US Navy to Commission Aircraft Carrier George H.W. Bush

NNS081231-04. US Navy to Commission Aircraft Carrier George H.W. Bush
December 31, 2008

From the Department of Defense

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy's newest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush will be commissioned Jan. 10, 2009, during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

President George W. Bush will deliver the principal address. Dorothy "Doro" Bush Koch, daughter of the ship's namesake, is the ship's sponsor. In the time-honored Navy tradition, she will give the order to "man our ship and bring her to life!"

The last Nimitz-class aircraft carrier is named to honor World War II naval aviator and America's 41st president George H. W. Bush. Born on June 12, 1924, in Milton, Mass., Bush began a lifetime of service to America when he joined the Navy on his 18th birthday as a seaman. He became the youngest pilot in the Navy at the time, receiving his commission and naval aviator wings before his 19th birthday.

Bush flew the Avenger torpedo bomber in combat from the carrier USS San Jacinto. During an attack on enemy installations near Chichi Jima in September 1944, his plane was hit by enemy fire while making a bombing run. Although the plane was on fire and heavily damaged, he completed a strafing run on the target before bailing out of the doomed aircraft. Bush parachuted into the sea and was later rescued by the Navy submarine USS Finback. He was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three Air Medals for his Navy service in the Pacific theater during World War II.

After his time in the Navy ended in September 1945, Bush held a number of public service roles that included two terms as a U.S. congressman from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, chief of the U.S. Liaison Office to China and director of the Central Intelligence Agency. He then served two terms as vice president under the late President Ronald Reagan before being elected himself as president of the United States in 1988. As commander-in-chief, Bush led the United States and a coalition of nearly 30 other nations during Operation Desert Storm, which ended Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and liberated the people of the Persian Gulf nation.

Capt. Kevin O'Flaherty, from Los Angeles, and a 1981 Naval Academy graduate, will become the ship's first commanding officer, leading a crew of more than 5,500 men and women, including embarked air wing personnel. George H. W. Bush will be initially homeported in Norfolk, Va., assigned to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet.

Construction of the tenth Nimitz-class ship took place at Northrop Grumman-Newport News, Va., starting with the ship's keel laying Sept. 6, 2003, and christening Oct. 7, 2006. George H. W. Bush towers 20 stories above the waterline, displaces approximately 95,000 tons of water, has a flight deck width of 252 feet, and at 1,092 feet long, is nearly as long as the Empire State Building is tall. This floating airfield has a flight deck that covers 4.5 acres. Bush's two nuclear reactors are capable of more than 20 years of continuous service without refueling, providing virtually unlimited range and endurance, and a top speed in excess of 30 knots.

The ship will support a wide variety of aircraft, including the F/A-18C Hornet and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighters, the E-2C/D Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning aircraft, the C-2 Greyhound logistics aircraft, the EA-6B Prowler and the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, multi-role SH-60 and MH-60 helicopters, and other future carrier-based aircraft.

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US Navy (USN)

USS West Virginia (Gold) Commanding Officer Relieved

NNS081230-01. USS West Virginia (Gold) Commanding Officer Relieved
December 30, 2008
From Commander, Submarine Group 10 Public Affairs

Kings Bay, Ga. (NNS) -- Commander, Submarine Squadron 16/20, Capt. Daniel Mack, relieved Cmdr. Charles Hill, commanding officer of USS West Virginia (SSBN 736) (Gold), Dec. 29, due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command.

Capt. Stephen Gillespie has temporarily assumed command of West Virginia (Gold). Gillespie, a former commanding officer of USS Rhode Island, was most recently assigned as deputy for training at Submarine Squadron 16/20.

Hill will be temporarily assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron 20.

Each SSBN has two crews, blue and gold crews, which alternate taking the submarines out on patrol. West Virginia (Gold) is currently in an off-crew status conducting training at its homeport in Kings Bay, Ga.

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US Navy (USN)

Russian Navy activity

Russian Navy activity
December 26, 2008

Moscow, December 26 - A group of Russian Pacific Fleet warships will reach the Indian Ocean to take part in the INDRA-2009 joint exercises with the Indian Navy. The task force is expected to visit the Indian port of Marmagao in late January. INDRA-2009 are set to be held next year.

The Northern Fleet's nuclear-powered GM heavy cruiser Piotr Veliky (Peter the Great) is expected to visit on January 9 – 12 port of Cape Town, Republic of South Africa. The Pyotr Veliky will sail down Africa's west coast and pass the southern tip of the continent to join up with warships from the Pacific Fleet for the INDRA-2009 joint exercises.

Another naval task force from the Northern Fleet, led by the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier and including the Admiral Levchenko destroyer, left the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, and is passing Gibraltar.

The Admiral Chabanenko, Northern Fleet frigate and two support vessels left Havana Bay, Cuba, after the first visit since the breakup of the Soviet Union. The visit to Cuba completed a Caribbean tour by Russian battleships.

The Baltic Fleet Neustrashimiy (Fearless) escort vessel is escorting a group of commercial ships off the Somali coast. The Russian escort vessel is operating off the Horn of Africa according to international maritime law and agreements.

Russia currently has three naval task groups on tours of duty in the world's oceans.

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India MoD, Military Exercises, Russia

US Navy Signs Third Virginia-Class Construction Contract: Meets Cost-Reduction Goal

NNS081222-19. US Navy Signs Third Virginia-Class Construction Contract: Meets Cost-Reduction Goal
December 23, 2008

From Program Executive Office Submarines Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy signed a five-year, $14 billion Multi-Year Procurement (MYP) contract for eight Virginia-class submarines Dec. 22.

The contract, the third, or Block III, for the Virginia-class, calls for one ship per year in fiscal years (FY) 2009 and 2010 and two per year in FY 2011, 2012, and 2013. The contract also meets the Chief of Naval Operations' (CNO) and Virginia Class Program's mandate to reduce acquisition costs by approximately 20 percent for the FY 2012 ships.

"This contract is a prime example of what you can do when you provide motivated people with a task and a deadline," said Virginia-class Program Manager Capt. Michael Jabaley. As Jabaley explained, "in FY 2005, then-CNO Admiral Michael Mullen said that if we could cut $400 million from the $2.4 billion authorized for that year's Virginia by FY 2012, the Navy would buy two Virginias each year. This contract achieves both goals – the price target and the two per year build rate."

To reach its cost reduction goal, the Virginia-class Program established a three-element strategy. The first element, which accounts for one-half of the required savings, involved increasing production to two ships per year in an MYP contract in order to spread the shipyards' overhead costs over more ships. To achieve the remaining cost savings, the Navy invested $600 million to redesign portions of the ship for more efficient production and to improve construction processes reducing the construction span from 84 to 60 months. This upfront investment reduced the Virginia-class's total program cost by $4 billion – a 6:1 return on investment.

The cost reduction effort resulted in more than 100 discrete design changes that either reduced costs or shortened the construction span. The most extensive modification involves the replacement of the traditional sonar sphere with a Large Aperture Bow (LAB) Array and the 12 vertical launch tubes with two large diameter Virginia payload tubes (VPT). The LAB and VPTs, along with more than two-dozen associated modifications, save $40 million per submarine beginning with the FY 12 ships.

"While we focused on cost reduction as our primary goal, we paid attention to warfighting capability and lifecycle costs in making these changes," said Rear Adm. William Hilarides, program executive officer for submarines.

In fact, the LAB Array uses life of the hull hydrophones that will provide improved passive listening capability over the traditional, transducer-populated sphere.

Further, replacing 12 vertical launch tubes with two 92-inch VPTs not only reduces construction and lifecycle costs, but also significantly expands their ability to accept future payloads.

"The payload tube interface is identical to the SSGN's tubes so what we put in one, we can put in the other, and with two hatches instead of twelve we've cut out a lot of maintenance," Hilarides concluded.

Virginia-class submarines are built under a unique teaming arrangement that includes General Dynamics Electric Boat as the prime contractor and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding as its partner. Each shipyard builds certain portions of each ship and the two yards alternate delivering the submarines.

"This multiyear contract is a result of the Navy submarine team's careful and highly professional execution," said Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition Sean Stackley. "They successfully met a challenging cost reduction plan, added capability, and did it all ahead of schedule. The Navy will benefit substantially from their success," said Stackley.

The Block III contract award is the last of many significant milestones reached by the Virginia Class Program in 2008. For the first time in 12 years, the Navy commissioned two submarines of the same class in the same year, USS North Carolina (SSN 777) May 3 and USS New Hampshire (SSN 778) Oct. 25.

The program further celebrated New Mexico's (SSN 779) christening on Dec. 13 at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding's Newport News, Va. shipyard. The Virginia class also completed a number of technical and operational tests including the launching of three Tomahawk cruise missiles, 62 exercise torpedoes, 12 lock-in/lock-out evolutions, and eight Dry Deck Shelter flood and drain evolutions. Additionally, Virginia-class submarines spent a total of 469 days at sea in the first 11 months of the year and had four of the five ships of the class at sea at the same time in August.

