Department of Energy Awards Contract to SAIC

Company to Continue Providing Technical, Managerial and Project Support Services to U.S. Energy Information Administration

Defense News ~ MCLEAN, Va. and SAN DIEGO, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a prime, follow-on contract by the Department of Energy to provide technical, managerial and project support services to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract has a five year base period of performance and a contract ceiling of $288 million for the three awardees. Work will be performed in the National Capital Region.
The U.S. EIA is the primary federal agency for collection, analysis, publication, and dissemination of data and forecasts related to energy production, conversion, transportation, and use. Under the contract, SAIC will continue to support the EIA in areas including energy analysis and econometric modeling; statistical analysis; survey operations; and web and data system/software design and development. SAIC may provide deliverables including issue and trend analyses, energy and climate change technology surveys, facilities capital and operation and maintenance cost assessments, and historical trends analysis, as well as web and data system prototypes. SAIC will also help EIA develop, manage, operate, and maintain comprehensive energy data collection programs and systems; and maintain domestic and international energy models for forecasting as required. SAIC has supported the agency in these capacities since 1987.
"We look forward to continuing our support of EIA as they continue to provide accurate, reliable and timely, policy neutral energy data and information to meet the needs of government, industry, and the public," said J.T. Grumski, SAIC senior vice president and business unit general manager.
About SAIC
SAIC is a FORTUNE 500® scientific, engineering, and technology applications company that uses its deep domain knowledge to solve problems of vital importance to the nation and the world, in national security, energy and the environment, critical infrastructure, and health. The company's approximately 45,000 employees serve customers in the U.S. Department of Defense, the intelligence community, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, other U.S. Government civil agencies and selected commercial markets. Headquartered in McLean, Va., SAIC had annual revenues of $10.1 billion for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2009. For more information, visit www.saic.com. SAIC: From Science to Solutions®

Statements in this announcement, other than historical data and information, constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be very different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in SAIC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 31, 2009, and other such filings that SAIC makes with the SEC from time to time. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

Contact:
Melissa Koskovich
(703) 676-6762

melissa.l.koskovich@saic.com

Laura Luke
(703) 676-6533
laura.luke@saic.com

Lockheed Martin Launches Smart Grid Command and Control Software Suite

Defense News ~ VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today launched its Smart Energy Enterprise Suite, or SEEsuite™, of advanced grid management applications to give utilities, system operators and defense customers unprecedented insight into their enterprise operations and command and control of their smart grid assets.
SEEsuite combines Lockheed Martin's expertise in systems-of-systems integration, service oriented architectures, cyber security and mission-critical systems development with utility-specific functionality. SEEsuite helps customers dynamically manage load during times of grid stress or volatile market prices, integrate and balance load from distributed energy resources, increase situational awareness for advanced decision making, and deploy and manage 'microgrids' – portions of the electric grid able to operate independently of the overall grid.
"We are excited to provide utilities and defense customers with improved command and control and situational awareness of their smart grid assets," said John Mengucci, president of Information Systems & Global Services-Defense. "We are helping our customers not only make the grid smarter, but also more reliable, more resilient, more secure and more flexible to meet the growing needs of our increasingly electricity-based economy."
SEEsuite applications include: SEEload™ for Distributed Energy Resource Management, SEEview™ for Smart Grid Situational Awareness and SEEgrid™ for Integrated Grid Management.
SEEload enables utilities and system operators to precisely and easily manage demand response events across an entire distribution network, including individual substations and circuits. SEEload also manages distributed energy resources including electric vehicles and energy storage devices to give utilities greater control over peak load and distributed energy resources.
SEEview integrates key operational and business systems to provide customers near real time situational awareness across generation, transmission, distribution, and customer systems. SEEview allows utilities' key decision makers to sense and respond quickly to changing market conditions, grid disturbances, and unplanned changes to their generation mix.
SEEgrid enables utilities to optimize the utilization of distributed energy resources to improve grid reliability, meet renewable energy and emissions targets, and reduce the cost of delivered electricity. SEEgrid also allows defense customers to effectively go 'off-grid' for enhanced energy security during times of natural or man-made disasters.
Lockheed Martin is working to address the nation's energy and climate challenges in the areas of energy efficiency, energy management, next-generation alternative energy generation and climate monitoring. The corporation provides a full range of energy solutions to government and regulated industry customers, including the Department of Energy, Department of Defense, Environmental Protection Agency, utilities, state and regional energy organizations, and businesses.
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/energysolutions

Oshkosh Corporation Receives Orders Valued at $325 Million for M-ATV Parts, Repair Kits

