DTN News: Romania To Host 3 Batteries Of US missiles

DTN News: Romania To Host 3 Batteries Of US missiles Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) BUCHAREST, Romania - March 6, 2010: Romania has confirmed its intention to host three batteries of US interceptor missiles on its soil as part of Washington's revamped missile system plan for Eastern Europe.

Bucharest in October expressed readiness to take part in the US missile system plan expected to be operational by 2015.

"This is not a secret. There will be three batteries of eight missiles each," President Traian Basescu said on Friday during a presentation of the Defense Ministry in the country's capital, AFP reported.

The announcement has angered Russia, which deems the US plan an infringement of its national sovereignty and a direct threat against Moscow.

In an attempt to reassure Russia, Washington and its allies in the region say the missile system is meant to ward off threats from rogue states like 'North Korea and Iran.'

"This is a defensive system and it cannot be reversed into an offensive one," Basescu reiterated. US President Barack Obama decided last year to drop the missile plan drawn up by former President George W. Bush, which envisaged deployment of elements of the missile system in the Czech Republic and Poland.

The new plan stipulates the deployment of medium-range ballistic missile interceptors in Romania while initiating a "phased, adaptive approach" to the plan in Eastern Europe.

DTN News: Russian Military Yet To Identify Causes Of Bulava Missile's Woes

DTN News: Russian Military Yet To Identify Causes Of Bulava Missile's Woes Source: DTN News / RIA Novosti (NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - March 6, 2010: The Russian military is still working to establish the reasons for the misfiring of the troubled Bulava ballistic missile, Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said on Friday. The Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) has officially suffered seven failures in 12 tests. Some analysts suggest that in reality the number of failures was considerably larger, with Russian military expert Pavel Felgenhauer contending that of the Bulava's 12 test launches, only one was entirely successful. "So far the Bulava tests have not been very successful, but we are looking for the causes [of the failures] and working to rectify them, and we will definitely bring this work to conclusion," Serdyukov said. He also said the Sineva strategic missile would remain in service with the Armed Forces for the next several years. On Thursday, Russia successfully test-launched a Sineva intercontinental ballistic missile from a submarine in the Barents Sea. The RSM-54 Sineva (NATO designation SS-N-23 Skiff) is a liquid-propellant submarine-launched ballistic missile designed for Delta IV-class submarines that can carry up to 16 missiles each. The Sineva, which is already in service, is seen as a rival to the troubled Bulava, which has been specifically designed for the new Borey-class submarines, but whose future development has been called into question by some lawmakers and defense industry officials over a string of failed tests. However, the Russian military has insisted that there is no alternative to the Bulava and pledged to continue testing the missile until it is ready to be put into service with the Navy.

DTN News: Boeing Transfers US Portions Of International Space Station To NASA

DTN News: Boeing Transfers US Portions Of International Space Station To NASA Source: DTN News / Boeing (NSI News Source Info) HOUSTON,- March 6, 2010: Boeing [NYSE: BA] today officially turned over the U.S. on-orbit segment of the International Space Station (ISS) to NASA with the signing of government form DD-250 at the conclusion of an Acceptance Review Board meeting in Houston. Often referred to as "handing over the keys," the DD-250 is equivalent to a final bill of sale that formally transfers ownership. Through today's review board, NASA and Boeing verified the delivery, assembly, integration and activation of all hardware and software required by contract. "It was 10 years in the making, but NASA's acceptance today confirms that the U.S.-built portion of the International Space Station meets its requirements and that its hardware and software are in excellent shape," said Joy Bryant, Boeing ISS vice president and program manager. "The vehicle is capable of being fully utilized as a national laboratory, and we look forward to sustaining it for many years to come." The U.S. segment interfaces with all the ISS international partner elements. It encompasses the truss segments, including the four solar arrays, and several pressurized modules, which consist of: *Unity and Harmony, connecting nodes 1 and 2 *the Destiny laboratory module *the Quest airlock *pressurized mating adapters *the Zarya storage module, built in cooperation with the Russian Federal Space Agency *more than 2 million lines of software code to operate all the components. Additionally, thousands of components make up the segment's core systems for thermal control; environmental control; guidance and navigation; communication and tracking; electrical power distribution; command and control; structure and mechanisms; and robotics. This year, the ISS will mark 10 consecutive years of human presence on orbit. It was designated a national laboratory by the U.S. Congress in 2005 and selected for the 2009 Collier Trophy by the National Aeronautic Association. The station takes advantage of the microgravity conditions 220 miles above the Earth's surface for research across a wide variety of fields, including human life sciences, biological science, human physiology, physical and materials science, and Earth and space science. "Research conducted aboard the ISS will benefit the entire world with unique scientific breakthroughs, and its crews will inspire a new generation to look toward space," said Bryant. Boeing is the prime contractor to NASA for the ISS. In addition to designing and building all the major U.S. elements, Boeing also is responsible for ensuring the successful integration of new hardware and software -- including components from international partners -- as well as for providing sustaining engineering work. A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated March 5, 2010

