Boeing Completes Ultimate-Load Wing Test on 787

Defense News: EVERETT, Wash., March 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing(NYSE:BA - News) today completed the ultimate-load wing up-bending test on the 787 Dreamliner static test unit. During the testing, loads were applied to the airframe to replicate 150 percent of the most extreme forces the airplane is ever expected to experience while in service. The wings were flexed upward by approximately 25 feet (7.6 meters) during the test.

The initial results of the ultimate-load test are positive. More extensive analysis and review are required before the test can be deemed a success.

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"The test program has been more robust than any conducted on a Boeing commercial jetliner," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "It has taken countless hours of hard work by the Boeing team and our partners to work through the static test program. Everyone who has been involved in this effort over the past several years should be very proud of their contributions to ensuring the safety of the 787 Dreamliner.

"We are looking forward to the technical team's report on the details of the test results," said Fancher. It will take them several weeks to work through all of the data.

During each second of the more than two-hour test, thousands of data points were collected to monitor the performance of the wing. Key data points are monitored real-time during the test, but all of the data will be evaluated in the weeks ahead.

787 Dreamliner Background

The 787 Dreamliner is an all-new twinjet designed to meet the needs of airlines around the world in providing nonstop service between mid-size cities with new levels of efficiency. The airplane will bring improved levels of comfort to passengers with larger windows, bigger baggage bins and advances in the cabin environment, including lower cabin altitude, higher humidity and cleaner air. Delivery of the first 787 is planned for the fourth quarter of 2010.

Contact:

Lori Gunter

787 Communications

+1 206-931-5919

Photo and caption are available here: http://boeing.mediaroom.com

Related Headlines

• Stocks Set to Rise Despite Moscow Blast - at CNBC
• EADS to decide on U.S. tanker bid in 2-3 weeks: report - Reuters
• Boeing completes ultimate-load wing test on 787 - at MarketWatch
• Boeing Completes Ultimate-Load Wing Test on 787 - PR Newswire
• [audio] Before the Close from MarketWatch Radio Network [1.0 min] - at MarketWatch

EADS to decide on U.S. tanker bid in 2-3 weeks: report

Defense News: FRANKFURT (Reuters) - EADS (Paris:EAD.PA - News) could decide within the next two to three weeks whether it will bid for a contract to build aerial tankers for the U.S. Air Force, the head of the company's Airbus unit told a German newspaper.

"We can say that the decision on whether we will bid will likely be made within the next two to three weeks," Thomas Enders, chief executive of EADS's Airbus aircraft division, was quoted as saying by Financial Times Deutschland on Monday.

"The Pentagon has asked us to examine whether we want to make a bid, this time in a prime contractor role," Enders added.

The Pentagon said on Tuesday it remains in active talks with EADS on extending the May 10 deadline for aerial tanker bids, while Boeing Co (NYSE:BA - News) supporters in Congress seized on a WTO ruling to reject any deal with the parent of Airbus as reckless.

Northrop Grumman Corp (NYSE:NOC - News) and EADS beat out Boeing (NYSE:BA - News) to win the last competition just over two years ago, but Defense Secretary Robert Gates canceled the projected $35 billion deal after government auditors upheld a Boeing protest.

Related Headlines

• Stocks Set to Rise Despite Moscow Blast - at CNBC
• EADS to decide on U.S. tanker bid in 2-3 weeks: report - Reuters
• Boeing completes ultimate-load wing test on 787 - at MarketWatch
• Boeing Completes Ultimate-Load Wing Test on 787 - PR Newswire
• [audio] Before the Close from MarketWatch Radio Network [1.0 min] - at MarketWatch

Department of Defense Enhances Global Reach with SES WORLD SKIES

SES WORLD SKIES and DRS Technical Services team-up to support U.S. government connectivity demands worldwide from new state-of-the-art communications crossroads

Defense News: WASHINGTON D.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leveraging its advanced teleport and a long-term alliance with DRS Technical Services, SES WORLD SKIES, a division of SES S.A. (Paris:SESG - News)(LuxX:SESG), today announced it is hosting a new, mission-critical Department of Defense communications node near the nation’s capital.

By installing a Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) connection point at SES WORLD SKIES’ media port in Manassas, Virginia, the U.S. government has greatly enhanced its access to World Skies bandwidth and global connectivity. The advanced uplinking facility is a strategic communications crossroads with access to some of the most robust fiber and satellite networks, including the worldwide SES fleet and DRS Technical Services’ Global Communications Network (GCN).

DRS Technical Services, through its Global Enterprise Solutions business unit, is a primary communications services provider to the U.S. government, under the Defense Satellite Transmission Services – Global Procurement Program managed by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). Together with SES WORLD SKIES, DRS enables a broad range of mission-critical applications that enable real-time collaboration between headquarters and field operations around the world.

