01 Jul 04. The U.S. DoD and the U.K. MoD have taken a major step toward communications interoperability. In a demonstration involving the UK BOWMAN system, and the emerging U.S. JTRS, engineers shared voice and data communications across two different radio systems, achieving an early proof of concept for the collaborative tactical communications project. Using a British Advanced Digital Radio and a U.S. designed JTRS testbed, ITT engineers were able to pass secure voice and data between the two Nation’s systems. The demonstration took place at the British embassy in Washington D.C. on June 17, 2004. The cooperative research and development project is being accomplished under a memorandum of understanding between the two nations. ITT Industries is developing the technical solution for future interoperability under contract with the JTRS JPO. This effort requires that ITT use the JTRS Software Communications Architecture (SCA) to develop a JTRS compliant version of the existing BOWMAN VHF radio waveform. The U.S. and the U.K. are developing a JTRS version of the Bowman VHF software waveform application that is compliant with the JTRS SCA. The waveform application is the software that tells radios how to receive and process information. Most waveforms are country or system unique and therefore unable to “talk” with other systems. With this new, common waveform providing communications functionality, U.S. and U.K. forces will be able to communicate and share data, despite their different radio systems. The resulting battlefield communications interoperability is essential in today’s warfighting environment.
30 Jun 04. BAE Systems North America today has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Boeing’s Commercial Electronics unit, a developer and producer of avionics products and systems for commercial aircraft. The acquisition of the Commercial Electronics unit, which employs about 800 people at facilities in Irving, Texas, and Everett, Wash., will increase BAE Systems’ already significant presence in commercial aircraft subsystems. Conclusion of the transaction is expected during the third quarter, pending regulatory reviews. The Commercial Electronics business, which had 2003 sales of about $170m and net assets of about $15m, will become part of BAE Systems’ Platform Solutions Sector, which provides a broad range of capabilities and products for commercial and military aircraft. In addition to the Irving and Everett operations, the Commercial Electronics business also operates equipment service centers in London and Singapore.
24 June 04. The AirTanker consortium filed a revised proposal on Thursday aimed at salvaging the £13bn ($23.6bn) FSTA contract under threat of cancellation. “We have submitted a competitive proposal this afternoon,” a spokesman for EADS said on behalf of the AirTanker consortium. UK defence procurement chief Sir Peter Spencer in a leaked letter published in the Financial Times on Tuesday threatened to scrap the deal unless changes were made, including a reduction in price of up to £130m. Sources close to the talks said AirTanker is expected to have answered all of Spencer’s demands, including the price reduction. (See BATTLESPACE ALERT Vol.6 ISSUE 15, June 22nd 2004, ‘MoD TO CAN EADS FSTA BID? MARSHALL MAKES UNSOLICITED BID?’)
26 Jun 04. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) announced that it has terminated the merger agreement with The Titan Corporation because Titan did not satisfy all the closing conditions on or before June 25, 2004. Under the terms of the amended merger agreement, either party could terminate the merger agreement if Titan either (i) had not obtained written confirmation from the Department of Justice that the investigation of alleged Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations was resolved as to Titan and the Department did not intend to pursue any claims against Titan; or (ii) Titan had not entered into a plea agreement on or prior to June 25, 2004, provide