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated March 5, 2010 Source: U.S. DoD issued March 5, 2010 (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - March 6, 2010: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued March 5, 2010 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

NAVY ~Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded an $117,401,603 modification to a previously awarded fixed-price incentive fee V-22 multi-year production contract (N00019-07-C-0001) to provide two additional MV-22 tiltrotor aircraft. Pursuant to the variation in quantity clause, this procurement will bring the number of MV-22 aircraft on this contract from 141 to 143. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pa. (50 percent); Fort Worth, Texas (35 percent); and Amarillo, Texas (15 percent), and is expected to be completed in May 2014. Contract funds in the amount of $117,401,603 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. ~RiverHawk Fast Sea Frames, LLC, Tampa, Fla., is being awarded a $70,140,000 firm-fixed-price letter contract for the detail, design, and construction of two offshore support vessels and associated equipment and services for the Iraqi Navy. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to Iraq. Work will be performed in Houma, La., and is expected to be completed by December 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $47.6 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured based on the terms of a Foreign Military Sales case which the Government of Iraq specified RiverHawk Fast Sea Frames, LLC, as the source for this effort. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-10-C-2222). ~General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Bloomington, Minn., is being awarded a $30,602,134 firm-fixed-price contract for the full-rate production of 118 Type 3 advanced mission computers for the F/A-18 and E/A-18G aircrafts. Work will be performed in Bloomington, Minn., and is expected to be completed in December 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $6,480,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-10-C-0014). ~Atlantic Marine Philadelphia, LLC, Philadelphia, Pa., is being awarded a $12,771,174 firm-fixed-price contract for a 70-calendar day regular overhaul of Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Joshua Humphreys. The ship’s primary mission is to provide fuel to Navy ships at sea and jet fuel to aircraft assigned to aircraft carriers. Humphreys, which deactivated and joined the Navy’s Inactive Ships program in 1996, is being reactivated this summer by the direction of U.S. Fleet Forces Command to support counter-piracy and global war on terrorism operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations where the ship will serve as a duty oiler to U.S. and coalition warships. Work performed will include tank inspections; ballast tank preservation; main engine cylinder head inspection and overhaul; underwater hull cleaning; and paint and propeller system maintenance. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $15,492,209. Work will be performed in Philadelphia, Pa., and is expected to be completed by May 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an unrestricted solicitation and four offers were received. The solicitation was posted to the Military Sealift Command, Navy Electronic Commerce Online and Federal Business Opportunities Web sites. The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Fleet Support Command, a field activity of Military Sealift Command, is the contracting activity (N40442-10-C-1001). ~Lockheed Martin Corp., Moorestown, N.J., is being awarded a $10,232,032 cost-plus-fixed-fee task order # 0002 under previously awarded contract (N00014-09-D-0702) for the Integrated Topside program. This task order supports the technology development phase of a Navy acquisition program to develop a satellite communication prototype/advanced development model system suitable for integration into Navy submarines. This contract contains options which, if exercised, will bring the value of the contract to $32,003,899. Work will be performed in Moorestown, N.J., and work is expected to be completed March 2011. With options exercised, the completion date is July 2013. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity. ~Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $7,111,723 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-07-C-0008) for 12 months of AIM-9X Sidewinder missile support for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and the governments of Australia, Denmark, Finland, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Turkey and Switzerland. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz. and is expected to be completed in December 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($2,678,281; 38 percent), U.S. Air Force ($2,578,282; 36 percent), and the governments of Australia ($438,658; 23 percent); Denmark ($202,358; 11 percent); Finland ($202,357; 11 percent); Korea ($202,357; 11 percent); Saudi Arabia ($202,358; 11 percent); Singapore ($202,358; 11 percent); Turkey ($202,357; 11 percent); and Switzerland ($202,357; 11 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. ~Sealaska Environmental Services, LLC*, Juneau, Alaska, is being awarded a $6,832,006 firm-fixed-price contract modification to increase the maximum dollar value of previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N44255-09-D-4005) for the operation, maintenance, and long term monitoring environmental services at various locations within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Northwest area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be performed provides for operation and maintenance of various remediation sites, systems, wellsm and long-term monitoring in order to ensure compliance with environmental agency requirements. After award of this modification, the total cumulative contract value will be $34,913,885. Work will be performed in the NAVFAC Northwest AOR, including, but not limited to, Washington (78 percent), Alaska (18 percent), Oregon (1 percent), Idaho (1 percent), Montana (1 percent), and Wyoming (1 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of March 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Northwest, Silverdale, Wash., is the contracting activity. ~Kalman & Co., Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., is being awarded $6,624,698 to exercise task order #0023 option under previously awarded contract (M67854-03-A-5158). The scope of this effort is to provide business and analytical support to the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense (JPEO-CBD) systems. Objectives of this initiative include risk analyses supporting enterprise-wide efforts and current programs of record, leading to concise business case analyses that identify cost and performance projections, schedule impacts, and sustainment/lifecycle considerations. This effort will require applied use of decision support tools to conduct comparative analyses of costs, quantify benefits and attendant risks, and fully vet each alternative through appropriate stakeholder business forums. The expected outcome of this effort is to assist the JPEO-CBD in continuing best business practices and effective course of action selection criteria for the management of their portfolio of acquisition programs, efforts, and initiatives. Ancillary efforts will include subject matter expertise representation at stakeholder sponsored forums, program objectives memorandum and budget planning, preparing Congressional testimony and briefings, and ensuring a comprehensive program of technology insertion (e.g., research-and-development-based investment) is established and maintained. Work will be performed in Marine Corps Command organizations in Falls Church, Va., and