Aerospace & Defense News - Technology

AirGuide Business, April 7, 2008

Apr 7, 2008

Technology contractor SRA International Inc. said Thursday it won a contract worth up to $48.1 million to provide architectural design, database management and software support to the Department of Defense. Apr 3, 2008

Aerospace Industries Association members want to see a floor of 4% of GDP spent on defense, AIA President Marion Blakey said. She said a defense treaty between the U.S. and U.K. that could be ratified this spring could allow companies to exchange goods without an export license. "It's a game-changer, the ability for us to work together closely on technologies," Blakey said. Meanwhile, European aerospace and defense companies are being urged to sign an ethics code as part of an effort to improve the industry's reputation. Apr 2, 2008

Today at CTIA Wireless 2008, CrossLink Media, an interactive mobile software provider, announced that it was awarded an exclusive mobile contract with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) to provide text-based mobile coupons across military installations throughout the United States. AAFES is a multi-channel retailer offering quality merchandise and services via retail stores, catalogs and online to active duty, guard and reserve members, military retirees and their families at competitively low prices.CrossLink Media's proprietary software platform, MessageLink, will allow AAFES to communicate with military members anytime, anywhere via their most personal device -- the wireless phone. Authorized members will now have access to mobile coupons that provide special discounts and shopping incentives throughout the various military installations."The AAFES award is much more than a customer to CrossLink Media," said Brad Beasley, President of CrossLink Media. "AAFES' slogan is 'Serving the Best Customers in the World' and we take that to heart. It is an honor to receive this award and to help serve our military and their families," said Beasley."In today's world, virtually everyone uses their mobile phone for more than just talking," said Chris Peterson, Senior Restaurant Business Manager for AAFES. "CrossLink Media's mobile coupon program should provide a convenient way to distribute timely and relevant offers to our members and their families. We are looking forward to working with them." Apr 2, 2008

Europe[sup.1]s new Jules Verne cargo ship made a nearly flawless first docking to the International Space Station on Thursday, bringing with it tons of needed supplies and an expanded role in space for Europe. The robotic spacecraft, gingerly approaching the station at one-tenth of a foot per second, docked with the space station at 10:45 a.m. Eastern time while the two vehicles flew more than 200 miles above the Atlantic Ocean. Seven minutes later, a series of clamps firmly secured the two vehicles. Apr 1, 2008

Even in death Arthur C. Clarke would not compromise his vision. The famed science fiction writer, who once denigrated religion as "a necessary evil in the childhood of our particular species," left written instructions that his funeral be completely secular, according to his aides." Absolutely no religious rites of any kind, relating to any religious faith, should be associated with my funeral," he wrote. Clarke died early Wednesday at age 90 and was to be buried in a private funeral this weekend in his adopted home of Sri Lanka. Clarke, who had battled debilitating post-polio syndrome for years, had suffered breathing problems in recent days, aide Rohan De Silva said. Mar 31, 2008

Boeing

Boeing aims to set endurance record with Hummingbird UAV. Boeing hopes to set a new world record for endurance flights with its A160T Hummingbird unmanned air vehicle. The flights are supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the goal is to prove the extended range of the large vertical takeoff and landing unmanned air system. "The range, endurance and payload are unique for a rotary-wing UAV, and we think it can provide a variety of missions all at the same time. We've proved we can get there quickly, stay a long time and fly to places that commanders think are important," said Boeing Advanced Systems' business development director Grady Eakin. Apr 1, 2008

Boeing

Boeing urges missile agency to speed plans for second Airborne Laser. Boeing is asking the Missile Defense Agency to accelerate its plans to buy a second YAL-1 Airborne Laser aircraft. The company is concerned that the agency will slow development activity after a a planned shootdown test in August 2009. It hopes to start developing a second plane after the shootdown attempt. Mar 31, 2008

Brush Engineered Materials

Brush Engineered Materials which makes materials for electronics manufacturing, said Wednesday it received $9.8 million worth of new orders for infrared window parts and hybrid circuits from DRS Technologies. Brush will provide the products over a period of up to 16 months. Dallas-based DRS provides products to enhance soldiers' vision in low-light conditions. It also makes thermal weapon locating devices and vision-enhancing systems for armored vehicles. DRS will use Brush's Visi-Lid hermetic window assemblies and thin-film hybrid circuits for such products. Brush shares rose 30 cents to $27.11 in afternoon trading. Apr 2, 2008