Lone Sailor Awards to Honor McCain, Skelton and Hopper

Washington September 13, 2005 - The United States Navy Memorial is honoring three distinguished individuals who have provided great support to our nation's military and, in particular to America's Sea Services -- Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. The Navy Memorial will honor Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), the late Rear Adm. Grace Hopper, and U.S. Representative Ike Skelton (D-MO) at its Lone Sailor Awards Gala on Oct. 26.

This year's Black Tie Gala will be held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Northwest Washington, D.C, at 6:30 p.m., with actor and World War II Sailor, Ernest Borgnine, serving as master of ceremonies. Borgnine is a strong supporter of the Navy Memorial and of the Navy, which made him an honorary chief petty officer in 2004. Borgnine is currently on location shooting his second independent Italian film this year.

During the awards presentation, McCain and Hopper, (who receives her award posthumously), will receive Lone Sailor Awards, and Skelton will receive the Naval Heritage Award from the U.S. Navy Memorial's Board of Directors.

In receiving the Lone Sailor Award, McCain and Hopper join an impressive list of men and women who have distinguished themselves by drawing upon their Sea Service experience to become successful, and who exemplify the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment.

Sen. John McCain served 22 years as a naval aviator, retiring as a captain. He was elected to Congress in 1982 and then became a United States senator in 1986. In 2000 he made a bid for the Republican nomination for President of the United States. McCain is currently the senior senator from Arizona and Chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs. He is also a senior member of the Armed Services Committee and a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

Grace Hopper served in the Navy for 43 years beginning as a WAVE (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service) during World War II. In 1983 she was promoted to Commodore in a special White House ceremony with President Ronald Reagan. She retired as a Rear Admiral at the age of 80. Hopper is credited with being a strategic futurist in the world of computers. She recognized the potential power of computers for future generations and helped make computer programs more accessible and understandable, allowing for the ease and access of operating computers today. Hopper died in Arlington, VA, in 1992.

Representative Ike Skelton will be presented with the Naval Heritage Award for his constant support of our men and women in uniform and because his life and career also exemplifies the values of Honor, Courage and Commitment.

A prosecutor from Missouri, Skelton, was elected to Congress in 1977 and has served as the ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee since 1999.

He was instrumental in the passage of the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986. Skelton also chaired a House Panel on Military Education, and he is a former chairman of the Subcommittee on Military Forces and Personnel. Skelton continues his ongoing efforts to improve military pay, health care and quality of life for the men and women of the armed forces.

"In giving these awards to Mr. McCain, Mr. Skelton and Mrs. Grace Hopper we show that we can draw upon an individual's service and experience to become successful in our own right," said Retired Rear Adm. Richard A. Buchanan, USN, president and CEO of the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation. "Each of these individuals truly exemplifies the Navy and Marine Corps values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. We are very pleased to add them to our distinguished group of Lone Sailor and Naval Heritage Award recipients."

The U.S. Navy Memorial is a living Memorial that honors all of the men and women of the Sea Services, past, present and future. Its Foundation is a non- profit organization that receives no government funding. The Memorial, and its adjacent Naval Heritage Center, are located at 7th and Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, D.C., and are accessible via the Archives/Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter METRO stop.

Canada Supports R&D in High-Priority Aerospace & Defense Technologies

Laval PQ September 13, 2005 - Jacques Saada, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Minister responsible for La Francophonie, on behalf of David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, today announced a $5.8-million investment for the research and development of two aerospace and defense technologies.

These Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC) investments support projects

totaling $23.6 million over three years being undertaken by Heroux-Devtek

Inc. of Longueuil, Quebec.

"The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that Canadians benefit from a thriving aerospace and defense industry - from better jobs to a stronger economy to an improved quality of life," said Minister Emerson.

"This is the type of investment that helps Canada excel in developing leading-edge aerospace and defense technologies and allows us to be a leader in this highly competitive industry," added Minister Saada.

The first project will focus on the design, development, fabrication, testing and certification of the landing gear system for the Boeing (Integrated Defense Systems) X-45C Joint-Unmanned Combat Air System (J-UCAS) being developed for the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. The J-UCAS is a special class of advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) capable of autonomous take-off and landing, as well as undertaking combat missions in remote battlefields. This project is expected to generate up to 75 jobs in Longueuil and Laval, Quebec, and in Kitchener, Ontario.

The second project consists of the design and development of first articles and functional prototypes of door-locking mechanisms for the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. The initiative will also include flight demonstrations and qualification testing and airworthiness certification activities and is expected to generate 25 jobs in Longueuil and Laval, Quebec.

