DTN News: Russia TODAY April 21, 2010 ~ Premier Putin Satisfied With Russian Fifth-Generation Fighter Tests

Defense News: DTN News: Russia TODAY April 21, 2010 ~ Premier Putin Satisfied With Russian Fifth-Generation Fighter Tests
Source: DTN News / RIA Novosti
(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - April 21, 2010: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said he was satisfied with the tests of a Russian fifth-generation fighter jet.
"Flight tests of the fifth-generation fighter are continuing successfully," Putin said."Once again I want to thank everyone who worked on this machine, as well as those who are now putting it in the air," the premier continued.
The first Russian fifth-generation fighter jet was delivered to Zhukovsky in the Moscow Region for a flight test on April 8.
The fighter performed its maiden flight on January 29, when the jet spent 47 minutes in the air.
The Sukhoi design bureau started project development of the aircraft after it received the tender in April 2002. Last summer, the fighter's design was approved, and the prototype blueprints were delivered to the KNAAPO aviation construction company based in Komsomolsk-on-Amur.
The T-50 is the domestic name of the plane which had been developed as the Advanced Front-Line Aviation Complex (PAK FA) for Russia's Air Force. The PAK FA can carry either eight next-generation air-to-air R-77 missiles, or two large controllable anti-ship bombs weighing 1,500 kg each. It can also carry two long-range missiles developed by the Novator Bureau which can hit targets within a 400 kilometer range.

DTN News: Commander Stresses Iran's Capability To Overhaul, Optimize Fighter Jets

Defense News: DTN News: Commander Stresses Iran's Capability To Overhaul, Optimize Fighter Jets
Source: DTN News / FARS News Agency
(NSI News Source Info) TEHRAN, Iran - April 21, 2010: An Iranian Air Force commander announced here on Tuesday that the country overhauls and optimizes different types of military aircraft, mentioning that Air Force has even installed Iran-made radar systems on the sophisticated F14 fighter jets.
"Indeed, it can be said that most airplanes have the previous designs but all of their components, including systems and parts, are being optimized and upgraded on a continued and regular basis," Iranian Air Force Lieutenant Commander for Coordination General Aziz Nasirzadeh said in an interview with FNA on Tuesday.
The commander stated that mounting optimized home-made 2,000-pound (900-kilogram) smart bombs, Qassed (Messenger), on Iranian bombers is an instance of the country's capability to upgrade its fighter jets.
The Iranian Army's Air Force announced in September that it has successfully test-fired Qassed (Messenger) 1and 2, in aerial drills over the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.
Referring to the promotion of the systems and capabilities of F14 fighter jets, Nasirzadeh said, "…today we have a new generation of F14 fighters at our service, and its radar system has been upgraded by our local experts."
Reiterating that the new radar system has been built and installed on the F14 fighter jets by the Iranian personnel, the General added, "Therefore, we can enhance and upgrade it (radar) continuously.
The commander also pointed out that his forces have even upgraded the jet engines of F14, and said considering the numerous alterations that Iran has made to the radar system and the engines of F14, it can be said that what Iranian Air Force now has is a new generation of the globally known version of F14.
He further announced that Iran has already started a move to manufacture aircraft engines and has achieved acceptable results in this regard.
Iran has recently made good progress in the air industry and succeeded in gaining the technical know-how for producing stealth aircraft and drones.
In September 2009, Iran displayed the first squadron of Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) fighter jets produced by its defense industries in an air show staged during military parades at the beginning of the Week of Sacred Defense, marking Iranians' sacrifices during the 8 years of Iraqi imposed war on Iran in 1980s.

