China plans $5.9 bln industrial zone for aviation

Defense News ~ BEIJING, Jan 28 (Reuters) - An ambitious 40 billion yuan ($5.9 billion) industrial zone for aircraft parts is being planned in South China to produce up to a quarter of the supply for big Chinese planes, a provincial official said on Thursday.
Jiangxi province has begun seeking investors, including foreign firms, for the 25 square-kilometre zone with an eye toward breaking ground in two years, Yao Mugen, director of the provincial Development and Reform Commission, told Reuters.
The province will draw on talent from an aviation research institute and two universities plus interest among three local aircraft manufacturers, Yao said.
Output could equal 25 percent of all parts made in China for large Chinese aircraft, he said.
"Jiangxi is now designing a big national aircraft production base drawing on the province's infrastructure and advantages to develop the aviation parts industry," Yao said in an interview.
The 40 billion yuan would cover the zone's infrastructure and equipment for manufacturers, he said.
The province is talking to aircraft manufacturing giant Boeing about an investment in the zone, Yao said. Boeing (BA.N) already makes 747-8 commercial airliner parts in Jiangxi, the company's China spokesman Wang Yukui said.
China, like other countries, is keenly interested in aviation in part because of the large impact airplane exports can have on a nation's balance of trade. [ID:nHKG104281]
Beijing has declared its goal to manufacture large passenger jets with more than 150 seats and freighters capable of handling more than 100 tonnes of cargo, with the explicit aim of taking on Boeing and Airbus (EAD.PA).

(Reporting by Ralph Jennings; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)

Sectra: Defense Departments in Europe Choose Tiger

Defense News: STOCKHOLM--January 28, 2010, (BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News:
Sectra (STO:SECTB) has signed contracts with two European defense departments concerning Tiger XS for encrypted telephony. The total order value is SEK 10 million.
Tiger XS is a personal voice encryptor that protects telephone calls from eavesdropping over telephone lines, GSM, 3G, ISDN and IP networks as well as via satellite systems. Tiger is certified by the EU, NATO and several national security bodies, making it the most secure product in the market for encrypted telephony.
“European defense departments are demanding user-friendly crypto products that can be used for communicating securely and which thus protect nation’s security. Tiger XS satisfies these requirements and protects telephone calls over many different communication networks from eavesdropping, regardless of the Tiger user’s geographical location in the world,” says Michael Bertilsson, President of Sectra Communications.
Sectra Tiger is currently used by government authorities and defense departments in more than half of all EU member states in order to protect telephone calls from eavesdropping. At the request of the customers concerned and for security policy reasons, no detailed information about the customer or the contracts is being disclosed in this case.
About Sectra's secure communication systems

Sectra develops and sells products for secure voice and data communications. The customers are primarily government authorities and defense departments in Europe with strict demands on communications security. Sectra has strong core expertise in encryption and is one of the world's leading companies in the design and development of secure communications systems. Sectra Tiger is used by customers in more than half of all EU member states.
About the Sectra Group

Sectra successfully develops and sells cutting-edge products in the expansive niche segments of medical systems and secure communication systems. The company was founded in 1978 and has its roots in the Linköping University in Sweden. Today, Sectra has offices in twelve countries and operates through partners worldwide. Sales in the 2008/2009 fiscal year totaled SEK 863 million. The Sectra share is quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm AB exchange. For more information, visit http://www.sectra.com
This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

Contact:
Sectra Communications AB

Dr. Michael Bertilsson, President

Tel: +46 (0)708-23 52 25

or

Sectra AB

Dr. Jan-Olof Brüer, CEO and President

Tel: +46 (0)13-23 52 09

Boeing Delivers Record Number of Apache Longbow Crew Trainers in 2009

Defense News ~ ST. LOUIS, Jan. 28, 2010 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered a record five Apache Longbow Crew Trainers (LCTs) in 2009 -- more than in any previous year -- and all five have been declared "ready for training."
The U.S. Army accepted two LCT deliveries at Fort Hood, Texas; one in Illesheim, Germany; and one at Fort Drum, N.Y. The Egyptian Air Force accepted the delivery of its first LCT in November, allowing aircrews to train from their home base.
Boeing has delivered a total of 29 LCTs to date.
"The Apache LCT we delivered to Fort Drum in December is the first device to include the new display-system upgrade," said Mark McGraw, Boeing vice president of Training Systems and Services. "It incorporates a new out-the-window display using projectors, screens and mirrors to dramatically improve the scene that is presented to the aircrew."
The Fort Drum LCT reflects the Apache Extended Block II configuration, ensuring concurrency with the AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter. This LCT simulates the aircraft's fully integrated avionics and weapons, as well as a state-of-the-art modem that transmits real-time, secure, digitized battlefield information to air and ground forces.
Boeing is on contract to deliver three additional LCTs to the Army throughout the next two years. One will include a new Department of Defense-directed threat server and another is part of a National Guard modernization program. The third may be used as a development platform for future LCTs.
The Apache LCT is a full-mission, high-fidelity flight simulator that provides training for individuals, crews and maintenance test pilots. Deployed worldwide and used for in-theater training in Iraq and Afghanistan, the LCT supports battalions by allowing pilots ample opportunity to meet their training needs and rehearse missions. The LCTs also may be networked with additional trainers for collective training capability. The AH-64D Apache Longbow combat helicopter is produced by Boeing in Mesa, Ariz.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

