Saab's Responsibility for the Provision of Spare Parts to the Swedish Armed Forces Continues

Source: SAAB ~ September 18, 2009,
STOCKHOLM, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News:
Saab's contract concerning the provision of spare parts to the Swedish Armed Forces has been extended for a further 3 years. The order is valued at MSEK 162.
Saab already had responsibility for the operation, development and streamlining of the provision of spare parts to the Armed Forces. In 2005, Saab took over the operation of the central warehouse in Arboga, and subsequently also took over the operation of all garrison warehouses. Following the release of the option held by the Armed Forces' Logistics, the existing contract has now been extended for 3 years, with Saab's commitment extending until the autumn of 2013.
"This is an important contract for us since it more than confirms our role as the Armed Forces' partner within the field of logistics supply, which is completely in line with our strategy," says Lars-Erik Wige, business unit manager, Saab Aerotech.
Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.
The information is that which Saab AB is required to declare by the Securities Business Act and/or the Financial instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication on September 18 at 11.00.
This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com
Contact:
Saab Press Centre
+46 (0)734 180 018
www.saabgroup.com

TechInsights' ESC UK Event Showcases Leading Companies and Technology Trends in the Electronics Industry

Premier Conference for System Engineers & Software Developers held at the UK's Tech Valley
TechInsights ~ September 18, 2009,
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- TechInsights, the daily source of essential business and technical information for the electronics industry's decision-makers, announces key aspects of the Embedded Systems Conference UK 2009 (ESC UK) as it debuts in the heart of the UK's tech industry. ESC UK, (http://www.embedded.com/uk) formerly the Embedded Systems Show (ESS), will take place October 6-8, 2009 at the FiVE International Show Centre in Farnborough, UK. The event conference unveils an internationally compelling event programme, a format designed for attendee professional development, and a high standard of technical content and speakers.
ESC UK 2009 attracts the industry's thought leaders, engineers and engineering managers, media and technology analysts, executives, financial analysts, venture capitalists, and many of the largest hardware and software companies. Event highlights include:
A technical programme featuring Industry luminary speakers consisting of 40+ classes and tutorials with a strong focus on professional development for system engineers, hardware designers and software developers.
Free Keynote Q&A Sessions on 'The State of Embedded', presenters include Jack Ganssle, Dan Saks, and Niall Cooling, and on 'The State of Microelectronics', presenters include representatives of Freescale Semiconductor, STMicroelectronics, NXP Semiconductor and Imagination Technologies.
"Build Your Own Embedded System" features the most significant embedded processor in many years from Intel®, the Atom(TM) running the first release of Windows Embedded Standard 2010 based on Windows 7 technology; event delegates take away a fully-functional embedded hardware platform based on the Intel Atom after an entire day of hands-on training.
Free lectures and training provided by various business experts and companies including NXP Semiconductor, Echelon, MKS, Numonyx, SQS Group, Parasoft and Vector Software.
For the first time, the event will take place in Farnborough due to its proximity to the UK's aerospace and defense industries, leading multinational OEMs in mobile communications and networks, and dozens of technology companies. Some of the largest and most influential tech companies have an onsite presence at ESC UK due to this strategic location. Key exhibitors involved in ESC UK are Agilent, Cadence, Farnell, Klocwork, and Perforce Software. The event is sponsored by Green Hills Software and Arrow Electronics.
Continuing 15 years of service in the UK market, ESC UK is now a fully integrated component of the ESC branded event program, which delivers highly successful events in Silicon Valley, Boston and India.
Event registration is free in advance and onsite. Discount delegate rates are available until 30th September.
About ESC UK (http://www.embedded.com/uk)
Held in key strategic technology development locations worldwide, the Embedded Systems Conference is the global electronics industry's leading event. With cutting edge product demonstrations, visionary speeches and hundreds of essential technical training classes and accreditation opportunities, ESC is the ideal venue for the design engineering community to learn, collaborate and recognize excellence. In addition, ESC UK celebrates decades of unique local electronics industry culture, innovation and significant contributions to the global technology industry.
About TechInsights (http://www.techinsights.com)
TechInsights, a division of United Business Media, is the global leader in media, marketing, and information services for the electronics industry. We deliver results for the key influencers and decision makers involved in the definition, development and commercialization of technology in the global electronics market. More than 1.1 million engineering professionals engage with the EE Times Network - EE Times, TechOnline, DesignLines, and Embedded.com - across Europe, India, Japan, Taiwan, mainland China and North America. As well, the technology community comes to our events to share, learn, discuss, and advance the critical issues and challenges facing the electronics industry.
For more information on TechInsights please contact:
Felicia Hamerman, Group Marketing Director
T: 516.562.5652, email: fhamerman@techinsights.com

