Jun 30, 2008

Laser or infrared systems may have the ability to protect entire flight zones from shoulder-fired missiles, scientists say. However, they note that although the missiles may be detected, there is not currently a way to divert them off target. Jun 27, 2008

The US

A 67-page review published by the Government Accountability Office criticizes how the US Air Force awarded a contract for new refueling tankers. The report said the Air Force did not properly calculate maintenance costs, the size and the amount of fuel a plane could hold and unfairly held discussions with one of the companies bidding for the contract. The report, made public Wednesday, said the bidding process was "undermined by a number of prejudicial errors that call into question the Air Force's decision." Jun 26, 2008

The US Army on Thursday will announce significant changes to its Future Combat Systems initiative that include shifting the focus of its effort from armored units to infantry brigades. Officials note that the change could increase the cost of the $160 billion project. The main contractors on FCS are Boeing and SAIC. Jun 26, 2008

AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey underscores the need for a concerted effort on the part of the aerospace industry to address a looming workforce shortage. Insufficient numbers of college students are studying in engineering and related fields, and too few high school graduates are adequately prepared for aerospace-related degrees. Industry leaders are taking steps to address the issue, including such efforts as the AIA-sponsored Team America Rocketry Challenge. Jun 25, 2008

Brain drain in U.S. aerospace and defense industries has contributed to management problems, cost overruns and delays on military contracts, experts say. The Pentagon and military contractors have been forced to compete with high tech companies for new employees, they note. "Ten to 20 years ago, many mechanical engineers went into a limited number of industrial sectors, automotive and aerospace -- including defense -- among the largest," noted James Jones, associate head of Purdue's School of Mechanical Engineering. Today, many graduates move into finance, management and medicine, according to recent surveys. A task force organized by the National Research Council is working to identify programs affected by faulty engineering management. Jun 25, 2008

Officials say the Missile Defense Agency is shifting the ground-based midcourse ballistic missile defense system test to radar integration instead of interception. Testing problems have forced the agency to make the changes, said MDA chief Air Force Lt. Gen. Trey Obering. He noted that a flawed telemetry card caused the problem and repairs are needed through the system. Jun 25, 2008

U.S. troops will continue to use Eisenhower-era tanker aircraft in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as the Air Force decides how to handle the disputed contract for new tankers, The Wall Street Journal editorial board writes. The Government Accountability Office recently found the Air Force made errors when it awarded the contract to Northrop Grumman. Boeing also competed for the contract. The board notes that the Air Force should take bids on the contract "quickly and decisively." Jun 25, 2008

Policies governing the export of commercial satellites and their components are hurting the U.S. space industrial base, according to a report released by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The study recommends removing commercial communications satellites, subsystems and components from the U.S. Munitions List and suggested further study to determine whether other nonmilitary systems should be available for export. Jun 24, 2008

The U.S. Supreme Court will consider whether the Navy can train with sonar off the California coast this fall. The Navy is now prohibited from conducting the training because of concerns about whales and dolphins. Jun 24, 2008

US DoD experts say interceptors for a missile defense system in Europe have not been properly tested. They say the problems could delay the program past its target date in 2013. Meanwhile, some lawmakers have raised questions about whether the program is worth its costs. Jun 24, 2008

The US Air Force is unlikely to meet its 2013 deadline for operating a new refueling tanker. Last week, the Government Accountability Office found problems with the way the Air Force awarded the contract to Northrop Grumman. Boeing, which also competed for the contract, protested the award. The Air Force is likely to reopen bidding for the contract, according to departing Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne. Jun 23, 2008

BAE Systems

UK owned BAE Systems Inc. is an important part of the Phoenix economy. The company is one of the top makers of U.S. military equipment. Because it is owned by Britain's BAE Systems PLC, it must keep its U.S. defense business separate from its U.K. parent company. Jun 27, 2008

Boeing

Some analysts note that the potential reversal of the award of an US Air Force tanker contract is good news for Boeing, but they also warn that the slowing world economy could call into question the company's growth plans. Record fuel prices may prompt some of Boeing's airline customers to delay or cancel orders for jetliners. Shares of Boeing dropped to a two-year low after Goldman Sachs cut its rating of the company. Jun 26, 2008

Boeing, Lockheed Martin

House lawmakers last week voted to spend an additional $162 billion this year and next year on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill, which still needs Senate approval, includes $3.6 billion for buying 15 Boeing C-17 cargo planes and $2.5 billion for 34 Lockheed Martin C-130J cargo planes. Jun 24, 2008

General Dynamics

The Pentagon said General Dynamics won a $37.3 million US Army contract for armor side skirts for Bradley fighting vehicles. The company will provide 387 armor side skirts. The side skirts will protect the vehicles from bullets, shrapnel or shells. Jun 24, 2008

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin on Wednesday received a $107 million contract to provide cruise missiles to the US Air Force. The contract includes flight test support and systems engineering. Jun 26, 2008

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin is faring well during the downturn in the economy. The company continues to hire new workers. "Our hiring patterns nationwide and in the Washington area are totally unaffected by the state of the economy," noted Ken Disken, senior vice president for human resources. Jun 23, 2008

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin officials said the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will redefine multi-role strike aircraft, but the plane's electronic attack capability and derivative options remain undefined to the public. The plane is capable of penetrating while using low-probability-of-intercept radar and passive sensors and will roam enemy airspace while feeding targeting data to non-stealthy aircraft. Jun 23, 2008

ZZ

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