is expected to be completed in September 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity. ~General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $6,165,000 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-05-C-5100) for system integrator/design agent for Open Architecture Track Manager. As the systems integrator design agent, the contractor assists in developing and maintaining architecture and requirements; modifies government-furnished information to implement and maintain the open architecture track manager; and integrates open architecture track manager onto Navy-specific platforms. Work will be performed in Fairfax, Va. (98 percent), and San Diego, Calif. (2 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, D.C., is the contracting activity. ARMY ~Northrop Grumman Corp., Apopka, Fla., was awarded on March 1, 2010, a $79,000,624 fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract is for the lightweight laser designator rangefinders. Work is to be performed in Orlando, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2014. Bids were solicted on the World Wide Web with two bids received. U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W91CRB-09-D-0061). ~General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Height, Mich., was awarded on March 1, 2010, a $62,123,818 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is for the award program Year Four Increment 2 of the Abrams multi-year contract for a quantity of 22 M1A2 systems enhancement package, Version 2 upgrade vehicles. Work is to be performed in Lima, Ohio (75 percent); Tallahassee, Fla. (10 percent); Anniston, Ala. (9 percent); Scranton, Penn. (3 percent); and Sterling Heights, Mich. (3 percent), with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2012. One bid was solicted with one bid received. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-06-G-0006). ~Northrop Grumman Corp., Apopka, Fla., was awarded on March 1, 2010 a $46,172,662 fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract is for the lightweight laser designator rangefinders. Work is to be performed in Orlando, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2014. Bids were solicted on the World Wide Web with two bids received. U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W91CRB-09-D-0061). ~Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., was awarded on March 3, 2010, a $34,416,000 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is for a requirement to procure a minimum of 144, maximum of 326, upturned exhaust systems to be installed in UH/HH 60M production line aircraft and retrofit of aircraft that will be deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Work is to be performed in Stratford, Conn., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2015. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, CCAM-BH-A, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-10-D-0001). ~Oshkosh Corp, Oshkosh, Wis., was awarded on March 2, 2010, a $29,735,676 requirements contract for the purchase of 79 new Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck, M978A4 trucks on the existing HEMTTA4 contract along with ancillary items. Work is to be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2012. One bid was solicted with one bid received. TACOM , Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-D-0024). ~BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services, Inc., Rockville, Md., was awarded on March 2, 2010, a $22,365,515 cost-plus-award-fee contract for logistical support and services consisting of the three major functional areas of maintenance, transportation, and supply on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii. Work is to be performed in the island of Oahu (96.4 percent) and island of Hawaii (3.6 percent), with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2018. 54 bids were solicited with seven bids received. Regional Contracting Office, Hawaii, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (W912CN-08-C-0085). ~Northrop Grumman Corp., Apopka, Fla., was awarded on March 1, 2010, a $17,615,004 fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract is for the lightweight laser designator rangefinders. Work is to be performed in Orlando, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2014. Bids were solicted on the World Wide Web with two bids received. U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., is the contracting activity (W91CRB-09-D-0061). ~Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure, Inc., Edgewood, Md., was awarded in Feb. 26, 2010, a $16,933,000 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is to provide all labor, personnel, supervision, administration, materials, equipment, tools, and transportation necessary to perform public works functions at the following general locations in the state of Alaska: Fort Wainwright and the Donnelly, Yukon, and Black Rapids training areas. Work is to be performed in Fort Wainwright; the Donnelly, Yukon, and Black Rapids training areas; and Seward campground, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2014. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with three bids received. U.S. Expeditionary Contracting Command, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, is the contracting activity (W912CZ-09-D-0004). ~FN Manufacturing, Columbia, S.C., was awarded on March 3, 2010, a $10,326,020 firm-fixed-price contract for a 5 year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the FN303 firing device. The FN303 firing device is a non-lethal launcher used for riot control and training purposes. Work is to be performed in Columbia, S.C., with an estimated completion date of March 1, 2015. One bid was solicted with one bid received. TACOM Rock Island CCTA-AR-SR-SC, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52H09-10-D-0125). ~SUMO-NAN, LLC, Honolulu, Hawaii, was awarded on March 2, 2010, a $10,260,010 firm-fixed-price contract for an upgrade air support operations center complex, Wheeler Administration Annex, Wheeler Army Airfield, Oahu, Hawaii. Work is to be performed in Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 5, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with four bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (W9128a-10-C-0004). ~Creative Times Day School, Inc., dba as Creative Times, Inc., Ogden, Utah, was awarded on March 1, 2010, a $9,023,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a training support center at Fort Riley, Kan. Work is to be performed in Fort Riley, Kan., with an estimated completion date of July 10, 2011. Bids were solicted on the World Wide Web with nine bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City, Mo., is the contracting activity (W912DQ-10-C-4010). ~Rockwell Collins Simulation & Training, Sterling, Va., was awarded on March 1, 2010, an $8,704,479 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of one transportable Blackhawk operations simulator US Device 8. Work is to be performed in Sterling, Va., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2013. One bid was solicted with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, CCAM-BH-C, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0257). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY ~GE Datex-Ohmeda, Inc., Madison, Wis., is being awarded a maximum $19,847,688 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for patient monitoring systems, subsystems, accessories, parts, and training. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were originally 17 proposals solicited with nine responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is exercising the first option year period. The date of performance completion is March 5, 2011. The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM2D1-10-D-8348). *Small business

