Wednesday, September 09, 2009

DTN News: Lockheed Martin And Terma Sign MoU For The Maritime Helicopter Opportunity In Denmark

DTN News: Lockheed Martin And Terma Sign MoU For The Maritime Helicopter Opportunity In Denmark
*Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin (NSI News Source Info) LONDON, England - September 9, 2009: Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and Danish aerospace and defense company Terma A/S today announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore opportunities associated with the potential sale of the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R multimission helicopter to the Danish Government. The agreement, announced at the Defence Systems & Equipment International exhibition, follows the Danish Government’s June 2009 authorization to procure new ship-based helicopters to support Royal Danish Navy vessels operating in the North Atlantic and internationally. The U.S. Navy’s MH-60R multimission helicopter is a candidate solution for these maritime operations. “Lockheed Martin and Terma will combine our complementary experience and skills sets should the Danish Government procure the U.S. Navy’s most advanced maritime helicopter,” said Marillyn Hewson, president of Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego, NY. “Together, we can offer the Danish Armed Forces high quality technological and support services required to ensure mission and flight readiness of the MH-60R across the 30-year life of the aircraft.” “Lockheed Martin and Terma share a long and beneficial history of working together in a close partnership, which includes the F-16, C-130 and F-35 programs," said Terma President and CEO Jens Maaløe. "We are therefore very happy and proud, that today with this MOU we extend this cooperation to also include Lockheed Martin Systems Integration - Owego. We very much look forward to combining both companies’ core capabilities on the Danish Maritime Helicopter program, and to investigating a number of other exciting business opportunities.” Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego is the rotary wing center of excellence for Lockheed Martin Corporation. The company has more than 35 years of experience as a leading mission systems integrator of maritime helicopters, including the British Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk 1 helicopter fleet, and two generations of U.S. Navy helicopters, the SH-60B and the MH-60R. The MH-60R airframe is designed and built by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, with mission systems integration by Lockheed Martin. To date, the two companies have delivered 36 MH-60R aircraft to the U.S. Navy. In July, 2009, a U.S. Navy squadron of 11 MH-60R aircraft completed its first at-sea deployment during six months in the western Pacific with the USS John C. Stennis carrier strike group. The U.S. Navy has established four of ten planned MH-60R squadrons, and intends to purchase 300 MH-60R aircraft over the next decade. Production plans include capacity for concurrent international sales. The MH-60R replaces the U.S. Navy’s current fleet of SH-60B and SH-60F helicopters as part of the U.S. Navy’s strategy to reduce different type, model and series maritime helicopters with multi-mission platforms. The MH-60R can perform a wide range of missions from its primary missions of anti-submarine and surface warfare to secondary missions such as search and rescue, vertical replenishment, naval surface fire support, medical evacuation and communications and data relay. Headquartered in Lystrup, Denmark, Terma is a leading defense, aerospace, and security company. Its business activities include products and systems for a number of non-defense and defense applications, including command and control systems, radar systems, electronic warfare systems, space technology, and aeronautic structures for high-performance military aircraft. The company realized 2008/09 sales of approximately USD 200 million and employs approximately 1,300 people worldwide. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

