BAE Systems acquires VT Group’s stake in BVT

BAE Systems acquires VT Group’s stake in BVT

30 October, 2009

BAE Systems has announced today that it has acquired VT Group's 45% shareholding in BVT Surface Fleet Limited (BVT).

BVT is now wholly owned by BAE Systems and will be renamed BAE Systems Surface Ships Limited.

Nigel Whitehead, BAE Systems' Group Managing Director, Programmes & Support, said: "Bringing BVT into full ownership of BAE Systems further strengthens our global maritime business and is consistent with our strategy to establish a sustainable and profitable through life business in air, land and sea.

"Surface Ships has a solid order book, a clear strategy to transform the UK maritime sector and a commitment to deliver existing and future programmes.

"Our 15 year Terms of Business Agreement with the UK Ministry of Defence will sustain key industry capabilities in the UK and provides a strong platform on which to build future domestic and international business."

Technorati Tags:
VT Group (VTG.L), BAE Systems (LSE.BA)

VT Group completes sale of BVT Surface Fleet shareholding

VT Group completes sale of BVT Surface Fleet shareholding
30 October 2009

Support services company VT Group today announces that, following the receipt of EU approval, it has signed a legally binding agreement with BAE Systems which completes the disposal of its 45 per cent shareholding in BVT Surface Fleet Limited, the shipbuilding and naval support joint venture, for a cash consideration of £346 million.

VT Group Chief Executive Paul Lester commented: “This marks the completion of our transition to a pure support services company and we are well positioned to grow the business both organically and through acquisition, using the resources from the sale of our shareholding in BVT.”

Technorati Tags:
BAE Systems (London:BA), BVT Surface Fleet, VT Group (London: VTG)

SECDEF Announces Flag Officer Nomination

NNS091022-19. SECDEF Announces Flag Officer Nomination
October 22, 2009

From the Department of Defense

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced Oct. 22 that the President has made the following flag nomination:

Navy Vice Adm. Bernard J. McCullough III has been nominated for reappointment to the grade of vice admiral and assignment as commander, Fleet Cyber Command/commander, 10th Fleet, Fort Meade, Md. McCullough is currently serving as deputy chief of naval operations for integration of capabilities and resources, N8, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Technorati Tags:
Appointments, USN (US Navy)

VT Group receives shareholder approval for BVT Surface Fleet disposal

VT Group receives shareholder approval for BVT Surface Fleet disposal
19 October 2009

Support services company VT Group today announces that following a shareholder General Meeting in London it has received approval for the disposal of its 45 per cent shareholding in BVT Surface Fleet Limited, the shipbuilding and naval support joint venture, to BAE Systems.
The transaction remains conditional on EU approval but is expected to be completed by the end of this month.

Technorati Tags:
BAE Systems (London:BA), BVT Surface Fleet, VT Group (London: VTG)

Independent review of UK defence acquisition published

Independent review of UK defence acquisition published
October 15, 2009

An independent review into the way the MOD buys equipment for Britain's Armed Forces has been published today, Thursday 15 October 2009.

Last year, the previous Defence Secretary commissioned Bernard Gray to assess what steps the Department was making to reform its procurement process and suggest further recommendations on how it can be improved.

Since then, a review team led by Mr Gray has met with MOD officials and representatives from the Defence Industry and other organisations to obtain a clear picture of the way the Department purchases and delivers equipment.

His findings, which are published today, identify a number of areas where the acquisition process could be improved. The MOD accepts the report's two main themes: a need to bring equipment plans into line with likely available resources; and a need to improve equipment programme planning, management and delivery.

The report also acknowledges that all countries struggle with the complex challenges of defence procurement and some are envious of the UK's achievements.

It recognises the dedication of those involved in defence acquisition, the MOD's long-standing commitment to reform and the significant progress made to date.

Welcoming the report, Lord Drayson, Minister for Strategic Defence Acquisition Reform, said:

"Bernard and his team have done a thorough job. They have done a comprehensive review of defence acquisition and have come up with a strong package of measures to ensure the right equipment is delivered in the most efficient way.