U.S. replaces Bush plan for Europe missile shield

* Washington says examining alternative system
* Decision could aid U.S.-Russian relations
* U.S. Republican critic calls move "misguided"
* Officials repeat commitment to E.Europe security
* Seen as good news for Lockheed Martin, Raytheon
(Adds U.S. view on Iran missile development)
By Jeff Mason and Adam Entous
WASHINGTON, Sept 17 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Thursday scrapped a Bush-era missile defense plan for Europe that Russia had bitterly opposed and offered what he said would be faster, more flexible defense systems to protect against Iran.
In a move that could spur fears of resurgent Kremlin influence, Obama said he had approved recommendations from U.S. military leaders to shift focus to defending against Iran's short- and medium-range missiles.
"This new approach will provide capabilities sooner, build on proven systems and offer greater defenses against the threat of missile attack," Obama said, dropping plans of his White House predecessor George W. Bush for ground-based interceptors in Poland and a related radar site in the Czech Republic.
Under the new plan, the U.S. would initially deploy ships with missile interceptors and in a second phase would field land-based defense systems.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev hailed the decision, which removed an issue clouding U.S. efforts to enlist Russian support on Afghanistan, Iran and nuclear arms control.
"We value the U.S. president's responsible approach towards implementing our agreements," Medvedev said in an address shown on national television. "I am ready to continue the dialogue."
Critics accused the White House of dangerous weakness.
Senator John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate who lost to Obama in 2008, blasted the move as "seriously misguided" and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, a leading Bush-era hawk, was scathing.
"It's just unambiguously a bad decision," Bolton said. "Russia and Iran are the big winners. I just think it's a bad day for American national security."
The Bush administration had proposed the system amid concerns Iran was trying to develop nuclear warheads it could mount on long-range missiles. But Russia saw it as a threat to its own missile defenses and overall security.
Obama's move toward a more flexible shield for Europe was good news for Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N), the Pentagon's No. 1 supplier, and Raytheon Co (RTN.N), the world's biggest missile maker. They build much of the hardware on which the revamped approach relies. It was bad news for Boeing Co (BA.N), prime contractor for the canceled installation of 10 two-stage ground-based interceptors in Poland. [ID:nB327847]
THE NEW APPROACH
Outlining Obama's new approach, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the United States would deploy Aegis-equipped ships with interceptors capable of shooting down ballistic missiles to defend both European allies and U.S. forces.
Gates said land-based defense systems would be fielded in a second phase starting in about 2015. [ID:nN17206172]
"Those who say we are scrapping missile defense in Europe are either misinformed or misrepresenting the reality of what we are doing," Gates said.
Signaling the administration's view it still has some breathing space, one U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Tehran was not expected to develop long-range missile capability before 2018.
Marine Corps General James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the Pentagon also envisioned eventually deploying a land-based radar as part of the system which would ideally be based in the Caucasus.
Obama's plan contains elements that may still upset Moscow -- interceptor missiles could still be stationed in Poland, and also in the Czech Republic, and a radar in the Caucasus is in an area Russia sees as its sphere of influence.
But the Pentagon played down those potential concerns, saying the SM-3 missile interceptors in the new system could not be tipped with nuclear warheads and the radar would be configured only to look south towards Iran, not deep into Russia as in the Bush plan.
Analysts said investors could see some long-term trade and other benefits if the U.S. missile decision improves relations with Russia, but noted that there were also risks if Moscow ended up in taking a more assertive posture. [ID:nL0688381]
Lockheed Martin shares were up 4.46 percent at $79.56 on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday. Raytheon was up 3.36 percent at $47.72 and Boeing Co was up 1 percent at $52.88.
NO QUID PRO QUO
The White House rejected Republican charges it had made a major concession to Moscow without winning anything in return. "This is not about Russia," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said, adding there was no quid pro quo expected.
But other Democrats said they hoped for a pay-off on Iran policy where Russia is seen as a reluctant partner in efforts to end Tehran's nuclear program.
"It is time for Russia to join our push to impose stricter sanctions on Iran," Democratic Senator Charles Schumer said.
Discarding Bush's missile shield plan could also remove an obstacle to winning a deal with Russia on a replacement for a major nuclear arms reduction treaty that expires in December.
Republicans -- who hope to build momentum against Obama after a summer dominated by angry debate over his healthcare reform plan -- wasted no time assigning blame.
"The reported decision to scrap missile defense for Europe sounds dangerously like a policy of appeasement," Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement.
Such fears were likely to grow in eastern European states, many of which had seen the large missile plan as a symbol of U.S. commitment to the defense against any encroachment by its former Soviet rulers 20 years after the end of communist rule.
Obama informed the Czech and Polish governments of his decision just hours before the announcement, officials said. In Poland, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said the United States would still go ahead with plans to station a battery of armed Patriot missiles on Polish soil. [ID:nLH691332]
Some European analysts said the U.S. move could help the traditionally pro-American region to build a more pragmatic relationship with both Washington and Moscow. [ID:nLH564738]
A senior Iranian government source said the move could signal a move away from what he called 'threats and confrontation' over Iran's nuclear program.
(Additional reporting by Jan Lopatka in Prague, Conor Sweeney in Moscow, Andrew Gray, Jim Wolf and Matt Spetalnick in Washington and Ross Colvin in Baghdad, Tim Hepher in Paris; Writing by Andrew Quinn; Editing by Patricia Wilson and Jackie Frank)

SAIC in Pentagon supply deal worth up to $1.1 bln

WASHINGTON, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Science Applications International Corp (SAI.N) has won a U.S. Defense Logistics Agency contract valued at up to $1.1 billion for supplies, the Defense Department said Thursday.
The goods will go to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies, the Pentagon's daily contract digest said.
It said this was the exercise of a fifth option year period, with work to be completed Sept. 10, 2010. (Reporting by Jim Wolf; editing by Steve Orlofsky)

U.S. Navy brings forward F-35 operation date

WASHINGTON, Sept 17 (Reuters) - The U.S. Navy said it planned to deploy the carrier-based version of Lockheed Martin Corp's (LMT.N) F-35 fighter six months earlier than previously planned. The decision to bring initial operation forward to the July-September period of 2014 could affect a campaign by Boeing Co (BA.N) to promote further purchases of its F/A-18 aircraft.
"The Navy has moved the initial operating capability date of the F-35C from fiscal year 2015 to the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014," Navy spokeswoman Lt. Callie Ferrari told Reuters on Thursday.
The U.S. government fiscal year ends Sept. 30.
"The initial operating capability will be the first time a squadron of F-35Cs will be deployable," Ferrari said.
Lockheed is building three variants of the F-35, including a conventional takeoff and landing version for the Air Force, a short-takeoff version for the Marine Corps and the C model to be used on Navy aircraft carriers.
Boeing has offered the U.S. Navy a discount price if the service commits to buying 150 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets over the next four to five years.
The Navy is wearing out its existing F/A-18s faster than expected, prompting some experts to predict it could face a fighter shortfall before the F-35 arrives in large numbers.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal-Esa; Writing by Tim Dobbyn; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)

USA School District Chooses RADWIN's Wireless Broadband Systems for High-Speed Connectivity

RADWIN 2000 Connects Schools and Provides High-Capacity at Most Cost-Effective Price
TEL-AVIV, Israel, September 18, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- RADWIN (http://www.radwin.com), a leading provider of wireless broadband solutions, today announced that the Baldwin City School District in Kansas, USA deployed its RADWIN 2000 High-Capacity solution. RADWIN 2000 was chosen to connect the district's schools and deliver the high-capacity connectivity needed to enable students to take state exams online. Computer Solutions of Omaha, Nebraska was the distributor and EduTech Systems of Leawood, Kansas was the System Integrator for the project.
"The State of Kansas has mandated online state assessments beginning in the 2009 school year and it is imperative that we have a high-bandwidth solution capable of handling heavy data traffic with zero disruptions." said Steve Hemphill, IT Director for the Baldwin City School District. "We chose RADWIN 2000 because it allowed us to carry our VOIP traffic as well as providing the speed and reliability we need for our data systems. With RADWIN 2000 we also reduce CAPEX and OPEX because the systems are just a fraction of the cost of microwave radios and eliminate recurring leased lines charges."
Paul Graff, President, EduTech Systems, said: "When I saw this opportunity, I knew that RADWIN 2000 was the perfect fit for this project. We've had great success with RADWIN's solutions in similar projects in the past. RADWIN 2000 is robust and easy to install, plus its price-performance ratio makes it an easy sell."
RADWIN 2000 provides a flexible combination of Ethernet and native TDM (up to 16 E1/T1s) at up to 100 Mbps net throughput at the most competitive price in the industry. RADWIN 2000 incorporates MIMO and OFDM technologies together with unique proprietary protocols to ensure unmatched robustness and resiliency in the sub-6 GHz bands. Extremely simple to install and maintain, RADWIN 2000 operates flawlessly in extreme temperatures and nLOS.
Ilan Moshe, President, RADWIN USA, stated: "RADWIN 2000 makes excellent sense for enterprises, education, health and public safety institutions that require high-capacity connectivity at a cost-effective price. With RADWIN's solutions organizations can connect buildings across large radius of up to 120 Km, and meet these organizations' objectives for high-capacity, reliability and security."
About Computer Solutions, Inc.
Computer Solutions is a distributor of wireless equipment for Wi-Fi Internet Hot Spots, Broadband Backhaul PTP, Broadband ISP/Campus, Broadband over Power Lines, Multipoint, Indoor/Outdoor WiMax and MESH Broadband Wireless LANs, Wireless Security & Surveillance.
http://www.csimicro.com
About EduTech Systems, Inc.
EduTech Systems is a full service company, offering expertise when installing twisted-pair, fiber optic and/or wireless based networks. EduTech provides on-site service and support for network systems, hardware and software. EduTech is the leading installer of wireless (802.11b) communication systems in the Midwest. EduTech will design and install a wireless network when wired alternatives will not fill your needs.
http://www.edutechsystems.com
About RADWIN
RADWIN delivers wireless backhaul and broadband access solutions in the sub-6GHz space, empowering carriers and service providers to connect subscribers everywhere. Whether voice, data, or video streaming, the company provides wireless broadband solutions of unrivaled performance, capacity, range, and quality at competitive prices. Established in 1997, RADWIN has installations in over 110 countries around the world. http://www.radwin.com
Sales Contact
Efrat Blaettner
Commercial Manager
RADWIN
Tel: +972-3-7662961
Email: sales@radwin.com
Media Contact
Tammy Levy
Marcom Manager
RADWIN
Tel: +972-3-7662916
Email: pr@radwin.com

