VSI awarded contract from Boeing to provide the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System for the F-15E

SAN JOSE, Calif. (July 31, 2008) - Vision Systems International, LLC (VSI), has been awarded an initial contract at more than $17 million from Boeing for the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) in 145 F-15E Strike Eagles. The contract includes dual-seat capable JHMCS hardware and pilot equipment to include helmets and visors. Initial deliveries have already commenced and will continue through mid-2009.

“The situational awareness capabilities afforded by JHMCS in the air-to-ground mission environment are necessities given today’s battlespace, and providing a dual-seat capability is phenomenally important,” said VSI President Drew Brugal. “Getting our JHMCS on the Strike Eagle has been a key company goal since we started developing the system in 1996.”

The JHMCS provides the pilot with “first look, first shot” high off-boresight weapons engagement capabilities. The system enables the pilot to accurately cue onboard weapons and sensors against enemy aircraft and ground targets without the need to aggressively turn the aircraft or place the target in the Head-Up Display (HUD) for designation. Critical information and symbology, such as targeting cues and aircraft performance parameters, are graphically displayed directly on the pilot’s visor. This information, combined with the display of data-link cues, as well as navigational and aircraft performance parameters, provides the pilot with a tremendous increase in situational awareness.

Formed in 1996, VSI, is a joint venture between Elbit Systems of America, LLC (ESA), a subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd/ (NASDAQ: ESLT), and Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL). VSI was formed to develop, manufacture and support fixed wing HMDs worldwide. VSI today is a leading supplier of fixed-wing Helmet Mounted Displays (HMDs) worldwide. In addition to the JHMCS production, VSI is developing the advanced HMD for the F-35 (JSF), the QuadEye™ Night Vision Cueing & Display (NVCD) system for JHMCS equipped US Navy and US Air Force aircraft, and is also producing the Display and Sight Helmet (DASH) Generation IV HMD under multiple contracts.

Source: Rockwell Collins

MH-60R Helicopter Departs Lockheed Martin To Complete First Operational Navy Squadron

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] completed its initial deliveries of aircraft to the U.S. Navy’s first operational MH-60R helicopter maritime strike squadron, the HSM-71 Raptors, ensuring the squadron is ready for its deployment with an aircraft carrier strike group. The San Diego-based pilot and crew departed with the aircraft July 24 for the three-day journey home from Owego, NY.

Lockheed Martin is the prime air weapons systems integrator for the MH-60R, the Navy’s most advanced submarine hunting and surface warfare helicopter. The team has integrated and delivered 11 aircraft to HSM-71.

Cmdr. Michael Nortier, HSM-71 commanding officer, personally accepted delivery of the squadron’s final MH-60R helicopter after addressing industry and government team members in the hangar.

“The new systems and sensors on the MH-60R have expanded the support the helicopter community can provide to the Navy by an order of magnitude,” said Cmdr. Nortier. “The visual presentations this technology provides enable us to deploy quickly and effectively, putting our people where they need to be exactly when they need to be there.”

The HSM-71 squadron will deploy with the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier strike group next year. It will be the first time the MH-60R will take the leading aircraft role in anti-submarine warfare.

The MH-60R replaces the Navy’s current fleet of SH-60B and SH-60F Seahawk helicopters and is designed primarily for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. Secondary missions include search and rescue, vertical replenishment, naval surface fire support, logistics support, personnel transport, medical evacuation and communications and data relay.

In August 2007, the Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $1.065 billion multi-year contract to integrate an additional 139 MH-60R helicopters with advanced mission systems and avionics.

Source: Lockheed Martin

Local boys come home

British pilot savouring growing popularity of race ahead of London

British pilots Paul Bonhomme, Steve Jones and Nigel Lamb said they have felt the growing popularity of the Red Bull Air Race in the United Kingdom, which will be hosting a race for the fourth straight season. Some 68 percent of the British public knows what the Red Bull Air Race is, but the three Brits said ahead of their home race in London this weekend they have, mercifully, not yet been mobbed like rock stars when they appear in public. Their names and faces are nevertheless well-known in aviation circles, helped in no small part by expanded television coverage on Channel 4 in the UK this season and higher ratings with well over 1 million viewers tuning in to each race.

“The folks who watch the Red Bull Air Race in this country are an enthusiastic bunch,” said Bonhomme, who has been flying brilliantly this season and leads the championship with 35 of a possible 36 points after four races. “If I go to a flying club or an airport where there is an interest in aviation you might get people recognising you. But fortunately I don’t get mobbed when I walk down the street. The interest and knowledge of the race is certainly rising, which is obviously good for the sport.”