DTN News: U.S. Navy To Commission Guided Missile Destroyer Dewey

DTN News: U.S. Navy To Commission Guided Missile Destroyer Dewey Source: U.S. Department of Defense on March 05, 2010 (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - March 6, 2010: The Navy will commission the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, Dewey, Saturday, March 6, 2010, during an 11 a.m. PST ceremony at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. His wife, Deborah Mullen, will serve as the ship’s sponsor. The ceremony will be highlighted by a time-honored Navy tradition when she gives the first order to “man our ship and bring her to life!” Designated DDG 105, the new destroyer honors Adm. George Dewey (1837-1917) who commanded the Asiatic Station from the cruiser Olympia. Shortly after the onset of the Spanish-American War, Dewey led his squadron of warships into Manila Bay on April 30, 1898. The next morning, his squadron destroyed the Spanish fleet in only two hours without a single American loss. A widely popular hero of his day, Dewey was commissioned Admiral of the Navy, a rank created for him, in March 1903.

Two previous ships have proudly carried his name. The first was a destroyer (DD 349) that survived the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and went on to receive 13 battle stars for World War II service. The second was a destroyer commissioned as a guided-missile frigate (DLG 14) before being reclassified as a guided missile destroyer (DDG 45). Dewey is the 55th Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. The ship will be able to conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management, to sea control and power projection. Dewey will be capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously and contains a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime warfare in keeping with “A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower,” which postures the sea services to apply maritime power to protect U.S. vital interests in an increasingly interconnected and uncertain world. Cmdr. Warren Buller, of Concord, Mass., will become the first commanding officer of the ship and lead the crew of 276 officers and enlisted personnel. The 9,200-ton Dewey was built by Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss. The ship is 509 feet in length, has a waterline beam of 59 feet, and a navigational draft of 31 feet. Four gas turbine engines will power the ship to speeds in excess of 30 knots. Media may direct queries to the Navy Office of Information at 703-697-5342. More information on Arleigh Burke-class destroyers can be found at http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=900&ct=4.

DTN News: F-35 Lightning II News JSF Delayed By Two Years ~ Air Force

DTN News: F-35 Lightning II News JSF Delayed By Two Years ~ Air Force Source: U.S. DoD (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - March 6, 2010: Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said Tuesday that the service’s plan to use the Pentagon’s marquee fighter jet, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, will probably be delayed by two years and cost significantly more than initially expected.

Donley told reporters the F-35 isn't likely to be ready for the Air Force until 2015.

The jet had been scheduled to become initially operational in 2013 before the Pentagon uncovered serious problems with the contract. Last month, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that at least one senior manager would be fired and $614 million in performance bonuses would be withheld from lead contractor Lockheed Martin Corporation.

"We remain fully committed to this program," Donley said.

But waiting until late in the 2015 budget year for the jet to reach a milestone known as initial operating capability is "the best estimate today on where we'll be," he added.

The delay suggests the program's problems were perhaps deeper than officials expected. When Gates discussed the program last month, he said he thought the early production milestone would remain intact.

Donley said that when Gates made his remarks, the service was still working through detailed reviews of the program.

He said problems are being addressed. "We want to hold the contractors feet to the fire," he said. "We want to incentivize them to make good on the promises they made earlier and deliver on schedule."

Published on March 3rd, 2010 in the Online edition of Stars and Stripes.Used with permission from Stars and Stripes, a DoD publication. © 2010 Stars and Stripes.