Defense News ~ OSHKOSH, Wis.--January 25, 2010, (BUSINESS WIRE)--Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK - News) today announced its Defense division received two delivery orders valued at more than $325 million from the U.S. Army Tank- automotive and Armaments Command Life Cycle Management Command (TACOM LCMC) to supply spare parts and repair kits for the MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV).
Timing for the delivery orders is expected to begin in August 2010 and be completed by the end of January 2011. To date, Oshkosh has received awards valued at more than $3.9 billion to deliver 6,619 M-ATVs, as well as spare kits and aftermarket in-theater support.
“These M-ATV spare parts and repair kits are being produced to ensure they are available to our Armed Forces as operations require,” said Robert G. Bohn, Oshkosh Corporation chairman and chief executive officer. “We have a continued commitment to our Warfighters to keep a robust aftermarket parts support program running parallel to the needs in the field.”
Oshkosh Defense provides the complete spectrum of service and support for the M-ATV fleet in the Afghan theater. The company already has field service representatives (FSR) to support the M-ATV program in-theater. Building on its experience from Operation Iraqi Freedom, Oshkosh FSRs can operate service facilities on any of the forward operating bases that might require training and more support than internal assets can provide.
Existing Oshkosh manufacturing facilities have available production manufacturing capability to deliver these M-ATV orders and vehicles for all other Defense programs, including the U.S. Army’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV), as well as any surges in production. The company has exceeded the accelerated vehicle delivery schedule every month since being awarded the M-ATV contract on June 30, 2009.
Using the Oshkosh-patented TAK-4® independent suspension system, the M-ATV features a 70-percent off-road profile capability and 16 inches of independent wheel travel to deliver the superior off-road mobility that is needed for Afghanistan’s mountainous terrain and unimproved roads. The TAK-4 system is being retrofitted on more than 2,400 legacy MRAPs for improved mobility in Afghanistan and has undergone more than 500,000 miles of government testing.
Oshkosh teamed with Plasan North America to provide an advanced armor solution for the M-ATV. Plasan also developed the armor system used on more than 5,000 legacy MRAPs and thousands of Oshkosh Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) Armored Cabs already in theater.
About Oshkosh Defense
Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is an industry-leading global designer and manufacturer of tactical military trucks and armored wheeled vehicles, delivering a full product line of conventional and hybrid vehicles, advanced armor options, proprietary suspensions and vehicles with payloads that can exceed 70 tons. Oshkosh Defense provides a global service and supply network including full life-cycle support and remanufacturing, and its vehicles are recognized the world over for superior performance, reliability and protection. For more information, visit www.oshkoshdefense.com.
About Oshkosh Corporation
Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corp. manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Medtec®, Jerr-Dan®, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline™, SMIT™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. Oshkosh products are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, log on to www.oshkoshcorporation.com.
®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include risks related to the required increase in the rate of production for the M-ATV contract and the amount, if any, of additional orders for M-ATVs that the Company may receive; the cyclical nature of the Company’s access equipment, commercial and fire & emergency markets, especially during a global recession and credit crisis; the duration of the global recession, which could lead to additional impairment charges related to many of the Company’s intangible assets; the expected level and timing of U.S. Department of Defense procurement of products and services and funding thereof, including the outcome of the formal protests of the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) award to the Company; risks related to reductions in government expenditures and the uncertainty of government contracts; the consequences of financial leverage associated with the JLG acquisition, which could limit the Company’s ability to pursue various opportunities; risks related to the collectability of receivables during a recession, particularly for those businesses with exposure to construction markets; risks related to production delays as a result of the economy’s impact on the Company’s suppliers; the potential for commodity costs to rise sharply, including in a future economic recovery; risks associated with international operations and sales, including foreign currency fluctuations; and the potential for increased costs relating to compliance with changes in laws and regulations. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update information contained in this press release.

Contact:
Oshkosh Corporation

Financial:

Patrick Davidson

Vice President, Investor Relations

920.966.5939

or

Media:

Ann Stawski

Vice President, Marketing Communications

920.966.5959

Navistar Selects Continental Tires as Standard Equipment for Severe Service and Medium Duty

Defense News ~ FORT MILL, S.C., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) and Continental Tire North America, Inc. ("Continental") announced today that Continental truck tires are the standard fitment for all International® PayStar®, WorkStar®, and DuraStar® severe service and medium duty vehicles as of January 1, 2010.
Navistar, a market leader in the North American severe service and medium duty segments, is a natural fit with the rugged durability of Continental's on/off highway and construction truck tires, said Tom Fanning, director of original equipment sales for Continental – The Americas.
"International truck customers count on their vehicles to provide heavy duty performance and maximum uptime, even in the most demanding conditions. Now they can rely upon their Continental truck tires to work in tandem with these powerful vehicles, providing the top-level reliability and high mileage that can only come from a tire engineered to handle the toughest driving conditions," Fanning said.
Continental's expansion into the regional, on/off highway and construction segment is backed up by truck tires engineered with maximum resistance to damage, tread patterns designed for optimum traction, extra tough compounding and stone ejection systems.
"All of these factors provide excellent durability and long original mileage that complement the worksite-readiness of International brand severe service vehicles. Drivers of International PayStar, WorkStar, and DuraStar trucks will now be able to depend on Continental tires to keep them moving safely, even in unpredictable road conditions," Fanning said.
"The severe-duty cycle of International WorkStar and PayStar trucks required a tire selection that can perform under these conditions, and Continental truck tires have the intelligent engineering and durability required," said Melissa Gauger, vocational marketing manager for Navistar.
"International trucks can tackle some of the most severe conditions on earth and routinely come back for more. With our MaxxForce® big bore engines and heavy duty chassis features, we needed to select original equipment tires that were equal in capability and strength to the components of the truck itself."
"This is why Continental truck tires are the new standard for our severe service and medium duty vehicles. We have confidence that our customers will be just as satisfied with their Continental tires as they are with the power and reliability of their new International truck," Gauger said.
With the Navistar fitment, Continental is expanding its footprint into the severe service and medium duty vehicle segments to highlight its tire products that are engineered for maximum durability. Continental's complete lineup of truck tires, including tires designed for regional highway, on/off highway and construction use, can be viewed at its Web site, www.continental-truck.com.
About Navistar
Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) 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.
About Continental
With sales of approximately euro 24 billion in 2008, Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, Continental contributes enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently employs approximately 134,000 at nearly 190 locations in 37 countries.
Online media database: www.mediacenter.continental-corporation.com
Continental Tire North America Media Site: www.ctnamedia.com

