Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Garda Security Group (Toronto:GW.TO ) Awarded $300 Million Contract

Garda Awarded $300 Million Contract

MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA-Apr 7, 2009 -- For the second time since its initial contract with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) in 2004, the Garda Security Group (Toronto:GW.TO ), Canada's premier physical security company and leader in the management of airport security screening operations, is pleased to announce that CATSA and Garda have successfully negotiated a two (2) year extension to all of Garda's existing contracts for passenger and baggage security screening operations at 26 airports in Canada. The contracts extension is for a two-year period from April 1, 2009 until March 31, 2011. The value of the contracts totals more than $300 million for the two-year extension period. Garda employs close to 3,000 professionals to perform its security screening services across the country.

"Garda is proud to contribute to Canada's national security," said Garda President and CEO Stephan Cretier. "Through this important partnership, we are committed to the safety and security of the traveling public."

About Garda

Garda (Toronto:GW.TO - News), the fifth largest integrated physical security and cash logistics firm worldwide on an annualized revenue basis, is well known for addressing complex security and investigations issues. As a leading provider in consulting, investigation and security services, Garda is recognized as one of the fastest growing companies with operations across Canada and the United States, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. With approximately 50,000 dedicated professionals, Garda offers integrated solutions in cash logistics, physical security, consulting and investigations, and enterprise intelligence services. Its team includes specialists and some of the most highly qualified and best-trained experts in the industry. For more information, visit: http://www.gardaglobal.com and http://www.garda-world.com.



Contact: Contacts: Garda Joe Gavaghan Director, Corporate Communications 617-848-5484 617-283-4936 (Cell.) joe.gavaghan@gardaglobal.com Garda Nathalie de Champlain Vice President, Communications 800.883-8305 x 401118 nathalie.dechamplain@gardaglobal.com






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Monday, April 6, 2009

Raytheon Garners $163.5 Million to Modernize Bradley Vehicle Surveillance Capability

Raytheon Garners $163.5 Million to Modernize Bradley Vehicle Surveillance Capability

MCKINNEY, Texas, April 6, 2009 - Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN ) received two contracts totaling $163.5 million to provide 360-degree panoramic surveillance capability for Bradley fighting vehicles.

The firm-fixed price awards call for 822 Commander's Independent Viewer Block 1 units and spares to equip the U.S. Army Bradley A3.

"Raytheon's CIV is a 360-degree azimuth panoramic surveillance sight that gives the Bradley fighting vehicle improved hunter and killer capabilities," said Kass Flockerzy, Raytheon program manager for the viewer. "CIV increases situational awareness and weapon effectiveness for the Bradley commander, and it contributes to overall force protection and mission execution."
Raytheon Network Centric Systems has delivered more than 1,800 CIVs. The viewer is a second-generation infrared vision system for the Bradley fighting vehicle that provides the commander with a 360-degree battlefield view and includes enhanced capabilities for early threat detection from longer stand-off ranges.



"These CIV orders contribute to the modernization efforts that will keep Bradley vehicles mobile, operational and available to our forces," added Flockerzy.
The work under these two awards will be managed by Network Centric Systems in McKinney, Texas.


Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 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 a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.
Note to Editors:
Raytheon received two CIV contracts from BAE Ground Systems division: a $123 million order for 620 units let Feb. 20, 2009, and a $40.5 million award for 202 units received Feb. 26, 2009.
Contact: Dave Desilets 972.952.2239



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New Contract for Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (SUAV) Will Boost Economy

New Contract for Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (SUAV) Will Boost Economy