"Quite simply, we accept most of his recommendations and are getting on with implementing them alongside broader work to develop a future strategy for defence acquisition, which will ensure we deliver as effectively as possible the equipment the Armed Forces need."

Mr Gray has agreed to participate in this process and work with the MOD to develop an overall Strategy for Acquisition Reform to be published in the New Year.

Commenting on his report, Mr Gray said:

"I am very pleased that the Ministry of Defence has welcomed the review team's conclusions. The Department has accepted the need for change, and it is now moving quickly to implement the majority of the report's recommendations.

"I am continuing to work with the MOD on many aspects of the acquisition process, including implementation of agreed reforms, and in defining the way forward in areas where firm conclusions have yet to be reached.

"There is still a significant way to go to finish this work, and many difficult decisions lie ahead. Nevertheless, the MOD has made a very positive start, and I am sure that the Department is determined to drive through this important work."

Technorati Tags:
Acquisition, UK Ministry of Defence

US Navy Flag Officer Announcement

NNS091007-12. Flag Officer Announcement
October 7, 2009

From U.S. Department of Defense

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced Oct. 7 that the President has nominated Navy Vice Adm. Robert S. Harward Jr. for reappointment to the grade of vice admiral and assignment as commander, Joint Task Force 435, Afghanistan.

Harward is currently serving as deputy commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command, Norfolk, Va.

Technorati Tags:
Appointments, USN (US Navy)

Raytheon 3rd-Generation EO/IR Mast-Mounted System Debuts at AUSA

Raytheon 3rd-Generation EO/IR Mast-Mounted System Debuts at AUSA
October 5, 2009

WASHINGTON, -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) debuted a 3rd-generation electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) Mast-Mounted System (MMS) to equip combat vehicles with greater standoff, strategic surveillance and targeting capabilities.

At the 2009 Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition, Raytheon, in coordination with Lockheed Martin, featured an MMS on a new General Dynamics Land Systems wheeled combat vehicle demonstrator. The capability debut included an optimized work station inside the vehicle for improved situational awareness and joint, multimission support.

"Raytheon's Mast-Mounted System leverages investments and lessons learned from past Army modernization efforts to provide safe and responsive under-armor [operated from inside the vehicle], on-the-move reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition capability," said Glynn Raymer, vice president, Raytheon Network Centric Systems Combat Systems. "We've also incorporated networking capability and architecture, and a common display to support incremental modernization across a number of platforms.

"In addition, our capability leverages the Army's latest 3rd-generation EO/IR technology to provide greater resolution and performance at extended ranges, day or night, in all types of weather and in harsh battlefield conditions," added Raymer.

Mounted on a five-meter (about 16 feet) telescopic mast, the MMS meets operational requirements for both Stryker reconnaissance and fire support mission role variants. The capability can be adapted for other ground combat vehicles requiring the next generation of surveillance and fire control to include the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP), MRAP-All Terrain Vehicle, Abrams, Bradley, and the emerging Ground Combat Vehicle and Joint Lightweight Tactical Vehicle.

An industry team is planning a wheeled combat vehicle demonstration to include MMS at the RECON Summit, Fort Knox, Ky., November 2009, and during the Army's Advanced Expeditionary Warfighting Experiment, Fort Benning, Ga., January 2010.

Technorati Tags:
Raytheon (NYSE:RTN)

Northrop Grumman Selected to Supply U.S. Army With Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinders

Northrop Grumman Selected to Supply U.S. Army With Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinders
October 5, 2009

APOPKA, Fla. –– Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has been selected by the U.S. Army to provide Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinders (LLDR) under a five-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract with an estimated value of up to $599 million.

"This contract award extends our opportunity to provide our military warfighters with the equipment they need and are asking for," said Gordon Stewart, Northrop Grumman's Laser Systems vice president and general manager. "We take great pride in our ability to support the warfighter with our LLDR system, and we look forward to continuing that commitment by our work under this contract."

Northrop Grumman's LLDR accurately targets enemy positions during the day, at night and in nearly all battlefield conditions including haze, smoke, fog and rain. It provides a unique capability to forward observers. The system can recognize targets, find the range to a target with an eye-safe laser rangefinder, and calculate target location for smart munitions. The system then provides this information to other digital battlefield systems. The LLDR can also be used with laser-guided munitions.