"This announcement is excellent news for Heroux-Devtek in particular, and the Canadian aerospace industry in general," said Gilles Labbe, President and CEO of Heroux-Devtek Inc. "These contributions will further support our leadership in Canadian-made technologies that are vital to the aerospace and defense sector. We applaud the federal government for supporting this initiative."

Technology Partnerships Canada is a key instrument for achieving Canada's objectives of increasing economic growth, creating high-quality jobs and wealth, and supporting sustainable development. Working in partnership with innovative companies across Canada, TPC shares in the cost of private sector technology projects in aerospace and defense, in environmental technologies and in enabling technologies, such as biotech, and information and communications technologies.

Healy Reaches North Pole for Second Time

Alameda CA September 13, 2005 - The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy, a 420-foot polar icebreaker homeported in Seattle, reached the North Pole Monday as part of a joint international scientific endeavor. This is the Healy's second visit to the Pole, and only the third time a U.S. surface ship has reached the same point.

Healy is deployed on the Arctic West-East Summer 2005 mission, along with the Swedish icebreaker Oden, to conduct sea floor mapping exercises and ice coring exercises in the Chukchi Sea and Canada Basin.

The Healy and Oden are scheduled to reach their next port of call, Tromso, Norway, later this month to offload the team of research scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Healy reached the North Pole for the first time Sept. 6, 2001 as part of a joint mission involving icebreakers from three separate countries.

The cutter is named for Capt. Michael A. Healy, a pioneer mariner for the Coast Guard in the late 1800s in the Alaska region. His accomplishments there laid the groundwork for Coast Guard Arctic operations centuries later: Protecting the natural resources of the region, suppressing illegal trade, resupplying remote outposts, law enforcement and search and rescue.

The Healy carries on the legacy of its namesake, combining a scientific and search and rescue platform with the resupply services that have become the hallmark of the Coast Guard's icebreaking fleet for over 100 years.

Healy and its 141-member crew are expected to arrive home in early November.

IN-US Navy Salvage Exercise Begins

New Delhi September 13, 2005 - The Indian Navy (IN) and the United States Navy (USN) are conducting IN-US Bilateral Exercise SALVEX 1/2005 off Kochi from 12 Sep 05 to 23 Sep 05. The Indian Navy and US Navy regularly conduct the MALABAR and SANGAM series of bilateral exercises and SALVEX 1/2005 being conducted off Kochi is part of this ongoing cooperation. This particular exercise would focus on Diving Salvage Operations. The US Naval Ship USS Safeguard is participating in this exercise. An Indian Naval Diving Team and INS Matanga represent the Indian side.

The exercise will include the deployment of underwater Combined Salvage teams comprising of divers from both the navies, SALVEX 1/2005 is the first combined Diving Salvage exercise being conducted between the US and Indian Navy. Extensive survey, salvage and diving exercises would be practiced during SALVEX.

The harbor phase of the exercise includes training and professional discussions between the US and the Indian Navy. The USN personnel will also visit Indian Navy's Diving training establishment at Kochi. Apart from this, the crew of the visiting ship will take part in various sports and social activities.

SALVEX provides a valuable opportunity for the IN and the US Navy to interact professionally in various spheres of maritime warfare. This series of exercises is bound to grow in scope and complexity over the years and will help foster closer relations, mutual understanding and goodwill between the navies.

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Lockheed Martin F-35 Looking Toward Production, Operational Capability

Washington September 13, 2005 - As the first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter moves toward its inaugural flight next year, the program continues to meet milestones on schedule and is planning for initial production and operational capability for the armed services.

Lockheed Martin F-35 JSF Program Manager Dan Crowley briefed the updated JSF program priorities to reporters at the Air Force Association's 2005 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition. Priorities include producing initial fighting capability for the military services, improving affordability through life-cycle cost reductions, awarding low-rate initial production (LRIP) contracts for the first phase of LRIP, maturing the plan to support and sustain the F-35 worldwide, and working continually to maintain the strength of JSF international partnerships.

Crowley's remarks came less than a week after electrical power for the first F-35 was switched on at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas. The initial "power-on" milestone, achieved on schedule, was one in a string of recent successes for the program.

"The on-time accomplishment of initial power-on follows earlier victories in design, procurement, planning and component production," Crowley said. "We're keeping our focus on getting the first F-35 into the air even as we lay detailed plans for low-rate production. We will ensure the armed services get exactly what they want and need in this 5th-generation fighter.