DTN News: Raytheon Unveils SPY-5 ~ An Affordable, Advanced Naval X-Band Radar

DTN News: Raytheon Unveils SPY-5 ~ An Affordable, Advanced Naval X-Band Radar *Source: DTN News / Raytheon
(NSI News Source Info) TEWKSBURY, Mass., - September 9, 2009: Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has developed a new naval radar -- AN/SPY-5, a multitracking, target-illuminating system for surface combatants that can simultaneously search, detect and precisely track multiple surface and air threats. The Raytheon-developed SPY-5 is an open architecture, phased-array radar system, providing an advanced and affordable self-defense solution for small and large surface ships operating in the littorals and other maritime environments. "SPY-5 is an affordable, effective and reliable radar system that provides critical capabilities for naval forces around the globe," said Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' Charles "Tom" Bush, vice president of Seapower Capability Systems. "The radar delivers the capabilities of multiple radar systems to counter a broad range of threats in a single, cost-effective solution." SPY-5's mission capabilities include low-altitude horizon search; focused volume search; surface search; missile and surface gunfire control; simultaneous threat illumination; and missile midcourse guidance and terminal homing -- capabilities previously only achievable through multiple radar solutions. These tasks can be performed simultaneously with an innovative advanced radio frequency phase shifter phased-array system technology. An open architecture system, SPY-5 is compatible with all digital combat management systems, and the radar's range, accuracy and beam agility enable the full performance of the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile. The radar's high level of compatibility with existing combat systems maximizes the ship's firepower with minimal alterations or added costs. The radar delivers all of the performance benefits of larger, heavier and more costly active array systems while providing full 360-degree azimuth coverage via three 120-degree beam faces. SPY-5's size, weight and overall self-defense capabilities make it equally well suited for smaller navy ships with a displacement of less than 1,000 tons as well as large-deck aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. SPY-5's X-band energy is generated by the proven and widely deployed MK 73 solid-state transmitter system. Because the system uses transmitters that are already installed, upgrading and modernizing many existing systems is greatly simplified and can be accomplished at a relatively low cost. In addition, SPY-5 is designed for continuous operation for extended mission periods. Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Global Capabilities Integration, providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security. Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

DTN News: Boeing Training & Flight Services Executive Urges Industry To Act Together To Advance Training

DTN News: Boeing Training & Flight Services Executive Urges Industry To Act Together To Advance Training *Source: DTN News / Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) HONG KONG - September 9, 2009: Boeing (NYSE: BA) Commercial Airplanes Training & Flight Services Vice President, Sherry Carbary, today urged the industry to stand together through the current economic challenges by lowering training costs, increasing efficiency and embracing competency-based training programs. Speaking at the Asia Pacific Aviation Training Symposium (APATS) in Hong Kong, Carbary emphasized that every step of the value chain needs to simplify operations and better utilize resources, and advocated the migration of training from full flight simulators to fixed training devices. "Given the technology that exists today and that which will be available tomorrow, airlines need to rethink what training should be done by simulator and what can be done more efficiently by fixed training devices and Web-based learning systems," she said. Carbary talked about how Boeing Training & Flight Services is developing courseware that can increase operating efficiencies to reduce fuel consumption, emissions and other operational costs. "In our drive to help airlines through today's economic turbulence, we have developed a course that focuses on fuel efficiency that we believe can save airlines as much as 1 percent of their annual fuel bill," said Carbary. Carbary also noted that the company's Multi-crew Pilot License (MPL) beta test completed last year has shown that cadet pilots with no prior flight experience can become first officers by developing their skills, knowledge and competencies needed to perform as airline crew members. The shift in focus from accumulation of flight hours to a demonstrated competency-based approach will provide jet-ready, airline-qualified pilots to support airlines as they grow their fleet over the next 20 years. Boeing Training & Flight Services provides innovative training products and services to more than 400 customers around the world. Its training and services programs are accepted by more than 100 regulatory agencies worldwide. The customer support team provides 24-hour support to more than 12,000 in-service airplanes. Boeing Training & Flight Services has a global network supporting customer needs with a variety of solutions including the new world-class 787 Dreamliner training suites.

DTN News: Russian KamAZ Armored Car 43269 Vystrel/BPM-97 On Trial Test For Armed Forces