Contact:
Alison Sheridan
Boeing Training Systems & Services
Office: 314-232-8187
Mobile: 314-614-4823
alison.sheridan@boeing.com

Boeing B-52 With CONECT Upgrade Accomplishes 1st Test Flight

Defense News ~ EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., Jan. 28, 2010 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today that a B-52H upgraded with new communication technology successfully accomplished its first test flight at Edwards Air Force Base on Jan. 17. The Combat Network Communications Technology (CONECT) upgrade allows B-52H crews to receive and send real-time digital information during their missions.
The more than three-hour flight around the Edwards area included an initial system build-up test, interphone test and communication test. The test process included power-on of each system in flight to determine that there were no adverse effects on flight-essential systems.
"Completion of the first test flight brings us one step closer to giving command centers and troops on the ground the ability to communicate with the B-52 through the military's digital information network," said Jim Kroening, Boeing B-52 Development Programs manager. "Augmenting current voice-based communication gives B-52 crews greater situational awareness and significantly enhanced mission capabilities."
Prior to the first test flight, a robust testing approach was used, starting with unit and system testing in the laboratory, progressing to system ground test and then flight test.
Boeing and the U.S. Air Force have accomplished more than 220 ground test points out of about 500. Ground and flight test will continue through February. The aircraft will then rotate through its planned depot maintenance at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., and resume ground and flight test in January 2011 at Edwards.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

Contact:
Jennifer Hogan
Boeing Maintenance, Modifications and Upgrades
Mobile: 405-818-7859
jennifer.c.hogan@boeing.com

Virgin Blue eyes new planes; may buy Embraer jets

* Says may replacing older planes with newer aircraft
* Leases on 30-50 aircraft expiring in next few years
* Currently operates Embraer E-170 and E-190 aircraft
By Harry Suhartono

Defense News ~ SINGAPORE, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Australian budget carrier Virgin Blue (VBA.AX) said on Thursday it may replace some of its existing planes with new aircraft and was in talks with several suppliers including Brazil's Embraer (EMBR3.SA).
"We are in the market for planes," Virgin Blue's CEO Brett Godfrey told reporters on the sidelines of a conference in Singapore.
"We've got a whole bunch of airplanes coming out of lease over the next 2-3 years and we are looking to take some more, including from Embraer," he said.
Virgin Blue's present fleet of 68 aircraft is made up of Boeing 737s and Embraer E-190s and E-170s, according to the firm's website. Godfrey said the leases on 30-50 of these aircraft will end in the next few years.
Embraer, which makes private jets and smaller commercial aircraft, has been trying to win more business from Asia's budget and regional carriers, many of which use single-aisle jets from Boeing (BA.N) and Airbus, a unit of EADS (EAD.PA).
Virgin Blue, whose main shareholder is Britain's Virgin Group, also operates New Zealand-based Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue, which it launched with the government of Samoa.
(Reporting by Harry Suhartono; Editing by Kevin Lim)

SpaceX and Spacecom Sign Contract for Falcon 9 Geosynchronous Transfer Mission

Defense News ~ HAWTHORNE, Calif.--January 27, 2010, (BUSINESS WIRE)--Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and Space Communication Ltd. (Spacecom) of Ramat-Gan Israel, operator of the AMOS satellite fleet, have signed an agreement for launch of a communication satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 as early as December 2012. Falcon 9 will insert the satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO), adding to Spacecom’s existing satellite fleet. Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) is also involved in the transaction.
Spacecom provides broadcasting and communications services to DBS and DTH operators, as well as a wide range of broadcasters, ISPs, telecommunications operators, government organizations and network integrators with Internet, voice, data and digital TV services. This latest deal supports company plans to launch at least four additional satellites in the coming years to multiple orbital positions.
“As a highly competitive solution for in-orbit delivery, Falcon 9 supports us as we transition into a leading global satellite services provider,” said David Pollack, president and CEO of Spacecom. “With a larger fleet providing more service options and capacity, we can continue to provide the highest quality satellite communications services and exceed customer expectations.”
“SpaceX is proud to be Spacecom’s launch services provider and we look forward to helping ensure the successful delivery of their satellite,” said Gwynne Shotwell, president of SpaceX. “In closing this deal, SpaceX now has twenty three Falcon 9 flights on contract representing a variety of commercial and government customers, for both LEO and GTO missions."
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is a medium-to-heavy lift, two-stage launch vehicle capable of lifting approximately 11 tons to low Earth orbit (LEO) and in excess of 4.5 tons to GTO. Designed to the highest levels of reliability and performance, Falcon 9, along with SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, was selected by NASA to resupply the International Space Station starting in 2010.
About SpaceX
SpaceX is developing a family of launch vehicles and spacecraft intended to increase the reliability and reduce the cost of both manned and unmanned space transportation, ultimately by a factor of ten. With the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 vehicles, SpaceX offers highly reliable/cost-efficient launch capabilities for spacecraft insertion into any orbital altitude and inclination. Starting in 2010, SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft will provide Earth-to-LEO transport of pressurized and unpressurized cargo, including resupply to the International Space Station.
Founded in 2002, SpaceX is a private company owned by management and employees, with minority investments from Founders Fund and Draper Fisher Jurvetson. The SpaceX team now numbers nearly 900, with corporate headquarters in Hawthorne, California. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.spacex.com.
About Spacecom
Space-Communication Ltd. (Spacecom) is the operator of the AMOS satellites, which provide high-quality broadcast and communication services to Europe, the Middle East, and the Atlantic bridge to the United States. The AMOS satellite constellation, consisting of AMOS-2 and AMOS-3, co-located at the prime orbital position of 4°W, serves Direct-To-Home and other Television platforms in Europe and the Middle East, as well as provides a secure and stable transmission to government agencies. The extensive signal strength and prime location makes the AMOS platform particularly suitable for DBS and DTH operators, as well as a wide range of broadcasters, ISPs, telecommunications operators, and network integrators with Internet, voice, data and digital TV services.
The AMOS-5i satellite, the latest addition to the AMOS fleet, started service January 2010. With a position at 17°E, a new orbital position, Spacecom’s coverage is expanding to Africa. AMOS-5i provides powerful C-Band and Ku-Band coverage over Africa and is serving as an interim satellite until the AMOS-5 satellite’s scheduled launch in mid-2011. Once operational, the AMOS-5 satellite will replace the AMOS-5i in its orbital position, expanding both coverage areas and capacity, to deliver high-power C-Band and Ku-Band capacity to the entire African continent. AMOS-5 and AMOS-5i complement Spacecom’s existing satellite fleet consisting of AMOS-2 and AMOS-3, and together with AMOS-4, slated for launch in 2012 to serve Asia, establish Spacecom as a true global satellite operator.
Spacecom is traded on the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange (SCC). Its major shareholders are Eurocom, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), General Satellite Services Co. (GSSC) and Mer Services Group.
For more information please see http://www.amos-spacecom.com.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6158427&lang=en
MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6158427

