President Obama Announces the Historic Deal to Prevent Iran from Acquiring a Nuclear Weapon
After many months of principled diplomacy, the P5+1 -- the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, Russia and Germany -- along with the European Union, have achieved a long-term comprehensive nuclear deal with Iran that will verifiably prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and ensure that Iran's nuclear program will be exclusively peaceful going forward.
This deal stands on the foundation of the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA), achieved in November of 2013, and the framework for this Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), announced in Lausanne on April 2, 2015 that set the requirements for the deal with the P5+ 1 and Iran, alongside the European Union announced today.
Now, with this deal in place, the U.S., our allies, and the international community can know that tough, new requirements will keep Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Here's how:
Blocking the Four Pathways to a Nuclear Weapon
Building a nuclear bomb requires either uranium or plutonium. But thanks to this deal, Iran’s four possible ways to leverage those fissile materials are blocked.
Under the framework for an Iran nuclear deal Iran's uranium enrichment pathway to a weapon will be shut down
The Uranium pathways at Natanz and Fordow
Iran would needs two key elements to construct a uranium bomb: tens of thousands of centrifuges and enough highly enriched uranium to produce enough material to construct a uranium bomb.
There are currently two uranium enrichment facilities in the country: the Natanz facility and the Fordow facility.
Let’s take a look at Iran’s uranium stockpile first. Currently, Iran has a uranium stockpile to create 8 to ten nuclear bombs.
But thanks to this nuclear deal, Iran must reduce its stockpile of uranium by 98%, and will keep its level of uranium enrichment at 3.67% -- significantly below the enrichment level needed to create a bomb.
Iran also needs tens of thousands of centrifuges to create highly enriched uranium for a bomb. Right now, Iran has nearly 20,000 centrifuges between their Natanz and Fordow facilities. But under this deal, Iran must reduce its centrifuges to 6,104 for the next ten years. No enrichment will be allowed at the Fordow facility at all, and the only centrifuges Iran will be allowed to use are their oldest and least efficient models.
Under the framework for an Iran nuclear deal
The Plutonium pathway at the Arak reactor Iran's uranium enrichment pathway to a weapon will be shut down
The third way Iran could build a nuclear weapon is by using weapons-grade plutonium. The only site where Iran could accomplish this is the Arak reactor, a heavy-water nuclear reactor. Right now, this reactor could be used in a weapons program, but under this deal, the Arak reactor will be redesigned so it cannot produce any weapons-grade plutonium. And all the spent fuel rods (which could also be source material for weapons-grade plutonium) will be sent out of the country as long as this reactor exists. What’s more, Iran will not be able to build a single heavy-water reactor for at least 15 years. That means, because of this deal, Iran will no longer have a source for weapons-grade plutonium.
A covert pathway to building a secret nuclear program
The previous three pathways occur at facilities that Iran has declared. But what if they try to build a nuclear program in secret? That’s why this deal is so important. Under the new nuclear deal, Iran has committed to extraordinary and robust monitoring, verification, and inspection. International inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will not only be continuously monitoring every element of Iran’s declared nuclear program, but they will also be verifying that no fissile material is covertly carted off to a secret location to build a bomb. And if IAEA inspectors become aware of a suspicious location, Iran has agreed to implement the Additional Protocol to their IAEA Safeguards Agreement, which will allow inspectors to access and inspect any site they deem suspicious. Such suspicions can be triggered by holes in the ground that could be uranium mines, intelligence reports, unexplained purchases, or isotope alarms.
Basically, from the minute materials that could be used for a weapon comes out of the ground to the minute it is shipped out of the country, the IAEA will have eyes on it and anywhere Iran could try and take it:
Under the framework for an Iran nuclear deal Iran's uranium enrichment pathway to a weapon will be shut down
What Iran’s Nuclear Program Would Look Like Without This Deal
As it stands today, Iran has a large stockpile of enriched uranium and nearly 20,000 centrifuges, enough to create 8 to 10 bombs. If Iran decided to rush to make a bomb without the deal in place, it would take them 2 to 3 months until they had enough weapon-ready uranium (or highly enriched uranium) to build their first nuclear weapon. Left unchecked, that stockpile and that number of centrifuges would grow exponentially, practically guaranteeing that Iran could create a bomb—and create one quickly – if it so chose.
This deal removes the key elements needed to create a bomb and prolongs Iran’s breakout time from 2-3 months to 1 year or more if Iran broke its commitments. Importantly, Iran won’t garner any new sanctions relief until the IAEA confirms that Iran has followed through with its end of the deal. And should Iran violate any aspect of this deal, the U.N., U.S., and E.U. can snap the sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy back into place.
Lockheed Martin to Acquire Sikorsky Aircraft and Conduct Strategic Review of IT and Technical Services Businesses
Bethesda, Md., July 20, 2015 – Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Sikorsky Aircraft, a world leader in military and commercial rotary-wing aircraft, for $9.0 billion. The price is effectively reduced to approximately $7.1 billion, after taking into account tax benefits resulting from the transaction.
“Sikorsky is a natural fit for Lockheed Martin and complements our broad portfolio of world-class aerospace and defense products and technologies,” said Marillyn Hewson, Lockheed Martin chairman, president and CEO. “I’m confident this acquisition will help us extend our core business into the growing areas of helicopter production and sustainment. Together, we’ll offer a strong portfolio of helicopter solutions to our global customers and accelerate the pace of innovation and new technology development.”
The acquisition is subject to customary conditions, including securing regulatory approvals, and is expected to close by late fourth quarter 2015 or early first quarter 2016. The transaction will have no impact on the company’s previously stated commitments to return cash to shareholders through dividends and to reduce outstanding share count to below 300 million shares by the end of 2017.
Lockheed Martin and United Technologies Corporation have agreed to make a joint election under Section 338(h)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code, which treats the transaction as an asset purchase for tax purposes. The election generates a tax benefit with an estimated present value of $1.9 billion for Lockheed Martin and its shareholders.
The Corporation plans to align Sikorsky under the Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training (MST) business segment. MST and Stratford, Conn., based Sikorsky currently partner on a number of critical programs, including the VH-92 Presidential Helicopter, Combat Rescue Helicopter and the Naval MH-60 Helicopter.
Separately, Lockheed Martin will conduct a strategic review of alternatives for its government IT and technical services businesses, primarily in the Information Systems & Global Solutions business segment and a portion of the Missiles and Fire Control business segment. The programs to be reviewed represent roughly $6 billion in estimated 2015 annual sales and more than 17,000 employees.