DTN News: Northrop Grumman Highlights Integrated Communication, Navigation, And Surveillance Air Traffic Management Solutions At ATC Global 2010

DTN News: Northrop Grumman Highlights Integrated Communication, Navigation, And Surveillance Air Traffic Management Solutions At ATC Global 2010 Source: DTN News / Northrop Grumman (NSI News Source Info) LONDON, UK - March 6, 2010: Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is participating in ATC Global 2010 where it will highlight its fully integrated communication, navigation, surveillance and air traffic management capabilities. ATC Global 2010 is the world's leading air navigation services exhibition and conference and takes place from 9-11 March at the RAI exhibition centre, Amsterdam. Northrop Grumman's Europe-based air traffic management subsidiary, Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems will be exhibiting at Stand H600. Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems is a multi-national operation and has facilities in the UK and Norway. It designs and manufactures air traffic management solutions for civilian and military air traffic service providers and has an installed base in more than 170 countries. "ATC Global is the leading air traffic management showcase at which we see our customers and partners from around the world," said Charles Houseago, managing director of Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems in the UK. "It provides a perfect environment to share information with our valued clients and to demonstrate our latest developments." On display will be the full range of air traffic management solutions from across the company's communication, navigation and surveillance product lines. The capabilities of the VOIP-enabled PAE T6 and PAE M7 VHF/UHF multimode digital radio will be working together with the GAREX 220 voice communication control system to demonstrate a digital end-to-end communications solution. The company's NORMARC navigational equipment capabilities will be highlighted with the NORMARC 7000 instrument landing system, NORMARC 7710 navigation analyser and the new NORMARC distance measuring equipment. The surveillance equipment on display will include the NOVA 9000 air traffic control systems for tower and approach control, air traffic control centres and advanced-surface movement guidance and control systems (A-SMGCS). The NOVA 9000 processes and integrates radar and related data to give graphical views of aircraft and vehicles in the airport movement area on display screens to controllers in the tower. The system offers integrated and efficient airport ground surveillance to the world's airports and has been installed in more than 40 airports throughout more than 20 countries. The NOVA 9000 is cost-effective and easy to install and operate, and its scalability allows suitability for installation at small airports as well as some of the world's largest and busiest airports such as London Heathrow and Paris-Charles de Gaulle. With a 50-year legacy in air traffic management systems ranging from individual airport installations to countrywide, multiple-site turnkey integrated system solutions, Northrop Grumman's state-of-the-art air traffic management systems are operationally controlling air traffic in numerous countries around the world including recent major programmes in: Norway, Brazil, Qatar, Oman, Canada, India, Poland, UAE, USA and the UK, in both civil and military applications. Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems based in Peterborough, UK, and Oslo and Horten, Norway, supplies communication, navigation and surveillance systems for air-space operations worldwide. Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

DTN News: Building On Five Years Of Success, Her Majesty's Armed Forces Extend Partnering Agreement With Rheinmetall

DTN News: Building On Five Years Of Success, Her Majesty's Armed Forces Extend Partnering Agreement With Rheinmetall Source: DTN News / Rheinmetall Defence (NSI News Source Info) DUSSELDORF, Germnay - March 6, 2010: Rheinmetall AG and Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the UK's defence procurement organisation, have agreed to extend their successful cooperation in the field of ammunition, which began in 2005, for another five years, with an option for a further two years. The partnering agreement represents a new order volume worth minimum €150 million for the period through to 2015. The parties now signed a contract to this effect at Rheinmetall Defence's regional office in Bristol. Rheinmetall Defence thus remains the sole non-UK company with which DE&S has concluded a partnership agreement for the supply of general munitions. Over the past five years, cooperation has extended to new munitions product areas due to the evolving requirements of the British military as well as Rheinmetall’s proven track record for quality and reliability. Over the last five years Rheinmetall Defence nearly doubled the volume of general munitions supplied to the troops of Her Majesty's armed forces.

DTN News: Boeing's 3rd GOES Satellite Sends 1st Signals From Space

DTN News: Boeing's 3rd GOES Satellite Sends 1st Signals From Space Source: DTN News / Boeing (NSI News Source Info) EL SEGUNDO, Calif., - March 6, 2010: Boeing [NYSE: BA] has received the first on-orbit signals from the third Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) built by Boeing for NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The satellite, GOES-P, is healthy and ready to begin thruster firings to move to its on-orbit test location. GOES-P is a Boeing 601 satellite that will provide enhanced Earth-observation and weather-monitoring services. GOES-P launched on a Delta IV rocket at 6:57 p.m. Eastern time on March 4 from Space Launch Complex 37B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Controllers confirmed initial contact with the spacecraft today at 12:52 a.m. Eastern time at the NASA Deep Space Network Canberra ground station in Australia. Boeing Launch Services procured the vehicle and mission services from United Launch Alliance. "GOES-P's precision imaging and navigation technologies will improve weather forecasting by providing image data that is two to three times more accurately located," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. "We look forward to working with NASA and NOAA in the months ahead as GOES-P is tested and deployed as an on-orbit spare that can be called immediately to action, especially during emergencies." GOES-P will be placed in geosynchronous orbit at 89.5 degrees west longitude for approximately five months of on-orbit operational testing. Following NASA and NOAA's acceptance, GOES-P will join GOES-14 (formerly called GOES-O) in storage at 105 degrees west longitude to operate as backups for primary satellites GOES-11 and GOES-13. GOES-13 is in the process of being activated to replace GOES-12. Together, the satellites will improve weather forecasting with sharper vision and longer life and help NOAA's Storm Prediction Center monitor severe weather events. The GOES N-P series represents the newest generation of satellite technology and a significant improvement over earlier environmental systems. The prime instrument on GOES-P, the imager, captures images of the Earth with a resolution accuracy of 1 kilometer from an altitude of 22,240 miles above the Earth's surface. The satellite's highly stable optical bench enables more accurate predictions of storm location and movement by protecting the operational instruments from thermal or motion disruptions. GOES-P also can store enough power to operate during the eclipse season, when there is no sunlight to power its solar array. A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