"At the same time, we want to make sure that the F-35 is affordable both to buy and to operate. Key to that equation is continuing to cultivate our relationships with the JSF international partners whose F-35s will fly alongside ours in future coalition operations. The U.S. is now entering F-35 production and sustainment discussions with those countries," Crowley said.

Central to the program's success thus far is a unique and efficient government-industrial partnership that has justified sustained congressional support, Crowley added. This combination has enabled the program to confront and resolve challenges without sacrificing its essential capabilities and affordability.

"We must make certain that low-rate initial production starts on schedule, and to make that happen we're looking to Congress to protect the integrity of the program by approving long-lead LRIP funding for 2006," he said.

The stealthy F-35 is a supersonic, multi-role, 5th-generation fighter designed to replace aging AV-8B Harriers, A-10s, F-16s, F/A-18 Hornets and United Kingdom Harrier GR.7s and Sea Harriers.

The first test aircraft, a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) F-35A, is scheduled to make its inaugural flight late in 2006. Component-level assembly is under way for the short-takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B, which will be the second aircraft to enter flight-testing.

Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development: one by Pratt & Whitney and the other by the General Electric Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team.

General Dynamics Wins Medium-Caliber Ammunition Contracts

St Petersburg FL September 13, 2005 - The U.S. Department of the Army Headquarters, Field Support Command, Rock Island, Ill., has awarded General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems two contracts for the production of 20mm PGU-27A/B Target Practice (TP) Cartridges and 20mm PGU- 28A/B SAPHEI tactical cartridges. The combined initial value of the two awards is $37 million; the total value could reach $45 million if all options are exercised.

The PGU-27 A/B TP contract calls for initial production of 3.4 million rounds, with options for production of up to an additional 1.7 million rounds. The PGU-28 A/B combat round includes initial production of 1.3 million rounds with an option for an additional 1.3 million rounds. Work will be performed at the company's Marion, Ill., facility and will be completed in 2007.

Michael S. Wilson, president of General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, said, "These two awards, together with our previous 25 and 30mm awards, are a clear indication of the U.S. Armed Forces' confidence in the quality and reliability of General Dynamics' ammunition products."

In July, General Dynamics was awarded four contracts for production of 25 and 30mm ammunition for use by U.S. Army Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Apache attack helicopters, U.S. Marine Corps Light Armored Vehicles (LAVs), U.S. Navy AV-8B Harrier fighters and U.S. Air Force A-10 Warthogs. Those contracts have a combined maximum potential value of more than $80 million if all options are exercised.

PGU-27A/B TP ammunition is used for training missions by the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy in fixed-wing aircraft, including the F/A-18 and F-16 fighters. Developed by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems under contract from the U.S. Navy, this training round represents a highly-reliable and cost-effective 20mm target practice solution.

The tactical PGU-28 A/B SAPHEI round provides superior performance and lethality while incorporating significant enhancements in reliability and safety. The multi-purpose design and pyrotechnic delay fuse provide the PGU- 28 A/B with the capability to defeat the full spectrum of targets in air-to- air and air-to-ground roles.

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems has delivered more than 100 million rounds of 20mm medium-caliber ammunition to the U.S. government and allied and friendly nations.

Spectrum Signal Processing Launches MILCOM Platform

London September 13, 2005 - Spectrum Signal Processing Inc. announced today at the Defense Systems and Equipment International tradeshow the launch of the flexComm(TM) SDR-3002 IMRDP, an international version of its existing military communications (MILCOM) rapid-prototyping development platform. This is the industry's first "RF to Ethernet" commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) solution specifically targeting international MILCOM programs. This Software Communications Architecture (SCA) enabled platform integrates Spectrum's SDR-3002 with the new DRT4001 Software Defined Radio (SDR) Family of RF front-ends from Digital Receiver Technology, Inc. (DRT).

The SDR-3002 IMRDP is a turnkey black-side processing system for tactical military communications programs for the international community. This system includes sample application software supporting wide band frequency operation, making the SDR-3002 IMRDP ideal for rapid prototyping as well as both wide and narrowband waveform development.

"Our exportable COTS SCA-enabled platform serves software defined radio development markets outside of North America," said Dan Simard, Managing Director of Spectrum Signal Processing (UK) Limited. "Governments and defense contractors worldwide have been studying and developing SDR technology for years and now have a proven platform on which to advance their programs. The SDR-3002 IMRDP provides a comprehensive solution that reduces developers' risk and time to deployment by providing integrated hardware, software, development tools, training and support."