“As global security market dynamics shift, this review will strengthen our competitive posture, enabling sustained, profitable growth and positioning Lockheed Martin to deliver value for customers, shareholders and employees,” Hewson said.
Lockheed Martin is a leading IT and technical services provider around the globe, and with a series of recent wins in the U.S., Europe and Australia, the business is well positioned for the future. However, following recent shifts in market dynamics, Lockheed Martin will explore whether the businesses can achieve greater growth and create more value for customers and shareholders outside of the Corporation. The strategic review is expected to result in a spin-off to Lockheed Martin shareholders or sale of these components.
The IS&GS programs that are not included in the strategic review are mostly focused on defense and intelligence customers and will be realigned into the Corporation’s other four business segments following completion of the review.
For more information and updates on the Sikorsky Aircraft acquisition, visit: lockheedmartin.com/sikorsky.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 112,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2014 were $45.6 billion.
President Obama Provides an Update on Our Strategy to Degrade and Destroy ISIL
Today, President Obama provided an update on the U.S. mission to degrade and ultimately destroy the terrorist group, ISIL. Watch his remarks at the Pentagon here:
ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) was formerly al Qaeda’s affiliate in Iraq, and has since gained territory on both sides of the Iraq-Syrian border by taking advantage of sectarian strife and the Syrian civil war. Although ISIL calls itself the “Islamic State,” the President has emphasized that the terrorist group is neither Islamic nor a state.
"ISIL is a terrorist organization, pure and simple," he has said. Here's what the President had to say today on why we will ultimately prevail against ISIL:
Our main objective is to degrade and destroy this group through a comprehensive and sustained counterterrorism strategy that looks like this:
The Four Pillars of the U.S Strategy Against ISIL
1. A systematic campaign of airstrikes against ISIL
Working with the Iraqi government, the U.S. is expanding our efforts beyond protecting Americans and humanitarian missions, so that we're hitting ISIL targets as Iraqi forces go on the offense. We are pursuing terrorists wherever they are, which means the President will not hesitate to take action against ISIL in Syria as well as Iraq. As he has said, "If you threaten America, you will find no safe haven." As of today, we've launched more than 5,000 airstrikes against ISIL.
2. Increased support to forces fighting ISIL on the ground
The U.S. has sent a small contingent of service members to support Iraqi forces, including Kurdish fighters, with training, intelligence, and equipment. These American forces do not have a combat mission, but are providing the support needed for Iraqi forces to go on the offense. In Syria, we have ramped up our military assistance to the Syrian opposition, while pursuing the political solution necessary to solve Syria's crisis once and for all.
3. Drawing on our substantial counterterrorism capabilities to prevent ISIL attacks
Working with our partners, we are redoubling our efforts to cut off ISIL's funding, improve our intelligence, strengthen our defenses, counter ISIL's warped ideology, and stem the flow of foreign fighters into and out of the Middle East.
4. Providing humanitarian assistance to innocent civilians displaced by ISIL
We cannot allow innocent communities to be driven from their homelands. The U.S. continues to provide much-needed assistance to Sunni and Shia Muslims who are at grave risk, as well as tens of thousands of Christians and other religious minorities.
Germany Announces MEADS Selection for Future Air and Missile Defense System
ORLANDO, Fla., – The German Federal Ministry of Defence has chosen the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) as the basis for Taktisches Luftverteidigungssystem (TLVS), a next-generation network-based tactical air and missile defense system. It will replace Patriot air defense systems initially fielded in the 1980s.
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) will share in development of Germany’s TLVS with its MEADS International partner MBDA Deutschland.
“Lockheed Martin is fully committed to the success of TLVS,” said Rick Edwards, president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “It reflects our continuing commitment to international partnerships and ongoing support for the German government’s leadership role in European missile defense.”
MEADS has been developed through MEADS International, a cooperative venture between MBDA and Lockheed Martin. The TLVS program ensures seamless continuation of this successful development partnership. Lockheed Martin companies in Dallas, Texas; Huntsville, Alabama; Orlando, Florida; and Syracuse, New York, are expected to support the German program.
“With this decision in favour of MEADS, Germany has opted for a powerful, state-of-the-art, long term ground-based air and missile defence system sufficient to meet the threats both of today and of the future,” said Thomas Homberg, managing director of MBDA Deutschland. “It is now our shared responsibility, together with the armed forces, to provide a solid basis for the introduction of the system.”
In 2013, at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, MEADS became the first air and missile defense system to demonstrate a dual intercept of targets attacking simultaneously from opposite directions. MEADS is designed to significantly reduce operation and support costs by covering a larger area with less manpower and equipment, and less demand on airlift. Once in theater, MEADS elements emplace more quickly and can be repositioned without shutting the system down.
“We are honored that MEADS will provide the foundation for Germany’s next-generation air and missile defense system,” said Mike Trotsky, vice president of air and missile defense at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “Only MEADS has demonstrated the advanced network capabilities and 360-degree defense that are now essential requirements for air and missile defense systems.”
For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/meads.html.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 112,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2014 were $45.6 billion.
U.S. Navy Accepts Third Lockheed Martin-Built MUOS Communications Satellite
SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 3, 2015 — Following successful completion of on-orbit testing, the U.S. Navy accepted the third Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT)-built Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite.
Launched January 20, MUOS-3 is the latest addition to a network of orbiting satellites and relay ground stations that is revolutionizing secure communications for mobile military forces. Users with operational MUOS terminals can seamlessly connect around the globe, beyond line-of-sight, with new smart phone-like capabilities, including simultaneous and crystal-clear voice, video and mission data, on a high-speed Internet Protocol-based system.
“MUOS is a game-changer in communications for every branch of our military, which all have mobile users who will benefit from these new capabilities,” said Iris Bombelyn, Lockheed Martin’s vice president for narrowband communications. “This latest satellite will expand the MUOS network’s coverage over more than three-quarters of the globe, including significantly more coverage north and south than the current legacy voice-only system.”
With on-orbit testing complete, MUOS-3 is being relocated to its on-orbit operational slot in preparation for operational acceptance.
The MUOS network is expected to provide near global coverage before year end. MUOS-1 and MUOS-2, launched respectively in 2012 and 2013, are already operational and providing high-quality voice communications. Lockheed Martin handed over the last of four required ground stations to the Navy in February. MUOS-4 is expected to launch later this year.
For additional information, photos and video visit: www.lockheedmartin.com/muos
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 112,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2014 were $45.6 billion.
Most Advanced GPS Satellite Comes Together: First Lockheed Martin-Built GPS III Ready for System-Level Testing
DENVER, – Using a 10-ton crane, Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] engineers and technicians gently lowered the system module of the U.S. Air Force’s first next generation GPS III satellite into place over its propulsion core, successfully integrating the two into one space vehicle.
