Rockwell Collins Pro Line FusionTM Avionics Successfully Complete First Flight on Gulfstream G250

Rockwell Collins ~ Monday December 14, 2009
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rockwell Collins today announced that its Pro Line FusionTM avionics system successfully completed its first test flight on the Gulfstream G250 super mid-size business jet. The company's next-generation avionics system, Pro Line Fusion is a core element of the Gulfstream PlaneView 250 cockpit. The three-hour test flight was conducted at Israel Aerospace Industry's (IAI) Flight Test Center at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. Pro Line Fusion capabilities tested during this first flight included the high resolution LCD display system with integrated cursor control, radio tuning for communication, navigation and surveillance systems, flight management system, high resolution terrain display, electronic charts and autopilot.
The mission was flown by Ronen Shapira, IAI chief test pilot.
“Achieving first flight of a brand new aircraft is always an awe-inspiring event,” said Greg Irmen, vice president and general manager, Business and Regional Systems for Rockwell Collins. “It’s been a remarkable process working with Gulfstream to assure that their customers have the best flight deck technologies available to them. The PlaneView flight deck, featuring Pro Line Fusion, holds the promise of an intuitive user interface, enhanced situational awareness, the ability to accommodate new technologies due to its scaleable architecture and advanced information management capabilities.”
The new Gulfstream PlaneView 250™ flight deck includes the following standard Pro Line Fusion features:
*Three high resolution 15-inch diagonal LCD displays working in concert with the Gulfstream- designed standby multifunction controller
*High resolution terrain map including a vertical situation display with terrain
*Rockwell Collins MultiScan™ Weather Radar
*Advanced human machine interface including graphical flight planning capability
*Integrated Flight Information Systems (IFIS) with electronic charts, enhanced maps and graphical weather
*Future Air Navigation System Controller-Pilot Data Link Communication (FANS CPDLC)
*Dual advanced Flight Management Systems (FMS) with Wide Area Augmentation System Localizer Precision Vertical (WAAS/LPV) and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) capabilities with an option for a third fully integrated FMS
*Rockwell Collins TSS-4100 Traffic Surveillance System with Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) capabilities
Optional features include:
*Rockwell Collins HGS-6250 digital LCD Head-Up Guidance System (HUD II)
*Surface management system
*Second set of electronic charts
*Intercontinental package consisting of a third advanced FMS, second HF communications system, third navigation radio, second radio altimeter and second data link system
*Lightning detection system
*Second traffic surveillance system
First deliveries of the aircraft are expected to begin in 2011.
Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL - News) is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronic solutions for both commercial and government applications. Our expertise in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications, information management and simulation and training is delivered by nearly 20,000 employees, and a global service and support network that crosses 27 countries. To find out more, please visit www.rockwellcollins.com.
Contact:
Rockwell Collins
Media Contact:
Anne Wiskerchen
Office: 319-295-7533
Mobile: 319-651-0033
amwisker@rockwellcollins.com

VSE Awarded $38 Million in Prime and Subcontracts to Provide Military Operational Readiness Support

VSE Corporation ~ Monday December 14, 2009
ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--VSE Corporation (Nasdaq GS: VSEC) announced today that its Federal Group was awarded five prime/subcontracts recently totaling $38 million in support of various Department of Defense programs.

The awards are all for work in support of missions in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan to include:
Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Joint Logistics Integrator (MRAP JLI) II for the Army and Marine Corps;
Up-armoring support for High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (FRAG6 M1151);
Heavy equipment mechanics for field services support;
Counter radio controlled improvised explosive device application systems integration; and
Continued operational support for the U.S. Air Force Engineering Networked Training Center.
VSE CEO Maurice Gauthier commented, “We are very pleased that we were chosen for these various task orders in direct support of the warfighter. VSE continues to gain momentum in becoming the ‘go to’ team in Southwest Asia with our deep program management, engineering, and vehicle refurbishment experience.”
VSE’s Federal Group
Federal Group provides engineering, advanced technology, prototyping, technical, management and integrated logistics support services to U.S. military branches and other government agencies. Federal Group also specializes in providing full life-cycle engineering, logistics, maintenance, and refurbishment services to extend and enhance the life of existing equipment. Support also includes providing worldwide field maintenance and logistics support services for a wide variety of military vehicles and equipment in austere environments. For more information about Federal Group’s services please see the VSE Corporation website at www.vsecorp.com or contact Keith Prewitt at (703) 329-3251.
About VSE
VSE marked its 50th year as a government contractor in 2009. VSE is a diversified Federal Services company of choice for solving issues of global significance with integrity, agility, and value. VSE is dedicated to making our clients successful by delivering talented people and innovative solutions for consulting and program management, logistics, equipment and vehicle/vessel refurbishment, engineering, information technology, energy consulting, and construction program management. For additional information on VSE services and products, please see our web site at www.vsecorp.com or contact Randy Hollstein, Corporate Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at (703) 329-3206.
Safe Harbor
This news release contains statements which, to the extent they are not recitations of historical fact, constitute “forward looking statements” under federal securities laws. All such statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided by applicable securities laws. For discussions identifying some important factors that could cause actual VSE results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward looking statements in this news release, see VSE’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact:
VSE CorporationNews
Contact:
Sylvia Gethicker, 703-329-4610
or
Investor Relations:
Keren Ackerman, 703-329-4605

Armed BLACK HAWK Demonstrator Completes Test Program

Customer Demo Shows Sikorsky Helicopter's Weapons in Action

STRATFORD, Conn., Dec. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sikorsky Military Systems, a business unit of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., and Elbit Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq: ESLT) have successfully completed the Armed BLACK HAWK (ABH) demonstrator program, proof-of concept for the development BATTLEHAWK™ helicopter. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091214/NE25411 )
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060403/SIKORSKYLOGO ) The ABH demonstrator program recently concluded in Israel with an opportunity for Sikorsky customers from around the world to observe the aircraft up close. Sikorsky Test Pilot Bill Fell provided a tutorial of the ABH demonstrator cockpit while the aircraft was on static display. Following the cockpit demonstration, customers visited a local military testing range where they observed a live-firing demonstration. The demonstration flight was conducted by Fell and an Israeli Air Force pilot.
"The successful conclusion of the demonstrator program signifies a major milestone for the Armed BLACK HAWK helicopter program," said David Powell, Sikorsky Vice President, Worldwide Sales. "Sikorsky Aircraft has invested significant resources into this program in cooperation with the Israeli Air Force to prove the concept of these weapons, and we are pleased to announce that the technologies have been affirmed through our efforts. Together with Elbit Systems, and suppliers NEXTER and Rafael, we have established a winning combination for the success of the BATTLEHAWK helicopter program."
The ABH demonstrator Flight Test program, which began in September 2008, was a cooperative effort between Sikorsky Aircraft and the government of Israel in conjunction with Elbit Systems Ltd., which is in charge of mission avionics and weapon systems integration. The program's purpose was to produce an armed demonstrator for evaluation by the Israeli Air Force.
"I believe both companies benefited from this successful test program and we are looking forward to our next joint projects," said Yoram Shmuely, Executive Vice President and Co-General Manager of Elbit Systems' Aerospace Division.
The ABH demonstrator program tested an electro-optical guided missile, a laser-guided missile, a new laser-guided rocket system, and a 20-mm turreted gun. The production BATTLEHAWK helicopter will come equipped with a full suite of armed reconnaissance and attack capabilities, including an integrated helmet display Electro Optic Payload (EOP) and weapons options that include missiles, rockets, and fixed forward and turreted guns. These are available on new-build aircraft or as a kit that can be retrofitted onto existing BLACK HAWK helicopter platforms.
The BATTLEHAWK helicopter will provide medium-lift capability and firepower that cannot be duplicated by current dedicated utility or attack platforms. The aircraft can be used in either combat or peace time for such missions as troop transport, search and rescue, and disaster relief. On the modern battlefield, the BATTLEHAWK helicopter combines unique capabilities of advanced attack and accurate weapons delivery with deployment of fast-reaction teams.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.