Northrop Grumman's Laser Systems business unit has delivered over eight hundred LLDR systems since the first Army contract award in
2002. The first delivery order award under this latest ID/IQ contract is valued at $72.7 million.

Technorati Tags:
Contract $500m+, Contract Win, Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), US Army

U.S. Air Force Selects Northrop Grumman to Provide Contractor Logistics Support for the KC-10 Extender

U.S. Air Force Selects Northrop Grumman to Provide Contractor Logistics Support for the KC-10 Extender
October 2, 2009

HERNDON, Va. –– The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a nine-year contract to provide Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) for its fleet of KC-10 Extender refueling tanker aircraft. The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract has a total ceiling value of $3.8 billion.

“We are excited to partner with the Air Force on the KC-10 CLS program and are committed to working with the Air Force to ensure the KC-10 is ready to support air mobility requirements anywhere, anytime,” said Ronald D. Sugar, Northrop Grumman chairman and chief executive officer. “This award further demonstrates Northrop Grumman’s important role as a premier provider of air mobility solutions.”

Under the terms of the contract, Northrop Grumman will provide supply chain management, depot-level logistics integration and support, engine maintenance, aircraft maintenance and modifications for the KC-10 refueling tanker. The tanker/cargo aircraft is part of the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command arsenal and has supported anti-terrorist and humanitarian operations around the globe. The team will perform the work at depots located at Northrop Grumman’s Lake Charles Maintenance and Modification Center, Lake Charles, La., and at teammate TIMCO Aviation Services’ facility in Greensboro, N.C.

Northrop Grumman’s other partners include AAR CORP, Wood Dale, Ill.; Chromalloy Gas Turbine LLC, San Antonio; and MTU Maintenance, Richmond, British Colombia.

“The KC-10 Extender is the U.S. Air Force’s strategic air mobility asset today, and the Northrop Grumman team is committed to ensure its operational readiness to meet all mission requirements through world-class program management, innovation and commitment to excellence,” said James Cameron, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman’s Technical Services sector. “Our clear focus now is to conduct a flawless phase-in that will facilitate the superior program performance that both the U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman demand, which is also what is required to support the great men and women of our armed services serving this country proudly across the globe protecting freedom’s frontier.”

The contract also includes aerial refueling system support for two Netherlands KDC-10 aircraft.

# # #

Technorati Tags:
Contract win, KC-10 Tanker, Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC)

Second Northrop Grumman-Built National Security Cutter, Waesche, Completes Successful U.S. Coast Guard Acceptance Trials

Second Northrop Grumman-Built National Security Cutter, Waesche, Completes Successful U.S. Coast Guard Acceptance Trials
October 2, 2009

PASCAGOULA, Miss. –– The Northrop Grumman Corporation-built (NYSE:NOC) National Security Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) completed a successful acceptance trial Thursday after undergoing
meticulous testing in the Gulf of Mexico. The ship's return to Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding's Gulf Coast facility following trials marks the final test of Waesche before her delivery in early November.

During the acceptance trial, Waesche performed all required sea trial evolutions for the U.S. Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), working together with the U.S. Coast Guard. The team conducted extensive testing of propulsion, electrical, damage control and combat systems.

"This ship is a quantum leap over the class of ship that it replaces," said U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Lance Bardo, prospective commanding officer, Waesche. "The handling characteristics and the performance are light years ahead. Over the last six weeks, the amount of work that Northrop Grumman has done to bring this ship to delivery-ready status is phenomenal. It exceeds my expectations."

Waesche is the second ship in the new class of highly capable, technologically advanced multi-mission cutters. The NSC was built under contract from Integrated Coast Guard Systems, a joint venture of Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin.

"Congratulations to the shipbuilders, the Coast Guard and the industry team on a very successful acceptance trial," said Mike Duthu, Coast Guard program manager for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - Gulf Coast. "Over the course of the last two days, we demonstrated the operational characteristics of the systems aboard Waesche to the INSURV board and everything went very well. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of the shipbuilders to get us to this point. We could not have done it without them."