DTN News: Schiebel ~ Maker Of Camcopter S-100 UAVs Hovers Over New UAE Deals

Defense News: DTN News: Schiebel ~ Maker Of Camcopter S-100 UAVs Hovers Over New UAE Deals
Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) DUBAI, UAE - April 21, 2010: Schiebel, the Austrian defence company, is seeking more contracts in the Middle East for its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) after nearing the end of deliveries on its 60-aircraft deal with the UAE Armed Forces.
The focus comes as military and national security planners around the world shift to unmanned systems to lower costs and expand coverage of aerial reconnaissance activities to include critical assets such as power plants, oil and gas pipelines and refineries.
“There is a great deal of interest from a number of countries in the region – a couple are in the critical phases now, while others are in the early marketing phases,” said Neil Hunter, the managing director for sales and strategy for Schiebel.
The Vienna-based company, which also produces mine detectors, said the UAE was its first major contract and proved its products were able to withstand the hot and high-altitude conditions of the Middle East.
Schiebel has delivered 56 of 60 Camcopter S-100 UAVs to the Emirates, according to Wolfgang Steigberger, the regional sales manager at Schiebel.
The company declined to give a cost for the aircraft but said it was 10 times cheaper than another well-known UAV, Northrop Grumman’s Fire Scout, which the military data provider Deagel.com says costs about US$15 million (Dh55m).
Together, the two products have helped gain acceptance for helicopter-based UAVs, Mr Hunter said. “There has been a lot of scepticism and disbelief when it comes to unmanned helicopters but the likes of us and Northrop Grumman have proved they have a lot to offer.”
Schiebel has formed a partnership with Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments to customise the platform with specific payload and operational characteristics into a system called Al Sber.
There has been a significant growth of UAVs in active military theatres, Mr Hunter said.
“There is a shift in emphasis to unmanned systems because they do the dull, the dangerous and the dirty tasks that you can avoid being done by humans,” he said.
The US, which has the largest military budget in the world, said its army would move to operating mostly unmanned aircraft over the next 25 years.
But Schiebel said civilian sector opportunities could be even larger. “This area is probably going to see the fastest growth before any of the other sectors,” Mr Hunter said.
The rise of border protection agencies is likely to increase the civilian market. One could be the UAE’s Critical National Infrastructure Authority, which is tasked with protecting more than 24 facilities across the country and recently signed for 34 interceptor boats to protect offshore oil and gas installations.
While the initial UAV contract with the Emirates is nearing its conclusion, Schiebel is optimistic it may lead to other opportunities, including a logistics, training and sustainment contract for the 60 aircraft, which have a lifespan of 15 years.

DTN News: Indonesian Market Proves Attractive For BAE Systems Regional Jets

Defense News: DTN News: Indonesian Market Proves Attractive For BAE Systems Regional Jets
Source: DTN News / BAE Systems
(NSI News Source Info) KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - April 21, 2010: BAE Systems announced at the Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference in Kuala Lumpur (19-22 April) that it continues to enjoy success in the Indonesian domestic market with its BAe 146/Avro RJ family of regional jetliners.
Over the past year BAE Systems has placed four of these aircraft into Indonesia and is underscoring the importance it attaches to this market by planning to hold its first Asian Operators' Conference in the country during May.
The latest aircraft to be sold into Indonesia was delivered in November 2009 to PT Aviastar Mandiri, a certified air charter operator, which bought a BAe 146-200 which is being operated on behalf of Transnusa Air Services in a 98 seat all-economy layout. It is based at Denpasar Airport in Bali and operates to destinations in East Nusa Tenggara.
Aviastar Mandiri bought another BAe 146-200 in June, while PT Nusantara Air Charter also bought a Series 200 passenger airliner from BAE Systems and a Series 200QT (Quiet Trader) freighter in a deal brokered by BAE Systems last summer.
Mr Raj Singh, Director Sales and Leasing (Asia) for BAE Systems Regional Aircraft said: "Indonesia is a very receptive market for us at the moment and we are actively engaged in further discussions with a number of operators. The geography of the country means that regional air transport can often be the only reliable means of getting passengers and goods from one area to another. The BAe 146/Avro RJ family has the airfield performance, economics and price tag to make it a strong contender for these roles."
There are three variants of the aircraft operating with six carriers in Indonesia - a total of nine aircraft so far.
Scheduled and charter passenger operations are carried out by Aviastar Mandiri with two BAe 146-200s, by PT Manunggal Air with two BAe 146-100s, by PT Nusantara Air Charter with its Series 200 and by PT Air Maleo with a single BAe 146-100.
Freighter operations are carried out by the BAe 146-200QT operated by PT Nusantara Air Charter.
Two Avro Business Jet variants are operated by PT Pelita Air Service (one RJ85) and by PT Airfast Indonesia who fly a corporately-configured BAe 146-100 on behalf of Metro TV, Indonesia's first 24-hour news station.
Elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific air transport market BAE Systems products are also proving popular. The ATP turboprop freighter is in service with PT Deraya Air of Indonesia, while the Jetstream 41 turboprop transport flies in its 29-seat airliner role with Agni Air and Yeti Airlines of Nepal, and as a corporate transport with the Royal Thai Army and Royal Star Aviation of the Philippines. The Hong Kong Government Flying Service also operates two special mission Jetstream 41s.
The smaller 18/19 seat Jetstream 31/32 also features in operations with Royal Star Aviation and the Thai Directorate of Civil Aviation, while the older BAe 748 transport aircraft remains in service with commercial operators in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, as well as with air arms in Nepal, South Korea and Thailand.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is a global defence, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. In 2009 BAE Systems reported sales of £22.4 billion (US$ 36.2 billion).