The combination of the DRT4001 SDR Family of wide band digital RF subsystems with Spectrum's IF and baseband technology provides a scalable solution that should appeal to international waveform developers and others developing multi-channel applications.

Governments worldwide are adopting the SCA, which was developed under the auspices of the US Joint Tactical Radio Systems Joint Program Office. The SCA provides a core framework to enhance portability of military waveforms across disparate radio architectures. Software defined radios will be multi-mode and multi-band allowing one radio to communicate with diverse radio networks, typical of international coalition forces. It allows over-the-air reprogramming of those radio sets to enable the information superiority necessary for more effective military engagements.

The SDR-3002 IMRDP system is comprised of Spectrum's SDR-3002 software defined radio processing and analog-to-digital converter/digital-to-analog converter boards (PRO-3100, PRO-3500 and TM1-3350) in a four slot 2U CompactPCI(R) chassis. The system includes all software application libraries, including digital down-conversion and digital up-conversion field programmable gate array cores, operating systems and an SCA core framework. A working software dataflow example demonstrating a Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) modulation and demodulation application is also provided, offering a starting point for customers' design efforts. These components are integrated with the DRT4001 SDR RF front-end subsystem consisting of four DRT cards (Wideband Tuner, Exciter, Reference module, and the Controller) in a 20-slot 3U CompactPCI chassis. The system is flexible, scalable and can be customized as required within Spectrum's modified COTS program.

Spectrum Signal Processing Introduces Latest Rapid-Prototyping Platform for Communications Intelligence Applications

London September 13, 2005 - Spectrum Signal Processing Inc. announced today at the Defense Systems and Equipment International tradeshow the flexComm(TM) HCDR-1000 CRDP, a communications intelligence (COMINT) rapid-prototyping and development platform. This fully integrated, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software defined radio platform is designed to promote the rapid development and deployment of intelligence systems for the intercept and processing of communications signals. It is comprised of a high-speed dual channel analog-to-digital converter, multiple Xilinx(R) Virtex-II(TM) and Freescale(TM) PowerPC(R) processing elements, and dual VME-based carrier boards.

The HCDR-1000 CRDP provides the hardware, software and development tools necessary to begin immediate development of COMINT systems. The platform's architecture was specifically designed to support the simultaneous detection and processing of multiple wideband and narrowband signals, including complex signals incorporating frequency agility (frequency hopping) and direct sequence spread spectrum. Real-time performance is maintained by the HCDR-1000 CRDP through the use of multiple subsystems operating in parallel, including:

• A wideband spectral analysis subsystem that can detect and parameterize signals of interest, including identifying the center frequency, received signal power and spectral shape of each detected signal.
• A delay-buffer and channelization subsystem that can be used to extract potentially hundreds of baseband signals of interest from the incoming IF signals without incurring data loss.
• A baseband channel processing subsystem that can be used to identify the modulation schemes of the signals of interest and potentially recover the underlying data.
• A real-time high-speed disk storage subsystem allowing extended recording of IF signals for offline playback at a later time.

"Our goal in designing the HCDR-1000 CDRP was to accelerate the field deployments of our COMINT customers," said Mark Briggs, Spectrum's Vice President of Marketing. "The platform supports multi-channel development using a highly scalable and modular architecture. After the application software is developed, the platform can be fielded as-is in many COMINT settings as an integral part of a deployment system. In addition, through Spectrum's modified COTS program, the platform can be customized to allow developers to further mitigate technical, cost and schedule risks throughout the development and deployment of their complex COMINT programs. The HCDR-1000 CRDP joins our other application-specific platform offerings for military communications, electronic intelligence and satellite communications."

The package includes Spectrum's quicComm(TM) software, a hardware abstraction layer that facilitates platform programming and code portability. Comprehensive software examples that demonstrate application data flows are also provided to simplify and accelerate development initiatives. Technical support services and training courses are part of this comprehensive product offering.

N-G Wins Contract to Develop Shipboard Protection System for U.S. Navy

Charlottesville VA September 13, 2005 - Northrop Grumman Corporation has been selected by the U.S. Navy to develop the Shipboard Protection System, intended to enable naval vessels to counter asymmetric terrorist threats while moored to a pier, at anchor or during restricted maneuvering.

Under the terms of the $6 million contract, Northrop Grumman will provide surface combatants, amphibious ships and aircraft carriers with a fully integrated and seamless sensor, analysis and response system. The system will provide constant 360-degree situational-awareness and engagement capability to counter such threats, with no increase in manning.