Contact:
SpaceXEmily Shanklin
Director, Marketing and Communications
310-363-6733
media@SpaceX.com

Tetra Tech Awarded Design-Build Contract with the U.S. Navy

Defense News ~ PASADENA, Calif.--January 27, 2010, (BUSINESS WIRE)--Tetra Tech, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTEK - News) announced today that it is one of five firms awarded a $750 million contract to provide design-build services for large construction projects for the U.S. Navy. The majority of the work will be performed in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. The period of performance for this firm fixed-price contract is one base year with four one-year options, and the five awardees will share the total contract value.
“This is a new contract vehicle that will expand our range of services to the U.S. Navy, one of our largest clients,” said Dan Batrack, Tetra Tech’s Chairman and CEO.
The Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Washington anticipates that this contract will be used for construction projects ranging in size from approximately $10 million to $30 million per task order.
About Tetra Tech (www.tetratech.com)
Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting, engineering, program management, construction, and technical services addressing the resource management and infrastructure markets. The Company supports government and commercial clients by providing innovative solutions focused on water, the environment, and energy. With approximately 10,000 employees worldwide, Tetra Tech’s capabilities span the entire project life cycle.

Any statements made in this release that are not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements made in this release represent management’s best judgment as to what may occur in the future. However, Tetra Tech’s actual outcome and results are not guaranteed and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions ("Future Factors"), and may differ materially from what is expressed. For a description of Future Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, see the discussion under the section "Risk Factors" included in the Company’s Form 10-K and 10-Q filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact:
Tetra Tech, Inc.

Jorge Casado, Investor Relations

Talia Starkey, Media & Public Relations

626-470-2844

Germany says A400M nations agree to continue talks

Defense News ~ BERLIN, Jan 27 (Reuters) - European nations involved in the A400M military transporter plane project have agreed to continue talks on Europe's costliest defence project, a German Defence Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.
The A400M has been plagued by cost overruns that could affect thousands of jobs.
The spokesman said that the countries wanted to find a solution as soon as possible. Talks between the plane's manufacturer, Airbus, and officials from seven purchasing NATO nations adjourned on Tuesday evening without any result.
(Writing by Paul Carrel)

CPI Aero Announces Release of C-5 TOP Order Valued at $1.6 Million

Defense News ~ EDGEWOOD, N.Y.--January 27, 2010, (BUSINESS WIRE)--CPI Aerostructures, Inc. (“CPI Aero®”) (NYSE AMEX: CVU) today announced that the U.S. Air Force has released a new order under CPI Aero’s C-5 TOP contract for a variety of spoilers valued at approximately $1.6 million. Orders under this program, including this $1.6 million order, have totaled $32.4 million since the inception of the contract.
About CPI Aero
CPI Aero is engaged in the contract production of structural aircraft parts for leading prime defense contractors, the U.S. Air Force and other branches of the armed forces. In conjunction with its assembly operations, CPI Aero provides engineering, technical and program management services. Among the key programs that CPI Aero supplies are the A-10 Thunderbolt attack jet, the UH-60 BLACK HAWK helicopter, the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter, the MH-60S mine countermeasure helicopter, the Gulfstream G650, C-5A Galaxy cargo jet, the T-38 Talon jet trainer, and the E-3 Sentry AWACS jet. CPI Aero is included in the Russell Microcap® Index.

The above statements include forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which are described from time to time in CPI Aero’s SEC reports, including CPI Aero’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009, June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2009.
CPI Aero® is a registered trademark of CPI Aerostructures, Inc.