Plex Systems to Exhibit at Design & Manufacturing Midwest Event, Sept 22 - 24, 2009; Rosemont, Il.

Plex Systems ~ September 17, 2009,
AUBURN HILLS, MI--(Marketwire - 09/17/09) - Plex Systems, Inc., provider of the #1 rated ERP software for manufacturers, will be a leading presence at the upcoming Design & Manufacturing Midwest event, Sept. 22-24, 2009 at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Il. The company will present an Innovation Brief, a panel discussion led by Plex Online users, and Plex Systems representatives will be on hand on the show floor at the company's booth, #2516.
The Design & Manufacturing Midwest event convenes thousands of manufacturing professionals from a variety of industries -- including automotive, aerospace/defense, and medical devices -- and showcases the latest advances in technology that can be used to increase their business's performance.
A highlight of the event is the Quality Presentation entitled "Software as a Service (SaaS): A Manufacturing Quality and Traceability Solution" moderated by Plex Systems Executive Vice President Tom Mackey. Scheduled for Sept. 24, 2009 at 1 p.m. in Hall A of the Stephens Convention Center, the informative panel takes an in-depth look at the SaaS model and how it contributes to improved quality and traceability. The panel includes representatives from Eagle Picher Technologies, Jagemann Stamping, iGear/NHK Spring Precision, Phoenix Logistics, and Ralco Industries who will share real-life examples of how SaaS ERP helps streamline and improve quality and traceability functions.
Plex Systems Director of Business Development John Billings will lead an Innovation Brief Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 12:00 Noon, Hall A, giving attendees a further look at the production and operations efficiencies they can achieve with Plex Online.
About Plex Systems, Inc.
Plex Systems, Inc. is the developer of Plex Online, a software as a service (SaaS) solution for the manufacturing enterprise and the only solution to achieve the prestigious Champion ranking in Aberdeen Group's 2009 "ERP in Manufacturing" AXIS report. Plex Online offers industry-leading features for virtually every department within a manufacturer, including Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) and Quality Management Systems (QMS) for the shop floor, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) for sales and marketing, Supply Chain Management (SCM) for procurement, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) for finance and management. Plex Online's fully-integrated model delivers a "shop floor to top floor" view of a manufacturer's operations, enabling management to run their business at maximum efficiency. Founded in 1995, Plex Systems is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, with customers around the globe. More information is online at www.plex.com.
Plex Systems and Plex Online are trademarks of Plex Systems, Inc.
Contact:
Contact:
Peggy Fenwick
Plex Systems, Inc.
734-516-6490
pr@plex.com

Patni Computer Systems Unveils Cloud Services Strategy

First Service Offering is a ‘Cloud Acceleration Program’ to Help Application Developers Transition to Public, Private or Hybrid Models
Patni Computer ~ September 17, 2009,
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Patni Computer Systems (BSE: PATNI COMPUT, NSE: PATNI, NYSE: PTI), a leading global IT and BPO services provider, today announced the first in a series of consulting and software services initiatives designed to help customers accelerate deployment to a cloud environment. The first offering, Patni’s Cloud Acceleration Program (CAP), gives independent service providers and application developers a structured, business-driven approach based on Patni’s proven process and methodologies that take the guesswork out of transitioning to cloud-based solutions.
Patni’s cloud initiatives aim to provide the needed guidance to customers facing challenges migrating to public, private or hybrid cloud-based models. Leveraging more than 30 years of IT experience, Patni is rolling out cloud services, starting with the CAP program. The initiative is designed to contain customers’ IT costs, protect critical assets, plan for disaster recovery, integrate global business processes, and advance business continuity and business agility.
“Companies are trying to determine both the technical and financial merits of pursuing a cloud-based approach for all aspects of their IT footprints,” said Satish Joshi, Executive Vice President and Global Technology Head, Patni Computer Systems. “Patni’s cloud services initiatives will help customers make informed choices about their IT environments to ensure a smooth, rapid transition to the cloud while minimizing risk and keeping operating expenses in check.”
Patni developed the CAP methodologies by tapping its experience working with hundreds of clients around the world on sophisticated IT implementations. Utilizing its knowledge of high-level processes, infrastructure components, applications and portfolio rationalization techniques, Patni can remove obstacles to reduce the risk and cut the cost of cloud deployments by more than 25 percent.
The comprehensive CAP program produces three major components: an applications architecture, an ROI analysis and an IT governance model which address two of the biggest concerns customers have about cloud implementations: ongoing control and security of their enterprise data. The program also features an ecosystem of providers that developers will be able to work with for transition.
The integrated approach is run by experts from both applications and infrastructure, allowing for business benefits to be realized at a faster pace. The program allows for a single contract with clearly defined areas of responsibility between Patni and the selected infrastructure providers.
Patni is currently running CAP pilots with a broad range of Global 2000 companies representing multiple industry segments including insurance, manufacturing, chemical processing and wholesale distribution.
About Patni Computer Systems
Patni Computer Systems Limited (BSE: PATNI COMPUT, NSE: PATNI, NYSE: PTI) is a global provider of IT Services and business solutions, servicing Global 2000 clients. Patni services its clients through its industry-focused practices, including banking, financial services (BFS) and insurance (I); manufacturing, retail and distribution (MRD); life sciences; communications, media and utilities (CMU), and its technology-focused practices.
With an employee strength of around 13,800; multiple global delivery centers spread across 12 cities worldwide; 27 international offices across the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific; Patni has registered revenues of US$ 719 million for the year 2008.
Patni’s service offerings include application development and maintenance, enterprise application solutions, business and technology consulting, product engineering services, infrastructure management services, customer interaction services & business process outsourcing, quality assurance and engineering services.
Committed to quality, Patni adds value to its clients’ businesses through well-established and structured methodologies, tools and techniques. Patni is an ISO 9001: 2000 certified and SEI-CMMI Level 5 (V 1.2) organization, assessed enterprise wide at P-CMM Level 3. In keeping with its focus on continuous process improvements, Patni adopts Six Sigma practices as an integral part of its quality and process frameworks.
Patni leverages its vast experience spanning three decades; deep domain expertise; full-spectrum services; and suites of IP-led solutions, methodologies and frameworks; in being an effective business transformation partner to its clients.
For more information on Patni, visit www.patni.com.
Safe Harbor
Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in earnings, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Patni has made strategic investments, withdrawal of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, and unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company.
Contact:
Patni Computer Systems
Tony Viola,
617-914-8255
Tony.Viola@patni.com
or
PAN Communications
Mike O’Connell / Andy Dear
978-474-1900
patni@pancomm.com

