General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship Team Delivers Independence (LCS 2) and Lays Keel for Coronado (LCS 4)

MOBILE, Ala., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship Team today delivered Independence (LCS 2), its innovative high-speed trimaran combatant ship, to the United States Navy. The ship was constructed by team member Austal USA in Mobile. The delivery of Independence was preceded by the keel laying of its sister ship, Coronado (LCS 4), on Thursday, December 17.
Captain Dean Krestos, USN, Commanding Officer Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Bath, Maine, officially accepted custody of Independence (LCS 2), the Navy's first warship configured with a trimaran hull form. After signing the custody transfer documentation, Captain Krestos noted, "It gives me great pleasure, on behalf of the United States Navy, to accept delivery of the LCS-2, Independence, bringing to the fleet the second ship of this exciting new class of surface combatants."
A brief ceremony was conducted at Austal USA Headquarters to commemorate the ship's delivery. Those present included RDML James Murdoch, USN, the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship program manager; CDR Curt Renshaw and CDR Mike Riley, the ship's Blue and Gold Crew Commanding Officers; Jim Baskerville, vice president of the LCS Program for General Dynamics Bath Iron Works; Bob Browning, Austal Managing Director; Joe Rella, Austal USA President and Chief Operating Officer; and other Navy and General Dynamics LCS Team representatives.
RDML Murdoch, speaking on behalf of the Navy, praised the combined efforts of the Navy / industry team in delivering LCS 2 and the characteristics of the ship itself. Speaking for the entire General Dynamics LCS Team, Baskerville said, "Delivering Independence is a significant accomplishment for our team. Today, we provide the Navy with a new and highly capable warship equipped with extraordinary aviation features, large payload capacity and an open architecture computing environment for future missions – all contained within an extremely fast, stable and efficient trimaran hull form to support the Navy's needs today and tomorrow. We've designed Independence to fight – and we've built it to win."
Independence (LCS 2) will remain in Mobile, Ala., awaiting its commissioning on January 16, 2010, marking the first time a Navy ship has been commissioned in the city since 1945. After commissioning, the Navy will operate the ship in preparation for the ship's next set of trials in the summer of 2010.
High resolution still images and video clips of Independence at sea are available at www.gdlcs.com.
On Thursday, a brief keel laying ceremony was held in Mobile at Austal USA's Assembly Bay 4 to record completion of the first major construction milestone for what will soon be the Navy's second high-speed trimaran Littoral Combat Ship, Coronado (LCS 4). In attendance were a number of Navy representatives, including RDML James Murdoch, Navy Littoral Combat Ship Program Manager, and members of the General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship Team, including members of the Austal USA work force. The keel module, a large outfitted section of the aluminum ship's center hull, was the centerpiece of the ceremony.
In welcoming attendees, Baskerville said, "This is a significant day for the entire GD LCS Team and our Navy counterparts in Washington, Bath and Mobile. The lessons learned during the construction of Independence are already being applied to Coronado to ensure it will be, like Independence, a highly capable and effective platform to support the Navy's needs."
Speaking for the Navy, RDML Murdoch noted the significant facility and efficiency improvements being made at Austal to the benefit of Coronado and future LCS ships. He also expressed high confidence and respect for the sailors that will serve and take Coronado into harm's way.
Coronado (LCS 4) is scheduled for delivery in June 2012.
Independence and Coronado are major parts of the Navy's plan to address asymmetric threats in the 21st century. Intended to operate in coastal areas, the ships will be fast, highly maneuverable and equipped to support mine detection/elimination, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare mission.
The ships' highly flexible OPEN CI design, developed and integrated by a General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems team, allows "plug and play" integration of both the core systems and the LCS mission modules. It meets Navy open architecture requirements, strictly adheres to published industry standards and facilitates the integration of commercially available products.
General Dynamics Bath Iron Works is the prime contractor for the General Dynamics Littoral Combat Ship Team. Partners include shipbuilder Austal USA (Mobile, AL); General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems (Fairfax, VA); BAE Systems (Rockville, MD); L3 Communications Marine Systems (Leesburg, VA); Maritime Applied Physics Corporation (Baltimore, MD); and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems (Baltimore, MD).
Bath Iron Works employs approximately 5,500 people. Since 1991, BIW has manufactured and delivered 31 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers; the shipyard is also building the lead ship of the Navy's Zumwalt (DDG 1000) class of guided missile destroyers.
Austal USA's Mobile facility currently employs almost 1,000 workers and is one of the largest aluminum shipyards in the world. In addition to the LCS, recent projects have included construction of the largest-ever aluminum ferry in the United States. Austal is also in the pre-construction design phase on the first Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) for the U.S. Department of Defense.
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems is a provider of end-to-end mission solutions in systems integration, development and operations support to customers in the defense, intelligence, space and homeland security communities. The company integrates land, air, sea, space and cyber assets to facilitate the collection, exploitation, analysis and dissemination of mission-critical intelligence information.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 92,300 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.generaldynamics.com.

