POINT ROBERTS, Wash., DELTA, B.C. –June 16, 2009 – www.HomelandDefenseStocks.com, a leading global investor and industry portal for the defense and security sector, within Investorideas.com, presents a follow-up to the May 6th feature on defense stocks, “Defense Budget Winners and Losers”, by Lisa Springer, CFA, as attention builds on the cyber security sector.
Cyber Security: The Next Great Defense Opportunity
Lisa Springer CFA, Equity research analyst and financial writer
Defense Stocks: Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT), Raytheon (NYSE:RTN), Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV), Optex Systems (OTCBB: OPXS), General Dynamics (NYSE:GD)
Many defense contractors look for huge growth opportunities in the market for cyber security. Bruce Tanner, the CFO of Lockheed Martin, recently identified cyber security as the quickest, near-term defense opportunity, with market growth well exceeding DoD growth rates. Tanner also believes cyber security margins will be comparable to DoD contracts. Lockheed has begun focusing M&A activity in the global security area and anticipates additional cyber security acquisitions this year.
Both Boeing (NYSE:BA) and Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) are eager to gain share in this $7.4 billion market and have formed business units to tap cyber security spending. Boeing created its Cyber Solutions division last August and Lockheed launched its cyber-defense unit last October.
To address cyber security opportunities, Raytheon (NYSE:RTN) has acquired three network security providers, plans to hire 300 certified security engineers this year, and is partnering with University of Texas researchers on new cyber solutions. Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) is also expanding cyber security capacity and was recently awarded a DoD contract for the National Cyber Range, part of a major government-wide effort to improve the nation’s defense against electronic attacks.
The need for a national cyber security plan is becoming increasingly evident as cyber attacks on U.S. agencies and civilian facilities cost the U.S. billions of dollars annually. The problem is getting worse; security breaches of government and private computer networks nearly doubled last year to 72,000. In response, the government is increasing spending for cyber security, which is forecast to rise by 44% to $10.7 billion in 2013. The Bush administration launched a cyber initiative last year funded at around $6 billion and the Obama administration is making cyber security an even higher priority.
President Obama earmarked $355 billion for cyber security in his 2010 fiscal budget and also announced plans to name a cyber security czar, who will have broad authority and likely serve on the National Security Council. Last month, the White House published a cyber security report with guidelines for strategies ranging from communications networks for emergency response teams to the government’s role in protecting infrastructure. The report followed a 60 day review of current government cyber security initiatives and was ordered by Obama shortly after he took office.
Many investors think increased government spending for cyber security will offset revenues lost by defense contractors due to military spending cuts. Share prices for many defense contractors are continuing to rise despite program cuts under the new defense budget. Since early April when the new budget was announced, Lockheed shares have climbed 18%, Boeing shares have jumped 39%, General Dynamic shares have gained 34% and Raytheon shares have improved 11%. This compared to a 13% rise in the S&P 500 during the same period.
In addition, earnings for this group remain strong; most large defense contractors recorded EPS gains and increased EPS guidance after the March 2009 quarter. Lockheed Martin raised full-year guidance by 10 cents to $7.15-47.35, Northrop Grumman increased guidance by 15 cents to $4.65-$4.90, and Raytheon boosted guidance by 10 cents to $4.55-4.70. Boeing was a notable exception; earnings for its defense business fell 18% year-over-year and Boeing cut full-year guidance by 35 cents to $4.70-$5.00.
Small defense contractors providing tools for existing military operations will benefit from $130 billion in funding for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars in the new defense budget. An $83.4 billion war-time supplement request has been submitted to Congress to cover Iraq/Afghanistan costs through the second half of 2009.
Shares of AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) have jumped 15% since the new defense budget was announced. This company manufactures unmanned military drones used in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In June, AeroVironment received orders for a third global observer aircraft, the sixth contract option exercised under a program cumulatively valued at $120 million.
Newly-public Optex Systems (OTCBB: OPXS) manufactures optical sighting systems for large Howitzer guns used to shell insurgent positions in Afghanistan. During the March quarter, Optex grew revenues nearly 20% and cut its net loss by half. Excluding non-cash intangible expense, the company would have recorded positive net income. Prior to the earnings release, Optex signed a new $7.5 million contract with the U.S. Army for laser-protected periscopes. The company’s shares began trading in early May and quickly climbed to $0.45 before retreating to the current $0.25 range.
General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) is capitalizing on contracting opportunities in sensors and imaging by acquiring Axsys Technology (NASDAQ:AXYS), a manufacturer of high-performance sensors, in a transaction valued at $54 per share, a premium to Axys’ pre-merger share price. Axsys competes with Optex in military applications for sensors and imaging. This acquisition will likely focus increased attention on the optical sensor space and may cause Optex to emerge as an attractive takeover candidate.
