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The article reports that Granite Tactical Vehicles has teamed up with Textron Marine & Land Systems on the development of High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV), or Humvees. Chris Berman, Granite's founder and president, said that they have developed a high performance, highly survivable armored V-hull solution for more protection. The U.S. Army is said to be seeking a recap of HMMWVs to improve automotive performance.

The article offers information on the Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (JCREW) 3.3 contract worth 29 million dollars, awarded to ITT Corp. by the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command for the development of next generation counter improvised explosive device(IED) system in the U.S. It mentions that JCREW 2.1 systems to be used by four branches of the military and specialized systems for the U.S. Special Operations Command will be the provided by ITT.

The article offers information on the Multi-Purpose Bomb Rack (MPBR) program that is led by Raytheon Co. for the U.S. Navy. John Webb, program manager, Raytheon Technical Services Company, said that MPBR was made by replacing pyrotechnic parts from the existing BRU-33 bomb rack with Ultra-designed pneumatic systems and valves. A 32.4 million dollars contract for engineering and manufacturing development of the BRU-69 MPBR was recently awarded to Raytheon by Naval Air Systems Command.

The article reports that the U.S. Navy, Raytheon Co. [RTN], and Great Britain's Ultra Electronics Precision Air Systems Inc., have teamed up for the development of the BRU-69 Multi-Purpose Bomb Rack (MPBR) program. According to executives, the program could save hundreds of millions of dollars for the Navy, and can potentially generate billions in sales for the firms. It is stated that Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is the customer and MPBR's co-designer.

The article reports that the Office of Naval Research (ONR) has said that senior Navy leaders would assemble at Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Dahlgren, Virginia, for what is planned as a record-setting test of an experimental Electromagnetic Railgun. Roger Ellis, ONR's Electromagnetic Railgun program manager, says that the Navy will fire a 32-megajoule muzzle energy shot and will attempt to set a new world record for the Railgun program, a Navy effort to evolve surface ship weapons.

The article presents the views of executive director of U.S. Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile System Center (SMC), Doug Loverro, on the impact of satellite and terminal availabilities. He states that the satellite and terminal programs caused end dates to get out of step. He, however, believes that the impact is not severe enough to obstruct the overall lengthy process from launch to operational capability.

The article reports that the U.S. Navy awarded two fixed-price contracts for Cargo Unmanned Aircraft System (USA) services. The two contracts are reported to be a 29.9 million dollars contract to Boeing (BA)-Frontier Systems and a 45.8 million dollars contract to Lockheed Martin (LMT). It reports that the K-MAX unmanned helicopter was offered by Lockheed Martin and teammate Kaman in response to Naval Air Systems Command's (NAVAIR) request for a Cargo UAS.

The article reports that the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is executing a Memorandum of Agreement in association with the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). It reports on the teleconference Summit held in Reston, Virginia where the efforts to improve the performance of space programs were discussed. Air Force retired General, Bruce Carlson thinks that the summit gave an opportunity for the government and space community to focus energy towards a goal of 100 percent mission success.

The article reports that recent internal funding and Army-coordinated development has positioned BAE Systems PLC to deliver M113 replacement vehicles ready for immediate testing. It reports on the common vehicle platform option for the U.S. Army launched by the company with an aim to replace its M113 vehicles for the heavy brigade combat teams. It reports that the Bradley Armored Medical Treatment Vehicle offers increased size as compared to the Army's M577 treatment vehicle.

The article informs how use of fiber lasers are enhancing weapon and sensor systems. It states that the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency gave contract to Lockheed Martin (LMT) to build One Shot laser-based sighting systems which may improve sniper accuracy and reduce the possibility of detection. John Wojnar, director of business development, LMT Laser & Sensor Systems also reveal that LMT has received a contract from the Army applied aviation technology directorate (AATD).

The article announces that the U.S. Department of Defence and the Navy can save more by modifying acquisition practices for open architecture weapon systems. Carlo Zaffanella, vice president of General Dynamics, state that Pentagon must foster an environment where there is a business model seeking innovation. He added that this would require re-use and scaling of newly developed integrated systems and constant upgrading of systems to keep it updated with technology.