US STOCKS-Wall St rises in choppy trade; tech lifts Nasdaq

* U.S. dollar advance weighs on broader market
* Tech clings to slight gains after RIM, Oracle results
* Dow up 0.2 pct; S&P 500 up 0.6 pct; Nasdaq up 1.5 pct
* For up-to-the-minute market news.
By Chuck Mikolajczak
NEW YORK, Dec 18 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks rose on Friday in choppy trade as quarterly results from Oracle and Research In Motion lifted the Nasdaq more than 1 percent, but the U.S. dollar's climb curbed gains in both the Dow and the S&P 500.
The Nasdaq was led higher by Oracle Corp (ORCL.O) shares, which jumped 6.4 percent to $24.34, and the U.S.-listed stock of Research In Motion Inc (RIMM.O)(RIM.TO), which surged 10.3 percent to $69.99. For details see [ID:nN17242916] and [ID:nN17171897]
Despite the lift from these earnings-related stories, the robust dollar sapped much of the broader market's strength.
The U.S. dollar index .DXY climbed as much as 0.6 percent, but pared gains late in the session, easing some of the selling pressure on stocks. For the day, the U.S. dollar index ended just marginally higher -- up 0.03 percent.
Shares of multinational companies suffered from the greenback's rise. Heavy equipment maker Caterpillar Inc (CAT.N) fell 0.6 percent to $57.19, while plane maker Boeing Co (BA.N) was the biggest drag on the Dow, off 1.9 percent at $53.44.
Geopolitical concerns supported the flight to the U.S. dollar following reports that Iranian troops had entered Iraqi territory and raised the Iranian flag at an oilfield whose ownership is disputed by Iran.
"If there is tension developing in the Middle East, that would positive for the dollar because that would bring flight to safety ... that, in turn, could be negative for the equities markets," said Paul Mendelsohn, chief investment strategist at Windham Financial Services in Charlotte, Vermont.
A strong U.S. dollar forces investors who have bet on a decline in the greenback to cover their short dollar positions by selling equities or other assets.
The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI added 20.63 points, or 0.20 percent, to 10,328.89. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX gained 6.39 points, or 0.58 percent, to 1,102.47. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC climbed 31.64 points, or 1.45 percent, to 2,211.69.
For the week, the the Dow fell 1.3 percent, the S&P shed 0.3 percent and the Nasdaq rose 1 percent.
The declines snapped a two-week winning streak for the Dow and a three-week series of gains for the S&P 500.
Trading was choppy as Friday marked the expiration of December options and futures, a convergence known as quadruple witching that often means increased volatility as big investors adjust or exercise derivatives positions.
In addition the market was set to see an adjustment to the S&P 500. Visa Inc (V.N), up 2.2 percent at $88.97, is among companies that will be the newest additions to the benchmark index after the close.
Volume was extremely heavy on the New York Stock Exchange, with 3.16 billion shares changing hands -- more than double last year's estimated daily average of 1.49 billion. On the Nasdaq, about 2.86 billion shares traded, well above last year's daily average of 2.28 billion.
Advancing stocks outnumbered declining ones on the NYSE by a ratio of 3 to 2, while on the Nasdaq, 16 stocks rose for every 11 that fell. (Editing by Jan Paschal)

Textron Renews Convergys HR Solutions Contract

CINCINNATI & PROVIDENCE, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Convergys Corporation (NYSE: CVG - News), a global leader in relationship management, today announced that Textron (NYSE: TXT - News), a multi-industry company with a global network of aircraft, defense, industrial, and financial businesses, has renewed its human resources management contract with Convergys. The five-year agreement extends through 2014.
Convergys will continue to provide HR and payroll administration services, including data entry, for nearly 37,000 Textron employees in the US, Canada, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. In addition, Convergys will take over management of Textron’s tuition reimbursement process.
“The decision to renew our contract with Convergys reflects the flexibility of its solutions and the long-standing relationship we have with the Convergys team,” said Mike Russo, Human Resources Executive for Textron. “Our mutually-beneficial partnership has enabled us to work together so seamlessly that Convergys truly has become an extension of our Human Resources team, and is an important factor in the accomplishment of our goals.”
“Textron has been a valued client since 2003,” added John Gibson, president of the Human Resources Management business for Convergys. “In that time, we have helped Textron to streamline its HR processes while providing the flexibility it seeks to meet the changing needs of its employees. Textron’s continued commitment to the relationship demonstrates our success at delivering on our core competencies.”
As a leading global provider of HR Solutions, Convergys partners with HR clients to drive more value from employee relationships, fostering greater organizational effectiveness and lowering costs.
About Convergys
Convergys Corporation (NYSE: CVG - News) is a global leader in relationship management. We provide solutions that drive more value from the relationships our clients have with their customers and employees. Convergys turns these everyday interactions into a source of profit and strategic advantage for our clients.
For more than 30 years, our unique combination of domain expertise, operational excellence, and innovative technologies has delivered process improvement and actionable business insight to clients that now span many countries and languages.
Convergys is a member of the S&P 500 and has been voted a Fortune Most Admired Company for nine consecutive years. We have approximately 70,000 employees in 83 customer contact centers and other facilities in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and our global headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information, visit www.convergys.com
Convergys and the Convergys logo are registered trademarks of Convergys Corporation.
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UPDATE 2-US may block China mine investment near Navy site

