UPDATE 2-Boeing delays Dreamliner test flight again

* Boeing 787 delayed
* First flight and delivery will be rescheduled
* Company will update financial outlook in July
* Shares fall more than 7 percent

By Kyle Peterson
CHICAGO, June 24 (Reuters) - Boeing Co (BA.N) on Tuesday said the first test flight of its long-delayed 787 Dreamliner would be postponed again, a move sure to disappoint investors and customers who have ordered the revolutionary carbon-composite aircraft. In a statement, the No. 2 planemaker did not give a new date for the first flight or the first delivery, which also would be rescheduled. The aircraft, already two years behind its original schedule, was to fly for the first time in the second quarter of 2009.
Boeing said it delayed the test flight to reinforce an area within the side-of-body section of the aircraft.
"Structural modifications like these are not uncommon in the development of new airplanes, and this is not an issue related to our choice of materials or the assembly and installation work of our team," Scott Carson, chief executive of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said in a statement.
Boeing shares fell 7.8 percent, or $3.66, to $43.25 on the New York Stock Exchange.
The date of the first test flight has been delayed five times because of production problems and a two-month labor strike. The latest postponement could be a blow to the credibility of the company and its CEO James McNerney, who said as recently as May that the plane would fly in June.
"It's a setback that's going to disappoint investors. Boeing's shares will suffer a near-term setback," said Jack Ablin, chief investment officer at Harris Private Bank.
"I'm hopeful that this issue can be resolved quickly," Ablin said. "But my sense is that if it's big enough to delay the introduction, then this is a serious concern."
Boeing said its financial outlook would be updated in July to reflect any impact from the new delay.
Chicago-based Boeing and rival Airbus (EAD.PA) are being hit hard as carriers and cargo operators grapple with economic difficulties in many parts of the world. So far this year, Boeing has seen a net 45 cancellations for the 787.
In early June, Boeing said it had more than 50 customers who have placed orders for more than 850 of the airplanes.

Boeing had originally planned to fly the Dreamliner in the summer of 2007. But the date was pushed back four times.
The carbon-composite 787 promises to usher in an era of lighter, more fuel-efficient planes. With oil near $70 a barrel, cost conscious airlines are desperate for lower jet fuel bills.
"In the long term, it's going to put the break-even point for the 787 probably a little further out and it's going to increase the cost of development," said Alex Hamilton, an analyst at Jesup & Lamont Securities.
"I am a little surprised," he said. "I think a lot of confidence has been blown." (Additional reporting by Karen Jacobs; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn and Maureen Bavdek)

Northrop Grumman Signs Mentor-Protege Agreement With MILVETS

HERNDON, Va., June 24, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC - News) has signed a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mentor-protege agreement with MILVETS Systems Technology Inc., Orlando, Fla. Northrop Grumman developed the mentor-protege relationship with MILVETS to continue their successful execution of DHS programs.
MILVETS, established in 1986, is a service-disabled veteran-owned, HubZone-based, small disadvantaged business. The company offers engineering services, programming, training, data processing and facilities management services for commercial and government clients.
"This mentor-protege agreement provides Northrop Grumman Technical Services with an outstanding opportunity to complement our existing supply chain capability," said Vic Obringer, supply chain management director for Northrop Grumman's Technical Services. "It also allows us to enhance relationships with our strategic small business partners, such as MILVETS, through interaction with our business development, program management, procurement and proposal teams."
Under the DHS-approved three-year agreement, Northrop Grumman will mentor MILVETS in several areas including organizational management, business development, financial management, training, ISO compliance and technical assistance. The core objective is to enhance MILVETS' ability to perform as a subcontractor and teaming partner with prime contractors and other businesses, DHS, and other federal agencies.
DHS' mentor-protege program was created to help small businesses compete for and win federal contracts by establishing long-term relationships with large defense contractors.
Since 1992, Northrop Grumman has mentored approximately 100 small businesses and currently has 25 active mentor-protege agreements. Northrop Grumman has received 20 Nunn-Perry Awards from the U.S. Department of Defense since 1995 for its work with protege companies.
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:
Jeff Lacap

Northrop Grumman Technical Services

(703) 713-4488

jeff.lacap@ngc.com

Leah Smith

Northrop Grumman Technical Services

(703) 713-4616

leah.smith@ngc.com

V-22 Osprey aircraft underperformed in Iraq-report

By Jim Wolf
WASHINGTON, June 24 (Reuters) - A revolutionary tilt-rotor aircraft built by a team of Boeing Co (BA.N) and Textron Inc (TXT.N) underperformed in Iraq, may fall short in Afghanistan and the Pentagon should review whether to buy more, congressional investigators said on Tuesday.
The Marine Corps model of the V-22 Osprey "has not performed the full range of missions anticipated" in Iraq, the Government Accountability Office said in a report prepared for a congressional hearing.
Twelve of the aircraft were deployed to Iraq from October 2007 until April 2009 and the Marines want to take the Osprey to Afghanistan.
Tests have raised questions about its ability to operate in "threat environments" higher than existed during its Iraq deployment, GAO said.
The aircraft flies like a helicopter for takeoffs and landings, then swivels its rotors to gain the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft. It is designed to transport combat troops, supplies and equipment for the Marines and to support other armed services. Its development was dogged by fatal crashes, including one in 1992 that killed seven.
In Iraq, the V-22s mission capability and full mission capability rates -- key measures of its suitability and effectiveness -- fell significantly below required levels and significantly below rates of the helicopters it is to replace, GAO said.
Among other problems, maneuvering limits and "challenges in detecting threats" may affect air crew ability to carry out evasive actions, GAO said. It added the aircraft's shipboard operations were hampered by its large size and repair parts inventory.
"Identified challenges could limit the ability to conduct worldwide operations in some environments and at high altitudes similar to what might be expected in Afghanistan," the report said.
Although efforts are under way to address the shortcomings, "some are inherent in the V-22's design," GAO said. The Marine Corps has praised its performance in Iraq, saying the three squadrons consistently fulfilled their assigned missions.
Adding to problems outlined by GAO, V-22 costs have risen sharply above initial projections. In 1996, the plan was to build nearly 1,000 of them in 10 years at $37.7 million each. Now, the plan is for fewer than 500 at $93.4 million apiece -- a procurement unit cost jump of 148 percent, GAO said.
The study recommended that Defense Secretary Robert Gates look at possible alternatives to the V-22 to meet the Marine Corps' current and future lift needs and possibly other services' use.
After receiving the report at a hearing, the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform called for halting V-22 production.
"It's time to put the Osprey out of its misery," said Chairman Edolphus, a New York Democrat. "To sum up, it has problems in hot weather, it has problems in cold weather, it has problems with sand, it has problems with high altitude and it has restricted maneuverability.
"The list of what the Osprey can't do is longer than the list of what it can do."
The Marine Corps did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did Textron or Boeing.
In March 2008, the Navy awarded the Textron-Boeing team a five-year, $10.4 billion contract for 141 MV-22s for the Marines and 26 CV-22s for the Air Force to augment the Special Operations Command.
In a response included in the report, the Defense Department concurred with the GAO's call for a strategy to improve system "suitability," reduce operational costs and review future budget requests. But the Pentagon disagreed with a call for a new V-22 alternatives analysis. (Reporting by Jim Wolf; editing by Andre Grenon)