The article offers information on the contract worth 6.9 million dollars awarded by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to Lockheed Martin for the production 15 One Shot laser based sighting systems in the U.S. It mentions that sighting systems are designed to improve the accuracy of snipers and reduce detection possibility. According to John Wojnar, director, One Shot uses laser and camera to determine speed and direction of wind.

The article offers information on the Integrated Topside (InTop) innovative naval prototype (INP) program developed by the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) in the U.S. It mentions that InTop consists of open radio frequency (RF) architecture and software defined functionality. According to Nevin Carr, real admiral ONR wanted to develop an electronic warfare (EW) and radar that controls the RF spectrum and support multiple classes of ships and platforms of navy.

The article focuses on the comments of Rear Admiral Nevin Carr, U.S. Chief of Naval Research, on ship designs. He stated that ships should be designed in such a way that they can affordably evolve to complete missions, including the emerging ones. He also said that the Navy and the industry should jointly design open architecture systems in a way so as to smooth out mid-life modernization expenses and decrease total ownership costs.

The article reports that Raytheon Co. [RTN] has been awarded a 5 million dollars Defense Acquisition Challenge (DAC) contract by the U.S. Air Force, to integrate within nine months the firm's Quiet Eyes Laser Turret Assembly (QELTA) with a rugged quantum cascade laser (QCL) for large fixed-wing aircraft. Mike Booen, Raytheon's vice president of Advanced Security and Directed Energy Systems, stated that Raytheon was chosen because of their history of offering products on schedule and below cost.

The article reports that the U.S. Army is trying to figure out ways to use aerostat-type systems in support of troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ron Browning, airship business development director at LMT states that more Persistent Threat Detection System (PTDS), which is a aerostat-based system from Lockheed Martin (LMT) are being used in Afghanistan, presumably to support surge operations. The army mentions that it is also using Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment (RAID) system.

The article reports that according to the executives of Raytheon Co. (RTN), the company's quantum cascade laser bid for the U.S. Army's Common Infrared Countermeasures (CIRCM) competition will be apt for it as it offers right blend of technology, light weight and production-ready affordability. Richard Janik, program director for Directed Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) Systems at Raytheon Missile Systems states that with Scorpion laser, RTN will be the least expensive CIRCM program.

The article focuses on the proposals submitted by different companies for the Cargo unmanned aircraft system (UAS) services request by the U.S. Marine Corps. It reports that team of Lockheed Martin and Kaman Corp. formally offered the K-MAX unmanned helicopter in response to the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) request for a cargo UAS. It further reports that Boeing submitted its A160T Hummingbird bid for the contract aiming for Marine Corps urgent resupply needs in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The article reports that the U.S. Army is not planning to put weapons on its Shadow unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) but has agreed to work with the Marine Corps toward that end. This was informed by Colonel Greg Gonzalez, Army's UAS program manager, at the Association of the U.S. Army Annual symposium. He stated that Marine Corps intends to arm AAI Corp.'s RQ-7B Shadow UAS.

The article focuses on the success of the UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) program. It is stated that the LUH program has boosted the U.S. Army's aviation capabilities in the country as well as in Afghanistan and Iraq. It is stated that the LUH, which is manufactured by European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. (EADS), has been a fast paced, on time and on budget project, which began in 2006 and so far 133 deliveries to the Army and Army National Guard units have been made.

The article reports on the selection of Lockheed Martin [LMT] as the winner of the 60 percent share of the 2.3 billion dollars Advanced Targeting Pod-Sensor Enhancement (ATP-SE) competition by the U.S. Air Force. It tells that the victory will help the in the sales of the Sniper pod of the company more than 1 billion dollars. It informs that Northrop Grumman Corp. (NOC) has got the remaining 40 percent share in the competition for providing its advanced targeting pod.