Navistar Statement on FMTV Ruling

Navistar Defense ~ Monday December 14, 2009
Navistar International Corp.
WARRENVILLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Navistar Defense, LLC was informed today that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) sustained its protest of the Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command’s (TACOM) award of the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) program.
In response to the ruling, Navistar released the following statement from Archie Massicotte, president, Navistar Defense:
“We appreciate the time and effort the GAO invested in the review of the FMTV solicitation process,” said Archie Massicotte, president, Navistar Defense. “We welcome today’s ruling and we will wait for further direction from the Army regarding what may be required of us moving forward.”
Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV - News) is a holding company whose subsidiaries and affiliates produce International® brand commercial and military trucks, MaxxForce® brand diesel engines, IC Bus™ brand school and commercial buses, Monaco RV brands of recreational vehicles, and Workhorse® brand chassis for motor homes and step vans. It also is a private-label designer and manufacturer of diesel engines for the pickup truck, van and SUV markets. The company also provides truck and diesel engine service parts. Another affiliate offers financing services. Additional information is available at www.Navistar.com/newsroom.

Contact:
Navistar Defense
Media contact:
Elissa Koc,
630-753-2669
or
Investor contact:
Heather Kos,
630-753-2406
Web site: www.Navistar.com/newsroom

Guidance Software Awards Scholarships to Wounded Warrior Project

EnCase® Training and Software Packages to Assist Wounded Service Members in Developing New Career Skills
Source: Guidance Software, Inc. ~ Monday December 14, 2009
PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Guidance Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: GUID - News), The World Leader in Digital Investigations™, today announced it has donated 20 scholarships to the Transition Training Academy, a program of the Wounded Warrior Project that helps severely injured service members. Each scholarship package includes an EnCase® Annual Training Passport—offering one year of unlimited instruction at Guidance Software training facilities or through EnCase® Training OnDemand—and a copy of EnCase® Forensic, the leading computer forensic software on the market today.
Guidance Software’s donation of software and training will enable candidates who successfully complete EnCase training to seek opportunities as entry-level computer forensics investigators in the public and private sectors. Successful candidates would also qualify to take the exam that awards certification as an EnCase Certified Examiner® (EnCE®), which is recognized by organizations as a symbol of in-depth computer forensics knowledge.
“We have a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by our service men and women on a daily basis,” said Mike Fowler, Senior Director for Guidance Software. “It’s an honor to be able to support the Wounded Warrior Project’s efforts to provide these injured American heroes with the training and software needed for success in the field of computer forensic investigations.”
The scholarships will be awarded through the Wounded Warrior Project’s Transition Training Academy, which helps participants explore Information Technology (IT) as a potential career field and to develop new career skills with real-world application. Wounded warriors wishing to participate can complete a student application form available online at http://tta.woundedwarriorproject.org.
About Guidance Software (GUID)
Guidance Software is recognized worldwide as the industry leader in digital investigative solutions. Its EnCase(r) platform provides the foundation for government, corporate and law enforcement organizations to conduct thorough, network-enabled, and court-validated computer investigations of any kind, such as responding to eDiscovery requests, conducting internal investigations, responding to regulatory inquiries or performing data and compliance auditing - all while maintaining the integrity of the data. There are more than 30,000 licensed users of the EnCase technology worldwide, and thousands attend Guidance Software's renowned training programs annually. Validated by numerous courts, corporate legal departments, government agencies and law enforcement organizations worldwide, EnCase has been honored with industry awards and recognition from eWEEK, SC Magazine, Network Computing, and the Socha-Gelbmann survey. For more information about Guidance Software, visit www.guidancesoftware.com.
GUID-F
About Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP serves to raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. For more information, please call 877 TEAM WWP (832-6997) or visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Contact:
Guidance Software, Inc.
Ed Essa,
626-229-9191, x247
ed.essa@guidancesoftware.com

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Helps Boost Infrared-Sensitive Telescope in Search of Stars, Galaxies and Asteroids

CANOGA PARK, Calif., Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne helped boost NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) satellite into orbit on a mission designed to survey the entire sky at infrared wavelengths in search of stars, galaxies and asteroids. The mission launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California and used a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket with a Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RS-27A engine. This marked the 234th flight boosted by the RS-27 family of engines. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.
"There is always a sense of pride as we continually demonstrate the reliability and performance of the RS-27A engine," said Elizabeth Jones, RS-27A program manager, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. "That pride is compounded by the knowledge our engine is helping scientists in the mission to find millions of objects never seen before in the universe."
The telescope's sensitivity is far greater than its predecessors, and will catalog hundreds of millions of objects as it circles Earth over the poles. NASA's Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes, the European Space Agency's Herschel Space Observatory, and NASA's upcoming Sofia and James Webb Space Telescope will follow-up on WISE finds.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc., a part of Pratt & Whitney, is a preferred provider of high-value propulsion, power, energy and innovative system solutions used in a wide variety of government and commercial applications, including the main engines for the space shuttle, Atlas and Delta launch vehicles, missile defense systems and advanced hypersonic engines.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and commercial building industries.

