Industry News
Boeing Awarded Contract for 13 U.S. Army AH-64D Apache Longbow Helicopters
The U.S. Army and Boeing signed a US$192.5 million contract for 13 new AH-64D Apache Longbow multi-role combat helicopters for the U. S. Army on Friday, September 23.
The new Apache Longbow aircraft, to be built in the current Block II configuration, are in addition to AH-64A Apaches being remanufactured under a multi-year contract with the Army. Production will begin in early 2006 and will be performed at the Boeing facility in Mesa, Ariz., where Apaches have been manufactured since the program started.
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Lockheed Martin Awarded $38 Million Navy Contract
Lockheed Martin has received a US$38.1 million contract from the U.S. Navy to test and integrate additional weapons, as well as communications and navigation systems into new production MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters, and some existing MH-60S aircraft. This contract is an extension of a $50.8 million contract awarded to Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego (LMSI – Owego) earlier to add a Link 16 command and control data link to both MH-60 aircraft.
Weapons systems to be integrated include an additional pylon to carry Lockheed Martin-built Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, or the shallow water Mk-54 digital torpedo, and a low-light level TV mode for the upgraded Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) targeting sensor. Additional communications capability includes Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) mode S and mode 5 systems to positively identify the aircraft to coalition forces and air traffic controllers, a protocol to exploit spare bandwidth across busy satellite channels, and baseline capability for the Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) that will network mission planning and coordination with friendly forces. A new 12-satellite GPS receiver and GPS antenna to ensure performance in GPS-jammed environments, and a ground proximity warning system, comprise the navigation upgrades.
Lockheed Martin is the systems integrator for the MH-60R and provides the Common Cockpit avionics suite, which is common to all MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters. Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation designs and manufactures the MH-60R and MH-60S aircraft and is responsible for the mechanical and electrical modifications on the airframe.
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U.S. Army Awards General Dynamics $31 Million in Combat Vehicle-Related Contracts
The U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, two contracts valued at US$31.4 million for work related to the Abrams tank system and the Stryker combat vehicle.
The first award was a $25 million modification to an existing contract for Abrams tank systems technical support (STS). STS funds engineering studies and investigations on Abrams tanks with the purpose of identifying improvements and changing obsolete parts, while keeping Abrams tanks current to their base configuration. The STS program’s objective is to maintain Abrams tanks at high operational readiness rates. Work will be performed here by existing General Dynamics employees and is expected to be complete by July 30, 2006. This modification is part of a contract initially awarded in November 2001 and brings the cumulative value to $710 million.
General Dynamics Land Systems was also awarded a $6.4 million contract modification for field service repair support to Stryker Brigade Combat Teams. Work will be performed by existing General Dynamics employees. Activities include parts procurement, labor and physical repair and should be complete by Sept. 30, 2006.
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Raytheon Nets $31.4 Million Contract for MTS-A on MH-60, Predator
Raytheon Company was recently awarded a US$31.4 million contract to provide the Multispectral Targeting System (MTS)-A for the Navy MH-60 helicopter and the Predator UAV (unmanned airborne vehicle) programs. Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) will deliver 32 MTS-A electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) imaging systems under the Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane) firm fixed price task order. The contract includes an option for an additional 19 systems. The work will be managed and manufactured at the company's McKinney, Texas, location. The AN/AAS-52 MTS-A provides superior ranging, detecting and tracking capabilities through high performance EO/IR and laser designation/illumination system attributes. Additionally, Raytheon's MTS-A gives customers configuration options without platform modification, and seamless mission system integration remains a cornerstone feature of the AN/AAS-52 due to common technology aspects of its turret components and system electronics unit. Raytheon's MTS-A offers state of the art EO/IR and laser sensor capabilities, including seven fields of view, color TV, electronic zoom, three modes of automated video tracking, fused imagery, designation/range-finding and illumination, and analog and digital video outputs. Multi-capable, the AN/AAS-52 comes fully loaded for multiple mission applications in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance on manned and unmanned aircraft.
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Horowitz Leads NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate
NASA Administrator Michael Griffin named veteran space shuttle commander Scott J. Horowitz as associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. He will lead the agency's efforts to develop the new spacecraft that will return astronauts to the moon, travel to Mars and other destinations in the solar system.
Griffin also appointed longtime NASA engineer Doug Cooke as deputy associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate.
Under America's Vision for Space Exploration, announced by President Bush in 2004, NASA will retire the space shuttle by 2010 and begin a new era of human space exploration. The Exploration Systems Mission Directorate will lead NASA's efforts to implement the presidential directive to establish a human presence on the moon and to prepare for later missions to Mars.
Prior to the appointment, Horowitz, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, served as pilot or commander on four shuttle missions, and he was director of exploration and space transportation at ATK, the company that produces the space shuttle's solid rocket motors. He also worked as NASA's acting deputy associate administrator for safety and mission assurance.
Horowitz was an Air Force test pilot, F-15 fighter pilot and master flight instructor. He has worked as a scientist at Lockheed-Georgia Co. and as a college professor in California and in Germany. He holds doctorate and master's degrees in aerospace engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta and a bachelor's degree in engineering from California State University at Northridge.
Cooke, who served most recently as acting associate administrator for exploration systems, has been instrumental in developing NASA's next generation spacecraft concepts. During his 32-year career at the agency, he led the aerodynamic flight test program for space shuttle re-entry, served as vehicle manager, then deputy program manager for the International Space Station Program.