The article reports on a 67-million dollars Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract received by the company ATK from the U.S. Navy. It informs that the contract has been awarded to ATK to produce the AAR-47 Missile Warning System Weapon Replaceable Assemblies (WRAs). It tells that the AAR-47 has been designed for protecting helicopters and aircrafts against surface-to-air missile threats. It also tells that the AAR-47 has been installed on the aircraft flown by the U.S.

The article reports that Saudi Arabia is seeking to buy F-15SA aircraft, AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters, and other helicopters worth 60.5 billion dollars from the U.S. government. According to The Defense Security Cooperation Agency of U.S. (DSCA), the proposed sale will intensify the foreign policy and national security objectives of the U.S. by strengthening the ongoing strategically important relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

The article reports that Northrop Grumman Corp. (NOC) has announced that it has successfully completed field user evaluation and service-level testing for Marine Corps Mobile Tactical Air Operations Module (MTAOM) control and command system. MTAOM hardware will be integrated into the Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S) Phase 1 Increment 1 baseline. NOC re-engineered its technology into Mobile Tactical Air Operations Module (TAOM) system which the U.S. Marine Corp. is using.

The article reports that Northrop Grumman Corp. (NOC) is partnering with the U.S. Navy's Aviation Center for Rotorcraft Advancement (NACRA) to develop rotary wing hardware and software for NACRA. The new products is for NACRA's UH-1N helicopter. It is stated that the new product will benefit all military branches and other defense electronics firms.

The article reports that the U.S. Army has signed a 123 million dollars contract with BAE Systems PLC for continued production of Thermal Weapon Sights (TWS) designed to improve situational awareness and survivability for men and women in combat. As reported, the current phase of the contract for about 100,000 units will run from 2009-2012. It also states that the contract will make BAE the number one supplier of TWS.

The article focuses on the contract between of the company BAE Systems Land & Armaments (BAE) and the U.S. Marine Corps on weapon system Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS). It reports that BAE has decided to reduce the timeline due in 2011, for the first deliverivies of the APKWS to the Marine Corps. It further reports that APKWS would be deployed initiallly on helicopters AH-1W Cobra from Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

The article reports that Raytheon Co. began sea based flight testing of its Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) under the defense contract with the U.S. Navy. As stated, the extended range Air Defense Missile, SM6 is being developed to counter long range cruise missiles. Reportedly, SM-6 uses the same propulsion stack as the SM-3 MK 72 booster and the MK 104 dual thrust rocket motor.

The article offers information on the unmanned aerial system (UAS), Sea Avenger, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.(GA-ASI). Christopher Ames, business development manager at GA-ASI said the system will provide intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and precision strike capabilities that the U.S. Navy is looking for future readiness.

The article reports on the effort of the U.S. Navy to test a smart route planning application designed for maritime electronic navigation systems to save between 4-8 percent on fuel costs. Eric Lindenbaum of Northrop Grumman Corp. says he does the fuel savings tests on T-AKE-7 and that the system will pay for itself in 23 steaming days with the fuel saved. It is stated that the route planning application has a single feature of an overall total watch system.

The article presents information on the Armed Scout 645 designed by EADS North America. The company has reportedly made efforts with the prototype of the vehicle to get the permissions for its manufacture. So long, the U.S. Army has been providing its feedback that the designs fall short of requirement, as the force is looking for next generation helicopters that could operate in high and hot environments.

The article offers information on the redesigning of the E-X-Drive electric drive transmission from the 24-ton Future Combat Systems (FCS) ground vehicle to a 50-ton by QinetiQ North America. John Mackey, QinetiQ's technical manager for mounted systems, said that they develop additional models and are waiting to see what the U.S. Army comes back with for the ground combat vehicle (GCV). The redesigned E-X-Drive is only 24 percent heavier than the previous 24-ton FCS design.

The article reports that Elbit Systems Ltd.'s subsidiary in the U.S. is in the discussion phase with the U.S. Marine Corps about its unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). Francis Govers, chief engineer for Elbit Systems of America Land Solutions, said that the Marine Corps is fascinated with hybrid electric systems for vehicles that could offer squad logistics support. Archer UGV is developed as a hybrid gasoline or diesel engine capable of carrying a 200-pound payload.

