Boeing’s P-8 plane had unfair advantage in Canada tender, firms allege

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  February 1, 2021 | International, Aerospace

  Lockheed’s F-35 program head to lead aeronautics biz

  By: Valerie Insinna WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin announced Jan. 29 the appointment of Greg Ulmer as the company's executive vice president of aeronautics, making him the top executive overseeing flagship aviation programs such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as well as the secretive Skunk Works development shop. Ulmer, 56, has spent the past three years leading the F-35 program, Lockheed's largest effort and one of its biggest money makers. As vice president and general manager, Ulmer oversaw the program as the focus transitioned from development to driving down procurement and sustainment costs. He also previously worked as the head of operations at Skunk Works, the advanced development arm of Lockheed known for its work on secret projects. “With Greg's wide-ranging experience and impressive record of leadership, we are confident that Aeronautics will continue its legacy of success under his leadership,” said Lockheed President and CEO Jim Taiclet. Ulmer replaces Michele Evans, who passed away earlier this month. Over the past two years, Evans had taken medical leaves of absence due to a cancer diagnosis. During those periods, Ulmer filled in as the head of the aeronautics business. He officially takes over the executive vice president role on Feb. 1, the company stated. Ulmer graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering and obtained a master's degree in business management from the University of Tennessee. In addition to Ulmer's appointment, the company announced that Taiclet will become chairman of the board on March 1, after former CEO Marillyn Hewson retires as executive chairman. Hewson will continue work as a strategic adviser to Taiclet until Feb. 28, 2022. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2021/01/29/lockheeds-f-35-program-head-to-lead-aeronautics-biz

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  June 4, 2020 | International, Aerospace

  US DoD buys USD3.4 billion worth of Hydra 70 rockets

  The US Department of Defense (DoD) has contracted General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (OTS) to manufacture USD3.42 billion worth of Hydra 70 rockets. The US Army Contracting Command award, announced by the DoD on 29 May, covers production and engineering services of the 70 mm rockets, and will run through to 30 September 2026. The DoD did not disclose the numbers of rockets being acquired. The Hydra 70 is an unguided air-to-surface rocket that has been in service with the United States and international operators since the mid-1960s. The rockets fire from seven and 19-tube launchers and can be mounted on most rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft including the Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter and Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole combat aircraft. While the baseline Hydra 70 is an unguided rocket, it can be converted into a laser-guided munition with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) conversion kit developed by BAE Systems. As the APKWS system is a development of existing hardware it does not require any platform integration and little in the way of additional air- and ground-crew training. The mid-body design of its guidance section enables the use of existing warheads, fuzes, and rocket motors, dramatically enhancing the capability of the hundreds of thousands of Hydra 70 rockets in the DoD inventory. The APKWS has demonstrated an average hit accuracy of within 0.75 m of a designating laser spot (against a government specification of 2 m). https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/3a45334c-fcc8-453c-ad28-02d62549ad2e

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  November 28, 2018 | International, Naval

  BAE rolls out augmented-reality suite for the Royal Navy

  By: Andrew Chuter LONDON – BAE Systems hopes to begin operational trials of an augmented-reality system onboard a Royal Navy warship next year as part of a £20 million ($27 million) investment the defense contractor is making in advanced combat systems technology. Company officials said at a briefing in London Nov. 22 that they planned tests of augmented reality for a bridge watch officer role early in 2019 and expected the technology to be tried operationally during the second half of the year. “We have taken the navy through this and they are really excited. What they want to do is to take the technology into operation as soon as next year if they can,” said Frank Cotton, head of combat systems technology at BAE. The augmented-reality glasses would allow the officer of the watch to blend real-world visuals with data generated by sensors, like radars and sonars, laid over the top in a similar fashion to digital helmet displays used by combat jet pilots. Cotton said BAE is using technology from its new Striker II pilot's helmet to help develop the system for the Royal Navy. Microsoft's commercially available HoloLens augmented-reality headset, meanwhile, is set to feature in the Information Warrior 2019 exercise between March 25 and April 11. HoloLens, though, is better suited to gamers and software developers than for military use. Affordable, lightweight glasses, more suitable for the military environment are being developed by BAE, and the company hopes to take these to sea for operational testing in the second half of the year. Cotton said the Royal Navy is expected to use a Type 23 frigate for the sea trials. Full article: https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/11/26/bae-rolls-out-augmented-reality-suite-for-the-royal-navy