The Virginia class is designed to dominate both the littoral and deep waters while conducting anti-submarine; anti-surface ship; strike; special operation forces; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions. In doing so, the Virginia-class directly enables five of the six Maritime Strategy Core Capabilities – sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence.

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General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), US Navy (USN), Virginia Class SSN

Navy Awards $14 Billion Contract for Eight Virginia-Class Submarines

Navy Awards $14 Billion Contract for Eight Virginia-Class Submarines

GROTON, Conn. - Dec. 22. 2008 - The U.S. Navy today reaffirmed the strategic need for a robust, adaptable submarine force by awarding General Dynamics Electric Boat a contract valued at $14 billion for the construction of eight Virginia-class submarines. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD).

The multi-year contract allows Electric Boat and its teammate, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, to proceed with the construction of one ship per year in 2009 and 2010, and two ships per year from 2011 through 2013. The eighth ship to be procured under this contract is scheduled for delivery in 2019.

The Virginia-class submarine is the first U.S. Navy warship designed from the keel up for the full range of mission requirements in the post-Cold War era, including anti-submarine and surface ship warfare; delivering special operation forces; strike; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare.

The contract immediately provides $2.4 billion to fund construction of SSN-784, which has been named the "North Dakota;" advanced procurement for SSN-785; funding to purchase materials, parts and components for multiple ships at one time (SSN-785 through SSN-791, as yet unnamed), achieving significant economies of scale; and funding for additional cost-reduction design changes (known as Design For Affordability).

"This award is significant for our country, the U.S. Navy, our company and the entire submarine industrial base," said Electric Boat President John P. Casey. "As we attain the production rate of two submarines per year, we will have the stability required to further increase production efficiencies. This will benefit the U.S. taxpayer, while providing the Navy a class of nuclear submarines with the capabilities required to retain our nation's undersea superiority well into the 21st century."

"In addition, at a time when the country has a challenging economic outlook, this contract will provide good jobs not just in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Virginia, but in thousands of communities across the country as our vendors gear up for increased production on the Virginia class," Casey said.

"Today's contract award is an exciting moment for the entire team," said Matt Mulherin, sector vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding's Newport News, Va. shipyard. "It brings stability to the submarine program, to our work force and to the shipbuilding supplier industrial base for the next decade. This achievement is also a result of our shipbuilders', suppliers' and Navy partners' successful efforts to reduce cost, accelerate schedules and improve construction processes of the previous Virginia-class boats."

Electric Boat and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding already have delivered five Virginia-class submarines to the Navy: USS Virginia (SSN-774), USS Texas (SSN-775), USS Hawaii (SSN-776), USS North Carolina (SSN-777) and USS New Hampshire (SSN-778). Five additional submarines are under construction.

The contract comes on the heels of the shipbuilding team's delivery of USS New Hampshire in August eight months ahead of schedule and more than $60 million under target cost, performance that demonstrates the commitment to reduce the cost and shrink construction schedules during the term of the contract.

Virginia-class submarines displace 7,800 tons, with a hull length of 377 feet and a diameter of 34 feet. They are capable of speeds in excess of 25 knots and can dive to a depth greater than 800 feet, while carrying Mark 48 advanced capability torpedoes, Tomahawk land attack missiles and unmanned underwater vehicles.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 91,200 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.gd.com.

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Contract $1.5bn+, Contract Win, Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), US Navy (USN), Virginia Class SSN

BAE SYSTEMS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF TENIX TOLL DEFENCE LOGISITICS

BAE SYSTEMS COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF TENIX TOLL DEFENCE LOGISITICS

22 Dec 2008 | Ref. 301/2008

ADELAIDE, South Australia - BAE Systems has completed its acquisition from Tenix Pty Limited (“Tenix”) of 100% of Tenix Toll Defence Logistics Pty Limited (TTDL), formerly a joint venture company of Tenix and Toll Holdings Limited, for A$24 million in cash, after receiving all required approvals.

TTDL manages the Defence Integrated Distribution System (DIDS) contract which provides warehousing, maintenance and distribution services to the Australian Defence Force (ADF). TTDL has approximately 1,000 employees deployed across more than 20 sites and will be integrated within BAE Systems Australia’s Land Business Unit.

The acquisition expands BAE Systems Australia’s operations significantly and will take employee numbers in excess of 6,500.

Jim McDowell, Chief Executive of BAE Systems Australia, said, “The acquisition of TTDL adds great value to our company and what we offer our major customer.The DIDS contract provides a strong basis on which BAE Systems can work with the ADF to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its logistics services.”
In June 2008 BAE Systems completed the acquisition of Tenix Defence. This acquisition significantly enhanced the depth and breadth of the company’s capabilities in Australia and made BAE Systems Australia the largest in-country supplier to the ADF.

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Acquisition, BAE Systems (London:BA)

GAO: DEFENSE LOGISTICS - Improved Analysis and Cost Data Needed to Evaluate the Cost-effectiveness of Performance Based Logistics

GAO: DEFENSE LOGISTICS - Improved Analysis and Cost Data Needed to Evaluate the Cost-effectiveness of Performance Based Logistics
December 22, 2008

Highlights of GAO-09-41, a report to the Subcommittee on Readiness, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives
In 2001, the Department of Defense (DOD) identified performance based logistics (PBL) as the preferred weapon system support strategy. Within DOD, PBL is the purchase of performance outcomes, such as system availability, rather than the purchase of individual elements of logistics support—such as parts, repairs, and engineering support. Although PBL initially arose from efforts to reduce support costs, questions have arisen about whether PBL has reduced support costs as originally intended. GAO was asked to evaluate the extent to which DOD has used business case analyses to guide decisions related to PBL arrangements and the impact PBL arrangements have had on weapon system support costs. In conducting the review, GAO analyzed the implementation of PBL arrangements for 29 weapon system programs. GAO also looked at the use and characteristics of performance-based contracting in the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence.

What GAO Recommends
GAO makes five recommendations, including that DOD require the development of business case analyses, clearly define specific criteria for their development, and require that the services improve their internal controls to ensure that the analyses are performed. GAO also recommends that DOD require program offices to collect and report detailed support cost data for their PBL arrangements. DOD generally concurred with these recommendations.

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Department of Defense (DoD), GAO, Logistics

UK Defence in the Media: Accommodation for Generals

UK Defence in the Media: Accommodation for Generals
December 22, 2008

The Independent on Sunday claims that millions of pounds are being spent on luxurious homes for Army top brass in contrast with "appalling" accommodation conditions faced by most ordinary soldiers. The government and MOD are committed to providing the quality and type of housing needed by our Service men and women, and this is recognised by the £8bn investment programme which is now delivering real results. We accept there is some way to go but this is a long-term commitment.

As for Senior Officers' accommodation, this is reviewed to ensure it is both appropriate and within available resources. Occupants of Official Service Residences hold posts that require them to entertain and accommodate guests including British Royalty, Ministers, politicians, senior representatives of the private sector and officially hosted overseas representatives, to support Ministry of Defence objectives. It is the post and not the residence or the individual which carries the Official Service Residences designation.

Official Service Residence (OSR) expenditure is kept under close scrutiny and tight control. The designation of OSR status is approved at high-level in MOD. Continuing entitlement to OSR status is reviewed annually. The MOD is open and transparent about its expenditure and has readily provided figures for every OSR when requested under Freedom of Information, although details of the property address and the Service occupant are not released for security reasons.

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UK MoD

UK Defence in the Media: The RAF and the Fleet Air Arm

UK Defence in the Media: The RAF and the Fleet Air Arm
December 22, 2008

An article in the Sunday Times claims that the RAF is trying to take over the Royal Navy's Historic Fleet Air Arm and assume control of all Army helicopters in a cut of more than £1bn from the Defence Budget. This is nonsense.

The article further suggests that Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, is attempting to push through proposals to scrap the 75 Harrier jump jets currently shared between the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force and that First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Jonathon Band is threatening to resign as a result. As we have previously reported in this blog, the views of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy and the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band were misrepresented and comments attributed to them were without foundation.

To clarify once again, there are no RAF plans to take over the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, nor is there any RAF campaign under the slogan "one nation, one air force". As for the comments on helicopters, there is already a single Joint Helicopter Command, which involves all three Services. There are no plans to put all helicopters under a single Service.

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Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Navy, UK MoD

Appointments: Royal Navy and Royal Air Force

As printed in The Times newspaper
December 22, 2008

Navy

Surgeon-Rear-Admiral P. I. Raffaelli, QHP, to be promoted Surgeon-Vice-Admiral and to be Surgeon General in succession to Lieutenant-General L. P. Lillywhite, MBE, QHS, with effect from December 2009.

Rear-Admiral A. D. Richards to be Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Strategy & Plans) in succession to Air Vice-Marshal K. J. Leeson, CBE, RAF, with effect from March 2009.

Commodore S. T. Williams OBE to be promoted Rear-Admiral and to be Senior Directing Staff (Navy), Royal College of Defence Studies, in succession to Rear-Admiral S. R. Lister, OBE, with effect from February 23, 2009.

