designing, producing, delivering, managing and maintaining military training is no exception.
So the company has selected OutStart LCMS, which will serve as the single-source hub for assembling, reusing, managing and deploying learning modules to support its Military Air Solutions' training contracts. These modules can range from classroom, online and mobile learning for aircraft operators and maintainers, supported by instructor guides, student notes, assessments, surveys, job aides and help files.
With OutStart LCMS, BAE Systems is able to take a new approach to the standard classroom-based training solution that has been a staple of the training industry for decades. The OutStart system delivers an array of electronic and printed materials that BAE Systems can specifically tailor to its customers' needs, considering what each individual needs to help them learn best.
As BAE Systems extends the capability of its combat aircraft, the training impact has to be considered and managed to maintain the configuration of the training content with the aircraft. The OutStart LCMS makes it possible to review existing content and update it quickly, with new material for delivery in the format that BAE Systems' customers need. All this, says BAE Systems, spells hundreds or even thousands of hours of time saved on redesigning and rewriting learning content. This enables BAE Systems to train its customers using the most up-to-date information in the shortest time, helping its customers deliver operators and maintainers to the front line.
Brian Grierson, Training Technology & e-Capability Manager for BAE Systems Limited, said: "We're using OutStart LCMS to focus on more effective management of training content and the efficient use of that content for multiple deliverables, such as training materials, instructor guides and student notes."
Grierson added: "We've adopted a 'through-life' approach to managing training content to support our company's longer-term in-service support contracts, and OutStart LCMS gives us opportunities to extend our customer offering from the same content pool (e.g., developing e-learning content from material originally designed for instructor-led training), providing real-time student assessments and delivering SCORM-conformant materials."
Massood Zarrabian, President and CEO of OutStart, Inc., said: "With an LCMS, a company of any size can react quickly to a changing business environment with the agility to deliver timely, personalised, consumable learning content to support their customers' specific mission."
Product Resources

-- BAE Systems Products & Services --
http://www.baesystems.com/ProductsServices/index.htm
-- OutStart LCMS -- http://www.outstart.com/outstart_lcms.htm

About OutStart
At OutStart, we're out to solve a big problem.
Most organisations posses a wealth of underutilised collective intelligence around their products, services and processes. This underutilisation negatively impacts employees, customers and partners, costing precious time and money while hindering performance. Said simply, "what your people don't know will hurt you."
OutStart's social business software and learning systems act like a lifeline: connecting people to the know-how, creativity and learning they require to be efficient, effective and agile.
Since its inception in 1999, and backed by leading venture capital firms, OutStart has matured into a profitable and rapidly growing company with an impressive range of customers who are surpassing expectations and delivering exceptional business results. The company is honored to have customers like Autodesk, BB&T, Boeing Company, BT, CVS Caremark, DIRECTV, EDS, General Dynamics, Internal Revenue Service, Lufthansa, McDonald's, MetLife, Prudential, TiVo, Australian Defence Force, U.S. Navy, UK Ministry of Defence, Verizon Wireless and Yum! Brands.

Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance Hosts Rollout Ceremony for U.S. Customs & Border Protection Agency UH-60 A-A to L Recapitalization Aircraft

Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance Hosts Rollout Ceremony for U.S. Customs & Border Protection Agency UH-60 A-A to L Recapitalization Aircraft

BEEVILLE, Texas, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance, a Sikorsky Aerospace Services company, today rolled out the first U.S. Customs & Border Protection Agency (CBP) UH-60 A-A to L recapitalization aircraft at its Chase Field Operations Center in Texas. Sikorsky Aerospace Services is the aftermarket business of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX - News). (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091209/NE23690 )
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080904/NETH086LOGO )
A major aviation facility for Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance, the Chase Field Operations Center also has become a pivotal location for aircraft overhaul, repair and upgrades for the U.S. Department of Defense, other U.S. government agencies, and allied foreign militaries around the world.
"This facility provides customers with the ability to upgrade and modernize their H-60 fleets without hindering the current production at the Corpus Christi Army Depot," said David Adler, President of Sikorsky Aerospace Services. "The CBP aircraft marks the first non-standard A-A to L recapitalization upgrade done at Chase Field. We look forward to continuing our upgrade work and meeting the Army's goal of fleet modernization to ensure mission readiness."
Based largely on the success of the H-60 Recapitalization and Upgrade Program started seven years ago at the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD), it has proven to be one of the most effective and productive fleet maintenance programs ever accomplished by the U.S. Army.
"The Customs and Border Protection Agency saves lives every day," said Colonel Neil Thurgood, Project Manager, Utility Helicopters. "This new UH-60L aircraft provides them with a machine that represents the culmination of 6 million flight hours of BLACK HAWK helicopter experience. I know they will put it to good use in support of America's defense."
Lieutenant Colonel Bert Vergez, Product Manager for the UH-60 A/L/M, said: "Chase Field operations will be an extension of a very successful partnership at Corpus Christi Army Depot for UH-60 BLACK HAWK helicopter recapitalization to our U.S. government sister-service organizations and foreign military sales partners."
The UH-60L BLACK HAWK helicopter brings tremendously improved power, durability, and reliability to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection fleet. Equipped with features that will enhance both mission capability and readiness, it shares the performance improvements of all U.S. Department of Defense service aircraft.
Sikorsky Aerospace Services provides comprehensive support to rotary and fixed wing aircraft around the world. It offers its military and commercial customers a full portfolio of support services through its aftermarket companies, Derco Aerospace, Inc., Helicopter Support, Inc., Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance, Composite Technology, Inc., and Sikorsky Helitech.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.