* Company says "comical" to think deal a security risk
* Obama has 15 days to decide after getting recommendation (Recasts with company, Chinese Embassy comment)
By Doug Palmer and Lucy Hornby
WASHINGTON/BEIJING, Dec 18 (Reuters) - U.S. mining company Firstgold (FGD.TO) still hopes to complete a partnership deal with a Chinese mining company despite U.S. national security concerns that could cause President Barack Obama to block it, the company's chief executive said on Friday.
Firstgold has been told by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, a panel headed by the Treasury Department, that it would recommend Obama reject the plan for China's Northwest Nonferrous International Investment Co to buy 51 percent of the company.
CFIUS said the $26.5 million deal to develop the Relief Canyon mine, near Lovelock, Nevada, raised national security concerns due to its proximity to the Fallon Naval Air Station and other military installations, Lynch said.
The Navy uses Fallon, which is over 50 miles (80 km) from the Relief Canyon mine, for tactical aviation training.
If Obama rejects the deal, it would be only the second time a U.S. president has intervened to block an investment on national security grounds, a trade attorney said.
For China, however, it would form part of a growing roster of overseas resources deals that have been blocked following foreign government intervention, in what the Chinese see as a trend of protectionism in Western nations.
"Firstgold's perspective is to not withdraw (its request for U.S. government approval of the transaction) and it's not out of any disrespect," company chief Terry Lynch said.
"We just don't think the right decision has been made. ... To see this as a national security risk, you really have to give your head a shake."
"It's comical. ... If the Chinese want to buy a house in Lovelock, Nevada, nothing's going to stop them. There's no CFIUS review on that," Lynch said, adding there were no plans for the Chinese to replace the U.S. workforce.
CFIUS "definitely would like us to withdraw the petition" and spare Obama the decision, but there is no incentive for Firstgold to do that, Lynch said.
It is possible Northwest could decide by Monday to back out of the deal, but Lynch said he did not know what it would do.
Once Obama gets the CFIUS recommendation, he has 15 days to announce his decision.
'BIG DEAL'
Usually, companies decide themselves to abandon a project if they cannot reach an agreement with CFIUS on how to mitigate national security concerns.
"What's extraordinary here is that these companies might actually force the president himself to do it," said Timothy Keeler, a former U.S. trade official now at Mayer Brown LLP.
"It very well could be the right decision. But nestled in the broader context of U.S.-China relations right now, it's a big deal," Keeler added.
A spokesman at Beijing's embassy in Washington said China believed Chinese companies should be able to invest abroad based on market principles and international rules.
"China has been very open for foreign enterprises to invest in the country, and we hope that other countries will take the same attitude toward Chinese enterprises' investment activities," embassy spokesman Wang Baodang said.
A U.S. Treasury Department spokeswoman said she could not by law comment on specific CFIUS cases.
"CFIUS' statutory obligation is to protect national security, while maintaining an open investment environment, a responsibility that we take very seriously," U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Neal Wolin said in a statement given to The New York Times.
Australia's Defense Department objected this year to a joint venture between China's Wuhan Iron and Steel and Western Plains Resources (WPG.AX) near the Woomera missile testing site. An investment by Chinese state trading firm Minmetals inOz Minerals (OZL.AX) was only cleared after a mine near Woomera was stripped out.
A senior executive at Northwest's parent firm said the Chinese side had only just found out about the military base, which had not come up during initial discussions.
"A developed country should have clear laws, for instance, what kind of perimeter around military installations is allowed," said the executive. (Additional reporting by Paul Eckert in Washington; Editing by Ian Geoghegan and Peter Cooney)

RPT-Q+A-What is at stake in Nigeria's Niger Delta?

LAGOS, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Nigerian militants said on Saturday they had carried out their first attack on an oil pipeline since an amnesty period ended in October because the absence of President Umaru Yar'Adua was delaying peace talks.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said its fighters, armed with rocket launchers and machineguns, carried out a "warning strike" against a Royal Dutch Shell or Chevron pipeline in Abonemma, Rivers state.
There was no independent confirmation of any attack from the military, oil firms or security contractors working in Africa's biggest oil and gas industry.
Following are some questions and answers on the Niger Delta.
WHAT IS AT STAKE?
Politically, the amnesty programme and resulting lull in violence in the Niger Delta is seen in as one of relatively few significant achievements of President Umaru Yar'Adua's two and a half year-old administration.
Central Bank Governor Lamido Sanusi has said growth in sub-Saharan Africa's second biggest economy hinged largely on a solution being found to the unrest in the region.
The violence, which had included kidnappings, pipeline bombings and oilfield raids, was costing $1 billion a month in lost oil revenues, the central bank has said.
The unrest over the past three years has prevented the OPEC member from pumping much above two thirds of its 3 million barrels per day installed capacity.
The insecurity has been a major deterrent to new investment.
Hundreds of foreign workers have been kidnapped, prompting companies in sectors ranging from energy to telecommunications and construction to withdraw non-essential staff.
WHY IS THE NIGER DELTA IMPORTANT FOR OIL MARKETS?
The Niger Delta, a network of thousands of shallow creeks opening into the Gulf of Guinea, is the heartland of Africa's biggest oil and gas industry.
The region's light crude oil is popular among U.S. and European refineries as it can be easily processed into fuel products.
The United States, the world's top energy consumer, has said it wants the Gulf of Guinea to supply a quarter of its crude oil imports by the middle of the next decade. China depends on Africa for some 30 percent of its oil imports.
Nigeria also holds the world's seventh largest proven gas reserves and supplies 10 percent of global liquefied natural gas.
Attacks on Nigeria's oil and gas infrastructure last year helped lift oil prices to record highs near $150 a barrel.
WHICH FOREIGN OIL COMPANIES OPERATE IN THE NIGER DELTA?
U.S. oil majors Exxon Mobil and Chevron, Royal Dutch Shell, Italy's Agip, and France's Total run major oil and gas operations with Nigeria's state-run NNPC in the Niger Delta.
Insecurity in the region had forced companies to shut down about 800,000 barrels a day of crude oil production.
Gas supplies have also been affected. Shell's Soku gas plant had been shut down for about a year before reopening in October, but closed again this week due to a pipeline leak.
WHO ARE THE MILITANTS?
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is a nebulous group which emerged in late 2005 and has been responsible for pipeline bombings and kidnapping oil workers. It says it is fighting for greater local control of oil resources.
MEND launched a series of attacks in September 2008, dubbed a six-day "oil war", and carried out a raid on Royal Dutch Shell's Bonga platform 120 km (75 miles) offshore in June 2008.
But it has failed to carry out any attacks as spectacular as those of early 2006 when it knocked out almost a quarter of Nigerian output in a matter of weeks.
Its presumed leader, Henry Okah, accepted a presidential offer of amnesty in July after gun-running and treason charges against him were dropped and he was freed.
All the group's other known top field commanders also accepted amnesty by the October deadline, significantly weakening its operational capacity. (Reporting by Randy Fabi and Nick Tattersall; Editing by Matthew Jones) (For more Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: af.reuters.com/)