Lisa Springer Bio/ Disclaimer: http://www.investorideas.com/About/Lisa-Springer-CFA/
Original article – Defense Budget Winners and Losers May 6th
How Defense Companies Boeing (NYSE:BA), Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:OPXS) and others are Impacted
Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: OPXS) is a featured defense stock and showcase company on Investor Ideas defense investor portals, Homelandefensestocks.com, BorderandPortsecurity.com and http://www.nationalhomelandsecurityknowledgebase.com
Visit Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: OPXS) Company Profile: http://www.investorideas.com/CO/OPTEX/
About Homelanddefensestocks.com- HomelandDefenseStocks.com Portal is a global meeting place for investors and industry following defense and security, within Investorideas.com. Global visitors use the site daily to research the latest news, articles, audio, research reports and stock directories.
Defense Stocks Directory: http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/HomelandDefense/Stock_List.asp
About InvestorIdeas.com:
InvestorIdeas.com is a leading global investor and industry research resource portal specialized in sector investing covering over thirty industry sectors and global markets including China, India, the Middle East and Australia.
InvestorIdeas.com Disclaimer.: www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp
Our sites do not make recommendations, but offer information portals to investors to research news, articles, stock lists and recent research. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of any information presented. All information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. This site is compensated by featured companies, news submissions and online advertising. OPXS Disclosure: Optex is a featured showcase company and compensates Investorideas.com $3000 month and sixty two thousand 144 shares issued quarterly.
For more information contact: Dawn Van Zant 800.665.0411 Email: dvanzant@HomelandDefenseStocks.com
Source: HomelandDefenseStocks.com, Investor Ideas, Optex Systems Holdings Inc. (OTCBB: OPXS)
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Showing posts with label Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV). Show all posts
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
AeroVironment's Raven Small Unmanned Aircraft System Achieves 30-Hour Persistent Surveillance in Demonstration with U.S. Army
AeroVironment's Raven Small Unmanned Aircraft System Achieves 30-Hour Persistent Surveillance in Demonstration with U.S. Army
Lower-Cost Alternative to Limited, High Demand, Higher Echelon Reconnaissance UAS
MONROVIA, Calif.--April 1 2009 --The U.S. Army Product Manager for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) and AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV) recently conducted a continuous 30-hour demonstration of persistent surveillance of a point target using AV’s RQ-11B Raven® small unmanned aircraft system. The demonstration at Camp Roberts, Calif. followed an inquiry from Pentagon officials regarding the potential for AV’s Raven small UAS to perform low-cost, tactically relevant persistent surveillance.
The continuous 30-hour duration represents a prolonged tactical level surveillance mission similar to what would typically be performed at the battalion or lower level. Using one standard production Raven baseline system, which consists of three aircraft and two ground control stations, the demonstration provided continuous surveillance using only two-person crews operating in eight-hour shifts. Employing the autonomous guidance capability incorporated into the Raven small UAS, operators rotated the aircraft over a surveyed point target, a residential building on the base, maintaining unbroken surveillance throughout the demonstration, and reported activity at the target site. In addition to recording the imagery, the demonstration team streamed a live video feed from the operation via webcast throughout the event.
According to Dean Barten, product director for Army SUAS, “This demonstration indicates that the Raven small UAS is capable of performing tasks normally assigned to limited, high demand, and higher echelon reconnaissance assets in a highly cost-effective manner. The Raven small UAS was employed and performed as it does everyday in combat operations - reliably, without fanfare, in support of the soldiers in the fight.”
Barten said that in a testament to the Raven system’s reliability, over the course of the 30-hour demonstration, 27 sorties were flown with no system failures or mission aborts. The system operated flawlessly, despite the presence of high winds, air turbulence and rain, all while operating out of an unimproved area.
“Soldiers have in their rucksacks an immediately accessible, long-term surveillance unmanned aircraft system to give them extended bird’s eye views of a target so they don’t have to wait for larger unmanned aircraft systems that are in high demand,” said John Grabowsky, executive vice president and general manager of AV’s UAS segment. “The battle-proven Raven system could also support many important non-military applications for extended intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, such as border control, law enforcement, and communications and reconnaissance following a major storm.”
In order to maintain continuous surveillance, the Raven system operators rotated the aircraft over the target: one aircraft operating on an alternate control channel would relieve the orbiting aircraft prior to the latter’s rotation back to the launch/ recovery site. The Raven system’s daytime color electro-optical camera and nighttime infrared camera payloads were employed to ensure continuous situational awareness. The Raven system’s operations were conducted in varying weather conditions, including rain and temperatures ranging from low 70’s to mid 40’s (Fahrenheit).
The Raven systems used by the Army include three air vehicles, day and night sensors, two ground control stations, a laptop computer with mission planning and recording software and accompanying spares and a battery charger. The 4.2-pound Raven aircraft is powered by lithium-ion batteries.
In addition to its Raven system, AV’s small UAS product family includes Puma AE™ and Wasp™, which are also hand-launched and controlled by AV’s hand-held ground control station.