Embraer says Brazil sales help offset global drop

SAO PAULO, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Brazil's Embraer (EMBR3.SA)(ERJ.N), the world's third-largest aircraft maker, will likely sell a record $500 million worth of planes in Brazil this year, helping offset a tumble in global demand amid the worst civil aviation market in years, its chief executive said on Wednesday.
Overseas demand for commercial and executive jets will remain weak during 2010, Frederico Curado told reporters at an event in Sao Paulo. But domestic business remains promising, bolstered by sales to Brazilian airlines Azul and Trip, he added.
"The market (abroad) remains rather depressed; the airlines are losing money and will keep losing money next year," Curado said.
Curado was also upbeat about prospects for sales of its Phenom-100 executive jet. Local sales will make up for about 10 percent of the company's projected revenue this year.
Revenue at Sao Jose dos Campos-based Embraer, which sells most of its planes outside Brazil, suffered this year as it sold more of its smaller, less expensive planes because of the fallout in global aviation. The company expects revenue to drop 10 percent this year, in line with previous forecasts.
Embraer shares fell 1.2 percent to 8.78 reais in mid-afternoon trade on Wednesday. They have gained 0.6 percent this year, compared with an 80 percent surge in the Bovespa index .BVSP.
Analysts including Bank of America Merrill Lynch's Ron Epstein are concerned the jet maker may need to do more than trim payroll expenses and renegotiate prices with suppliers to cope with the worst crisis in commercial aviation since the end of World War II.
Operating margins will probably hit the lowest level in a decade as measured by U.S. accounting guidelines, the analysts estimate.
Curado said he expects Brazil's state-run development bank BNDES to extend more credit to buyers of Embraer planes next year.
He estimates that BNDES will make financing available to cover 60 percent of the aircraft Embraer will deliver in 2010, up from 30 to 35 percent of sales in that category in 2009. (Reporting by Cesar Bianconi; Writing by Guillermo Parra-Bernal; Additional reporting by Luciana Lopez; Editing by Gerald E. McCormick)

General Dynamics ship succeeds in trials--US Navy

By Jim Wolf
WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - General Dynamics Corp's (GD.N) first shallow-water combat ship, Independence, has successfully wrapped up "acceptance trials," the latest phase of its multibillion-dollar competition against a rival model built by Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N), U.S. Navy officials said Wednesday.
The Navy's inspection board found Independence's propulsion plant, self-defense performance and "sea keeping" to be commendable and recommended that the chief of naval operations authorize delivery of the ship after the correction or waiver of cited shortcomings.
Independence received 39 "starred cards," or citations for significant deficiencies requiring fixes, during the Nov. 13-19 trials in the Gulf of Mexico, "slightly" more than Lockheed's first such Littoral Combat Ship, Allison Stiller, a deputy assistant secretary of the navy, told reporters at the Pentagon.
The Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey gave Independence a total of 2,080 "trial cards," or citations for a material deficiency overall, fewer than the Lockheed ship Freedom, Stiller said.
Freedom completed its acceptance trials earlier and is scheduled to deploy for the first time next year, initially in the Caribbean, and then in the East Pacific.
"You should not infer from the number of trial cards that either variant has any advantage or disadvantage" in the competition, said Stiller.
Under a recently restructured acquisition plan, Lockheed and General Dynamics are vying for a lucrative initial 10-ship deal to build two LCS ships a year between fiscal 2010 and 2014.
The Navy's goal for picking the winner is June 30, but the date could slip, Rear Admiral Bill Landay, the program executive officer for ships, told the same session.
Ultimately, the Navy hopes to build a fleet of 55 such shore-hugging ships. Equipped with different mission packages, they are to be used for such things as mine detection, anti-submarine warfare and combat against small surface craft, such as those used by pirates.
None of the deficiencies for LCS 2, as the General Dynamics ship is known, is expected to delay the delivery of the ship, which is due to occur later this month, with ship commissioning in mid-January in Mobile, Alabama, Stiller said.
Independence ended up costing a total of $704 million, including government funded equipment on board, or more than three times the Navy's original goal.
Lockheed's ship is made of steel and features a conventional hull. General Dynamics' is made of aluminum, a lighter material, and features a three-hull design. (Reporting by Jim Wolf; editing by Gerald E. McCormick)