NATO expects close work with U.S. on missiles

BRUSSELS, Sept 17 (Reuters) - NATO said on Thursday it expected closer cooperation with the United States on developing anti-missile systems, but did not comment on reports that Washington will shelve plans for a missile defence shield in eastern Europe.
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he had spoken to U.S. officials on Thursday but did not react directly to the reports that Washington is backing away from its missile defence project involving sites in Poland and the Czech Republic, which has provoked Russian concerns.
"It is my clear impression that the American plans on missile defence will involve NATO as such to a higher degree in the future concerning the establishment of missile defence," he told reporters in Brussels.
"I highly appreciate that. I think it is in full accordance with the principle of solidarity within the alliance and the indivisibility of security in Europe."
He said closer integration on missile defence would be a positive step and in the interests of "our eastern allies within the NATO alliance."
Poland and the Czech Republic are among the countries from eastern and central Europe which joined NATO after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
NATO has been developing plans for defence against short- to medium-range missiles and has in the past cooperated with Russia to ensure such systems can work with each other.
Washington has said the plans for the Czech Republic and Poland were intended to defend against the possibility of a missile attack on Europe by a country such as Iran. NATO had been considering moves to complement the U.S. system to extend the area protected.
Dropping plans to station anti-missile systems in former Soviet bloc states would ease NATO's efforts to boost security ties with Russia, which Rasmussen again said was a priority for the alliance. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom)

Northrop Grumman Awarded Army Tactical Simulation Contract

Northrop Grumman Corp. ~ September 17, 2009,
HERNDON, Va., Sept. 17, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. Army's Constructive Simulations Division has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC - News) a contract to provide program management, training, testing, information technology and field support to its Tactical Simulation (TACSIM) program. TACSIM is the prime intelligence simulation for the Army as well as the joint services.
Under the terms of the three-year, $9 million contract, Northrop Grumman is responsible for software development and information assurance for TACSIM in Orlando, Fla., as well as support for 10 TACSIM sites worldwide. Northrop Grumman developed TACSIM and has been supporting the program for more than 20 years.
"In today's environment intelligence simulation and training are key force multipliers for successful operations around the globe," said Dave Guerrero, Northrop Grumman Technical Services' TACSIM program manager. "We have many years of experience supporting high fidelity simulations and we continue to apply the latest technologies to intelligence training. We will continue to provide superior program performance to the Army and the joint community for many years to come."
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:
Leah Smith
Northrop Grumman Technical Services
(703) 713-4616
leah.smith@ngc.com
Jeff Lacap
Northrop Grumman Technical Services
(703) 713-4488
jeff.lacap@ngc.com

Virgin Blue in talks for 30-50 Boeing planes-paper

SYDNEY, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Australian low-cost airline Virgin Blue (VBA.AX) is in talks with U.S. plane-maker Boeing (BA.N) to acquire between 30 and 50 single-aisle aircraft, The Age newspaper said on Thursday, quoting Virgin's chief executive. The daily quoted Brett Godfrey as telling an aviation gathering on Wednesday that Virgin Blue aimed to replace a large portion of its 65-strong 737 domestic fleet from 2011 onwards. Many of its existing planes are leased, The Age added.
"Now is the best time to do a deal," Godfrey was quoted as saying.
"We are in the market because the market is right and we don't want to miss the opportunity."
A Virgin Blue spokeswoman could not be immediately reached by phone for comment on the report. Boeing declined to comment, referring all questions to Virgin Blue. (Reporting by Mark Bendeich, Denny Thomas in Sydney and William Rigby in Seattle; Editing by Michael Urquhart)

Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Implements the RAPIDGate Program

Munitions Protection through Enhanced Perimeter Security
Source: Eid Passport, Inc. ~ September 17, 2009,
PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach has implemented the RAPIDGate® Program to increase security and streamline access for the thousands of vendors, suppliers, service providers and contractors who access the installation. The RAPIDGate Program, a product of Portland, OR-based Eid Passport, Inc., is an identity management and access control program. The program includes company enrollment, employee registration, employment status validation, identity authentication, background screening, biometric verification, and entry authorization for vendor, supplier, service provider and contractor employees that are not authorized a Common Access Card (CAC).
Utilizing Eid Passport’s patented program, employees who register for the program and successfully pass the background screening enjoy streamlined access to Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach.
“We are very pleased Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach has chosen the RAPIDGate Program, said Eid Passport CEO, Steve Larson. “With the station occupying 5,256 acres with considerable ammunition storage space, security is paramount. We look forward to providing the solution for access control and identity management to ensure protection of such a vital military resource.”
About the RAPIDGate Program
The RAPIDGate Program (www.RAPIDGate.com) provides a voluntary identity and access management solution for vendor, supplier, contractor and subcontractor personnel that enter secure facilities. It provides multiple layers of physical security checks including: validation of employment status, identity authentication, background screening, biometric verification, and entry authorization verification. Access control personnel can process RAPIDGate credential-holders in seconds, which improves gate efficiency, saves companies time and money, and improves customer satisfaction. One RAPIDGate Credential may be used to request access to multiple participating installations for even greater convenience, efficiency and return on investment. The RAPIDGate Program already serves thousands of companies and tens of thousands of RAPIDGate credential-holders who enjoy streamlined access into Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration facilities across the continental U.S. and Hawaii. The RAPIDGate Program contains products and services subject to U.S. Patent No. 6,779,721.
About Eid Passport
Eid Passport, Inc. (www.eidpassport.com) integrates leading-edge products and services into solutions that combine identity authentication, background screening and access management. Eid Passport’s products and services make facilities, assets, and people safer and more secure. By using Eid Passport’s RAPIDGate Biometric Enterprise Access Control Solution, highly secure facilities — such as military installations, government buildings, federal agencies, manufacturing and distribution sites, ports and commercial buildings — can increase security and streamline access for a variety of authorized personnel.
RAPIDGate and Eid Passport are registered trademarks of Eid Passport, Inc.
Contact:
Eid Passport, Inc.
Marion Olsen,
503-924-5324
molsen@eidpassport.com

New Release of GNATbench for Wind River Workbench Extends AdaCore's Eclipse Technology