US Senate approves $636 bln military spending bill

WASHINGTON, Dec 19 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate approved a $636 billion military spending bill on Saturday that funds the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and also includes money to extend jobless aid and Medicare payment rates for two months. By a vote of 88-10, the Senate approved the bill and sent it to President Barack Obama to sign into law. The House of Representatives passed the bill on Wednesday. (Editing by Peter Cooney)

$1.2 Million in Additional Funding Secured to Continue Development of Dual-Mode Micro-Seeker Technology for Near-Term Use in Defensive Military

$1.2 Million in Additional Funding Secured to Continue Development of Dual-Mode Micro-Seeker Technology for Near-Term Use in Defensive Military Applications Such as Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar Systems

Monrovia Firm Awarded Basic Contract in 2006

MONROVIA, CA--(Marketwire - 12/18/09) - Dr. John Tanner, President and founder of Tanner Research, Inc. announced today that the Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) awarded a contract for $1.2 million in additional funding to continue development of a dual-mode micro-seeker technology needed to guide gun-launched counter-munitions to intercept incoming rocket, artillery and mortar (C-RAM) threats. Upon being notified of the contract award, Congressman David Dreier (CA, 26th) commented, "I am proud to support Tanner Research's efforts in developing this important defense system component to protect U.S. troops against incoming rocket, artillery and mortar threats. I applaud the hard-working researchers who have produced cutting-edge technologies for our armed forces."
Monrovia-based Tanner Research, Inc. is developing a dual-mode micro-seeker to cost-effectively combine a bistatic radar seeker for coarse-control with a short-range optical-based seeker for precision terminal accuracy in the endgame. Tanner's unique dual-mode seeker concept optimizes both modalities at very low-cost for use in high-density gun-and missile-launched counter-munitions applications such as the Army's Extended Area Protection System (EAPS).
"America's ability to continue to innovate but at a lower cost may be the challenge for the 21st Century, particularly in assuring our national defense and future success as a nation. We look forward to continue working with ARDEC in providing the Army and other services with the high-value technology needed in the most cost-effective manner possible," said Dr. John Tanner.
Tanner Research provides advanced technology research with focus areas in imagers, image processing, chemical detection and micro machine design; and electronic design automation (EDA) software tools, consulting engineering and manufacturing services for integrated circuits. Customers include the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Energy, NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Microsoft, IBM, and Intel.
The company's address is 825 South Myrtle Avenue, Monrovia, Calif. 91016-3424 U.S.A. Phone: +1-626-471-9700, fax: +1-626-471-9800, www.tanner.com
Acronyms:
ARDEC: Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center
C-RAM: Counter Artillery, Rocket and Mortar (munitions)
EAPS: Extended Area Protection System

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U.S. Army Awards General Dynamics $134 Million for Stryker Combat Vehicle Work

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --The U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), $134 million for work in support of the Stryker family of combat vehicles.
This delivery order funds design and engineering work and enhancements on up to 550 Stryker vehicles that support Operation Enduring Freedom. Work will be performed in Anniston, Ala.; Sterling Heights, Mich.; Lima, Ohio; and London, Ontario, Canada, and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2010.
The Army has seven Stryker Brigade Combat Teams, three of which are deployed in combat zones: two in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. To date, General Dynamics has delivered nearly 3,000 vehicles and trained more than 19,000 soldiers in their use.
Stryker Brigade Combat Teams have operated with historically high mission availability rates in Iraq since October 2003, demonstrating the value of a force that can move rapidly as a cohesive and networked combined-arms combat team. Stryker is a family of eight-wheel drive combat vehicles that can travel at speeds in excess of 60 mph on highways, with a range of 312 miles. Stryker operates with the latest C4ISR equipment and an integrated armor package to protect soldiers against improvised explosive devices, rocket propelled grenades, and a variety of infantry weapons.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 92,300 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.generaldynamics.com.

Fiat's Iveco wins $3.37 billion Brazil army deal

TURIN, Italy, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Fiat's (FIA.MI) commercial vehicles unit Iveco has won a $3.37 billion contract to supply 2,044 armoured personnel carriers to the Brazilian army, Iveco said in a statement on Friday.
"The contract has a value of 6 billion reals ($3.37 billion) in over 20 years," the statement said.
The vehicles will replace the previous Urutu model, Iveco added.
Production of the first tranche of the vehicles should start in 2012 and deliveries will be completed by 2030. The vehicles will be produced in Brazil. ($1=1.782 Brazilian real) (Reporting by Gianni Montani; Writing by Jo Winterbottom; Editing by Greg Mahlich)