DTN News: First Flight For Canada’s New Airlifter

DTN News: First Flight For Canada’s New Airlifter Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin (NSI News Source Info) MARIETTA, Ga., - March 6, 2010: The first Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] CC-130J Super Hercules for Canada completed its first flight, March 3, 2010. The aircraft is the first of 17 CC-130Js and will be delivered in summer 2010. The C-130J is the newest version of the Hercules and the only model still in production. Externally similar to the classic Hercules in general appearance, the J model is a very different aircraft. These differences include new Rolls-Royce AE 2100 D3 turboprops with Dowty R391 composite scimitar propellers, digital avionics (including Head-Up Displays (HUDs) for each pilot) and reduced crew requirements (two pilots and one loadmaster—no navigator or flight engineer). The largest operator of the new model will be the U.S. Air Force, which is ordering the aircraft in increasing numbers. Current operators of the C-130J are the USAF (to include the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard), U.S. Marine Corps (being their 4th variant after KC-130F, KC-130R and KC-130T), U.S. Coast Guard, Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Danish Air Force, Royal Norwegian Air Force and the Italian Air Force. Total deliveries of C-130J aircraft have reached 181 units as of November 2009. Lockheed Martin has offered to lease four C-130Js to the German Luftwaffe, which has been awaiting a Transall replacement set for 2010 (the Airbus A400M), but the deal was rejected. The Indian Air Force purchased six C-130J-30s in early 2008 at a cost of up to US$1.059 billion. It is a package deal with the US government under its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, and India has retained options to buy six more of these aircraft for its special forces for combined army-air force operations. A C-130J Super Hercules is cleaned in the wash system at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. The Canadian Forces signed a US$1.4 billion contract with Lockheed Martin for 17 new C-130J-30s on 16 January 2008, as part of the procurement process to replace the existing C-130E and H models. The C-130J will be officially designated CC-130J Hercules in Canadian Forces service. The Royal Norwegian Air Force ordered four C-130Js in 2007 to replace six aging C-130Hs in need of additional repairs. The first aircraft was delivered in November 2008. Qatar ordered four C-130Js in 2008, along with spare parts and training for the Qatari Emiri Air Force. The contract is worth a total of US$393.6 million and deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2011. The United Arab Emirates Air Force announced an order for 12 C-130J transport aircraft at the 2009 IDEX, with an announced value of US$1.3 billion. The Israeli Air Force is seeking to purchase nine C-130J-30s. The Iraqi Air Force has ordered six C-130J-30s. In June 2009, Lockheed Martin said that both Britain and France had asked for technical details on the C-130J as an alternative to the troubled Airbus A400M. Deliveries will be completed through 2012. The CC-130J Super Hercules will give Canada increased airlift capability with an aircraft that has greater range, power and reliability over previous C-130 models. Canada is one of 12 countries that have now ordered the Super Hercules, in demand worldwide thanks to its mission flexibility and capability. Media Contact: Peter Simmons

Office: 770-494-6208

DTN News: Lockheed Martin Awarded $171 Million For Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning Radars

DTN News: Lockheed Martin Awarded $171 Million For Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning Radars Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin (NSI News Source Info) SYRACUSE, NY - March 6, 2010: Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] received a low-rate initial production contract valued at $171.8 million from Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems in Bethpage, NY, for four AN/APY-9 Airborne Early Warning (AEW) radar systems and spare parts. The radar systems will be integrated into the U.S. Navy’s new E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. “The APY-9 radar will provide unprecedented capability to the U.S. Navy and allied forces operating in the littorals to detect and track airborne and cruise missile threats,” said Carl Bannar, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Radar Systems business, headquartered in Syracuse, NY. “This radar represents a two-generation leap in AEW capability.” Designed and developed by Lockheed Martin, the AN/APY-9 radar features both a solid-state transmitter with higher power than its predecessor for extended range, as well as digital receivers to increase sensitivity. The UHF radar can “see” smaller targets -- and more of them -- at a greater range, particularly in coastal regions and over land. Its electronically scanned array provides critically important, continuous 360-degree coverage. As a new capability, flight operators also can now focus the radar on select areas of interest. Two engineering-development models and four pre-production radar systems are currently in flight and qualification testing. Over the last several months, the Navy/Industry integrated test team has flown more than 230 radar flights, performing multiple hours of over-water, near-land and over-land radar operations. Mission system and radar-related testing are currently ahead of schedule. “We are pleased with the radar’s detection performance,” said Dr. Doug Reep, Lockheed Martin’s program management director for AEW Radar. “Software updates are being released as scheduled and, with each release, the radar has demonstrated improved stability and performance during flight tests. We are confident we will meet the challenges of the Initial Operational Test and Evaluation scheduled to begin at the first quarter fiscal year 2012.” Lockheed Martin will produce AN/APY-9 radars to equip all 75 planned U.S. Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. Lockheed Martin has produced several generations of AEW radars for the aircraft over four decades. Lockheed Martin’s AN/APS-145 airborne radar is currently aboard in-service E-2C Hawkeyes and Hawkeye 2000 aircraft. 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 2009 sales of $45.2 billion. Media Contact: Chip Eschenfelder, 315-456-3328; email: chip.eschenfelder@lmco.com