General Dynamics Awarded $18 Million for Saudi Tank Work

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD - News), was awarded $17.6 million for the purchase of long-lead materials that will be used to convert 15 M1A2 Abrams tanks to M1A2S tanks for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The contract was awarded to General Dynamics by the U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command for the Royal Saudi Land Forces.
The contract is an addition to a $58 million 2008 award to General Dynamics to design, develop, convert, implement and test a hybrid configuration of the M1A1, M1A2 and M1A2 System Enhancement Package (SEP) tank variants. The M1A2S vehicles will possess defined capabilities that increase lethality while limiting obsolescence. The work will be performed at the Lima Army Tank Plant in Lima, Ohio, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2012.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 92,300 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.generaldynamics.com.

Pratt & Whitney Shanghai Engine Center First in China to Achieve LEED(R) Platinum

SHANGHAI, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Shanghai Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Engine Maintenance Co., Ltd (Shanghai Engine Center), a joint venture between China Eastern Airlines and Pratt & Whitney, has become the first facility in China and the 21(st) outside the United States to be awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED(®)) Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX - News) company.
"We are honored to be recognized as the first LEED(®) Platinum facility in China - the first also for Pratt & Whitney and United Technologies Corp.," said Todd Kallman, president of Commercial Engines and Global Services for Pratt & Whitney and Vice Chairman, Board of Directors for the Shanghai Engine Center. "Pratt & Whitney offers a complete range of products and services that are environmentally friendly from commercial engines, such as the PurePower® PW1000G, to EcoPower(® )engine wash service and now our LEED(®) Platinum facility that houses CFM56(®) engine repairs."
Located in the Qingpu district, the Shanghai Engine Center officially opened in September 2009 as an environmentally friendly and highly efficient CFM56(® )engine maintenance, repair and overhaul facility.
Worldwide there are fewer than 4,000 LEED certified buildings - with only about 5 percent earning Platinum certification. The LEED rating system was designed as a framework to identify and implement sustainable practices that bring energy and resource savings.
"Both China Eastern Airlines and Pratt & Whitney are committed to developing sustainable business practices that benefit the environment, our customers and employees, as well as the community," said Liu Shaoyong, Chairman of China Eastern Airlines Co., Ltd.
With a facility size of 25,555 sq. meters (275,072 sq. feet) and the potential to employ 800 people, the Shanghai Engine Center earned 57 credits, five points above the required LEED Platinum threshold. Notable accomplishments included:
All five water and all five innovation-in-design credits for the reduced usage of potable water and a large pond built on site for capturing and storing rain water to meet all sanitary needs.
All 10 energy efficiency credits for installing high performance conditioning and lighting systems, and extensive daylighting and control through integrated building automation.
Eight material credits for incorporating rapidly renewable resources, extensive recycling of construction waste, locally sourced materials, and use of certified stewarded wood products.
The facility also incorporates high-performance building solutions from other UTC businesses. Carrier supplied high efficiency products including Evergreen® 19XRV variable speed centrifugal chillers, AquaForce® 30XQ air-cooled heat pumps, air handling units with energy recovery, and Automated Logic® building system controls, in addition to managing the building's system commissioning. Hamilton Sundstrand supplied a Sullair LS20 compressed air system and UTC Fire & Security provided security and access controls.
"The Shanghai Engine Center is a further demonstration of Pratt & Whitney and UTC's commitment to sustainable development and practices. We believe that this project will serve as a leading example for other facilities within China when pursuing energy saving integration with operational efficiency," said Rick Fedrizzi, president and CEO & Founding Chair of the U.S. Green Building Council.
Pratt & Whitney through its Global Service Partners (GSP) network is a total service provider for Pratt & Whitney, International Aero Engines, General Electric, Rolls-Royce and CFMI engines. In addition to engine overhaul and repair services, GSP provides customers improved engine performance and increased asset value through a broad portfolio of services including line maintenance, engine monitoring and diagnostics, environmentally friendly on-wing water washes, leased engines, custom engine service programs and new and repaired parts.
CFM and CFM56 are registered trademarks of CFM International
Greg Brostowicz
Commercial Engines & Global Services
Int'l Mobile +1-860-565-1655
gregory.brostowicz@pw.utc.com
Natalie Lowe
Pratt & Whitney
Mobile: +86-1502-122-8926
natalie.lowe@pwc.ca