“The installation of a communications node within our Virginia teleport gives the U.S. government easy access to powerful global connectivity options,” explained Robert Bednarek, President and CEO of SES WORLD SKIES. “While the Defense Information Systems Network carries the majority of U.S. government voice, video and data traffic, government agencies increasingly depend on SES WORLD SKIES and DRS Technical Services for anywhere to anywhere communications.”

“For nearly a decade, SES WORLD SKIES and DRS Technical Services have joined forces to meet the growing global demand for government and enterprise communications services,” said Jim Scott, Vice President and General Manager of Global Enterprise Solutions for DRS Technical Services. “The DISN installation at the SES WORLD SKIES facility, just minutes from DISA, The Pentagon, and other strategic Capitol-area locations, opens the door to a new level of network expandability in virtually every corner of the world.”

About DRS Technical Services
DRS Technical Services Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of DRS Defense Solutions Inc., is headquartered in Herndon, VA and provides turnkey, full lifecycle communications and security systems to defense organizations as well as other federal and state government organizations. DRS Defense Solutions LLC is headquartered in Bethesda, MD and is composed of seven lines of business with more than 3000 employees around the globe. DRS Defense Solutions provides advanced products, services and systems integration in the areas of intelligence and sensor technologies, security, cyber warfare, sonar, communications, electronic warfare, training systems, satellite communications, control systems and unmanned technologies.

About SES WORLD SKIES
SES WORLD SKIES is the new global division of SES, created through the combination of the former SES NEW SKIES and SES AMERICOM. The company operates a fleet of 25 satellites - part of the 41 spacecraft of the SES group - delivering services as diverse as television distribution and broadcast, internet access, data transmission and business and government communications to customers worldwide. SES WORLD SKIES currently has five additional satellites under construction. The company’s unique customer-focused approach allows it to offer the best satellite solutions for a host of business and government requirements, with a view toward helping customers meet their short-term challenges and realize their longer-term goals. SES WORLD SKIES comprises a world-class team of customer care and technical professionals located in Princeton (NJ), The Hague, Washington D.C., Singapore, Beijing, London, Sao Paulo, Mexico City, Sydney, Accra and Johannesburg. Visit www.ses.com for more information.

About SES
SES (Paris:SESG - News)(LuxX:SESG) wholly owns the market-leading satellite operators SES ASTRA and SES WORLD SKIES as well as participations in Ciel in Canada, QuetzSat in Mexico and satellite infrastructure start-up O3b Networks. SES provides outstanding satellite communications solutions via a global fleet of 41 satellites in 26 orbital locations. For further information: www.ses.com

Contact:

SES WORLD SKIES
Yves Feltes
Media Relations
Tel: +352 710 725 311
Yves.Feltes@ses.com

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Russia raises airport security after blasts-RIA

Defense News: MOSCOW, March 29 (Reuters) - Russia's civil aviation regulator on Monday told all local airports to increase security after two bombs killed 37 people and injured 38 on the Moscow metro, a spokesman for the regulator said by telephone. (Reporting by Gleb Stolyarov, writing by Guy Faulconbridge, editing by Dmitry Solovyov)

TaxMasters, Inc. Recipient of 2010 Pro Patria Award From Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)

TaxMasters founder Patrick Cox receives 2010 Pro Patria Award from ESGR for support of the National Guard and Reserve

Defense News: HOUSTON, March 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) awarded TaxMasters, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board:TAXS.ob - News), the IRS tax relief company, with a Pro Patria Award on Thursday, March 25, 2010. Mr. Cox and Vice President of Sales Alex Clamonattended the ESGR Awards Banquet in Austin, Texas, as part of the National Guard Association of Texas Annual Conference.

Already recognized as a Patriotic Employer by ESGR, TaxMasters was one of six public and private companies in Texaschosen for a Pro Patria Award in 2010. Each ESGR Committee presents this award annually to employers in their state or territory who have exercised leadership and implemented exceptional personnel policies that accommodate employees who serve in the National Guardand Reserve.

"This award is special to us at TaxMasters," said Mr. Cox. "Thousands of volunteer citizen soldiers from all over the United States are being called on to serve their country overseas and at home during natural disasters. I see it is our obligation to make short- and long-term deployment as easy as possible on the Reservists, the Guardsmen, and their families back home. Though it's a small sacrifice compared to that of our service members and their families, it is essential in helping them serve their country."

Mr. Cox continued, "In particular, I want to recognize and thank Major Fred Hackett, TaxMasters' General Counsel for 3 years, who is currently deployed in Iraq with the 36th Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade. He's a close friend and we look forward to seeing him back home sometime this summer."

TaxMasters was also recently nominated for the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. This award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. Semi-finalists and finalists will be announced over the summer at www.freedomaward.mil and recipients will be recognized in September 2010.