DTN News: Northrop Might Wish It Had Not Won This Contract

DTN News: Northrop Might Wish It Had Not Won This Contract Source: BNet By Matthew Potter Government Analysis (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 5, 2010: Several years ago Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), who was governor at the time, decided to out-source the majority of the state’s IT system. The goal was to save money and provide up-to-date equipment with little investment. Northrop Grumman (NOC) got the contract. Among other things, the company was supposed to integrate the many different systems, databases and physical plants across state government. The contract was structured in such a way that most of the state’s IT workers would have to leave civil service and move to Northrop Grumman. Last October it was reported that the contract was facing serious problems: It was behind schedule and IT costs were rising, rather than falling. The state was in of bind as terminating the contract would have cost close to $300 million. Right now, the contract is managed by a committee, appointed by the Governor and Legislature. This means that it is hard to get a consensus on what to do. Now the Virginia House and Senate are working on legislation to move control to the Governor. The idea is that direct executive control will allow the state to work more closely with Northrop Grumman to get things back on track. This contract was a very aggressive attempt at out-sourcing. Not only did Virginia trust Northrop to integrate various computer systems, but also to manage the help desk and equipment as well. Normally services like this are broken up into smaller, more manageable contracts. It will have to be seen if the change in structure of the contract will help it get back on track. The state will also have a decision to make in 2015 or so when the contract ends and they either need to award another one or bring the work back into the government. Matthew Potter Matthew Potter is a resident of Huntsville, Ala., where he works supporting U.S. Army aviation programs. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he began work as a defense contractor in Washington D.C. specializing in program management and budget development and execution. In the last 15 years Matthew has worked for several companies, large and small, involved in all aspects of government contracting and procurement. He holds two degrees in history as well as studying at the Defense Acquisition University. He has written for Seeking Alpha and at his own website, DefenseProcurementNews.com. *This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com

DTN News: Eurocopter Forecast India Potential Demand For Helicopters

DTN News: Eurocopter Forecast India Potential Demand For Helicopters Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - March 5, 2010: The European helicopter manufacturer, Eurocopter, announced its participation in the ongoing trials for the reconnaissance and surveillance helicopter requirements of the Indian armed forces. Rainer Farid, vice-president, Eurocopter, sales and customer relations, South Asia told FE, "The company is bidding for Indian military contracts worth up to $8 billion, including a deal that was cancelled in 2007. " According to Farid the company had re-submitted a bid for a $ 600-million deal to sell India 197 Army helicopters and has fielded the AS 550 C3. It is competing against the Russian Kamov-226 and British Italian major Agusta Westland's AW 119 helicopters for the tenders. They will undergo trials in high altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir for the Indian armed forces' requirement for 197 such choppers. Talking to FE, Rainer Farid said, "The AS550 C3 is undergoing trials for the Indian Army and Air Force requirement of reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters. And we are confident that not only the Army but the Air Force will be compliant." "Over the next few months we will also further our relationship with India by exploring opportunities for setting up joint ventures with our long time partners and establish a stronger footprint to provide end-to-end service to the country," he added. The European company is currently in the request for information stage for EC 725, which is Eurocopter's key offering for the Indian multi-role helicopter requirements and the Panther, which is best suited for the requirements of the Indian Coast Guard, said Rainer. The company is also hoping to supply 30 helicopters to the Indian coast guard, for which tenders would opened next year, and added it was also in the race to produce 200 helicopters jointly with the HAL. "We are also bidding for a contract to replace 40 ageing helicopters of the Indian Navy but the process is currently at an initial stage and we are expecting an RFP later this year," Farid said. In the civil space, Eurocopter has successfully formed partnerships in both public and private sector with Pawan Hans Helicopter Limited and Indocopters. These partnerships cover the entire spectrum of helicopter activities, from manufacturing to operations, maintenance and product support. "We are willing to do 100% technology transfer in helicopters and are already in talks with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), and seeking more cooperation with other private companies in India," he added. With reference to both the Indian military and civil markets, the company currently holds a leading position achieved through strong partnerships. In the military space, Eurocopter has had a fruitful association with India for over four decades through two co-operation agreements with HAL, pointed out the company's executive. According to company officials, the relationship started with a licence production enabling HAL to manufacture more than 600 helicopters of the Alouette 3 and Lama type (Cheetah/Chetak), and it has further been strengthened with company outsourcing metallic and composite work packages.