Air Rank

Air Vice-Marshal C. N. Harper, CBE, to be promoted Air Marshal and to be Deputy Commander Joint Force Command Brunssum on March 31, 2009, in succession to Air Marshal C. H. Moran OBE MVO whose next appointment as Commander-in-Chief Air Command has already been announced.

Air Vice-Marshal C. P. A. Evans to be Commander Joint Medical Command in October 2009, in succession to Major General M. J. von Bertele, OBE.

Acting Air Vice-Marshal J. Lamonte to be promoted to the substantive rank of Air Vice-Marshal and to be Chief of Staff Strategy, Policy and Plans, Headquarters Air Command, on July 3, 2009, in succession to Air Vice-Marshal M. J. Routledge who is retiring from the Service.

Air Commodore G. J. Bagwell, CBE, to be promoted Air Vice-Marshal and to be Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group on March 6, 2009, in succession to Air Vice-Marshal C. N. Harper, CBE.

Air Commodore L. J. Irvine to be promoted Air Vice-Marshal and appointed Director of Legal Services (RAF), Headquarters Air Command, on April 9, 2009, in succession to Air Vice-Marshal R. A. Charles, CB, who is leaving the Service.

Air Commodore M, G, Lloyd to be promoted Air Vice-Marshal and to be Chief of Staff Personnel and Air Secretary, Headquarters Air Command, on March 27, 2009, in succession to Air Vice-Marshal S. Bryant, CBE, whose next appointment as Deputy Commander-in-Chief Personnel and the Air Member for Personnel has already been announced.

Air Commodore C. B. Morris to be promoted Air Vice-Marshal and to be Chief of Staff Health, Headquarters Air Command, in October 2009, in succession to Air Vice-Marshal C. P. A. Evans.

Air Commodore C. A. Bairsto, ADC, to be

Head of International Policy and Planning (Military), Ministry of Defence, on March 23, 2009, in succession to Commodore S. T. Williams, OBE, RN.

Air Commodore C. J. Coulls to be Assistant Chief of Staff A7, Headquarters Air Command, on July 3, 2009, in succession to Air Commodore I. C. Morrison whose next appointment as Assistant Chief of Staff Capability, Headquarters Air Command, has already been announced.

Air Commodore N. J. Gordon, MBE, to be Air Officer Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting, Acquisition and Reconnaissance, Headquarters 2 Group, on June 19, 2009, in succession to Air Commodore C. J. Coulls.

Acting Air Commodore R. J. Atkinson to be Officer Commanding Royal Air Force Leuchars and Air Officer Scotland on March 13, 2009, in succession to Air Commodore C. A. Bairsto, ADC.

Local Acting Air Commodore I. D. Teakle, DSO, OBE, to be Deputy Director Air Control Element, Headquarters International Security Assistance Force Kabul, on February 4, 2009, in succession to Acting Air Commodore R. J. Atkinson.

Group Captain S. D. Atha, DSO, to be promoted Air Commodore and to be Air Officer Commanding No 83 Expeditionary Air Group and the United Kingdom Air Component Commander, on May 22, 2009, in succession to Acting Air Commodore A. S. Barmby, OBE.

Group Captain W. H. Boothby to be promoted Air Commodore and to be Deputy Director Legal Services (RAF), Headquarters Air Command, on April 3, 2009, in succession to Air Commodore L. J. Irvine.

Group Captain A. T. Gell to be promoted Air Commodore and to be Director Logistics Commodities, Defence Equipment & Support, on February 16, 2009, in succession to Brigadier D. J. R. Martin, CBE.

Group Captain C. H. Green to be promoted Air Commodore and to be Commandant of the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering on March 13, 2009, in succession to Air Commodore N. W. Gammon.

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Appointments, Royal Air Force (RAF), Royal Navy

Boeing KC-767 Tankers for Italian Air Force Achieve Refueling Milestone

Boeing KC-767 Tankers for Italian Air Force Achieve Refueling Milestone

WICHITA, Kan., Dec. 19, 2008 -- A Boeing [NYSE: BA] KC-767 aerial refueling aircraft built for the Italian Air Force transfers fuel to another Italian KC-767 during a Dec. 17 flight test over northern Kansas, marking the first time a KC-767 tanker has been refueled by another aircraft.

During the flight test, Boeing aircrews made seven contacts and transferred more than 10,000 pounds of fuel using the Universal Aerial Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) system located on top of the aircraft, behind the cockpit.

Boeing has two KC-767s in flight test for the Italian Air Force while building two additional tankers for the customer. The Italian tankers feature an advanced aerial refueling boom with a remote aerial refueling operator (RARO) station, as well as wing pod and centerline hose-and-drogue systems.
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Boeing (NYSE:BA), Italy

GAO: United Nations Peacekeeping - Challenges Obtaining Needed Resources Could Limit Further Large Deployments and Should be Addressed in U.S. Reports to Congress

GAO: United Nations Peacekeeping - Challenges Obtaining Needed Resources Could Limit Further Large Deployments and Should be Addressed in U.S. Reports to Congress
December 19, 2008

The United Nations (UN) supports U.S. interests in maintaining international security by deploying and operating 16 peacekeeping operations in locations in conflict, including Darfur, Lebanon, and Haiti. Over the past 10 years, the number of deployed UN personnel increased from about 41,000 peacekeepers and civilian staff to about 109,000 in 2008. In this report on the UN’s capacity to deploy further operations, GAO was asked to examine (1) the evolution of UN peacekeeping operations in the past 10 years; (2) the likely characteristics of a potential new peacekeeping operation, given this evolution; (3) the challenges, if any, the UN would face deploying this operation; and (4) U.S. efforts to support and report on UN peacekeeping. GAO reviewed UN documents, developed a methodology to assess the requirements for a potential new operation with UN assistance, interviewed UN headquarters and mission officials, and assessed U.S. government documents on UN peacekeeping.

What GAO Recommends
To ensure Congress has the information needed to consider U.S. budget and other requests for peacekeeping, GAO recommends that the Department of State (State) include in its reporting to Congress information about UN challenges and gaps in obtaining resources needed to carry out peacekeeping. In response to State’s comment that GAO should not specify the reports in which this information should be provided, GAO modified the recommendation. The UN concurred with the conclusions of the report.

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GAO, UN (United Nations)

Boeing to Launch 4th Earth-Observation Satellite for Italy

Boeing to Launch 4th Earth-Observation Satellite for Italy

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 19, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], through its commercial launch business, has received a contract to launch the fourth satellite for the COSMO-SkyMed (Constellation of Small Satellites for Mediterranean basin Observation) program for Thales Alenia Space Italia, prime contractor of the Italian Space Agency.

The COSMO-SkyMed spacecraft is expected to be launched in 2010 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., on a Delta II vehicle in the 7420-10 configuration.

"Boeing Launch Services is honored to provide the fourth COSMO-SkyMed mission for Thales Alenia Space," said Boeing Launch Services President Ken Heinly. "The proven reliability of the Delta II rocket has enabled the success of the COSMO-SkyMed program, and this fourth satellite will deliver the full capabilities of the system."

Boeing Launch Services will procure the launch vehicle and related support from United Launch Alliance, a Boeing-Lockheed Martin joint venture.

To support a rapid initial operating capability, Boeing successfully launched the first three COSMO-SkyMed satellites from Vandenberg within the 17-month period between June 2007 and October 2008.
Thales Alenia Space Italia developed the COSMO-SkyMed program for the Italian Space Agency and the Italian Ministry of Defense. It is an end-to-end Earth-observation system comprised of four medium-sized satellites and supporting ground stations, which provide orbit-control systems and data reception and processing. The system takes imagery of the Earth using an X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar instrument capable of operating in all visibility conditions. Its institutional and commercial users include members of the civil, scientific and defense communities.
Boeing is committed to strengthening its more than 40-year partnership with the Italian aeronautics industry and to expanding its collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Defense. Thales Alenia Space has provided Delta II tanks to Boeing since 2001 and built the Cupola and Harmony Node 2 elements of the International Space Station (ISS) for the European Space Agency. Boeing is the prime contractor for the ISS.
Boeing Launch Services is a customer-focused subsidiary that provides business development, sales, procurement and program management of Delta launch services for commercial customers. It is part of the Space Exploration division of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems and is based in Huntington Beach, Calif.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense 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 Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.1 billion business with 71,000 employees worldwide.
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Boeing (NYSE:BA), Italy, Space Systems

Northrop Grumman to Appoint Sir Nigel Essenhigh as Non-Executive Chairman for the UK

Northrop Grumman to Appoint Sir Nigel Essenhigh as Non-Executive Chairman for the UK

LONDON - Dec. 18, 2008 - Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has announced that it is to appoint Sir Nigel Essenhigh as non-executive chairman for Northrop Grumman in the UK. He will join the board of the company's UK holding company NGC UK Ltd as a director early in 2009.