DTN News: Russian KamAZ Armored Car 43269 Vystrel/BPM-97 On Trial Test For Armed Forces *Source: DTN News / Defense News....(Click here for link)
(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - September 9, 2009: The BPM-97 is the Russian military designation for the KAMAZ 43269 Vestrel 4x4 Wheeled armoured vehicle. It is still in the prototype phase and only two being produced were fitted with several different turrets like the one of the BTR-80A.
Armamment varies, the BPM-97 is available with pintle mounted or turret mounted 7.62 mm, 12.7 mm machine guns such as the Kord 12.7mm, 14.5 mm KPV heavy machineguns in a BTR-80 type turret, and a combination turret fitted with a sighting device with 30 mm cannon and 30 mm ASG-30 automatic grenade launchers.
The vehicle is based on the Kamaz 4326 and as the name suggests was designed for the Russian Border Guards. The latest model has bulletproof side windows and no gun turret. It has been ordered by Kazakhstan and by the MVD Internal Troops and EMERCOM.
The armored car KamAZ (Kama Automobile Plant-43269 on the chassis on the base of the automobile) is from the "mustang" family. The armored car's wheel tracking with a 4x4 formula is created within the framework of corporate special-purpose program "special automobiles" to the order of the Ministry of Defense of the RF and federal border service and is intended for the transportation of personnel and different loads, towing of trailer devices on all I see roads and the installation of heavy rifle and lung of artillery armament. The armored car includes a steel enclosed casing (bulletproof armor according to class of 5[a]) with a sufficiently spacious crew compartment (2 people) and the section for landing (8 people) with the stern double doors and two onboard hatches for the dismounting at landing. The total mass of the armored car - is 12 t, load capacity - 2,5 T. It comes equipped with a Diesel engine with a turbine supercharger with a power of 240 hp maximum speed - 90 km/h, the [preodolevaemyy] lift - 31o, a maximum depth [preodolevaemogo] ford - 1,75 m. In contrast to other types of armament, the new armored car is distinguished by high reliability, large duration of path and convenience of maintenance, which is guaranteed by the presence of a network of 124 service centers of KamAZ for the entire country. This new automobile passed the complete cycle of tests and was accepted for service to the border forces of Russia. This year the same decision of the Ministry of Defense is expected. The different version of the armoring of transport technology is representedby the Ural developers in the form of special truck Ural-01 with bulletproof armor protection. The automobile is intended for the transportation of personnel in the locality where there is a danger of fire defeat, and it is equipped with the armor sheets, which protect the motor, fuel tanks, flight deck and body of the automobile from the bullets of small caliber arms of 7,62 mm. The mass of the equipped automobile - 9,6 t, load capacity 5 T. maximum speed - 80 km/h, radius of action - 890 km, the power of the Diesel engine - 240 hp automobile underwent combat tests in Chechnya and it is used in the subdivisions of the Special Forces of MVD "champion".

DTN News: Airbus sells 7 aircraft in August 2009

DTN News: Airbus sells 7 aircraft in August 2009
* Says has 147 gross aircraft orders in January-August
* Says has 125 net aircraft orders in January-August
* Says delivers 320 aircraft in January-August (Adds details)
*Source: DTN News / Reuters
(NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - September 9, 2009: European planemaker Airbus (EAD.PA) sold seven aircraft in August, bringing the total so far this year to 147, the company said on Tuesday. After deducting cancellations, net orders between January and August stood at 125 planes. There were no new cancellations in August. The EADS subsidiary delivered 320 aircraft between January and August, it said in a monthly statement. August deliveries of 32 planes included an A380 for Qantas Airways Ltd (QAN.AX). In August last year, Airbus sold no planes and delivered 29. Rival Boeing (BA.N) sold 161 aircraft between Jan. 1 and Sept. 1 and booked net orders of 70 planes after receiving 91 cancellations. Boeing delivered 307 planes in the first eight months of the year. For 2009, Airbus has said it is targeting up to 300 gross orders before cancellations and deliveries that would at least match last year's record total of 483 aircraft. Boeing (BA.N) aims to deliver between 480 and 485 aircraft. The U.S. company has not given an order forecast. (Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by James Regan)

DTN News: Gold Returns Back Above $1,000 / The Price Of Gold Has Touched $1,000 An Ounce For The First Time In Six Months

DTN News: Gold Returns Back Above $1,000 / The Price Of Gold Has Touched $1,000 An Ounce For The First Time In Six Months
*Source: DTN News / BBC World (NSI News Source Info) LONDON, England - September 9, 2009: The price of gold has touched $1,000 an ounce for the first time in six months. The move could be seen as a sign that investors believe the worst of the global recession is over and are worried about inflation. Others who are less convinced about the strength of the recovery are moving into gold, which is usually sought as a haven from economic turmoil. Gold - seen as an attractive investment in times of inflation - has risen 13.6% in value this year. 'Uncertainty' The US dollar - which often moves in the opposite direction to gold - has been declining during that same time. "Gold's rising price is due to uncertainty all the way from personal investors right through to institutions," said Sandra Close, an analyst at Surbiton Associates. See live gold index values "There are questions out there over the health of economies, where interest rates are going. All that encourages gold hoarding," she said. Gold reached an all-time record of $1,032 an ounce in March 2008. The commodity is measured and sold in troy ounces. One troy ounce equals 31.1035 grams or 480 grains. One troy ounce is equal to 1.09711 avoirdupois ounce - those widely used to measure weights in the US and UK. Gold has risen for each of the past eight years.

