General Dynamics team to build next-gen aviation subsystems
A General Dynamics C4 Systems-led team received a contract from the U.S. Marine Corps to build up to four Engineering Development Models and nine Limited Deployment Units of the Processing and Display/Sensor Data Subsystem (PDS/SDS) for Increment 1, Phase 2 of the Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S). When built and fully operational, the General Dynamics system will deliver a real-time picture of events taking place at sea, in the air, and on land during a mission, enabling faster, more informed decision making for Marine Corps commanders and their staffs. The PDS/SDS is the aviation command-and-control enabler for three mission-critical air command and control organizations that support Marines on the ground. The Tactical Air Command Center provides airspace management, the Direct Air Support Center controls air assault and other airborne operations, and the Tactical Air Operations Center performs air surveillance and controls air-to-air fighter and air defense. The General Dynamics-led team includes Fulton, MD-based Raytheon Solipsys; Smartronix Inc., of Stafford, VA; Ternion Corp., of Huntsville, AL; and Engility of San Diego.
Lord signs agreement to acquire MicroStrain
Lord Corp. announced the signing of an agreement for the acquisition of MicroStrain Inc., a developer and supplier of sensing solutions to the aerospace, defense, agriculture and construction, energy, and consumer electronics markets based in Williston, VT. Most recently, MicroStrain has been involved in programs to flight test a range of energy harvesting and wireless devices embedded in helicopter rotor head key components, as well as vibration measurement devices on platforms such as the UH-60. Once the transaction is closed, the business will continue to operate out of its current location in Williston as MicroStrain, a Lord Company, while retaining its current 50-plus employee workforce.
EVC to build Carriage, Stream, Tow, and Recovery System for MH-60S
The Naval Surface Warfare Center–Panama City Division (NSWC-PCD) awarded Enterprise Ventures Corp. (EVC) a $12.5 million contract to build the U.S. Navy Carriage, Stream, Tow, and Recovery System (CSTRS) for the MH-60S helicopter. The CSTRS provides the multimission MH-60S helicopter with the wide minesweeping capability by making Organic Airborne Mine Countermeasures Systems deployable from fleet assets in dangerous waters. CSTRS will enable the U.S. Navy's new littoral combat ships to readily respond to mine threats, providing an extra measure of safety for crew and ships. In addition, the CSTRS design is modular and is capable of supporting the deployment requirement of multiple mine sensors that provide a range of mine countermeasures objectives.
Lockheed Martin awarded contract for MH-60R/S cockpits and integrated systems
The U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $1.05 billion, five-year contract to provide more than 200 digital cockpits and integrated mission systems and sensors for the Navy MH-60R "Romeo" and MH-60S "Sierra" helicopters. The contract includes 162 cockpits, integrated missions systems, and sensors for MH-60R "Romeo," an anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare helicopter. It also funds 62 digital cockpits to complete the Navy's program of record for Sierra aircraft, used for ship-to-ship cargo resupply, search and rescue, and close-in defense of Navy ships. Lockheed Martin provides the digital cockpit common to the MH-60R and MH-60S and integrates the mission systems and sensors aboard the MH-60R helicopter in Owego, NY. Both aircraft are designed and manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft, Stratford, CT.
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Sikorsky dubs the MH-60R model as the world's most capable naval helicopter available today designed to operate from frigates, destroyers, cruisers, and aircraft carriers.
Mahindra announces two joint ventures in India
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. announced two joint ventures at the DefExpo 2012 held in Delhi. The company's memorandum of understanding with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd., a manufacturer of high-tech defense systems for air, land, sea, and space applications, will lead to the formation of a joint venture company in India. The JV will develop and manufacture products such as anti-torpedo defense systems, electronic warfare systems, advanced armoring solutions, and remotely operated weapon stations for Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICVs). Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and Telephonics Corp., a designer, developer, and manufacturer of high-technology integrated information, communication, and sensor system solutions to military and commercial markets worldwide, also announced the impending formation of a JV company that will provide the Indian Ministry of Defence and the Indian civil sector with radar and surveillance systems, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) devices, and communication systems. In addition, the JV intends to provide systems for air-traffic management services, homeland security, and other emerging surveillance requirements.