In this new position, Sir Nigel will provide strategic guidance to help support the company's current programmes, encourage growth and assist with the strategy to develop new business opportunities for Northrop Grumman in the UK. He will work closely with the new UK corporate lead executive to be appointed as successor to Graham Thornton, managing director for Northrop Grumman UK, who is stepping down at the end of December.

"I am delighted that Sir Nigel will be joining Northrop Grumman UK in this new role of non-executive chairman. He is highly respected in the defence industry and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge which will be invaluable to the company," said Robert W. Helm, corporate vice president of Government Relations for Northrop Grumman. "We have been extremely fortunate to secure his commitment of time and effort and we look forward to the contributions he will make to enhancing Northrop Grumman's presence in the UK."

Sir Nigel's career spans 39 years in the Royal Navy culminating in serving as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff prior to his retirement in 2002. In the subsequent six years he has held a variety of commercial and consultative appointments, including some five years as a senior consultant to Northrop Grumman. He currently serves as a non-executive director of the Babcock International Group.

In the UK, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of advanced technology solutions in support of programmes in the defence and security and resilience markets. The company operates from primary locations in London, Fareham, Chester, Coventry, New Malden, Peterborough, RAF Waddington and Solihull and provides avionics, communications, electronic warfare systems, marine navigation systems, robotics, C4I solutions and mission planning, aircraft whole life support, IT systems and software development.

House Armed Services Committee: TAUSCHER and LAMBORN Release Statement after Visit to Czech Republic

House Armed Services Committee: TAUSCHER and LAMBORN Release Statement after Visit to Czech Republic
Ike Skelton, Chairman
For Immediate Release: Dec. 18, 2008

Washington, DC - Representatives Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) and Doug Lamborn (R-CO) released the following statement regarding their recent visit to the Czech Republic and their discussions of future security efforts.

“We are pleased to have had the opportunity to visit the Czech Republic to reaffirm our commitment to our mutual defense cooperation.

“We assured the Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Vondra that the new American administration would be guided by the legislative conditions that were imposed by the Congress, particularly the requirement to fully test the long-range interceptors.

“We also made it clear that the new administration policies would be guided by our national security interests, and that we would not be dissuaded by external threats.

“Finally, we stressed the need for immediate action to address the threat posed by short- and medium- range missiles deployed by Iran, and that the radar proposed for deployment in the Czech Republic would be an important element of that response, as well as an element of the long-range defense system.”

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House Armed Services Committee (HASC)

Boeing Makes Network-Centric Advances in 2008

Boeing Makes Network-Centric Advances in 2008

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 18, 2008 -- Significant milestones in major network systems programs -- like the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS), the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system and the SBInet component of the Department of Homeland Security's Secure Border Initiative -- added up to a successful 2008 for the network-centric information-sharing technologies business at Boeing [NYSE: BA].

"We continue to provide our diverse customer base with networked solutions from across The Boeing Company," said Nan Bouchard, vice president and general manager of Boeing C3 Networks. "Successful implementation of many of these systems in operational modes provides increased mission effectiveness for our customers and a solid foundation for future growth in Boeing's networked systems business."

The following are some of Boeing's network-centric highlights from the year:
Boeing made several advances with its network-enabled, complex, large-scale "system of systems" solutions such as FCS, GMD and SBInet. FCS, during the U.S. Air Force-led Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2008, enabled situational awareness among ground and air assets and called for joint network fires to engage a target. Using data gathered from multiple sensors, GMD successfully tracked and intercepted a target warhead in the most challenging test of the system to date. Boeing also received full government acceptance of its SBInet security solution demonstration, Project 28, which networks cameras, radars, sensors and communications along 28 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Boeing also opened a new experimentation center in Suffolk, Va., bringing its full modeling, simulation, analysis and experimentation capability to government customers in the high-tech Hampton Roads, Va., area. Suffolk joined Boeing's network of experimentation centers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.

Boeing achieved several space and ground communications milestones critical for network-centric operations. The company's first Wideband Global SATCOM satellite became operational, supporting the government's transformational communications architecture. Boeing and the U.S. Department of Defense Joint Program Executive Office, Joint Tactical Radio System demonstrated how software-defined Ground Mobile Radios are able to operate with one another in a tactical operational environment. And the ability to link military ground, air and space assets took a step closer to reality with the delivery of Boeing's next-generation Family of Advanced Beyond line-of-sight Terminals prototype.

Boeing has also been network-enabling aircraft, improving situational awareness for the warfighter. The AH-64D Apache Block III helicopter, with its network-centric communications capabilities, completed its first flight, while Boeing delivered the first U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler to the fleet. The EA-18G integrates the capabilities of the most advanced Airborne Electronic Attack system with the advanced weapons, sensors and communications systems found on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. In addition, Boeing integrated network-centric capabilities into two operational U.S. Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft for Empire Challenge 2008, a joint military exercise.

Two acquisitions, Federated Software Group and Tapestry Solutions, will help Boeing provide its customers with network-centric logistics through integrated command and control, data fusion, and logistics- and knowledge-management products and services. Project Alpine, an Integrated Live, Virtual and Constructive proof-of-concept training demonstration linking real and simulated F-15E aircraft, won the Outstanding Achievement in Modeling & Simulation award from the National Training and Simulation Association.

Boeing Phantom Works, a division of Boeing Engineering, Operations & Technology, participated in company demonstrations that showed how Network-Enabled Operations can support the Federal Aviation Administration's Next-Generation Air Transportation System by enabling different systems from different agencies to talk with one another.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense 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 Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.1 billion business with 71,000 employees worldwide.
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Boeing (NYSE:BA), C4ISTAR, Information Technology (IT)

Boeing A160T Unmanned Rotorcraft Shifts Gears in Flight, Passes 100 Flight-Hours

Boeing A160T Unmanned Rotorcraft Shifts Gears in Flight, Passes 100 Flight-Hours

VICTORVILLE, Calif., Dec. 18, 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that its A160 Turbine (A160T) Hummingbird unmanned rotorcraft has achieved two key milestones: using its two-speed transmission to change gears in flight, and passing the 100-flight-hour threshold.
"Being able to shift gears in flight is the final significant step in realizing the full potential of our optimum speed rotor technology, which enables game-changing capability for the warfighter," said John Groenenboom, A160T program manager for Boeing. "It allows us to significantly expand the flight envelope at higher gross weights and at higher speeds, while maintaining the A160T's world-record-setting endurance. We now have an unmanned air system with the performance of a fixed wing and the precision and versatility of a rotorcraft."
Breaking the 100-flight-hour mark shows how much the A160T has matured since its first flight in June 2007. That first 12-minute flight set the stage for multiple endurance flights, including an 18.7-hour world record, flights carrying multiple payloads of up to 1,000 pounds, a hover-out-of-ground-effect flight at 20,000 feet, and flights with the FORESTER foliage-penetrating radar antenna. The A160T's predecessor, the gasoline-powered A160, made its first flight in 2002 and accumulated 63 flight hours.

The gear-change flight took place on Nov. 25 and the 100-flight-hour mark was surpassed on Nov. 20. Boeing conducted each flight at the A160T test facility in Victorville, Calif. The company performed the tests under a $5 million bridge contract with the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

The A160T Hummingbird is 35 feet long with a 36-foot-diameter rotor and has reached speeds of up to 142 knots to date.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense 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 Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.1 billion business with 71,000 employees worldwide.
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Boeing (NYSE:BA), UAV

Boeing Completes Acquisition of Digital Receiver Technology

Boeing Completes Acquisition of Digital Receiver Technology

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 18, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has completed its acquisition of Digital Receiver Technology Inc. (DRT), a Germantown, Md.-based company that develops wireless surveillance products for government customers.

DRT's digital signal processing products, such as wireless receivers and transceivers, are used by U.S. intelligence customers, the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security to collect signals intelligence and threat warnings. DRT has approximately 370 employees, with the majority located in Germantown. The acquisition, announced Nov. 14, 2008, is part of Boeing's strategy to expand its presence in the growing intelligence market.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. DRT will operate within Boeing Integrated Defense Systems' Network & Space Systems unit.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense 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 Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.1 billion business with 71,000 employees worldwide.