About TaxMasters, Inc.

TaxMasters, Inc. (OTCBB:TAXS.ob - News), the IRS tax relief company, is the first publicly traded tax resolution firm in the United States. Started by Patrick R. Cox in 2001, TaxMasters offers services and counsel to taxpayers across the country facing seemingly insurmountable tax problems, and relief from substantial federal tax debt.

Employing over 300 people, TaxMasters leverages the expertise of ex-IRS agents, enrolled agents, attorneys, CPAs, and seasoned tax consultants ready to counsel and assist every day people with their specific tax problems today.

For more information about TaxMasters, Inc. and its commitment to help taxpayers in the United States solvetax problems, please visit www.txmstr.com.

Follow TaxMasters on Twitter at http://twitter.com/gotaxmasters.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any forward-looking statements, as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in this release (often identified by such words as "believes," "expects," "beginning," "intended," "planned") regarding future expectations, objectives, and plans for TaxMasters, Inc. are based on opinions and estimates of management at the time the statement was made. Various known and unknown factors may cause actual results to be materially different from the expected outcomes. TaxMasters, Inc. does not, as a matter of policy, update or revise forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary materially.

Company:
TaxMasters, Inc., Houston
DeWayne Logan
281.497.4226 x2061
Investors/Media:
Gregory FCA Communications
Paul Johnson
610.228.2113 Related Headlines TaxMasters, Inc. Recipient of 2010 Pro Patria Award From Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) - PR Newswire TAXMASTERS, INC. Files SEC form 8-K, Regulation FD Disclosure, Financial Statements and Exhibits - EDGAR Online IRS Relaxes Requirements, Opens Offer in Compromise Program to Thousands - PR Newswire TAXMASTERS, INC. Files SEC form 8-K, Regulation FD Disclosure - EDGAR Online TaxMasters' Patrick Cox Offers Insight and Outlook via Call with Investors - PR Newswire

B/E Aerospace Launches Industry's Lightest Weight Main Cabin Seating Platform; Wins Launch Awards from Nine Airlines and Leasing Companies

B/E Aerospace Launches Industry's Lightest Weight Main Cabin Seating Platform; Wins Launch Awards from Nine Airlines and Leasing Companies Initially Valued in Excess of $250 Million

Defense News: WELLINGTON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--B/E Aerospace (Nasdaq:BEAV - News), the world's leading manufacturer of aircraft cabin interior products and the world's leading distributor of aerospace fasteners and consumables, today announced that its new patented Pinnacle™ main cabin seating platform, the industry’s lightest full-featured seat, has been selected by nine airlines and leasing companies. These launch awards are initially valued in excess of $250 million, and are for economy class programs in new-buy Boeing B737, Airbus A320, and Boeing B787 aircraft. Deliveries are expected to begin during the latter part of 2010.

B/E Aerospace's Pinnacle seat platform utilizes advanced proprietary technologies that significantly reduce cost of ownership, simplify maintenance and increase overall passenger living space. The cost of ownership savings is a direct result of a 15 percent weight savings over the lightest seat on the market today, achieved through increased use of composites, an integrated lightweight comfort suspension system and a new design methodology that reduces parts by more than 25 percent. Pinnacle is designed for both narrow and wide-body aircraft, and can accommodate a variety of comfort features and options.

"We are gratified with the overwhelming response that we have received for the new Pinnacle seating platform,” said Amin J. Khoury, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of B/E Aerospace. “The wide variety of launch customers and aircraft types validates our design concept and demonstrates the importance of product innovation and weight reduction for the airlines. In addition to the launch awards, a number of our customers have expressed an interest in our Pinnacle seating platform across all narrow and wide-body aircraft types for both their new-buy and existing fleets. Airlines want to reduce seat weight without sacrificing comfort and over time, we believe Pinnacle has the potential to become the new industry standard for main cabin seating.”

“These awards strengthen our confidence of a recovery in orders in 2010 and a book-to-bill ratio in excess of one to one for the full year 2010. We believe the expected expansion of our backlog in 2010 will drive a significant increase in revenues, earnings and cash flows beginning in 2011,” concluded Mr. Khoury.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. B/E Aerospace's actual experience and results may differ materially from the experience and results anticipated in such statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include those related to the expected benefits from the HCS acquisition, changes in market and industry conditions and those discussed in B/E Aerospace's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which include its Proxy Statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. For more information, see the section entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" contained in B/E Aerospace's Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other filings. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made only as of the date of this news release and, except as required by federal securities laws, we do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

About B/E Aerospace

B/E Aerospace is the world’s leading manufacturer of aircraft cabin interior products and the world’s leading distributor of aerospace fasteners and consumables. B/E Aerospace designs, develops and manufactures a broad range of products for both commercial aircraft and business jets. B/E Aerospace manufactured products include aircraft cabin seating, lighting, oxygen, and food and beverage preparation and storage equipment. The company also provides cabin interior design, reconfiguration and passenger-to-freighter conversion services. Products for the existing aircraft fleet – the aftermarket – generate approximately 50 percent of sales. B/E Aerospace sells and supports its products through its own global direct sales and product support organization. For more information, visit the B/E Aerospace website at www.beaerospace.com.