Ada plug-in supports latest Wind River Workbench version
AdaCore ~ September 17, 2009,
NEW YORK, PARIS & FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AdaCore, a leading supplier of Ada development tools and support services, today announced a new release of its Ada Integrated Development Environment (IDE) plug-in, GNATbench 2.3.1. This new release supports Workbench 3.1 and VxWorks 6.7, the latest versions of Wind River’s Eclipse-based IDE and real-time operating system, offering real-time/embedded systems developers a sophisticated Ada programming environment tightly integrated into the Wind River Workbench development suite. It also supports Workbench 3.0 and VxWorks 6.6, allowing projects that have chosen those versions to upgrade to GNATbench 2.3.1 and take advantage of its new features.
The GNATbench plug-in provides editing, browsing, and building features for Ada development (including Ada 2005) using AdaCore’s GNAT Pro toolset on the Eclipse platform. The builder produces executables for native systems and embedded processors (in the context of Wind River Workbench), and likewise the debugger supports both native and embedded system debugging.
GNATbench 2.3.1 has introduced a variety of enhancements that help Ada software development run more smoothly. Creating new Workbench projects for Ada is now much simpler and more robust; there is no need to duplicate the use of new-project wizards in both Workbench and GNATbench. Error handling in the Import Wizard is friendlier, since GNATbench parses an imported project file for errors before attempting the import. The sharing of projects among multiple developers using distinct Workbench (Eclipse) workspaces is simplified, since the values of a project's scenario variables (when changed from their defaults) are now stored in workspace-persistent variables. And as an open source project, the code of the implementation has been reorganized so that users wishing to extend the implementation can clearly identify which parts may be relied upon to remain stable in the future.
“AdaCore is pleased to be able to support the latest versions of Workbench and VxWorks in our new release of GNATbench,” said Dr. Patrick Rogers, GNATbench Project Lead. “Ada is a key language for developers of real-time embedded systems using Workbench on Wind River platforms, and GNATbench provides Ada programmers with an intuitive and productive extension to Workbench. We look forward to continuing GNATbench enhancements in the future.”
“GNATbench’s support for our latest version of Workbench will be a great benefit to our Ada customers,” said Mr. Rob Hoffman, Vice President and General Manager of Aerospace and Defense at Wind River. “We like our corporate partners to stay in sync with our product releases, and we appreciate AdaCore’s consistent history of supporting new Wind River products and version releases as soon as they become available.”
About AdaCore
Founded in 1994, AdaCore is the leading provider of commercial software solutions for Ada, a state-of-the-art programming language designed for large, long-lived applications where safety, security, and reliability are critical. AdaCore's flagship product is the GNAT Pro development environment, which comes with expert on-line support and is available on more platforms than any other Ada technology. AdaCore has an extensive world-wide customer base; see http://www.adacore.com/home/company/customers/ for further information.
Ada and GNAT Pro see a growing usage in high-integrity and safety-certified applications, including commercial aircraft avionics, military systems, air traffic management/control, railroad systems, and medical devices, and in security-sensitive domains such as financial services. The SPARK Pro toolset, available from AdaCore, is especially useful in such contexts.
AdaCore has North American headquarters in New York and European headquarters in Paris. www.adacore.com
Contact:
AdaCore
Jamie Ayre
press@adacore.com
or
Rainier Communications (for AdaCore)
Jessie Glockner,
508-475-0025 x140
adacore@rainierco.com

Ceradyne, Inc. Receives $8 Million ESAPI Order

Ceradyne, Inc. ~ September 17, 2009,
COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ceradyne, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRDN - News) received an $8 million ESAPI (Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts) order which is expected to be shipped in the first quarter of 2010. This order is a delivery order issued by the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia against a larger ID/IQ (Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity) three-year contract issued in December 2007. Ceradyne’s practice is to only book firm delivery orders such as the above $8 million as backlog for scheduled delivery.
David P. Reed, Ceradyne President North American Operations, commented: “We are very pleased to have received this order and will continue to ship this ESAPI product on time with the high standards of quality required. The government ordered the maximum quantity on this contract and this delivery order closes the contract. Ceradyne expects to bid further ESAPI sustainment business on a new Request for Quotation expected in the fourth quarter of 2009.”
Ceradyne develops, manufactures and markets advanced technical ceramic products and components for defense, industrial, automotive/diesel, and commercial applications. Additional information about the Company can be found at www.ceradyne.com.
Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future performance of Ceradyne that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “future,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact:
Ceradyne, Inc.
David P. Reed
President, North American Operations
714-549-0421, x8245
or
Silverman Heller Associates
Phil Bourdillon/Gene Heller
310-208-2550

