20 Nov 03. Is BAE Systems in discussions with L-3 with regard to a merger of both company’s U.S. interests? BATTLESPACE insiders suggest that following the company’s failure to acquire Titan Corporation in a bid against Lockheed Martin, BAE is looking to strengthen its systems integration business with Frank Lanza, the power behind L-3 being the man in charge? Watch this space.
6 Nov 03. The UK Science & Technology Committee published a Report on The Scientific Response to Terrorism. The role of the MoD in general and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) in particular is discussed, together with the parts played by other Government Departments. The Report’s main conclusion is that the UK does not need a Department for Homeland Security, but a Centre for Home Defence is proposed. Comment: The Report exposes many failures in the Government’s response to the threat from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) devices. Noting that “the culture of secrecy is embedded in the Home Office”, the Report comments on “the easy access to information in the US, relative to the UK”. The Report is available from TSO and from The Parliamentary Bookshop (Tel: 020-7219 3890), as HC 415-I, for £13:00. Oral and written evidence supporting the Report is also available, as HC 415-II, for £22:50. (Source DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 03/45, 17 Nov 03).
18 Nov 03. Detica, the specialist IT consultancy (Formerly Smith Asociates), reported a 27 per cent rise in first-half turnover and a 15 per cent rise in pre-tax profits on Tuesday as government spending on IT services showed no signs of abating. Detica said its National Security business experienced remarkable growth in the half year to September 30, reaching 51 per cent of total revenues compared with 38 per cent in 2002, due to significant project wins. These included a three-year contract to provide business process services to GCHQ – the government communications headquarters. Turnover rose from £17.6m a year ago to £22.3m and profits before tax from £2.8m to £3.3m. Taking out two months’ contributions from Rubus, the systems integrator acquired for £2.6m in August, turnover rose 21 per cent to £21.4m and profits were up 19 per cent at £3.4m.
(Source: FT)
Nov 03. EADS Astrium has successfully developed an Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), called the MicroSAR Airborne Demonstrator, which can be applied to both spaceborne and airborne SAR systems, including the spaceborne MicroSAR system and the airborne QuaSAR system. This technology is a major breakthrough in low cost SAR systems. Funded by BNSC, the MicroSAR Airborne Demonstrator has completed a series of successful trials mounted to on a DSTL(Defence Science and Technology Laboratory) Britten-Norman Islander aircraft,. Ooperating betweenat 3000 and 7000ft over Portsmouth and the surrounding area, the trials obtaininggenerated numerous high quality 1m X- bBand imagery through cloud, mounted to a DSTL Britten-Norman Islander aircraft. The Airborne Demonstrator instrument, which stands is only 75cm tallhigh, and weighsing only 49kg, is able to provide image resolution down to 1m, both day and night, and in all weather conditions.
07 Nov 03. Moog Inc.’s quarterly profit rose more than 15 percent as demand for precision control parts for military aircraft, particularly the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, helped offset weakness in sales for commercial aircraft. For the fiscal fourth quarter ended Sept 27, the East Aurora, New York, company said earnings rose to $11.8m, or 75 cents per share, from $10.3m, or 67 cents a share, a year earlier.
11 Nov 03. VT announced Interim Results for the half-year which ended on 30 Sep 03. Turnover was £316.409m (£268.742m for the half-year ended 30 Sep 02) and profit before taxation £20.048m (£18.129m). The order book stood at £2,185m, divided between £1,765m for Support Services and £420m for shipbuilding. Comment: VT’s Chief Executive said that Type 45 destroye