LightPath, Raytheon partner for low-cost molded IR optics development
LightPath Technologies entered into a $1.1 million research and development contract with Raytheon Vision Systems for the development of low-cost manufacturing processes for IR optics. The award is in support of Raytheon Vision Systems' $13.4 million DARPA, Low Cost Thermal Imaging Manufacturing (LCTI-M) program, which intends to develop a wafer scale manufacturing process that will result in a camera on a chip, making thermal imagers affordable, accessible, and ubiquitous to every warfighter. LightPath is currently targeting multiple high growth markets and applications with this technology such as IR countermeasures, thermography, gas sensing, and commercial night vision systems.
API Technologies acquires U.K.-based C-MAC Aerospace
API Technologies Corp., a provider of electronic systems, subsystems, RF, and secure solutions for the defense, aerospace, and commercial industries, has acquired through its U.K.-based subsidiary API Technologies (U.K.) Ltd. C-MAC Aerospace Ltd. for £20.95 million. Based in Great Yarmouth and Milton Keynes, U.K., C-MAC is a provider of electronic systems, modules, and components to the defense, aerospace, space, industrial, and energy sectors. Founded in 1943 with approximately 300 employees worldwide, C-MAC's featured certifications include AS9100 and Class K MIL-PRF-38534, the latter a certification for space applications.
Flextronics to acquire Stellar Microelectronics
Flextronics entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Stellar Microelectronics, a full-service Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) provider based in Valencia, CA, specializing in advanced custom packaging solutions utilizing the latest microelectronics technologies for the aerospace, defense, and medical manufacturing markets. Upon completion of the acquisition, Flextronics will increase its service offering to include microelectronic design and manufacturing services to support customers with unique U.S. manufacturing needs, including those requiring certifications such as AS9100C, ISO 9001:2008, and ISO13485:2003. Stellar Microelectronics' Valencia operation is also FDA registered and ITAR compliant. All certifications, registrations and compliances will be maintained to continue to serve all aerospace, defense, and medical customer requirements.
Raytheon to help friendly forces communicate while conducting electronic warfare
DARPA awarded Raytheon Co. a $3.8 million contract to allow armed forces to conduct jamming operations with minimal communication and control interference to friendly forces. The High-Power Efficient Rf Digital-to-Analog Converter (HiPERDAC) program seeks to enable tactical platforms, such as maritime craft, ground vehicles, tactical aircraft, and UAVs, as well as individual soldiers, to conduct battlefield jamming operations while minimizing frequency interference with friendly forces. By generating signals that are both linear (that is, the ability of a signal to remain within a certain frequency) and efficient, HiPERDAC allows jamming across the frequency spectrum while providing precise gaps for communication frequencies used by friendly forces. Achieving signal linearity and efficiency has traditionally been very difficult, particularly at high power levels. Under the two-year contract, Raytheon aims to produce a technology demonstration showcasing the ability to efficiently generate high-power, rapidly tunable, linear microwave signals across a broad range of frequencies.
Northrop Grumman to upgrade software for CH-53K navigation system
Northrop Grumman Corp. has been awarded a Phase II contract by the U.S. Navy to modify existing software for the LN-251 embedded GPS/fiber-optic inertial navigation system (INS) on the CH-53K Super Stallion helicopter. The $5.6 million contract to support integration of the LN-251 system was awarded by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). Northrop Grumman's Navigation Systems Division will provide updated software and engineering support for platform integration and flight tests to both NAVAIR and Sikorsky Aircraft, which manufactures the CH-53K helicopter. The Super Stallion helicopter is entering the ground and flight testing phase and will be the world's premier heavy-lift helicopter for the U.S. Marine Corps. The LN-251 system is the world's smallest, lightest navigation-grade embedded GPS/INS unit in its class. Its fiber-optic, gyro-based inertial measurement unit offers a compact, low-noise solution for optimal sensor stabilization and navigation applications. The LN-251 system's modular, open architecture supports additional applications and evolving requirements.
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The LN-251 embedded GPS/fiber-optic inertial navigation system for the CH-53K Super Stallion helicopter is shown.
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