Orbital Awarded Phase 2 Contract for "System F6" Satellite Program By DARPA

-- Company to Develop Fractionated Spacecraft Architecture that Could Transform Space Systems --
-- $75 Million Contract Award Continues Orbital’s Momentum in Innovative National Security Space Systems Market --
DULLES, Va.--December 18, 2009, (BUSINESS WIRE)--Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB - News), a world leader in smaller-sized civil government and national security satellites, announced today that it has been awarded a Phase 2 contract by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Arlington, VA, to develop the final design for “System F6” (Future Fast, Flexible, Fractionated, Free-Flying Spacecraft). The Phase 2 award to Orbital came as a result of a down-select by DARPA from among several companies that participated in the program’s Phase 1 study contracts in 2008 and 2009. The Phase 2 contract is valued at $74.6 million over a one-year period of performance.
The objective of the System F6 program is to develop and demonstrate the basic building blocks of a radically new space architecture in which traditional large, multi-functional “monolithic” spacecraft are replaced by clusters of wirelessly interconnected spacecraft modules. Each of these modules performs a subset of the tasks performed by a large classical spacecraft and works together in a cluster to provide the same overall effective mission capability. By allowing the various functions of a spacecraft to be developed and launched separately, this type of “fractionated” system provides benefits such as reduced overall risk, budgetary and planning flexibility, faster initial deployment, and ultimately greater survivability, including selective replacement of damaged or obsolete elements of a complex spacecraft.
“System F6 has the potential to be a game-changing innovation in the way space systems are designed, built and operated in much the same way as the DARPA-developed Internet has changed many aspects of our daily lives,” stated Mr. Gregg Burgess, Orbital’s Vice President for National Security Systems in the company’s Advanced Programs Group. “System F6 is not just an incremental improvement in technology, but rather a fundamental transformation of the entire space community. Fractionated and networked architectures could be the answer to recurring problems that debilitate the space sector, including significant cost increases, late deliveries, launch mishaps and on-orbit failures.”
In the next phase of the System F6 program, Orbital will be responsible for the detailed design and ground testing of the new technologies, architectures and programmatic concepts required to successfully fractionate a space system. These include wireless data communications, cluster flight operations, distributed spacecraft computing systems, rapidly relocatable ground systems, and value-centric design methodologies.
Orbital was selected by DARPA out of four Phase 1 contractors to continue work on Phase 2 of the program, leading to a planned flight demonstration in 2013. The company’s program partners include IBM and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Phase 2 will include development of the detailed design of the spacecraft modules, ground elements and launch options; a hardware-in-the-loop test-bed ground demonstration with new technology prototypes; and release of an F6 Developer’s Kit, which will allow third-parties to design compatible fractionated modules.
System F6 incorporates most key technology development in an “open source” format, a new and radical concept in spacecraft systems. All software source code, interfaces, standards and operating systems will be available to everyone, including the public. This will allow any interested third parties to develop modules compatible with the existing spacecraft network. These modules can launch and connect to the already deployed cluster, allowing them to leverage resources available in the network. The eventual goal is to provide an open source compatibility platform where any new satellite launched into space can access and reap the benefits of a worldwide interconnected system, similar to how the Internet functions on Earth.
About Orbital
Orbital develops and manufactures small- and medium-class rockets and space systems for commercial, military and civil government customers. The company’s primary products are satellites and launch vehicles, including low-Earth orbit, geosynchronous-Earth orbit and planetary spacecraft for communications, remote sensing, scientific and defense missions; human-rated space systems for Earth-orbit, lunar and other missions; ground- and air-launched rockets that deliver satellites into orbit; and missile defense systems that are used as interceptor and target vehicles. Orbital also provides satellite subsystems and space-related technical services to government agencies and laboratories. More information about Orbital can be found at http://www.orbital.com.
Note to Editors: A high-resolution concept image of DARPA’s System F6 in orbit is available on Orbital’s web site at: http://www.orbital.com/images/High/F6_constellation.jpg
Contact:
Orbital Sciences Corporation
Barron Beneski,
703-406-5528
Public and Investor Relations
beneski.barron@orbital.com

Cyberlux Produces and Ships First Ten Portable Shelter Lighting Systems for OEM Department of Defense Customer Order

Cyberlux Portable Shelter Lighting Product to Replace Fluorescent Lighting in Existing DoD Portable Command and Control, Personnel and General Purpose Tents and Shelters

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--December 18, 2009, (BUSINESS WIRE)--Cyberlux Corporation (OTCBB: CYBL - News), a leading provider of LED lighting solutions, announced today that the Company has completed the production and shipment of ten Portable Shelter Lighting Systems for an exclusive Department of Defense (DoD) order for a multi-national OEM customer. Introduced earlier this year, the Cyberlux Portable Shelter Lighting System is designed to replace the existing fluorescent lighting used in all free-standing field shelters, ranging from personnel tents to command and control complexes.
The Cyberlux Portable Shelter Lighting (PSL) products deliver the most energy efficient white and red LED lighting available for portable shelter illumination. Designed to provide ideal light dispersion and illumination for the portable shelter environment, Cyberlux has engineered the PSL configuration to flexibly illuminate any shelter size and scale, all powered by either AC or DC power, including DC solar power if available. These PSL products expand the Cyberlux OEM product offerings to the DoD supplier marketplace and address the significant fluorescent lighting technology transition.
“By producing and shipping the first 10 PSL systems for this influential OEM customer, Cyberlux has taken another important step towards becoming the LED OEM lighting partner for third-party companies who supply the military, commercial and retail marketplace. Cyberlux has a history of supplying military-grade lighting technology to the DoD industry, with products designed around lighting efficiency, advanced thermal design and superior lighting performance, all delivered in an optimized product package. Now we are offering this same capability to those companies who hold existing contracts and have lighting needs that require our capabilities. As we anticipate the significant expenditures on LED lighting within the DoD, our technology, product know-how and OEM production capability have Cyberlux well positioned to be a leading product solution for these DoD opportunities,” said Mark Schmidt, president and chief executive officer of Cyberlux. “This OEM opportunity of the 10 PSL systems, as well the continual development of LED products requested by both new and existing clients demonstrates the way in which we have defined our new and expanding business model.”
About Cyberlux Corporation
Cyberlux Corporation (OTCBB: CYBL - News), a leader in solid-state lighting innovation, has developed breakthrough LED lighting technology that provides the most energy efficient and cost effective portable lighting solutions available today for military and commercial uses. The Military and Homeland Security products provide tactical covert and visible lighting capability and are designed as highly mobile, battery-powered lighting systems ideal for threat detection, force and asset protection and general expeditionary lighting needs. For more information, please visit www.cyberlux.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially from those expected due to a variety of risk factors, including, but not limited to, the Company’s ability to expand its production capabilities concurrent with product orders. The Company’s business is subject to significant risks and uncertainties discussed more thoroughly in Cyberlux Corporation's SEC filings, including but not limited to, its report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2008 and its 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements, which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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Cyberlux Corporation