WEEKAHEAD-The view from Reuters editors in the Americas

NEW YORK, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Following is the view from Reuters editors in the Americas on the news likely to matter most in the week starting Dec. 14.
MARKETS: Recovery puts focus on Fed
BERNANKE: Committee to vote on chairman's second term
CLIMATE: Obama goes to Copenhagen
DEALS: A look at the hot sectors
MARKETS - Even though some of the major players are already calling it quits for 2009, there's still enough going on to make next week an interesting one for U.S. financial markets. A flurry of economic data suggesting improvement in consumer demand and sentiment -- and steadily improving business outlooks -- has toned down talk of a double dip and given more credence to those who think the Fed will boost rates sooner rather than later. Any change in the Fed's statement on Wednesday (see below) could throw a wrench into the crowded sell-dollar-buy-everything-else trade. Dollar strength on the back of stronger data could still hold back stocks. Strong data could also force bond yields higher, and not just long-term, but ultra-low short-term yields, after the spread between the two-year and 30-year hit a record in the past week. david.gaffen@thomsonreuters.com
BERNANKE AND HIS BAND - The Federal Reserve's policy-setting panel meets on Tuesday and Wednesday and will need to nod to signs the economy's recovery is gathering strength in the statement it releases around 2:15 p.m. (1915 GMT) on Wednesday. But don't expect the Fed to ditch its long-standing vow to hold interest rates at exceptionally low levels for "an extended period." The following day, the Senate Banking Committee meets to vote on Ben Bernanke's nomination to serve a second term as chairman of the Federal Reserve. While his confirmation hearing was contentious, most senators seem ready to give him their backing, which would send the nomination to the full Senate for a final vote at a future date. tim.ahmann@thomsonreuters.com

U.S. ECONOMY - U.S. November industrial output data and December regional manufacturing data for New York state on Tuesday and the Mid-Atlantic states from Philadelphia Fed on Thursday should confirm the U.S. economic recovery, while inflation is not expected to be a threat in November consumer and producer price data, which come out on Tuesday and Wednesday. tim.ahmann@thomsonreuters.com
M&A PACKAGE - Dealmaking is on the rebound. We'll look at the hot sectors, the deal structures, how the IPO market is shaping up, where private equity players are placing their bets, who the movers and shakers are and the outlook for distressed assets and bonuses. We'll also identify the biggest value creators and destroyers among deals in the past decade. All with the latest league tables from Thomson Reuters. The package runs on Friday. christian.plumb@thomsonreuters.com
FINANCIAL REGULATION - Commissioner Bart Chilton told us last month that the CFTC would like to issue its proposal on how to tame excessive speculation in commodity markets by the end of the year, which could mean this week, given the holiday interlude. While some slippage could be expected, we are alert for possible news on position limits -- and possible end-user and hedger exemption. russ.blinch@thomsonreuters.com
ENERGY INVENTORIES - After a year in which natural gas dramatically underperformed oil, the two fuels now appear to be moving toward a more typical balance after an unexpectedly big drop in gas inventories boosted gas prices to their highest since last winter, while rising oil stocks at the Cushing hub have helped pull crude back to $70 for the first time since October. The issue now: regional winter weather. More cold in the U.S. Northeast -- as widely forecast -- should lift both, and may help reopen an arbitrage for LNG; some frigid Midwest temperatures would benefit gas, but not oil. matthew.robinson@thomsonreuters.com
CLIMATE CHANGE - U.S. President Barack Obama goes to the global Copenhagen climate change summit late in the week, buoyed by a bipartisan framework for a Congressional bill drafted by three U.S. senators. It remains to be seen whether this is the compromise needed to push a long-troubled bill through as early as next year. Democrat John Kerry, Republican Lindsey Graham and independent Joe Lieberman have been working for several weeks to craft legislation that will attract enough votes to pass the Senate. By offering incentives for nuclear power, offshore drilling and clean coal, they hope to win over detractors. The senators said a target to cut U.S. greenhouse emissions by 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020, with the help of a cap-and-trade system, was "achievable and reasonable" and in keeping with the proposal Obama is expected to put forward in Copenhagen. A climate bill passed narrowly in the House of Representatives in June.howard.goller@thomsonreuters.com

Breakthrough for Elbit Systems in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Field: Successful Maiden Flight for Elbit Systems' Hermes(R) 900 UAV

Elbit Systems Ltd ~ Monday December 14, 2009
HAIFA, Israel, December 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --- The New Hermes(R) 900 Builds on the Rich Operational Experience of the Hermes(R) 450, Offering Additional Capabilities Such as Flight Altitude of Over 30,000 ft, Long Endurance, Large Payload Capacity (up to 300kg), Modular Design Allowing Fast Payload Replacement and Flight Capabilities in Adverse Weather Conditions Serial Production of the UAV Will Commence Shortly, Following Completion of Additional Test Flights
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080408/300441 )
Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT), announced today that its Hermes(R) 900 UAV completed a successful Maiden Flight and will commence serial production following the completion of additional flight tests.
The Hermes(R) 900 is based on the successful track record of the Hermes(R) 450, that has accumulated over 170,000 flight hours and is one of less than handful of UAVs in the world to cross the 100,000 operational flight hour's barrier. The new Hermes(R) 900 offers additional key capabilities, such as longer endurance, flight altitude of more than 30,000 ft, large payload capacity (up to 300kg), modular design allowing fast payload replacement and flight capabilities in adverse weather conditions.
Hermes(R) 900 offers an advanced satellite communication channel and is operated from Elbit Systems' universal command & control ground station (UGCS), enabling advanced mission management, automatic taxiing, autonomous flight and automatic takeoff and landing systems common to all the UAVs and in the Hermes(R) family.
The Hermes(R) 900 also includes innovative avionics and electronic systems and a silent engine, as well as systems required for flight in a combined civil and unmanned aviation area. The new UAV offers additional cutting edge technologies and applications such as electro-optic systems, laser designators and electronic intelligence sensors (ELINT, COMINT).
Haim Kellerman, Co-General Manager of Elbit Systems UAS Division, noted that the Hermes(R) 900 broadens out the Elbit Systems UAS portfolio, offering customers a variety of mission capabilities, from the mini-UAV system designed for the soldier level, through battalion-level UAVs, and up to higher chains of command for both Armies and Air Forces. The operational experience accumulated by the Hermes(R) systems for the Israeli Defense Forces and other leading armies worldwide, as well as the ongoing improvements based on its operational track record, have maintained this UAV family's leadership in performance, reliability, variety of mission-oriented payloads and more. Kellerman further noted that the fact that the Hermes(R) 900 builds on existing applications and similar infrastructure of the Hermes(R) 450, allows Elbit Systems to transfer the new UAV directly into serial production. Elbit Systems is enhancing its production abilities in order to meet the growing demand of this new addition to the Hermes(R) UAV family.
To download the Hermes(R) 900 Maiden Flight Video copy the following link to your browser: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/457672/HERMES900%20flight.wmv
About Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international defense electronics company engaged in a wide range of defense-related programs throughout the world. The Company, which includes Elbit Systems and its subsidiaries, operates in the areas of aerospace, land and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance ("C4ISR"), unmanned air vehicle (UAV) systems, advanced electro-optics, electro-optic space systems, EW suites, airborne warning systems, ELINT systems, data links and military communications systems and radios. The Company also focuses on the upgrading of existing military platforms and developing new technologies for defense, homeland security and commercial aviation applications. For additional information, please visit us at : http://www.elbitsystems.com.
Contacts: Company Contact:
Joseph Gaspar, Executive VP & CFO
Dalia Rosen, Head of Corporate Communications
Elbit Systems Ltd
Tel: +972-4-8316663
Fax: +972-4-8316944
E-mail: j.gaspar@elbitsystems.com
dalia.rosen@elbitsystems.com
IR Contact:
Ehud Helft / Kenny Green
G.K. Investor Relations
Tel: +1-646-201-9246
E-mail: info@gkir.com