Each aircraft in AV’s family of small UAS is interoperable and tailored to address a variety of operational user needs. AV’s UAS logistics operation supports systems deployed worldwide to ensure a consistently high level of operational readiness. AV has delivered thousands of small unmanned aircraft to date. International purchasers of Raven systems include Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands and Spain.
About AeroVironment, Inc. (AV)
Building on a history of technological innovation, AV designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and efficient electric energy systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. Commercial and government entities use AV’s clean transportation solutions such as electric vehicle test systems and electric vehicle fast charge systems, as well as its clean energy solutions. More information about AV is available at www.avinc.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain additional contracts; changes in the regulatory environment; the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Additional AV News: http://www.avinc.com/News.asp AV Media Gallery: http://www.avinc.com/media_gallery.asp
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5930876&lang=en
Contacts AeroVironment, Inc.Steven Gitlin+1 626-357-9983pr@avinc.comorFor AeroVironment, Inc.Mark Boyer+1 310-229-5956mark@boyersyn.com
Lower-Cost Alternative to Limited, High Demand, Higher Echelon Reconnaissance UAS
MONROVIA, Calif.--April 1 2009 --The U.S. Army Product Manager for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) and AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV) recently conducted a continuous 30-hour demonstration of persistent surveillance of a point target using AV’s RQ-11B Raven® small unmanned aircraft system. The demonstration at Camp Roberts, Calif. followed an inquiry from Pentagon officials regarding the potential for AV’s Raven small UAS to perform low-cost, tactically relevant persistent surveillance.
The continuous 30-hour duration represents a prolonged tactical level surveillance mission similar to what would typically be performed at the battalion or lower level. Using one standard production Raven baseline system, which consists of three aircraft and two ground control stations, the demonstration provided continuous surveillance using only two-person crews operating in eight-hour shifts. Employing the autonomous guidance capability incorporated into the Raven small UAS, operators rotated the aircraft over a surveyed point target, a residential building on the base, maintaining unbroken surveillance throughout the demonstration, and reported activity at the target site. In addition to recording the imagery, the demonstration team streamed a live video feed from the operation via webcast throughout the event.
According to Dean Barten, product director for Army SUAS, “This demonstration indicates that the Raven small UAS is capable of performing tasks normally assigned to limited, high demand, and higher echelon reconnaissance assets in a highly cost-effective manner. The Raven small UAS was employed and performed as it does everyday in combat operations - reliably, without fanfare, in support of the soldiers in the fight.”
Barten said that in a testament to the Raven system’s reliability, over the course of the 30-hour demonstration, 27 sorties were flown with no system failures or mission aborts. The system operated flawlessly, despite the presence of high winds, air turbulence and rain, all while operating out of an unimproved area.
“Soldiers have in their rucksacks an immediately accessible, long-term surveillance unmanned aircraft system to give them extended bird’s eye views of a target so they don’t have to wait for larger unmanned aircraft systems that are in high demand,” said John Grabowsky, executive vice president and general manager of AV’s UAS segment. “The battle-proven Raven system could also support many important non-military applications for extended intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, such as border control, law enforcement, and communications and reconnaissance following a major storm.”
In order to maintain continuous surveillance, the Raven system operators rotated the aircraft over the target: one aircraft operating on an alternate control channel would relieve the orbiting aircraft prior to the latter’s rotation back to the launch/ recovery site. The Raven system’s daytime color electro-optical camera and nighttime infrared camera payloads were employed to ensure continuous situational awareness. The Raven system’s operations were conducted in varying weather conditions, including rain and temperatures ranging from low 70’s to mid 40’s (Fahrenheit).
The Raven systems used by the Army include three air vehicles, day and night sensors, two ground control stations, a laptop computer with mission planning and recording software and accompanying spares and a battery charger. The 4.2-pound Raven aircraft is powered by lithium-ion batteries.
In addition to its Raven system, AV’s small UAS product family includes Puma AE™ and Wasp™, which are also hand-launched and controlled by AV’s hand-held ground control station.
Each aircraft in AV’s family of small UAS is interoperable and tailored to address a variety of operational user needs. AV’s UAS logistics operation supports systems deployed worldwide to ensure a consistently high level of operational readiness. AV has delivered thousands of small unmanned aircraft to date. International purchasers of Raven systems include Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands and Spain.
About AeroVironment, Inc. (AV)
Building on a history of technological innovation, AV designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and efficient electric energy systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company’s hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. Commercial and government entities use AV’s clean transportation solutions such as electric vehicle test systems and electric vehicle fast charge systems, as well as its clean energy solutions. More information about AV is available at www.avinc.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain additional contracts; changes in the regulatory environment; the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Additional AV News: http://www.avinc.com/News.asp AV Media Gallery: http://www.avinc.com/media_gallery.asp
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5930876&lang=en
Contacts AeroVironment, Inc.Steven Gitlin+1 626-357-9983pr@avinc.comorFor AeroVironment, Inc.Mark Boyer+1 310-229-5956mark@boyersyn.com
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