Zebra Imaging Recognized for Industrial Security Excellence With James S. Cogswell Award

Prestigious Award Presented by Defense Security Service Acknowledges Extraordinary Security Practices with Sustained Degree of Excellence and Innovation
AUSTIN, Texas, June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Zebra Imaging, Inc., the world's foremost provider of holographic display and visualization technologies, announced today it received the highest honor presented to a government contractor by the Defense Security Service (DSS), the 2009 James S. Cogswell Outstanding Industrial Security Achievement Award.
Zebra Imaging was one of only 14 companies of the 12,500 plus eligible contractors to receive the Cogswell Award. To be considered for this prestigious honor, nominees must go through a rigorous selection process that requires extraordinary security practices on behalf of management and the facility workforce. Companies must demonstrate extraordinary excellence involving a total team effort by top management, the facility security officer and the facility work force.
"The Cogswell Award represents Zebra Imaging's commitment to excellence and our dedication to protecting critical defense information during a time of heightened national security," said Al Wargo, CEO of Zebra Imaging. "It is an honor to be recognized for our work by the DSS and we accept this award with the highest regard."
The Cogswell Award facility nominees must have a minimum of two consecutive superior industrial security review ratings, be vetted by more than 20 government agencies, show a sustained degree of excellence and innovation in security program management, and have a longstanding record of outstanding security practices based on standards set by the National Industrial Security Program.
Zebra Imaging is the only company that can develop true 3-D images for critical applications such as military planning and security. The company designs, develops and manufactures full color, 3-D holographic display systems that provide greater certainty which leads to more effective decision making, whether preparing mission plans or conducting tactical operations.
The Cogswell Award, established in 1966, was named in honor of the late Air Force Col. James S. Cogswell, the first chief of industrial security within the Department of Defense. Cogswell was responsible for developing the basic principles of the Industrial Security Program, which includes an emphasis on the partnership between industry and government to protect classified information. This partnership ultimately ensures the greatest protection for the U.S. war fighter and our Nation's classified information. The Cogswell Award recognizes industrial security excellence and is the most prestigious honor for cleared industry.
About Zebra Imaging
Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Zebra Imaging, Inc. designs, develops and manufactures state-of-the-art 3-D holographic displays for a variety of 3-D visualization applications in both government, military and commercial markets which dramatically improve situational awareness, collaboration and decision-making. Zebra Imaging displays are portable, scalable, intuitively-understood and easily viewable to help customers turn design data into reality. Customers include Federal and Department of Defense agencies; leading architecture, design and planning firms; civilian topographic agencies and various groups who need to clearly and effortlessly demonstrate sophisticated 3-D data in a comprehensive, durable and portable medium. For more information visit: www.zebraimaging.com.
Media Contact:
Travis Williams
Lois Paul & Partners
(512) 638-5315
travis_williams@lpp.com

Augusta Systems,

Augusta Systems EdgeFrontier Integrates Data from Sensors & Unmanned Vehicles, Creates Platform for Autonomous Operations
MORGANTOWN, W.Va., June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has awarded a $1.3 million contract to Augusta Systems, Inc., provider of technologies that power the intelligent convergence of devices, systems and networks, to test and enhance a distributed, intelligent network capable of managing single and multiple "swarms" of unmanned air, ground and sea vehicles, unattended ground sensors, video cameras, and other devices. Powered by Augusta Systems EdgeFrontier products, the intelligent network enables the vehicles and devices to act on their own, in an autonomous manner, based upon data sent from their own swarm or other swarms.
"Augusta Systems EdgeFrontier powers the intelligent convergence of data from diverse sources, providing a platform for the Navy's intelligent, swarming network," said Patrick Esposito, president and chief operating officer of Augusta Systems. "This network can help the Navy to achieve important technology objectives, including system interoperability, network-centric operations and the enhancement of its unmanned vehicle capabilities."
EdgeFrontier products provide complete platforms for building and managing complex monitoring, control and automation solutions. EdgeFrontier supports integration and normalization of data, events and control functions from diverse devices, systems and networks, regardless of manufacturer or communications protocol. In addition, EdgeFrontier provides structures for event processing and configuration of event or policy-based actions through a policy engine.
Through the effort, Augusta Systems will support robustness and scalability testing and development of functional enhancements for the intelligent network, enabled through the Augusta Systems platform technologies. The intelligent network demonstrates important capabilities, including:
Diverse vehicle, sensor and device data integration, correlation and processing;
Adaptive, cooperative behavior on-board the vehicles and at the point of the sensors and devices through third-party swarming software;
Relay of requested data to multiple users from multiple vehicles, sensors and devices; and,
Intelligent communication, independent of user operations.
"Through our technologies, NAVAIR can demonstrate the integration and automation of a diverse network of unmanned vehicles, sensors and other devices," Esposito said. "Importantly, this includes distributed data convergence, enabling these assets to process and share data in the field. This enhances real-time information sharing and response, an important factor in robust intelligent, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities."
Augusta Systems:
Augusta Systems, Inc. powers the intelligent convergence of devices, systems, and networks. The award-winning Augusta Systems(R) EdgeFrontier(R) products provide configurable technology platforms for building and managing complex monitoring, control, and automation solutions, including applications for safety and security, energy and utility management, asset tracking, building management, and other business functions.
For more information,
visit http://www.augustasystems.com
Website: http://www.augustasystems.com

