JTRS SPECS: The Object Management Group (OMG), an international consortium that produces and maintains computer industry specifications, is choosing the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) software communication architecture (SCA) to finalize its international standards for military and commercial communication software, says a spokeswoman for the Army's new Weapons, Environment and Technology office.
COMPLETED: General Dynamics completed its acquisition of satellite and space systems builder Spectrum Astro, the company said July 9. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Gilbert, Ariz.-based Spectrum Astro now is part of General Dynamics C4 Systems and brings "valuable experience in missile defense and key NASA space business segments," C4 President Mark A. Fried said.
MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES INC. has had its test results and methodologies independently verified by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for its SCS750 supercomputer for space. The testing simulated the effects of solar flares and the harsh radiation environments that electronic components encounter in space, Larry Longden, Maxwell's director of technology and marketing, said in a statement.
NASA has completed testing on an advanced high-speed inlet for propulsion systems to power air transport vehicles at supersonic speeds. Through adjustments to the Parametric Inlet's geometry, tests at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland over the last two weeks helped refine the inlet's performance. The Parametric Inlet accomplishes all of the supersonic cruise compression externally, unlike typical inlets that rely on internal and external compression. The tests showed performance was comparable to typical inlets, the aerospace agency said.
Although the House and Senate fiscal 2005 defense appropriations bills contain most of the money the Pentagon sought for ballistic missile defense, proposed cuts to a few specific programs would hurt efforts to overcome countermeasures that enemies might use to stymie U.S. anti-missile systems, according to the Defense Department. DOD's comments are contained in recent "appeals" intended to influence the House-Senate conference committee that is writing the final version of the appropriations bill.
JTRS CONTRACTOR: The U.S. Army, the lead service for the Defense Department's Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Cluster 5 program, plans to announce a contractor selection the week of July 12-16, a service spokeswoman says. General Dynamics and ITT Industries are competing to be the prime contractor for Cluster 5, which will provide man-packable and handheld radios and radios used with munitions and small unmanned aerial vehicles.
HELICOPTER ASSOCIATION INTL., Alexandria, Va. G. Edward Newton has been named treasurer. Roy M. Simmons has been elected chairman. Timothy H. Voss has begun serving as assistant treasurer. Timothy Wahlberg has begun serving as vice chairman. G. Edward Newton has been named treasurer. Roy M. Simmons has been elected chairman. Timothy H. Voss has begun serving as assistant treasurer. Timothy Wahlberg has begun serving as vice chairman.
EADS SPACE TRANSPORTATION and ESA will sign a 1 billion euro contract to allow Europe to begin exploitation of the International Space Station. The contract covers the operations of Columbus, ESA's lab aboard the space station, and the production of six European multifunctional cargo spaceships called Automated Transfer Vehicles.
FUTURE MISSIONS: The Advanced Concepts Team (ACT) at the European Space Agency's European Space Technology Research Center is identifying space missions that "sound like science fiction," ESA says. Among other things, the ACT is studying the feasibility of using satellites to generate electricity from sunlight and beam it to Earth, and "tumbleweed" robots that would roam across the surfaces of other planets.
Nearly 60 representatives from the Space Exploration Alliance (SEA) are expected to conduct more than 200 briefings to members of Congress on the importance of NASA's space exploration vision during a "media blitz" July 12 and 13, according to National Space Society (NSS) Executive Director George Whitesides. "As of yesterday, we had ... 120 [briefings scheduled], but these things all get done at the last minute, so we'll probably have over 200 by the end of the day," Whitesides told The DAILY July 9.
ACQUIRED: Esterline Corp., which builds avionics and sensors and provides advanced materials for the aerospace and defense markets, has acquired Leach Holding Corp., which builds electromechanical relays, switching devices and power distribution assemblies. The acquisition will add $120 million to the company's annual revenue base, Esterline said July 9. The deal is expected to be completed in early August. "Leach fits our stated strategy to consolidate manufacturers of superior aerospace components," Robert W. Cremin, Esterline's CEO, said in a statement.