Forward-Looking Information is Subject to Risk and Uncertainty
Certain statements in this report may constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, among others, statements regarding future results as a result of our growth and productivity initiatives, our 2008 and 2009 financial outlook and the benefits of the IDS structure. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. As a result, these statements speak only as of the date they were made and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Our actual results and future trends may differ materially depending on a variety of factors, including the continued operation, viability and growth of major airline customers and non-airline customers (such as the U.S. Government); adverse developments in the value of collateral securing customer and other financings; the occurrence of any significant collective bargaining labor dispute; our successful execution of internal performance plans including our company-wide growth and productivity initiatives, production rate increases and decreases (including any reduction in or termination of an aircraft product), availability of raw materials, acquisition and divestiture plans, and other cost-reduction and productivity efforts; charges from any future SFAS No. 142 review; ability to meet development, production and certification schedules for the 747-8 and/or 787 program and the ability to meet scheduled deliveries of the 747-8 and/or 787 airplane; technical or quality issues in development programs (affecting schedule and cost estimates) or in the satellite industry; an adverse development in rating agency credit ratings or assessments; the actual outcomes of certain pending sales campaigns and U.S. and foreign government procurement activities, including the uncertainty associated with the procurement of tankers by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and funding of the C-17 program; the cyclical nature of some of our businesses; unanticipated financial market changes which may impact pension plan assumptions; domestic and international competition in the defense, space and commercial areas; continued integration of acquired businesses; performance issues with key suppliers, subcontractors and customers; significant disruption to air travel worldwide (including future terrorist attacks); global trade policies; worldwide political stability; domestic and international economic conditions; price escalation; the outcome of political and legal processes, changing priorities or reductions in the U.S. Government or foreign government defense and space budgets; termination of government or commercial contracts due to unilateral government or customer action or failure to perform; legal, financial and governmental risks related to international transactions; legal and investigatory proceedings; tax settlements with the IRS and various states; U.S. Air Force review of previously awarded contracts; costs associated with the exit of the Connexion by Boeing business; and other economic, political and technological risks and uncertainties. Additional information regarding these factors is contained in our SEC filings, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30, and September 30, 2008.
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Acquisition, Boeing (NYSE:BA)

NAO Press Release - Major Projects Report 2008

NAO Press Release - Major Projects Report 2008
18 December 2008

Full report - Major Projects Report 2008
Over the past ten years, the Ministry of Defence has introduced a number of reforms to the way it procures defence equipment, but its performance on Major Projects remains variable. As part of its annual report to Parliament, the National Audit Office examined twenty of the largest defence equipment projects. The report found that, during the 2007-08 financial year, forecast costs for these projects rose in aggregate by a further £205 million over their original budgets and forecast in-service dates slipped in aggregate by an additional 96 months. On current forecasts a quarter of these projects will not achieve all of their key performance objectives.

The Ministry has worked with its industrial and commercial partners to deliver urgently needed operational requirements and made sensible decisions to prioritise where this is appropriate. The Watchkeeper unmanned aircraft is not due to come into service until 2010, so the Ministry worked with the contractor to fast track the delivery of an interim capability by mid-2007 to meet pressing operational needs. The Department has also used the Urgent Operational Requirements process to buy 13 High Mobility Engineer Excavators from JCB for £6.2 million, upgraded to a standard suitable for deployment on current operations, to replace the delayed Terrier armoured engineering vehicle project.

The Ministry of Defence changed the delivery programme for the Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile to deliver it when it was needed and at the lowest cost. The Ministry has adopted a two stage delivery programme to build the missile and demonstrate it before integrating it with a specific aircraft type. The second stage will see the missile integrated with the Typhoon aircraft as part of the Typhoon Future Capability Programme. The changes to the project, including the increased duration, have led to a £111 million overall in-year cost increase.

But overall performance continues to be varied, with five of the projects examined by the NAO showing significant cost or schedule problems in the past year (2007-8). These projects were the Nimrod Maritime and Reconnaissance Mark 4 Aircraft, Terrier armoured engineering vehicle, Soothsayer electronic warfare system, Naval Satellite Communications Terminals and the Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile.

Factors that contributed to cost increases and delays reported included shortcomings in project management, a lack of realism at the project outset, failure to identify project dependencies (such as limited influence over United States’ weapons development programmes) and underestimated costs.

Tim Burr, head of the National Audit Office, said today:

“The Ministry of Defence’s major defence projects experienced further aggregate delays of 96 months and cost increases of £205 million in 2007-08. The Department has taken reasonable decisions to reflect defence priorities and progress has been made in improving procurement practice. But performance remains variable and, until the MoD and the defence industry improve their decision making processes and show sustained learning from previous projects, value for money will not be consistently delivered.”

Notes for Editors:
The following projects were covered by this report; Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile, Terrier (armoured engineer vehicles), Soothsayer (electronic warfare system), Nimrod MRA4 (aircraft), Support Vehicle (cargo and recovery), Advanced Jet Trainer, Astute Class submarine, A400M (aircraft), Future Lynx (helicopter), Type 45 Destroyer, Modernised Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilots Night Vision Sensor, Merlin Mk1 Capability Sustainment Programme, Sting Ray torpedo, Watchkeeper (unmanned aerial vehicle), Falcon (communications system), Future Joint Combat Aircraft, Typhoon Future Capability Programme, Typhoon (aircraft), Next Generation Light Anti-Armour Weapon, Naval Extremely High Frequency/Super High Frequency Satellite Communications Terminals.

Press notices and reports are available from the date of publication on the NAO website, which is at www.nao.org.uk.

The Comptroller and Auditor General, Tim Burr, is the head of the National Audit Office which employs some 850 staff. He and the NAO are totally independent of Government. He certifies the accounts of all Government departments and a wide range of other public sector bodies; and he has statutory authority to report to Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which departments and other bodies have used their resources.

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National Audit Office (NAO), UK MoD

Defence in the Media: commentary concerning NAO report on MOD Major Projects

Defence in the Media: commentary concerning NAO report on MOD Major Projects
December 18th, 2008

The National Audit Office published yesterday its annual report into MOD major projects covering the year 2007-2008. In response to the report, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support Quentin Davies said:

"Today's report looks at only 20 out of some 350 of MOD's complex equipment projects being managed by the Department. Our priority is current operations and getting the right kit to the troops as quickly as possible; in the last year we delivered equipment valued at £5.8Bn to our Armed Forces, from C17 aircraft transporting our goods and equipment to the new Panther vehicles that are now operating in Afghanistan.

"We continuously respond and adapt to emerging threats, something the report acknowledges, procuring new equipment for urgent operational use in Iraq and Afghanistan, including £700M for a suite of Protected Patrol Vehicles and last week we announced £70million to upgrade 12 Lynx Mk 9 helicopters to boost our helicopter capability in Afghanistan.

"When it comes to the delivery of equipment for our Armed Forces we should never be complacent. We always look to make improvements and build on the progress we have made."

Key successes recorded by the MOD during the year of the report included:

* Improved protection for Warrior infantry combat vehicles on operations;
* Introduction of new unmanned surveillance drones for operations;
* Delivery of a range of armoured patrol vehicles for operations;
* Sea King troop-carrying helicopters upgraded for operations;
* Launch of two Skynet communications satellites;
* Award of contracts for a £13Bn Strategic Air Tanker service;
* Delivery of a sixth C-17 transport aircraft.

At this time the MOD is managing some 350 complex equipment projects at various stages of concept, assessment, development and manufacture valued at more than £65 Billion. Many of these are at the leading edge of technology and therefore involve risk.

As the NAO acknowledges, much of the cost growth and time delays reported relate to projects that pre-date changes and reforms to defence acquisition and is therefore not a complete reflection of the progress being made. To ensure that progress continues we have asked Bernard Gray to conduct a review into our procurement processes.

The NAO recognises the complexity of defence acquisition and rapidly changing operational environments that defence procurement operates in. It is good that the report acknowledges the decisions MOD has taken in the light of changing priorities.

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National Audit Office (NAO), UK MoD

Raytheon Awarded Not-To-Exceed $3.3 Billion Patriot Order for the UAE

Raytheon Awarded Not-To-Exceed $3.3 Billion Patriot Order for the UAE

TEWKSBURY, Mass., Dec. 18, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company has been awarded a not-to-exceed $3.3 billion order to provide advanced Patriot air and missile defense capability, whole life support and training for the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Raytheon and teammate Lockheed Martin have worked with the U.S. and UAE governments during the past year to develop this agreement. The U.S. government approved the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of Patriot Config-3 capabilities including Patriot GEM-T and Lockheed PAC-3 missiles. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., issued an order to Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) Dec. 17, 2008.

"For 25 years, we have provided advanced technology and innovation to the UAE," said William H. Swanson, Raytheon Chairman and CEO. "Today, we are honored that the UAE government has entrusted us to deliver this unique capability to support the defense of its country."

Raytheon established its first office in the UAE in 1983 and began delivery and support of the medium range Hawk Air Defense System to the UAE in 1987.

"Patriot's advanced technology provides significant benefits in system capability, reliability, sustainability and affordability to U.S. and allied forces around the world," said Raytheon IDS President Daniel L. Smith. "With this order, the UAE joins 11 other countries that rely upon Patriot to provide a key element of their national defense."

Raytheon IDS is the prime contractor, both domestic and international, for the Patriot air and missile defense weapon capability and the system integrator for the Config-3 system. Work supporting this order will be performed at the Raytheon Integrated Air Defense Center, Andover, Mass.

"Demand for the upgraded Patriot system is supported by our global team of partners and suppliers," said Sanjay Kapoor, Raytheon IDS vice president of Patriot Programs. "The employees of Raytheon and all our supply partners stand ready to deliver these systems with the product quality and technical excellence for which we are well known."

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.