DTN News: BAE Systems In Talks To Supply 60 Hawk Jets To India

Defense News: DTN News: BAE Systems In Talks To Supply 60 Hawk Jets To India
Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) LONDON, U.K. - April 21, 2010: UK-based BAE Systems plans to sell 60 more Hawk trainer jets to India in a deal estimated to be worth Rs 3417 crore.Currently talks are on and a deal would probably see state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics place an order for the aircraft with the global defence, security and aerospace company.
An agreement might be reached within the next few months, the Financial Times reported quoting industry sources.
India had earlier ordered 66 Hawk jets from BAE in 2004 at a cost of about ?1bn. Of these, 24 were built by BAE at its Brough plant in the UK's north-east. The remaining 42 are being manufactured under licence by HAL in India with the first Hawks now in service.
All the aircraft in the follow-up deal would also be built by HAL, the report said.

DTN News: Israel TODAY April 21, 2010 ~ 'Hizbullah Arms Real Danger To Israel'

Defense News: DTN News: Israel TODAY April 21, 2010 ~ 'Hizbullah Arms Real Danger To Israel'
Source: DTN News / By JPOST.COM STAFF AND AP
(NSI News Source Info) JERUSALEM, Israel - April 21, 2010: Following last week's uncertainty surrounding a reported Syrian Scud missile delivery to Hizbullah, a senior US senator said Tuesday that the guerrilla group most likely obtained the weapons and that its missiles posed a real danger to Israel.
"I believe there is a likelihood that there are Scuds that Hizbullah has in Lebanon. A high likelihood," Senate Intelligence Committee chair Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat from California, told AFP."The rockets and missiles in Lebanon are substantially increased and better technologically than they were and this is a real point of danger for Israel."
Feinstein stressed that the tensions in the North would only subside with a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.
"There's only one thing that's going to solve it, and that's a two-state solution," she said.
Hizbullah sources confirmed last week that the group had received a shipment of Scud missiles from Syria, but Damascus denied the reports, saying Israel was trying to stoke tensions in the region.
On Monday, the State Department summoned the senior Syrian diplomat in Washington to accuse his government of "provocative behavior" in supplying the arms.
A department statement announcing the complaint was imprecise about the alleged arms deals by the Syrians. It alluded to the transfer to Hizbullah of Scud ballistic missiles but did not say explicitly that Syria was behind such a deal.
The State Department said deputy chief of mission Zouheir Jabbour was called in to "review Syria's provocative behavior concerning the potential transfer of arms to Hizbullah." It went on to say that providing Hizbullah with Scud missiles risked escalating tensions in the volatile region.
"The United States condemns in the strongest terms the transfer of any arms, and especially ballistic missile systems such as the Scud, from Syria to Hizbullah," the statement said. "The transfer of these arms can only have a destabilizing effect on the region and would pose an immediate threat to both the security of Israel and the sovereignty of Lebanon."
Gordon Duguid, a State Department spokesman in whose name the statement was issued, said in a telephone interview that the department was not confirming that a Scud transfer to Hizbullah had taken place. He said the meeting with the Syrian diplomat was conducted to seek answers about Syrian arms deals and to reiterate US concerns.
Last week White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters that US concern about reports of Syrian Scud missile transfers to Hizbullah had been raised at the highest levels of the Syrian government.
On April 1, during a visit to Damascus, Democratic Sen. John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, reiterated US misgivings about the flow of weapons through Syria to Hizbullah and told reporters the US view is that this is "something that must stop" for there to be peace.
The State Department statement linked the issue of Syrian arms provisions for Hizbullah to the broader Middle East conflict.
"The risk of miscalculation that could result from this type of escalation should make Syria reverse the ill-conceived policy it has pursued in providing arms to Hizbullah," it said. "Additionally, the heightened tension and increased potential for conflict this policy produces is an impediment to ongoing efforts to achieve a comprehensive peace in the Middle East."
Related News;
U.S. warns Syria after scud missile allegations