DTN News: Raytheon Signs $151 Million Evolved SeaSparrow Missile Contract

DTN News: Raytheon Signs $151 Million Evolved SeaSparrow Missile Contract
*Source: DTN News / Raytheon (NSI News Source Info) TUCSON, Ariz., - September 9, 2009: Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) was awarded a $151 million contract by the U.S. Navy's NATO SeaSparrow program office to produce 186 Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles, with an option for $210.3 million to produce an additional 255 missiles. The agreement will also provide NSPO consortium member navies with spare parts and missile containers. Deployed in the U.S. Navy and nine international fleets, ESSM defends the battlespace by delivering ship self-defense firepower against high-G maneuvering anti-ship cruise missiles as well as surface and low-velocity air threats. "Raytheon, along with our international team of 18 partner companies, has advanced this world-class system to a point of prominence in ship self-defense missiles," said Ed Roesly, Raytheon's ESSM program director. "This contract cements the ESSM's future, and next year will be exciting as we expand our worldwide customer base." As a tail-controlled missile, ESSM uses recent enhancements to its guidance system to take advantage of improved seeker sensitivity, increased propulsion and greater weapon accuracy. These features enable ESSM to arrive at the intercept point with more endgame speed and agility to counter the threat. Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

DTN News: China's First Jumbo Jet C919 To Take Off In 8 Years

DTN News: China's First Jumbo Jet C919 To Take Off In 8 Years *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) BEIJING, China - September 9, 2009: China will have it's own jumbo jet within eight years and will be named C919, state media reported on Saturday.
The prototype of the first Chinese-made large aircraft C919 debuts at the Asian Aerospace in Hong Kong Tuesday. The 150 seat C919 airliner is China's most ambitious commercial aerospace program and will be undertake in co-operation with international partners from Asia, Europe and the U.S.The program is launched in December, 2008 and first C919 aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2016. Compared with the mainstream aircraft engines, the engine of C919 will save 16% of fuel.
190 seater C919 will be the largest passenger plane produced in the country and will take off in about eight years, official news agency Xinhua said. With this plane china will be ready to take on Airbus and Boeing dominated international market for jumbo jet.
"The name also reflects our determination to compete in the international market for jumbo jet. C919 comes after Airbus and Boeing, so you will have ABC in the aviation industry," Wu, deputy general manager of COMAC, the manufacturer of C919, said.
"C represents China as well as COMAC, the abbreviation for Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd," Wu said adding that the first 9 in the name implies "forever" in Chinese culture, while 19 means the first jumbo jet produced by China will have 190 seats.
China is willing to encourage foreign suppliers to enter into partnership with Chinese manufacturers on this project and will choose suppliers of engines, airborne equipment, and materials through international bidding. "We will choose foreign-manufactured products like engines at the beginning phase, but we will also independently do the research and manufacturing work at the same time," Wu said.

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

DTN News: Eurocopter South East Asia (ESEA) Signs A Contract With Royal Thai Police (RTP) For 3 EC155 Dauphin Helicopters