Overwatch Awarded DCGS-A Software Development Contract

Defense News ~ AUSTIN, Texas--January 25, 2010, (BUSINESS WIRE)--Overwatch, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT - News) company, announced today that it has been awarded a U.S. Army contract for software development, training and support for the future intelligence framework.
This Distributed Common Ground System-Army (DCGS-A) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract has been awarded through the U.S. Army Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors (IEW&S) Program Executive Office (PEO) with a ceiling amount of $48.5 million over a period of five years.
With this contract award, Overwatch will continue to develop and maintain the DCGS-Army Application Framework (DAF), the DAF Software Development Kit (SDK), and major system components such as the Tactical Entity Database, messaging/interoperability, and visualization/analysis tools.
“This contract demonstrates the Army's continued confidence in Overwatch as the primary software developer on the DCGS-A v3 program,” said Overwatch General Manager Randy Averitte. “This award re-affirms Overwatch's position as a thought leader and engineering partner for the program, and enables us to move forward with the development of this critically important system for the military intelligence community.”
About Overwatch
Overwatch, an operating unit of Textron Systems, is the leading provider of integrated intelligence software solutions and services as well as robust satellite communications systems for today’s U.S. and international defense and intelligence communities. For the past 20 years, Overwatch’s intelligence solutions have supported decision makers, counter-terrorism analysts, warfighters and first responders by providing proven tools that simplify the integration, analysis and exploitation of intelligence in order to present a complete operational picture and accelerate the time-to-decision. More information is available at www.overwatch.com.
About Textron Systems
Textron Systems Corporation has been providing innovative solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for more than 50 years. Known for its unmanned aircraft systems, advanced marine craft, armored vehicles, intelligent battlefield and surveillance systems, intelligence software solutions, precision smart weapons, piston engines, test and training systems, and total life cycle sustainment services, Textron Systems includes AAI Corporation, Lycoming Engines, Overwatch, Textron Defense Systems and Textron Marine & Land Systems. Textron Systems Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at www.textronsystems.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.

Contact:
Investors:
Textron
Doug Wilburne, 401-457-2288
or
Bill Pitts, 401-457-2288
or
Media:
Textron Systems Corporation
Sharon Corona, 410-628-3184
or
Textron
Michael Maynard, 401-457-2474

SIGMA Forum Roundtable and Keynote Examines New Technologies and the Future at WBT2010

Defense News ~ ARLINGTON, Texas--January 25, 2010, (BUSINESS WIRE)--WBTshowcase announced today that sci-fi think tank founder Arlan Andrews, Sr. P.E. will join seven fellow members of SIGMA on a panel session titled “The World's Best Technologies - 2010 and Beyond” on Wednesday, March 17th at WBT2010. The panelists will review the WBT2010 presentations and technologies and peer into future potential and possibilities. WBT2010, the world's largest forum offering a prescreened, pre-prepped collection of undiscovered companies and intellectual property emanating from top universities, labs and research institutions from across the country, will take place March 15 through 17 at the Sheraton Arlington Hotel and the Arlington Convention Center.
SIGMA, a non-profit group of science fiction writers who provide pro bono futurism consulting for the Federal government and appropriate NGOs, was founded by Dr. Andrews in 1992 while working at the White House Science Office. In addition to his participation on the panel, Dr. Andrews will deliver a keynote Wednesday evening at the WBT2010 Awards Ceremony. His keynote, which will focus on science fiction, high tech, and serial entrepreneurs is titled, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future.”
Dr. Andrews is a registered Professional Engineer and professional member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), and a former ASME White House Fellow in OSTP (White House Science Office). Dr. Andrews retired from Sandia National Labs in Albuquerque as Manager of the Advanced Manufacturing Initiatives Department. He then co-founded several high-tech companies, including a virtual reality software firm, Muse Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: MUZE, 1998-2001), and a biotech process company, Kinetic Biosystems, Inc., now located in Durham, NC. He previously held positions at AT&T Bell Labs and White Sands Missile Range, NM. Dr. Andrews is presently Environmental Director for the U.S. Navy at Corpus Christi, Texas. He has published over 500 fiction stories, speculative fact articles, computer books and opinion pieces in 100 venues worldwide, including the first White House endorsement of nanotechnology in 1993. He holds six patents.
SIGMA members joining Dr. Andrews on the roundtable panel include accomplished American science fiction writer, essayist, and journalist Jerry Pournelle, Ph.D., FAAAS, FBIS, FRAS; Dr. Yoji Kondo, NASA astrophysicist and author who writes under pen name "Eric Kotani”; engineer, novelist, journalist and entrepreneur Wil McCarthy; Walter Jon Williams, author of The Praxis, Aristoi, and Implied Spaces; Mark O'Green, game designer, producer, and executive producer for Interplay, Sony Online, Sierra/Verant and others while working on titles such as Star Trek, Fallout, Lord of the Rings, Marvel, and Everquest; Michael Swanwick, one of the most acclaimed science fiction and fantasy writers of his generation; and Bud Sparhawk, senior vice president at Macfadden and a director of Federal IT security programs.
Dr. Andrews comments, "SIGMA is a group of creative citizens with uncommon capabilities who offer unique insights about possible future technologies, events, threats, progress, social and economic developments, including existing and future issues of national concern. We spent our literary careers exploring the future: thinking about it, writing about it, living in it. We owe it to the nation and to humankind to report on what's out there.”
About WBT2010, Dr. Andrews says, “I’m excited to see disruptive technologies and applications I’ve not thought of. I expect to be highly impressed.”
Dr. Andrews and his SIGMA colleagues will be on hand to review the 100 emerging and converging materials science, information technology, energy, life science and nanotechnology companies and technologies from across the nation who will present to a national audience of seasoned venture investors and Fortune 1000 licensing scouts.
WBT2010 is produced by Development Capital Networks in cooperation with National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), National Association of Seed and Venture Funds (NASVF), Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) and Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA).
Complete conference information is available at www.wbtshowcase.com.
ABOUT WBTshowcase
The WBTshowcase is the world’s premier showcase converging revolutionary new energy, life science and information technologies to seed limitless solutions for current market needs. www.wbtshowcase.com

Contact:
PENMAN PR
Patti D. Hill, 512-218-0401
patti@penmanpr.com

a.i. solutions Awarded $209 Million Contract to Provide Support to U.S. Missile Defense Agency

Defense News ~ LANHAM, MD--(Marketwire - 01/25/10) - a.i. solutions announced today that it has been awarded a $209 million contract to provide a wide range of design, evaluation and analysis support services to the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
Under the five-year engineering and support services contract with the agency's Quality, Safety and Mission Assurance Functional Capability Group, a.i. solutions and its subcontractors will conduct anomaly and mishap investigations; support design and change evaluations; perform independent verification and validation analysis; and ensure safety compliance. The award is formally known as the MiDAESS contract.
"The work on MiDAESS will allow a.i. solutions to take advantage of the wide range of the engineering and analysis capabilities we have developed over the past decade," said Robert Sperling, a.i. solutions President and CEO. "Our support in helping MDA develop, test, and field an integrated Ballistic Missile Defense System fits well with our company's goal of providing mission-critical software and services to the nation's government agencies and aerospace industry."