"The Shipboard Protection System represents an important step forward in our anti-terrorism/force-protection program and lays the foundation for follow-on capabilities," said Rear Adm. William E. Landay, III, program executive officer for Littoral and Mine Warfare, NAVSEA. "It's about adding technology and automation to increase the range, flexibility and time a ship's crew has in which to react to potential threats."

During the first phase of the system development and demonstration effort, to be completed next March, Northrop Grumman will provide an integrated surface- surveillance system and non-lethal weapons and devices. The surface-surveillance system will incorporate electro-optical and infrared sensors, and radar into a common tactical-surveillance system.

"Northrop Grumman has assembled a world-class team of technologically advanced defense companies to provide the Navy with a total systems solution to protect ships and their crews," said John DeMaso, vice president of Northrop Grumman's Naval and Marine Systems Division. "By using a scalable, open-architecture design, the Shipboard Protection System can readily incorporate new technologies and expand to meet the Navy's force-protection needs."

For the first contract phase, Northrop Grumman will act as the system integrator; provide system design, mission-specific hardware, software, and firmware components; and implement performance-based logistics.

Other teammates and their charters include:

• Ocean Systems Engineering Corporation, Carlsbad, Calif., which will provide situational awareness and non-lethal engagement software, user interfaces and concepts of operation;

• Science Applications International Corporation, Bloomfield, Ind., which will manage the system assembly and test, as well as shipboard installation and logistics; and

• General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, Burlington, Vt., which will be the lethal engagement systems integrator and support the weapons-system safety certification.

The next phase of the Shipboard Protection System program, to be implemented in fiscal year 2007, will incorporate swimmer- and diver-detection capabilities, with an unmanned surface-vehicle capability to be added in the future. Additional future plans may include adding non-lethal technologies, providing capability to deal with air threats, and developing predictive-awareness tools.

The Shipboard Protection System program will be managed from Northrop Grumman's Naval and Marine Systems headquarters in Charlottesville, Va., with additional work to be performed at the company's locations in Annapolis, Md., and Ocean Springs, Miss.

N-G Receives Navy Mine-Detection-Pod Production Contract

Melbourne FL September 13, 2005 - Northrop Grumman Corporation recently received a $124.5 million U.S. Navy letter contract for the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS). Operating from the MH-60S helicopter, ALMDS uses a light detecting and ranging blue-green laser to detect, localize and classify near-surface, moored and floating sea mines.

The initial contract awarded a total of $45.5 million for a low-rate initial production (LRIP) of three AN/AES-1 ALMDS pods. The contract calls for options totaling $79 million for an additional six LRIP pods, one full-rate production lot of six pods, two training systems and integrated logistics support for the system.

"Northrop Grumman has been aggressively pursuing emerging technologies to combat the growing threat from mines," said Robert Johnston, director of Northrop Grumman's Mine Countermeasures Program. "The transformational mine-detection technology used in ALMDS is critical for creating safer passage around the world for our servicemen and women."

The ALMDS program is managed by the Program Executive Office, Littoral and Mine Warfare, Mine Warfare Program Office, PMS-495. The Navy plans to buy 57 ALMDS pods between 2005 and 2011. The overall program is valued at approximately $200 million.

"This contract represents an important step forward: now we are producing the next generation in mine-countermeasures technology," said Gary A. Humes, the Navy's Mine Warfare Program manager. "ALMDS provides the maneuvering force with the essential capability to dominate the complex, high-operational tempo environment of the littorals."

ALMDS is an important element of the mine-warfare mission package designed for the littoral combat ship. The ship will host five airborne mine-countermeasures systems, developed to provide aircraft carrier battle-strike groups and expeditionary-strike groups with full-spectrum organic mine-hunting and reconnaissance capability.

Production of the ALMDS pods will take place at Northrop Grumman's Airborne Ground Surveillance & Battle Management Systems facility in Melbourne, Fla. Melbourne is the home of two additional Navy mine-countermeasures programs and a U.S. Army counter-mine/reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition program.

Farnborough September 13, 2005 - BAE Systems has completed five compartments on Astute's command deck module (CDM) to a new grading standard of cleanliness and environmental control. The work was undertaken in BAE Systems Warspite facility in Barrow-in-Furness, North West England, and enabled the installation of sensitive combat systems equipment.