Aruba Networks Wins Mobile Star Awards for Wireless LAN Management, Network Coverage, and Portable Remote Connectivity Gear

AirWave Wireless Management Suite and Virtual Branch Networking Solution Win Superstar Awards, While the RAP-2 Remote Access Point Grabs a Shining Star
Aruba Networks, Inc. ~ On 12:10 am EST, Monday December 14, 2009
SUNNYVALE, CA--(Marketwire - 12/14/09) - Aruba Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARUN - News), a global leader in 802.11n wireless LANs and secure mobility solutions, today announced that it has been awarded three awards as part of the eighth annual Mobile Star Awards(TM) program. The program promotes the top mobile products and deployments across a broad range of categories including applications, enterprise software, and wireless network products. Superstar awards, the highest honor, were conferred upon Aruba's AirWave Wireless Management Suite (AWMS) and Virtual Branch Networking (VBN) solutions. Aruba's RAP-2 Remote Access Point received a Shining Star award.
AWMS is the only network management software to deliver full visibility and control over multi-vendor wireless networks. A single, easy-to-use console provides a window into all aspects of network operation, simplifying the work of network engineers, Help Desk staff, IT managers, and security analysts. The suite includes four primary components:
-- AirWave Management Platform (AMP)
-- VisualRF(TM) Location and Mapping Module
-- RAPIDS(TM) Rogue Detection Module
-- AirWave Master Console & Failover Servers
AirWave OnDemand, a cloud-based enterprise-class network management service, is the newest extension of the AWMS product line. Using sophisticated tools previously available only to large organizations with large budgets, AirWave OnDemand allows even the smallest organization to efficiently manage, monitor, and control its network.
The VBN solution dramatically simplifies the complexity and cost of deploying a remote solution at branches with one to many users. Complex configuration, management, software updates authentication, intrusion detection, and remote site connectivity tasks are handled by powerful data center-based Aruba controllers. Centralizing these services in the controllers enables the branch office equipment to be greatly simplified and cost reduced. The virtualized functions are transport-independent, so any wide-area network -- including inexpensive cable, DSL, and 3G cellular -- can be used to connect branches offices.
The RAP-2, a component of VBN, securely connects remote users with enterprise network services and applications. Featuring authenticated wired and Wi-Fi access, and with a list price of just $99, the RAP-2 is a very economical solution for branch offices and fixed teleworkers.
"'Go Mobile' readers are among the industry's most savvy mobile business users, so Mobile Star Awards winners can claim they are the users' choice," says Jon Covington, MobileVillage founder and president. "Winners are chosen by real users based on real results, not hype. New mobile services competed on an equal footing with well-established solutions, and both nominees and winners are the new leaders to watch."
Mobile Star winners are chosen by subscribers to Go Mobile�, MobileVillage's free newsletter about mobile technology from news Web sites such as Cnet, Engadget, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Computerworld, and AppScout. This year's Mobile Star Awards winners are posted on-line.
About Aruba Networks
People move. Networks must follow. Aruba securely delivers networks to users, wherever they work or roam, using a combination of award-winning solutions:
�
-- Adaptive 802.11n Wi-Fi networks optimize themselves to ensure that
users are always within reach of mission-critical information. Rightsizing
expensive wired LANs by replacing them with high-speed 802.11n Wi-Fi
reduces both capital and operating expenses;
-- Identity-based security assigns access policies to users, enforcing
those policies whenever and wherever a network is accessed;
-- Remote networking solutions for branch offices, fixed telecommuters,
and satellite facilities ensures uninterrupted remote access to
applications;
-- Multi-vendor network management provides a single point of control
while managing both legacy and new wireless networks from Aruba and its
competitors.

The cost, convenience, and security benefits of our secure mobility solutions are fundamentally changing how and where we work. Listed on the NASDAQ and Russell 2000� Index, Aruba is based in Sunnyvale, California, and has operations throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific regions. To learn more, visit Aruba at http://www.arubanetworks.com. For real-time news updates follow Aruba on Twitter, Facebook, or the Green Island News Blog.
About MobileVillage / PDA Inc.
Founded in 1993, MobileVillage is a market and solution development company dedicated to advancing mobile and wireless productivity in a wide range of industries. MobileVillage accomplishes this by fostering education and alliances through its Mobile "Best of Breed" solution identification, event partnerships, an online industry directory, industry job postings, daily online news, its widely respected Go Mobile newsletter, a Mobile Mentors(TM) program, and the popular annual Mobile Star Awards program. Visit MobileVillage online at www.mobilevillage.com.
� 2009 Aruba Networks, Inc. AirWave�, Aruba Networks�, Aruba Mobility Management System�, Bluescanner, For Wireless That Works�, Mobile Edge Architecture, People Move. Networks Must Follow., The All-Wireless Workplace Is Now Open For Business, RFprotect, Green Island, and The Mobile Edge Company� are trademarks of Aruba Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Contact:
Media Contacts
Michael Tennefoss
Aruba Networks, Inc.
+1-408-754-8034
mtennefoss@arubanetworks.com
Patty Oien
Breakaway Communications
+1-415-358-2482
poien@breakawaycom.com

Rolls-Royce faces JSF component delay-paper

LONDON, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Rolls-Royce (RR.L) needs to redesign a key component of its engine for America's new Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft, fuelling a U.S. campaign to remove the company from the project, the Independent on Sunday reported.
The report said Rolls-Royce's would have to redesign a component that helps hold the engine together, which would increase costs and delay the introduction of the world's most high-tech jet. The news comes at a critical time for Rolls and its partner, General Electric (GE.N), which will learn this week whether the United States will continue funding the engine's development for another year. Rolls and GE are up against Pratt & Whitney in the race to power the JSF.
"The [engine] programme continues to operate within budget and has met all major milestones on schedule ... The engine has accumulated over 550 hours of test time, with more than 800 hours of test since the programme began," A spokesman for the Rolls/GE joint venture in the United States told the paper.
Rolls-Royce UK could not immediately be reached for comment. ($1=.6057 Pound) (Reporting by Rhys Jones; editing by Simon Jessop)

Boeing Completes 787 Dreamliner High-Speed Taxi Test

EVERETT, Wash., Dec. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) completed high-speed taxi tests on the first 787 Dreamliner today. This is the last in a series of functional tests planned in preparation for first flight. "Our pilots told me the airplane performed beautifully," said Mike Delaney, vice president and chief project engineer for the 787. "We're going through and analyzing the data to ensure we're ready for first flight. From evaluations we've done so far, everything looks good."
During the testing, the airplane reached a top speed of approximately 130 knots (150 mph, 240 kph), and the pilots lifted the nose gear from the pavement. Video highlights of the taxi testing will be available by the end of the day Monday at www.boeing.com and www.newairplane.com.
Taxi test is the last testing planned before first flight.
Contact:
Lori Gunter
787 Communications
+1 206 931 5919