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated April 20, 2010

Defense News: DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated April 20, 2010
Source: U.S. DoD issued April 20, 2010
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - April 21, 2010: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued April 20,2010 are undermentioned;
CONTRACTS
NAVY
~Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla. is being awarded a $44,414,000 firm-fixed-price supply contract for production of 18 AN/AAQ-30 thermal sight system (TSS) and associated data. The AN/AAQ-30 TSS provides detection, identification, and targeting capability in day/night operations for the U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Super Cobra helicopter. AN/AAQ-30 TSS is fully integrated into the AH-1Z fire control system, providing range and optical line-of-sight data for all weapons including the 20mm gun, Hellfire missile, 2.75 inch rockets, and sidewinder missile. TSS has an automatic video tracker and includes a laser rangefinder/designator which provides classified coded designation of targets for laser-guided munitions of the tri-service arsenal. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla. (90 percent), and Ocala, Fla. (10 percent), and is expected to be completed by October 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-10-C-JQ84).
~Complex Solutions, Inc., Kailua, Hawaii, is being awarded an $18,947,160 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity time-and-material contract modification for technical and educational support services to the Naval Postgraduate School's Center for Civil Military Relations education and training program. Work will be performed in Kailua, Hawaii, or Huntsville, Ala. (4 percent); Monterey, Calif. (9 percent); Tampa, Fla. (2 percent); various locations inside the contiguous United States (17 percent); and various locations outside the contiguous United States (68 percent). Work is expected to be completed by March 2011. Contract funds will not expire before the end of the fiscal year. This announcement combines services for the U.S. Navy (99 percent) and the governments of Austria, Egypt, Indonesia, and Singapore (1 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program. This contract was competitively awarded through Electronic Commerce Online Web site, with two offers received. The Fleet and Industrial Supply Center, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N00244-07-D-0035).
~Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Inc., Newport News, Va., is being awarded a $16,769,544 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-09-C-2116) for procurement of additional long lead time materials in support of the construction preparation efforts for the second aircraft carrier of the Gerald R Ford class (CVN 79). Work to be performed will provide all services and material in preparation for construction of CVN 79 including: necessary research studies; engineering; design; related development efforts; advanced planning; advanced procurement for detailed design and procurement of long lead material; logistics data; and other data to support the anticipated fiscal 2013 ship detail design and construction of CVN 79. Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., and is expected to be completed by March 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
~Lockheed Martin Mission Systems & Sensors, Moorestown, N.J., is being awarded a $15,000,000 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-03-C-5115) for management and engineering services to maintain and modify, as necessary, the design of DDG 51 class combat system compartments and topside arrangements, in support of the Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems. Work will be performed in Moorestown, N.J. (37 percent); Bath, Maine (25 percent); Pascagoula, Miss. (22 percent); San Diego, Calif. (6 percent); Washington, D.C. (5 percent); Norfolk, Va. (3 percent); Port Hueneme, Calif. (1 percent); and Syracuse, N.Y. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