Subcontractors supporting a.i. solutions on the contract are ENSCO of Falls Church, VA; INTUITIVE of Huntsville, AL; Nelson Engineering of Merritt Island, FL; and Troy7 Inc. of Huntsville. The work will be performed in the Washington, DC, area, Huntsville and various other U.S. locations.
About a.i. solutions
Founded in 1996, a.i. solutions is a small-business provider of innovative mission-critical infrastructure that enables uninterrupted and reliable access to space. a.i. solutions' products and services span missile systems engineering, space operations, satellite ground systems, information assurance, and launch vehicle engineering in support of the nation's space and defense agencies. For additional information, please visit www.ai-solutions.com.

Contact:
CONTACT:

Caroline Noonan

Director, Corporate Communications

Ph: 301-306-1756, ext. 144

Email Contact

Army BRAC Transition of C4ISR Operations to Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

New Work Provides Continuity of Operations as Army Consolidates Critical Research and Administrative Facilities from Ft. Monmouth and Four Other Locations

Defense News ~ ARLINGTON, Va.-- January 25, 2010,(BUSINESS WIRE)--CACI International Inc (NYSE:CACI) announced that it has been awarded an $81 million task order by the U.S. Army to support the transition of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) resources to the Aberdeen Proving Ground. The move is mandated by the Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission. The contract, assuming the option period is exercised, is for a period of 27 months and was awarded under the General Services Administration’s Logistics Worldwide (LOGWORLD) contract vehicle. The new work realigns organizations currently located at Ft. Monmouth, NJ, Ft Belvoir, VA, Eatontown, NJ, Huntsville, AL, and Fort Knox, KY.
The transition includes the planning/preparation, disassembly, transport, and synchronized reconstitution of an array of components involving information technology, systems engineering, and network automation. These actions will cover more than 120 highly technical and complex communications, electronics research, and development laboratories; 100,000 pieces of communications-electronics test equipment, IT equipment, and other components; design, fabrication, and integration facilities; and a broad array of classified equipment and technology.
The CACI team will provide overall project management, client interface and relationship management, and coordinated technical execution of all work elements. The company has been supporting technical work inside a majority of the relocating laboratory facilities for over 20 years and offers significant institutional knowledge of lab operations and supported programs. It is already performing the key BRAC work for the Army’s Communications-Electronics Research, Development, and Engineering Center (CERDEC) Intelligence and Information Warfare Directorate (I2WD) under another contract from the Army. The new program supports the relocation of all elements of the CERDEC; the Communications-Electronics Command Life Cycle Management Command (CECOM LCMC) headquarters and key organizations (Software Engineering Center (SEC), the Logistics Readiness Center (LRC), and the CECOM Contracting Center (CECC); the Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T), and related Project Managers; and the Program Executive Office, Intelligence Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S) and related Project Managers, Program Executive Office – Integration (PEO-I) and related Project Managers, and U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL).
Bill Fairl, CACI’s President of U.S. Operations, said “This award from the Army to provide BRAC support, following so closely on our win to move classified labs to Aberdeen, is a gratifying vote of confidence in CACI’s ability to provide continuity for the critical C4ISR mission. The consistency, the methodology, the tools, and people are all in place for success.”
According to CACI President and CEO Paul Cofoni, “With this new work, we’re very pleased to help assure the smooth transition to Aberdeen of these vital components to support our warfighters as they keep our country safe. It’s important to note that a majority of the support in the areas of communications, electronics, and intelligence operations for our nation’s in-theater efforts emanates from the commands and organizations that will be moving to Aberdeen.”
CACI provides professional services and IT solutions needed to prevail in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, and federal civilian government arenas. We deliver enterprise IT and network services; data, information, and knowledge management services; business system solutions; logistics and material readiness; C4ISR integration services; cyber solutions; integrated security and intelligence solutions; and program management and SETA support services. CACI services and solutions help our federal clients provide for national security, improve communications and collaboration, secure the integrity of information systems and networks, enhance data collection and analysis, and increase efficiency and mission effectiveness. CACI is a member of the Fortune 1000 Largest Companies and the Russell 2000 index. CACI provides dynamic careers for approximately 12,700 employees working in over 120 offices in the U.S. and Europe. Visit CACI on the web at www.caci.com and www.asymmetricthreat.net.

