INDUSTRY TEAMINGS

07 Apr 08. General Dynamics Canada announced that CMC Electronics Inc., headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, has joined the CSI HALIFAX Team bidding on the Canadian Navy’s $1.1bn HALIFAX Class Modernization Combat Systems Integration program (HCM-CSI). An industry leader in human factors engineering (HFE) with proven performance on Canada’s HALIFAX Class frigates, the strategic addition of CMC Electronics further strengthens the solution being offered by the CSI HALIFAX Team. (Source: ASD Network)

07 Apr 08. Rockwell Collins and Optical Air Data Systems, LLC (OADS) have teamed to introduce a new solution called LandSafe(tm) to help helicopters navigate and land safely in degraded visual environments, especially brownout conditions. The LandSafe solution was developed through an exclusive licensing agreement between the two companies and incorporates commercial-off-the-shelf fiber optic laser technology to “sense through” particulate matter such as dust, snow, rain, smoke or fog while providing altitude, groundspeed and airspeed information to the flight crew. LandSafe is being evaluated by the U.S. Marine Corps for the CH-53E helicopter for possible inclusion in Rockwell Collins’ Common Avionics Architecture System upgrade.

09 Apr 08. General Atomics (GA), QinetiQ and Jadoo Power Systems, Inc. (Jadoo) will collaborate in the development of a lightweight, solid-state, fuel-cell-based power system for military applications. The goal is a system that has four times the energy density of the batteries currently used. The power source is a hydrogen fuel cell fueled by solid-state ammonia borane cartridges. Kevin Brundish, Business Group Manager for QinetiQ’s power source business explained, “The hydrogen is stored in a solid-state chemical hydride, ammonia borane, that is then decomposed to produce hydrogen. The design allows cartridges to be replaced simply and quickly, so, as long as there is a supply of replacement cartridges, the fuel cell can operate indefinitely.” At present, soldiers on extended missions must either have access to recharging facilities or carry extra batteries as replacements. Over a 72-hour mission a dismounted soldier can use up to 20 batteries, adding significant weight. Just two or three ammonia borane cartridges would provide all the energy that is required. (Source: ASD Network)

08 Apr 08. Raytheon Company has signed exclusive teaming agreements with Harris Corporation and HP as part of an industry-leading team to pursue the $30m U.S. Air Force Global Broadcast Service Satellite Broadcast Manager transition contract. The GBS is a critical mission support system for the military providing wideband internet protocol broadcasts of video, imagery and other information to support forces on post, in transit and in theater. This effort will integrate GBS into future net-centric operations across the global
information grid.

07 Apr 08. The Boeing Company announced a teaming agreement with Computer Sciences Corp. to pursue the multibillion-dollar U.S. Special Operations Forces Support Activity (SOFSA) contract. Both companies are working closely at all levels to design and offer the winning, best-of-industry approach for SOFSA contract management and execution. The SOFSA draft request for proposal is anticipated before the end of April. Located in Lexington, Ken., SOFSA serves as the logistics cornerstone that enables U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to execute the Special Operations Forces’ global mission.

10 Apr 08. An engineering design consulting firm born in the split-second world of Formula One and NASCAR racing is bringing its unique expertise to the Raytheon Company-led Team Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS). Carlson Technology, led by founder Dennis Carlson, is known for its “pit stop” technology and unique design elements including “tool-less” maintenance, rapid repair and replace, modular design and a “first to ninety-ninth