Waesche's keel was laid Sept. 11, 2006, marking the fifth anniversary of the vicious attack that launched the United States into the global war on terror, renewing interest in updated homeland defense. First-in-class Bertholf's keel was laid one year earlier in 2005. Waesche was christened July 26, 2008.

"We could only have achieved this success through the hard work and dedication of the craftspeople here at Northrop Grumman," said Richard Schenk, vice president of test and trials, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - Gulf Coast. "Their long hours, hard work and with a lot of sweat they got this ship ready in a time period that nobody believed was possible. As a result, we were able to get to sea on our scheduled date and perform the demonstrations that our customer asked of us. We are now sure that the Coast Guard is going to receive a quality product and when it sails away, we can all be proud of the ship the Coast Guard has accepted."

The NSC is a 418-foot vessel with a 4,480 ton displacement at full load. Her twin screws combined with dual diesel and gas turbine engines give the ship the thrust she needs for a quick 28-knot intercept speed, but also allow for her to exhibit a 60-day endurance with a range of 12,000 nautical miles.

The cutter includes an aft launch and recovery area for two rigid hull inflatable boats, an expansive flight deck able to accommodate a range of rotary wing aircraft and modern command and control systems. In addition, the cutter features improved habitability and a sailor-centric design to facilitate optimized crewing and, enhance onboard quality of life for a mixed gender crew.

# # #

Technorati Tags:
Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), USCG (US Coast Guard)

Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems Introduces Voice Over IP Enhancements to its PAE T6 Air Traffic Management Radios

Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems Introduces Voice Over IP Enhancements to its PAE T6 Air Traffic Management Radios
October 2, 2009

LONDON –– Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced that its Europe-based subsidiary, Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems, has added Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) capability to its range of air traffic management radios.

The VoIP standards which have been specifically developed to meet the demands of the air traffic management (ATM) environment will be available on all of the company's PAE T6 range of VHF and UHF radios with immediate effect. In March 2009, Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems joined 10 other manufacturers of air traffic communication systems to confirm that the specifications, which were developed by the European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) Working Group 67, provided a robust standard that allowed the interworking of ground radios and voice communication systems.

"Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems has been a pioneer in the delivery of end-to-end networked air traffic management communication systems and these systems have been deployed in the world's busiest ATM environments delivering real economic and performance benefits to our customers," said Charles Houseago, managing director of Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems. "As telecom networks migrate to internet protocol capability, ATM providers will be able to benefit from the cost and performance improvements that these networks offer. Our domain experience coupled with the switch to IP will enable us to deliver these benefits to our customers."

The provision of VoIP is a progression of Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems' already established IP capability. Within its PAE T6 range the company has, for two years, been delivering VHF Digital Link-Mode 2 (VDL-2) data link radios with integral IP communications to support next generation data communication applications. In addition to the new VoIP capability, the PAE T6 will continue to support legacy interfaces including E1 and traditional analogue connections to allow seamless integration with a wide range of established systems and networks.

EUROCAE is a non-profit organisation that deals exclusively with aviation standardisation for airborne and ground systems and equipment.

Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems, based in Peterborough, U.K. and in Oslo and Horten, Norway, supplies ATM systems for air-space operations worldwide.

In continental Europe, Northrop Grumman operates from locations in France, Germany, Italy and Norway, providing navigation, air traffic control and postal automation systems. In the U.K., Northrop Grumman has a strong presence with a heritage spanning nearly 100 years. 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, unmanned ground vehicle systems, C4ISR solutions and mission planning, IT systems and software development, aircraft whole life support and airport security solutions.

# # #

Technorati Tags:
Communications, Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC)

Raytheon Delivers First Ground Soldier System Prototypes

Raytheon Delivers First Ground Soldier System Prototypes
October 2, 2009

MCKINNEY, Texas, -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) delivered 10 Ground Soldier System (GSS) Increment 1 prototypes Sept. 16, 2009, supporting a significant program milestone in the rapid development of a wearable computer that links the dismounted warfighter to the netted battlefield.