There are statements made herein which do not address historical facts, and therefore could be interpreted to be forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated include, but are not limited to, the following: regional and national economic conditions in the United States and the United Kingdom, including conditions that result from a prolonged recession; terrorist activities or war; changes in interest rates; currency fluctuations; significant fluctuations in the equity markets; failure to achieve contract awards in connection with recompetes for present business and/or competition for new business; the risks and uncertainties associated with client interest in and purchases of new products and/or services; continued funding of U.S. government or other public sector projects, based on a change in spending patterns, or in the event of a priority need for funds, such as homeland security, the war on terrorism or rebuilding Iraq; or an economic stimulus package; government contract procurement (such as bid protest, small business set asides, loss of work due to organizational conflicts of interest, etc.) and termination risks; the results of government investigations into allegations of improper actions related to the provision of services in support of U.S. military operations in Iraq; the results of government audit and reviews conducted by the Defense Contract Audit Agency or other government entities with cognizant oversight; individual business decisions of our clients; paradigm shifts in technology; competitive factors such as pricing pressures and/or competition to hire and retain employees (particularly those with security clearances); market speculation regarding our continued independence; material changes in laws or regulations applicable to our businesses, particularly in connection with (i) government contracts for services, (ii) outsourcing of activities that have been performed by the government, (iii) competition for task orders under Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (“GWACs”) and/or schedule contracts with the General Services Administration; and (iv) accounting for convertible debt instruments; our own ability to achieve the objectives of near term or long range business plans; and other risks described in the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Contact:
CACI International Inc

Corporate Communications and Media:

Jody Brown, Executive Vice President, Public Relations

703-841-7801

jbrown@caci.com

or

Investor Relations:

David Dragics, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations

866-606-3471

ddragics@caci.com

Elbit Systems Signs Agreement to Purchase Balance of Azimuth Technologies' Shares

Defense News ~ HAIFA, Israel, January 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT) announced today, further to its announcement on November 12, 2008, that on January 24, 2010 a merger agreement was signed with Azimuth Technologies Ltd. ("Azimuth") under which it will acquire the balance of Azimuth's shares. In November 2008, Elbit Systems purchased 19% of Azimuth's shares. Under the newly signed agreement Elbit Systems' wholly owned subsidiary, Elbit Security Systems Ltd., will purchase the balance of Azimuth's shares from Azimuth's shareholders for a price of approximately $46.5 million (173 million shekels). In the event that prior to the merger Azimuth distributes a dividend in the amount of approximately $5.4 million (20 million shekels), the above mentioned consideration will be reduced by approximately $4.3 million (16 million shekels).
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080408/300441 )
Under the terms of the merger agreement an amount of approximately $3.2 million (12 million shekels) of the above mentioned consideration will be held by a trustee for the purpose of indemnifying Elbit in accordance with the terms of the agreement and will be distributed, in whole or in part, to the shareholders at a later date as provided in the agreement.
The closing of the transaction is subject to approval by a general meeting of Azimuth's shareholders as well as approval by the Israeli Antitrust Authority.
Azimuth is an Israeli company engaged mainly in the areas of satellite navigation systems (GPS), electro-optics and data communications, for defense, para-government and civil applications. The company's systems are designed for target acquisition, fire coordination, navigation and orientation solutions, command and control as well as optical measurement systems for high accuracy. Azimuth has a subsidiary in the U.K. engaged in similar activities.
Joseph Ackerman, President and CEO of Elbit Systems, commented: "Azimuth is a leader in its areas of activity, with excellent employees and highly advanced technological capabilities complementing those of Elbit Systems Electro-Optics Elop." Ackerman added: "The acquisition of the balance of Azimuth's shares underscores our long-term strategy of growth through mergers and acquisitions of complementary companies with high synergistic value. The acquisition will provide us with added value in the satellite navigation field, and we expect that the combination of the new capabilities alongside our existing ones will further strengthen our position as a global leader in the electro-optics field in Israel and abroad."
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 aircraft systems ("UAS"), 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.

This press release contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) regarding Elbit Systems Ltd. and/or its subsidiaries (collectively the Company), to the extent such statements do not relate to historical or current fact. Forward Looking Statements are based on management's expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual future results, performance and trends may differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation:scope and length of customer contracts; governmental regulations and approvals; changes in governmental budgeting priorities; general market, political and economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates or sells, including Israel and the United States among others;differences in anticipated and actual program performance, including the ability to perform under long-term fixed-price contracts; and the outcome of legal and/or regulatory proceedings. The factors listed above are not all-inclusive, and further information is contained in Elbit Systems Ltd.'s latest annual report on Form 20-F, which is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.

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

US report criticizes DynCorp Iraq police spending

Defense News ~ WASHINGTON, Jan 25 (Reuters) - The special U.S. inspector general for Iraq reconstruction has renewed criticism of spending by U.S. defense contractor DynCorp International (DCP.N) on its $2.5 billion contract to train Iraqi police, the Washington Post reported on Monday.
In a report due to be released on Monday, Stuart Bowen Jr., the special inspector general, also cited the State Department for continued failure to adequately oversee the five-year-old contract, the newspaper reported.
The report stated that as a result of this, "over $2.5 billion in U.S. funds are vulnerable to waste and fraud," the Post said. The report dealt only with funding, not with whether the training effort was succeeding or failing, the Post said.
It marked the second time in three years that the special inspector general criticized spending by DynCorp on its contract, the newspaper said. The State Department said the charge was "unfounded," the Post reported.
(Reporting by Tabassum Zakaria; Editing by Will Dunham)

Japan PM vows US base decision by May, scandal weighs

* Base feud, funding scandal eroding PM's support
* Majority needed in mid-year poll for smooth policy-making
* Concerns linger over budget debate in parliament