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Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD), Contract $1.5bn+, Contract Win, Raytheon (NYSE:RTN)

Northrop Grumman Elects Stephen D. Yslas Corporate Vice President and General Counsel; Joseph Coyne Joins Company as Secretary and Deputy General Counsel

Northrop Grumman Elects Stephen D. Yslas Corporate Vice President and General Counsel; Joseph Coyne Joins Company as Secretary and Deputy General Counsel

LOS ANGELES - Dec. 17, 2008 - Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced today that its board of directors has elected Stephen D. Yslas, 61, corporate vice president and general counsel effective Jan. 1, 2009. Yslas succeeds W. Burks Terry who is retiring Dec. 31, 2008. In his new role, Yslas will be responsible for oversight of all of the company's legal matters. He will report to Ronald D. Sugar, the company's chairman and chief executive officer, and become a member of the company's Corporate Policy Council.

The board also elected Joseph F. Coyne, Jr., 53, a partner with the law firm of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, to succeed Yslas as corporate vice president, secretary and deputy general counsel.

"We are pleased that Steve will assume responsibility for all of the company's legal affairs," said Sugar. "He has demonstrated his acumen and leadership skills over the past three decades and has made significant contributions to Northrop Grumman's success."

"Burks has played a key role in the growth of the corporation over the past 32 years," said Sugar. "His contributions to our continuing success are innumerable. We wish him well in retirement."

Yslas was appointed corporate vice president, secretary and deputy general counsel in 2006. He previously served as chief counsel to the company's aircraft and electronics businesses, and also led the legal team on regulatory matters, including those involving the acquisitions of Litton, Newport News and TRW.

Before joining the company in 1975, Yslas worked for the Atlantic Richfield Company and the National Labor Relations Board. He served for 10 years on the City of Los Angeles Police Commission. He has been active in organizations including the Hispanic National and Mexican American Bar Associations, and served as a Trustee of Claremont McKenna College. Yslas earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and a J.D. from the UCLA School of Law.

In his new role, Coyne will be responsible for corporate secretary and governance functions. As deputy general counsel he will supervise other general legal activities within the company. He will report to Yslas.

Coyne has 30 years' experience in a broad range of legal and business matters with particular expertise in litigation and the aerospace and defense industry. As a partner at Sheppard Mullin, Coyne has worked directly with Northrop Grumman on a number of important legal matters since 1981.

His honors in the legal community include Leading Litigator in America from Lawdragon Magazine, the National Law Journal's award for one of the top national defense verdicts, and several Los Angeles Business Journal lists including Best of the Bar, Who's Who in Law, and Most Powerful Lawyers and Top Trial Lawyers in Los Angeles. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame and a J.D. from Stanford University, and has served on Stanford Law School's Board of Visitors.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

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Appointments, Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC)

CNO Announces Flag Officer Assignments

CNO Announces Flag Officer Assignments
Story Number: NNS081217-16
Release Date: 12/17/2008 3:59:00 PM
From the Department of Defense

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead announced Dec. 17 the following assignments:

Rear Adm. Charles J. Leidig is being assigned as chief of staff, J-5, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C. Leidig is currently serving as director, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-6th Fleet Plans and Operations/deputy commander, 6th Fleet/commander, Submarines, Allied Naval Forces South/commander, Submarine Group 8, Naples, Italy

Rear Adm. (lower half) John M. Richardson is being assigned as director, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-6th Fleet Plans and Operations/deputy commander, 6th Fleet/commander, Submarines, Allied Naval Forces South/commander, Submarine Group 8, Naples, Italy. Richardson is currently serving as director, strategy and analysis, J5, U.S. Joint Forces Command, Norfolk, Va.

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Appointments, US Navy (USN)

Boeing Submits Proposal to Support US Air Force T-1A Training Aircraft Fleet

Boeing Submits Proposal to Support US Air Force T-1A Training Aircraft Fleet

WICHITA, Kan., Dec. 17, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has submitted a proposal to the U.S. Air Force to provide contractor logistics support services for the T-1A Jayhawk training aircraft fleet.
Under the eight-year agreement, Boeing, if selected, would provide field service personnel, manage a parts warehouse, issue and replace parts, and overhaul major aircraft components for 179 T-1A aircraft at five bases -- Randolph Air Force Base and Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas; Vance Air Force Base, Okla.; Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.; and Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla. The contract award is expected in summer 2009.

The T-1A Jayhawk, a military version of the Hawker Beechcraft 400A business jet, is a medium-range, twin-engine aircraft used in the advanced phase of specialized undergraduate pilot training for students selected to fly airlift or tanker aircraft. It also is used to support navigator training for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and international services.

"Boeing has assembled an experienced team consisting of the best of its Global Services & Support business unit and Aviall, the world's leader in aircraft parts distribution," said Leanne Caret, general manager of Boeing Global Transport & Executive Systems. "Bringing together resources from throughout Boeing and its subsidiaries will allow us to provide worldwide support to the T-1A fleet."

Caret added that experience providing contractor logistics support for other aircraft, such as the T-38, T-43, KC-10, C-32A, E-4B and the C-40 uniquely positions the Boeing team to support the T-1A.

Aviall Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company. With approximately 1,000 employees, Aviall is headquartered in Dallas, with customer service centers located in North America, Europe and Asia. As the world's largest independent provider of new aviation parts and related aftermarket services, Aviall markets and distributes products for approximately 220 manufacturers and offers approximately 700,000 catalog items. Aviall also offers a full line of aviation batteries, hoses, wheels and brakes, and paint services. For more information on Aviall, visit www.aviall.com.

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Boeing (NYSE:BA), Military Training, US Air Force (USAF)

Boeing Earns ISO 14001 Environmental Certification at Southern California Sites

Boeing Earns ISO 14001 Environmental Certification at Southern California Sites

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Dec. 17, 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that its Space and Intelligence Systems facilities in El Segundo, Seal Beach and Sylmar, Calif., have received International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 certification, a global benchmark of an organization's commitment to understand and continuously improve its environmental performance.

Boeing is working to have all of its major manufacturing sites certified to the ISO 14001 standard by the end of 2008.

Independent auditors from Det Norske Veritas, an accredited certification body of quality, environmental and safety management systems, performed the audits in October to ensure an established environmental management system exists and that employees understand their roles in protecting the environment.

"We have made significant progress over the last several months to improve our environmental performance, but the journey doesn't end here," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. "Our environmental management system and the work we do to support it will continue to evolve as we improve our energy efficiency and further reduce waste and greenhouse-gas emissions."

The auditors commended the El Segundo and Seal Beach sites for their recycling efforts, alternative commuting program and participation in the Solar America Initiative, a U.S. Department of Energy effort to accelerate the development of advanced solar-energy technologies. The El Segundo certification also includes Boeing facilities in Torrance and Taft, Calif.

Spectrolab, a wholly owned subsidiary of Boeing based in Sylmar, earned praise for achieving more than 300 workdays without an employee injury, distributing reusable water bottles to its work force and providing employees with visible guidelines on how to respond to emergencies.
"We are proud of this achievement," said David Lillington, president of Spectrolab. "Energy efficiency is at the heart of what Spectrolab does, and this certification demonstrates to our customers and communities that we are doing our part to improve our environmental performance."
El Segundo, Seal Beach and Sylmar join 15 other Boeing facilities that have achieved ISO 14001 certification: Auburn and Everett, Wash.; Bankstown, Exmouth and Fishermans Bend, Australia; Huntsville, Ala.; Kennedy Space Center, Fla.; Long Beach, Calif.; Mesa, Ariz.; Philadelphia; Portland, Ore.; St. Louis; Salt Lake City; San Antonio; and Winnipeg, Canada.

The Boeing Company is committed to pioneering environmentally progressive technology and relentlessly reducing its environmental footprint. Since the introduction of the first Boeing jetliner, airplane emissions of carbon dioxide have been reduced by around 70 percent and noise footprints have been reduced by approximately 90 percent. Boeing targets improving fuel efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide emissions of each new generation of commercial airplane by at least 15 percent compared with the airplanes they replace. Boeing has set aggressive targets to increase solid-waste-recycling rates and energy efficiency by 25 percent and to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions intensity by 25 percent at its major manufacturing facilities by 2012, with a comparable goal for hazardous-waste reduction. For more information, visit the company's Environment Report at www.boeing.com/environment.

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Boeing (NYSE:BA)

GAO: DEFENSE INVENTORY - Management Actions Needed to Improve the Cost Efficiency of the Navy's Spare Parts Inventory

GAO: DEFENSE INVENTORY - Management Actions Needed to Improve the Cost Efficiency of the Navy's Spare Parts Inventory
December 17, 2008

Highlights of GAO-09-103, a report to congressional requesters

Since 1990, GAO has designated the Department of Defense’s (DOD) inventory management as a high-risk area. It is critical that the military services and the Defense Logistics Agency effectively and efficiently manage DOD’s secondary inventory to ensure that the warfighter is supplied with the right items at the right time. It is also imperative that they maintain good stewardship over the billions of dollars invested in their inventory. GAO reviewed the Navy’s management of secondary inventory and determined (1) the extent to which on-hand and on-order secondary inventory reflected the amount needed to support current requirements and (2) causes for the Navy’s having secondary inventory in excess of current requirements or, conversely, for having inventory deficits. To address these objectives, GAO analyzed Navy secondary inventory data (spare parts such as aircraft and ship engines and their components and accessories) from fiscal years 2004 through 2007.