"Our team is focused on the soldier and a flexible mission solution that weighs less, uses less power and takes up less space," said Dave Treichler, Raytheon GSS Inc 1 capture manager. "We understand the need for an affordable, long-enduring, reliable system that gives actionable situational awareness and command and control capabilities."

The Raytheon GSS Inc 1 team, which includes key partners Black Diamond Advanced Technologies and CHI System, Inc., will next support Army limited testing prior to incorporating refinements for final prototype delivery in March 2010.

"An Army liaison team has been working with us from the start to provide lessons learned from the field and support GSS rapid development," noted Treichler. "This daily engagement is setting a standard for industry and Army collaboration to develop a low-risk, producible solution that is field-ready."

Raytheon GSS Inc 1 links the dismounted leader to the battlefield network for real-time tactical situational awareness. The soldier system incorporates human factors engineering and analysis for a comfortable fit made to endure harsh environments and long warfighter missions.

Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

Note to Editors:

The U.S. Army announced the GSS Inc 1 (formerly Ground Soldier Ensemble) contract awards April 15, 2009, and Raytheon is providing one of three GSS Inc 1 solutions selected.

The U.S. Army's TACOM Contracting Center awarded Raytheon $11.8 million to provide a GSS Inc 1 technology demonstration.

Technorati Tags:
Land Systems, Raytheon (NYSE:RTN)

Raytheon Awarded $73 Million U.S. Army Contract for Excalibur Ia-2 Rounds

Raytheon Awarded $73 Million U.S. Army Contract for Excalibur Ia-2 Rounds
October 2, 2009

TUCSON, Ariz., -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) received a $73.3 million U.S. Army contract for the production of Excalibur Ia-2 155 mm precision-guided projectile rounds.

Excalibur Ia-2 is the next generation of precision-guided projectiles for U.S. Army and Marine Corps artillery. Using GPS precision guidance technology, Excalibur rounds provide warfighters with an accurate first-round, fire-for-effect capability in urban settings.

"Instead of focusing on CEP (circular error probable) that allows for target misses up to 60 meters (196 feet), we're redefining what precision means to the warfighter today," said Steve Bennett, Raytheon's Excalibur program director. "Precision means consistently impacting the target within 10 meters (32 feet). Excalibur provides the warfighter with precision that is essential to the protection of civilians and combat forces."

Raytheon recently demonstrated the success of the Excalibur Ia-1's new inertial measurement unit by firing nine shots with a 100 percent success rate. Recent Excalibur Ia-2 testing demonstrated precision well within 10 meters (32 feet) of the target.

"Excalibur rounds are important to the success of our warfighters in Afghanistan," said Lt. Col. Mike Milner, U.S. Army Excalibur product manager. "They deserve the kind of precision capability Excalibur can deliver."

Technorati Tags:
Artillery, Raytheon (NYSE:RTN)

REMINDER -- Northrop Grumman to Brief Reporters On Capabilities and Technology Advances At Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition

REMINDER -- Northrop Grumman to Brief Reporters On Capabilities and Technology Advances At Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition
October 2, 2009

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), a leader in global security, will update reporters on its most significant advances in developing, producing and modernizing U.S. military systems and related electronic technologies at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting and Exposition.

Topics will range from the breakthrough STARLite radar for unmanned aircraft and the Scorpion II persistent surveillance system, to expanding mission effectiveness using unmanned systems. The briefings will also cover the company's newly developed 4th generation laser directed infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) for helicopter protection, and the latest in land navigation systems.

Northrop Grumman's AUSA exhibit booth #2003 will complement the media briefings with an overview of the company's global security offerings in battle command systems, strategic and tactical communications systems, targeting systems, minefield detection systems, mini-robots for observation and surveillance, command post services and support, global combat support systems, automated test equipment, and training management solutions.

Detailed information on each briefing is available from the media contacts listed below.