UPDATE 1-Bombardier, CAW reach tentative deal, avoid strike

* CAW says deal addresses temp workers, retiree benefits
* Ratification votes to be held on Sunday
* Popular Q400 turboprop built at Toronto plant
By John McCrank
TORONTO, June 24 (Reuters) - A strike by nearly 3,000 workers at Bombardier's de Havilland aircraft plant in Toronto has been avoided after the company and the Canadian Auto Workers reached a last-minute contract deal, the union said on Tuesday.
The company and the CAW bargained through the night and beyond the union's 10 a.m. (1400 GMT) Tuesday strike deadline, to reach a tentative agreement that addressed the issues the union said it found contentious.
"The company wanted to hire temporary workers and that was not going to happen at all, I mean, we're building planes here, this isn't some kind of unskilled operation," said Jerry Dias, assistant to CAW President Ken Lewenza.
Dias also said Bombardier agreed to continue providing healthcare benefits to the plant's 3,000 retirees and surviving spouses.
A spokesman for the company said Bombardier would reserve its comments until after the agreement was ratified.
Ratification votes are scheduled for Sunday.
Bombardier assembles its popular Q400 turboprop aircraft at the plant, as well as the Global Express corporate jet and the wings for the Lear 45 corporate jet.
The company has been hit by a decline in business jet orders, as well as deferrals and cancellations, but it anticipates a 10 percent increase in commercial aircraft deliveries this year.
As of the end of April, the company had a backlog of 102 Q400 aircraft to be delivered to customers.
Shares of Bombardier were down 5 Canadian cents at C$3.27 on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Tuesday afternoon. (Reporting by John McCrank; editing by...)

OMG Recognized in Modeling Category by SD Times 100 Awards

June 24, 2009, 8:59 am EDT
NEEDHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OMG™ today announced that it was a winner in the “Modeling” category in the “2009 SD Times 100” published in the June 15, 2009, edition of BZ Media’s SD Times. The full article may be found at http://www.sdtimes.com/link/33549.
OMG is an open membership, international organization of information system vendors, software vendors, and IT end-user companies. Through its members, the OMG produces and maintains specifications for interoperable software for the enterprise and Internet, for real-time and safety-critical applications, for embedded systems, and other networked environments.
In the Modeling category, SD Times notes, “The bigger the project, the more important modeling becomes to achieving success;” and “We recognize four organizations that have demonstrated leadership by advancing the state of modeling in software development, whether through the use of specifications, integration or tool usability.”
“The software development industry has always been led by innovation, and that’s true even in today’s challenging economic climate,” said Alan Zeichick, Editorial Director of BZ Media’s SD Times. “When choosing the 2009 SD Times 100 winners, we carefully considered each organization’s products and services, reputation with enterprise development managers, and the new ideas and thought leadership that it has brought to the industry. Thanks to companies like OMG, the art of software development continues to advance at a rapid pace.”
“OMG and our members have been advancing software standards for 20 years. We are happy to see that our hard work and dedication to software development have been recognized by the industry and SD Times,” said Richard Mark Soley, Ph.D., chairman & CEO of OMG.
About BZ Media
BZ Media LLC® (www.bzmedia.com) is a high-tech media company combining the best of print and Web-based publishing, offering industry-leading magazines, newspapers, Web sites and conferences.
BZ Media’s SD Times® (www.sdtimes.com) is the twice-monthly newspaper of record for the software development industry. SD Times reaches more than 60,000 subscribers in 131 countries. SD Times was recognized by Media Business Magazine as the fastest-growing IT publication in 2007.
About OMG
OMG is an international, open membership, not-for-profit computer industry consortium that in 2009 is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. OMG Task Forces develop enterprise integration standards for a wide range of technologies, including: Real-time, Embedded and Specialized Systems, Analysis & Design, Architecture-Driven Modernization and Middleware and an even wider range of industries, including: Business Modeling and Integration, C4I, Finance, Government, Green Computing, Healthcare, Insurance, Legal Compliance, Life Sciences Research, Manufacturing Technology, Robotics, Software-Based Communications and Space.
OMG’s modeling standards, including the Unified Modeling Language™ (UML®) and Model Driven Architecture® (MDA®), enable powerful visual design, execution and maintenance of software and other processes, including IT Systems Modeling and Business Process Management. OMG’s middleware standards and profiles are based on the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA®) and support a wide variety of industries.
More information about OMG can be found at www.omg.org. OMG is headquartered in Needham, MA, USA.
Note to editors: MDA, Model Driven Architecture, OMG Logo, XMI, UML, UML logo and CORBA are registered trademarks, and OMG, Object Management Group, Business Ecology, Actionable Architecture, SOA Consortium, SysML, SoaML, MOF, MDA Logos, BPMN, OCRES, OCUP, OCEB, Green Computing Maturity Model, GCMM and Unified Modeling Language are trademarks of Object Management Group. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Contact:
OMGStephanie Covert, 843-737-0637
pr@omg.org

TAT Technologies Reports Transfer of Listing to The Nasdaq Global Market

GEDERA, Israel, June 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- TAT Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: TATTF - News), reported today that effective June 24, 2009, the company's ordinary shares will begin trading on the Nasdaq Global Market. The company's symbol (TATTF) will remain the same.
About TAT Technologies Ltd.
TAT provides a variety of services and products to the military and commercial aerospace and ground defense industries through its Gedera facility in Israel, as well as through its subsidiaries, Bental Industries Ltd., or Bental, in Israel and Limco in the U.S.
TAT operates under four operational segments: (i) OEM of Heat Transfer products (ii) OEM of Electric Motion Systems (iii) MRO services; and (iv) parts services, each with the following characteristics.
TAT's activities in the area of OEM of Heat Transfer products primarily relate to the (i) design, development, manufacture and sale of a broad range of heat transfer components (such as heat exchangers, pre-coolers and oil/fuel hydraulic coolers) used in mechanical and electronic systems on-board commercial, military and business aircraft; and (ii) manufacture and sale of environmental control and cooling systems and (iii) a variety of other electronic and mechanical aircraft accessories and systems such as pumps, valves, power systems and turbines.
TAT's activities in the area of OEM of Electric Motion Systems primarily relate to the design, development, manufacture and sale of a broad range of electrical motor applications for airborne and ground systems. TAT activities in this segment commenced with the acquisition of Bental in August 2008 and accordingly, the results in this segment for fiscal year 2008 are not compared with the previous years.
TAT's MRO services include the remanufacture, overhaul and repair of heat transfer equipment and other aircraft components, APUs, propellers and landing gear. TAT's Limco subsidiary operates FAA certified repair stations, which provide aircraft component MRO services for airlines, air cargo carriers, maintenance service centers and the military.
TAT's parts segment focuses on inventory management and sale of APU parts, propellers and landing gear. TAT offers parts services for commercial, regional and charter airlines and business aircraft owners.
TAT's executive offices are located in the Re'em Industrial Park, Neta Boulevard, Bnei Ayish, Gedera 70750, Israel, and TAT's telephone number is +972-8-862-8500.
Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, general business conditions in the airline industry, changes in demand for our services and products, the timing and amount or cancellation of orders, the price and continuity of supply of component parts used in our operations, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These documents contain and identify other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements. Shareholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement.
For further information, please call Mr. Yaron Shalem, the Company CFO, at +972-8-8628503 or yarons@tat.co.il.

