As negotiations continue between the United States and Russia on the subject of nuclear arms reductions, the U.S. is holding firm to its position that it will not destroy nuclear warheads, according to a senior Defense Department official. Russia has continued to press the U.S. for an agreement that would make nuclear reductions irreversible, according to J.D. Crouch, the assistant secretary of defense for international security policy, who has been extensively involved in the bilateral negotiations.
UPGRADE: FLIR Systems Inc. will complete the upgrade of infrared imaging systems used on U.S. Marine UH-1N Huey helicopters to improve detection, resolution and performance. The work will be done under a $7.3 million contract from the Naval Surface Warfare Center and deliveries are expected to be complete by Dec. 31.
Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.), a member of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, has introduced a bill that would end a congressional requirement that the defense secretary write an annual report on the Air Force B-2 bomber. Tiahrt considers the report unnecessary because the B-2 is no longer in production. The B-2 report is one of 73 required reports that Tiahrt's bill would eliminate in a bid to ease paperwork burdens on the Pentagon.
The four-year, $2.9 billion contract awarded to "Gold Team" companies to design and build several DD(X) model destroyers likely won't have a substantial financial impact on them in the short term, according to company officials and financial analysts. The Navy awarded "Gold Team" companies Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and United Defense a $2.9 billion contract on April 29 to design, build and test 13 "engineering development models" (EDMs), or prototypes, by 2005.
NASA audit woes will be over next year In his first appearance before the Senate Appropriations Committee's VA-HUD-NASA panel, NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe promised committee members that problems with the agency's audits will no longer be a "topic of discussion" next year.
In his first appearance before the Senate Appropriations Committee's VA-HUD-NASA panel, NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe promised committee members that problems with the agency's audits will no longer be a "topic of discussion" next year.
The House Armed Services Committee was expected to consider a proposal late May 1 to alter the Bush Administration's fiscal 2003 missile defense budget by adding $135 million for the Arrow and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) systems and cutting the same amount from the Space Based Laser (SBL), space-based kinetic energy and sea-based boost programs.
LOCKHEED MARTIN, Bethesda, Md. Nolan D. Archibald has been elected to its board of directors. Archibald is chairman, CEO and president of Black&Decker Corp.
COMMANDER CONFIRMED: The Senate April 29 confirmed Navy Adm. Thomas Fargo to be the head of U.S. Pacific Command and Army Gen. Leon LaPorte to lead the United Nations Command in South Korea. Fargo, who has been commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, and LaPorte, who has been deputy commanding general and chief of staff of U.S. Army Forces Command, had their confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee April 26.
AIR FORCE MAGAZINE, Arlington, Va. Robert S. Dudney has been appointed Editor-in-Chief. BALL AEROSPACE, Boulder, Colo. Jon M. (Mike) Cerneck has joined the company as vice president and general manager of the company's Defense Operations strategic business unit. GOODRICH CORP., Charlotte, N.C. Cindy Egnotovich has been appointed president, Engine and Safety Systems group. Harry Arnold has been appointed vice president and general manager, commercial programs, for its aerostructures business.
The number of spare aviation parts ordered from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) by the services declined 28 percent from fiscal 1996 to fiscal 2000, while the total dollar value of the sales rose by 54 percent, according to a General Accounting Office (GAO) report. According to the April 30 report, the total number of active duty Navy fighter and attack aircraft declined from 504 in FY '96 to 432 in FY '00. However, the number of Air Force fighter and attack aircraft remained steady at 963 during that same period.
GOODRICH CORP., Charlotte, N.C. Cindy Egnotovich has been appointed president, Engine and Safety Systems group. Harry Arnold has been appointed vice president and general manager, commercial programs, for its aerostructures business.
The four-year, $2.9 billion contract awarded to "Gold Team" companies to design and build several DD(X) model destroyers likely won't have a substantial financial impact on them in the short term, according to company officials and financial analysts. The Navy awarded "Gold Team" companies Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and United Defense a $2.9 billion contract on April 29 to design, build and test 13 "engineering development models" (EDMs), or prototypes, by 2005.
SBS TECHNOLOGY, Albuquerque, N.M. Christopher J. Amenson was elected chairman of the board of directors and CEO. David H. Greig was elected president and COO.
UPGRADE: FLIR Systems Inc. will complete the upgrade of infrared imaging systems used on U.S. Marine UH-1N Huey helicopters to improve detection, resolution and performance. The work will be done under a $7.3 million contract from the Naval Surface Warfare Center and deliveries are expected to be complete by Dec. 31.
Northrop Grumman Corp. has moved a Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle to the Navy's China Lake, Calif., site for a flight this spring. The vertical takeoff UAV had been undergoing tests at the company's engineering facility in San Diego. The Navy, concerned about the Fire Scout's survivability and operability, will terminate the program upon completion of the current phase, low-rate initial production, in fiscal 2003.
Lower costs and gains in the aerospace market helped Precision Castparts Corp. beat Wall Street expectations for the fourth quarter, despite softness in the commercial jet engine market. Precision Castparts, a manufacturer of complex structural investment castings, airfoil castings and forged components used in jet aircraft engines, reported fourth-quarter net income of $48.9 million, compared with $39.4 million for the same period last year. Sales for the quarter, which ended March 31, reached $631.3 million, compared with $630 million a year ago.
Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), whose congressional district is home to engine maker Pratt & Whitney, plans to introduce a bill to give the FAA and NASA "vigorous and robust increases" in aeronautics research and development funding, according to a letter urging other House members to co-sponsor the legislation.
The House Armed Services procurement subcommittee approved a fiscal 2003 defense authorization bill April 30 that adds money for Predator unmanned aerial vehicles and H-60 helicopters, imposes spending constraints on the Comanche helicopter and conditionally endorses multiyear procurement plans for C-130J-based aircraft.
(Editor's note: The following is excerpted from the written responses by Army Lt. Gen. Leon LaPorte, nominated to head the United Nations Command in South Korea, to written questions from the Senate Armed Services Committee. LaPorte testified April 26 (DAILY, April 29). Q: Do you believe that our current forward presence on the Korean peninsula is appropriate? What, if any, changes would you recommend?
TRW Inc. executives released a letter April 29 urging company shareholders to reject Northrop Grumman Corp.'s buyout offer during a special shareholders meeting May 3. The letter is the latest in a series released by TRW management urging shareholders to reject Northrop Grumman's stock exchange offer. Northrop Grumman has offered to exchange each share of TRW stock with $53 of its stock, provided company officials are able to conduct due diligence on TRW.