United Technologies Corp. To Invest in Clipper Windpower

HARTFORD, Conn., Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX - News) today announced it has agreed to acquire a 49.5 percent stake in Clipper Windpower Plc (CWP.L), a California-based wind turbine manufacturer that trades on the AIM London Stock Exchange.
UTC's total investment will be 166 million pounds sterling (approximately $270 million) to purchase a combination of 84.3 million newly issued shares and 21.8 million shares from existing shareowners. The investment has been approved by the boards of directors of both UTC and Clipper Windpower, and closing is pending Clipper Windpower shareholder and regulatory approval.
Clipper Windpower is engaged in wind energy technology, turbine manufacturing, and wind project development. Headquartered in Carpinteria, Calif., the company has a turbine manufacturing plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and research and development facilities in Carpinteria, Calif., and Blyth Harbor, U.K. The company had 2008 revenues of $737 million.
The agreement allows UTC to expand its power generation portfolio and enter the high-growth wind power segment by investing in a company with strong management and innovative technology. The $50 billion-plus segment for wind turbines and installation has grown at an annual rate of 25 percent during this decade.
UTC expects to work closely with Clipper Windpower to improve the company's core technology, manufacturing, product quality, and supply management capabilities. This investment leverages the world-class expertise of UTC business units in blade technology, turbines and gearbox design. It also builds on UTC's existing portfolio of energy efficient products and power generation systems that respond to the world's growing demand for cleaner, more efficient solutions.
United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, is a diversified company that provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the building systems and aerospace industries.
This release includes "forward looking statements" concerning expected revenue, earnings and additional benefits of a transaction that remain subject to uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward looking statements include delays in or inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals on acceptable terms; changes in anticipated economic conditions; the impact of credit market conditions and limited availability of funding on customers' ability to finance wind power projects; challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies; delays in achieving anticipated cost reductions; and delays and disruption in delivery of materials and services from suppliers. For information identifying other important economic, political, regulatory, legal, technological, competitive and other uncertainties, see UTC's SEC filings as submitted from time to time, including but not limited to, the information in the "Business" section of UTC's Annual Report on Form 10-K, the information included in UTC's 10-K and 10-Q Reports under the heading "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and the information included in Current Reports on Form 8-K.
UTC-IR
Contact: John Moran, UTC
(860) 728-7062
www.utc.com

Peru to buy military hardware from China, Brazil

LIMA, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Peru is in talks to buy tanks from China and fighter planes from Brazil to replenish an "obsolete" military arsenal, officials said on Wednesday, just weeks after accusing Chile of starting an arms race.
President Alan Garcia has criticized Chile, which defeated Peru in the 19th century War of the Pacific, for negotiating the purchase of U.S. missiles and radar equipment.
Garcia has also tried to spearhead an anti-arms initiative in Latin America, where countries like Venezuela, Brazil and Colombia have been beefing up their armed forces.
"The government is in talks to acquire a fleet of tanks made in China to replace some of the obsolete units of the armed forces," Defense Minister Rafael Rey told local radio.
"It's about equipment replacement -- not about entering an incessant arms race," Prime Minister Javier Velasquez said on RPP radio.
Peru said Super Tucano planes it buys from Brazil's Embraer (ERJ.N)(EMBR3.SA) would be used to combat cocaine trafficking in remote parts of the Andes and Amazon jungle.
Peru's government, which hopes to replace Soviet-era tanks acquired in the 1970s, did not say how much it would spend on the new equipment.
Chilean Defense Minister Francisco Vidal has said any U.S. equipment that Chile buys would cost much less than a recent $650 million estimate provided by the Pentagon.
Vidal said potential purchases of missiles and Sentinel radar systems would not upset the military balance in South America.
Chile's armed forces have benefited from years of windfall copper earnings due to a law that entitles them to 10 percent of state copper giant Codelco's sales. The government has sent a bill to Congress that aims to scrap the Codelco payment. (Reporting by Marco Aquino and Dana Ford; Editing by Terry Wade and Peter Cooney)