~Lockheed Martin Mission Systems & Sensors, Moorestown, N.J., is being awarded a $15,000,000 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-03-C-5115) for engineering services for DDG 51 class and CG 47 class Aegis Combat System installation, integration and test, and fleet life-cycle engineering support in support of Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems. The required services for DDG 51 class ships and CG 47 class ships include program management and operation support; quality assurance; configuration management; ship design integration; fleet life cycle engineering support; installation support; firmware maintenance; combat system test and evaluation; Navy-furnished material support; special studies; and future-ship integration studies. Work will be performed in Moorestown, N.J. (50 percent); Baltimore, Md. (25 percent); Norfolk, Va. (8 percent); Washington, D.C. (5 percent); Akron, Ohio (5 percent); Mayport, Fla. (2 percent); San Diego, Calif. (1 percent); Oxnard, Calif. (1 percent); Bath, Maine (1 percent); Pascagoula, Miss. (1 percent); and Dahlgren, Va. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
~Bristol Design Build Services, LLC*, Anchorage, Alaska, is being awarded a $14,834,512 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a multi-purpose machine gun (MPMG) range at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Work also includes relocation of an engineering training area (ETC) and explosive ordinance disposal site. The MPMG consists of 24 firing positions on an eight-lane raised firing line; 144 stationary infantry targets, 10 infantry moving targets; and 15 hostile flight simulators. Primary facilities for MPMG include: breakdown building, covered bleacher enclosure, target storage building, covered mess, vehicular holding areas, and bivouac area. Primary facilities for ETC include: administrative, classroom, sort and maintenance buildings, bleacher and mess areas, and magazine shelter. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and is expected to be completed by November 2011. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured as an 8(a) set-aside via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online Web site with six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N40085-10-C-5300).
U. S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND
~FLIR Systems, Inc., North Billerica, Mass., was awarded an estimated $35,209,784 one-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the purchase of long range ground mobility visual augmentation system in support of U.S. Special Operations Command procurement division. The work will be performed in Billerica, Mass., and is expected to be completed by 2011. U. S. Special Operations Command is the contracting activity (H92222-10-D-0013).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
~Porter Manufacturing Corp.*, Lubbock, Texas, is being awarded a maximum $9,155,256 firm-fixed-price contract for diesel engine blocks. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. There were originally two proposals solicited with three responses. The date of performance completion is April 20, 2011. The Defense Logistics Agency Warren, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (SPRDL1-10-C-0063).
~Buckeye Fire Equipment*, Kings Mountain, N.C., is being awarded a maximum $7,312,620 fixed-price with economic price adjustment, long-term, indefinite-quantity contract for support of Defense Logistics Agency direct deliveries only. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. There were originally seven proposals solicited with six responses. This contract has a two-year base period. The date of performance completion is April 20, 2012. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM8EG-10-D-0004).

JBT Corporation Awarded Halvorsen Loader Support Order by the U.S. Air Force

Defense News: CHICAGO, April 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- JBT Corporation(NYSE:JBT - News) today announced that the United States Air Force (USAF) awarded JBT AeroTech a one-year $6.6 millionengineering and logistics services order for the Halvorsen 25K Loader. This order is to provide continued worldwide support of the over 400 Halvorsen loaders that JBT AeroTech has delivered to the USAF.