Cooke also was a lead Shuttle Program Office manager in returning the space shuttle to flight after the 1986 loss of Challenger, and he served as NASA's technical adviser to the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. He holds a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
Both Horowitz and Cooke will be based at NASA headquarters in Washington.
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SAP Selects Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General to Lead Homeland Security Efforts
Representatives of SAP Public Services, Inc., a subsidiary of SAP AG announced the appointment of LTG (Ret) Charles S. Mahan, Jr., to the SAP Public Services management team as vice president of homeland security and defense. In this role, Mahan will drive forward SAP’s industry leadership and substantial growth in providing software solutions to offices of Homeland Defense, Department of Defense, National Guard and crisis management agencies at the federal, state and local level. SAP’s software solutions for the public sector enable improved collaboration and streamlined operations among key offices and agencies focused on homeland security in the United States.
Mahan brings more than 35 years of distinguished service in the Army, where he retired as a lieutenant general. Mahan’s many distinguished roles included service as the Army’s logistics staff chief (G-4) supporting combat operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq; commanding general, 21st Theater Support Command, where he led the largest U.S. logistics operation overseas consisting of more than 10,000 soldiers and civilians in Kaiserslautern, Germany in supporting stabilization efforts in the Balkans; and chief of staff at the Army Materiel Command, the Army’s strategic logistics provider of equipment and materiel.
Following his service in the Army, Mahan was senior director of Government Solutions at The Home Depot, where he led both the Defense Programs and Operations elements of the Government Solutions Group.
During his military career, Mahan received many United States Decorations and Awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Services Medal, South West Asia Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. Mahan received the National Defense Industrial Association’s Logistician Emeritus Award in 2004.
Mahan holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Miami, Florida and a bachelor’s degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He currently serves on the board of directors of The Society of Logistical Engineers and the National Defense Industrial Association.
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Flextronics to Build New Facility in Ciudad Juraez, Mexico
Representatives of Flextronics, a electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider, announced that the company will expand operations in Mexico through the development of a new facility in Ciudad Juarez. This new Flextronics facility will serve as a strategic location to North American markets for logistics and mechanicals services.
The service offering at the facility will include product completion and pack-out, mechanical services and logistics, such as repair and distribution.
Flextronic’s current Mexico operations include an industrial park located in Guadalajara and a campus in Aguascalientes. The Ciudad Juarez facility will complement the company’s exisiting services offered through its Guadalajara industrial park. Gualajara will continue offering vertically integrated manufacturing services and will remain Flextronics’ Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) center in Mexico.
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Toshiba Opens Representative Office in Hanoi, Vietnam
Toshiba Corporation reinforced its commitment to the fast growing Vietnamese market with the formal opening of Toshiba Asia Pacific Pte., Ltd. Hanoi Representative Office. The new office will promote Toshiba's social infrastructure business in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, providing key equipment for sustaining the country's high rate of economic growth.
Vietnam's recent annual growth rates of seven to eight percent are stimulating demand for enhanced infrastructure, including power stations, water and sewerage systems and railways. Toshiba's Hanoi Representative Office will cultivate business in these and other key areas of essential infrastructure.
Toshiba develops and delivers key social infrastructure for sustaining economic growth and development. The company is now promoting a strategic expansion in this area and seeking to build a global presence. The company sees Vietnam as a highly promising market, due to its commitment to economic growth and development.
Toshiba Group already has a strong presence in Vietnam, including manufacturing facilities for color TVs (Toshiba Vietnam Consumer Products Co., Ltd., in Ho Chi Minh City), refrigerators and washing machines (Toshiba ( Vietnam) Home Appliances Co., Ltd., in Binh Duong Province) and operation and maintenance services for generating plant, machinery and electrical equipment (Nishishiba Vietnam Co., Ltd., in Haiphong).
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EDS Agility Alliance Development Center Opens In Michigan
EDS and its Agility Alliance partners unveiled the EDS Agility Alliance Development Center in Auburn Hills, Mich., the company’s second collaborative facility dedicated to creating and delivering the next generation of IT and business process services.
The EDS Agility Alliance Development Center will function as a production engineering facility where innovative IT and business process services are created, improved and prepared for implementation. More than 200 EDS and EDS Agility Alliance partner employees will work side by side to deliver innovative IT and business solutions to clients in Michigan and elsewhere.
The 56,000-square-foot center represents a significant evolution in the role of IT service providers and is a key component of the EDS Agile Enterprise Platform. EDS is leading the IT industry in moving away from mere technology integration toward delivery integration. In doing so, EDS is partnering with the world’s leading technology companies – Cisco Systems, Dell, EMC, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, Siebel, Sun, Towers Perrin and Xerox.
EDS’ multi-partner development and client collaboration center approach remains the only model of its kind in the technology services industry, and the Auburn Hills center is the company’s second such facility. The first opened earlier this year on EDS’ headquarters campus in Plano, Texas. Nearly 1,000 of the top technologists from EDS and EDS Agility Alliance partner companies jointly engineer and develop IT solutions and business services from that 145,000-square-foot facility.
EDS, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary in Michigan, is working to improve business processes for 45 clients based in the state. In addition, as IT systems have become vital to the operations of global enterprises, EDS is expert at providing IT solutions for the automotive and manufacturing industries. Michigan is also the global center for advanced automotive technology, and a number of global automotive companies have technical centers here.