EADS eyes takeovers to double sales by 2020 -report

FRANKFURT, Dec 12 (Reuters) - European aerospace group EADS (EAD.PA) wants to use takeovers -- primarily in the services sector -- to help group revenue swell over the next decade, its chief executive told a German magazine.
"We want to double sales from 43 billion euros ($63.33 billion) now to around 80 billion by 2020," Louis Gallois told WirtschaftsWoche in an interview released ahead of publication on Monday.
"Of course this does not work through organic growth alone."
While Airbus parent EADS is focusing now on conserving cash and boosting efficiency to master the economic crisis, it will have to seek acquisitions in the long run, he said.
EADS was casting an eye on the services, space and military sectors as a way to offset the volatile civilian aircraft business in which it competes with arch-rival Boeing Co (BA.N).
"I see the potential, for instance, to have services generate 20-25 percent of group sales. Now we are a bit above 10 percent. These are services such as maintenance, training or repairs. We want to add new services as well."
Gallois said EADS had not yet decided whether to take part in a potential $50 billion competition to build a U.S. Air Force refuelling fleet, stressing that this depends on the rules that are set. [ID:nN11153929]
"We never said we would quit the contest, only that we had concerns about the current bidding process," he said.
"Our partner Northrop Grumman (NOC.N) and we agree that we cannot take part in the process in its current form because it seems as though it is not the best value for money that counts but rather who can build the cheapest aircraft with minimal capacity."
He said that counted against its entry, which he said can carry more fuel, cargo and passengers that its rival.
Gallois also supported the idea of creating a "golden share" in EADS once a shareholder pact among German carmaker Daimler AG (DAIGn.DE), French publisher Lagardere (LAGA.PA) and the French state runs out next year.
"No one in Europe wants to see a hostile takeover of EADS. A golden share could be a solution because it does not hem in any of the current owners and gives them more leeway," he said.
A golden share controlled by Germany and France would give the countries power of veto over strategic decisions via one share that outvotes all the rest. (Reporting by Michael Shields; Editing by Victoria Main)

Faces For the Forces" - Goes State-Side Biggest Ever Show of Support for US Troops

NEW YORK, December 12 /PRNewswire/ -- A nationwide campaign aims to create the biggest ever show of support for US troops serving abroad. It comes in the run up to the holidays.
"Faces for the Forces," is a campaign to collect 1 million messages of support for the US Armed Forces by December 31st. 2009
The official launch takes place in New York at the world famous " Tea and Sympathy" cafe on Saturday 12th December.
The campaign which launched recently in the UK has already collected more than 100,000 video messages from members of the public, politicians, and celebrities. Ex- Dynasty star Joan Collins was one of the first to give her support:
"Everybody really thinks you are doing a fantastic job! We are all really concerned for you and we really hope you can come home soon and be with your loved ones. It must be really tough, I hope you have a great Christmas and a great new year." http://www.winkball.com/walls/faces/Celebrities_Goodwill_Messages/
TARGET GOAL
1 Million Video 'Winks' by December 31st, 2009
Submit your own video at http://www.winkball.com
December 9th-31st, 2009
OFFICIAL LAUNCH EVENT
Saturday, 12 December 2009
1-4PM
Tea & Sympathy
108 Greenwich Avenue
New York City
For more information or to interview Winkball.com Co-founder, Dr. James Ohene-Djan please contact Workhouse Publicity, Account Manager, Yanina Erman via email at yanina@workhousepr.com or by telephone +1-212-645-8006
WinkBall.com, the video communications service, is proud to team up with Tea and Sympathy in the West Village to launch "Faces for the Forces" in New York City, a campaign to build the largest resource of messages of support for the Armed Forces ever compiled. The effort will launch on Wednesday, 9 December 2009 and take place through the end of the year on Thursday, 31 December 2009. The official New York launch event for the public will take place on Saturday, 12 December 2009 from 1:00PM-4:00PM at Tea & Sympathy located at 108 Greenwich Avenue between 12th and 13th Streets. The NYC launch event will capture messages from the back of a British taxi cab-inspired car set. After the event, and through December 31st, the cab will drive around the city, collecting recordings in its backseat from high profile participants and citizens alike who recognize and 'hail' the car. New Yorkers are also encouraged to use Tea & Sympathy as a satellite location from which to record their videos starting on the 9th of December and continuing through the end of the month. For more information or to schedule an interview Winkball.com Co-founder, Dr. James Ohene-Djan, interested media please contact Workhouse Publicity, Account Manager, Yanina Erman via email yanina@workhousepr.com or directly by telephone +1-212.-645-8006.
WinkBall is excited to launch this unique public service in New York City as well as call upon high profile individuals across the country, including politicians, sportspeople and celebrities, to record their own videos and add their video voice to the campaign. As this campaign originated in the UK, notables who have already recorded goodwill messages include notables such as: Footballer Dave Beasant, Correspondent Max Rushden, Pop Jazz Artist Jamie Cullum, Fashion Designer Maria Grachvogel, Sky News Correspondent Jeff Randall and soap star Joan Collins to name a few.
Faces for the Forces will encourage members of the public to record and share their goodwill messages for the armed forces abroad as we approach the holidays and the end of 2009. This is the first time that New York citizens are being given an opportunity to send video messages en masse to the troops abroad that are on active duty. .
WinkBall.com has set itself a target of hosting over 1 million video messages by December 31st, showcasing feelings of support, respect and good feeling for those in service abroad. WinkBall will be incorporating all messages on a bespoke video wall of over 1 million faces dedicated to the armed forces overseas.
Co-founder of WinkBall.com, Dr. James Ohene-Djan commented: "Every day the men and women of the Armed Forces are risking their lives for their country abroad. We want to provide an opportunity for the public to let them know how grateful they are for their bravery and sacrifice. With the holidays fast approaching, we encourage as many people as possible to get online and come to the site to record their goodwill messages to show our continued support and respect for the important job they do, no matter how far away they are."
"WinkBall.com is giving New Yorkers a video voice which is changing the way we view news and share our opinions and feelings," he continued. "Our campaign to take a message to the forces ties in with our wider aim to expand the idea of Citizen Video, so that everyone has opportunity to express themselves and share their feelings online."
FACES FOR THE FORCES
Faces for the Forces is an exciting new campaign which we're pleased to be supporting to honor the immense dedication and sacrifice the men and women of the armed forces give around the world every day. The British public have always had a proud history of supporting our forces overseas and it is tremendous that through WinkBall we are able to convey these feelings to our troops in a way that makes them feel much closer to home"
WINKBALL
The WinkBall Project is the future of video communication. Through a quintessentially British combination of academic and commercial inventiveness, we have developed a series of exciting new tools for online communication. WinkBall bridges the emotional gap found in current online communication channels - by bringing people closer together through the emotional power of video. The WinkBall Project has today established new possibilities for corporate video messaging, personalised video advertising, public campaigning and private video networks. WinkBall has a team of 50 reporters who are reporting nationwide on a variety of news issues, as well as gathering messages to the forces. The focus of all reporting is centered around giving the public a video voice through interactive video blogs and video walls hosted at WinkBall.com Current services include: WinkBall.com, a free online video messaging and sharing service for the public, WinkBall Base, an internal video communications system, and WinkBall Broadcaster, for video broadcasting, email campaigning and personalised video messaging through WinkBall.com and WinkBall Base. Established in London in 2005 by Dr. James Ohene-Djan and Duncan Barclay, the WinkBall Project team has evolved to become a leading player in driving the future development of online communication. For more information, visit http://www.winkball.com
Contact Catherine or Claire at Shout! Communications - +44-(0)20-7240-7373
Or visit http://www.winkball.com/ or
http://www.winkballproject.com/