Investor Contact:

Richard Brown,

617-314-7379

rbrown@cyberlux.com

Saab Receives Order for Spare Parts for Gripen

STOCKHOLM--December 18, 2009,(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News: Defence and security company Saab (STO:SAABB) has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) regarding spare parts for the current Gripen fleet. The order amounts to SEK 200 million.
The order concerns spare parts including so-called "line replacement units", easily interchangeable modules that make it possible to correct faults in a workshop instead of in the aircraft on the ground. The units are part of an agreement to supply spare material for Gripen and includes Thailand, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
The order concerns Saab's units in Linköping, Kista, Jönköping and Mölndal, but it does not mean any new employment.
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.
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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 December 18 at 11.00.
This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com
Contact:
Saab Press Centre
+46 (0)734 180 018
www.saabgroup.com

South Korean Space Center Selects XCOR's Lynx for Suborbital Operations

MOJAVE, Calif. and YECHEON-GUN, ROK, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The Yecheon Astro Space Center announced today that it has selected XCOR Aerospace as its preferred supplier of suborbital space launch services. Operating under a wet lease model, XCOR intends to supply services to the Center using the Lynx Mark II suborbital vehicle, pending United States government approvals to station the vehicle in the Republic of Korea.
XCOR is committed to working with the US Department of State, Department of Defense, Department of Commerce and other agencies of the US government to comply with relevant laws, regulations, policies and procedures. XCOR has engaged specialized export control consultants from the Commonwealth Consulting Group of Arlington, Virginia, and legal counsel from the Washington, D.C. office of the international firm Bingham McCutchen, to assist in this first of a kind effort.
"This is a ground breaking opportunity for our company, our industry and a very good opportunity for the US to set an example of responsible international commerce in space transportation," said XCOR CEO Jeff Greason. "To our knowledge, this is the first time that a US commercial suborbital launch vehicle will undergo the export licensing and approval process. We believe there is no better pathfinder than with our partners at the South Korean Yecheon Astro Space Center."
Yecheon Astro Space Center is a non-profit entity that operates multiple space related activities including: aerospace training center; astronomy research center; planetarium; a commercial space camp with centrifuge; and commercial helicopter tourism operation in the South Korean State of Gyeongsangbuk-do, approximately 240 kilometers (150 miles) southeast of Seoul.
Working closely with its partners, Yecheon Astro Space Center has formed a broad coalition of regional and national entities to fund the approximately $30 Million project to bring the Lynx to Yecheon for space tourism, educational, scientific and environmental monitoring missions, making it the early leader in commercial manned space flight in Asia. Under the envisioned arrangement, Yecheon will be the exclusive Lynx operational site in Korea.
"As part of our long term strategic plan, we have performed an extensive review of the suborbital vehicle suppliers over the past 18 months, and found XCOR's Lynx to be the best mix of safe design, reliable clean propulsion, skilled team members, full reusability, ease of operation, turn around time, upfront cost and long term cost to operate," said Mr. Jo Jae-Seong, Founder and Chief Executive Director of Yecheon Astro Space Center. "We look forward to a long term relationship with XCOR and Lynx!"
"This is an incredibly important development for the New Space industry charting a course for other innovative US companies to flourish here and abroad. It will produce high paying manufacturing jobs, and allow the innovative spirit of America to take root and grow a new industry before international participants can catch up," said XCOR Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Nelson, adding, "I think the wet lease model is an innovative means to safely operate, maintain and provide physical security for the Lynx while ensuring that US export control issues are addressed completely."
XCOR Aerospace is a California corporation located in Mojave, California. The company is in the business of developing and producing safe, reliable and reusable rocket powered vehicles, propulsion systems, advanced non-flammable composites and other enabling technologies for responsive private space flight, scientific missions, upper atmospheric research, and small satellite launch to low earth orbit. The Lynx is a piloted, two seat, fully reusable, liquid rocket powered vehicle that takes off and lands horizontally. The Lynx production models (designated Lynx Mark II) are designed to be robust, multi-commercial mission vehicles capable of flying to 100+ km in altitude up to four times per day. XCOR's web address is: www.xcor.com.
Yecheon Astro Space Center (formerly called the Yecheon Astronomy Foundation) is a non-profit educational and research entity established in the city of Yecheon-gun, state of Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. The Center is home to: an astronomical research center that houses a collection of research telescopes and auxiliary telescopes, and other research apparatus; a space camp training center with centrifuge, aerial rooftop training device and reduced gravity simulators; a planetarium; a conference center and dormitories; and a helicopter tour operation. The Center's web site is: www.portsky.net