Contact:

B/E Aerospace
Greg Powell, Vice President Investor Relations
+1-561-791-5000
greg_powell@beaerospace.com

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SpaceX Activates New Communication System aboard International Space Station for Control of Upcoming Dragon Spacecraft Visits

Defense News: HAWTHORNE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) announces the successful activation of its new Dragon spacecraft communication hardware aboard the International Space Station (ISS) during a series of operations conducted in January and March.

Dubbed the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Communication Unit, the new system will allow ISS crew members to monitor and command approaching or departing Dragon spacecraft during cargo delivery missions to the orbiting laboratory.

Astronaut Jeff Williams, Expedition 22 Commander (top), aboard the International Space Station, and engineers at SpaceX Mission Control in Hawthorne, California, perform activation and testing of SpaceX's new communications system for operations with upcoming Dragon spacecraft resupply missions to the ISS. Photo: Roger Gilbertson/SpaceX)

Space Shuttle Atlantis delivered the system hardware to the ISS during mission STS-129 in November 2009. The on-orbit checkout began January 25, 2010, when astronaut Jeff Williams, ISS Expedition 22 Commander, worked with ground-based team members at SpaceX headquarters and ISS mission control in Houston to power-up and check out the new system.

On March 11, SpaceX and NASA Houston performed an additional series of tests, using the new system to send communications between the ISS and the NASA Dryden ground station. This provided a baseline of the radio frequency performance and confirmed the first set of antennas performed as expected and is ready for mission operations. Additional testing is expected for a second set of antennas as well as ongoing verification of the overall system.

The tests employed live video and telemetry links from the ISS to verify the hardware's functionality, broadcast and reception signal strengths, and the system's stability over long-duration operations.

“The success of this series of tests speaks to our close collaboration with NASA as well as the SpaceX process that allowed the rapid development of this new hardware,” said Marco Villa, SpaceX Mission Operations Manager. “Furthermore, the January tests marked the first official joint operations between SpaceX Mission Control in California, and NASA Mission Control in Houston. Everything went smoothly, and we eagerly anticipate the upcoming Dragon visits to the ISS.”

Developed by SpaceX under a NASA Space Act Agreement, the new system allows for communication between the ISS and SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft while in the vicinity of the ISS. Its design leverages the abilities of the ISS communication systems, providing data exchange with ground-based mission control.

Designed from the beginning to transport crew, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft were selected by NASA to transport cargo to and from the ISS starting in 2011. The $1.6B contract represents 12 flights for a minimum of 20 tons to and from the ISS. The first demonstration flights under the COTS program are scheduled for 2010, following the inaugural launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.

About SpaceX

SpaceX is developing a family of launch vehicles and spacecraft intended to increase the reliability and reduce the cost of both manned and unmanned space transportation, ultimately by a factor of ten. With theFalcon 1 and Falcon 9 vehicles, SpaceX offers highly reliable/cost-efficient launch capabilities for spacecraft insertion into any orbital altitude and inclination. Starting in 2010, SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft will provide Earth-to-LEO transport of pressurized and unpressurized cargo, including resupply to the International Space Station.

Founded in 2002, SpaceX is a private company owned by management and employees, with minority investments from Founders Fund and Draper Fisher Jurvetson. The SpaceX team now numbers more than 900, with corporate headquarters in Hawthorne, California. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.spacex.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6229796〈=en

MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6229796

Contact:

SpaceX
Emily Shanklin, Director, Marketing and Communications
media@SpaceX.com
310.363.6733

Ex-divs to take 0.5 points off FTSE 100 on March 31

FTSE 100 Index

Defense News: LONDON, March 29 (Reuters) - The following FTSE 100 .FTSE

companies will go ex-dividend on Wednesday, after which investors will no longer qualify for the latest dividend payout.

 According to Reuters calculations at current market prices, the effect would be to take 0.49 points off the index.

  COMPANY                  (RIC)      DIVIDEND       INDEX IMPACT

                                 (pence)          (points) Eurasian Natural Res.   (ENRC.L)      6.00 U.S. cents 0.06 Segro                   (SGRO.L)      9.40            0.27 Smiths Group            (SMIN.L)     10.50            0.16

  Among the FTSE 250 .FTMC companies going ex-dividend is: Rank Group              (RNK.L)       1.35