Satcon Delivers Fully Integrated Utility Class One Megawatt Power Conversion Solution

Industry Leader Expands One Megawatt Solution Portfolio with Next Generation One Megawatt Platform Prism® for Utility Scale Solar
June 24, 2009, 8:30 am EDT
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Satcon Technology Corporation (NASDAQ CM: SATC), a leading provider of utility scale distributed power solutions for the renewable energy market, announced today the general availability of Prism®, a fully integrated one megawatt medium voltage solution optimized for utility scale solar PV installations.
Leveraging Satcon’s industry standard setting PowerGate® Plus 500kW solar PV inverters, Prism is a fully customizable one megawatt platform, complete with factory integrated step-up transformers, switchgear, and electronics. The solution will be delivered complete in an all-climate outdoor enclosure and ready to connect to the PV array and utility grid, enabling rapid installation through a modular prepackaged design.
Prism will dramatically increase the ease and speed of a typical utility scale PV installation, while also providing the unparalleled power production efficiencies that can only be realized through this full factory integrated and tested power conversion platform. Satcon’s Prism one megawatt integrated medium voltage solution is based on factory integrated pairs of Satcon’s highly efficient PowerGate Plus 500kW solar PV inverters, which recently eclipsed 150MW of total units installed globally.
“We are at an inflexion point in the solar PV industry, where utility scale projects are becoming more prevalent,” commented Dr. Leo Casey, Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Engineering for Satcon. “Satcon’s solutions have been used on some of the largest renewable energy sites in the world with hundreds of millions of grid connect kW hours delivered to date. Our customers were asking for a highly efficient, completely integrated package for large scale installations, and Prism offers the most flexible, efficient and powerful solution on the market today.”
The Prism solar PV solution is available for order immediately. The complete solution will come with Satcon’s standard five-year warranty included, and available optional warranty terms up to 20 years. Integrated transformers and switchgear are fully customizable, and Satcon system consultants are available to assist with project requirements and configurations.
About Satcon
Satcon Technology Corporation is the leading provider of utility scale distributed power solutions for the renewable energy market, enabling the industry’s most advanced reliable and proven clean energy alternatives. For over 24 years, Satcon has designed and delivered the next generation of efficient energy systems for solar photovoltaic, stationary fuel cells, and energy storage systems. To learn more about Satcon, please visit www.Satcon.com.
Safe Harbor
Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts or which apply prospectively are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "will," "intends," "believes," "expects," "plans," "anticipates" and similar expressions. Investors should not rely on forward looking statements because they are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the company's expectation. Additional information concerning risk factors is contained from time to time in the company's SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and other periodic reports filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this release. Subsequent events or circumstances occurring after such date may render these statements incomplete or out of date. The company expressly disclaims any obligation to update the information contained in this release.
Contact:
Satcon Technology Corporation
Alida Bangs,
510-226-3812
Media Relations
alida.bangs@Satcon.com
or
Satcon Technology Corporation
Leah Gibson,
617-897-2400
Investor Relations Manager
leah.gibson@Satcon.com

UPDATE 1- SAIC names new CEO; Dahlberg steps down

NEW YORK, June 24 (Reuters) - SAIC Inc (SAI.N), which provides technical services to the U.S. government, said on Tuesday that a former BAE Systems Plc (BAES.L) executive would assume its top post after the current chief executive steps down in September.
Walter Havenstein, former president and CEO of aerospace and defense company BAE's U.S. subsidiary, will become the head of SAIC in September, the company said in a statement.
SAIC said current CEO Ken Dahlberg had told the board that he would step down from his post in September, in accordance with the company's mandatory retirement policy for executive officers.
Dahlberg will continue as chairman of the board through the annual meeting of stockholders in June 2010. (Reporting by Deepa Seetharaman; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)

Virgin Atlantic in talks for 50 Airbus planes

LONDON, June 23 (Reuters) - Virgin Atlantic [VA.UL] is in talks with European planemaker Airbus (EAD.PA) to buy 50 A350 aircraft from 2014, a company spokesman said on Monday. The spokesman told Reuters it considered the A350 a "strong competitor" to the Boeing 787 (BA.N). He added it was not yet clear how many of the aircraft would be replacements for older planes.
Virgin earlier said it would take delivery of 10 Airbus A330s in a $ 2.1 billion deal. [ID:nLM711546] (Reporting by John Bowker; Editing by Gary Hill)

Ironworks Consulting Attains National Systems Integrator Partner Status in Microsoft Partner Program

