Monthly Archives: January 2011

CACI Awarded $238 Million in Contracts to Support National Security and Intelligence

Posted by on January 31, 2011 No comments

CACI announced that it has been awarded approximately $238 million in previously unannounced contracts to support major operational components and critical support elements for both defense and federal civilian sectors in the Intelligence Community (IC). For these awards, CACI is delivering a wide range of talent and tailored technology that bolster its clients’ ability to accomplish vital national security missions. Approximately $165 million of these awards were made in CACI’s second fiscal quarter, ending December 31, 2010, with the remainder coming in the quarter ending September 30, 2010.

CACI’s multi-decade experience in the IC has provided it with an acute understanding of classified environments and missions, as well as a set of values that mirror those of its intelligence clients. These recent awards underscore CACI’s reputation as a contractor that provides extensive and highly valued solutions rapidly, globally, and across all intelligence disciplines. The awards involve performance of or support to the IC’s fundamental intelligence tasks of collection, analysis, and knowledge management in both the foreign intelligence and counterintelligence domains.

According to Bill Fairl, CACI’s President of U.S. Operations, “Simply put, intelligence work is a CACI core competency. Over 40 percent of CACI’s revenue year-to-date is derived from the intelligence support it provides at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels. We are capable of delivering end-to-end analytic and operational support capabilities – from point of collection to product delivery. We are equally capable of providing specialized niche capabilities or general augmentation, integrating rapidly and efficiently.”

CACI President and CEO Paul Cofoni said, “The size and mix of CACI’s intelligence business affords its intelligence personnel expansive training and career development opportunities, resulting in a stable, productive, and ‘right-skilled’ workforce with mastery of intelligence technologies and tradecraft. We have a proven capacity for delivering quality intelligence services, solutions, and products for time-sensitive requirements in the most demanding environments. We are proud of our record of performance on the nation’s first line of defense.”

CSC Wins Task Order from U.S. Air Force

Posted by on January 28, 2011 No comments

CSC announced that the U.S. Air Force awarded the company a task order to provide analytical and technical support to its 24th Air Force (24th AF) Cyber Command, located in San Antonio, Texas. Awarded during CSC’s fiscal 2011 second quarter, the task order has a one-year base period and four one-year options. The order was issued under the Information Technology Enterprise Solutions-2 Services contract, which CSC won in 2006.

Under the terms of the order, CSC will provide technical and analytical support in areas relating to command and control, planning, implementing, and executing the Air Force cyberspace mission. CSC will support the development and implementation of tools and procedures for network defense and warfare operations, as well as related integration of network support and exploitation capabilities and functions. Work on this task order will be performed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, under the direction of Wiley Hill, CSC’s local lead executive.

“As a trusted leader in providing global cybersecurity solutions, CSC is honored to support the evolution of the Network Warfare Operations mission to a cyberspace capability for the 24th Air Force,” said Harold C. Smith, vice president and general manager of the Intelligence Group for CSC’s North American Public Sector. “Our mission is to ensure the Air Force’s cyber command is confident in the integrated processes, procedures, data, and systems to support its air, space and electromagnetic spectrum operations.”

The 24th Air Force ensures 24×7 network availability, security, and command and control to include, but not limited to, global interoperability, global interchangeability, vulnerability management, change management, incident management, assessments, cyber surety, training, exercises, standards and evaluations, policy and procedure, security cooperation, analysis, and lessons learned.

CSC’s cybersecurity offerings include vulnerability analysis and penetration testing, data loss prevention services, a full range of managed security services, a global cyber strikeforce to respond to cybersecurity incidents, cyber forensics training and analysis, Common Criteria Test Laboratories in the U.S., Europe, and the Far East, and a worldwide infrastructure of Security Operations Centers. CSC’s nearly 2,000 cyber professionals serve commercial clients and public sector enterprises in the United States and overseas, including civilian departments and agencies, and defense organizations.