The objectives of the Warspite facility are to optimize the production process and to de-risk the setting-to-work and integration of Astute's combat systems - helping to reduce pre-launch timescales and remove combat systems from the Astute submarine program’s critical path. To achieve early integration of the combat systems - off boat in workshop conditions - the compartments on the CDM must be completed to the required standards.

A new grading standard, Warspite grade 3, has been adopted based on the naval engineering standard grade 3. In order to achieve this grade of compartment the cleanliness of the overall facility must be maintained. This involves meticulous cleaning of the module and the main facility, regular humidity, temperature and air quality checks, along with the installation of a protective air curtain across the delivery entrance, and a purpose-built chilled water plant to enable the module's chilled water system to operate. This in turn will enable all but final whole boat testing to be completed before Astute goes to sea.

Operations Warspite manager John Postlethwaite said: "A compliance matrix has been created, and agreed with all stakeholders, which shows compliance against the official naval standard. In order to achieve this grade of compartment within Warspite, bearing in mind that the command deck module is open to the environment, the cleanliness of the overall facility must be rigorously maintained."

Test Success for Astute Combat System

Farnborough September 13, 2005 - As the command deck module for first of class submarine Astute takes shape in the BAE Systems Warspite integration and test facility at Barrow-in-Furness, North West England, a key piece of combat system equipment has passed its installation and set to work tests 300 miles away.

Crucial links between the Astute's external communication system (ECS) and the other major combat system equipment, as well as with the antennae that will provide the submarine's link with the outside world, are currently being tested at BAE Systems Submarines System Integration and Support Center, Ash Vale, Hampshire, South East England. This is the latest in a series of initiatives designed to de-risk the integration and setting to work of Astute's combat system.

Successful testing of Astute's external communications system and antennae marks another significant milestone in one of the most complex engineering challenges in the UK." Comments Peter Doherty, externals project leader.

Project manager Russell Peirce said: "The Fleet representative was very happy with how the trial was run. In fact we have had nothing but positive feedback from all the Ministry of Defense agencies involved."

Testing continues on interfaces with other elements of the combat system, including "over the air" tests of the system from antenna through to the operator workstation, where ECS receives and processes satellite transmissions. On previous classes of submarine the external communications system would not have been tested to this extent until the boat was at sea.

Astute Program Firmly on Track

Farnborough September 13, 2005 - BAE Systems submarine manufacturing facility at Barrow-in-Furness, the prime contractor for the Astute Class of submarine is on track to deliver the first of Royal Navy's advanced nuclear submarines by August 2008.

BAE Systems is responsible for the design, build and initial in-service support of the first three 7,800 tonne Astute class submarines currently under construction in the Devonshire Dock Hall facility at the shipyard. When HMS Astute, HMS Ambush and HMS Artful enter service, they will be the largest and most powerful nuclear attack submarines ever built for the Royal Navy.

The Astute program is now firmly on track and managing director Murray Easton has stated that the aim is to deliver the first of the Astute class submarines by August 2008. Since October 2003 BAE Systems significantly re-scoped working practices and reduced overheads. The company is meeting and beating challenging deadlines, ready to meet the delivery date of HMS Astute in August 2008.

Design and construction of the Astute Class is an engineering challenge that has been described as "more complex than the space shuttle". The adoption of a modular build strategy has played a crucial role in achieving the current production schedule and BAE Systems is seeking to increase the modularization in successive Astute-class builds. Recognition of the unique challenges in commissioning a first-of-class submarine has driven modularization in the build and integration stages during 2005 as part of a major effort to derisk the program.

Key achievements in the project to date include:

• Maneuvering Room Module (MRM) - planned shipping date November 30 2004, actual date shipped October 30 2004
• Forward Engine Room Module (FERM) - planned shipping date November 28 2004, actual date shipped November 14 2004.
• Main Propulsion Machinery Package (MPMP) - planned shipping date July 20 2005, actual date shipped June 10 2005
• Command Deck Module (CDM) - planned shipping date January 2006, forecast shipping date November 5 2005
• Bridge Fin and Casings - Planned shipping date March 2006, forecast shipping date October 2005

The benefits of modular construction, and the associated risk reduction in the program are demonstrated by the shipping of the Main Propulsion Machinery Package more than a month ahead of schedule, in turn enabling the butt closure of units 2 and 3 containing the propulsion units some three weeks later. In the past installing the engine might have taken 2 or 3 days, but in Astute the operation took just 5 hours and 23 minutes. Thousands of man hours have also been saved through installation of items onto the MPMP during its build at the submarine machinery installation and test establishment (SMITE) instead of carrying out the work within the confines of the submarine hull.

