Buzz Aldrin to Join Aerospace, Government Leaders at 2010 Space Economy Leadership Summit, Austin, Texas, May 5

Space Economy Leadership Summit, May 5

One-day summit to discuss technology and economic policy that will transform the Space Economy

Defense News: AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Phillips & Company announced today that Buzz Aldrin will headline an extensive list of business, government, aerospace and space technology leaders in Austin, Texas, May 5 to present a series of panels on “Job Creation and Entrepreneurship for the Next Economic Frontier” at the 2010 Space Economy Leadership Summit.

Buzz Aldrin, the second person to walk on the moon following the Apollo 11 landing more than 50 years ago, will present opening remarks at the Summit’s Evening Reception at the Texas State History Museum. Aldrin’s talk follows a full day of panel presentations and keynote speakers representing technology, business and government leaders from Texas, Florida, Alabama, California, Washington, D.C., and across the nation who will discuss the role of space in shaping the future of environmental research, energy policy, national security and advanced communications.

Summit speakers include Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade, technology leader Esther Dyson and private astronaut Richard Garriott. Other panelists and special guest speakers include:

• Ken Bowersox, VP of Astronaut Safety & Mission Assurance, SpaceX
• Hal Hagemeier, Deputy Director, National Space Security Office, Pentagon
• Wayne Hale Jr., Deputy Associate Administrator for Strategic Partnerships, NASA
• Rick Hieb, VP Exploration & Science, Lockheed Martin
• Adm. Conrad Lautenbacher, VP Polar Programs, CSC
• Tiffany Montague, Manager Google’s Space Initiatives, Google
• Patti Grace Smith, Advisor, Bigelow Aerospace
• Carl Walz, VP Human Space Flight Programs, Orbital Sciences

Said Phillips & Company President and summit host Rich Phillips, “U.S. competitiveness depends on a vital economic engine of job creation—and one of the greatest opportunities for job growth is fueled by our commitment to scientific discovery and our leadership position in the global Space Economy. The Space Economy promises to be a $1 trillion industry within 10 years, rivaling the Internet economy's early days and a critical component to job growth and economic leadership. Our ability to leverage this opportunity depends on a renewed partnership between NASA and the private sector and our willingness to come together on issues of principle that we all share.”

Summit speakers will be available to the media for interviews and briefings prior to or during the event. Please contact Scott Campbell at 512-423-4907 or dscampbell@phillipscompany.com to secure press credentials or to schedule a briefing or interview with Summit participants.

For more information or to register for the 2010 Space Economy Leadership Summit, call Stacy Zellner at 512-402-5857 or visit www.spaceeconomyleadership.org.

Space Economy Leadership Summit

May 5, 2010

Conference at Stephen F. Austin Intercontinental Hotel, 8am – 5:30pm

Reception at Texas State History Museum, 6pm – 9pm

For the complete agenda, visit www.spaceeconomyleadership.org.

About Phillips & Company

Phillips & Company is a leading consulting firm that helps companies achieve sustainable growth through the creation and execution of strategic communications and business development campaigns. Business solutions include brand positioning, business development, public relations, integrated marketing and government relations. Ultimately, Phillips helps companies create demand for their products and services by broadening and reinforcing the trust customers, partners and investors have in their company. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Phillips & Company has operations in Washington, D.C., Miami, London and Hong Kong. For more information about Phillips & Company please visit www.phillipscompany.com.

Contact:

Phillips & Company
Scott Campbell, 512-423-4907
dscampbell@phillipscompany.com

DTN News: State Department Flies Mercenary Air Force Over Pakistan

Defense News: DTN News: State Department Flies Mercenary Air Force Over Pakistan
Source: wired.com By Nathan Hodge
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 3, 2010: The airspace along the Afghanistan/Pakistan border is pretty crowded these days: Along with U.S., Afghan and Pakistani military missions, the CIA is running its own covert drone ops. Less well known, but perhaps equally controversial, is the State Department’s counter-narcotics air force, staffed by mercenaries.
A recently released State Department Inspector General report, however, gave an unusually detailed look at the size and scope of these operations. The report fills in more details about America’s growing and undeclared war in Pakistan.
The State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (known by the abbreviation INL) operates an air wing of around 14 aircraft in Afghanistan and another 17 in Pakistan. The aircraft help monitor the border, fly crop-eradication and interdiction missions, and move equipment and personnel around the region.
These kinds of missions aren’t new: The State Department has similar Air Wing programs in Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, and Peru. Perhaps more importantly, the State Department has outsourced much of this mission. The INL’s air wing in Afghanistan and Pakistan is operated by private military company DynCorp, and the presence of U.S. contractors in Pakistan has proven extremely controversial (the released IG report, not surprisingly, was originally marked “sensitive but unclassified”).
For instance, when it was disclosed earlier this month that the U.S. government was seeking land for an aircraft maintenance base DynCorp, the Pakistani press had a field day. Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik had repeatedly denied the presence of U.S. private security contractors on Pakistani soil, but here was the U.S. government, asking for a maintenance base for its contracted air wing. “This is worth recalling here that Interior Minister Rehman Malik had told the National Assembly in February this year, ‘Neither Blackwater nor any other security agency with such name is operating in Pakistan,’” Pakistan’s The Nation newspaper snarkily noted.
In fairness, the State Department hasn’t really been too secretive about this: INL’s winter newsletter featured a news announcement about the delivery to Pakistan of more Huey II helicopters, similar to the rotorcraft pictured here. More interesting is what the recent Inspector General report hints at the extent to which the Pakistani government relies on this air wing for domestic policing and security operations. “In Pakistan, the Air Wing program, funded at $32 million to date, has been generally effective in providing critical air support for activities along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, including a variety of missions for the Pakistan Government,” the report states.
Inevitably, the report also notes some shortcomings. DynCorp, the IG found, “had problems meeting some of the contract terms, particularly flying hour goals. The inability to meet the required aircraft readiness rate is directly related to low levels of maintenance personnel and, according to INL/A, is also affected by issues with staff from Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior.”
In addition, the IG also found the Pakistani government was less than forthcoming about how it was using State’s aircraft. The government of Pakistan, the report said, “continues its reticence in providing information on flights.”
Incidentally, the inspector general also alluded to another contracted air force, called “Kabul 40.” That air wing provides passenger and cargo movement for diplomatic staff in Afghanistan.
Read More http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/04/state-department-flies-mercenary-air-force-over-pakistan/#ixzz0mrVqg2OO
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com
Disclaimer statement
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied herein, DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Unless otherwise indicated, opinions expressed herein are those of the author of the page and do not necessarily represent the corporate views of DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News.

DTN News: British Army Three Quarters Of Apache Attack Helicopters Not Serviceable

Defense News: DTN News: British Army Three Quarters Of Apache Attack Helicopters Not Serviceable

Source: Telegraph.co.uk By Sean Rayment, Defence Correspondent
(NSI News Source Info) LONDON, U.K. - May 3, 2010: Of the 67 in service, just 18 – or 27 per cent – are available for front line operations inAfghanistan or for training pilots in the United Kingdom.
Across all the aircraft types, less than half of Britain's military helicopters are available for operations, with 62 per cent (322 out of a total of 522) out of service.
Ministry of Defence figures obtained by the Conservative Party also show that only 44 per cent of the RAF's Chinook helicopters, 35 per cent of Merlins and 43 per cent of the Royal Navy's Sea Kings are available for service in Afghanistan.
The figures demonstrate how the heat and dust of the Helmand desert and the constant use of the aircraft on combat operations has started to degrade the fighting capability of the entire fleet.
Eighteen months ago 20 Apaches were available for service in Helmand and 53 per cent of the 48-strong Chinook fleet were available for front line operations.
In the last two years the number of improvised explosive devices being used by the Taliban has made travel by road extremely hazardous and many soldiers believe the only safe way to travel in Helmand is in a helicopter.
The Apache provides vital "top cover" for troops serving in the province and is on constant call when soldiers patrol into enemy controlled areas such as the "Green Zone".
The heavily armed Apache, which is equipped with a 30mm chain gun, CRV7 rockets and Hellfire anti-tank missiles, has saved numerous British lives.
The aircraft is now so essential to the military mission in Helmand that troops rarely venture out on large scale operations without support from the Apache.
The helicopter is also fitted with a vast array of highly sophisticated night vision equipment and is often used on reconnaissance missions.
While the Chinook does not provide fire support to ground troops it is vital for the Afghan mission.
Most of the out stations in Helmand are resupplied by Chinook and the helicopter provides a vital role in evacuating injured troops from the battlefield back to the main hospital at Camp Bastion.
Shadow Defence Secretary, Dr Liam Fox said: "Gordon Brown was warned about the shortfalls in helicopters in 2004, yet he went ahead and cut the helicopter budget anyway.
"This was a catastrophic decision when our forces were at war. Gordon Brown's talk about new helicopters for Afghanistan masks the reality that the fleet is still being overworked and that the numbers available for operations are too low.
"Once again our troops on the ground are suffering from Labour's incompetence."
Bill Rammell, the Armed Forces Minister, said: "All helicopter requirements on operations are being met.
"An entire helicopter fleet will never be fully available because some will always require servicing and routine maintenance.
"This is standard military practice and is factored into military planning.
"Since November 2006, we have nearly doubled the number of UK airframes available to commanders in Afghanistan, and over the same period the number of flying hours has increased by 137 per cent.
"In December 2009, the MoD announced that it will buy 22 brand new Chinooks with the first 10 being delivered by 2012/13."
Disclaimer statement
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied herein, DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Unless otherwise indicated, opinions expressed herein are those of the author of the page and do not necessarily represent the corporate views of DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News.