RICHMOND, Va., June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Ironworks, a management, Web and IT consulting firm, today announced it has attained National Systems Integrator (NSI) status in Microsoft Corporation's U.S. Partner Group, recognizing Ironworks' expertise and impact in the technology marketplace. As an NSI partner, Ironworks has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and a proven ability to meet customers' needs. The Microsoft NSI designation was established for elite Microsoft partners to elevate their marketing and delivery strategies across multiple geographic and product segments. Microsoft NSI partners receive greater alignment and engagement of Microsoft field resources, collaborative marketing efforts, deeper product team engagement and executive sponsorship, giving them a competitive advantage in the channel.
A Microsoft Gold Certified Partner since 2004, Ironworks holds competencies in Business Intelligence, Custom Development Solutions, Information Worker Solutions, and Service-Oriented Architecture and Business Process. In general, a competency is earned by demonstrating expertise implementing solutions, obtaining client references, and maintaining professional certifications in Microsoft technologies.
"We are extremely pleased to have attained NSI status in the partner program. This will enable us to work more closely with Microsoft across the U.S.," said Will Loving, COO, Ironworks Consulting. "The benefits provided through our NSI Partner status will allow us to be even more effective in the delivery of Microsoft solutions for our clients."
"The NSI designation requires a substantial commitment by the partner to both revenue and technical competencies, as well as providing an excellent customer experience," said Jennifer Bogdalek, Director, National Systems Integrator, Microsoft Corp. "Ironworks' dedication to the Microsoft Partner Program and their proven ability to deliver solutions to large corporations across a wide array of practice areas and geographies makes them an ideal NSI partner."
The Microsoft Partner Program was launched in October 2003 and represents Microsoft's ongoing commitment to the success of partners worldwide. The program offers a single, integrated partnering framework that recognizes partner expertise, rewards the total impact that partners have in the technology marketplace, and delivers more value to help partners' businesses be successful.
About Ironworks Consulting
Ironworks is a management, IT and web consulting firm with one mission - never fail a client. Ironworks offers expertise to clients nationwide in the practice areas of Strategy and Program Management, Business Process Improvement, User Experience, Content Management, Portal Solutions, Enterprise Search, Service-Oriented Architecture, and Business Intelligence. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., Ironworks also operates from offices in Tysons Corner, Va., Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C., and Minneapolis, Minn. For more information, visit www.ironworks.com.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
For more information:
Jen McLane, Marketing, Ironworks Consulting, (804) 591-2555
John Casey, Sales, Ironworks Consulting, (804) 521-1555

UPDATE 1-Air France "black box" signals located - report

PARIS, June 23 (Reuters) - Signals from the flight data recorders of the Air France airliner that crashed into the Atlantic killing all 228 people on board have been located, Le Monde newspaper said on its website on Tuesday.
An Air France spokeswoman said she could not confirm the report. The Transport Ministry and the air accident investigation office could not be reached immediately for comment.
Le Monde said French naval vessels had picked up a weak signal from the flight recorders and that a mini submarine had been dispatched on Monday to try and find the "black boxes" on the bottom of the rugged ocean floor.
The "black boxes" may contain vital information that could help explain what happened when the Airbus A330 aircraft crashed into the sea en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris on June 1.
Locator beacons, known as "pingers", on the flight recorders send an electronic impulse every second for at least 30 days. The signal can be heard up to 2 km (1.2 miles) away.
French vessels involved in the search operation include a nuclear submarine with advanced sonar equipment and a research ship equipped with mini submarines.
The remote location in the Atlantic as well as the depth and surface of the ocean floor have made the search especially difficult and the wreckage could lie anywhere between a depth of 1 km (0.6 miles) and 4 km (2.5 miles).
(Writing by James Mackenzie, Editing by Ralph Gowling)

Airbus delivers first China-built plane to new owner

By Kirby Chien
TIANJIN, China, June 23 (Reuters) - Airbus delivered its first plane assembled outside Europe to its Chinese owner on Tuesday, as the world's largest plane maker and rival Boeing (BA.N) seek growth in major developing markets to combat weak demand at home.
European consortium EADS (EAD.PA) handed the A320 plane, which will be operated by Sichuan Airlines, to Dragon Aviation Leasing. Another 10 planes will be assembled this year in China.
"This is a special milestone in our strategic partnership with China," Airbus Chief Executive Tom Enders said at a delivery ceremony. "This demonstrates the deep commitment of Airbus to build a strong future for China's aviation industry."
Airbus began assembling the A320 in the port city of Tianjin near Beijing in September from parts shipped from Europe, and plans to assemble four planes a month in China by end-2011.
The plane maker has estimated China would need more than 3,000 large aircraft by 2025, including 180 super-jumbo passenger jets.
"All the forecasts, not only ours, say (over the) next 20 years, there will be at least 2,500-3,000 aircraft needed, passengers and also freighters in this great market," Enders later told Reuters.
"So for us not to be in China would be a mistake."
China Eastern Airlines (600115.SS) (0670.HK), one of the country's top three carriers, said last week it was committed to buying buy 20 Airbus A320 aircraft for $1.45 billion at list price, as part of a 150-aircraft order that China made in 2007.
Chinese firms have ordered more than 700 aircraft from Airbus, the majority of which are in the A320 family.
"We are not just selling aircraft to China, but designing aircraft, manufacturing aircraft and supporting aircraft in China," said Enders.
"China is certainly a centrepiece of our strategy. Chinese demand for modern airlines is immense."
Enders noted that 15 percent of Airbus deliveries currently go to China. "I think that's very impressive and I have no doubt we will get more orders out of the Chinese market."
"We still have a very impressive backlog with Chinese airlines. So we still have lots of aircraft to deliver out of Tianjin," he told Reuters.
China is also building its first regional aircraft, the 90-seat ARJ21-700 jet, that made its maiden test flight late last year and is scheduled for commercial delivery in mid-2010. [ID:nPEK109433]
But the country's broader ambition is to eventually challenge the global dominance of Airbus and Boeing for long haul and wide bodied planes, although analysts say such a goal is lofty and could take decades.
Boeing and Airbus are headed for their worst annual order tally in at least 15 years as struggling airlines cancel or defer almost as many planes as they are buying. [ID:nLJ544908]
The airline industry is expected to lose $9 billion this year alone, according to the International Air Transport Association, battered by weak travel demand in an economic downturn, high fuel prices and the H1N1 flu pandemic.
Airbus has been criticised by European workers and governments that say the move adds to outsourcing fears amid a global recession and could result in the loss of European technology to a potential jet-making rival. (Additional reporting by Reuters Television) (Editing by Ian Geoghegan) ($=6.83 yuan)