"We are pleased with our long-term relationship with the United States Air Force and proud to continue providing strong support services for the Halvorsen fleet that is deployed around the world," said John Lee, Vice President and Division Manager of JBT AeroTech.

JBT Corporation (NYSE:JBT - News) is a leading global technology solutions provider to the food processing and air transportation industries. JBT Corporation designs, manufactures, tests and services technologically sophisticated systems and products for regional and multi-national industrial food processing customers through its JBT FoodTech segment and for domestic and international air transportation customers through its JBT AeroTech segment. JBT Corporation employs approximately 3,300 people worldwide and operates sales, service, manufacturing and sourcing operations located in over 25 countries. For more information please visitwww.jbtcorporation.com or www.jbtaerotech.com.

This release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are information of a non-historical nature and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are beyond the Company's ability to control. These risks and uncertainties are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission that may be accessed on the Company's website. The Company cautions shareholders and prospective investors that actual results may differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements.

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Sikorsky, Lockheed team to bid for US helicopter

* Lockheed sees possible US Navy award in 2011 or 2012

* Teaming deal follows rival bids for last helicopter

* Lockheed still negotiating termination of VH-71 with Navy

By Andrea Shalal-Esa

Defense News: WASHINGTON, April 19 (Reuters) - Former rivals Sikorsky Aircraft and Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) said they would join forces in a follow-on U.S. Navy presidential helicopter competition even as Lockheed continued to negotiate a settlement over termination of the previous program.

Under the teaming agreement, Sikorsky, a unit of United Technologies Corp (UTX.N) and maker of the current fleet of presidential helicopters since 1957, will offer its H-92 medium-lift helicopter, while Lockheed will supply the major subsystems and integrate the mission systems package.

In a joint statement the companies said they had outlined their plans in a response to the U.S. Navy's request for information, a precursor to a formal follow-on competition.

Dan Spoor, vice president of aviation systems for Lockheed's mission systems and sensors division, told Reuters he did not expect a Navy contract award until 2011 or 2012 after it completes a new analysis of alternatives.

He said Lockheed was continuing to negotiate a termination agreement with the Navy for the previous VH-71 presidential helicopter program, which it had run together with AgustaWestland, a unit of Italy's Finmeccanica SpA (SIFI.MI).

The Pentagon terminated its contract with Lockheed in 2009 after the team delivered nine test and pilot production aircraft based on AgustaWestland's EH101 helicopter.

Rob Stallard, analyst with Macquarie Securities, said potential other bidders for the Navy contract could include Boeing Co (BA.N), Textron Inc's (TXT.N) Bell Helicopter unit and Finmeccanica's AgustaWestland.

Spoor said Lockheed was no longer marketing AgustaWestland's 101-based helicopter in the United States, but continued to work together with the company in Britain.

He said it could still take a couple of years to reach a termination settlement with the Navy, given the complexity of the program and the number of aircraft and other inventory involved.

Navy officials told a Senate Armed Services subcommittee last week that they expected to receive a termination proposal from Lockheed in late fiscal year 2010 and reach a settlement in fiscal year 2011, which begins on Oct. 1.

Lockheed decided to pursue an agreement with Sikorsky, which had bid for and lost the previous contract, once the Navy decided it wanted a helicopter manufacturer to be the prime contractor for the new helicopter contract, Spoor said.

But he said the companies had worked together closely for four decades on several Navy helicopter programs, and it made sense to work together now given Sikorsky's experience with the existing fleet and Lockheed's intimate knowledge of the White House's needs and requirements through the VH-71 contract.

He said Sikorsky's H-92 helicopter was a bit smaller than the 101, but said Sikorsky had made "tremendous progress" on the relatively new helicopter and it was doing well in sea trials for Canada.

In a statement, Scott Starrett, president of Sikorsky Military Systems, also highlighted the two companies' previous work together and said they offered the Navy "a proven and formidable track record as a team."