DTN News: Indian Navy, Last Week Commissioned First Indigenous 'Stealth' Frigate INS SHIVALIK

Defense News: DTN News: Indian Navy, Last Week Commissioned First Indigenous 'Stealth' Frigate INS SHIVALIK
Source: DTN News
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 3, 2010: India added new fire power and muscle to its Navy when Defence Minister A K Antony formally launched INS 'Shivalik' -- the S-class Frigate -- at the Mazagon Dock on Thursday. The Shivalik is a multirole stealth ship incorporating advanced signature suppression and signature management features along with both air defence and anti-sub marine capabilities.
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com
India added new fire power and muscle to its Navy when Defence Minister A K Antony formally launched INS 'Shivalik' -- the S-class Frigate -- at the Mazagon Dock on Thursday. The Shivalik is a multirole stealth ship incorporating advanced signature suppression and signature management features along with both air defence and anti-sub marine capabilities.
The 6200-kg INS Shivalik is the first indigenous stealth frigate that will join the Navy and will provide the sea wing the capability to launch surprise attacks on enemy target from very close range than other warships. Satellites can give inputs to the frigate on lurking enemy vessels and Shivalik can creep as close as possible to the target without being detected. It can then fire and scoot.
In fact, during sea trials, Indian battleships that tried trailing Shivalik could not detect it on their radar within a radius of 100 km.
Shivalik is one of the heaviest frigates in the world. Powering the ship is the LM 2500 Gas Turbine engines that can give it an enviable top speed in excess of 30 knots, enabling it to shoot and scoot at an impressive rate. The option to switch over the diesel engines gives the warship an endurance of over 9,000 km and it can sail non-stop without refueling for a month.
Shivalik will carry surface-to-surface Klub missile, surface-to-air Shtil and point defence Barak missile system. Though it does not torpedoes it has Sea King attack helicopters that can launch anti-submarine warfare.
Shivalik is designed in such a way that it has reduced radar reflections, changed geometry of structures on top, very few projections on the upper deck that is normally a giveaway for other fighter ships, muffled noise vibration as well as lower magnetic and heat signatures.
"This is one generation ahead of the Talwar class," said M D Suresh, captain of Shivalik.
Measuring 142.5 mt from bow to stern, Shivalik has a range of about 5,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 18 knots. On board manning the frigate would be 257 naval men, which includes 35 officers and 222 sailors. It can be at sea for almost a month without touching a port or mid-sea refuelling.
On major plus pointis that Shivalik can operate in a nuclear, biological, chemical weapons (NBC) environment. Its air filters do not allow any outside air to come inside in a NBC zone.
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com

DTN News: Pakistani Taliban Claim Failed New York Bomb Attack

Defense News: DTN News: Pakistani Taliban Claim Failed New York Bomb Attack
Source: DTN News / Reuters
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON / ISLAMABAD - May 3, 2010: The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attempted car bomb attack in New York's Times square, a statement on an Islamist website said on Sunday.
New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, left, discusses Saturday evening's Times Square incident while Chief of Department Joseph J. Esposito, right, listens during a news conference at One Police Plaza, Sunday May 2, 2010 in New York.
The statement said it was to avenge the killing of two Islamists and "Muslim martyrs."
"The Pakistani Taliban announced its responsibility for the New York attack in revenge for the two leaders al-Baghdadi and al-Mahajer and Muslim martyrs," said a statement on a website commonly used by Islamists.

SAIC Schedules First Quarter Fiscal Year 2011 Earnings Release and Conference Call For June 3, 2010

Defense News: MCLEAN, Va., May 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SAIC, Inc. (NYSE:SAI - News), a scientific, engineering, and technology applications company, will issue its first quarter fiscal year 2011 earnings press release after close of market Thursday, June 3, 2010. Management will discuss the financial results in a conference call beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern.

Analysts and institutional investors may participate on the conference call by dialing (800) 510-9661 (U.S./Canada) or (617) 614-3452 (International/Local) and entering passcode 37633811. The conference call will be webcast simultaneously to the public through a link on the Investor Relations section of the SAIC web site (http://investors.saic.com).