ManTech Awarded $9.2 Million Contract to Provide Cyber Security Services to the FBI

Posted by on January 26, 2011 No comments

ManTech announced this past week that the company has been awarded a contract to provide cyber security services to the FBI. Under the contract, ManTech will help protect and secure the FBI’s classified communications infrastructure from domestic and foreign cyber threats. The five-year contract is valued at approximately $9.2 million, with a potential value of approximately $10.5 million.

ManTech will also provide communications security and security-related policies, procedures, training and planning, and manage security for the FBI’s internal communications platform. The contract is the latest FBI award to ManTech, which recently received a $99.5 million cyber security services contract with the FBI’s Security Division. The company was also named as a prime contractor under the FBI IT Supplies and Support Services (FBI IT Triple S) contract, the largest ever awarded by the FBI, with a potential total ceiling value of $30 billion for all awardees.

“ManTech’s previous work with the FBI, and our deep understanding of cyber security will enable us to develop and implement world-class cyber security practices that will help protect FBI networks,” said L. William Varner, president and chief operating officer of ManTech’s Mission, Cyber and Technology Solutions group. “We look forward to expanding our long-standing relationship with the FBI as we further enhance its preparedness and ability to respond to external and internal cyber threats.”

Chartered Flight Provider Starts Moving into Commercial Services

Posted by on January 24, 2011 No comments

As airlines start to diversify their offerings to ensure long term growth, it was interesting to see that Vision Airlines, a charter flight provider, will expand into several regional Florida airports to offer more options to Sunshine State vacationers. Now, travelers will have a low-cost option to fly into Destin, one of Florida’s cherished vacation spots along the Emerald Coast. Each year, over 80 percent of the Emerald Coast’s 4.5 million visitors visit Destin, a small town nicknamed “the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.”

Vision Airlines will offer direct flights to Destin from several airports, including Atlanta and Miami. Other vacation destinations now include Biloxi, Mississippi; Savanah, Georgia; Ashville, North Carolina; and Tampa, Florida. “These markets are ignored by the large carriers,” Vision Airlines Chief Operating Officer David Meers told the St. Petersburg Times newspaper. “There’s so little flying that people have had to endure a long drive.” Vision Airlines has already become familiar with vacationing families, operating charter flights and air tours of the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam. Vision also offers charter flights to Cuba and helps fly rafters to thrill-seeking spots along the Colorado River

Source: CitySpur

$1.3 Million Order For Army Crew Served Weapon Light Systems

Posted by on January 21, 2011 No comments

Xenonics announced that it has received a purchase order from the Stryker 2nd Cavalry Regiment of the U.S. Army valued at approximately $1,300,000 for Xenonics’ NightHunter 3 high-intensity illumination devices and NightHunter weapon and vehicle mount kits. These systems are scheduled to be delivered this month.

“Xenonics is an approved supplier of crew served weapon light systems for the Army. Our mount kits, which allow a NightHunter to be securely mounted on a crew served weapon or a vehicle or quickly removed for hand-held use, expands the range of applications for our NightHunter 3s, with significant potential for Xenonics,” said Chairman Alan Magerman.

Xenonics develops and produces advanced, lightweight and compact ultra-high-intensity illumination and low-light vision products for military, law enforcement, public safety, and commercial and private sector applications. Xenonics’ NightHunter line of illumination products is used by every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces as well as law enforcement and security agencies. Its SuperVision high-definition night vision is designed for commercial and military applications. Employing patented technologies, Xenonics provides innovative solutions for customers who must see farther so they can do their jobs better and safer. Xenonics’ products represent the next generation in small, high intensity, high efficiency illumination and low-light vision systems.