AMR Corporation Takes Significant Steps to Face Near-Term Challenges

Substantially Increases Liquidity and Continues to Lay the Foundation for Network and Fleet of the Future Company Announces $2.9 billion in Additional Liquidity and New Aircraft Financing; Strengthens Network at Hub Cities and Makes New Strides on Fleet Renewal
AMR Corporation ~ September 17, 2009,
FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Editor's Note: AMR's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gerard Arpey, and its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Thomas Horton, will make a presentation to analysts regarding matters covered in this press release during a teleconference on Thursday, September 17 at 9 a.m. EDT. To access the Webcast of the teleconference, visit the Investor relations section of AA.com. Following the analyst call, they will hold a question-and-answer conference call for media. Reporters interested in listening to the presentation or participating in the media Q&A should call 817-967-1577.
AMR Corporation (NYSE: AMR - News) , the parent company of American Airlines and American Eagle, today announced a series of actions that will better position it to meet the industry's near-term economic challenges while continuing to build on its foundation and strategy for long-term success.
The Company has obtained a total of $2.9 billion in additional liquidity and new aircraft financing, announced plans to strengthen its network by reallocating capacity to hubs in Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, Miami and New York, and will enhance its fleet to better serve customers.
The $2.9 billion consists of: $1.3 billion in new liquidity, including $1 billion in cash from the advance sale of AAdvantage(TM) frequent flyer miles to Citi and $280 million in cash under a loan facility from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) secured by owned aircraft; and $1.6 billion in sale-leaseback financing commitments from GECAS for Boeing 737s previously ordered by the Company. Regarding fleet renewal, American selected GE's GEnx-1B 74/75 engine for American's future 787 deliveries. The Company's progress with upcoming 737 deliveries and 787 engine selection are the latest examples of its commitment to renew its mainline fleet with more efficient aircraft and improve its product offerings.
American Eagle announced plans to enhance its fleet. Eagle plans to add a First Class cabin to its fleet of 25 Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets and also signed a letter of intent with Bombardier, Inc. to exercise options for the purchase of 22 additional CRJ700 aircraft for delivery beginning in the middle of 2010. The new CRJ700 aircraft will be fully financed.
"Today's announcement positions our company well to face today's industry challenges and allows us to remain focused on the future and on returning to profitability," said Gerard Arpey, AMR's Chairman and CEO. "I want to thank our strategic business partners, GE and Citi, for their roles in these important developments and for their vote of confidence in our company. We have a long history of meeting our obligations to stakeholders, and we believe our track record played no small role in today's accomplishments."
"AMR is an important and long time customer in an industry we know well," said Jeff Immelt, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GE. "GE is very proud to be supporting a great company and a venerable American institution on its path to success."
"Our agreement with AMR illustrates our belief in and commitment to the highly successful 22-year partnership between two great American brands and companies," said Citi Chief Executive Officer Vikram Pandit. "More than that, it also demonstrates our commitment to invest capital for the good of the economy, the customers and communities we serve, and shareholders. Both companies will benefit from this industry-leading relationship for years to come."
Arpey added that AMR will remain disciplined with seating capacity in 2010 as it continues to seek the right balance between supply and demand. AMR's mainline capacity for 2010 is expected to increase by approximately 1 percent versus 2009, with domestic capacity flat and international capacity up approximately 2.5 percent year over year. AMR expects consolidated capacity to rise approximately 1 percent in 2010 versus 2009. Excluding the impact of 2009 cancellations from the H1N1 virus and the 2010 launch of Chicago-Beijing service, which was deferred from 2009, mainline capacity in 2010 is expected to be roughly flat compared to 2009.
Because affected employees would be given opportunities to relocate, the Company anticipates the overall employee impact of the network changes to be minimal, and it intends to mitigate potential job impact as much as possible, including the use of voluntary options where applicable. Said Arpey, "Today's announcement is obviously positive for the Company and our employees, as this new financing will help us navigate through a tough environment and lay the groundwork for future success. But we must remain mindful of the fact that being consistently profitable is the key to ensuring our long-term future. We believe our network and fleet strategies serve as important building blocks toward that goal by making us more competitive today and for the long haul."
Liquidity
In spite of challenging capital markets, throughout 2009 AMR has succeeded in completing several financings that have bolstered its liquidity and improved its financial flexibility. Today, the Company announced it has raised an additional $1.3 billion in liquidity by:
Amending an existing agreement under which AMR will receive $1 billion in cash from the advance sale of AAdvantage frequent flyer miles to Citi, American's long-standing credit card partner. The advance sale of AAdvantage miles largely will be treated as a loan for accounting purposes. Citibank has the right to use the miles in equal monthly installments over the 2012-2016 timeframe. The transaction provides other benefits for Citi, including an extension of the co-branded credit card program.
Obtaining a loan facility to receive $280 million from GECAS, secured by owned aircraft in American's fleet. The Company has received $225 million in cash under the facility, which is currently secured by 10 owned aircraft. The Company expects to pledge three more owned aircraft to secure the facility in October 2009 and to receive $55 million in additional cash proceeds at that time.
Of the $1.3 billion in new liquidity announced today, all but $55 million will be included in the Company's third quarter 2009 cash and short-term investment balance. The $2.9 billion in total liquidity and financing commitments announced today are in addition to the nearly $1.3 billion the Company raised earlier this year through both private and public financings on owned aircraft and the financing of new 737s to be delivered through 2011.
Network
American and Eagle are refocusing their collective network strategy by bolstering areas of strength to best meet the needs of customers. This strategy primarily aims to eliminate unprofitable flying and reallocate resources to hubs in Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, Miami and New York. These four cities, along with Los Angeles, serve as the cornerstones of the Company's network. American and Eagle plan to build on previous investments in those critical markets, which are expected to offer important feed and global synergies for American's planned Joint Business with British Airways and Iberia, and its other oneworld partners.
Planned network changes for the Summer 2010 schedule versus Winter 2009/2010 include:
Chicago
The Company will add 57 daily flights at O'Hare International Airport for a total of 487 daily departures. Customers will have access to 12 new domestic destinations and three new international destinations.
American has reaffirmed its commitment to Chicago as its primary Asia gateway and will start new service to Beijing, China in Spring 2010. Other new destinations will include mainline service to Honolulu; Anchorage, Alaska; and Vancouver, British Columbia. Eagle will offer new service to Calgary, Alberta; Allentown, Pa.; Scranton-Wilkes Barre, Pa.; Charleston, W.Va.; Dayton, Ohio; Fargo, N.D.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Lexington, Ky.; Harrisburg, Pa.; and Rapid City,S.D.
In addition, another service enhancement at O'Hare will occur as Eagle deploys most of its 25 CRJ700 aircraft, which will be reconfigured to offer a First Class cabin, in the Chicago market.
New York and Los Angeles
JFK will expand service to six new destinations, three international and three domestic. New mainline service includes Madrid, Spain; Manchester, England; San Jose, Costa Rica; and Austin, Texas. Eagle will introduce service to Columbus, Ohio and St Louis. Overall, JFK daily departures will grow by seven to 96, while two daily flights will be added at LaGuardia Airport. Combined, American and Eagle will offer nearly 200 daily flights at JFK and LaGuardia.
At Los Angeles, American and Eagle will add two daily flights for a total of 129. The Company's commitment to Los Angeles also complements its relationship with oneworld partners, which also have a significant presence in that market.
Dallas/Fort Worth
The Company remains committed to its largest hub and will add 19 daily departures for a total of 780. The increase will consist of 17 mainline jet departures. In addition, service to San Salvador, El Salvador will be re-instated after a two-year hiatus, bringing total non-stop destinations from DFW to 160.
Miami
At Miami, American and Eagle will add 23 additional flights for 294 total daily departures. Including changes that will take place by the end of 2009, Miami will serve four new domestic and three new international destinations. They are Birmingham, Ala.; Charleston, S.C.; Pensacola, Fla.; and Knoxville, Tenn., as well as North Eleuthera, Governors Harbour and Treasure Cay in the Bahamas.
St. Louis and Raleigh/Durham,N.C.
As a result of the Company's network strategy, American and its regional affiliates plan to reduce operations at St. Louis and Raleigh/Durham. At St. Louis, they will reduce daily departures by 46 and discontinue service to 20 destinations. After the reductions, American and Eagle will provide 36 departures per day to nine destinations.
In Raleigh/Durham, service to three destinations will be discontinued and a total of nine departures will be eliminated. Raleigh/Durham will continue to provide service to eight destinations with 44 departures per day.
Fleet
American and Eagle continued their commitment to renewing their respective fleets with more efficient aircraft and other improvements.
American has received a commitment for $1.6 billion in sale-leaseback financing from GECAS covering previously ordered 737s, as it continues to replace its MD-80 fleet with aircraft that are 35 percent more fuel efficient per seat. American plans to take delivery of 84 737s during 2009-2011, with 16 having already been delivered. This latest financing commitment means American has the ability to finance all of its remaining 737 deliveries through 2011 with traditional financing sources other than its existing backstop financing agreement.
American also announced it has selected GE Aviation as the provider of engines for its expected order of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. American previously announced plans to acquire 42 787-9s with the right to acquire 58 additional 787s, which Boeing estimates are 20 percent more fuel efficient than the widebodies they would replace. In addition to supporting widebody replacement, the 787s are expected to support the growth American expects in the future from its planned Joint Business with British Airways and Iberia.
The fleet enhancements also extend to the Company's regional fleet. Eagle's plan to add First Class cabins to its 25 CRJ700 aircraft, which are expected to be available for service beginning in mid-2010, would complement the planned addition of the 22 new CRJ700 aircraft, which would also offer two-class service.
For further information on the terms of the Citibank and GECAS financing transactions and other information, please refer to AMR Corporation's and American Airlines Inc.'s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities Exchange Commission today.
Statements in this release contain various forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which represent the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events. When used in this document, the words "expects", "plans," "anticipates," "indicates," "believes," "forecast," "guidance," "outlook", "may," "will," "should", "seeks", "targets" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company's expectations concerning operations and financial conditions, including changes in capacity, revenues, and costs; future financing plans and needs; the amounts of the Company's unencumbered assets and other sources of liquidity; fleet plans; overall economic and industry conditions; plans and objectives for future operations; regulatory approvals and actions, including the Company's application for antitrust immunity with other one world alliance members; and the impact on the Company of its results of operations in recent years and the sufficiency of its financial resources to absorb that impact. Other forward-looking statements include statements which do not relate solely to historical facts, such as, without limitation, statements which discuss the possible future effects of current known trends or uncertainties, or which indicate that the future effects of known trends or uncertainties cannot be predicted, guaranteed or assured. All forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. This document includes forecasts of unit cost and revenue performance, fuel prices and fuel hedging, capacity and traffic estimates, other income/expense estimates, share count, statements regarding the Company's liquidity, and statements regarding expectations of regulatory approval of our application for antitrust immunity with other oneworld members, each of which is a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations. The following factors, in addition to other possible factors not listed, could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements: the materially weakened financial condition of the Company, resulting from its significant losses in recent years; weaker demand for air travel and lower investment asset returns resulting from the severe global economic downturn; the Company's need to raise substantial additional funds and its ability to do so on acceptable terms; the ability of the Company to generate additional revenues and reduce its costs; continued high and volatile fuel prices and further increases in the price of fuel, and the availability of fuel; the Company's substantial indebtedness and other obligations; the ability of the Company to satisfy existing financial or other covenants in certain of its credit agreements; changes in economic and other conditions beyond the Company's control, and the volatile results of the Company's operations; the fiercely and increasingly competitive business environment faced by the Company; potential industry consolidation and alliance changes; competition with reorganized carriers; low fare levels by historical standards and the Company's reduced pricing power; changes in the Company's corporate or business strategy; government regulation of the Company's business; conflicts overseas or terrorist attacks; uncertainties with respect to the Company's international operations; outbreaks of a disease (such as SARS, avian flu or the H1N1 virus) that affects travel behavior; labor costs that are higher than those of the Company's competitors; uncertainties with respect to the Company's relationships with unionized and other employee work groups; increased insurance costs and potential reductions of available insurance coverage; the Company's ability to retain key management personnel; potential failures or disruptions of the Company's computer, communications or other technology systems; losses and adverse publicity resulting from any accident involving the Company's aircraft; changes in the price of the Company's common stock; and the ability of the Company to reach acceptable agreements with third parties. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (as updated by the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 21, 2009), and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009.