Contact:
CPI Aero

Vincent Palazzolo, 631-586-5200

Chief Financial Officer

www.cpiaero.com

or

Investor Relations Counsel

The Equity Group Inc.

Lena Cati, 212-836-9611

Linda Latman, 212-836-9609

www.theequitygroup.com

First U.K. Service Pilot Flies the Lockheed Martin F-35

Defense News ~ PATUXENT RIVER, Md., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A Royal Air Force officer on Tuesday became the first active-duty service pilot from the United Kingdom to take to the skies in a Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).
RAF Squadron Leader Steve Long piloted BF-2, the second short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B, over Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., logging the aircraft's 18th mission. Long departed at 9:55 a.m. EST and flew the aircraft to 20,000 feet, before landing 1.3 hours later. Both the RAF and the Royal Navy plan to operate the F-35B.
"Flying the F-35 was exactly like the simulators that I've been flying for over 18 months now, which gives you a lot of confidence in all the modeling and simulation work that has been done in all the other areas of the flight envelope," Long said, adding that it was a "privilege" to fly the F-35. "What this aircraft really gives the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy is a quantum leap in airborne capability because of the sensor suite it carries. An F-35 pilot will have an unprecedented level of situational awareness about what's going on in the airspace around him or her, and also on the battlefield or ocean below. Not only that, but the F-35 will plug into coalition battlefield networks and be able to pass that picture on to all other players in the network."
With the capability to operate from a variety of ships or austere runways, the F-35B can deploy closer to shore or near front lines, shrinking distance and time to the target, increasing sortie rates and greatly reducing the need for support assets. The Lightning II's sensor suite is the most powerful and comprehensive of any fighter in history, and will combine with an unprecedented networking capability to give unparalleled situational awareness.
U.K. Joint Combat Aircraft Project Team Leader, Air Commodore Graham Farnell, has stated that the U.K. has been closely involved in JSF since its inception. "It is therefore an honour to witness an RAF pilot flying BF-2 during this important phase of the F-35B flight test, and further demonstrates the closeness and mutual trust between our respective nations and their armed forces," Farnell said. "Squadron Leader Long has been preparing for this opportunity since his arrival in the U.S. well over a year ago, and this occasion is a testament not only to the work undertaken in the Integrated Test Force, to which the U.K. provides considerable expertise, but also to the wider JSF community in both government and industry.
"We look forward to the JSF flight test program meeting its targets in 2010, with today being one of many such occasions in the next year of JSF. The U.K. is now preparing pilots and maintainers for initial training at Eglin so that we can begin operating our aircraft in 2011 alongside our colleagues from the United States Marine Corps," he said.
Squadron Leader Long is the third active-duty service member to fly the F-35. (The jet also has been flown by U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps pilots.) Long has more than 2,200 hours of flight time and currently flies the F-18A-D with the U.S. Marines. He joined the RAF in 1995, and his operational experience has included more than 100 sorties over Kosovo and Bosnia, Sierra Leone and Iraq, including three months of embarked time aboard H.M.S. Illustrious, and seven months on the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard.
The U.K. has invested $2 billion in the F-35's development – the largest contribution among the program's eight partner nations. The Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) program announced in December that the United Kingdom received financial approval to purchase its third F-35B operational test aircraft, reinforcing the U.K.'s continued commitment to the JSF program's upcoming Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) phase.
The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations, advanced sustainment, and lower operational and support costs. Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development: the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.
For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com

Presagis solutions delivered on four Boeing F-15C Eagle Simulators

Presagis provided technical services and COTS image generation tools for high-fidelity training scenarios

Defense News ~ MONTREAL--January 27, 2010, (BUSINESS WIRE)--Presagis™, a leading provider of commercial-off-the shelf (COTS) modeling, simulation and embedded display graphics software, today announced that Lyra along with other Presagis tools were delivered as part of a Boeing-developed solution for the United States Air Force F-15C Eagle tactical fighter training program. In November 2009, Boeing fielded the four F-15C Visual Systems Trainers.
Presagis Lyra and Lyra Sensors COTS Visual Runtime software were integrated into the training system to provide realistic out-the-window, infrared sensor, and night vision goggle views for the fighter jet scenarios. The Presagis Technical Services team also supported the development of the simulator’s Visual Database.
Depicting visual cues — exactly the way a pilot would see it if they were looking at the landscape through night vision goggles or from the cockpit — is critical to a positive training experience and success in the actual aircraft. With Presagis tools, Boeing can efficiently create the immersive and high-fidelity scenarios the Air Force needs to train their personnel.
Presagis Lyra, a multichannel visualization system delivering 60-hertz image generation out-of-the box, provides out-the-window scenes with complex weather and environmental special effects. Lyra Sensors provides simulated views from the aircraft’s infrared sensors as well as accurately replicating the pilot’s night vision goggles system. The solution operates on multiple hardware and operating system platforms, and utilizes two host simulation interfaces, CIGI and FlightICD, to maximize compatibility with existing simulators.
“Presagis is proud to work with the Boeing team to deliver a customized image generation solution for simulations reflecting the latest military innovations,” said Nick Giannias, Vice President, Research & Technology and Product Management, Presagis. “Our Lyra and Lyra Sensors solutions helped to create complex scenarios that include lava fields, light point halos, and sensor signatures, resulting in a premium training environment for U.S. Air Force pilots.”
Both Lyra and Lyra Sensors incorporate a broad range of functionality for a diverse range of interactive 3D visual applications, allowing for maximum flexibility in simulation development. To ensure rapid implementation, Lyra and Lyra Sensors include a sample database to validate installation and system performance, as well as utility tools such as a CIGI packet logger to record and play back scenarios.
The F-15C Eagle is a single-seat, all-weather tactical fighter designed for air-to-air combat. The aircraft’s pulse-Doppler radar system can detect and track aircraft and small high-speed targets at distances beyond visual range down to close range, and at altitudes down to treetop level.
About Presagis
Presagis is a global leader providing commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) modeling, simulation and embedded display solutions to the aerospace and defense markets and is the only developer to deliver a unified COTS software portfolio based on open-standards. Presagis combines cutting-edge technology with innovative services to help customers streamline workflow, reduce project risks, create detailed models and complex simulations, in addition to developing DO-178B certifiable applications. The company services more than 1,000 active customers worldwide, including many of the world's most respected organizations such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Airbus, BAE Systems and CAE. For more information, visit www.presagis.com.
© 2010 Presagis Canada Inc. and/or Presagis USA Inc. All rights reserved.Presagis means Presagis Canada Inc., Presagis USA Inc. and/or Presagis Europe SA. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact:
Presagis