Richard Smallwood Named Executive VP, Customer Business at Airborne Systems

On Tuesday June 23, 2009, 1:00 am EDT
PENNSAUKEN, N.J., June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Airborne Systems Group, a company specializing in aerial delivery, rescue and survival equipment, and engineering services, announced that Richard J. Smallwood has been named Executive Vice President of Customer Business for the company. He will operate at Group level as a member of the Senior Management Team and will be responsible for all sales and marketing activity worldwide. His primary focus will be to continue the growth of the company by leveraging the products and overall capabilities while continuing to improve the company's customer focus.
"Richard brings an exceptional background of global sales and marketing experience with some of the world's most respected aerospace companies," Elek Puskas, CEO said in making the announcement. "We are confident that Richard's expertise and leadership skills will continue to position Airborne Systems as the preeminent market leader in the design and manufacture of parachutes and related products, while maintaining our aggressive growth rate," he added.
Richard has a wealth of experience in international sales and marketing gained mainly in the aerospace and marine industry. He spent 22 years with Rolls-Royce plc holding a number of senior executive positions including Senior Vice President, Airlines and Business Director, Marine Systems. During his time at Rolls-Royce he also spent three years based in Germany as Managing Director, Business for the joint venture BMW Rolls. Prior to Rolls-Royce, he was with BAE Systems where he worked on both civil and military aircraft programmes. He has an honours degree in Production Engineering from Aston University and an MBA from Cranfield School of Management (University).
About Airborne Systems
Airborne Systems is a world leader in the design, development, and manufacture of best-of-class parachutes for military, personnel, and cargo systems, space and air vehicle recovery systems, and deceleration systems for high-performance aircraft. The company also provides airbags, and weapons delivery systems. Airborne Systems has manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada and in the U.K. Information about the various Airborne Systems products and services can be found on the World Wide Web at www.airborne-sys.com

Dassault Systemes Launches V6R2010

Furthers V6 Adoption with Extended Industry Solutions and New PLM Express Mid Market Offer
On Tuesday June 23, 2009, 1:00 am EDT
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dassault Systèmes (DS) (Paris:DSY - News) (NASDAQ:DASTY - News), a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, today launched V6R2010, the latest release of its new platform. Today’s announcement introduces 42 new V6 products supporting business processes in all industries and a new offer, V6 PLM Express, tailored specifically for mid-market businesses and small teams within large organizations. V6R2010 also includes groundbreaking direct modeling capabilities and realistic simulation solutions for non-experts.
[For more information, please visit http://www.3ds.com/v6]
Odile Desforges, EVP engineering and quality, Renault, comments: “With the objective to transform our engineering processes worldwide, we needed to replace multiple existing solutions with a single, integrated and globally deployable one. We also wanted to concentrate on collaborative engineering for improved efficiency. After about one year of testing, we chose the full V6 portfolio because its integrated PLM environment perfectly responded to our requirements in terms of real-time collaboration and online-enabled design.” Desforges adds: “We will deploy Dassault Systèmes’ V6 solutions worldwide for the development of our future engines and cars from mid-2010. The scalability and openness of the V6 platform, its out-of-the box configurations and its easy-to-use intuitive V6 interface make it appealing. V6’s inherent integration to the supply chain means our teams will be able to collaborate seamlessly with suppliers.”
In recent months Dassault Systèmes’ V6 collaborative platform has been widely adopted in multiple industries such as Apparel (Guess, UnderArmour, Trent Ltd.), Consumer Packaged Goods (Procter&Gamble), Life Sciences (Beckman Coulter), High Tech (Lexmark International, novero), Semiconductor (Dialog Semiconductor, INSIDE Contactless), Energy (Oceaneering, Stork GLT), Aerospace (Piaggio Aero Industries, Eaton Aerospace), Automotive (Eaton, Great Wall Motors, Johnson Controls), Business Services (TÜV Rheinland) and Construction (Skanska).
V6R2010 opens up key PLM 2.0 values to the mid-market, including real-time seamless collaboration, online-enabled design-anywhere functionality, and a single, open scalable platform, in a pre-packaged, ready-to-use environment engineered for rapid deployment. Release 2010 and its mid-market solutions are the latest examples of how DS is continually advancing the simplicity and accessibility of PLM 2.0. PLM Express’ role-based selections of the full V6 portfolio and its out-of-the-box configurations make the solution easy to buy and implement. Because all V6 solutions share the same interface and data model, mid-market users can inherently collaborate and integrate with OEMs. Support for multi-CAD interoperability and hybrid V4-V5 implementations, will be enhanced thanks to V6’s open architecture.
“PLM 2.0 is an enterprise-wide business transformation catalyst integrating both industrial business processes and dedicated applications. V6’s lifelike experience, IP collaboration, modeling, simulation and manufacturing solutions provide customers an agnostic and federating platform that truly accelerates PLM 2.0 transformations,” says Dominique Florack, senior executive vice president, Products, Research and Development, Dassault Systèmes. “V6R2010 delivers the promise of our virtual universes through our unified open architecture and our deep understanding of collaborative and social innovation needs.“
A key differentiator of V6 is to deliver the power of PLM to communities of expert and casual users. CATIA Live Shape introduces a revolutionary direct 3D modeling paradigm. It allows casual users to quickly create design concepts in a lifelike environment and easily modify existing designs, including those from other CAD solutions. SIMULIA V6 DesignSight Structure makes advanced non linear finite element analysis technology available to non-experts.
V6R2010: A new step towards industry performance
High-tech - V6R2010 ready to use business process capabilities enable high-tech OEMs and EMS companies to drive an efficient sourcing strategy and ensure product and component compliance, while enabling “Design Anywhere, Manufacture Anywhere” agility and savings. This release also extends the DS solutions value for the semiconductor industry by connecting digital and embedded software designers working within the Eclipse IDE to their analog and custom design peers working within EDA environments. This single, collaborative design management system leads to improved quality and time to market for complex IC products.
Shipbuilding and Energy - V6R2010 3D equipment catalogs, tubing and piping are the first set of dedicated advanced authoring applications that benefit from the V6 collaborative platform. It also manages transverse processes, optimizing equipment installation simulation, maintenance and revamp operations and real-time project management, with solutions such as “3DVIA Composer Pro” and “ENOVIA Report Generator”.
Life Sciences - V6R2010 enables the management of the increasing complexity of medical devices coupled with growing quality requirements. CATIA Systems links medical devices test scenarios, test results and product versions, all information being managed in the ENOVIA V6 collaboration platform. In addition, the new Life Sciences Accelerator for Product Introduction entitles product management from concept to recycling and ensures compliance with industry regulations at each stage of product development.
Industrial Equipment - Global industrial equipment companies of all sizes face increasing product variability and disruptions in the value chain while delivering ever faster innovative products. With V6 PLM Express, V6R2010 focuses on small and medium size companies with a sales configurator that entitles online component and sourcing management to lower the total cost of ownership.
Consumer Packaged Goods - V6R2010 introduces a new ENOVIA CPG Accelerator. The Integrated Product Management accelerator integrates components and formula raw materials for comprehensive product definition, enabling global change management and dynamic approval to accommodate regulated industry requirements. In addition, V6R2010 SIMULIA is bringing a major step for support of simulation lifecycle management (SLM) processes for the CPG industry.
Consumer Goods - V6R2010 connects apparel sourcing and production offices seamlessly to brand and retail headquarters. The ENOVIA Apparel Accelerator for Sourcing and Production manages not only sampling, testing, RFQ (Request for Quote), and costing activities but also related pre-production activities: Apparel brands can now refine their global sourcing plan strategies to a combination of supplier/ factory/ country of origin (COO) level enabling analysis and implementation of sourcing distribution, budgeting and workload plans. Vendor capacity plans may be generated and validated with the supply base directly. Pre-purchase order related assortment details may be managed by sourcing allowing pre-production related activities to be accurately tracked and managed without the necessity of an FGPO (Finished Goods Purchase Order) to be generated.
Automotive - V6R2010 brings a major breakthrough in the area of Collaborative Engineering and Manufacturing for the Automotive Industry, OEM’s and their suppliers. With a single PLM platform for IP management, V6 offers a seamless product to process integration without any engineering and manufacturing data duplication. This leads to dramatic reduction of end to end business processes such as Body-in-White. V6 ensures traceability along the product lifecycle from requirement to functional breakdown structure, logical architecture, physical engineering and manufacturing engineering. V6R2010 CATIA systems offers multi-discipline engineering in mechatronics and embedded software. DELMIA V6R2010 Robotics enables companies to develop multiple resource layouts for any given manufacturing process plan and provides key decision making tools to assess plant capacity, throughput, efficiency and associated costs. With online creation and collaboration, car makers can quickly exchange with partners and suppliers around the globe.
Aerospace - V6R2010 delivers risk management at the program level, provides real-time views on program status and manages IP protection. These are major assets to an industry, in which the globalization of the aerospace supply chain has created a need for greater visibility, collaboration and enhanced control on overall program activities and deliverables from concept to end of life. The difficult economic environment is driving companies to be more and more demanding. Customers are requiring aircrafts with greater performance at lower cost with on-time delivery while respecting the growing need to be environmentally friendly.
About Dassault Systèmes
As a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, Dassault Systèmes brings value to more than 100,000 customers in 80 countries. A pioneer in the 3D software market since 1981, Dassault Systèmes develops and markets PLM application software and services that support industrial processes and provide a 3D vision of the entire lifecycle of products from conception to maintenance to recycling. The Dassault Systèmes portfolio consists of CATIA for designing the virtual product - SolidWorks for 3D mechanical design - DELMIA for virtual production - SIMULIA for virtual testing - ENOVIA for global collaborative lifecycle management, and 3DVIA for online 3D lifelike experiences. Dassault Systèmes’ shares are listed on Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) and Dassault Systèmes’ ADRs may be traded on the US Over-The-Counter (OTC) market (DASTY). For more information, visit http://www.3ds.com.
CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, SIMULIA, SolidWorks and 3D VIA are registered trademarks of Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries in the US and/or other countries.
Contact:
Dassault Systèmes
Derek Lane (DS Americas)
+1 (818) 673-2243
derek.lane@3ds.com
or
CJ Lin (DS AP)
+86 21 3856 8039
cj.lin@3ds.com
or
Arnaud Malherbe (DS EMEA)
+33 (1) 61 62 87 73
arnaud.malherbe@3ds.com