Click here for a high-resolution version of the GPS Integration image.
GPS III space vehicle one (SV 01) is the first of a new, advanced GPS satellite design block for the Air Force. GPS III will deliver three times better accuracy, provide up to eight times improved anti-jamming capabilities and extend spacecraft life to 15 years, 25 percent longer than the satellites launching today. GPS III’s new L1C civil signal also will make it the first GPS satellite interoperable with other international global navigation satellite systems.
The systems integration event brought together several major fully functional satellite components. The system module includes the navigation payload, which performs the primary positioning, navigation and timing mission. The functional bus contains sophisticated electronics that manage all satellite operations. The propulsion core allows the satellite to maneuver for operations on orbit.
“The final integration of the first GPS III satellite is a major milestone for the GPS III program,” said Mark Stewart, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Navigation Systems mission area. “This summer, SV 01 will begin Thermal Vacuum testing, where it will be subjected to simulated harsh space environments. Successful completion of this testing is critical as it will help validate our design and manufacturing processes for all follow-on GPS III satellites.”
Lockheed Martin is currently under contract to build eight GPS III satellites at its GPS III Processing Facility near Denver, a factory specifically designed to streamline satellite production.
The GPS III team is led by the Global Positioning Systems Directorate at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center. Air Force Space Command’s 2nd Space Operations Squadron (2SOPS), based at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, manages and operates the GPS constellation for both civil and military users.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 112,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2014 were $45.6 billion.
Northrop Grumman Unveils the Scalable Agile Beam Radar — Global Strike for the B-1B Bomber
LINTHICUM, Md. – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) introduced its Scalable Agile Beam Radar – Global Strike (SABR-GS) for the U.S. Air Force’s B-1B Lancer at the 30th Anniversary B-1 Reunion held at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.
Northrop Grumman’s SABR-GS is a full performance, multi-function, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for the B-1. Developed as an affordable, low risk radar retrofit solution, SABR-GS offers advanced operational capabilities and greater system reliability than the legacy passive ESA. Large synthetic aperture radar maps, advanced image processing and sensor integration provide a significant advantage in situational awareness and give the B-1 powerful new capabilities for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting. Open architecture standards have been used to integrate data from other onboard sensors, enabling continued innovation and affordability for the life of the system.
As a derivative of the AN/APG-83 SABR, SABR-GS takes advantage of hardware, legacy modes and advanced operating modes proven on the F-35, F-22 and F-16 aircraft. Nearly three times the size of the F-16 SABR system, SABR-GS offers unprecedented target area detail and digital maps under all weather conditions.
“By developing SABR-GS, we’ve enabled capabilities now critical to the mission – a significant milestone for SABR technology and the B-1,” said Paul Kalafos, vice president, surveillance systems business unit, Northrop Grumman. “By leveraging the successes of the SABR for the F-16 fighter, we have activated cost savings for the U.S. Air Force’s B-1 program, proven that SABR AESA technology is scalable and extended the survivability of the aircraft for the next 25 years.”
The development of SABR-GS took place under a $21 million risk reduction contract awarded in 2011 by the Air Force B-1 Systems Program Office. Northrop Grumman has demonstrated in flight, the advanced B-1 AESA and advanced sensor and fusion processing, readying the radar for the engineering, manufacturing and development phase.
The completion of this contract follows the successful Radar Modernization Improvement Program (RMIP), in which Northrop Grumman modernized the radar receivers and processors of the B-1. SABR-GS will replace the APQ-164 radar antenna currently deployed on all B-1 bombers.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.
Making Unmanned Search And Rescue A Reality: Unmanned Helicopter Conducts First Collaborative Casualty Evacuation
BLOOMFIELD, Conn., – Dangerous frontline operations call for a safe and efficient method to locate and evacuate wounded personnel. To address this critical need and help save lives, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), Kaman Aerospace (NYSE: KAMN), and Neya Systems demonstrated the first ever collaborative unmanned air and ground casualty evacuation using the unmanned aerial system (UAS) Control Segment (UCS) Architecture and K-MAX® cargo helicopter on March 26.
During the demonstration, a distress call led ground operators to send an unmanned ground vehicle to assess the area and injured party. The ground operators used control stations that communicated with one another using the UAS control segment architecture. Upon successful identification, the ground operators requested airlift by unmanned K-MAX of one individual who was injured. From the ground, the K-MAX operators used a tablet to determine the precise location and a safe landing area to provide assistance to the team. The injured team member was strapped into a seat on the side of the unmanned K-MAX, which then flew that individual to safety.
“This application of the unmanned K-MAX enables day or night transport of wounded personnel to safety without endangering additional lives,” said Jay McConville, director of business development for Unmanned Integrated Solutions at Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training. “Since the K-MAX returned from a nearly three-year deployment with the U.S. Marine Corps, we’ve seen benefits of and extended our open system design incorporating the UCS Architecture, which allows rapid integration of new applications across industry to increase the safety of operations, such as casualty evacuation, where lives are at stake.”
“Neya is continuing to develop advanced technologies for human robot interfaces for complex platforms and multi-robot missions,” said Dr. Parag Batavia, president of Neya. “Our and Lockheed Martin’s use of the unmanned aircraft system control segment architecture greatly sped up integration of our respective technologies, resulting in a comprehensive capability that can be ultimately transitioned to the warfighter very efficiently.”
While deployed with the U.S. Marine Corps from 2011 to 2014, unmanned K-MAX successfully conducted resupply operations, delivering more than 4.5 million pounds of cargo during more than 1,900 missions. Manufactured by Kaman and outfitted with an advanced mission suite by Lockheed Martin, unmanned K-MAX is engineered with a twin-rotor design that maximizes lift capability in the most challenging environments, from the mountainous Alps to the Persian Gulf. Its advanced autonomy allows unmanned K-MAX to work day and night, in all-weather, even when manned assets are unable to fly. Lockheed Martin continues to extend and mature the K-MAX helicopter’s onboard technology and autonomy for defense operations, as well as demonstrate its use for civil and commercial applications.
With five decades of experience in unmanned and robotic systems for air, land and sea, Lockheed Martin’s unmanned systems are engineered to help our military, civil and commercial customers accomplish their most difficult challenges today and in the future.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 112,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2014 were $45.6 billion.
Kaman Aerospace is a division Kaman Corporation , which was founded in 1945 by aviation pioneer Charles H. Kaman. Headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut, The company produces and/or markets widely used proprietary aircraft bearings and components; complex metallic and composite aerostructures; safe and arm solutions for missile and bomb systems ; and support for the company’s SH-2G Super Seasprite maritime helicopters and K-MAX medium-to-heavy lift helicopters.