New Gulfstream G250 Takes Flight

Large-Cabin, Mid-Range Business Jet Performs Flawlessly During Three-Hour Mission
SAVANNAH, Ga., Dec. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD - News), today announced that its newest business jet, the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G250, has successfully completed its first flight. Gulfstream designed and built the super mid-size business jet in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in Tel Aviv, Israel. Flown by IAI chief test pilot Ronen Shapira, the G250 took off from Ben Gurion International Airport today at 8:16 a.m. local time. During the flight, which lasted 3 hours and 21 minutes, the pilots tested the business jet's flight-handling qualities and characteristics, and performed initial checks of several aircraft systems.
The aircraft was flown to 32,000 feet and achieved a maximum speed of 253 knots. Pilot Shapira commented that the flight was "extremely smooth with no issues." IAI's Flight Telemetry System enabled IAI and Gulfstream flight-test engineers on the ground to monitor the G250 aircraft systems in real time during the flight, as well as record the data from the first flight test point.
"The G250 performed extremely well, just as we expected," said Pres Henne, senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test, Gulfstream. "We're looking forward to 2011 when we'll begin delivering this aircraft to the customers who had tremendous input in its design."
Itzhak Nissan, president and CEO, IAI, said, "The successful first flight of the G250 large-cabin, mid-range jet represents the achievements of Gulfstream and IAI as the designers, integrators and manufacturers of this advanced business jet. IAI continues to benefit from its world-leading, strategic partnership with Gulfstream."
The G250 rolled out of the IAI manufacturing facility in Tel Aviv under its own power on Oct. 6, 2009. It remains on schedule for type certification by 2011, followed by entry-into-service the same year.
The G250 offers the largest cabin and the longest range at the fastest speed in its class. The cockpit features the new PlaneView 250(TM) system based on Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics. Powered by twin Honeywell HTF7250G engines, the business jet is capable of traveling 3,400 nautical miles at Mach 0.80 and has a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.85. With an initial cruise altitude of 41,000 feet, the G250 can climb to a maximum altitude of 45,000 feet.
It features an all-new, advanced transonic wing design that has been optimized for high-speed cruise and improved takeoff performance. At maximum takeoff weight, the G250 can depart from a 5,000-foot runway. Its 3,400-nautical-mile range means the G250 can fly nonstop from New York to London or from London to Dubai.
In terms of passenger comfort, the G250 features the largest cabin in its class, with 17 percent to 35 percent more floor area than any other large-cabin, mid-range business jet. The additional space provides for a larger lavatory, an improved galley and increased storage. The aircraft also features 19 panoramic windows, industry-leading sound levels, a vacuum toilet system and in-flight access to 120 cubic feet of usable volume in the baggage compartment.
The G250 will be completed at the Gulfstream Center for Mid-Cabin Excellence in Dallas.
NOTE TO EDITORS
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD - News), designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the world's most technologically advanced business-jet aircraft. Gulfstream has produced some 1,800 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. To meet the diverse transportation needs of the future, Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the wide-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G150®; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200®; the new large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G250®; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G350®; the large-cabin, long-range G450®; the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G500®; the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550® and the ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range G650®. Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Financial Services Division and Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales®. The company employs more than 9,700 people at seven major locations. We invite you to visit our Web site for more information and photos of Gulfstream aircraft at www.gulfstream.com.
General Dynamics (NYSE: GD - News), headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 92,300 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.gd.com.
Israel Aerospace Industries is Israel's leading technological-industrial company, with approximately 16,400 employees. IAI has gained worldwide recognition as a leading developer of aviation and aerospace technology in both military and civilian markets. IAI provides the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and its foreign customers with unique, high-quality technological solutions that meet a wide range of needs on the ground, in the sea, in the air, in space and in the field of homeland security. IAI is a world leader in a wide range of advanced technologies, including the development, production, renovation, upgrading, repair and maintenance of aircraft, missiles, launchers, communications satellites, observation satellites and ground services, electronic systems, avionics systems, advanced radar, precision-guided munitions, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Germany sticking to order for 60 A400M planes-official

SEVILLE, Spain, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Germany is sticking to its order for 60 Airbus A400M military transporters, a German government official said on Friday, despite widespread doubts about the delayed and over-budget project. However, Germany will not make any written financial concessions to Airbus's parent EADS (EAD.PA) and is keeping its right to cancel its contract until March 31.
Ruediger Wolf, a German state secretary, added that buyers of the A400M had reached an agreement on the way ahead for the 20 billion euro project, and EADS had until the end of the year to offer an official response to the agreement.
Earlier on Friday, the A400M made its first test flight. [ID:nGEE5B92LV] (Reporting by Sabine Siebold, Writing by Sarah Marsh)