Cubic Announces New Use for Air Combat Training Technology: Precision Bomb Testing

Cubic Corporation ~ September 17, 2009,
SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - 09/17/09) - Cubic Defense Applications Inc., the defense systems business of Cubic Corporation (NYSE:CUB - News), announced a new application for its airborne instrumentation pods used during air combat training. Under a new contract, Cubic will furnish GPS-based airborne pods to The Boeing Company for use in flight-testing Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kits.
The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kit is used to convert unguided free-fall bombs into precision guided "smart" weapons. Several international customers have purchased Boeing's JDAM equipment, creating a need for a deployable test and evaluation tool.
Cubic will develop an independent Time Space Position Information (TSPI) system as a truth source for fighter test aircraft. The TSPI system will initially be used in JDAM/aircraft integration efforts on the Republic of Korea Air Force's KF-16 and the Royal Saudi Air Force's F-15S, as well as other international JDAM integration programs. Cubic will adapt its current-generation airborne instrumentation pods for the TSPI system and add capability to its ground system hardware and software.
"Cubic's ACMI pods provide an off-the-shelf solution for the Testing & Evaluation market," commented Philip J. Fisch, senior director of business development for Cubic Defense Applications. "This is an impressive new use for our existing technology."
Cubic expects to complete deliveries by early 2010.
Cubic Defense Applications, Inc. is part of Cubic Corporation's defense segment. Cubic is a world leader in realistic combat training systems, mission support services and defense electronics. The corporation's other major segment, Cubic Transportation Systems, designs and manufactures automatic fare collection systems for public mass transit authorities. For more information about Cubic, see the company's website at www.cubic.com.
Contact:
Contact:
Jan Stevens
858-505-2174
jan.stevens@cubic.com

10th Kettering Kickoff Robotics Contest is Saturday, Sept. 19, in Flint

Kettering University ~ September 17, 2009,
FLINT, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 10th Kettering Kickoff FIRST Robotics Competition will attract 42 of the region’s best high school robotics teams to Kettering University on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Flint. The 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. event is free and open to the public in Kettering’s Recreation Center.
“This year’s game is called Lunacy, in honor of the 40th anniversary of the first lunar walk on the moon in 1969,” said Kettering Kickoff Founder Bob Nichols. “It’s been 10 years of FIRST fun.”
Teams competing at the 10th Kettering Kickoff are:
Team RUSH, Clarkston, Mich.
Killer Bees, Auburn Hills, Mich.
Chief Delphi, Pontiac, Mich.
Delphi ELITE, Warren, Ohio
Truck Town Thunder, Ortonville, Mich.
More Martians, Goodrich, Mich.
Team R.O.B.O.T.I.C.S., Holland, Mich.
ThunderChickens, Sterling Heights, Mich.
Dabears, Berkley, Mich.
Dragons, Lake Orion, Mich.
Megatron Oracles, Flint, Mich.
F.I.R.E., Flint, Mich.
Xtreme Eagles, Romulus, Mich.
Knight Riders, Flint, Mich.
Baker Explorers, Flint, Mich.
Las Guerrillas, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
Martians, Goodrich, Mich.
Frog Force, Novi, Mich.
Robostangs, Northville, Mich.
Team Phoenix, Saginaw, Mich.
Advanced Power, Allen Park, Mich.
Lightning Robotics, Canton, Mich.
Powers Chargers, Flint, Mich.
Foley Freeze, Madison Heights, Mich.
Sinclair Sprockets, Whitby, Ontario, Canada
Gearheads, Grosse Pointe, Mich.
Dragons, Swartz Creek, Mich.
G.R.A.Y.T. Leviathons, Fenton, Mich.
The Desperate Penguins, Okemos, Mich.
Metal Muscle, Flint, Mich.
The Fighting Pi, Armada, Mich.
Firebots, West Branch, Mich.
Gearheads, Redford, Mich.
The Oxford RoboCats, Oxford, Mich.
HAZMATs, Lake Fenton, Mich.
EngiNERDS, Grand Blanc, Mich.
Metal & Soul, Capac, Mich.
The Syntax Errors, Waterford, Mich.
The Charge, Midland, Mich.
Crevolution, Sterling Heights, Mich.
Finney Highlanders, Detroit, Mich.
FIRST -- For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology -- is a national effort to inspire youth to explore career possibilities in engineering, science and technology. FIRST robotics pits teams in a head-to-head competition between large radio-controlled robots built by teams of high school students and sponsoring engineers and teachers.
Each year, the Kettering Kickoff helps high school teams "kick off" the start of their competition season by using the game, rules and robots of the previous year’s national competition.
For more on the Kettering Kickoff, visit: www.KetteringFIRST.com.
Contact:
Kettering University
Patricia Mroczek, 810.762.9533
pmroczek@kettering.edu