Neya Systems, LLC is a small business unmanned systems company in Wexford, Pennsylvania. Founded in 2009, Neya focuses on developing interoperable solutions to the world’s hardest robotics problems. Neya Systems, LLC, is a 2014 INC 5000 Listee, and in 2015 was named by Fast Company magazine as one of the Top-10 Worldwide Most Innovative Companies in Robotics. For more information, visit http://www.neyasystems.com.
The President Addresses the Nation on a U.S. Counterterrorism Operation
THE PRESIDENT: This morning, I want to express our grief and condolences to the families of two hostages. One American, Dr. Warren Weinstein, and an Italian, Giovanni Lo Porto, who were tragically killed in a U.S. counterterrorism operation.
Warren and Giovanni were aid workers in Pakistan devoted to improving the lives of the Pakistani people. After Warren was abducted by al Qaeda in 2011, I directed my national security team to do everything possible to find him and to bring him home safely to his family. And dedicated professionals across our government worked tirelessly to do so. We also worked closely with our Italian allies on behalf of Giovanni, who was kidnapped in 2012.
Since 9/11, our counterterrorism efforts have prevented terrorist attacks and saved innocent lives both here in America, and around the world. And that determination to protect innocent life only makes the loss of these two men especially painful for all of us. Based on information and intelligence we have obtained, we believe that a U.S. counterterrorism operation targeting an al Qaeda compound in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region accidently killed Warren and Giovanni this past January.
Yesterday, I spoke with Warren’s wife Elaine and Prime Minister Renzi of Italy. As a husband and as a father, I cannot begin to imagine the anguish that the Weinstein and Lo Porto families are enduring today. I realize that there are no words that can ever equal their loss. I know that there is nothing that I can ever say or do to ease their heartache. And today, I simply want to say this:
As President and as Commander-in-Chief, I take full responsibility for all our counterterrorism operations, including the one that inadvertently took the lives of Warren and Giovanni. I profoundly regret what happened. On behalf of the United States government, I offer our deepest apologies to the families.
As soon as we determined the cause of their deaths, I directed that the existence of this operation be declassified and disclosed publicly. I did so because the Weinstein and Lo Porto families deserve to know the truth. And I did so because even as certain aspects of our national security efforts have to remain secret in order to succeed, the United States is a democracy committed to openness in good times and in bad.
Our initial assessment indicates that this operation was fully consistent with the guidelines under which we conduct counterterrorism efforts in the region, which has been our focus for years because it is the home of al Qaeda’s leadership. And based on the intelligence that we had obtained at the time, including hundreds of hours of surveillance, we believed that this was an al Qaeda compound; that no civilians were present; and that capturing these terrorists was not possible. And we do believe that the operation did take out dangerous members of al Qaeda. What we did not know, tragically, is that al Qaeda was hiding the presence of Warren and Giovanni in this same compound.
It is a cruel and bitter truth that in the fog of war generally and our fight against terrorists specifically, mistakes — sometimes deadly mistakes — can occur. But one of the things that sets America apart from many other nations, one of the things that makes us exceptional is our willingness to confront squarely our imperfections and to learn from our mistakes.
Already, I have directed a full review of what happened. We will identify the lessons that can be learned from this tragedy, and any changes that should be made. We will do our utmost to ensure it is not repeated. And we will continue to do everything we can to prevent the loss of innocent lives — not just innocent Americans, but all innocent lives in our counterterrorism operations.
Today we join their families and friends in honoring Warren and Giovanni — two humanitarians who came from different countries but who were united by a spirit of service. For decades, Warren lived the ideals of our country, serving with the Peace Corps and later with the United States Agency for International Development. He devoted his life to people across Africa and South Asia. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who willingly left the comforts of home to help the people of Pakistan. At the time of his abduction, he was a USAID contractor focused on helping Pakistani families escape poverty and give a better life to their children.
Giovanni’s humanitarianism also took him around the world to the Central African Republic, to Haiti and ultimately Pakistan. Like Warren, he fell in love with Pakistan and its people, and believed passionately that he could made a difference in their lives. Giovanni’s service reflected the commitment of the Italian people, our great allies and friends, to the security and dignity of people around the world. And today is a reminder of the bonds of friendship between our countries and the shared values that bind Americans and Italians together.
There could be no starker contrast between these two selfless men and their al Qaeda captors. Warren’s work benefited people across faiths. Meanwhile, al Qaeda boasted to the world that it held Warren, citing his Jewish faith. Al Qaeda held both men for years, even as Warren’s health deteriorated. They deprived these men of precious, irreplaceable years with family who missed them terribly.
Amid grief that is unimaginable, I pray that these two families will find some small measure of solace in knowing that Warren and Giovanni’s legacy will endure. Their service will be remembered by the Pakistani men, women and children whose lives they touched and made better. Their spirit will live on in the love of their families, who are in our thoughts and prayers today, especially Warren’s wife Elaine, their daughters Alisa and Jennifer, and their families.
And the shining example of these two men will stand as a light to people the world over who see suffering and answer with compassion, who see hatred and offer their love, who see war and work for peace.
May God bless these two brave men, and may He watch over and comfort their families for all the years to come.
Alcoa to Acquire RTI International Metals, Boosting Value-Add, Multi-Material Aerospace Portfolio
NEW YORK & PITTSBURGH—Lightweight, high-performance metals leader Alcoa (NYSE:AA) is announcing another major milestone in its transformation, further building its value-add portfolio for profitable growth. The Company has signed a definitive agreement to acquire RTI International Metals, Inc. (NYSE:RTI), a global supplier of titanium and specialty metal products and services for the commercial aerospace, defense, energy and medical device markets. Alcoa will purchase RTI in a stock-for-stock transaction with an enterprise value of $1.5 billion.
With RTI, Alcoa will grow its value-add businesses and further strengthen its aerospace portfolio. RTI will expand Alcoa’s range of titanium offerings and add advanced technologies and materials, increasing the Company’s position as a leading industrial innovator.
“Alcoa is accelerating its value-add growth engine by acquiring titanium leader RTI,” said Klaus Kleinfeld, Alcoa Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We are combining two innovators in materials science and process technology, shifting Alcoa’s transformation into a higher gear. RTI expands our aerospace portfolio market reach and positions us to capture future growth to deliver compelling value for customers, shareholders and employees.”