Tracey Ades, (514) 341-3874 ext. 282

Director, Marketing Programs

tracey.ades@presagis.com

Northrop Grumman Awarded $335 Million Base Operations Contract

Defense News ~ HERNDON, Va., Jan. 27, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U.S. Air Forces in Europe has awarded the Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC - News) and Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc (KBR) 50/50 joint venture Vinnell, Brown & Root LLC (VBR) a contract to provide base operations support services for locations in Turkey and Spain. The Turkey-Spain Base Maintenance Contract is a fixed-price-incentive contract with cost reimbursable line items with a potential value of $335 million over four and a half years. VBR will provide program management, civil engineering, base services, logistics support, air terminal and ground handling, postal services and communications, occupational health/industrial hygiene and ambulance services.
“VBR has a proven track record for providing world-class base operations support services at multiple sites in Turkey supporting the U.S. Air Force’s mission," said Jeff Prewitt, VBR program manager for the contract. “We have been in Turkey for more than 20 years, and we’re proud to be able to expand our services into Spain.”
“We continue to work shoulder-to-shoulder with our nation’s service members at forward deployed locations around the world,” said Bill Carty, vice president and general manager of the Systems Support Group for Northrop Grumman's Technical Services sector. “Northrop Grumman has the proven capability, flexibility and adaptability to meet all challenges faced by today’s warfighter.”
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
(410) 931-6641
jeff.lacap@ngc.com
Ken Beedle
Northrop Grumman Corporation
+44 207 747 1910
+44 7787 174092
Ken.beedle@euro.ngc.com

PTC Wins Strategic Windchill Contract with One of the World's Largest Producers of Commercial Vehicles

Volvo Group completes exhaustive validation of their directional decision to confirm PTC and is set to further advance its world-class PLM infrastructure

Defense News ~ NEEDHAM, Mass.--January 27, 2010, (BUSINESS WIRE)--PTC (Nasdaq: PMTC - News), The Product Development Company®, today announced that Volvo Group has signed an agreement moving PTC from a directional decision to a firm strategic decision to use Windchill®, PTC’s PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) software, for Volvo Group’s strategic VPDM (Virtual Product Data Management) program. This firm decision is the result of an exhaustive final validation that clearly demonstrated the value of the Windchill software and PTC´s capability to execute as an organization.
Volvo Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment, drive systems for marine and industrial applications, and aerospace components and services.
“We are excited to begin the next phase of what we expect will be a multi-year relationship with Volvo Group,” said James E. Heppelmann, president and chief operating officer PTC. “Volvo has very sophisticated product development requirements: they operate in a fast-paced, global environment; they work with multiple, heterogeneous sources of data; they develop complex products, which are in many cases highly customized and have significant life cycles.”
About PTC Solutions for the Automotive Industry
PTC’s automotive design software tools enable effective automobile design and development in a heterogeneous environment and facilitate design and part reuse. Our automotive design software and collaboration tools make it easy to bring geographically dispersed design teams and production facilities together to dramatically reduce cycle times. Additionally, our dynamic publishing tools automate the technical publication creation process - shrinking costs and speeding up publishing times.
About PTC
PTC (Nasdaq: PMTC - News) provides discrete manufacturers with software and services to meet the globalization, time-to-market and operational efficiency objectives of product development. Using the company’s PLM and CAD solutions, organizations in the Industrial, High-Tech, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive, Retail & Consumer and Life Sciences industries are able to support key business objectives and create innovative products that meet customer needs and comply with industry regulations. For more information on PTC, please visit http://www.ptc.com.

The announcement of any particular selection of PTC products is not necessarily indicative of the timing of recognition of revenue therefrom or the level of revenue for any particular period. In addition, in many cases PTC’s software must be successfully implemented and deployed to enable the customer to achieve its business objectives. The announcement of a customer’s selection of PTC software does not indicate that applicable implementation and deployment activities are complete.
PTC and its logo, The Product Development Company, and Windchill are trademarks or registered trademarks of Parametric Technology Corporation and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and in other countries.