Bonhomme, who has three wins and one second place in the first four races of the season, has helped raise the awareness of the race in Britain with his dominance throughout the first half of the season. Bonhomme, who has an unmistakably elegant style of flying the course, will be looking to widen his lead in London, a race that Channel 4 will broadcast on Sunday afternoon.

Jones, who got his first podium of the season in the last race two weeks ago in Rotterdam to move up to 6th place in the standings, has not yet had to fight off any groupies despite the sport’s growing popularity. But he was recently taken aback when he was approached by a stranger in a petrol station who had recognised him even without his racing suit on.

Source: Redbullairraces.com

Now oldest Spitfire lands an upgrade

The oldest flying Spitfire in the world will be next to enjoy an upgrade as part of a high-profile maintenance contract.

Spitfire P7350, a Mk IIa aircraft complete with the scars of a tangle with a German Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter during the Battle of Britain while serving with 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, will be handed to the Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford for a wing re-spar and a respray. The repaired bullet holes on her port wing will be left intact.

P7350’s maintenance comes as MK356, a Mk IX Spitfire, returned from ARCo to display flying at Duxford on 12 and 13 July. She successfully completed her air test and post flight inspections on 2 July for her return to RAF Coningsby on 4 July.

The work is part of a contract to maintain the fighters of the RAF’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight for the next five to seven years. ARCo were awarded the contract after a competitive tender by DE&S’ Nimrod team last autumn.

Source: RAF news.

RedBull air race lands in London

Iraq – Helicopters and Related Munitions

WASHINGTON, July 30, 2008 –

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Iraq of Helicopters and related munitions as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $2.4 billion.

The Government of Iraq has requested a possible sale of 24 Bell Armed 407 Helicopters or 24 Boeing AH-6 Helicopters, 24 Rolls Royce 250-C-30 Engines, 565 M120 120mm Mortars, 665 M252 81mm Mortars, 200 AGM-114M HELLFIRE missiles, 24 M299 HELLFIRE Guided Missile Launchers, 16 M36 HELLFIRE Training Missiles, 15,000 2.75-inch Rockets, 24 M280 2.75-inch Launchers, 24 XM296 .50 Cal. Machine Guns with 500 Round Ammunition Box, 24 M134 7.62mm Mini-Guns, 81mm ammunition, 120mm ammunition, test measurement and diagnostics equipment, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $2.4 billion.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country. This proposed sale directly supports the Iraqi government and serves the interests of the Iraqi people and the U.S.

The proposed sale of these helicopters, missiles, and mortar systems will be used to develop new Iraqi Air Force (IAF) squadrons and/or wings, and to enhance the ability of the IAF to sustain itself in its efforts to bring stability to Iraq.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractors will be Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. in Hurst, Texas or Boeing Integrated Defense Systems in Seattle, Washington. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

With the volume and wide range of items and equipment in this proposed sale, levels of U.S. Government and Contractor technical assistance will be required but cannot be fully defined at this time.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.

Source: DSCA

Israel – C-130J-30 Aircraft

WASHINGTON, July 30, 2008 –

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Israel of C-130J-30 Aircraft as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $1.9 billion.
The Government of Israel has requested a possible sale of:

9 Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 United States Air Force (USAF) baseline aircraft including USAF baseline equipment and Block 7.0 Software
6 Rolls Royce AE 2100D3 spare engines
9 AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems (includes three spares)
9 AN/ALR-56M Advanced Radar Warning Receivers (includes three spares)
9 AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing Systems (includes three spares)
9 AN/AAQ-22 Star SAFIRE III Special Operations Suites (includes three
spares)
4 spare AN/ARC-210 Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems (SINCGARS)
10 spare Secure Voice Very High Frequency/Ultra High Frequency Radios
4 spare Secure Voice High Frequency Radios
3 spare AN/AAR-222 SINCGARS and Key Gen (KV-10) Systems
1 KIV-119 Non-standard Communication/COMSEC equipment
2 ARC-210 Non-standard Communication/COMSEC equipment
10 External Pylons and Fuel Tanks
5 Internal Israeli Tank Modification Kits

Also included are spare and repair parts, configurations updates, communications security equipment and radios, integration studies, support equipment, aircraft ferry and tanker support, repair and return, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $1.9 billion.