U.S. spends $23 billion on Afghan contracts so far

WASHINGTON, Dec 17 (Reuters) - The United States has spent over $23 billion on reconstruction and development contracts in Afghanistan since 2002, and auditors say about $1 billion of this is waste, a U.S. senator said on Thursday.
The contract spending is expected to rise with President Barack Obama's planned surge of 30,000 U.S. forces into Afghanistan in the coming months, Senator Claire McCaskill said at a subcommitee hearing.
"Currently there is a great deal we do not know about contracting in Afghanistan. We do know, however, that the president's new strategy in Afghanistan will bring a massive increase in the number and value of contracts and contractors in Afghanistan," the Democratic senator said.
The money has gone to projects ranging from road-building and power generation to agricultural and urban development and water sanitation, McCaskill's staff said in a memorandum prepared for the hearing of the Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight, which she chairs.
The panel is part of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
The $23 billion contract spending estimate was made by the Federal Procurement Data System, a central depository of information on U.S. government contracting, the subcommittee memorandum said.
McCaskill said the waste identifed by auditors amounted to nearly one in six dollars spent on Afghan contracts so far. She worried that the waste and fraud that had been seen in some contracting in Iraq would be repeated in Afghanistan.
Jeffrey Parsons, director of the Army Contracting Command, testified before the subcommittee that the Army is training contracting officers being sent to Afghanistan so they can better identify bad business practices.
Over 100,000 contractors are working for the U.S. government in Afghanistan, and that number could reach 160,000 next year, McCaskill said, citing estimates by the Congressional Research Service.
Some two-thirds of the current contractors are Afghans, she said.
The Congressional Research Service recently said the United States has spent nearly $230 billion on the war in Afghanistan. That amount will jump to $300 billion once Congress has approved a military spending bill for fiscal 2010. The House has approved it and the Senate is expected to act on the bill this week.

Russia's Rosavia delays $2.5 bln plane deal

MOSCOW, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Russia's new state-run airline Rosavia has delayed announcing results of its $2.5 billion tender to buy 65 planes as it needs time to review additional offers from sellers, its main shareholder said on Thursday.
"We have received additional offers from the tender participants and have taken a break," a spokesman for state conglomerate Russian Technologies told Reuters.
In August, Russian Technologies said Rosavia had solicited offers from Boeing (BA.N) and Airbus (EAD.PA) for the 65 narrowbody planes it plans to buy in the next few years. [ID:nLJ649955]
It was due to announce the tender results on Dec. 18. (Reporting by Gleb Stolyarov; writing by Maria Kiselyova, Editing by John Bowker)

China picks CFM to power future aircraft -Les Echos

PARIS, Dec 17 (Reuters) - China has chosen aircraft engine maker CFM International to power a future rival to the Airbus (EAD.PA) A320 and Boeing (BA.N) 737 jets, Les Echos newspaper reported on Thursday.
An agreement is set to be signed on Monday in Beijing during a visit by French Prime Minister Francois Fillon, the paper said. CFM is a joint venture between General Electric (GE.N) and France's Safran (SAF.PA).
Under the deal, CFM would provide its LEAP-X turbofan engines, currently being developed, for the government-backed Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China's (COMAC) C919 plane, Les Echos said.
COMAC has said it will select engine suppliers for the C919 by the end of the year and has been holding talks with four main engine suppliers, including General Electric, Rolls Royce (RR.L) and United Technologies Corp's (UTX.N) Pratt & Whitney. [ID:nHKG100609]
China's C919 would have at least 150 seats and deliveries are expected to start in 2016, COMAC has said. COMAC could yet choose multiple engine suppliers for the C919, Les Echos added. CFM, which is the sole supplier for Boeing's 737 series, expects the LEAP-X could be certified by 2016. The engine will run on 16 percent less fuel and have 16 percent fewer CO2 emissions than existing CFM engines, according to CFM. (Reporting by James Regan; Editing by Mike Nesbit)

ATK Successfully Tests Orion Launch Abort System Attitude Control Motor

Launch Abort System Designed for Unmatched Crew SafetyATK's Successful Test in Elkton, Maryland Is a Key Milestone in Development of Orion Spacecraft

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) performed a ground test of a full-scale attitude control motor (ACM) for the launch abort system (LAS) of NASA's Orion crew exploration vehicle. The test was conducted at ATK's facility in Elkton, Md. on Dec. 15.
"The ACM test is a major accomplishment for the ATK, Lockheed Martin and the NASA LAS team. We demonstrated a critical technology capability that will enhance crew safety and mission success," said Bart Olson, Vice President and General Manager, ATK Tactical Propulsion and Controls. "This successful milestone brings Constellation another step closer to flight ready status and demonstrates progress toward improved flight safety for astronauts that is at the core of Constellation Program success.
Early indications are that the Demonstration Motor 1 (DM-1) test was successful and engineers are now analyzing the detailed results. This was the sixth in a series of ground tests of Orion's attitude control motor system, validating that the thruster system performs as designed.
ATK's attitude control motor provides steering for the Orion launch abort system which is designed to safely lift and steer the Orion crew module away from the Ares crew launch vehicle in the event of an emergency.
ATK's attitude control motor consists of a solid propellant gas generator, with eight proportional valves equally spaced around the circumference of the three-foot diameter motor. In combination, the valves can exert up to 7,000 pounds of steering force to the vehicle in any direction upon command from the crew module. The valves are controlled by a redundant power and control system.
ATK is under contract to Lockheed Martin, NASA's prime contractor for Orion, to develop the attitude control motor and provide motors for Orion's development test flights and human rated flights. ATK is also the prime contractor for Ares I first stage.
Video, photographs and additional information on the ACM program can be found at:
http://www.atk.com/Customer_Solutions_MissionSystems/cs_ms_sp_acm.asp
ATK is a premier aerospace and defense company with more than 18,000 employees in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and revenues of approximately $4.8 billion. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.
Certain information discussed in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although ATK believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Among those factors are: changes in governmental spending, budgetary policies and product sourcing strategies; the company's competitive environment; the terms and timing of awards and contracts; and economic conditions. ATK undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For further information on factors that could impact ATK, and statements contained herein, please refer to ATK's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Media Contact:
Rod Gibbons
Phone: 410-864-3942
E-mail: rod.gibbons@atk.com
Investor Contact:
Jeff Huebschen