Contact:
PTC

Kristian Talvitie, 781-370-6151

Corporate Communications

ktalvitie@ptc.com

or

For PTC

Weber Shandwick

Amanda Keane, 617-520-7260

akeane@webershandwick.com

Saab Signs Contract for Air Defence System RBS 70 to Finland

Defense News ~ STOCKHOLM-- January 27, 2010, (BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News:
Defence and security company Saab (STO:SAABB) has signed a contract on further deliveries of the RBS 70 ground based air defence system to the Finnish Army. The order has a value of MSEK 260.
First deliveries of materiel are scheduled for 2011.
“This is very positive and it further proves the capability of the RBS 70 system which until now has been exported to 18 countries located on all five continents,” says Tomas Samuelsson, Head of Business Area Dynamics.
Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.
www.saabgroup.com
For streaming and broadcast-standard video, please visit www.thenewsmarket.com/saab . If you are a first-time user, please take a moment to register. In case you have any questions, please e-mail journalisthelp@thenewsmarket.com.
The information is that which Saab AB is required to declare by the Securities Business Act and/or the Financial instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication on January 27 at 13.15.
This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

Contact:
Saab Press Centre
+46 (0)734 180 018

dB Control Awarded $13.2 Million Five-Year Contract by U.S. Navy to Provide TWT Amplifiers for ECM Systems in Airborne and Ground Based Applications

Defense News ~ FREMONT, Calif.--January 27, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE)--dB Control, an established manufacturer known for its reliable, high-power microwave amplifiers, radar transmitters and power supplies, has been awarded a five-year contract worth approximately $13.2 million by the U.S. Navy to produce up to 300 amplifiers to be integrated into Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) systems. The contract includes 500-Watt traveling wave tube (TWT) amplifiers that will be integrated into the entire life cycle of the U.S. Navy’s ECM systems, including rack-mount units used in laboratories and loop facilities during product development, airborne pods onboard manned aircraft, ground-based applications, testing and fleet training systems.
In addition to designing and producing the amplifiers at the company’s secure, 40,000 square-foot facility in Fremont, Calif., dB Control will also provide the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., with ongoing engineering, technical and repair support services. Text of the official contract announcement is available from the U.S. Department of Defense N68936-10-D-0010.
“Detecting potential threats quickly and accurately depends on the reliability of the TWT amplifier powering the ECM systems. As it can be a matter of life or death for our armed forces personnel, reliability is paramount,” said dB Control CEO Joe Hajduk. “When the U.S. Navy evaluated competitive bids, our rugged TWT amplifiers stood out as the best choice to provide exceptional reliability, even in harsh airborne environments.”
About dB Control
Established in 1990, dB Control Inc. (www.dBControl.com) supplies mission-critical, often sole-source, products worldwide to military organizations, as well as to major defense contractors and commercial manufacturers for a wide variety of applications. dB Control has an outstanding record of successfully repairing, refurbishing and replacing tightly packaged high-voltage transformers, assemblies and power supplies and offers specialized contract manufacturing services, including transformer winding and testing, full-vacuum encapsulation, pressure cure and conformal coating laboratory services.
GRAPHICS: For photos, logos and graphics, please contact Mar Junge at mar@c3pr.com.

Contact:
dB Control
Steve Olson, 510-656-2325 ext. 297
Marketing Manager
solson@dbcontrol.com
or
c3PR Public Relations
Mar Junge, 408-730-8506 or 408-219-0101 (cell)
mar@c3pr.com

Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc. Begins Shipping Its Full Body Scanner

Defense News ~ COVINGTON, Ky., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Valley Forge Composite Technologies (OTC Bulletin Board: VLYF) is shipping ODIN™, its full body scanner, this week. ODIN is a state of the art full body scanning system based on Ultra-Low Dose Imaging Technology. It provides an enhanced ability to see most objects including liquids, explosives and other contraband carried on an individual, even when concealed.
The initial system is expected to be installed and operational by the middle of February at which point ODIN will undergo acceptance testing for 30 days before being put into full operation. It is believed that successful testing will result with a larger rollout.
"We have been informed that we were chosen because we are providing very high quality images", stated Lou Brothers, CEO of Valley Forge.
For security reasons, Valley Forge has agreed to not disclose the end user of the product or the location of the initial installation.
For further information on ODIN or Valley Forge's other contraband detection technologies, please visit its web site at www.vlyf.com .
About Valley Forge
Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc. develops, manufactures and distributes next-generation detection systems. Its THOR LVX™ system is designed to detect nuclear material, explosives and contraband hidden in cargo containers and baggage, even through shielding. VLYF is also marketing the ODIN personal screening system for use in airports, high-security buildings and border entry points. More information about Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc. can be found at www.vlyf.com.

Forward-Looking Statement
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a 'safe harbor' for certain forward-looking statements. Statements in this press release that relate to Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc.'s future plans, objectives, expectations, performance, events, reports made by others, and the like, including a statement about the assumptions underlying a forward-looking statement, are forward-looking statements protected by the safe harbor. Investors should understand that future events, risks and uncertainties, individually or in the aggregate, are factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. These factors could include changes in economic conditions or government policies that may change the demand for the Company's products and services and could include other factors discussed in the sections of the Company's report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, entitled 'Description of Business' or 'Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation.' This release is comprised of interrelated information that must be interpreted in the context of all of the information provided and care should be exercised not to consider portions of this release out of context. Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc. uses paid services of investor relations organizations to promote the Company to the investment community. Investments in the Company should be considered speculative, and, prior to acquisition, should be thoroughly researched. Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc. does not intend to update these forward-looking statements prior to its reporting of its quarterly or annual results.

