14 Jan 08. ATK Buys MDA Unit, Opening Cross-Border Markets. The sale of MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates’ defense and space operations to Alliant Techsystems of Minnesota will open up new U.S. markets for the former Canadian company, say industry officials with both firms. MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates’ (MDA) Information Systems and Geospatial Services operations had been trying to make inroads into the U.S. military and space markets for several years and has had some success. But with the proposed purchase of the unit by Alliant Techsystems (ATK), the door to more U.S. business will be opened, said Magued Iskander, MDA’s executive vice president of information systems. (Source: Defense News)

Jan 08. Lockheed Martin Corporation has acquired PercepTek, Inc., a Colorado-based provider of advanced autonomous software technologies. Terms of the transaction, which will not have a material impact on the Corporation, were not disclosed. PercepTek is a privately owned company that has developed software solutions for autonomous navigation for unmanned ground vehicles, autonomous collaboration operations for unmanned aerial vehicles and automated persistent surveillance for security applications, among other missions. The company’s customers include the U.S. Army’s Aviation Applied Technology Directorate and Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the U.S. Air Force. (Source: Shephard)

09 Jan 08. Siemens AG, Europe’s largest engineering company, fell the most in five years amid speculation that the company would reduce its earnings outlook. There’s no profit reduction coming from Siemens, said a company spokesman who asked not to be named when contacted by Bloomberg News today. Siemens fell as much as 6.7 percent in Frankfurt trading, the biggest drop since January 2003. Munich-based Siemens said in November its earnings will rise this fiscal year, without giving a specific forecast. The median estimate of 27 analysts compiled by Bloomberg is 6.27 euros in adjusted earnings per share for the year ending in September. (Source: Bloomberg)

07 Jan 08. Shares in European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. NV dropped more than 7 percent Monday after Deutsche Bank predicted weaker commercial jet orders in 2008. “We have growing concerns over weaker commercial aerospace cycle fundamentals for 2008,” said analysts Benjamin Fidler and Sebastien Gruter in a research note. “This will likely result in weaker order momentum for Airbus,” Deutsche Bank said in downgrading its rating for Airbus’ parent company to “sell” from “hold.” The warning about comes after a bumper year in which Airbus and rival Boeing Co. set an industry record for orders. Boeing Co. sold 1,413 commercial jets in 2007 while delivering 441 planes, its best showing in six years, the U.S. company said last week. Its European rival is expected to come out ahead on both orders and deliveries when it reports results Jan. 16. Sales may slow this year should waning consumer confidence and other U.S. economic woes decrease air travel. Airlines are expected to delay new orders until their finances and the economy at large show stronger signs of recovery. (Source: AP)

10 Jan 08. Intel faces inquiry in New York. Intel, the world’s biggest computer chipmaker, is being investigated by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo over whether it broke anti-trust laws. Mr Cuomo is looking into claims that Intel stopped customers from dealing with rival Advanced Micro Devices. Intel has cut prices and tried to boost efficiency as AMD has made efforts to become the world’s top producer. Mr Cuomo has issued a subpoena seeking documents and information from Intel over its conduct regarding AMD. (Source: BBC)

Jan 08. Meggitt Plc, the Bournemouth based international aerospace, defence and performance sensors group, has announced the acquisition of Ferroperm, a world leader in the manufacture of advanced piezo-electric ceramic materials for sp