Phone: 952-351-2929

E-mail: jeff.huebschen@atk.com

The Simon Group Hired by National Hybrid Inc. for Marketing Communications Campaign in Military and Aerospace Markets

SELLERSVILLE, Pa., Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The Simon Group Inc., an award-winning, full service business-to-business marketing communications agency specializing in high tech and industrial accounts, was recently hired by National Hybrid Inc., an API Technologies (OTC Bulletin Board: ATNY) company, to formulate and execute a new marketing communications campaign.
The Simon Group's public relations and advertising programs will focus on re-establishing both the National Hybrid brand and the company's key 1553 data bus technologies in the military and aerospace, commercial avionics and industrial markets.
The agency's aggressive public relations plan will maximize exposure of National Hybrid's name and products using various methods of print and online resources, including product and literature news releases, feature articles and The Simon Group's unique Publicity Initiatives program. This program is a proven system for identifying and taking advantage of every publicity opportunity in a broad range of print and online publications to ensure that appropriate client news is delivered continually to news sources.
In addition to the public relations strategy, The Simon Group will also re-establish the National Hybrid brand of 1553 data bus products, power controllers, high-density multichip modules and custom hybrid microcircuits through print and online advertising. Targeted frequency and reach of the ads in print publications and e-newsletters for each key market will help grow the company's brand.
"We wanted an agency that could provide us with proven, yet innovative, marketing tactics," says Arnie Markowitz, VP of Sales for API Nanotronics. "Advertising and public relations work in their intended areas, while complementing each other to form a cohesive campaign. The Simon Group's comprehensive plan will provide us with the support needed in our target markets. The agency's previous experience in these fields was integral to our selection as well."
Founded in 1986, The Simon Group Inc. specializes in high technology and industrial accounts, particularly in the electronics, instrumentation, military/aerospace, construction and test and measurement industries. Headquartered in a restored 18th century fieldstone farmhouse in Sellersville, Pa. (Bucks County), the agency has clients throughout the world. Visit http://www.simongroup.com
As a member of the API Technologies (OTC Bulletin Board: ATNY) family of companies, National Hybrid Inc. (NHi) builds on its more than 35 years of world-class design and manufacturing history to offer reliable, high-performance microcircuits as well as 1553 and data bus technologies that speed development and simplify troubleshooting, while providing more versatile and powerful design solutions.
For more information, please contact Beth Smith, vice president of PR, The Simon Group Inc., 1506 Old Bethlehem Pike, Sellersville, Pa. 18960. Tel: 215-453-8700; Fax: 215-453-1670; Email: publicrelations@simongroup.com; Web: http://www.simongroup.com.

American Legion to DoD: Fix the Combat Gear

WASHINGTON--December 16, 2009,(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Legion called reports that soldiers are being sent to combat with deficient gear and lack of training “completely unacceptable.”
“The American Legion supports our troops’ missions in Iraq and Afghanistan but they must have the best equipment and training that we can possibly give them,” National Commander Clarence E. Hill said. “Representatives Ike Skelton and Solomon Ortiz should be commended for bringing these serious concerns to the attention of the Pentagon leadership.”
The two House members wrote in a Dec. 10 letter that they are “greatly troubled” by what they have been told by soldiers.
For instance, a military historian found that the M4 carbine failed at critical moments during a July 2008 firefight in Afghanistan, in which nine U.S. soldiers were killed.
“Even though these weapons routinely rank lower than other military weapons in testing, they are still being issued as the Army’s weapon of choice,” the lawmakers wrote.
“I am also concerned that troops are reportedly being taken from bootcamp and being sent to combat, with little or no additional training. Soldiers are also saying that their rucksacks are poorly designed and make it difficult to fire their weapons,” Hill said. “My question to military leadership is ‘Who has the backs of our troops?’ The American Legion would like some answers. Training and equipment should be factored in as essential costs of war, just like VA health care. We will take this issue up with the Secretary of Defense and even the president of the United States if it is not addressed quickly.”
With a current membership of 2.5-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.
A high resolution photo of National Commander Hill is available at www.legion.org.

Contact:
The American Legion

Media contacts:

Marty Callaghan,

202-263-5758

Cell: 202-215-8644

or

Joe March,

317-630-1253

Cell: 317-441-8847

or

John Raughter,

317-630-1253

Cell: 317-748-1926

US House approves $636 bln military spending bill

WASHINGTON, Dec 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a $636 billion military spending bill that funds the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and extends jobless aid for two months.
By a vote of 395 to 34, the House approved the bill and sent it on to the Senate, which is expected to act as soon as Friday, when current funding expires.
(Editing by Sandra Maler)