What: Northrop Grumman Media Briefings

When: October 5, 6

Where: Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and
Exposition
Northrop Grumman Booth # 2003 Conference Rooms 1 & 2
(conference rooms located in the Northrop Grumman booth)
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Washington, DC 20001

RSVP: To individual media contact by close of business day prior to
event


Mon., Oct. 5

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Time/Location Topic Presenter Media Contact
(All times EDT)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
9 a.m. STARLite: Advanced Alan Colegrove, Fran DiMeglio
Northrop Grumman Radar Capability Director, (203) 852-4823
Booth #2003 for UAVs Business office
Conference Room 1 A review of this Development, (203) 216-8318
break-through Land Forces mobile
advanced radar Weapons and fran.dimeglio
capability now Sensors @ngc.com
available in a
less than 80-pound Northrop Grumman
package for Electronic
tactical unmanned Systems
and light fixed-and
rotary-wing manned
air
vehicles.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
10 a.m. Land Navigation Gorik Hossepian, Fran DiMeglio
Northrop Grumman A review of, and Vice President, (203) 852-4823
Booth #2003 update on, the Navigation and office
Conference Room 1 family of Pointing (203) 216-8318
navigation, Systems mobile
pointing and fran.dimeglio
stabilization Northrop Grumman @ngc.com
systems to satisfy Electronic
land mission Systems
requirements.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1:30 p.m. Scorpion II Mike Coster, Fran DiMeglio
Northrop Grumman Persistent Special (203) 852-4823
Booth #2003 Surveillance Programs office
Conference Room 1 System with Manager (203) 216-8318
Universal Gateway mobile
Northrop Grumman's Northrop Grumman fran.dimeglio
4th generation Electronic @ngc.com
Unattended Ground Systems
Sensor (UGS) sensor
suite is 50 percent
smaller and lighter
than currently
fielded systems
making it easier to
conceal and more
cost effective.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Tues., Oct.6

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Time/Location Topic Presenter Media Contact
(All times EDT)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
9 a.m. Unmanned Systems: Mike Isherwood, Sherri Pineda
Northrop Grumman Expanding Mission Senior Analyst (858) 618-4556
Booth #2003 Effectiveness office
Conference Room 1 Understanding how Northrop Grumman (858) 943-1152
unmanned systems Aerospace mobile
can improve the Systems sherri.pineda
effectiveness and @ngc.com
efficiency for
today's Army.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
10 a.m. CIRCM for U.S. Jack Pledger, Fran DiMeglio
Northrop Grumman Army Helicopters Director, IRCM (203) 852-4823
Booth #2003 Northrop Grumman Business office
Conference Room 2 introduces its Development; (203) 216-8318
newly developed Defensive mobile
4th generation Systems fran.dimeglio
Directional Division @ngc.com
Infrared
Countermeasures Northrop Grumman
(DIRCM) system. Electronic
Briefing will Systems
outline the
details of Northrop
Grumman's solution
to the U.S. Army's
CIRCM program.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
###

Technorati Tags:
Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC)

US Navy Establishes Carrier Strike Group 1

NNS091002-03. Navy Establishes Carrier Strike Group 1
October 1, 2009

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Navy formally established Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 in San Diego October 1, 2009. The flagship for CSG 1 will be the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), currently homeported in Newport News, Va. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1, USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) will round out the strike group.

Commanded by Rear Adm. Ted "Twig" Branch, CSG 1 will be a San Diego-based operational command and will report to Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet.

"We are excited by the opportunity to establish this new command and bring the power of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group online in support of our nation's defense," said Branch. "I'm also very happy to bring this capability, along with the men and women who make it possible, to the great city of San Diego."

Carrier Strike Group 1's first mission is expected to be a transit around South America in the spring of 2010 as Vinson relocates to its new homeport of San Diego.

In support of the nation's maritime strategy, CSG-1 will help promote regional partnerships, deter crisis, project power, promote maritime security, and provide humanitarian assistance or disaster relief within the U.S. Pacific Fleet's 100 million square-mile area of operations.

The Navy took redelivery of Vinson July 11, 2009, following the successful completion of the ship's midlife refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH).

USS Carl Vinson is the third Nimitz-class aircraft carrier to complete RCOH at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News and is undergoing a four-month post-refueling shipyard maintenance period to prepare for its transit to San Diego.