China’s stealth jet fighter sends signal about its military power

Posted by on January 19, 2011 No comments

CitySpur has reported that Defense Secretary Robert Gates ended his trip to China last Wednesday only a day after the Chinese military made its first test flight of a stealth jet fighter. The flight surprised military analysts, who said they did not know China’s military had become so sophisticated in its weaponry. The timing also appeared to have strategic value. Gates asked Chinese President Hu Jintao during a meeting whether the flight was timed to coincide with his visit. Jintao denied it, saying the flight of the J-20 was pre-planned, Gates told reporters. It also comes a week before Jintao is scheduled to meet with President Obama at the White House.

Among their topics scheduled for discussion is China’s growing military might and U.S. apprehensions about it. So far, negotiations between the two countries on limiting military expansions have stalled. Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie said in interviews this week that U.S. proposals to negotiate strategic arms limitations would be “considered and studied.” Until now, the U.S. military operated the world’s only operational stealth jet fighters, called the F-22 Raptor. Military analysts said they are nearly certain the 15-minute flight at an airfield in the southern city of Chengdu, along with the extensive press coverage, were intended to send a message to the United States about China’s military capability. U.S. Vice Admiral David Dorsett, who heads naval intelligence services, said he has been surprised by China’s military technologies. “They’ve entered operational capability quicker than we frequently project,” Dorsett said in an interview posted on the Pentagon’s Web site. “We’ve been on the mark on an awful lot of our assessments, but there have been a handful of things we’ve underestimated.” He also said China is becoming more willing to demonstrate its military power than in previous years. “Over the years, the Chinese military doctrine was ‘hide and bide’ – hide your resources and bide your time,” Dorsett said. “They now appear to have shifted into an era where they’re willing to show their resources and capabilities.”

China appears to have speeded up its development of the J-20 after the U.S. military deployed F-22 Raptors to Guam over the past three years and used them during military training exercises with South Korea. U.S. military analysts also speculate that China has developed tactical missiles that could strike ships at sea. The J-20 appears to be an outgrowth of China’s decision to increase its military budget, which now ranks second in the world behind the United States, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The Chinese government announced last March it had increased military spending by 7.5 percent last year. China had increased its military budget by at least 10 percent each year for the previous decade. U.S. concern about China’s military budget coincides with disagreements over North Korea’s growing militarism toward South Korea and its nuclear weapons program. Gates said North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons was becoming a “direct threat” to the United States. China was the only country that refused to condemn North Korea for bombarding an island off the South Korean coast last month. General Guo Boxiong, a top Chinese military leader, recently made a statement criticizing the “imperialist aggression” of the U.S. military for its support of South Korea.

Source: CitySpur

GE Aviation’s Flight Management System Provides Technology behind Southwest Airlines RNP

Posted by on January 17, 2011 No comments

GE Aviation’s flight management system TrueCourse is providing the technology to enable Southwest Airlines’ pilots to begin flying Required Navigation Performance (RNP) procedures at 11 airports. TrueCourse is standard on all Boeing 737 aircraft. RNP is a satellite-based navigation that brings together the accuracy of GPS (Global Positioning System), the capabilities of advanced aircraft avionics, and new flight procedures.

With RNP/NextGen procedures designed at 11 Southwest airports, Southwest Airlines’ projected savings is $16 million a year, with an anticipated savings of more than $60 million per year once all Southwest airports have efficient RNP procedures.

“TrueCourse enables operators to fly the most efficient RNP operations available,” said Chris Beaufait, president of Avionics for GE Aviation Systems. “Southwest is well equipped and is positioning to lead the way in the expansive use of these approved routes realizing fuel, emission and noise reductions.”

The TrueCourse flight management system controls the aircraft track to an accuracy of 10 meters (33 feet) and the time of arrival to within 10 seconds to any point in the flight plan. Benefits include the ability to fly shorter flight paths and idle-thrust descents which reduces fuel consumption, thereby lowering emissions and community noise levels. Software and hardware updates provide the latest technology to continue to meet the needs of the world’s evolving airspace requirements, offering safe and efficient improvements to aircraft operations and dispatch reliability.

