15 July 10. Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp., and Lockheed Martin Corp. will compete jointly for the contract to replace the U.S. Air Force’s fleet of combat search and rescue helicopters. The two companies signed a teaming agreement formalizing their intent to offer an advanced version of Sikorsky’s UH-60M BLACK HAWK helicopter for the Air Force’s HH-60 Personnel Recovery Recapitalization program (HH-60 Recap). The agreement positions Sikorsky as prime contractor, with Lockheed Martin as the major subsystems supplier. The HH-60 Recap program seeks to replace the 112 existing HH-60G PAVE HAWK(TM) helicopter fleet with an equal number of new aircraft requiring minimum airframe modification or mission systems development. The initial operational capability of eight aircraft — four trainers and four mission-ready aircraft, plus test aircraft — is expected in fiscal year 2015.

15 Jul 10. Astrium Services and Cisco, the world-wide leader in networking, today signed a Technology Partnership Agreement (TPA) to study the applications of space-based routers. Space-based routers have the potential to transfer vast amounts of data to multiple ground based receivers in a single step, eliminating the need to pass through teleports and rapidly increasing the speed of the download process. As a leading supplier of both commercial and military satcoms, Astrium Services is continually researching ways of providing its customers with the ability to transfer increasing amounts of voice, video and computer data via satellite networks. Working together, Astrium and Cisco will initially focus on studying the space based router that Cisco is currently testing on the Intelsat 14 satellite and how to best apply Astrium’s communication service expertise and sophisticated payload processing capabilities to better support its customers. Paradigm, a leading supplier of military hardened satellite communications, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Astrium Services, will work with Cisco on the first in a series of studies, which are due to be completed by January 2011. Through this joint technology study, Astrium Services will look to provide a more diverse range of telecommunication services in remote areas that require rapid data transfers. These would include crisis management situations, remote medical emergencies and mobile military operations. This collaboration is also part of Astrium Services’ drive to involve external companies and academia in its strategy to develop new services for both commercial and military customers.

15 Jul 10. Aerospace Products International, Inc. (API), a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Aviation Services Inc. and a leading supplier of innovative distribution and supply chain services for the aviation industry, announces an alliance with Transworld Aviation FZE. Transworld is one of the leading providers of certified spare parts to both commercial and military aircraft customers in the Middle East, Africa and India. This important strategic alliance combines the technology and worldwide distribution capabilities of API with Transworld’s powerful market presence in the region. Under the alliance agreement, API and Transworld will operate a worl class spare parts distribution center at Transworld’s headquarters in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, UAE. The distribution center, with over 35,000 sq. ft. of warehouse and office space is fully automated with ISO certified operating processes and is equipped to handle the massive expansion plans envisioned under this agreement. The distribution center will stock large inventories of aircraft parts and related materials, including expendables, consumables and rotable components available for exchange. Furthermore, Transworld’s experienced staff of over 40 aviation professionals will team with API’s worldwide customer service centers to provide 24 hour per day, 7 day per week support to all customers in the region. In addition to th