A teetering Russia hounded by socioeconomic pressures, internal corruption or another massive Chechnyan terrorist attack, as well as potential terrorist states developing throughout central Asia, represent the greatest threats out of that region for the United States over the next 20 years, a panel of Washington think tank experts said on Capitol Hill.
Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) defended beleaguered space technology acquisition programs during an address in Washington Sept. 22, warning that they should be dealt with "gently" to avoid undue damage to the industrial base.
Higher sales in repair and overhaul, maintenance, and other areas gave aviation and aerospace products and services provider AAR Corp. a 111% income boost in the first quarter of 2006, the company said Sept. 21. Net sales for the Wood Dale, Ill.-based company climbed 22% from the year before. Income from continuing operations was $5.3 million in the first quarter of FY '06, compared with $2.5 million for the same period a year earlier. Sales grew from $163 million in the first quarter of FY '05 to $199.6 million for the same period in FY '06.
Air Force Undersecretary Ron Sega is reviewing the Defense Department's space acquisition programs as DOD's new executive agent for space, although his office has not yet regained formal acquisition authority. "This is one of my tasks, to go through and look at all of our systems here," Sega told reporters at a space conference in Washington Sept. 22. "So I've had a first look at some of the systems, but not really drilled down into it."
PRAGUE - The Czech industry and trade ministry has cleared a version of the Czech-made Vera passive radar system for export to Pakistan. Officials said the ministry granted a license allowing Pakistan to lease the system for an unspecified period. A new license, they added, would be required if Pakistan were to buy the system. Details of the agreement have not been released for security reasons, according to the industry and trade ministry.
Congress is moving to pass changes to the Iran Nonproliferation Act that would create an exception for some U.S. payments to Russia in support of the International Space Station, but only through 2011. Introduced and explained by Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Senate passed the bill Sept. 21 by unanimous consent. It has been reported in the House, where Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Science space and aeronautics subcommittee, predicted safe passage.
SUB WORK: General Dynamics Electric Boat of Groton, Conn., will plan to perform various repair work on the submarine USS Augusta under an $8.4 million contract, the company said Sept. 21. The work, called a Pre-Inactivation Restricted Availability, will be done at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton. It will consist of alternations, maintenance, and testing. The contract, awarded by the U.S. Navy, could potentially be worth up to $43.2 million. The work is set to be done by March 31, 2006.
Members of Congress anxious to protect aircraft from shoulder fired missiles said Sept. 21 that they are encouraged by the progress Homeland Security contractors Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems have made in developing counter-MANPAD devices to fit on passenger airlines. Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems will enter the live-fire testing phase next year. Lawmakers say once that is completed, they will reinvigorate their efforts to get the systems installed on aircraft that fly high-risk routes.
A study of options to modernize the U.S. Air Force's long-range strike capabilities is scheduled to begin next month, according to a spokeswoman at Air Combat Command. The study, or analysis of alternatives (AOA), is expected to last a year.
Department of Defense leadership on the development of its space cadre is still lacking, with the department falling behind schedule on many of its stated goals, according to the Government Accountability Office. "Without proactive DOD leadership, the secretary of defense and Congress will not have assurance that the services are obtaining and developing the space cadre the nation needs," the GAO's report says.
COAXIAL ROTORCRAFT: Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. said it was awarded two U.S. Army contracts to perform conceptual, preliminary design for two of its X2 Technology heavy-lift coaxial rotorcraft. The awards from the Army's Applied Aviation Technology Directorate go toward evaluating joint requirements and joint heavy lift rotorcraft for the U.S. military, Sikorsky said. Sikorsky said Sept.
Jerry B. Agee has been appointed corporate vice president and president of the company's Mission Systems sector. Stephen E. Frank has been elected to the board of directors. Frank is a former chairman, president and CEO of Southern California Edison.
N. Wayne Hale Jr. has been named manager of the space shuttle program. Roy Bridges has retired as director of Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va. Lesa B. Roe will replace Bridges.
Charles A. Ross has stepped down as chief operating officer but will continue as president and director. Stanton E. Ross has been named CEO, chairman of the board of directors, and interim chief financial officer.
TEAMING FOR BID: Germany's ThyssenKrupp Technologies said Sept. 19 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with EADS to make a joint bid for Atlas Elektronik, a BAE Systems subsidiary. If successful, ThyssenKrupp would take over 60% of Atlas and EADS would get 40%. Atlas Elektronik develops integrated sonar systems for submarines and is a supplier for ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. Atlas Elektronik, which has 1,750 employees, would continue to be headquartered in Bremen.