Southwest Airlines’ pilots and dispatchers now follow these new efficient flight procedures and enhanced avionics to fly specifically designed satellite-based navigation approaches. The primary airports with efficient RNP procedures include Amarillo*, Birmingham, Boise, Corpus Christi, Los Angeles, Chicago Midway, Oakland, Oklahoma City, West Palm Beach, Raleigh-Durham, and San Jose.

Aircraft Pricing Down 50 Percent

Posted by on January 14, 2011 No comments

2011 is the year of the aircraft. Gretchen Collins, Vice President of Special Contracts and Business Development at CSI Aviation Services, said that some aircraft are discounted as much as 50 percent from where they were five years ago, making it an ideal time for companies and business owners to purchase or lease an aircraft.

“We haven’t seen prices this low in years,” Collins said. “Just like it’s an opportune time to purchase a home, this is the year for companies and business professionals to invest in aircraft. It won’t stay this way for long as the aviation market gets rolling again.”

CSI has helped companies and government agencies procure aircraft for over 30 years. Collins said she is able to get the best prices for potential customers because CSI’s experience provides the company with advantageous buying power.

“Our years of aviation experience allow us to negotiate aircraft purchases and aircraft leases that save customers money,” Collins said. “Whether our customers need an aircraft lease, an aircraft purchase or additional aviation services such as crew, maintenance or insurance — we’re able to meet their needs.”

For aircraft purchasing and leasing, CSI specializes in MD83, 737 and 757 aircraft, but also offers several other types, including executive jets and turboprops.

CSC Wins Navy Training Contract

Posted by on January 12, 2011 No comments

CSC that it is one of eight companies awarded the U.S. Navy’s Fielded Training System Support III multiple award contract. The contract has a five-year period of performance, three one-year options and an estimated total value of $900 million for all firms.

Under the terms of the contract, CSC will compete to provide operations and maintenance support, instruction, training device modifications and relocations, in-service engineering support, and other related trainer support services. The contract scope includes support of various training systems for Navy and non-Navy customers located at multiple training sites around the world.

“With our full spectrum of training expertise, CSC brings a balanced application of live, virtual, and constructive training solutions and services for mission success,” said Alan Weakley, president of CSC North American Public Sector’s Applied Technology Group. “We look forward to providing our customers with affordable training solutions that effectively exploit advanced learning technologies and maximize training benefits.”

For more information about CSC’s simulation and training solutions, visit csc.com/training.

Alion Awarded $4.5M DARPA Contract

Posted by on January 10, 2011 No comments

Alion Science and Technology was awarded a three-year, $4.5 million contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to evaluate a revolutionary technology that will enable troops deployed around the world to improve how they record and analyze information obtained while on patrol.

Alion will provide performance evaluations on the Graph Understanding and Analysis for Rapid Detection – Deployed On the Ground (GUARD DOG) program. Alion’s team will help ensure the technology is adequate and can be successfully transitioned in the field to assist patrollers as they conduct counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism and counter-drug missions. The work includes experimental designs, test plans, data collection instruments and software, virtual simulations, training scenarios, evaluation results and analysis briefings for major test events.

While on patrol, troops conduct interviews of the local population. The information gained from these interviews is usually jotted down and brought back to camp for manual processing and analysis. GUARD DOG leverages recent advances in graph-theoretic analysis techniques, database technology and hardware technology to improve how patrollers process and use information derived from these interviews and field observations.

“GUARD DOG technology will produce an operationally effective enhancement to the interview process. It is designed to give troops the real-time assessments of their surroundings that they need–quickly,” said Rear Adm. Dick Brooks (USN, Ret.), Alion Senior Vice President and Manager of the Distributed Simulation Group. “To make sure this improved technology achieves that goal, Alion will construct research models and develop a variety of testing methods to rapidly detect issues in technology approaches and algorithms.”

GUARD DOG will provide small unit operations with assessments of the human networks relative to their local battlespace, including any threats and vulnerabilities and cues on how to engage the people they encounter.