By Chisa Fujioka
Defense News ~ TOKYO, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Japan's leader on Monday promised not to delay beyond May a decision on the fate of a U.S. base, as a feud with Washington over the nagging issue threatens to further erode voter support already hurt by a funding scandal.
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama seemed to have even less room to manoeuvre in the dispute over the Marine base in Okinawa, southern Japan, after a candidate who opposes an existing plan to relocate it won a local election on Sunday.
The vote came a day after prosecutors questioned the No.2 in his Democratic Party over the funding scandal which is clouding the outlook for the annual budget from April 1, aimed at bolstering a fragile economic recovery.
Although Japanese media said an extra budget for the current year to March 31 was likely to be enacted given the risk of public backlash over policy delays, opposition parties have called for more debate on the scandal in parliament.
Concerns over the deliberations for the 2010/11 budget could weigh on Japanese stocks .N225 in the short term, although there has been little impact so far. Additionally, it could also cloud voter support for Hatoyama ahead of a mid-year election for parliament's upper house. The Democrats need to win an outright majority in the upper house vote to reduce reliance on two small but vocal coalition partners who could add pressure for more spending and increase an already huge public debt, pushing up government bond yields.
END-MAY DEADLINE
Hatoyama brushed off concerns he could keep dithering over Tokyo's dispute with Washington over the Futenma base, which has bred voter doubts about his four month-old government's ability to manage relations with its top security ally.
"The government has promised to start from scratch and to be responsible in reaching a conclusion on this issue by the end of May," Hatoyama told reporters. "We will definitely fulfil that."
Media reports have said Hatoyama may visit the United States around May, although no official decision has been made.
A weekend poll by broadcaster TBS showed the government's approval rate at 46.4 percent, down 6.6 points from earlier this month and below the disapproval rate of 53.1 percent.
Hatoyama faces an increasingly tough decision on the airbase, which under a 2006 deal with Washington was to be relocated to the city of Nago in a less crowded part of the southern island.
Washington wants Japan to implement the plan. But Hatoyama is under pressure from his tiny coalition allies to stick to a pledge to move Futenma off the island, where many residents feel they shoulder an unfair share of U.S. forces.
Given Hatoyama's growing headaches, the 2010/11 budget, if not the extra budget as well, could become a political football, said Tsuneo Watanabe, a senior fellow at the Tokyo Foundation think tank.
The key could be the fate of the Democrats' kingpin Ichiro Ozawa, who Hatoyama has stood by despite his funding scandal because his undisputed electioneering skills are seen as important to the party winning the upper house election.
Ozawa has denied any wrongdoing in the scandal that has led to the arrests of three current and former aides on suspicion of misreporting political donations.
"The real battle will be concerning the annual budget," Watanabe said, adding that Ozawa might decide to step down from his No.2 post while keeping actual control of the campaign in exchange for smooth passage of the budget.
Watanabe also said Hatoyama might eventually have to step down over the Futenma dispute, especially if he opts for the original plan to keep Washington happy. Despite the anti-base mayoral candidate's victory, the vote was extremely close, reflecting divided local opinion.
(Additional reporting by Linda Sieg, Yoko Nishikawa; Editing by Paul Tait)

Renowned Airport Security Experts to Discuss Recent Attempted Terrorist Activity at the 2nd Annual Airport Security Summit 2010, Dubai

Defense News ~ DUBAI, UAE, January 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The Airport Security Summit Middle East 2010, which will be held from 7- 10 February at the Grand Millennium Hotel in Dubai, is proud to announce the latest distinguished speaker to join the expert speaker faculty, Captain William Airman, Chief Security Officer, flydubai, UAE. Captain Airman will be addressing the current emphasis on technology as a holistic solution.
The summit, which is sponsored by Boeing Intelligence & Security Systems, G4S and Indigo Vision and with the participation of Dubai AVSEC Centre is already playing host to a plethora of renowned airport security experts from organisations from 8 different countries including KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Etihad Airways, Dubai Airports, Aviation Canada, G4S, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), Sharjah Ministry of Health, Toronto Airport, British Embassy UAE, Fujairah International Airport and Gulf Air.
The last few weeks have seen a number of news stories circulating about the need to improve airport security intelligence to prevent terrorists from carrying out fatal attacks. These recent stories have dramatically increased after Heathrow Airport's bomb threat on an Emirates flight departing for Dubai on 9 January and airports around the world announcing heightened security followed an alleged attempt to bomb a plane landing in Detroit.
Hassan M. Eltaher, President at Aviation Canada and speaker at Airport Security Middle East 2010, commented "In as much as security measures and protective layers at airports provide a complicating factor for would-be hijackers or bombers, the more efficient, long-term remedy lies thousands of mile away from airports, and starts with ordinary people".
This is expected to form a large part of the discussion at the Airport Security Middle East 2010 summit. Additional topics to be addressed at the forum include: managing the intelligence threat and risk assessment process in government and private sectors; bridging the gap between airports, airlines, law enforcement and governmental authorities; examining essential preventative measures to counter the spread of the H1N1 flu virus; and evaluating new biometric security technologies and implementation methods.
For more information visit http://www.airportsecurityme.com
About IQPC Middle East:
For over thirty years, IQPC has helped the world's leading corporations solve their business challenges through the sharing of practical industry solutions and global best practice. In the process, the company has built a formidable reputation for quality and value. During this time, the Middle East's most progressive companies have benefited from IQPC's unrivalled global reach, which has connected international expertise with regional and local leaders.

For more information on the event contact:
Michelle Petiza +971-4-364-2975
enquiry@iqpc.ae