CORRECTED-Obama eyes arms sales to Taiwan, official says

(Corrects year Bush cleared sales to 2001 in paragraph 15)
* Black Hawk helicopters and diesel submarine design work
* Administration also weighing more PAC-3 missiles
* China opposes arms sales to Taiwan
By Jim Wolf
WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - The Obama administration is moving toward possible new arms sales to Taiwan, including design work on diesel-electric submarines, a U.S. State Department official told Reuters on Wednesday. China strongly opposes arms sales to Taiwan, which Beijing sees as a renegade province, as interference in its domestic affairs. New submarines could help challenge any Chinese seaborne assault on the self-governing island, which Beijing reserves the right to take by force.
Also progressing toward notification to the U.S. Congress is the sale to Taiwan of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, said Robert Kovac, acting deputy assistant secretary of state for defense trade.
In addition, the Obama administration is weighing more sales to Taiwan of Patriot "Advanced Capability" missiles known as PAC-3 as well as an operations deal for the "Po Sheng" (Broad Victory) command and control program, Kovac said.
"All of those things are going on," he said during a break in testimony to a House of Representatives Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing on U.S. aerospace exports.
Asked whether "going on" meant advancing toward notification to Congress as a prelude to any sale, Kovac said: "In some cases, yes," including the Black Hawks and the submarines. On supplying more PAC-3 missiles, he said this was "in discussions."
China suspended military-to-military contacts with the United States after then President George W. Bush notified Congress in October 2008 of plans to sell Taiwan a long-delayed arms package valued at up to $6.4 billion.
'VERY SIGNIFICANT EVENT'
The United States does not build deisel-electric submarines.
The design work, estimated at $360 million, would require a U.S. company to show it had the ability to build them or had found a foreign partner that would do so, said Ed Ross, director of operations at the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency from 1994 to 2007.
The cost of building eight diesel-electric submarines had been estimated at $10.2 billion and would take 10 to 15 years, he added in a telephone interview.
"It's a very significant event if they go forward with these sales," said Ross, now a defense consultant specializing in East Asia. "They are desperately needed for Taiwan's defense and deterrence to maintain the relative military balance in the Taiwan Strait."
The Black Hawk, a tactical transport helicopter, is built by Sikorsky Aircraft, a unit of United Technologies Corp (UTX.N).
The PAC-3 missile is built by Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) and Raytheon Co (RTN.N) is the system integrator. Lockheed was the prime contractor for the original Po Sheng program, designed to integrate Taiwan's air, marine, ground and command and control assets in a single network.
Taiwan long has sought 60 Black Hawks and the submarines.
Bush had cleared both for sale in April 2001 but he omitted them when he finally sent Congress his 2008 arms package after much debate in Taiwan's legislative Yuan.
Included were up to 330 PAC-3 missiles and related gear valued at up to $3.1 billion, about half the amount Taiwan had sought for its defense against missiles and aircraft.
"We decided that trying to make up for the delays in the arms sale package in one fell swoop was potentially destabilizing to the improvements in cross-strait relations that occurred during the first year" of President Ma Ying-jeou's administration, Dennis Wilder, senior director for East Asian affairs on Bush's National Security Council staff, told Reuters in March.
"We also clearly told Taiwan that nothing had been taken off the table," Wilder said. "We wanted to leave the door open for the next U.S. administration to do its own review in consultation with Taiwan to decide on future arms sales."
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in a Sept. 16 speech that China's investments in anti-ship weaponry "could threaten America's primary way to project power and help allies in the Pacific -- in particular our forward air bases and carrier strike groups." (Editing by John O'Callaghan)

EADS says not fooling about tanker boycott threat

WASHINGTON (Reuters) Friday December 11, 2009 - Airbus parent EADS (Paris:EAD.PA - News) is sticking to plans to boycott a potential $50 billion competition to build a U.S. Air Force refueling fleet absent major changes in the way the winner would be picked.
"This is not a negotiating ploy," Sean O'Keefe, chief executive of EADS' North America unit, told reporters at a briefing on Friday.
EADS has joined Northrop Grumman Corp (NYSE:NOC - News) to compete against Boeing Co (NYSE:BA - News) for a rematch to build an initial 179 aircraft that refuel others in flight.
Northrop, which would be the team's prime contractor, said on December 1 it had concluded that a draft request for proposals (RFP) issued by the Air Force favored a smaller tanker of a type Boeing could offer based on its 767 wide-body model.
Northrop Chief Executive Ron Sugar denied the company was trying to dictate requirements for the Air Force, as some Boeing supporters have suggested, but said there should be no mistaking the team's resolve.
"Nobody should make a mistake. We cannot bid based on this current RFP," Sugar told Reuters in a telephone interview.
He said there was "constructive engagement" on the part of the Air Force with Northrop, and its concerns, but he declined to predict if the Air Force would make sufficient changes that would allow the companies to compete after all.
Guy Hicks, an EADS North America spokesman, said: "The value of added capability offered above the minimum requirement -- including greater range, fuel offload and transport capacity -- must be included and fairly weighted in the final request for proposal."
The Northrop-EADS is offering an Airbus A330-200 wide-body derivative.
The contract could be worth $25 billion to $50 billion over time, a senior U.S. military officer said in relaunching the competition September 24.
The contract is due to be awarded by the end of June.
EADS "HEARTENED"
The potential bidders met separately on Tuesday at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, with government officials weighing possible changes to draft bidding rules released in late September.
"We're heartened" by the discussions under way, O'Keefe said. "We couldn't ask for a more thoughtful and forward-leaning response."
He said he understood the government was now aiming to release a final request for proposal in the middle of next month.
A Boeing spokesman, William Barksdale, said the Boeing team met Air Force officials for several hours "to voice both observations and concerns" about how tanker proposals would be judged.
"We were also told our input would be shared with senior Air Force leadership as they move forward to releasing the final RFP in January 2010," Barksdale said in a blog posting.
The government is weighing comments received during the review process, said Cheryl Irwin, a Defense Department spokeswoman.
"When those deliberations are complete regarding both the comments received and what RFP changes will be made, it will issue the final RFP," she said in an emailed statement.
The Northrop-EADs team won a contract to build 179 tankers for the Air Force in February 2008, only to have it scrapped after U.S. auditors upheld a Boeing protest tied to Air Force missteps in evaluating the bids.
Air Force General Duncan McNabb, head of the U.S. Transportation Command, told reporters on Wednesday that he was satisfied with the draft RFP.
"From the requirements standpoint, I feel very good about it," he said. "My take is that everything we need in the new tanker is reflected" in the draft issued in September.
The new aircraft would replace KC-135 tankers with an average age of about 50 years.
The plan calls for delivery of the new tankers to start in 2015, with the first ones to be operational in 2017.
Two successive competitions would take place in decades to come to complete a fleet renewal expected to cost more than $100 billion for up to 600 new tankers. (Editing by Steve Orlofsky and Ted Kerr)