Technorati Tags:
USN (US Navy)

Raytheon Awarded Contract Worth Up To $100 Million To Provide Encrypted Combat Identification Technology To U.S. Air Force

Raytheon Awarded Contract Worth Up To $100 Million To Provide Encrypted Combat Identification Technology To U.S. Air Force
October 1, 2009

MARLBOROUGH, Mass., -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded an indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity contract worth up to $100 million to improve secure combat identification for the U.S. Air Force.

Under the five-year agreement, Raytheon will produce and deliver up to 8,000 KIV-77 applique crypto computers for Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment.

"The KIV-77 safeguards communications and protects warfighters when they need to identify friendly positions during combat," said Jerry Powlen, vice president, Network Centric Systems Integrated Communications Systems. "This is another critical product in the long lineage of Raytheon's assured communication solutions."

The KIV-77 is Type 1 certified by the National Security Agency and provides information assurance for both legacy Mode 4 and new Mode 5 IFF equipment. Mode 5 IFF is an encrypted data link between interrogators and transponders to confirm an aircraft is friendly. It uses a newer, more secure waveform than Mode 4 and is part of Raytheon's crypto modernization initiative to ensure information security for warfighter communications.

Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provided state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

Note to Editors:

Type 1 certification authorizes equipment for handling classified data.

Technorati Tags:
Contract win, Raytheon (NYSE:RTN), USAF (US Air Force)

General Dynamics Awarded $58 Million for Abrams Tank System Technical Support

General Dynamics Awarded $58 Million for Abrams Tank System Technical Support
October 1, 2009 3:45:00 PM

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., -- General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded contracts valued at $58 million for Abrams Tank Systems Technical Support (STS) by the U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command of Warren, Mich.

The award will fund engineering studies on Abrams main battle tanks to identify improvements and replace obsolete parts to maintain the tanks at high operational readiness rates. The work will be performed by existing General Dynamics Land Systems personnel in Sterling Heights, Mich. It is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2011.

Technorati Tags:
Contract win, General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), Land Systems, M-1 Abrams

Northrop Grumman to Supply U.S. Air Force With LITENING G4 Targeting Sensor Systems

Northrop Grumman to Supply U.S. Air Force With LITENING G4 Targeting Sensor Systems
October 1, 2009

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. -- The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a $153 million contract to provide LITENING G4 targeting and sensor systems and related equipment.

Under the terms of the agreement, Northrop Grumman will deliver LITENING G4 targeting and sensor pods to the active U.S. Air Force as well as kits for the Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard to enable the upgrade of existing LITENING AT pods to the G4 configuration. The contract also includes the supply of additional data links for the Air National Guard and active U.S. Air Force.

LITENING Gen 4 is a self-contained, multi-sensor laser target-designating, surveillance and navigation system. The pods are also equipped with "plug-and-play" technology that enables them to accept a variety of data links without further modifications to the pod or aircraft.

"With LITENING G4, the Air Force is obtaining the very latest and most advanced technology in targeting and surveillance capabilities offered by anyone in the world," said Mike Lennon, vice president of Targeting and Surveillance programs at Northrop Grumman's Defensive Systems Division. "This contract also marks the first updates of existing Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard LITENING pods to the G4 configuration. It demonstrates the Air Force's commitment to LITENING and their desire to have the warfighter fly the most advanced targeting technology available today."

Lennon noted that the Northrop Grumman LITENING G4 also forms the baseline for the company's offering in the current U.S. Air Force Advance Targeting Pod - Sensor Enhancement competition to supply the Air Force with new pods.

LITENING G4 is the only production targeting pod with all of the following capabilities:

* An all-digital 1K (1024 x 1024 pixel) forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor and a 1K charge-coupled device TV sensor, providing improved target detection and recognition ranges

* A Laser Target Imaging Program imaging system providing unprecedented target recognition in a wide variety of conditions in both day and night conditions

* A "plug and play" data link system that enables improved communications between airborne forces and the ground

Over the last decade, Northrop Grumman has pioneered such advanced targeting technologies as precisely aligned and stable multiple sensors; coordinated air-to-ground and air-to-air operations capabilities through laser spot search and track and laser markers; J-series weapons employment capabilities; and data links for battlefield situational awareness. LITENING G4, the next step in the evolution, is now in production.

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