Astute is one of the first nuclear submarines to be designed entirely in a three dimensional computer aided environment and breaks away from the principle that submarine performance should be optimized by designing the smallest boat possible with little regard to cost.

The program relies heavily on the power of computer aided design and 'virtual prototyping' because with a project as complex as Astute producing an actual prototype submarine is too costly and time consuming. 'Virtual' prototyping allows for regular computer test and visualization, as well as with continuous design and systems analysis.

Over 1 million components are represented on the three dimensional CAD model, which together with analysis and integration rigs, represents the completed vessel. The use of three-dimensional CAD enables the exchange of critical design data across the supply chain, reducing risk in the program and allowing change to be implemented efficiently and rapidly.

Specialist engineers working on the design of Astute are undertaking complex engineering activities including:

• Nuclear engineering: providing safety and performance improvements to a state-of-the-art Pressurized Water Reactor that is fuelled for life.
• Systems engineering: integrating the thousands of sub-systems that add up to 100km of cabling, 10km of pipework and over 5 million lines of software code - and managing the supply chain, which consists of over 30 main suppliers.
• Marine and mechanical engineering: providing solutions for the propulsive power train, auxiliary systems and life support. Astute must be quiet, vibration free and robust enough to withstand a nearby underwater explosion.
• Hydrodynamics and control engineering: the design of the submarine hull, hydroplanes and control systems to provide control of depth and good maneuverability. The submarine is literally 'flown' underwater.
• Human factors: ensuring that every system is safely operable and maintainable in all conditions by a relatively small complement compared with previous nuclear powered submarines.

BAE Systems Selected for New RN Warfare Operating Training Program

Farnborough September 13, 2005 - BAE Systems has been down-selected as preferred supplier for phase one of the new Maritime Composite Training System (MCTS) program, valued in the region of £100 million.

MCTS will provide the Royal Navy with a new shore based Warfare Operator Training capability to meet the needs of the new Type 45 destroyer and current in-service surface platforms. MCTS offers a more flexible approach to training than is currently available and supports the aims of the Royal Navy's versatile maritime training concept.

Flexibility is achieved through the use of generic classroom based skills training for early training requirements ensuring that deployment to platform can be deferred to the latest possible point in the training pipeline. High functional fidelity training is used where platform specific individual skills and warfare team training are required. MCTS facilities will be situated at both the Maritime Warfare School Collingwood and the Devonport Waterfront.

BAE Systems, through its Integrated System Technologies business unit, has formed the SEABRIDGE team, in partnership with Aerosystems International, EDS, MDA, SAIC and Serco. It will now work closely with the MoD to ensure a contract is in place to meet the key requirement of T45 Ready For Training in 2007.

Clive Richardson managing director of Integrated System Technologies said: "BAE Systems and its partners understand the importance of MCTS in shaping the Royal Navy's future training capability. MCTS will demonstrate our ability to offer high level Prime Contracting in a service environment and will strengthen and grow our position as a provider of through life training solutions".

Lockheed Martin Produces World's Only 5th Generation Fighters

Washington September 13, 2005 - Lockheed Martin, producer of the world's only 5th generation fighter aircraft, today detailed the game-changing advantages and unmatched capabilities that only 5th generation fighters can bring to the United States and its allies. The company presented a top level view of a Tactical Aircraft operations study covering air dominance, advanced fighter aircraft, operations and sustainment (O&S) costs, the order of magnitude increase in capability provided by generation fighters, mix analysis of fighter capability and cost effectiveness associated with making decisions based on long-term best value.

Speaking to a group of reporters at the Air Force Association's 2005 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition, Rob Weiss, vice president for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Business Development, said the company's F/A-22 and F-35 fighters are "game-changing systems and the world's only 5th generation fighter aircraft being produced or developed today -- or for the foreseeable future -- for use by the United States and its allies. Fifth generation fighters are clearly the best value for the money today and the only fighters that can survive and defeat the threats of tomorrow -- a critical aspect for a country with monumental domestic responsibilities and world leadership.

"We've launched the world into the 5th generation of military aviation," said Weiss. "In fact, we believe the F/A-22 and F-35 represent a major inflection point in military aviation, and all aviation for that matter. With the F/A-22 and the F-35, the United States and our international partners and allies will have a leading advantage once again over threats to air dominance.