Sikorsky designed-and-built the VH-3D and VH-60N aircraft -- designated "Marine One" when the president is on board -- that have been transporting the president since the 1960s.

Sikorsky and Lockheed also agreed to explore business opportunities involving other Sikorsky programs. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal-Esa; Editing by Tim Dobbyn)

General Dynamics Appoints Helm as Senior Vice President of Planning and Development

Defense News: FALLS CHURCH, Va., April 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- General Dynamics (NYSE:GD - News) announced today that Robert W. Helm will join the company on May 3 as senior vice president of planning and development, reporting to Jay L. Johnson, president and chief executive officer. In this position, Helm will be responsible for Government Relations, Strategic Planning, International Business Analysis and Compliance, Investor Relations and Communications. He will replace Phebe N. Novakovic, who has been appointed executive vice president of the company's Marine Systems group, effective May 1.

Helm was with Northrop Grumman Corporation for 21 years, most recently serving as corporate vice president for Government Relations. Prior to joining Northrop Grumman, he was vice president of business development, Space and Aviation Systems, with Honeywell Inc. Helm served as the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Controller) from 1984 until 1988. He was a White House staff member on the National Security Council during the Reagan administration and also served as the senior national security professional staff member on the Senate Budget Committee in the U.S. Congress.

Helm and his wife, Sandra, reside in McLean, Va.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 91,700 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.gd.com.

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Enigma to Exhibit at MRO Americas Conference

Participating with Oracle in Booth #101

April 20, 2010

Phoenix, AZ

Defense News: BURLINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Enigma Inc., the leader in aftermarket service and support technology, will be exhibiting with Oracle® at the MRO Americas Conference and Exhibition on April 20, 2010 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, AZ. The event will bring together aviation industry leaders from around the world to discuss issues relating to aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul.

At the conference, Enigma will demonstrate advanced solutions in the Oracle exhibition booth (#101), featuring a joint solution with the Oracle Complex MRO (cMRO) application for maintenance planning, engineering and service. The combination of Enigma InService MRO with Oracle cMRO provides maintenance planners and technicians complete, accurate and timely information at every phase of the MRO process. Specifically designed for servicing airline, aerospace and defense equipment, the Enigma-Oracle solution helps decrease maintenance turn times, increase asset availability and improve regulatory compliance.

Enigma will also be demonstrating Enigma InService Job Card Generator and Revision Manager, which streamline the process of reviewing/approving OEM and engineering maintenance changes and incorporating those revisions into ongoing maintenance plans.

Enigma has helped airlines like Japan+Airlines&index=5&md5=49dbe8f206d33d41c5bc0c7299203ae2">JapanAirlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines to decrease maintenance costs, increase equipment uptime, and improve maintenance efficiency and consistency.

Quote attributable to Jonathan Yaron, president and CEO of Enigma, Inc.:

“Enigma’s technology improves all aspects of aircraft maintenance, from technical publications to digital sign-offs on job cards Enigma has helped numerous airlines and aviation shops realize substantial gains in efficiency and cost reduction.”

Links for more information:

About Jonathan Yaron

About Enigma-Oracle cMRO

Download the Enigma-Oracle cMRO fact sheet

About Enigma

Enigma is the only software company delivering a product suite that improves the efficiency, consistency and profitability of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations and aftermarket sales and service organizations. Enigma’s unique products integrate with product lifecycle management, supply chain management, enterprise resource planning and other enterprise applications to provide a dynamic encyclopedia of service, parts and diagnostic information that captures technicians’ expertise and manages an optimal service and support workflow. By facilitating aftermarket maintenance, parts logistics and equipment uptime, Enigma helps service and support organizations maximize their profitability. For more information, visit www.enigma.com and http://uptimeblog.enigma.com.

Enigma 3C is a registered trademark of Enigma. All other trademarks or trade names belong to their respective owners

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Contact:

Enigma, Inc.
Joy Reo, 781-265-3606
joyr@enigma.com