DTN News: Eurocopter South East Asia (ESEA) Signs A Contract With Royal Thai Police (RTP) For 3 EC155 Dauphin Helicopters
*Source: DTN News / EADS (NSI News Source Info) HONG KONG - September 8, 2009: Eurocopter, the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer is pleased to announce the contract signature of 3 EC155 Dauphin helicopters with the Royal Thai Police (RTP) at Asian Aerospace in Hong Kong. These 3 new medium weight twin-engine helicopters will be delivered in 2011 and will be dedicated to VVIP missions. Dr. Bernhard Brenner, President of Eurocopter South East Asia declared at this occasion, “We are delighted at this proof of confidence from the RTP. We have been present in Thailand for nearly 20 years and have recently opened a branch office in Bangkok to provide better support to our customers in the region. We are constantly improving our range of products, equipment and services in order to better satisfy our customers’ needs both in this country as well as in the rest of the world.” Captain Chesda Indrasthitya, Aviation Commander of Royal Thai Police added, “This is not the first time that we are buying the EC155 helicopter.
There are already 2 EC155s in our current fleet and our past experiences have shown that it is a truly versatile helicopter which fully meets our mission requirements.” The EC155’s high speed, increased payload and long endurance capacities render it an ideal tool for various law enforcement operations ranging from patrol and airborne surveillance to Search and Rescue missions.
With the largest cabin and lift capacity in its class, the EC155 can deliver elite tactical units of up to 13 members and equipment over long distances. Many law enforcement authorities in the world are currently operating the EC155 helicopter, for instance in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China, Japan, Germany, and United States, not forgetting Thailand of course.
Often employed in Europe to patrol land and sea borders, the EC155 is mainly used to patrol territorial waters and for fire fighting missions in Asia. Today, Eurocopter has become the reference in law enforcement and homeland security segment with an international market share of over 50% and an European share of nearly 90%. 28 countries throughout the world are currently operating Eurocopter helicopters for security missions - the most important markets are found in the United States, South America, Europe and Asia, with high growth potential in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, without forgetting China. About Eurocopter South East Asia Eurocopter South East Asia (ESEA) is the Regional Headquarters of Eurocopter, the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer. Established in 1977 in Singapore, ESEA is in-charge of the sales and customer support activities of 14 territories in the region. In 2008, ESEA achieved a turnover of 85 million Euros. With a staff-strength of nearly 200 professionals, the company has developed a successful commercial network of Singapore-based sales team and regional sales managers and technical representatives. About Eurocopter Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 15,600 people. In 2008, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer in the civil and parapublic market, with a turnover of 4.5 billion Euros, orders for 715 new helicopters, and a 53 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 18 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 10,000 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in more than 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.

DTN News: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez May Sign Arms Deals On Russia Visit ~ Report

DTN News: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez May Sign Arms Deals On Russia Visit ~ Report
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW, Russia - September 8, 2009: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez could sign new deals to buy Russian arms and military vehicles during his visit to Moscow this week, a Russian defense industry source was quoted as saying Tuesday. The Mi-28 combat helicopter has been developed by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and is known by the NATO codename Havoc. In August 1996 Mil rolled out a prototype of the day and night capable version, the Mi-28N Night Havoc. The first production Mi-28N took its first flight in April 2004 and began flight testing with the Russian Air Force in June 2005. The Russian Air Force has plans to procure up to 60 of this variant, now called the Mi-28NE Night Hunter. "The Mi-28 can be armed with a mixture of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, unguided rockets, and podded guns. "Three were ordered in 2005 and 16 more in 2006 for delivery by 2008. The first production aircraft was delivered in May 2006 and began formal acceptance testing in September 2006. Five aircraft are involved in the testing which is scheduled to conclude in early 2008. Mi-28 can fly at a maximum speed of 300km/h, can fly rearwards and sideways at speeds up to 100km/h and is able to hover turn at 45° a second. "An array of new arms contracts with Venezuela are now being prepared, whose signing could coincide with Hugo Chavez's visit to Moscow," the source told Interfax news agency. Venezuela is expected to buy three diesel-powered Kilo-class submarines, a "large shipment" of BMP-3 armored vehicles and T-72 battle tanks, 10 Mi-28 helicopters and "several" land-based anti-ship missiles, he added. The total value of the contracts was not given. Kremlin spokeswoman Natalya Timakova denied that there were any plans for new Russian-Venezuelan arms deals during Chavez's visit. The two energy-rich countries are to sign an oil and gas agreement, Timakova told reporters, without giving further details. Chavez, a leftist firebrand who has repeatedly criticized the U.S. for its "imperialist" policies in Latin America, is due to arrive in Moscow Wednesday for a two-day visit. The Venezuelan leader is scheduled to meet Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Thursday. In recent years, Venezuela has signed over $4 billion worth of arms contracts with Russia, and last November its navy held joint exercises with Russian warships in the Caribbean, traditionally seen as a U.S. domain.