Contact
Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc.
Roe Brothers
roe@vfct.com
Tel: (859) 581-5111

Det-Tronics Fire and Gas Detection/Releasing System Obtains U.S. Coast Guard and Lloyd's Marine Approvals

Det-Tronics System and Detectors Are Hearty Enough for Offshore

Defense News ~ MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwire - 01/26/10) - Detector Electronics Corporation (Det-Tronics) has announced that its Eagle Quantum Premie (EQP) system has received Type-Approval from the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and from Lloyd's Register (http://eqp.det-tronics.com). Det-Tronics manufactures flame detectors, gas detectors, and safety systems and is part of UTC Fire & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX - News).
Approval by the U.S. Coast Guard is required for flame and gas detection systems (including control panel, flame detectors, gas detectors, and accessories) in use where the USCG has jurisdiction -- for example, in U.S. flagged vessels or vessels operating in U.S. waters.
The U.S. Coast Guard certificate was awarded after rigorous Factory Mutual Approvals (FM) witness testing proved the system and components meet the stringent USCG performance criteria. The products were verified to meet the U.S. Coast Guard's environmental requirements as described in 46 CFR 161.002.
Obtaining the meticulous Lloyd's Register of Shipping approval further verifies that the flame and gas detection system meets their specified performance requirements and is acceptable for operational use.
"We are pleased to obtain certification from these respected organizations," says Simon Pate, Director of Projects and Systems at Det-Tronics. "The hundreds of offshore sites and floating platforms that we currently serve worldwide can be assured of their wise choice for safety."
About Detector Electronics
Detector Electronics Corporation (Det-Tronics) -- a world leader in industrial fire detection, gas detection, and hazard mitigation systems -- designs, builds, tests, and commissions safety systems ranging from conventional panels to fault-tolerant, addressable systems. Det-Tronics detectors are globally certified to current product approvals standards, including critical SIL2 industrial applications. Information at http://www.det-tronics.com.
Det-Tronics is part of UTC Fire & Security, which provides fire safety and security solutions to more than one million customers worldwide. Headquartered in Connecticut, UTC Fire & Security is a business unit of United Technologies Corp., which provides high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries worldwide. Information at http://www.utcfireandsecurity.com.
Det-Tronics, the DET-TRONICS logo, and Eagle Quantum Premier are registered trademarks or trademarks of Detector Electronics Corporation in the United States, other countries or both.

Contact:

Cathryn Kasic

952.833.8661

Email Contact

Detector Electronics Corporation

6901 West 110th Street

Minneapolis, MN 55438 USA

Tel 952.941.5665

Fax 952.829.8750

www.det-tronics.com

LGS Awarded Blanket Purchase Agreement to Support U.S. Army in Southwest Asia

Defense News ~ HERNDON, Va.--January 26, 2010, (BUSINESS WIRE)--LGS, a subsidiary of Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE:ALU and Euronext Paris) dedicated to serving the U.S. government community, announced today it was recently awarded a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with the U.S. Army to provide communications technology in support specific operations across Southwest Asia.
The agreement is in support of Project Manager Network Service Center (PM NSC) and Project Director Defense Communication Systems - Southwest Asia (PD DCS-SWA) in its mission within Southwest Asia Theater of Operations, as well as various U.S. locations to support the DCS-SWA Command and Control Communications Center (C4) Commercialization.
LGS already has won three specific task orders under the agreement including two projects at Bagram Airfield to support communications infrastructure as well as one project that will provide a variety of equipment materials at multiple locations at airfields in Kabul and Kandahar.
The BPA was awarded to 16 prime contractors by the U.S. Army Contracting Command - Rock Island Contracting Center (ACC - RICC), and will support a wide range of solutions, including wireless technologies, voice and data solutions, inside/outside plant (ISP/OSP), premise wiring, and technical control facilities over a five-year period.
“LGS has a long track record of providing and delivering network support all over the world for the U.S. Army,” said Ron Iverson, CEO, LGS. “The ability to deliver reliable and effective broadband communications capabilities is a key part of mission success.”
The BPA provides PD DCS-SWA a new vehicle to address all phases of projects, including technical and program management and analysis, acquisition, engineering, installation, de-installation, relocation, refurbishment, integration, testing, logistical services, training, and authority to purchase any materials or services required to support these tasks. Deliverables under the BPA will provide for terrestrial communications infrastructure within the Central Command (CENTCOM) Theater of Operations for support units, activities or agencies assigned or anticipated to be assigned to these locations.
LGS and its predecessor organizations have a dedicated team of people who have been working with the U.S. Army for more than 15 years.
About LGS
LGS, a subsidiary of Alcatel-Lucent, designs and delivers Transformed Communications and R&D-based technology solutions to the U.S. government community. Leveraging the world-class R&D of Alcatel-Lucent Bell Labs, with global reach and expertise, LGS challenges itself to solve the unsolvable and deliver secure, reliable, standards-based solutions to its customers. LGS, is headquartered in Vienna, Va., in the US and with offices in Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey and North Carolina. For more information about LGS visit www.LGSinnovations.com.