UPDATE 1-Sea Launch files for Chapter 11 protection

* Cites liquidity concerns, recurring losses from operations
* Lists assets of up to $500 mln, liabilities of over $1 bln
June 23 (Reuters) - Satellite-launch services provider Sea Launch Co and 5 affiliates filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing liquidity concerns and recurring losses from operations.
In a filing on Monday with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, Sea Launch listed assets of up to $500 million and liabilities of more than $1 billion.
The Long Beach, California-based company said in the filing it intends to explore the sale of one or more of its divisions.
Sea Launch, which offers commercial space launch capabilities from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan, is owned by among others Boeing Co (BA.N), Russia's RSC Energia and Norway's Aker ASA (AKER.OL).
The case In re Sea Launch Co LLC et al, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware. No. 09-12153. (Reporting by Ajay Kamalakaran in Bangalore; Editing by Saeed Azhar)

UPDATE 2-U.S. expected to launch WTO case against China

* Both U.S. and EU expected to announce WTO case
* Case over China's export restrictions on raw materials
By Susan Cornwell
WASHINGTON, June 23 (Reuters) - U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk is expected to launch a WTO case against China on Tuesday when he holds what his office called a major news conference regarding U.S.-China trade.
Kirk's office gave no details in announcing the 9:15 a.m. EDT/1315 GMT session with reporters. But industry sources said they expected the United States and the European Union would both announce a World Trade Organization case against China over its export restrictions on raw materials.
The expected action by the United States and the EU follows their failure to persuade China to reduce its export tariffs and raise quotas on materials such as zinc, tin, tungsten and yellow phosphorous.
The first step, which industry sources expect to be announced on Tuesday, would be for Brussels and Washington to formally request consultations with Beijing. If these talks fail, the next step would be to request that a WTO panel hear the complaint, a step that can take years.
"If the U.S. and the EU do indeed file a WTO case against China on raw material export restrictions, we welcome this action," said Tom Gibson, president of the American Iron and Steel Institute.
"U.S. and NAFTA steel producers have long believed that this government of China policy is a WTO violation and that it is benefiting Chinese manufacturers artificially while disadvantaging manufacturers everywhere else," he said.
Western governments say resource-hungry China has continued to restrict exports of raw materials used in steel, semiconductors, aircraft and other products despite Beijing's pledge to eliminate taxes and charges on exports when it joined the WTO in 2001.
They say these quotas and taxes hurt European and U.S. companies while giving Chinese companies an unfair advantage. The export curbs drive down China's domestic raw materials costs at the expense of producers elsewhere in the world.
But taking action at the WTO is expected to further damage already brittle trade relations with China.
The materials expected to be covered by the case include yellow phosphorous, antimony, bauxite, coke, fluorspar, indium, magnesium carbonate, molybdenum, rare earths, silicon, talc, tin, tungsten and zinc.
In a move that may have been an attempt to forestall U.S. and European action, Beijing said on Monday it was cutting export taxes on a range of materials, including some used to make steel.
It said that effective from July 1, export taxes for indium and molybdenum would be cut to 5 percent from 15 percent and the 5 percent export tax on sulfuric acid would be scrapped. Taxes on some steel products and certain tungsten products will also be cut to 5 percent from 10 percent. (Editing by Chris Wilson)