“Innovation and scale are critical to winning in both the titanium and aerospace industries today, which is why this transaction is such a natural strategic fit for both RTI and Alcoa,” said Dawne Hickton, Vice Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer of RTI International Metals. “We are pleased to have an agreement with Alcoa that delivers immediate value to our shareholders that appropriately reflects the strength of our business. Through this combination of forces, RTI will take its innovative technologies to the next level and deliver even more value-add titanium solutions to meet customer needs. We look forward to continuing to accelerate RTI’s success as a part of the Alcoa team.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Alcoa will acquire all outstanding shares of RTI in a stock-for-stock transaction. RTI shareholders will receive 2.8315 Alcoa shares for each RTI share, representing a value of $41 per RTI share based on Alcoa’s closing price on March 6, 2015. The transaction has an enterprise value of $1.5 billion, including $330 million of RTI cash on hand and up to $517 million in RTI’s convertible notes.
Transaction Benefits
The acquisition will offer Alcoa financial benefits with realized net synergies of about $100 million in 2019, primarily driven by procurement and productivity improvements, leveraging Alcoa’s global shared services and driving profitable growth. Alcoa expects RTI to contribute $1.2 billion in revenues in 2019, up from $794 million generated in 2014, with 65 percent of revenues supported by contracts over the next five years. RTI is expected to reach profitability of 25 percent EBITDA margin in 2019, up from 14.5 percent in 2014.
This transaction is expected to enable Alcoa to capitalize on strong growth in the commercial aerospace sector. Alcoa projects a compounded annual global aerospace market growth rate of 5 to 6 percent through 2019 and sees a current 9-year production order book for commercial jets at 2014 delivery rates.
RTI grows Alcoa’s pro forma 2014 annual aerospace revenues by 13 percent, up from $5 billion to $5.6 billion. RTI is expected to increase Alcoa’s 2014 pro forma aerospace revenues to 37 percent of value-add sales, up from 35 percent. Alcoa’s aerospace business is the largest contributor to Alcoa’s value-add businesses.
Eighty percent of RTI’s revenues in 2014 were from the aerospace and defense industries, with the balance mainly split between other markets including energy and medical devices, complementing Alcoa’s growth markets.
Strategic Rationale
RTI brings proven midstream and downstream capabilities in titanium, the world’s fastest-growing aerospace metal. Spending on titanium aerospace mill products is expected to grow by about five percent annually over the next five years driven by high-growth, next-generation aircraft programs. RTI’s titanium operations span midstream processes such as melting, ingot casting, bloom, billet, plate and sheet production; and downstream extrusions for aerospace, oil and gas applications, high speed machining, and production of integrated subassemblies primarily for aerospace. These capabilities complement Alcoa’s titanium investment casting and forging capabilities, and will enable a value-creating closed titanium scrap loop. RTI will increase the percentage of Alcoa’s non-aluminum downstream revenues to 64 percent of total downstream sales.
RTI will expand Alcoa’s advanced manufacturing and materials technologies. Its high-velocity machining, forming, extruding and parts assembly operations will enable Alcoa to produce some of the largest, most complex aerospace components. Advanced titanium powder metallurgy and processing technology will enable cost-effective production of near net shape aerospace components, as well as medical devices and oil and gas products. RTI will expand Alcoa’s additive manufacturing capabilities, such as 3-D printing, to produce titanium, specialty metals and plastic parts for aerospace, medical and energy applications. RTI also grows Alcoa’s portfolio of cutting-edge materials, including titanium-aluminides, complementing Alcoa’s industry leadership in metallics. Titanium-aluminides are increasingly used to manufacture lightweight, aerodynamic jet engine parts for high-volume, next-generation jet engines.
Timing
The transaction, which has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies, remains subject to customary conditions and receipt of regulatory approvals and RTI shareholder approval. Alcoa and RTI expect to obtain all required regulatory clearances and RTI shareholder approval in order to close the transaction in three to six months.
Greenhill & Co. and Morgan Stanley are acting as financial advisors to Alcoa, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is serving as legal counsel. Barclays is acting as the sole financial advisor to RTI, and Jones Day is serving as legal counsel.
Additional resources: Go to www.alcoa.com/RTI for more information, photos and b-roll.
About Alcoa
A global leader in lightweight metals technology, engineering and manufacturing, Alcoa innovates multi-material solutions that advance our world. Our technologies enhance transportation, from automotive and commercial transport to air and space travel, and improve industrial and consumer electronics products. We enable smart buildings, sustainable food and beverage packaging, high-performance defense vehicles across air, land and sea, deeper oil and gas drilling and more efficient power generation. We pioneered the aluminum industry over 125 years ago, and today, our approximately 59,000 people in 30 countries deliver value-add products made of titanium, nickel and aluminum, and produce best-in-class bauxite, alumina and primary aluminum products. For more information, visit www.alcoa.com, follow @Alcoa on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Alcoa and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Alcoa.
About RTI International Metals
RTI International Metals, Inc. is a leading vertically integrated global supplier of advanced titanium and specialty metal products and services to commercial aerospace, defense, energy, medical device and other customers across the entire supply chain. For more than 60 years, RTI has been taking titanium further through advanced manufacturing and engineering processes. RTI delivers a full range of titanium mill products as well as other titanium and specialty metals products and services including extruded shapes, formed and 3D-printed parts, and precision engineered and machined components through our downstream integrated supply chain.
Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, RTI has locations in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. To learn more about RTI International Metals, Inc., visit our website at www.rtiintl.com.
IBM Brings Cyber Threat Analytics to The Cloud – Delivers Power of QRadar Security Intelligence
ARMONK, NY: IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced it is bringing its market-leading Security Intelligence technology, IBM QRadar®, to the cloud, giving companies the ability to quickly prioritize real threats and free up critical resources to fight cyberattacks. The new services are available to clients through a cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) model, with optional IBM Security Managed Services to provide deeper expertise and flexibility for security professionals.
According to the 2014 IBM Cyber Index, organizations globally deal with an average of 91 million potential security events every year, creating vast volumes of data that need to be stored and analyzed. Cloud-based threat monitoring and analytics provides the simplicity of a hosted deployment, combined with advanced analytics capabilities and the proven expertise from a security services provider needed to monitor today’s hybrid IT environments. The two new cloud-based services are:
IBM Security Intelligence on Cloud – helps organizations determine if security-related events are simple anomalies or potential threats. Built as a cloud service using IBM QRadar, enterprises can quickly correlate security event data with threat information from over 500 supported data sources for devices, systems, and applications. This is complemented by more than 1500 pre-defined reports for use cases such as compliance, vulnerability management and security incident response. Also, the integration of QRadar with IBM’s recently announced cloud-based X-Force Exchange gives security teams volumes of historical and real time threat intelligence.