Pentagon budget seen benefiting Boeing, GD

Defense News ~ WASHINGTON, Jan 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. Defense Departments's fiscal 2011 budget request includes funding for many ships, airplanes and other weapons programs, according to draft documents obtained by Reuters.
Following is a list of how the budget, to be released on Feb. 1, is likely to affect top U.S. defense contractors:
BOEING
The budget again calls for termination of Boeing Co's (BA.N) C-17 transport plane, but the company, the Pentagon's No. 2 defense contractor, has already begun to prepare for the eventual end of that production line, mounting aggressive efforts to capture a few more orders overseas.
On the plus side, the budget seeks $2.5 billion in additional funding for the electronic attack variant of its F/A-18 fighter over the next two years, and points to at least five more orders for the base F/A-18E/F fighter beyond those initially planned in fiscal 2009 planning documents, said Virginia-based consultant Jim McAleese.
Boeing is likely to continue pressing lawmakers for even more F/A-18 orders to shore up that production line and cover an anticipated gap in carrier-based fighters until the Navy starts to receive Lockheed's F-35 carrier variant in 2015.
Boeing will also benefit from additional orders of its CH-47 Chinoook and AH-64 Apache helicopters to replace aircraft lost in battle in Afghanistan and Iraq, said McAleese.
On the downside, the company had lost revenue through the cancellation of the Army's Future Combat Systems program and President Barack Obama's plans to scale back missile defense programs.
GENERAL DYNAMICS
The budget includes a solid $14.1 billion in money for shipbuilding, including several programs that will help General Dynamics (GD.N), the fourth largest U.S. defense contractor, said McAleese.
General Dynamics also appeared poised to benefit from ammunition orders and upgrades to its wheeled Stryker vehicles, which were initially developed an interim solution, but now seemed to have more "of an air of permanence," said Rob Stallard, analyst with of Macquarie Securities.
An Army list of its equipment needs for the fiscal 2011 war budget included $445 million for Stryker upgrades, according to documents obtained by Reuters this week.[ID:nN20162904]
Army officials, keen to get started on the proposed upgrades before the fiscal 2011 budget can be enacted into law,are now seeking to pull those funds forward into a supplemental fiscal 2010 war spending budget, which would give General Dynamics a boost even sooner, said one source familiar with the discussions who was not authorized to speak publicly.
The Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle that General Dynamics is developing for the Marine Corps also survived the Pentagon budget process, despite widespread speculation about its cancellation after years of technical issues.
LOCKHEED MARTIN
Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N), the largest U.S. defense contractor, would be hurt by a Pentagon decision to cut 10 F-35 fighters from its expected 2011 order, but the move would likely shore up the program in the longer run, said Stallard.
Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn underscored the Pentagon's commitment to the program last week, saying the United States and its allies were sticking to plans to buy about 3,000 of the fighters overall.
Lockheed, the Pentagon's largest prime contractor, also stood to gain from the Navy's decision to truncate its DDG-1000 destroyer program, which had a Raytheon Co (RTN.N) (RTN.N) combat system, and add Lockheed's Aegis combat equipment to more DDG-51 destroyers instead, said Loren Thompson, with the Virginia-based Lexington Institute.
NORTHROP GRUMMAN
The Pentagon budget calls for cancellation of one smaller Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC.N) program, a $500 million human resources program aimed at putting Pentagon medical records in one central database, and signalled a restructuring of the company's embattled polar-orbiting weather satellite.
At least one amphibious ship that would have been built by Northrop, the No. 3 defense contractor, was also removed from the 2011 budget, and a total of eight amphibious ships were dropped from the five-year budget planner, said Thompson.
Significantly, the budget also increases the time it would take to build Northrop's massively expensive aircraft carriers to five years from four, lowering the amount of yearly revenue the company will receive from that work, Thompson said.
At the same time, the Quadrennial Defense Review to be released with the budget, underscored the Pentagon's push to beef up its cyber defenses, an area in which Northrop was very strong, analysts said.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal-Esa; Editing by Tim Dobbyn and Diane Craft)

Liberty Global to Sell J:COM Interest for $4.0 Billion in Cash

Defense News ~ ENGLEWOOD, Colo. --Jan 25, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Liberty Global, Inc. (“Liberty Global,” “LGI,” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: LBTYA) (NASDAQ: LBTYB) (NASDAQ: LBTYK) today announced that it has reached an agreement to sell its subsidiaries that directly or indirectly hold its 37.8% ownership interest in Jupiter Telecommunications Co., Ltd. (“J:COM”), a leading broadband provider of communications services in Japan, to KDDI Corporation, the second largest wireless operator in Japan.
Liberty Global is selling for cash its subsidiaries that directly or indirectly hold its interest in J:COM, including those subsidiaries which collectively own its interest in LGI / Sumisho Super Media LP (“Super Media”). Additionally, Liberty Global will retain the right to receive the anticipated final 2009 dividend of ¥490 per share attributable to its interest in J:COM that is expected to be approved at the March 2010 J:COM shareholders meeting. Including both the agreed upon purchase price and the anticipated dividend, Liberty Global expects to realize gross proceeds of approximately ¥363 billion ($4.0 billion as of January 22, 2010).
This would imply a transaction value on LGI’s attributable 2.6 million J:COM shares of approximately ¥140,000 per J:COM share, representing an approximate 65% premium to J:COM’s closing share price on January 22, 2010. The transaction represents an enterprise multiple of approximately 8.3 times J:COM’s September 30, 2009 last twelve months consolidated operating cash flow, as customarily defined by Liberty Global. In terms of net proceeds, LGI will repay the ¥75 billion ($833 million as of January 22, 2010) LGJ Holdings credit facility and will incur certain costs and taxes. Prior to closing, Sumitomo Corporation’s (“Sumitomo”) interest in Super Media will be redeemed for the J:COM shares attributable to it and LGI will acquire the minority interests in one of the subsidiaries to be sold. Closing of the transaction is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions and is expected to occur on or around February 10, 2010, subject to extension.
Mike Fries, President and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Global, said, “Our investment in J:COM and our partnership with Sumitomo over the last 15 years have both been extremely successful and gratifying. The J:COM management team and, in particular Liberty Global executives Miranda Curtis and Graham Hollis, have created a world class operation and substantial value for our shareholders. While we pride ourselves on being long-term operators, we have also demonstrated a disciplined and opportunistic approach to rebalancing our business interests globally. Exiting the Japanese market at a substantial premium allows us to redirect our capital into more strategic consolidation opportunities in our core markets as well as our ongoing stock buyback initiatives.”
Liberty Global is being advised by JPMorgan in connection with this transaction.
About Liberty Global
Liberty Global is the leading international cable operator offering advanced video, voice and broadband internet services to connect its customers to the world of entertainment, communications and information. As of September 30, 2009, Liberty Global operated state-of-the-art networks that served approximately 17 million customers across 14 countries principally located in Europe, Japan, Chile, and Australia. Liberty Global’s operations also include significant programming businesses such as Chellomedia in Europe.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. These risks and uncertainties include our ability to consummate the transaction in accordance with the disclosed terms, changes in exchange rates and other factors that may impact the U.S. dollar value of the proceeds to be received, and our expectation regarding J:COM’s 2009 final dividend as well as other factors detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including our most recently filed Forms 10-K and 10-Q. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Contact:
Liberty Global, Inc.
Investor Relations
Christopher Noyes, +1.303.220.6693
Molly Bruce, +1.303.220.4202
K.C. Dolan, +1.303.220.6686
or
Corporate Communications
Hanne Wolf, +1.303.220.6678
Bert Holtkamp, +31.20.778.9800