Israel’s strategic position makes it vital to the United States’ interests throughout the Middle East. Our policy has been to promote Middle East peace, support the Israeli commitment to peace with other regional Arab countries, enhance regional stability, and promote Israeli readiness and self-sufficiency. It is vital to the U.S. national interests to assist Israel to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives.

The proposed sale will enhance the foreign policy and national security objectives of the U.S. by providing the Israeli Government with a credible special operations airlift capability that will deter aggression in the region, provide humanitarian airlift capability, and ensure interoperability with U.S. forces in coalition operations.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, Texas. Offset agreements associated with this proposed sale are expected, but at this time the specific offset agreements are undetermined and will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and contractors.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Israel involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for technical reviews, support, program management, and training over a period of up to 5 years.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.

Source: DSCA

Morocco – Weapons and Related Support for F-16 Aircraft

WASHINGTON, July 11, 2008 –

On July 9, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Morocco of 30 AIM-120C-5 Advanced Medium Range Air-to Air Missiles (AMRAAM); 60 AIM-9M SIDEWINDER Missiles; 20 AGM-88B/C HARM Missiles; 8 AGM-65D/G MAVERICK Missiles; 45 AGM-65H MAVERICK Missiles; 50 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) tail kits (which include 20 GBU-31 for MK-82, 500 lb bomb, and 30 GBU-38, for MK-84, 2000 lb bomb); 20 GBU-24, PAVEWAY III kits; 50 GBU-10, PAVEWAY II kits; 150 GBU-12, PAVEWAY II kits; 60 Enhanced GBU-12 PAVEWAY II bombs; 300 MK-82 training bombs; 60,000 20mm training projectiles; 4,000 ALE-47 self-protection chaff; 4,000 ALE-47 self-protection flares and associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $155 million.

Also included are containers, bomb components, spare/repair parts, publications, documentation, personnel and training, contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related support elements. The estimated cost is $155 million.

The proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by enhancing Morocco’s capacity to support U.S. efforts in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), as well as supporting Morocco’s legitimate need for its own self-defense. Morocco is one of the most stable and pro-Western of the Arab states, and the U.S. remains committed to a long-term relationship with Morocco. The proposed sale will allow the Moroccan Air Force to modernize its aging fighter inventory, thereby enabling Morocco to support both its own air defense needs and coalition operations. Morocco is a Major Non-NATO ally. Delivery of this weapon system will greatly enhance Morocco’s interoperability with the U.S. and other NATO nations, making it a more valuable partner in an increasingly important area of the world. The country will have no difficulty absorbing this new capability into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this weapon system will not affect the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractors will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, Fort Worth, Texas; Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control, Dallas, Texas; Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, Seattle, Washington; and Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona

There are no known offset agreements in connection with this proposed sale.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

Source: DSCA

Boeing Salt Lake City Receives ISO 14001 Environmental Certification

SALT LAKE CITY, July 30, 2008 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced that its Fabrication manufacturing facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, has been awarded an ISO 14001 environmental management system certification from Det Norske Veritas, an accredited certification body of quality, environmental and safety management systems. ISO 14001 confirms Boeing’s Salt Lake City facility has a certified system in place to monitor, manage and continuously improve its environmental management system.

Boeing’s Salt Lake City facility, which comprises a 267,000 square-foot site on 18 acres, is a center of excellence for complex machined parts. The site has a longstanding environmental management system and works with the local community to protect and improve the quality of the environment around the facility.

The system includes plant-wide efforts to reduce energy use, reduce the amount of material sent to landfills by improving the cardboard recycling program and implementing a program for plastics by purchasing a baler to compact the materials for recycling. In addition, the Salt Lake City facility is reducing air emissions and improving operational controls to eliminate spills into soil and water.

“We see this certification as an important milestone in our efforts to reduce environmental impacts and preserve precious resources. Working together, we will continue to make progress towards our goal, which ultimately will make this a much more environmentally efficient workplace for all of our employees and the surrounding community,” Carbon said.

The international standards, first published in 1996 in Switzerland by the International Organization for Standardization, are designed to assist companies in developing, implementing and maintaining an effective environmental management system. Boeing Commercial Airplanes fabrication and assembly locations in Portland, Ore., and Everett, Wash., already are certified to the ISO 14001 standard.