"The synergy that results from combining Very Low Observable (VLO) stealth, speed, maneuverability, persistence, sensor fusion, improved sustainability and lean deployment in a single platform represents a quantum leap in capability, survivability and maintainability over all previous fighters," continued Weiss. "No other fighter in the world today besides the F/A-22 and F-35 can make that claim."

Weiss said the company has recently completed its study and is now in the process of presenting conclusions to customers and independent third-party experts for comment and feedback. While much of the report is classified and cannot be publicly released, Weiss shared some of the broader conclusions in general terms:

• Air dominance will remain the first priority of a joint or coalition combatant commander in any theater. It gives U.S. military forces access to enemy areas of vulnerability without exposing those same forces to unacceptable losses.
• Advanced fighter aircraft, along with advanced surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems and air-to-air missile (AAM) systems, are proliferating worldwide and already represent a real threat to legacy aircraft.
• These systems will have a substantial negative impact on America's ability to gain and maintain air dominance in the future and could have profound detrimental implications to U.S. security.
• Legacy fighters have served the U.S. well for decades but are aging rapidly, incurring escalating operational & support (O&S) costs and need to be modernized.
• 5th Gen Fighters (F/A-22 and F-35) will provide an order of magnitude increase in effectiveness and survivability over legacy fighters.
• Compared to legacy fighters, an optimum mix of 5th Gen Fighters provides the U.S. with a fighter fleet that is infinitely more agile, lethal, survivable, persistent and deployable at significantly less cost. Not only are fewer 5th Gen Fighters required to ensure air dominance; the advanced fighters also require substantially fewer support aircraft such as airlifters and tankers.
• 5th Gen Fighters are clearly the best value for the money today and the only fighters that can survive and defeat the threats of tomorrow a critical aspect for a country with significant domestic and international responsibilities.

Weiss also questioned the FY06 Defense Budget's proposal to discontinue production of the F/A-22 after 2008 when the F-35 isn't scheduled for Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with the U.S. Air Force until 2013. He pointed out that F/A-22 production beyond 2008 would enable critical U.S. fighter force structure modernization until the F-35 is operationally proven, maintain over 40,000 jobs nationwide and preserve critical skills to keep the U.S. a technical and technological leader. It would also preserve options for additional F/A-22s in the form of derivatives to address emerging defense or homeland security needs or for potential future Foreign Military Sales (FMS).

CACI to Support U.S. Navy Mine Countermeasure Programs

Arlington VA September 13, 2005 - CACI International Inc announced today that it has been awarded a five-year, $188 million prime contract to support the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command's Program Executive Office for Littoral and Mine Warfare. The contract, which has a one- year base and four option years, calls for CACI to support a wide range of current and next-generation mine countermeasure programs and combat systems. Work will be performed primarily at the Washington, D.C. Navy Yard, Indian Head, Maryland, and San Diego, California. As a consolidation of several existing contracts, the award expands work CACI has already been performing for this client and significantly increases the company's engineering and logistics business.

The Program Executive Office for Littoral and Mine Warfare is the Navy's central activity for developing, acquiring, and fielding capabilities such as those included on combat ships that clear mines, hunt submarines, and provide surface warfare capabilities. The office also manages programs in special warfare, maritime surveillance, explosive ordnance disposal, unmanned surface and undersea vehicles, and anti-terrorist protection for Navy ships while they are in or near port.

CACI's role includes helping the Navy manage solicitations and monitor contractor performance, ensuring that proposals are effectively evaluated and that system specifications are met on time and within budget. CACI will also support Navy budget planning for maximum cost efficiency. Company technical experts will help the Navy test the systems and logistics experts will assist with fielding and integrating the systems, as well as with ongoing maintenance. CACI will also be supporting innovative designs for new unmanned systems that can be remotely deployed, and that include such capabilities as faster and more effective ways of identifying and neutralizing mines in shallow waters in preparation for Marine landings.

According to Paul Cofoni, CACI's President of U.S. Operations, "The expansion of our mine countermeasures business with the U.S. Navy is a great vote of confidence in the support we have provided for several years. Our work has now grown to encompass acquisition and program management, technical and engineering services, business and financial solutions, and comprehensive logistics support. We have assembled a strong team that assures the Navy of savings in time and money as well as increased productivity all along the line."

CACI Chairman, President, and CEO Dr. J.P. (Jack) London said, "CACI continues to offer high-quality solutions that help the government serve and protect America's military. This award reflects our success in meeting these vital needs. As our nation looks to new and better ways to safeguard both our troops and our citizens, CACI is proud to partner with the U.S. Navy to meet America's highest priorities."