Communications & Power Industries Receives $1.7 Million Initial Contract for High-Power Amplifiers to Support a Multinational Organization

PALO ALTO, Calif., June 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Communications & Power Industries, Inc. (CPI) has received an approximately $1.7 million initial contract from Globecomm Systems Inc. to support a multinational defense organization. Under the contract, CPI will supply high-power, X-band communications amplifiers for new and upgraded satellite ground terminals. CPI's high-power amplifiers will be used to expand the capacity of existing terminals to operate in X-band frequencies, as well as in the design and development of new satellite ground terminals that also operate in X-band frequencies. CPI, a subsidiary of CPI International, Inc. (Nasdaq: CPII - News), is a leading provider of microwave, radio frequency, power and control solutions for critical defense, communications, medical, scientific and other applications. Globecomm Systems (Nasdaq: GCOM - News) provides satellite-based communications infrastructure solutions and services to commercial and government-related customers around the world.
(Logo: http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=AsUoE37rEEUBOtj50tnGVguxcq9_/SIG=11p2f67ub/**http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060426/CPILOGO)
Work on this contract will be performed at CPI's Satcom Division, and shipments are scheduled to begin in fiscal 2009. The initial program is expected to result in a multi-year program for CPI, with potential follow-on contracts of up to $3.5 million over the next three years.
"Supporting military communications programs is a growing business for CPI," said Andy Tafler, president of CPI's Satcom Division. "This latest contract to support a multinational defense organization demonstrates that our military communications products are in demand both within the U.S. and internationally."
About CPI International, Inc.
CPI International, Inc., headquartered in Palo Alto, California, is the parent company of Communications & Power Industries, Inc., a leading provider of microwave, radio frequency, power and control solutions for critical defense, communications, medical, scientific and other applications. Communications & Power Industries, Inc. develops, manufactures and distributes products used to generate, amplify, transmit and receive high-power/high-frequency microwave and radio frequency signals and/or provide power and control for various applications. End-use applications of these systems include the transmission of radar signals for navigation and location; transmission of deception signals for electronic countermeasures; transmission and amplification of voice, data and video signals for broadcasting, Internet and other types of commercial and military communications; providing power and control for medical diagnostic imaging; and generating microwave energy for radiation therapy in the treatment of cancer and for various industrial and scientific applications.
Certain statements included above constitute "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. Forward-looking statements provide our current expectations, beliefs or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the results projected, expected or implied by these forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, competition in our end markets; the impact of a general slowdown in the global economy; our significant amount of debt; changes or reductions in the U.S. defense budget; currency fluctuations; U.S. government contracts laws and regulations; changes in technology; the impact of unexpected costs; and inability to obtain raw materials and components. These and other risks are described in more detail in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result of these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All future written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. We undertake no duty or obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in our expectations.

Orion Propulsion Completes Qualification Testing for Innovative "Green" Propulsion System that will Power World's First Commercial Space Habitat

Bigelow Aerospace Approves System; Moves to Production of Flight Hardware
On Monday June 22, 2009, 12:00 pm EDT
HUNTSVILLE, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Orion Propulsion, Inc. today announced completion of a qualification test program for the Forward Propulsion System (FPS) of Bigelow Aerospace’s Sundancer Project, the world’s first commercial space habitat. The innovative Orion Propulsion thruster system uses hydrogen and oxygen that are produced from Bigelow’s proprietary Environmental Control Life Support System (ECLSS) as propellants for the spacecraft’s attitude control system. This truly “people-powered” space craft, which burns hydrogen and oxygen generated from water, sweat, and urine, eliminates the need for more toxic propellants such as hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide that are more costly to use and harmful to the environment - on Earth and in space.
Tim Pickens, CEO of Orion Propulsion, said, “We are excited to complete this critical demonstration that will move Bigelow Aerospace one step closer to creating a self–sufficient commercial human habitat that is safer and more environmentally friendly than any other system in use. I am proud of our team for delivering a best-in-class solution for this landmark project. We look forward to completing production and flying critical flight hardware on the world’s first commercial space habitat.”
“Orion Propulsion has been an excellent partner and has met every delivery date and performance milestone,” said Bigelow Aerospace Program Manager, Eric Haakonstad. “Their team worked with our very specific and demanding requirements to put together an elegant and “green” propulsion system that is safe, cost efficient, powerful and reliable - these are critical elements that will enable Sundancer’s success over its 15 year life cycle in space.”
The test program was a thorough evaluation of the propulsion system and included thermal cycle vacuum testing, electro-magnetic interference testing, acoustic and vibration testing. In addition, an accelerated life test program was conducted simulating space environments including vacuum, and temperature swings. The culmination of the qualification period was a Design Certification Review held with Bigelow Aerospace May 27-28, 2009. The review presented the results of the qualification test program and documented the requirement verification process for the FPS. The review was passed and authority has been given to proceed with assembly of the flight hardware. The assembly of flight hardware began June 1, 2009 and will continue through the summer. The first flight ship-set should be completed in August of this year.
The Orion Propulsion “green propulsion” system provides environmental benefits through eliminating the need to launch into the atmosphere other highly toxic propellants such as hydrazine or nitrogen tetroxide, thus reducing weight and launch costs. It also creates a safer, cleaner work environment for humans on Earth and in space. In addition, it can be adapted for other uses including “roll control” for small launch vehicles and propulsion or attitude control on other space craft.
About Bigelow Aerospace
Bigelow Aerospace is dedicated to developing next-generation crewed space complexes to revolutionize space commerce and open up the final frontier to all of humanity. At Bigelow Aerospace, we're building the future today! For more information, visit www.bigelowaerospace.com.
About Orion Propulsion, Inc.
Orion Propulsion is a leading provider of reliable, affordable rocket propulsion systems and test infrastructure solutions to commercial and government organizations. Founded in 2004 by CEO Tim Pickens, Orion Propulsion specializes in rocket propulsion design and fabrication, engine testing services, ground support equipment, and launch operations support. Orion Propulsion is a woman-owned business, headquartered in Huntsville, AL. For more information, visit www.orionpropulsion.com.
Contact:
Phillips & Company for Orion Propulsion
Scott Green,
512-402-5857 x-26
wsgreen@phillipscompany.com