SUPERCOMPUTER: Linux Networx of Salt Lake City, Utah, has introduced a supercomputer tuned to work with Metacomp Technologies CFD++, a computational fluid dynamics application used by aerospace companies. Linux Networx says the LS-P performance tuned supersystem is designed to work with CFD++ and boosts performance 20 percent while cutting total cost of ownership.
TRIDENT REVENUE: Northrop Grumman Corp. said Jan. 16 that a December award from the U.S. Navy regarding Trident II (D5) Fleet Ballistic Missiles work could reach $139 million through 2010. Northrop Grumman was initially awarded $40.4 million for ongoing support for deployed SSBN and SSGN submarines, plus U.S. and U.K. strategic systems programs' alterations and nonconformance report projects (DAILY, Dec. 7, 2006). The sole-source contract contains an as yet-unfunded option of $29 million for fiscal year 2007 plus duplicate options of $40 million and $29 million for 2008.
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and Boeing have held the first in a series of demonstrations aimed at allowing near-space platforms to collect, manage and transmit data from lower-flying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Dubbed Project Marti, the technology will allow the distribution of data to soldiers on the ground without having to pass it through a ground station, satellite, or other fixed asset, according to Boeing.
OWNERSHIP RULE: A new Thai rule reinforcing restrictions on foreign ownership could increase pressure to scale back or even cancel last year's $1.9 billion takeover of telecom and satcom operator Shin by the Singapore government investment firm, Temasek. Technically, the new rule, which limits foreign ownership and voting rights to 50 percent, will not impact the deal, because Temasek's direct holding in Shin is only 40 percent.
SLIRBM STUDY: Lockheed Martin Corp. and Alliant Techsystems declared Jan. 15 that they successfully completed the Submarine-Launched Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Booster system demonstration for the U.S. Navy. They said they met all technical, cost and schedule objectives, demonstrating the availability of the potential near-term capability for prompt global strike - as quickly as 15 minutes. The industry team has delivered the final missile system trade study to the Navy, completing the booster system demonstration contract.
Asa Hutchinson is rejoining the firm as a partner. Hutchinson is a former Arkansas congressman and the Department of Homeland Security's first Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security.
GENESAT-1: GeneSat-1 is proving the usefulness of small scientific satellites following its launch from Wallops Island, Va., as a secondary payload on a Minotaur 1 rocket Dec. 16, NASA says. Intended to help scientists understand how spaceflight affects the human body, GeneSat-1 is NASA's first fully automated, self-contained biological spaceflight experiment on a satellite of its size, the agency says. It began to transmit data on its first pass over the mission's ground station in California and continues transmitting regularly.
Alcoa plans to boost its production of aluminum products for aerospace by 50 percent at four locations while also expanding its footprint in China. Strong demand for aerospace products contributed to the company's record results in 2006, and aerospace demand is expected to remain strong through 2007 despite delays in the Airbus A380 program, according to Chuck McLane, vice president and chief financial officer. McLane and other Alcoa leaders spoke to financial analysts on Jan. 9.
Northrop Grumman has opened a new production facility in Redondo Beach, Calif., that will be dedicated to solid-state laser production and serve as home to the company's work on the next phase of the Joint High-Powered Solid-State Laser (JHPSSL) program.
Douglas Parker has been named secretary. Dale Reed, Sr. has been appointed president. Anthony Romeo has been appointed treasurer. David Ryan has been named vice president.
Ginette Colot was re-elected secretary-treasurer. John Douglass was re-elected president and chief executive officer. Clayton Jones has been elected vice chairman. William H. Swanson has been named chairman for 2007.
Theodore R. Lerner will be retained to provide investor relations services. Dr. Jay Sculley and James E. Thomas III have joined the corporate advisory board.