What GAO Recommends
GAO recommends that the Navy strengthen inventory management by incorporating cost-efficiency metrics and goals, evaluating and improving demand forecasting procedures, revising inventory management practices to better accommodate demand fluctuations, and enhancing oversight though the chief and deputy chief management officers. DOD concurred with GAO’s recommendations.

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GAO, US Navy (USN), Logistics

UK troops to leave Iraq in first half of 2009

UK troops to leave Iraq in first half of 2009

A Defence Policy and Business news article
17 December, 2008

UK troops will withdraw from Iraq in the first half of 2009 Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki have announced today, Wednesday 17 December 2008.

The two leaders' joint statement came as they held talks in Baghdad. They said:

"The role played by the UK combat forces is drawing to a close. These forces will have completed their tasks in the first half of 2009 and will then leave Iraq.

"But the partnership between the two countries will continue to take on new dimensions and will be strengthened through co-operation in all areas due to the prominent position of the UK within the EU and in the United Nations Security Council."

At a press conference in Baghdad Mr Brown said:

"We have agreed today that the mission will end no later than 31 May next year. Our troops will be coming home within the next two months [after that].

"We have made a huge contribution and of course given people an economic stake in the future of Iraq. We leave Iraq a better place.

"I am proud of the contribution British forces have made. They are the pride of Britain and the best in the world."

"We have made a huge contribution and of course given people an economic stake in the future of Iraq. We leave Iraq a better place."
From a joint statement by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on 17 December 2008

The full statement issued by Mr Brown and Mr Maliki follows:

"Iraq is going through a remarkable transition following the end of the dictatorial regime, which killed hundreds of thousands of people, destroyed the country and launched a series of reckless wars against its neighbours.

"In the years that followed the fall of the dictatorial regime, Iraqis of different ideologies faced attempts to tear apart their national unity. But they stood together to confront the forces of terrorism and extremism.

"And because of the resolve of Iraqis to protect their country from the evils of terrorism, with the support of the Multi- National Forces, the security situation has witnessed a tangible transformation in all parts of Iraq. There is a sense of optimism for the future to build a free, democratic, pluralist and federal Iraq.

"Following the rejection of dictatorship, Iraq has become a constitutional state that guarantees its citizens their rights to exercise their freedoms and believes in pluralism, justice and equality. Dialogue has become the norm with the rotation of power through democratic means via the ballot box. This has resulted in the Council of Representatives and an elected government that represents all Iraqis.

"There is a sense of optimism for the future to build a free, democratic, pluralist and federal Iraq."
From a joint statement by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on 17 December 2008

"Iraq is making all efforts to remove the effects of war, reduce tension and solve the outstanding issues with its neighbours through peaceful means and not by intimidation or military means. Iraq wants to establish better relations with the countries of the world on the basis of mutual respect and common interests. Iraq has chosen this process of transition from dictatorship to democracy. Via its constitution Iraq is heading for genuine popular participation in the democratic process and will not go back on this.

"The UK stood beside Iraq to remove the dictatorial regime and has co-operated with the Iraqi Government to hand over security to Iraqi forces. Iraq appreciates the sacrifices made by the UK in toppling the former regime and the resources it has invested in many different sectors of Iraq.

"The role played by the UK combat forces is drawing to a close. These forces will have completed their tasks in the first half of 2009 and will then leave Iraq. But the partnership between the two countries will continue to take on new dimensions and will be strengthened through co-operation in all areas due to the prominent position of the UK within the EU and in the United Nations Security Council.

"Iraq and the UK hope that their future relationships will witness increasing development to include wider aspects of mutual interest.

"Friendship between Iraq and the UK is entering a new era and will yield continuing co-operation that will last for many years to come."
From a joint statement by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on 17 December 2008

"On the basis of the partnership between the two countries, the UK is supporting Iraq in international organisations and institutions. It further supports co-operation to develop Iraq's resources by promoting opportunities for economic investment and trade and is participating in reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure. The UK also assists in returning Iraqis to their country, developing the security sector including strengthening the rule of law, technical assistance in military training, and developing co-operative relationships between the two countries in education, science and culture.

"This shared vision will be implemented through memoranda of understanding between Iraq and the UK regarding matters of joint importance. There will be agreement about further steps in the context of the Iraqi-British initiative regarding the following:

A framework agreement on bilateral relations
A strong educational relationship in support of Iraq's Scholarship Initiative
A UK/Iraq Trade and Co-operation Agreement
"This relationship of co-operation and friendship between Iraq and the UK is entering a new era and will yield continuing co-operation that will last for many years to come between the two countries."

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Iraq, United Kingdom

BAE SYSTEMS ACCREDITED BY PENTAGON AS TRUSTED CIRCUIT SUPPLIER

BAE SYSTEMS ACCREDITED BY PENTAGON AS TRUSTED CIRCUIT SUPPLIER

16 Dec 2008 | Ref. 299/2008

MANASSAS, Virginia — The U.S. Department of Defense has named BAE Systems an accredited DoD Category 1A Trusted Integrated Circuit Supplier. The accreditation, awarded by the department’s Defense Microelectronics Activity, covers design, foundry, test, packaging, and assembly services at the company’s Manassas, Virginia, facility.

The Manassas facility operation was accredited as a trusted supplier for semiconductor foundry services.

“As the threat of counterfeit products continues to grow, the ability to ensure that we deliver exactly what is specified — from design through finished electronic package — becomes increasingly critical to our customers,” said Steve Danziger, manager of technology diversification at BAE Systems in Manassas.

This accreditation expresses the Defense Department’s confidence in BAE Systems’ ability to deliver trusted foundry microelectronics equipment and services to U.S. government end users.

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BAE Systems (London:BA)

QinetiQ proves its innovative Bedford Array visual landing aid on HMS Illustrious

QinetiQ proves its innovative Bedford Array visual landing aid on HMS Illustrious
December 16, 2008

Trials prove novel QinetiQ solution for F-35B ‘rolling landings’ on Royal Navy’s future aircraft carriers in high sea state conditions

QinetiQ has successfully completed a series of trials using its T4 Vectored-thrust Aircraft Advanced Control (VAAC) Harrier aircraft on HMS Illustrious. These proved QinetiQ’s innovative new Bedford Array visual landing aid system – which stabilises the aircraft’s approach path in the presence of deck motion – as the solution for Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landings (SRVL) on the Royal Navy’s future carriers, particularly in rough sea state conditions.

The UK Ministry of Defence has been funding ongoing research to refine and de-risk the use of SRVL approaches for its new jump jet – the F-35B Lightning II Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL) Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), the UK MOD’s preferred choice to meet its Joint Combat Aircraft requirement. The MOD plans to operate up to 36 JSFs from each of its two new future aircraft carriers:- HMS Queen Elizabeth, currently expected to enter service in 2014 and HMS Prince of Wales in 2016.

An SRVL landing involves a STOVL aircraft executing a ‘rolling landing’ onto the carrier flight deck, using air speed to provide wingborne lift to complement engine thrust. No arrestor gear is deployed as the aircraft uses its own brakes to stop. Compared to a standard vertical landing, an SRVL recovery offers real advantages for the F-35B as heavier payloads can be brought back and safely landed onboard ship. It also has the potential to reduce propulsion system stress and therefore extend engine life.

Early studies showed that the F-35B has a critical vulnerability to deck motion for the SRVL manoeuvre and that this type of landing is not viable in all desired conditions. As a result, the MOD placed a contract with QinetiQ in 2007 to analyse the root cause of the problem and design a solution.

QinetiQ’s new Bedford Array visual landing aid system was conceived, developed and fully tested in around a year in direct response to MOD requirements. The system ensures that the pilot flying the ‘rolling landings’ makes an accurate approach to the deck, even in rough sea conditions. It takes inputs from external passive references and when combined with information in the pilot’s Helmet Mounted Display, allows for a low workload, stabilised pilot approach in even the worst conditions.

“The UK has an incredible heritage of innovation in naval aviation and pioneered many of the things now taken for granted in the conventional carrier world,” explained QinetiQ test pilot Justin Paines, who flew the X-35B Joint Strike Fighter Concept Demonstration Aircraft. “With the Bedford Array, we’ve done it again and developed an approach aid that has application beyond F-35B to other forms of embarked aircraft recoveries. We have already received interest from other countries involved in naval aviation.”

QinetiQ’s VAAC Harrier flew a total of 39 sorties in the southwest approaches between 12-19 November to prove the Bedford Array landing system – in all 67 vertical landings and around 230 SRVL approaches were flown.