Raydiance Partners with NASA Ames to Develop Advanced Microfluidics Technology for Space Applications

NASA’s Small Spacecraft Division to Employ Raydiance Smart Light Ultrafast Laser in Building Next-Generation Devices

Defense News ~ PETALUMA, Calif.- January 25, 2010 (EON: Enhanced Online News)--Raydiance Corporation, developer of the world’s first commercial-grade ultrafast laser, today announced it has partnered with the Small Spacecraft Division in the Engineering Directorate at NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., to develop advanced microfluidics devices for space-based biological experiments.
“We’re very excited about the additional capabilities the Raydiance system gives us to fabricate complex, multilevel microfluidic devices”
Under the terms of a cooperative agreement funded by the Advanced Capabilities Division in NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate to support a Seed Fund project within NASA’s Innovative Partnerships Program, NASA Ames' experts in fluidic design will employ Raydiance’s Smart LightTM ultrafast laser platform to fabricate next-generation microfluidics devices and components. These will be deployed on free-flying nanosatellites, the International Space Station, and future lunar and planetary research laboratories. Results from this work will advance capabilities for molecular and cellular diagnostics, enable rapid drug discovery and screening, and expand the understanding of the effects of the space environment on biological systems.
“This partnership brings together the powerful and versatile Smart Light ultrafast technology with the world-class microfluidics expertise of the NASA Ames' small spacecraft group,” said Barry Schuler, Chairman and CEO of Raydiance. “The capability to athermally ablate very precise features in transparent polymers and glasses, in addition to ceramics, will enable NASA Ames to rapidly fabricate complex and integrated components on a single microfluidics card. This collaborative work will have large implications for both the research and commercial worlds.”
The work at NASA Ames is led by Dr. Antonio J. Ricco, chief technologist at the Small Satellite Division and John Hines, chief technologist in the Engineering Directorate. Tim Booth, Vice President of Project Management, is coordinating the Raydiance efforts for the project.
“We’re very excited about the additional capabilities the Raydiance system gives us to fabricate complex, multilevel microfluidic devices,” Dr. Ricco said. “We anticipate these devices will be more reliable, let us add new functionality, and be more biocompatible than some other approaches we’ve examined. We should be able to quickly execute design changes as needed to accommodate a wide range of biological and chemical space studies with this new platform.”
About Raydiance, Inc.
Raydiance is a next-generation laser company that has integrated fiber optic, computing and software technologies to create the world’s only broadly accessible, commercial-grade ultrafast laser. Ultrafast lasers create pulses of light with extremely high peak power capable of ablating virtually any material with high precision and no heat. The company is focused on providing transformative, reliable and cost-effective solutions for the medical device, energy, biosciences, consumer electronics and defense technology markets. Its management team, with more than 100 years of experience in computer and laser technologies, is led by Barry Schuler, former Chairman and CEO of AOL.
About NASA Ames Research Center
NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., enables exploration through selected development, innovative technologies, and interdisciplinary scientific discovery. NASA Ames provides leadership in astrobiology; robotic lunar exploration; technologies for NASA's next generation space vehicles including the Orion crew exploration vehicle, Ares crew launch and heavy lift vehicles; the search for extra-solar Earth-like planets; supercomputing; intelligent/adaptive systems; advanced thermal protection; and airborne astronomy. NASA Ames develops tools for a safer, more efficient national airspace and unique partnerships benefiting NASA's mission.

Contacts
Raydiance

Adam C. Tanous, 208-450-9060

Director of Marketing

atanous@raydiance.com

or

NASA Ames Research Center,

Moffett Field, Calif.

Rachel Prucey, 650-604-0643

Public Affairs Specialist

rachel.l.prucey@nasa.gov

No danger from engine on A400M maiden flight: Airbus

Defense News ~ BERLIN January 23, 2010, (Reuters) - Technical problems caused an engine to be disengaged during the maiden flight of the Airbus A400M last month, but at no time was the flight in danger, a company spokeswoman said on Saturday.
German magazine Spiegel had earlier reported that a computer and its backup system on the military transport plane failed after 30 minutes of flight, causing the engine to be automatically disengaged. The magazine cited documents from engine maker Europrop.
"Safety was not compromised," the spokeswoman from Airbus Military (Paris:EAD.PA - News) said, adding that it was normal for problems to be raised during test flights.
The A400M's maiden flight on December 11 was two years behind schedule following delays in engine development and other snags that manufacturers blame partly on political interference.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said late on Friday that he may address the future of the project directly with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The two are due to hold a regular bilateral summit in Paris on February 4.
"There's progress," Sarkozy told journalists on Friday, adding however that he had not spoken to Merkel about the issue during a phone call on Thursday.
"We both hope that our defense ministers will talk about it, and if they are not successful, we will talk about it to each other," he said.
Europe's largest defense project, the A400M has been ordered by Germany, France, Britain, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg and Turkey, has been about 25 years in the making, and has become far more expensive to make than had initially been anticipated.
Talks taking place in Berlin over a possible rescue package for the troop plane ended in stalemate on Friday with no new proposals, after Airbus and buyer nations failed to narrow glaring differences over who should pay for the extra costs.
The parties have agreed to keep negotiating to try to reach a deal by January 31.
(Reporting by Brian Rohan and Kerstin Doerr; Editing by Toby Chopra)