E-ONE Receives 30-Unit Order for Royal Saudi Air Force

OCALA, Fla., Dec. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Through its Saudi Arabian dealer, SESE, E-ONE was awarded a multimillion-dollar contract for 30 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) and first responder units from the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF).
A long-time SESE and E-ONE customer, RSAF ordered a variety of units including Titan Force 6x6's, custom pumpers on CII chassis, mini pumpers and small rescue vehicles.
"The product diversity of the 30-unit order demonstrates the effectiveness of E-ONE and our international dealers to reach and support global markets," said Sam Itani, Vice President of Global Sales E-ONE. "We would like to congratulate SESE for this significant contract and commend them on their ability to continuously support the sales and service needs of Saudi Arabia."
SESE has been the E-ONE dealer in Saudi Arabia for more than 20 years and prides itself on maintaining strong relationships with all its customers.
"We are honored RSAF has trusted in us, yet again, for their ARFF, first responder and loose equipment needs," Mohammad Fostoc with SESE said. "E-ONE's diverse, full line of products allows us to meet our Saudi Arabian customers' varying demands with a product known internationally for its quality and performance."
The units ordered offer the latest in ARFF and first responder technology with the state-of-the-art Titan Force 6x6 featuring a 3000 gallon tank capacity and custom 4x4 pumpers on CII chassis with a 1030 gallon tank capacity. The new, technologically advanced units will be a welcome addition to RSAF's existing E-ONE fleet.
"RSAF currently has more than 20 E-ONE units in operation and we are honored they have chosen E-ONE and SESE to expand this growing fleet," Itani said.
To learn more about or locate an E-ONE dealer near you, visit www.E-ONE.com.
As a leading manufacturer of first responder vehicles, E-ONE engineers, manufactures and markets mission-critical vehicles including custom and commercial pumpers tankers, Water Master vacuum tankers, aerial ladders and platforms, command and communication apparatus, quick attack units, industrial trucks, and aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles. The company sells its products world-wide and is headquartered in Ocala, Florida. E-ONE is an ISO 9001 registered and CCC certified manufacturer. For more information, visit www.e-one.com.

Lockheed Martin Team Completes Critical Design Review for the Airborne, Maritime/Fixed Station Joint Tactical Radio System

Joint Network Will Seamlessly Link Air, Land and Sea Forces
Lockheed Martin ~ December 9, 2009
SAN DIEGO, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- A secure, internet-like tactical network is one step closer to providing joint warfighters with unprecedented access to voice, data and video communications, as well as a level of interoperability never achieved before. The Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT - News) team has announced the successful completion of Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Airborne, Maritime/Fixed Station Joint Tactical Radio System (AMF JTRS). The Lockheed Martin team includes BAE Systems, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon.
"This is a significant milestone for the program as well as the goal of bringing, tactical wireless communications into the 21(st) century," said John Mengucci, president of Lockheed Martin's Information Systems & Global Services-Defense. "By connecting the warfighter to the Global Information Grid, AMF JTRS provides non line-of-sight capabilities, wideband networking, clear communications, easy upgrades, seamless handoffs and the most critical benefit -- interoperability with all users across the network."
AMF JTRS takes current radio capabilities to the next generation through advanced Internet Protocol (IP) technologies, similar, but much more mobile and secure than commercial communications devices on the market today. The CDR represented the capstone of more than six months of reviews focused on assessing the AMF JTRS subsystem and system design maturity. Additionally, the review concluded that the AMF JTRS design is on schedule to meet government specifications, according to the Joint Program Executive Office Joint Tactical Radio System (JPEO JTRS).
"The Lockheed Martin team demonstrated that the AMF JTRS program requirements are well defined and that the system and subsystem designs will satisfy the joint user requirements," said U.S. Army Col. Ray Jones, Program Manager, AMF JTRS. "I congratulate the entire government and industry team."
Once completely fielded, AMF JTRS will link more than 100 platforms, providing connectivity to areas where no communications infrastructure previously existed. Army, Air Force and Navy assets will be able to seamlessly synchronize with the soldier in the foxhole, providing near instantaneous awareness of the combat environment. Plus, since the capability is defined digitally in software and signal processing is handled by a programmable computer, AMF JTRS can interface with legacy radios, waveforms and systems. Interoperable communications are enabled without the need for multiple radios or hardware upgrades as new capabilities are fielded.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.
For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com