27 Aug 04. Following negotiations, Saab Bofors Underwater Systems and the Brazilian Navy have reached an agreement to terminate the torpedo project started in 1999. The decision is mainly a consequence of integration difficulties due to third party proprietary rights. The termination agreement is covered in its details by commercial confidentiality but will entail termination costs for Saab Bofors Underwater Systems. The termination costs are presently being calculated but are expected to burden the income statement by not more than SEK 160m. The Brazilian Navy and Saab Bofors Underwater Systems signed an agreement in 1999 covering the development and delivery of a new torpedo system for the Brazilian Navy’s submarines. The contract value amounted to approximately SEK 500m.
Aug 04. Sikorsky Acquires Schweizer. The leaderships of both Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp., and Schweizer Aircraft Corp., have approved the transaction. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of this year. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Schweizer will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Sikorsky. Schweizer manufactures the Fire Scout VTOL unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV under subcontract to Northrop Grumman.
27 Aug 04. QinetiQ is helping protect the Typhoon’s electronic systems against electromagnetic disruption. Nuclear detonations within our atmosphere pose a threat to military hardware QinetiQ, as one of the few global companies that currently offers EMP consultancy, is working with the Typhoon Integrated Project Team and overseeing the work to ensure the aircraft will survive an EMP. It is also providing design advice for hardening and protection and an assessment service in support of several other military projects. Once this extensive Typhoon assessment is completed it will see this new dual role fighter aircraft move a step closer to becoming operational. QinetiQ has also recently become responsible for the secretariat for the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) SC77c committee that is developing standards that advise on EMP and the impact on civilian infrastructure. This committee has already published 15 documents ranging from the description of EMP to test methods and protection techniques. QinetiQ operates the only EMP simulator in the UK at its Farnborough site in Hampshire as part of an extensive ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC) facility. Included within this suite are screened rooms, reverberation chambers, GTEM cells and anechoic chambers. High electric field strengths impact on every electrical system used in the world today and QinetiQ’s facilities are increasingly being used by commercial and military customers for compliance with required legislation and standards.