DTN News: Boeing Says It Will Bid For Air Force Tanker Pact

DTN News: Boeing Says It Will Bid For Air Force Tanker Pact Source: DTN News / By Stephen Manning (AP) (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - March 5, 2010: Defense contractor Boeing Co. said Thursday that it will bid for the Air Force's troubled $35 billion refueling plane contract, leaving rival Northrop Grumman Corp. to decide if it will make its own attempt to build the long-delayed jets. Boeing said it plans to offer a military version of its 767 passenger jet for a fleet of 179 new planes. The contract is expected to be the first of several to replace many of the Air Force's current planes that date back to the 1950s. Boeing said it will submit its formal bid by May 10. It remains to be seen if Boeing's bitter contest with Northrop will be renewed after two failed Pentagon attempts to pick a winner earlier in the decade. Northrop has warned that it may not bid on the project, saying the Air Force's guidelines appear to favor Boeing's smaller plane. The Northrop variant would likely be based on the larger Airbus A-330 airframe under a partnership Northrop has with Airbus parent EADS. Randy Belote, a spokesman for Northrop, said the company is still analyzing the Air Force's request for proposals and will announce its decision when that process is finished. The Air Force badly needs to replace some of its refueling planes, which gas up fighter jets and other military planes mid-flight, allowing them to fly for longer distances without landing. But past failed attempts to build the plane became symbolic of problems with the way that the Pentagon hands out billions of dollars worth of arms contracts. The two companies, among the nation's largest defense contractors, closely contested the contract, backed up by their respective allies in Congress. A top defense official went to jail for favoring Boeing. A contract award in 2008 to Northrop was later overturned after the Government Accountability Officer deemed it was unfairly given to that company. If it wins the contract, Boeing is expected to build the Air Force planes at plants in Washington state and Kansas. Northrop would assemble its planes at a newly built factory near Mobile, Ala.

DTN News: Afghanistan TODAY March 5, 2010 ~ US Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke Unsure If Pakistan Against Afghan Taliban

DTN News: Afghanistan TODAY March 5, 2010 ~ US Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke Unsure If Pakistan Against Afghan Taliban Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - March 5, 2010: US special envoy Richard Holbrooke said in an interview with the Financial Times that he is agnostic about whether Pakistan had decisively turned against the Afghan Taliban. Holbrooke made the comment in relation to Pakistan’s arrest of the Afghan Taliban’s operational commander Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. He said he was not prepared to make a judgement on whether relations between the United States and Pakistan had turned a corner after Baradar’s arrest. Holbrooke declined to say whether the US was getting good intelligence from the joint interrogation of Mullah Baradar. But he said he had "no problems" with the Lahore High Court’s denial of a request last week to transfer the Taliban commander to Afghanistan. General Stanley McChrystal, commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, receives a briefing from an Afghan border police commander during a visit to the Afghan border with Pakistan, near Spin Boldak in Kandahar Province, southern Afghanistan, March 4, 2010. General McChrystal hopes to set up a system to prevent the theft of customs revenue. McChrystal said he is more worried about corruption in Afghanistan than about the insurgency. Regarding military operations in Afghanistan, Holbrooke said the US and its allies faced a "daunting" task there and "it is much too early" to predict how the situation will turn out.

DTN News: Pakistan TODAY March 5, 2010 ~ Deadly Blast Hits Convoy In North-West Pakistan

DTN News: Pakistan TODAY March 5, 2010 ~ Deadly Blast Hits Convoy In North-West Pakistan Source: DTN News / BBC (NSI News Source Info) ISLAMABAD / PESHAWAR, Pakistan - March 5, 2010: At least 12 people have been killed and 25 injured in what police say is a suicide bomb attack in the Hangu district of north-west Pakistan. The attack targeted a convoy of 140 vehicles travelling from Tall in the Hangu district to the town of Parachinar in the Kurram region. No-one has yet said they carried out the attack. Pakistan's North West Frontier Province has witnessed numerous bombings by insurgents over the past year. A suicide attack on a police station in the Karak area of north-west Pakistan killed three people last week. Volatile region Police said that the bomber detonated explosives near a bus full of passengers. The convoy was carrying groups of people as well as vehicles loaded with general provisions and other trade goods. Most of the passengers in the convoy were Shia Muslims. The Parachinar and Orakzai region is home to a large number of Shia Muslims and the area has suffered from sectarian violence in the past. The Tall-Parachinar road was closed to all traffic for nearly two years in 2008 and 2009 because of Taliban activity in the area and the frequency of attacks on Shia Muslims in the area, correspondents say. The road was re-opened about two months ago and traffic currently moves in convoys guarded by paramilitary security forces. Hangu borders Pakistan's volatile semi-autonomous tribal regions, where a number of militant groups are thought to be operating. But anti-militant operations by security forces in the area has improved security, correspondents say.