“This series of trials was designed to refine the operational concept, mitigate failure cases and optimise QinetiQ’s innovative Bedford Array visual landing aids arrangement,” explained Lt Cdr Chris Götke, one of the test pilots who also marked his 400th vertical landing during the trials. “The MOD turned to QinetiQ to solve this significant problem of landing laden aircraft in rough seas. This ingenious solution was first tested in QinetiQ labs and has now been proved by these hugely successful trials and will be implemented on the new carriers.”

In mid-2007, a series of VAAC trials were conducted onboard the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to establish the fundamental safety, operability and operational benefit of the SRVL technique. The recent trials on HMS Illustrious could prove to be the last research tasking for QinetiQ’s VAAC testbed as the aircraft is now 39 years old, and is expected to be retired from service in early 2009.

For this series of trials the Bedford Array was installed in the port catwalk adjacent to HMS Illustrious’ flight deck, but due to the limited dimensions of the deck, SRVL recoveries were not preformed – instead a low go-around was flown. A second lighting array was also installed on the carrier flight deck and used for a parallel evaluation of the visibility of the lighting system in differing ambient conditions.

Technorati Tags:
Royal Navy, UK Ministry of Defence, CVF (Future Aircraft Carrier) Program, JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) Program

BAE SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES SENIOR STAFF APPOINTMENTS

BAE SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES SENIOR STAFF APPOINTMENTS

15 Dec 2008 | Ref. 296/2008

ROCKVILLE, Maryland – BAE Systems has named Doug Belair as senior vice president for strategy and planning, and Herb Muktarian as vice president of communications, at BAE Systems, Inc., its U.S. subsidiary. The appointments will become effective
January 2, 2009.

In his new role, Doug will lead the strategic planning and integrated business planning process for BAE Systems. He will also coordinate business development across the enterprise and develop strategies and initiatives to promote growth, both organically and through acquisition, within the United States based business.

Doug most recently served as president of the BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services business. He first joined BAE Systems in 2002 and was named vice president of the Undersea Warfare Systems Integration Division in February 2003. Doug began his career in 1979 as a software engineer with General Electric Defense Systems and has since held several senior leader, director, manager and technical positions with companies such as Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics.

Doug will succeed Ralph Meoni, who will serve as the executive vice president of BAE Systems’ Electronics, Intelligence and Support operating group.

In his new role, Herb will serve as deputy to Lucy Fitch, the senior vice president of communications, and focus on the implementation of the communications functional strategy. He will work directly with the BAE Systems, Inc. communications team, overseeing day-to-day activities including: advertising, marketing, trade shows, media relations and both internal and executive communications.

Most recently Herb served as vice president of communications for the former BAE Systems Customer Solutions group. Previously, he led the communications function for BAE Systems Ground Systems in York, Pennsylvania. Herb first joined BAE Systems in 1995 as a public relations supervisor in Santa Clara, California. Herb holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from San Jose State University.

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Appointments, BAE Systems (London:BA)

Boeing Begins Final Assembly of Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornets

Boeing Begins Final Assembly of Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornets

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 17, 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] began final assembly operations Dec. 9 in St. Louis on the first of 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The Super Hornet multirole fighter aircraft will be delivered to the RAAF from the first quarter of 2010 through late 2011.

"The Super Hornet is on schedule to deliver unmatched multirole capabilities for Australia," said Bob Gower, vice president of F/A-18 and EA-18 Programs for Global Strike Systems, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. "The Block II Super Hornet's next-generation technologies -- including Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, fused sensors, and a network-centric data-sharing environment -- will provide wide-ranging air combat solutions for Australian Defence forces. Those capabilities will be delivered in a date-certain and cost-certain program."

Group Capt. Steve Roberton, Head Air Combat Transition Office, RAAF, said the Super Hornet will enable Australia to retain a regionally superior air combat capability. "The Super Hornet will bring Australia into a new generation of air power," Roberton said. "Its advanced, networked weapons system will deliver unprecedented air combat capability across the spectrum of air defense, strategic land attack and maritime strike. It is a true multirole aircraft and there's a lot of excitement on the ground in Air Combat Group about the arrival of the RAAF's Super Hornet."

The Super Hornet being produced for Australia is based on the F/A-18F operated by the U.S. Navy. The Block II Super Hornet is the first operationally deployed strike fighter that incorporates next-generation capabilities.
"The Super Hornet is a model acquisition program for the United States and the U.S. Navy, one that has continued to add capability while decreasing costs," said U.S. Navy Capt. James Kennedy, F/A-18 International Business deputy program manager. "The Super Hornet will provide our Australian partners with a powerful new weapon system. I'm certain they will find the unparalleled aircrew situational awareness and seamless execution of same-time air and ground missions to be as invaluable as our U.S. Navy aircrews do. The Super Hornet is delivering tomorrow's capabilities today."

The Australian government announced in March 2007 that it would acquire 24 F/A-18Fs, making Australia the first international Super Hornet customer.

The Block II F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a multirole aircraft, able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions. Boeing has delivered more than 375 F/A-18E/Fs to the U.S. Navy. Every Super Hornet produced has been delivered on or ahead of schedule.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense 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 Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.1 billion business with 71,000 employees worldwide.
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Technorati Tags:
Boeing (NYSE:BA), Australia, F-18 Hornet

GAO: Congressional Committees Subject: Defense Logistics: Department of Defense’s Annual Report on the Status of Prepositioned Materiel and Equipment Can Be Enhanced to Better Inform Congress

December 15, 2008
GAO: Congressional Committees Subject: Defense Logistics: Department of Defense’s Annual Report on the Status of Prepositioned Materiel and Equipment Can Be Enhanced to Better Inform Congress GAO-09-147R

Technorati Tags:
GAO (Government Accountability Office)

Boeing Director Gen. James Jones Resigns Board Seat

Boeing Director Gen. James Jones Resigns Board Seat

CHICAGO, Dec. 15, 2008 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] board of directors today accepted the resignation of retired Marine Corps Gen. James L. Jones, who earlier this month was named by U.S. President-elect Barack Obama to serve as his national security adviser.

"Gen. Jones made valuable contributions to our company during his tenure," said Boeing Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Jim McNerney. "We wish him well as he rededicates himself to serving his country, something he has done honorably and with great distinction for more than 40 years."

Jones, 64, joined the board in June, 2007. His resignation is effective immediately.
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Technorati Tags:
Appointments, Boeing (NYSE:BA)

House Armed Services Committee: SKELTON, HUNTER, TAUSCHER, EVERETT Comment on the Interim Report of the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States

House Armed Services Committee: SKELTON, HUNTER, TAUSCHER, EVERETT Comment on the Interim Report of the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States

Ike Skelton, Chairman
For Immediate Release: Dec. 15, 2008

SKELTON, HUNTER, TAUSCHER, EVERETT Comment on the Interim Report of the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States

Washington, DC - Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO), Ranking Member Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Strategic Forces Subcommittee Chairman Ellen O. Tauscher (D-CA) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Terry Everett (R-AL) made the following comments upon the release of the interim report of the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States. The Interim Report.

"The Members of this commission, led by Chairman Bill Perry and Vice Chairman Jim Schlesinger, have produced a thorough, balanced, and thoughtful interim report,” Chairman Skelton said. “I commend them on their encouraging work and look forward to the final product."

Ranking Member Hunter stated, "The Commission is to be congratulated on a thorough analysis of America's strategic posture. It is heartening that the Commission strongly validated the need for the maintenance of the U.S. nuclear deterrent. Hopefully, the Commission's interim report will be useful in the program prioritization that will take place during the next budget cycle."

“The Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States has given us an important snapshot into its work with this interim report and I look forward to their final report in April. I worked in Congress to create this commission because America needs a real public debate about the role of our nuclear weapons,” Subcommittee Chairman Tauscher said.

“I have long advocated for one of the central observations of the interim report that ‘High confidence in stockpile reliability not only is important for maintaining deterrence, it is also vital for making substantial reductions in the size of our stockpile.’ Indeed, I believe it is in our strategic and security interest to do so. We can move smartly as a nation to support a smaller nuclear complex while making significant cuts in our arsenal and meet our military requirements. These have been my goals as Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, and I look forward to furthering our work to address this pressing security challenge,” Tauscher concluded.

“I welcome the release of the Commission’s interim report in compliance with the 2008 defense bill,” commented Subcommittee Ranking Member Everett. “Its work is critical for the new Congress and the new Administration in shaping future strategic policy in the face of unrelenting threats to our national security. There was much in the interim report that I agree with, including the need to maintain a safe, credible and reliable nuclear deterrent for the United States and our allies.”

Everett concluded, “The threat of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism will remain a major concern and the report also underscores the necessity of non-proliferation and arms control measures. I understand the final report will also cover the Reliable Replacement Warhead and our nuclear stockpile composition. I look forward to the Commission’s findings in those areas and hope its findings will be seriously studied by my successors on the House Armed Services Committee and in the Administration.”

The Commission was created by the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2008, and began its work in spring 2008. Due to a delay in funding, delivery of the Commission's final report has been postponed from December 1, 2008 until April 1, 2009.

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Technorati Tags:
HASC (House Armed Services Committee), US DoD (Department of Defense)