The article focuses on the plans of the U.S. Marine Corps to deploy Marine Pods (mPods) with its officers to increase their situational awareness and area-specific knowledge. It reports that the device is a second-generation iPod Touch from Apple Inc. and the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab is exploring its potential in cultural and foreign language phraseology training. Also presented are views of Lab's project officer John Schultz on the applications of the device and its limitations.

The article focuses on interest shown by the U.S. Marine Corps in the caseless ammunition technology of AAI Corp.'s Lightweight Small Arms Technologies (LSAT) program. It reports that the technology is aimed at lowering the volume and weight of ammunition, and mentions the funding provided by the Marine for the technology's development and testing. It also presents views of AAI's executive David Phillips on the applications of the technology in developing next generation of small arms.

The article focuses on the plans of the U.S. Marine Corps to test Distributed Tactical Communications System (DTCS) with live forces in early December 2009. It mentions that the DTCS development program aims at providing on-the-move (OTM) and over-the-horizon (OTH) communications capability to the Corps, and presents views of DTCS project officer John Schultz on their demonstration plans for the system. Also discussed is the system's significance to the Marine.

The article reports that two Northrop Grumman Corp.'s Block 20 Global Hawks are under contract for modifications to carry BACN (Battlefield Airborne Communications Node) communications relay suites into combat as early as next fall, offering more good news from the successful family of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). George Guerra, vice president for HALE systems at Northrop Grumman, said that BACN and the forthcoming Block 30s will raise to fill the urgent needs of the U.S.,Air force.

The article reports that the first two Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellites which the Boeing Co. has built for the U.S. Air Force are performing well and the third is set to launch into the orbit over the Eastern Atlantic in November, 2009. Moreover, the three Block II satellites which are currently in production are being modified to support unmanned aircraft systems in addition to tactical warfighters.

The article reports that Robert Kehler, the commander of the U.S. Air Force Space Command said that it is closing in on an interim goal of being able to track over 1,000 objects in space. The command has been making steady progress and added both cueing power and analysts to help systems make recommendations on collision avoidance and increasing the number of objects it can actively track. There are an estimated 800 active platforms in orbit that can actively maneuver.

The article reports that delays in the production and delivery of the still-contested KC-X Tanker could lead to service life extension of the KC-135 and the launch of Northrop Grumman Corp.'s [NOC] Directional Infrared Counter Measure (DIRCM) as a way to protect the KC-135s from modern surface-to-air missiles. Jack Pledger, Northrop Grumman's IRCM business development director, said the U.S. National Guard is looking at using DIRCM pod for installation on KC-135.

The article reports that David Deptula, U.S. Air Force deputy chief of staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), has dispelled the idea that major ISR programs would languish under tighter budgets. He also said that smaller ISR systems seem poised for substantial growth. According to Deptula, hard choices that balance risk will have to be made and the U.S. has seen the high water mark on defense spending in the near future.

The article reports that Marion Clifton Blakey, Aerospace Industries Association of America (AIA) president, has said that more work on the overall export control system and key treaties is necessary to ensure national security in the U.S. She added that there is a need to address the critical technologies from the security standpoint, while making it possible to fight the U.S. allies with the right technologies.

The article reports that Raytheon Co. is working with suppliers and carrying out developmental testing of the U.S. Air Force's latest variant of the AGM-65E2 laser-guided Maverick missile with flight tests scheduled for 2010 and the production deliveries in 2011. Mark Larson, senior business development manager at Raytheon, stated that what is available currently is resurgence of Maverick and laser-guided Maverick due to its capability to hit high-speed moving targets.

The article reports on the success of the horizontal ground-firing test of the first stage of the Ares moon rocket conducted by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK). Ares Development Motor No.1 is the first stage motor for NASA's Ares I next-generation launch vehicle which features five segment design from the Space Shuttle reusable rocket motor. Ares is a space shuttle replacement program designed to carry astronauts to the moon.