Contact:
LGS
Wendy Zajack
Mobile: 703-943-6298
wzajack@lgsinnovations.com

Lansmont Signs Agreement With NASA and ATK

Lansmont Enters NASA's Office of Small Business Program Mentor-Protégé Program with ATK

Defense News ~ MONTEREY, Calif.--January 26, 2010, (BUSINESS WIRE)--Lansmont Corporation, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and a leading provider of state of the art engineering services, manufacturing capacity and test and measurement products, today signed an agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Small Business Programs to begin work in their Mentor-Protégé program which enhances their capabilities to be a contractor for NASA. Glenn A. Delgado, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Small Business Programs at NASA, David Brock, Small Business Specialist from the NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center and executives from Alliant Techsystems, Inc. (ATK), were onsite at Lansmont’s headquarters to formally sign a contract enrolling Lansmont into the program. They were greeted by local politicians and officials, who joined them to meet with Lansmont employees and tour the facility.
“Lansmont exemplifies a level of excellence, dedication and assurance of quality that is coming from small businesses throughout the country that are supporting a multitude of important NASA missions,” said Brock.
Mr. Delgado added, “NASA is committed to providing all categories of small businesses an opportunity to participate in both NASA prime contracts and subcontracts.” As the assistant administrator, Delgado provides executive leadership and policy direction for developing and implementing policies and initiatives throughout NASA to ensure that all categories of small businesses are afforded opportunities to compete for agency contracts.
The NASA Mentor-Protégé Program is designed to encourage NASA prime contractors to assist eligible Protégés in enhancing their capabilities to perform NASA contracts and subcontracts, foster the establishment of long-term business relationships between these entities and NASA prime contractors, and increase the overall number of these entities that receive NASA contract and subcontract awards. The formal enrollment into the Mentor-Protégé program furthers a business relationship between ATK and Lansmont, where ATK will serve as the Mentor to Lansmont, which will be the Protégé.
“We are thrilled, humbled and honored to be enrolled in this program with ATK and NASA,” said Dave Huntley, president of Lansmont Corporation. “ATK was recently named as the 2009 NASA Agency-Level Large Business Prime Contractor of the Year, so we feel especially privileged to be under such attentive guidance to prove ourselves as an essential partner that can be relied upon for the space program and future NASA missions."
ATK has been utilizing Lansmont’s SAVER 3X90 instruments to ensure the safe movement and monitoring of the Space Shuttle’s two reusable solid rocket motors (RSRM). Manufactured at ATK Launch Systems Division in Utah, the RSRM is transported by special rail equipment in multiple segments to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for assembly and preparation for flight. Lansmont’s SAVER 3X90, an award-winning test and measurement solution, is magnetically attached to each segment to ensure that they are not exposed to damaging shock, vibration and climatic conditions while transported. In 2010, when the Space Shuttle is retired, Lansmont will continue to assure the safe transport of NASA’s new Ares Launch Vehicle 1st Stage motor segments.
About Lansmont
Lansmont Corporation, founded in 1971, is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) company providing state of the art engineering services, manufacturing capacity and test and measurement products to the world's leading technology companies, government laboratories and educational institutions. Go to www.lansmont.com for more information.

Contact:
Experience Communications for Lansmont Corporation

Mark Peterson, 831-626-4400

M: 831-238-1380

mark@experiencecom.com

Raytheon Wins $4.3 Million Contract for On-Dock Rail Nuclear Detectors

Defense News ~ TEWKSBURY, Mass., Jan. 26, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Under a $4.3 million contract from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is developing next-generation panels that can scan rail cars to detect nuclear weapons and other materials.
The new panels are an additional configuration in Raytheon's Advanced Spectroscopic portfolio, a series of panels that can be used in various ways to screen cars, trucks, cargo containers, and now rail cars at seaports, border crossings, and airports. Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems is developing the panels for the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office within DHS. The panels will be tested this summer in Tacoma, Wash.
Ports of entry, courier facilities, airports and similar locations are now using first-generation radiation monitors to scan cargo containers that are placed on trucks. But those devices are not as effective in scanning rail cars, and they cannot distinguish between nuclear materials that pose a threat and the naturally occurring radioactive materials in fertilizer and bananas. Consequently, there can be frequent false alarms.
With the new panels, after a cargo container at a seaport has been loaded onto an 18-wheel flatbed truck or onto a rail car, the truck or car will pass between two panels that will scan it for illicit materials. It will be similar to driving a motor vehicle between two toll booths on the highway. One advantage of the new panels is that they will be taller than the existing version, so they will be able to scan the top of a rail car.
The new panels represent what is called an Advanced Spectroscopic On-Dock Rail configuration. The portfolio also includes panels that fit into a sport utility vehicle to detect nuclear materials passing on one side or the other of the SUV.
"National safety depends on our ability to design and field early-detection systems that can identify such threats as improvised nuclear devices, nuclear weapons, and devices that disperse radiological materials. So this is a high-priority program within DHS and a key component of DNDO's efforts," said Mary Petryszyn, vice president of civil security and response programs at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems.
Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

Contact:
Carol Sobel
978.858.4519