The Boeing Company is committed to pioneering environmentally progressive technology and relentlessly reducing its environmental footprint. Since the introduction of the first Boeing jetliner, airplane emissions of carbon dioxide have been reduced by around 70 percent and the noise footprints have been reduced by approximately 90 percent. Boeing targets improving fuel efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide emissions of each new generation of commercial airplane by at least 15 percent compared to the airplanes they replace. Boeing has committed to extend ISO 14001 certification to all major manufacturing sites by the end of the year, and has set aggressive targets to improve by 25 percent solid waste recycling rates, energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions intensity at its major manufacturing facilities by 2012, with a comparable goal for hazardous waste reduction. For more information, visit the company’s 2008 environment report at www.boeing.com/environment.

Source: Boeing

Pilatus announces additional Certifications for the PC-12 NG

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is pleased to announce the receipt of additional country certifications for the PC-12 NG. Approvals by TC (Transport Canada), CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Australia) and SACAA (South African Civil Aviation Authority) signal the commencement of PC 12 NG deliveries to these countries. In March of 2008 Pilatus received both EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) certification, proving that the PC-12 NG was ready to build upon the important legacy of its predecessor. It is expected that numerous other country approvals will follow shortly.

Speaking from Pilatus headquarters in Stans, Switzerland, Oscar J. Schwenk, President of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd commented: “We are delighted that these certifications were achieved in a timely manner and they are a testament to the vigorous pursuit of excellence for which Pilatus has become well known. The PC-12 is fundamentally one of the greatest aircraft ever built and we are proud that aviation authorities around the world recognise this through their certification processes.”

Featuring a number of significant improvements over its predecessor, including a fully integrated Honeywell Primus Apex avionics system, a completely new cockpit designed by BMW Group DesignworksUSA, and a more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engine, the PC-12 NG once again sets the benchmark in this important market sector. As aircraft owners and operators strive to operate as competitively as possible, the PC-12’s versatility and low direct operating costs are more relevant than ever before. These certifications allow more customers to seriously consider the benefits of the PC-12 NG.

Source: Pilatus

Iraq – C-130J-30 Aircraft

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2008 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Iraq of C-130J-30 Aircraft as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $1.5 billion.

The Government of Iraq has requested a possible sale of 6 C-130J-30 United States Air Force baseline aircraft and equipment, 24 Rolls Royce AE 2100D3 engines, 4 Rolls Royce AE 2100D3 spare engines, 6 AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems, 2 spare AAR-47 Missile Warning Systems, 6 AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing Systems, 2 spare AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing Systems. Also included are spare and repair parts, configuration updates, integration studies, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, technical services, personnel training and training equipment, foreign liaison office support, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics personnel services, construction, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $1.5 billion.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country. This proposed sale directly supports the Iraqi government and serves the interests of the Iraqi people and the U.S., as well as offering hope for a more stable and peaceful Middle East.

The Iraqi Air Force intends to use the C-130J aircraft for intra-theater support for its troops. Additionally, the aircraft will be used to provide humanitarian relief operations in various locations. Purchase of new transport aircraft will provide Iraq with the ability to operate seamlessly with U.S., NATO and coalition forces engaged in all types of operations and missions.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractors will be: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company in Fort Worth, Texas and Rolls-Royce Corporation in Indianapolis, Indiana. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require participation of up to ten U.S. Government and ten contractor representatives to participate in annual technical and program management reviews, for two-week intervals.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.

Source: DSCA

Boeing Begins Final Assembly of 2nd P-8A Poseidon

ST. LOUIS, July 29, 2008 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] began final assembly of the second P-8A Poseidon for the U.S. Navy on July 24 in Renton, Wash. The aircraft, S1, is the program’s static test vehicle and will be used to test the airframe’s structural strength.

The start of final assembly follows Spirit AeroSystems’ delivery of the aircraft’s fuselage to Boeing. S1 is one of five P-8A test aircraft — three flight-test and two ground-test — that the Boeing-led team of CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems and GE Aviation is building for the Navy as part of a System Development and Demonstration contract.

During full-scale static testing in Renton, external loads will be systematically applied to the airframe to validate that the P-8A can withstand the loads it will be subjected to during its service life. Boeing Commercial Airplanes will install about 4,000 sensors and other types of measurement instrumentation on the airframe for these tests.

Boeing Integrated Defense Systems and Boeing Commercial Airplanes are working together to build the P-8A, a military derivative of the 737-800, on a new final-assembly production line in Renton. This third line takes advantage of the proven efficiencies, manufacturing processes and performance of the highly reliable Next-Generation 737. The Navy plans to purchase 108 P-8As to replace its fleet of P-3C aircraft. The P-8A will provide the Navy increased capability in long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

Source: Boeing

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