Intelligent Log Management on Cloud – designed to simplify security and compliance data collection and reporting needs. Powered by IBM QRadar® technology, Intelligent Log Management uses analytics and a hosted, multi-tenant technology to rapidly deliver comprehensive compliance with powerful real-time correlation and anomaly detection capabilities. Through support for more than 400 platforms, security managers can also capture logs from nearly any device in their security operation.
“Organizations are facing a security data tsunami that can overwhelm even the most sophisticated enterprise’s security program,” said Jason Corbin, Vice President, Product Management and Strategy, IBM Security. “Security leaders are telling us they want increased visibility through the cloud and control throughout their hybrid IT environments. The option of doing predictive analytics via the cloud gives security teams the flexibility to bring in skills, innovation and information on demand across all of their security environments.”
Next Generation IBM Managed Services for Cloud Security
These new offerings are backed and delivered through IBM’s next-generation platform of managed security services, handling over 15 billion security events per day for over 4,000 clients around the world. IBM Security experts, located in ten global security operations centers (SOCs), are available on demand 24×7. These IBM analysts and engineers help clients detect and protect themselves from security risks often before software fixes are released to the market—giving IBM clients an additional edge when it comes to safeguarding their computers, networks and corporate “crown jewels.”
The unique IBM capabilities consolidate diverse security environments across existing platforms, as well as private, public and hybrid clouds under a “single pane of glass”— helping customers transform and optimize their overall security operations. This approach helps businesses better integrate security threat intelligence, big data and analytics with customized services. Also, clients can experience improved threat response times, while potentially reducing overall security costs by an average of 55 percent. This also significantly improves threat detection, helping clients automatically triage up to 95 percent of their security events.
For more information, please visit http://www.ibm.com/security.
About IBM Security
IBM’s security platform provides the security intelligence to help organizations holistically protect their people, data, applications and infrastructure. IBM offers solutions for identity and access management, security information and event management, database security, application development, risk management, endpoint management, next-generation intrusion protection and more. IBM operates one of the world’s broadest security research and development, and delivery organizations. For more information, please visit www.ibm.com/security, follow @IBMSecurity on Twitter or visit the IBM Security Intelligence blog.
A Framework For Preventing Iran From Acquiring A Nuclear Weapon
President Obama has been clear that achieving a peaceful resolution that prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon will make the United States, our allies, and our world safer.
When President Obama took office he underscored that the United States was prepared to resolve this issue diplomatically – but only if Iran came to the table in a serious way. When that did not happen, we rallied the world to impose the toughest sanctions in history—sanctions that had a profound impact on the Iranian economy.
Sanctions alone could not stop Iran’s nuclear program. But they did help bring Iran to the negotiating table. Because of our diplomatic efforts, the world stood with us, and we were joined at the negotiating table by the world’s major powers – the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and China, as well as the European Union.
The goal: Reaching a long-term diplomatic resolution that verifiably prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
In November 2013, the P5+1 and Iran took an important first step toward that goal with the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA), which halted the progress of Iran’s program and rolled back it back in key areas for the first time in nearly a decade. The IAEA has verified that Iran has met all of its obligations under the JPOA.
After many months of principled diplomacy building on the JPOA, we have achieved a framework for a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
The P5+1 – the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, Russia and Germany – in coordination with the European Union secured a framework for a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) that lays out various solutions to be included in a long-term, comprehensive understanding with Iran. The JCPOA will verifiably prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and ensure that Iran’s nuclear program will be exclusively peaceful going forward.
This JCPOA will work by:
Increasing the time it would take Iran to acquire enough fissile material for one bomb from an estimated 2-3 months to at least 1 year if Iran dashed for a bomb
Reducing Iran’s stockpiles of enriched uranium
Reducing the number of Iran’s installed centrifuges by two-thirds
Limiting the types of centrifuges that Iran can use to enrich uranium
Preventing Iran from producing weapons-grade plutonium that could be used for a bomb
Tracking Iran’s nuclear activities with unprecedented transparency and robust inspections throughout its nuclear supply chain
The Deal Would Shut Down Iran’s Uranium Enrichment Pathway to a Weapon
Prior to the implementation of the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) that was reached in November 2013, Iran had a stockpile of 20% enriched uranium, a type of fissile material that can more easily be converted into weapons-grade uranium.
Thanks to that JPOA, that stockpile has been significantly reduced. The new JCPOA framework will reduce this 20% enriched uranium to zero; reduce Iran’s low-enriched uranium stockpile by 98%; reduce the number of Iran’s centrifuges that are currently installed by two-thirds; and limit the types of centrifuges that Iran can use to enrich uranium. That means the pathway to a bomb through highly enriched uranium will be shut down.
The Deal Will Cut Off All 4 of Iran’s Potential Pathways to a Bomb
In fact, this deal ensures that any attempts by Iran to overtly or covertly misuse fissile material to produce a nuclear bomb will be blocked.
Strengthening Canada’s Capability In The Arctic; Lockheed Martin Awarded Implementation For Offshore Patrol Ships
OTTAWA, Ontario, – Lockheed Martin Canada [LMT: NYSE] announced today that it has been awarded the implementation subcontract by Irving Shipbuilding Inc. as command and surveillance system integrator for the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) new class of Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS).
Lockheed Martin Canada is one of AOPS Prime Contractor Irving Shipbuilding’s Tier 1 suppliers for delivering the AOPS vessels as part of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS). With a contract valued at more than C$170M, Lockheed Martin Canada is responsible for key integration of data and information sources to increase the ships’ situational awareness and provide command, control and decision support at all levels of command for the new vessels.
Rosemary Chapdelaine, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Canada’s Ottawa-based Mission Systems and Training (MST) business, said “Our team facilitates tight collaboration with the shipyard, subcontractors and the Navy, and we are pleased to be moving to the next stage of the AOPS program on schedule. Our ability to coordinate among these stakeholders on complex programs is our blueprint for success.”
Lockheed Martin Canada was able to leverage its innovative combat management system from the Halifax Class Modernization (HCM) program for surveillance purposes on AOPS, offering a highly capable, low-risk solution for the project.
Chapdelaine continues, “This award, along with our continued milestone achievements to extend the life of the Halifax-class patrol frigates, strengthens our team’s capability to deliver enduring value for the RCN and for Canada.”
The naval capability built in Canada also provides an entry into the world market. The recent contract award for the New Zealand Frigate System Upgrade is directly attributable to the expertise and record of success Lockheed Martin Canada has established with HCM and now AOPS.