A replay of the conference call will be available by telephone approximately one hour after conclusion of the call through June 17, 2010 by dialing (888) 286-8010 (U.S./Canada) or (617) 801-6888 (International/Local) and entering passcode 37633811. In addition, a replay of the webcast will be available on the SAIC web site approximately two hours after the conclusion of the conference call.

About SAIC

SAIC is a FORTUNE 500® scientific, engineering, and technology applications company that uses its deep domain knowledge to solve problems of vital importance to the nation and the world, in national security, energy and the environment, critical infrastructure, and health. The company's approximately 45,000 employees serve customers in the U.S. Department of Defense, the intelligence community, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, other U.S. Government civil agencies and selected commercial markets. Headquartered in McLean, Va., SAIC had annual revenues of $10.8 billion for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2010. For more information, visit www.saic.com. SAIC: From Science To Solutions®

Statements in this announcement, other than historical data and information, constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be very different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in SAIC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 31, 2010, and other such filings that SAIC makes with the SEC from time to time. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

Contact:	Media Relations	Investor Relations
	Laura Luke	Mark Sopp
	703-676-6533	703-676-2283
	laura.luke@saic.com

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U.S. Navy Awards Northrop Grumman Follow-On Order for Shipboard Multimission Radar Systems

Defense News: MELVILLE, N.Y., May 3, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC - News) has received a follow-on order from the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command for additional AN/SPQ-9B shipboard radar systems.

Under the fixed-price $41.4 million contract option, Northrop Grumman's Maritime Systems facility in Melville, N.Y., will supply six radar shipsets, including the third radar of a three-system procurement for the Royal Australian Navy's Air Warfare Destroyer, and three antenna groups.

The follow-on order is part of a five-year $281.5 million contract awarded last October to Northrop Grummanwith options that encompass a number of ship classes including U.S. Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carriers,Ticonderoga-class cruisers and amphibious assault ships, the U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter, as well as the first international sale of SPQ-9B to the Australian Navy.

"The high-resolution X-band AN/SPQ-9B search radar sets greatly improve the ability to defend against small, high-speed threats, such as surface-skimming anti-ship missiles, and will be integrated with the ships' fire-control systems," said Todd Leavitt, director of Northrop Grumman's Maritime Sensors business unit. "This sensor is a key part of helping meet littoral and blue-water naval defense challenges, and we are committed to enhancing the multimission capability of surface ships, now and in the future."

The multimission radar is designed to detect small, fast-moving targets in the presence of clutter from ocean waves, rain and land returns, as well as chaff and jamming. Additional capabilities now in final development include 3-D volumetric search, demonstrated late last summer for the U.S. Navy in live aircraft tracking tests at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dam Neck Naval Base, Va.

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:

Tom Delaney
Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems
(410) 993-6454
thomas.delaney@ngc.com

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Xenonics To Release Second Quarter Results on Monday, May 17, 2010; Webcast Set For 11:00 a.m. EDT

Defense News: CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Xenonics Holdings, Inc. (NYSE Amex:XNN) today announced that it will release financial results for the second quarter ended March 31, 2010 on Monday, May 17, 2010 at approximately 7:30 a.m. EDT. Xenonics has scheduled a conference call at 11:00 a.m. EDT that morning to discuss its results for the quarter. The dial in number is (800) 299-7635 and the passcode is #43277075.

A simultaneous webcast of the conference call can be accessed from the Webcast Center of the Investor Relations link atwww.xenonics.com. A replay will be available after 1:00 p.m. EDT at this same Internet address. For a telephone replay, dial (888) 286-8010, passcode #26351685, after 1:00 p.m. EDT.

About Xenonics

Xenonics Holdings, Inc. (NYSE Amex: XNN) develops and produces advanced, lightweight and compact ultra-high-intensity illumination and low-light vision products for military, law enforcement, public safety, and commercial and private sector applications. Xenonics' NightHunter line of illumination products is used by every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces as well as law enforcement and security agencies. Its SuperVision high-definition night vision is designed for commercial and military applications. Employing patented technologies, Xenonics provides innovative solutions for customers who must see farther so they can do their jobs better and safer. Xenonics' products represent the next generation in small, high intensity, high efficiency illumination and low-light vision systems. Visit Xenonics on the web at www.xenonics.com.

Contact:

Company Contact:
Xenonics Holdings, Inc.
Alan Magerman, Chairman, 760-477-8900
xenonics@xenonics.com
or
Investor Contact:
Berkman Associates
310-826-5051
info@BerkmanAssociates.com

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