WEEKAHEAD-The view from Reuters editors in the Americas

NEW YORK, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Following is the view from Reuters editors in the Americas on the news likely to matter most in the week starting Dec. 13.
MARKETS: Recovery puts focus on Fed
BERNANKE: Committee to vote on chairman's second term
CLIMATE: Obama goes to Copenhagen
DEALS: A look at the hot sectors
MARKETS - Even though some of the major players are already calling it quits for 2009, there's still enough going on to make next week an interesting one for U.S. financial markets. A flurry of economic data suggesting improvement in consumer demand and sentiment -- and steadily improving business outlooks -- has toned down talk of a double dip and given more credence to those who think the Fed will boost rates sooner rather than later. Any change in the Fed's statement on Wednesday (see below) could throw a wrench into the crowded sell-dollar-buy-everything-else trade. Dollar strength on the back of stronger data could still hold back stocks. Strong data could also force bond yields higher, and not just long-term, but ultra-low short-term yields, after the spread between the two-year and 30-year hit a record in the past week. david.gaffen@thomsonreuters.com
BERNANKE AND HIS BAND - The Federal Reserve's policy-setting panel meets on Tuesday and Wednesday and will need to nod to signs the economy's recovery is gathering strength in the statement it releases around 2:15 p.m. (1915 GMT) on Wednesday. But don't expect the Fed to ditch its long-standing vow to hold interest rates at exceptionally low levels for "an extended period." The following day, the Senate Banking Committee meets to vote on Ben Bernanke's nomination to serve a second term as chairman of the Federal Reserve. While his confirmation hearing was contentious, most senators seem ready to give him their backing, which would send the nomination to the full Senate for a final vote at a future date. tim.ahmann@thomsonreuters.com
U.S. ECONOMY - U.S. November industrial output data and December regional manufacturing data for New York state on Tuesday and the Mid-Atlantic states from Philadelphia Fed on Thursday should confirm the U.S. economic recovery, while inflation is not expected to be a threat in November consumer and producer price data, which come out on Tuesday and Wednesday. tim.ahmann@thomsonreuters.com
M&A PACKAGE - Dealmaking is on the rebound. We'll look at the hot sectors, the deal structures, how the IPO market is shaping up, where private equity players are placing their bets, who the movers and shakers are and the outlook for distressed assets and bonuses. We'll also identify the biggest value creators and destroyers among deals in the past decade. All with the latest league tables from Thomson Reuters. The package runs on Friday. christian.plumb@thomsonreuters.com
FINANCIAL REGULATION - Commissioner Bart Chilton told us last month that the CFTC would like to issue its proposal on how to tame excessive speculation in commodity markets by the end of the year, which could mean this week, given the holiday interlude. While some slippage could be expected, we are alert for possible news on position limits -- and possible end-user and hedger exemption. russ.blinch@thomsonreuters.com
ENERGY INVENTORIES - After a year in which natural gas dramatically underperformed oil, the two fuels now appear to be moving toward a more typical balance after an unexpectedly big drop in gas inventories boosted gas prices to their highest since last winter, while rising oil stocks at the Cushing hub have helped pull crude back to $70 for the first time since October. The issue now: regional winter weather. More cold in the U.S. Northeast -- as widely forecast -- should lift both, and may help reopen an arbitrage for LNG; some frigid Midwest temperatures would benefit gas, but not oil. matthew.robinson@thomsonreuters.com
CLIMATE CHANGE - U.S. President Barack Obama goes to the global Copenhagen climate change summit late in the week, buoyed by a bipartisan framework for a Congressional bill drafted by three U.S. senators. It remains to be seen whether this is the compromise needed to push a long-troubled bill through as early as next year. Democrat John Kerry, Republican Lindsey Graham and independent Joe Lieberman have been working for several weeks to craft legislation that will attract enough votes to pass the Senate. By offering incentives for nuclear power, offshore drilling and clean coal, they hope to win over detractors. The senators said a target to cut U.S. greenhouse emissions by 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020, with the help of a cap-and-trade system, was "achievable and reasonable" and in keeping with the proposal Obama is expected to put forward in Copenhagen. A climate bill passed narrowly in the House of Representatives in June. howard.goller@thomsonreuters.com

Punitive contracts could harm U.S.-Northrop

December 11, 2009 ~ Boeing Co. Northrop Grumman Corporation
By Andrea Shalal-Esa
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Industry, Congress and the Pentagon must jointly tackle cost overruns and schedule delays in weapons procurement because simply imposing punitive contract terms is not the right answer, Northrop Grumman Corp (NYSE:NOC - News) Chief Executive Ron Sugar told Reuters on Friday.
Sugar said he was particularly concerned about the Pentagon's move to use fixed-price type contracts for development of new weapons, saying such contracts were better once a weapon was finalized and in production.
"The inappropriate contract type at the wrong point in the contract can create a lose-lose situation," Sugar said in a telephone interview ahead of the Reuters Aerospace and Defense Summit in Washington next week.
Northrop told the Pentagon earlier this month it would not bid against Boeing Co (NYSE:BA - News) to build new refueling aircraft, barring significant changes in draft terms for the competition, which also called for a fixed-price development contract.
The defense industry, military planners and Congressional lawmakers eager to protect local jobs share some of the blame for existing problems in Pentagon procurement, he said. But cost overruns and schedule delays result from a complex set of factors.
Some of Northrop's best contracts had fixed-price terms, but they were for weapons already in production, Sugar said.
For example, the Navy successfully used fixed-price contracts to buy F/A-18 fighters built by Boeing Co (NYSE:BA - News). Northrop is a key subcontractor on that program.
But applying strict, fixed-price terms to development programs was not a good idea because of unanticipated issues that can arise while new technologies are being tested, he said.
In at least two cases -- the A12 combat aircraft and the Tri-Service Standoff Attack Missile (TSSAM) -- the programs were ultimately abandoned, Sugar said. The C-17 transport plane built by Boeing also saw major cost increases, despite the fixed price terms of its development contract.
Sugar, who retires at the end of the year, said the industry was experiencing more "headwinds" than in recent years and the significant growth of recent years was probably over.
"We're now looking at a time when resources for the (Pentagon's weapons) investment accounts are going to be challenged," Sugar said, although he stopped short of predicting declines in defense spending.
Still, he said the big challenge for the Defense Department in coming years would be to adequately fund the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, while continuing to invest in new technologies and future weapons.
At the same time, weapons makers would have to focus on delivering weapons on time and on budget, while providing adequate returns on investment for shareholders.
He cautioned against subjecting contractors to highly punitive procurement measures as a reaction to cost overruns on some programs. Such a short term pendulum swing could have negative consequences for the overall economy and employment in the sector, he said.
Moreover, shareholders would not allow companies to accept undue amounts of risk.
"People in industry have to be able to demonstrate an acceptable return on investments," he added.
(Reporting by Andrea Shalal-Esa; editing by Andre Grenon)
(For summit blog: http://blogs.reuters.com/summits/)

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Powered X-51A Hypersonic Vehicle Completes First Captive Carry Flight

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Dec. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Air Force X-51A WaveRider vehicle yesterday successfully made its first captive carry flight under the wing of a B-52 carry aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The X-51A is powered by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company. The X-51A is expected to demonstrate hypersonic flight up to six times the speed of sound in test flights beginning early next year. The X-51A program is a collaborative effort of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), The Boeing Company and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne.
A captive carry flight, in which a test vehicle is attached to and carried by another aircraft, is a common approach for testing a new type of aircraft before it flies on its own.
"The successful captive carry flight keeps the X-51A team on track for a major breakthrough in propulsion technology and the realization of scramjet powered flight," said George Thum, X-51A program manager, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne.
"This was a great day for the program," said Charlie Brink, X-51A program manager, Air Force Research Laboratory. "The early look is we successfully captured all of our test points without any anomalies. I'm really proud of the AFRL, Air Force Flight Test Center and the Boeing/Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne teams' efforts to move us toward the big event."
During test flight, the B-52 took off heading north, climbed to 50,000 feet and performed gentle maneuvering.
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc., a part of Pratt & Whitney, is a preferred provider of high-value propulsion, power, energy and innovative system solutions used in a wide variety of government and commercial applications, including the main engines for the space shuttle, Atlas and Delta launch vehicles, missile defense systems and advanced hypersonic engines.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and commercial building industries.