Success on these Canadian naval programs is in large part attributed to Lockheed Martin Canada’s strong Canadian supply chain. LM Canada manages four Canada-based subcontractors as part of the AOPS contract. These subcontractors were selected from a competition during the design phase. Across all programs, the company has managed over 700 contracts with Canadian companies across nine provinces in the country. This work offers Canadian companies an opportunity to broaden their portfolios to sustain and grow their businesses.
“Lockheed Martin Canada is a key partner in achieving best quality and value for Canada in the production of the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships,” said Kevin McCoy, President of Irving Shipbuilding Inc. “We have worked with them over the last 3 years to find the right command and surveillance solution to best serve the Navy in these important ships and to achieve the best overall benefit to Canada. I am pleased to have them on the AOPS team.”
AOPS is a Government of Canada procurement project for the RCN. The project is expected to equip the Canadian Forces with six naval ice-capable offshore patrol ships able to assert and enforce sovereignty in Canada’s waters where and when necessary, including the Arctic. The ships will conduct missions for northern surveillance, search and rescue, and interoperation with the Canadian Forces and other government organizations. The first Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2018.
About Lockheed Martin Canada
Lockheed Martin Canada has more than 850 employees at major facilities in Ottawa, Montreal, Dartmouth, Calgary, and Victoria, as well as Department of National Defence sites across the country, and is a leader in the delivery and integration of naval combat systems, radar platforms, avionics, electronic warfare, data fusion, commercial engine repair and overhaul, and performance-based logistics.
About NSPS Combatant Fleet Contract
In 2011, with the goal of building Canadian ships in Canada, the federal government established a strategic relationship with two Canadian shipyards, selected through an open and fair national competition, for large ship construction and designated them as sources of supply, one for combat vessels and the other for non-combat vessels.
Irving Shipbuilding was selected as Canada’s Combatant Shipbuilder under the merit-based National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS) and is in the early stages of a 30-year military shipbuilding program. The company is currently working on the Definition Contract for the first set of vessels, the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS), working toward the September 2015 cut steel date for the AOPS ships. The combatant portion of the NSPS program is comprised of 6 ice-capable AOPS, as well as up to 15 Canadian Surface Combatants, to replace the Canadian Navy’s current frigates and destroyers. The NSPS program is designed to generate opportunities for shipbuilding trades, technology and systems suppliers, marine professionals and knowledge building partners across Canada, returning economic benefits to Canadians.
Boeing Acquires 2d3 Sensing to Enhance Imaging and Intelligence Services
ST. LOUIS, – Boeing [NYSE: BA] has acquired 2d3 Sensing, a wholly owned subsidiary of OMG plc [LON: OMG] specializing in motion imagery processing of critical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data generated from aerial platforms.
2d3 Sensing’s software and services are used by the U.S. Air Force and other government and commercial customers. Their products can be found on the ScanEagle and Integrator systems provided by Boeing subsidiary Insitu, and this acquisition will allow further integration of 2d3 Sensing’s video analysis and other capabilities, into Insitu and other Boeing platforms.
“This supports our effort to differentiate our platforms and services with integrated information solutions,” said Steve Nordlund, Boeing Defense, Space & Security vice president, Unmanned Airborne Systems.
2d3 Sensing has approximately 40 employees in California and the United Kingdom.
“Insitu has a long history with 2d3 and by integrating them into the team, we can further leverage the unique capabilities the company offers,” said Ryan Hartman, Insitu president and CEO. “The services they provide highlight ways in which computer vision and image processing technologies can be used to enhance and analyze full motion video data captured and recorded during live missions. We look forward to incorporating such improvements into our unmanned vehicles.”
Boeing did not release the terms of the agreement.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Defense, Space & Security is one of the world’s largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Defense, Space & Security is a $31 billion business with 53,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.
Northrop Grumman Partners with Center Centre to Develop User Experience Mentoring Relationships
MCLEAN, Va. – March 24, 2015 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has entered into a partnership with Center Centre, the user experience design school based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to build strong mentoring connections, a pipeline of new User Experience (UX) talent and augment innovative approaches within the UX profession.
Center Centre is the first school of its kind and Northrop Grumman is their first corporate partner for the program launch.
Northrop Grumman UX professionals will engage in direct mentoring relationships with the participating students, giving them the opportunity to network, intern and participate in emerging skills workshops with their mentors. Students will also work on real world projects for the corporation.
“UX is a key technology focus at Northrop Grumman. The projects that the students at the Center Centre will work on will help them understand the UX needs of our customers,” said Neil Siegel, vice president and chief technology officer, Northrop Grumman Information Systems. “We look forward to this collaboration and the opportunity to participate in improving the students’ UX skills.”
UX brings user-centered design into the product development lifecycle. Northrop Grumman incorporates UX design technology into solutions to create easy-to-use and intuitive systems for customers.
“The Center Centre partnership augments our pipeline of UX talent and expertise that will ultimately help us to meet our customers’ needs,” said Milou Carolan, vice president, human resources, Northrop Grumman Information Systems.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.
Advancing Information Sharing: Radware Joins the Lockheed Martin Cyber Security Alliance
GAITHERSBURG, Md., – Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced the addition of Radware, a global leader of application delivery and security solutions for virtual and cloud data centers, to the Lockheed Martin Cyber Security Alliance.
“Prior to joining the Alliance roster, we worked with Radware to share best practices and develop ways to address growing cyber threats,” said Jeff Laskowski, manager of the Lockheed Martin Cyber Security Alliance. “The addition of Radware could not have come at a better time, as we continue to expand our global footprint and position the Alliance as an advocate for information sharing and collaboration.”
Formed to create an environment where leading technology providers can collaborate, combine strengths and share best practices, the Lockheed Martin Cyber Security Alliance identifies and implements solutions that help provide early threat detection and protection to solve customers’ growing cybersecurity needs and meet future challenges. The Alliance members engage in customer-focused scenarios, experiments and pilot programs that enable them to provide improved, more efficient and tested services.
As a top application delivery and security solutions provider, Radware protects banking, critical infrastructure, e-Commerce and mobile environments around the world. Using onsite detection and mitigation equipment and cloud-based protection, the Radware Attack Mitigation Solution provides the most comprehensive security against external and insider-based threats.
“Cyberattacks will grow in complexity, scale and impact as adversaries exploit cyber vulnerabilities for every advantage,” says Howard Teicher, vice president of public sector for Radware. “Radware’s Attack Mitigation Solution automatically defends networks and applications against unknown and known threats. When integrated with the technology of the Alliance members, we can significantly enhance the depth of cyber defense that Lockheed Martin can offer to protect IT infrastructure.”
