INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
22 Aug 08. Inmarsat plc confirmed the selection of Thales Alenia Space and International Launch Services to support an application under the European S-band Application Process (ESAP) for an award of S-band spectrum. Inmarsat and Thales Alenia Space today announced an Authorisation to Proceed for the development of the “EuropaSat” satellite to provide mobile broadcast and two-way telecommunications services in the S-Band throughout Europe. Thales Alenia Space will commence work on the satellite design, based on its Spacebus 4000C3 platform and develop it through the Critical Design Review to support a fully compliant application for a EC-wide S-band spectrum allocation by Inmarsat, under the recently-announced ESAP. (Source: Business4Media.com)
07 Aug 08. Alliant Techsystems and BAE Systems have teamed to compete for the upcoming U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Joint Allied Threat Awareness System (JATAS) program. JATAS is the Navy’s planned next-generation missile warning system that will provide protection for rotary-wing aircraft from infrared guided missiles. “ATK and BAE Systems have been credited for saving dozens of aircraft and their crews from hostile fire,” said Bill Kasting, vice president and general manager of ATK’s Integrated Systems division. “The teaming agreement will facilitate a joint effort that offers the best capabilities of both companies to develop a highly effective aircraft survivability system to meet existing and emerging battlefield threats.” ATK and BAE Systems have developed and fielded the AN/AAR-47 and AN/AAR-57 missile warning systems, respectively, for more than 3,000 rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft for the U.S. military and its allies.
26 Aug 08. UK and USA agree partnership to produce world renowned Almanacs. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been agreed between the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) and the United States Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command to ensure the partnership continues working successfully into the future. The move formalises the long standing collaboration between the US Naval Observatory (USNO) and the UK’s HM Nautical Almanac Office (HMNAO), a relationship which will shortly celebrate its 100th year. The MoU gives official recognition to the collaborative work of USNO and HMNAO and encourages both offices to ensure they retain their benchmark standard for astronomical data. The MoU has been signed by Rear Admiral David Titley, Commander of the US Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, and UK National Hydrographer, Rear Admiral Ian Moncrieff, and has now been formalised at a ceremonial signing at the US Naval Observatory in Washington DC by Captain Vaughan Nail, UK Deputy National Hydrographer, and Captain Steve Warren, Superintendent US Naval Observatory. Rear Admiral Moncrieff said: “The MoU commits both organisations to maintain their shared expertise in publicising ephemeris data in a way that neither office would be capable of maintaining individually. It also clarifies matters such as Intellectual Property and the commercial use of data making both offices better able to meet the needs of their users.”