Alpine Air Announces Gross Profit Increase

Alpine Air Express ~ September 17, 2009,
Alpine Air Express Inc. PROVO, UT--(Marketwire - 09/17/09) - Alpine Air Express, Inc. (OTC.BB:APNX - News), announced today that its operating subsidiary, Alpine Aviation Inc., posted its 10-Q for the quarter ending July 31, 2009. The Company's gross revenue for the quarter was $4,823,402, an 8% decrease from the same period in 2008, and its gross profit was $1,037,177, a 46% increase from the same period in 2008. The decrease in revenue and increase in profit are primarily attributable to the reduction of the Company's routes in the Hawaiian Islands.
Gene Mallette, CEO of Alpine Air, commented, "Naturally we're very excited about our profit increase during what were transitional months. Alpine realized over a million dollar return this quarter while shifting gears and we're thankful for the great effort on behalf of our management team and excellent staff of pilots and ground personnel. Having moved operations out of Hawaii, we're concentrating on our core routes in the intermountain west, while simultaneously and conservatively at the ready for new opportunities. We're fortunate to be realizing increasing profits while possessing operational availability for future prospects."
Mr. Mallette added, "Alpine decreased its total direct operating costs in fuel and most other expense categories, as a result of the termination of operations in Hawaii. As announced earlier this week, our Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota airmail contracts have extended for an additional 6 years, generating in excess of $72 million in contracted revenue."
Founded in 1975, Alpine Aviation, Inc., d/b/a Alpine Air, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alpine Air Express Inc., provides air cargo transportation services in the United States, and is currently operating in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. In addition to air cargo transportation, the Company flies charters for other cargo carriers, provides maintenance service on aircraft owned and operated by third parties, leases aircraft, and operates a First Officer Training Program.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements including the Company's beliefs about its business prospects and future results of operations. These statements involve risks and uncertainties. Among the important additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those forward-looking statements are risks associated with the overall economic environment, changes in anticipated earnings of the company and other factors detailed in the company's filings with the SEC. In addition, the factors underlying company forecasts are dynamic and subject to change and therefore those forecasts speak only as of the date they are given. The company does not undertake to update them; however, it may choose from time to time to update them and if it should do so, it will disseminate the updates to the investing public.
Contact:
Contact Information:
Alpine Air Express, Inc.
1177 Alpine Air Way
Provo, Utah
84601(801) 373-1508
(801) 377-3781 (fax)

IATA more upbeat on premium air travel demand

PARIS, Sept 17 (Reuters) - There are "signs of an upturn" in the number of airline passengers travelling first or business class -- a measure of business confidence and the most lucrative sector for carriers, an industry body said on Thursday.
Latest July statistics from the International Air Transport Association add to flickering signs of recovery in the economy but offer little relief for battered finances of airlines themselves since yields remain low, the Geneva group said.
In July the number of premium travellers on international markets fell 14.1 percent compared with the same month last year, but this was less than the 21.3 percent decline in June.
"Premium travel correlated with world trade which bottomed in May and started rising in June, but further rises are forecast to be relatively weak," IATA said in a monthly report.
Yields, or average revenue per seat sold, fell 23 percent in July and premium revenues fell 35-40 percent, IATA said.
Economy travel fell 1.2 percent in July.
"Passenger numbers are now starting to turn up but there is a long way to go before activity returns to levels seen in 2007 and early 2008," IATA said.
"Moreover, with economic growth forecast to be relatively weak and much excess capacity (in the market), the problem of low yields remains."
On Tuesday IATA raised its forecast for total airline losses in 2009 by $2 billion to a record $11 billion. [ID:nN151702].
(Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by Mike Nesbit)

U.S. to shelve Europe missile shield plans - WSJ

* White House to shelve missile plans - WSJ cites sources
* Poland says serious chances system will not be deployed
* Moscow says waiting for confirmation
* Czech government to make statement at 1000 GMT
(Adds comments, company details on possible compromises)
By Guy Faulconbridge
MOSCOW, Sept 17 (Reuters) - The United States will shelve plans to deploy anti-missile systems in Poland and the Czech Republic, a step that would ease tensions with Russia, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.
If confirmed, the move by U.S. President Barack Obama's administration would cheer Moscow but could raise concerns in Eastern European countries which have looked to Washington for support against their former imperial master Russia.
Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Andrzej Kremer told Reuters on Thursday that Warsaw had heard from different sources there were "serious chances" the U.S. anti-missile system would not be deployed in Poland.
Russian officials said they did not want to immediately comment on media reports that cited unidentified U.S. officials.
"We are waiting for confirmation of these reports," a source in Russia's Foreign Ministry said. "In principle, such a development would help the development of our bilateral relations with the United States."
The newspaper said the decision followed a review ordered by Obama of plans for a shield that George W. Bush's administration said was intended to protect the United States and its European allies from missiles launched from Iran or North Korea.
Obama called Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer on Wednesday night to discuss missile defence, said Fischer's spokesman, who added that the Czech government would make a statement at around 1000 GMT.
Polish and U.S. officials completed their talks on missile defence in Warsaw on Thursday and were expected to issue a statement later in the day, Kremer said.
Obama, who is due to meet Kremlin chief Dmitry Medvedev next week in New York, says he wants better ties with Russia so that the two former Cold War foes can cooperate on Afghanistan and reducing the risk of nuclear proliferation.
IRANIAN MISSILES
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, who is visiting Baghdad, declined to comment on the Journal's report.
The newspaper said Washington now believes that Iran's long-range missile program has not progressed as rapidly as previously estimated, reducing the threat to the United States and European allies.
The Journal said the Obama administration had concluded that U.S. allies in Europe -- including NATO members -- face a more immediate threat from Iran's short and medium-range missiles.
The Kremlin said Bush's plans to deploy 10 two-stage interceptor missiles in Poland plus a related radar station in the Czech Republic were a direct threat to national security because they could neutralise Russia's nuclear deterrent.
Washington has insisted the plan was not directed against Russia, but U.S. companies such as Boeing Co (BA.N) and Raytheon Co (RTN.N) have been working on possible compromises involving mobile or sea based missile defence systems. [ID:nB327847]
The paper said the United States will order a shift towards the development of regional missile defences for Europe that would be less controversial for Russia.
If the United States does shelve its missile plans, it would please the Kremlin but likely raise alarm in eastern Europe, which is still deeply suspicions of Moscow.
Reports said an announcement would be made on Thursday, the 70th anniversary of the 1939 Soviet invasion of Poland.
"This is very saddening that it happens on September 17. I hope this is just a coincidence," said Witold Waszczykowski, deputy head of Poland's National Security Bureau, which advises to the president, told Reuters.
"This is very bad -- without the shield we are de facto loosing a strategic alliance with Washington. Let's hope the Patriots will arrive, but who knows," he said. (For a factbox on the planned missile shield [ID:nL0466923])
(Additional reporting by Conor Sweeney in Moscow, Gabriela Baczynska in Warsaw, Mohammad Zargham in Washington and Ross Colvin in Baghdad; Writing by Guy Faulconbridge and Michael Stott; Editing by Ralph Boulton)