Radware joins a host of industry leading alliance partners, including: APC by Schneider Electric, CA, Cisco, Citrix, CyberPoint, Dell, EMC Corporation and its RSA security division, FireEye, HP and its ArcSight division, Intel and Intel Security (formerly McAfee), Juniper Networks, Microsoft, NetApp, Red Hat, Splunk, Symantec, Trustwave, Verizon and VMware.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 112,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2014 were $45.6 billion.
Northrop Grumman Licenses Patented Technology to Improve Cooling of Electronic Modules for Military Applications
LINTHICUM, Md. – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has licensed its air-flow-through (AFT) cooling technology, used to improve the cooling of high-power electronics, to GE Intelligent Platforms (NYSE:GE).
AFT technology improves the air cooling of advanced electronic modules by incorporating a novel heat exchanger design that helps protect the modules. AFT is capable of 175 watts of cooling per module and meets the electronic industry’s VMEbus International Trade Association (VITA) 48.5 standard. The VITA standards organization is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
“This innovation opens the door to developing more powerful, rugged electronic systems across the military and commercial electronics fields,” said Tom Jones, vice president and general manager, Advanced Concepts and Technologies, Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems. “This improvement is a key method of cooling electronic modules that can serve a wide variety of applications.”
Advanced electronic devices generate heat, which can lead to damage or failure if not managed properly. AFT utilizes a central channel with heat fins to isolate electronic components from the cooling air. Air is forced past the heat fins to remove heat without the risk of exposing the electronics to contaminants in the air, a potential problem in other systems.
The efficient flow of cooling air is aided by the use of Northrop Grumman’s patented ruggedized, self-aligning, sliding air seals at the inlet and outlet of the modules. The removable electronic modules and seals are easily replaced in the field.
Traditionally, electronic devices such as personal computers have been cooled by a process known as direct forced air (DFA), in which a fan blows air directly over the circuit board and the electronic devices. AFT technology transfers heat into the cooling air more efficiently than the DFA approach, which enables much higher power densities and improved product reliability. Northrop Grumman expects this technology to benefit a broad set of military and commercial products that conform to the VITA 48.5 standard.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.
Raytheon and Boeing Partner to Provide Command and Control Solution to Royal Saudi Air Force
ABU DHABI, – Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has announced that Boeing (NYSE: BA) will join the Raytheon team to offer a comprehensive C5I™ (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber and Intelligence) solution for the modernization of the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) command and control system. Raytheon and Boeing bring extensive expertise in command and control and large systems integration for domestic and international customers.
“Raytheon intends to build on our long and proven history in the successful development and global deployment of command and control systems by providing the best C5I solution to our Royal Saudi Air Force customer,” said Bob Delorge, vice president, Raytheon C4I Systems. “Boeing’s system of systems and platform experience is a strong complement to our highly capable technologies and proven performance.”
“Boeing has enjoyed a partnership with Saudi Arabia for nearly 70 years, so working with Raytheon to modernize the RSAF’s command and control capability is important to us,” said Paul Geery, vice president, Boeing C3 solutions. “This agreement brings two of the world’s leading defense systems providers together to provide a world-class command and control system in support of the RSAF’s growing fleet of state-of-the-art aircraft, including the F-15SA.”
Raytheon would provide a specific and tailored C5I systems approach based on its Command View® Mission Solutions suite of integrated and interoperable command and control capabilities. As the provider of the current RSAF command and control system, including the recent RSAF Air Operations Center, as well as the KSA MOD C4I System, Al Diriyah, Raytheon is uniquely positioned to provide the most comprehensive C5I solution to the Kingdom. Raytheon Command View Mission Solutions, fielded and operational in locations around the world, extend mission effectiveness from strategic operations centers to the tactical edge of the operational environment.
The program pursuit will be led by ThalesRaytheonSystems, a joint venture between Raytheon and Thales, and Raytheon Atheeb Systems Limited (RASL), the Raytheon and Atheeb Group joint venture in Saudi Arabia. RASL solidifies the longstanding partnership between Raytheon and Atheeb, and demonstrates Raytheon’s commitment to place significant business into the Kingdom. Together, the companies have successfully managed and executed a number of command and control projects, including Peace Shield, the system currently used by the RSAF.
With uninterrupted operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for nearly 50 years, Raytheon will continue to provide solutions, technology transfer, training and in-country support to the Kingdom and its military services.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2014 sales of $23 billion and 61,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 93 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as cyber security and a broad range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter at @Raytheon.
5 Things You Should Know About the House GOP’s Threat to Shut Down the Department of Homeland Security
With less than one day left before the Department of Homeland Security's funding expires, House Republicans continue to threaten a shutdown of a department that keeps Americans safe. Set to run out tomorrow, this critical funding pays for more than 30,000 American workers, helps keep our cities safe and our border secure, and is essential to our overall national security.
That's why President Obama has continually pushed Congress to pass a clean bill that funds the Department without any strings attached. Here are five things you need to know about the House Republicans' threat to shut down the Department of Homeland Security:
1. It would furlough thousands of employees who keep us safe, and would force many to work without pay.
If the Republicans follow through on their threat to shut down the Department, at least 30,000 employees who keep us safe would be forced to go on furlough. Also, hundreds of thousands of employees would be forced to work without pay. This includes:
More than 40,000 Border Patrol agents and Customs and Border Protection officers
More than 50,000 TSA aviation security screeners
More than 13,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement law enforcement agents and officers
More than 40,000 active-duty Coast Guard military members
More than 4,000 Secret Service law enforcement agents and officers
2. It is opposed by both Republican and Democratic former Secretaries of Homeland Security.
Regardless of their political party, former Secretaries of Homeland Security are voicing their concern with the House Republicans' threat to shut down the Department. They stand united on the fact that funding this department is essential to our national security and should never be compromised.
3. It threatens the safety and security of our country.
Without funding, the Department of Homeland Security will not be at its fullest operational capacity. What's more, those who continue to keep America safe will be doing so without pay. The Department deserves our full support to execute its mission and protect America by helping to prevent terrorism, securing our borders, and responding to disasters.
4. It is even opposed by members of their own party.
Members of the Republican Party are putting politics aside to demand that we properly fund our homeland security. It's not time to play politics. These members understand that America's safety and security is of the utmost importance.
5. It hurts states across the country.
The Department of Homeland Security works to support all 50 states across our country. Without funding, employees will be unable to best support states and other localities. This threat to shut down the Department is a lackluster choice by House Republicans and ultimately threatens the security and everyday well-being of citizens from coast to coast.