GATINEAU, QUEBEC, Apr 06, 2009 -- The Minister of Public Works and Government Services, the Honourable Christian Paradis, and the Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, the Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, as well as the Minister of Industry, the Honourable Tony Clement, today announced that the Government of Canada has awarded a contract to Insitu Inc. of Bingen, Washington, USA, to provide small unmanned aerial vehicle (SUAV) services to support the Canadian Forces.
"As a result of a fair, open and transparent competition, we now have a contract to provide SUAV services that our Canadian Forces will be able to use in Afghanistan and beyond," said Minister Paradis. "We moved quickly last summer to meet our short term needs," he added. "This procurement will not only add to the SUAV fleet for our Forces, but will provide best value for Canadian taxpayers while stimulating our economy."
"The Canadian Forces' UAV capability directly contributes to the safety and protection of our troops deployed on operations," added Minister MacKay. "The awarding of this contract will help ensure that the men and women of the Canadian Forces are provided with the necessary support to sustain this important capability in current operations in Afghanistan, and into the future."
As part of the Request for Proposal, Insitu Inc. must provide 100 percent industrial and regional benefits. This means that Insitu Inc. will boost the Canadian economy by generating one dollar of economic activity in Canada for every dollar it receives from the contract.
Canada's Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy applies to this procurement. As such, Insitu Inc. is required to undertake high quality and advanced-technology business activities in Canada in an amount equal to 100 percent of the contract value. This means that the company will invest one dollar of economic activity in Canada for every dollar it receives from the contract.
"The Government of Canada remains committed to generate the greatest amount of economic benefit to Canadian industry and the economy at large through its major defence procurements," said Minister Clement. "Canada's Industrial Regional Benefits Policy is in place to ensure that prime contractors encourage long-term industrial development and generate significant economic activity in Canada." PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site at: http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/index-eng.html BACKGROUNDER The Government of Canada is actively procuring the equipment needed to support urgent operational requirements in Afghanistan. On April 3, 2009, on behalf of DND, PWGSC awarded a contract to Insitu Inc. of Bingen, Washington, USA, to provide the Canadian Forces with services for Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (SUAVs). This contract, awarded for one year, with two one-year options, provides for SUAV turnkey services that include: training Forces personnel; maintenance personnel; repair, technical and engineering support; and integrated logistics support. The services also include launching the SUAVs and performing post takeoff checks before providing them to CF personnel for operational missions. Once the missions are complete, the contractor will recover the SUAVs to prepare them for their next mission. This contract, with an estimated value of US $30 million for the initial one-year period, is in addition to two other separate earlier procurements announced in August 2008. These procurements were undertaken to ensure that the Canadian Forces deployed in Afghanistan would have the equipment they needed, well in advance of the February 2009 deadline to meet recommendations of the Independent Panel on Canada's Future Role in Afghanistan, also known as the Manley Report. First, the Government awarded a contract to The Boeing Company to provide SUAV services on an interim basis. This contract provided for a turnkey service spanning less than one year. This equipment has been in the field since July 2008. Second, PWGSC worked closely with DND on a competitive procurement called Project NOCTUA to lease Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) services for a two-year period, with an additional one-year option. The contract was awarded to MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates LTD as a result of an open, transparent and competitive process. This allowed for the approach resulting in today's contract. The government obtained the equipment it needed as quickly as possible to protect Canadian troops, while this new competitive process was undertaken to ensure best value for Canadian taxpayers and ensure continued capability with the new contract being awarded today. The Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) Policy is an important component of the Government of Canada's overall procurement process for major Crown purchases. The IRB Policy enables the Government of Canada to leverage major government procurements to create long-term industrial development and to generate significant economic activity in Canada. The Policy ensures that successful prime contractors undertake high-quality, high-technology work in Canada, equivalent to 100 percent of the contract value, with lasting economic benefit. Ce texte est egalement disponible en francais. Contacts:Public Works and Government Services CanadaOffice of the Honourable Christian ParadisMary-Ann Dewey-PlantePress Secretary613-218-6961Mary-Ann.Dewey-Plante@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca

Public Works and Government Services CanadaMedia Relations819-956-2315

Office of the Honourable Peter MacKayMinister of National Defenceand Minister for the Atlantic GatewayJay PaxtonPress Secretary613-996-3100

Department of National DefenceMedia Liaison Office613-996-2353 (local and international)1-866-377-0811 (anywhere in Canada)

Office of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of IndustryPema LhalungpaPress Secretary613-995-9001

Industry CanadaMedia Relations613-943-2502




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Lockheed Martin Upgrade to Extend Life of Kuwait Radar

Lockheed Martin Upgrade to Extend Life of Kuwait Radar

SYRACUSE, N.Y., April 6, 2009 -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has been awarded a contract by the Kuwait Ministry of Defense to significantly upgrade the Kuwait Air Force AN/FPS-117 long-range radar originally delivered in 1993. The radar is used for air traffic control and strategic air surveillance. The upgrades will extend the service life of the radar for 15 to 20 years.

The contract also provides for maintenance services and training for both the existing radar as well as the Preliminary Early Warning System (PEWS), which combines multiple sensors to assist with air surveillance in the region.

When the upgrade is complete, the electronics that provide the radar's signal processing and data processing capability will be replaced with modernized electronics that fit in one cabinet. As a result, the radar will have the same capabilities and reliability as a new AN/FPS-117. The work, which will take place at Lockheed Martin's facility in Syracuse, NY, also includes an upgrade of the secondary surveillance radar that enhances the system's tracking capability.

"There will be a fourfold reduction in components in this upgraded radar," said Frank Mekker, Jr., Lockheed Martin program manager, "and that will result in improved reliability and maintainability, as well as reduced life-cycle support costs."

Kuwait is one of several customers for whom Lockheed Martin has extended the service life of existing radars. The United Kingdom contracted with the company for similar upgrades for two of its long-range radars, and in 2006, Lockheed Martin completed upgrades for eight AN/FPS-117 radars for the German Air Force. Similar upgrades have been completed on five Romanian radars.

The AN/FPS-117 is the world's most successful three-dimensional radar. This L-band radar provides continuous high-quality surveillance of air targets. There are 127 AN/FPS-117 systems operational in 14 countries. Many have operated for years in remote areas, completely unmanned and in a wide range of operational environments.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

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Defense Stocks Sector Close-Up, LOCKHEED MARTIN CP (NYSE: LMT) up $4.23 (6.28%)

Defense Stocks Sector Close-Up, LOCKHEED MARTIN CP (NYSE: LMT) up $4.23 (6.28%)

U.S. Defense Department Announces Changes in Military Spending


POINT ROBERTS, Wash., DELTA, B.C. –April 6, 2009 – www.HomelandDefenseStocks.com, a leading global investor and industry portal for the defense and security sector, within Investorideas.com, presents a sector close-up on leading defense stocks following Defense Secretary Robert Gates announcing changes in military spending to "profoundly reform how this department does business."


Defense stocks trading as of April 6, 2009:

L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL ) was trading at $70.02, with gains of $1.29 (1.88%) 2:35pm ET
Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) was up $4.23 (6.28%) 2:27pm ET
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) was trading at 46.40, up $2.42 (5.50%) 2:34pm ET
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN ) was trading at $40.43, up $1.96 (5.09%) 2:32pm ET

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Air Force Selects Raytheon to Improve Mission Coordination Under Electronic Warfare Battle Management Contract

Air Force Selects Raytheon to Improve Mission Coordination Under Electronic Warfare Battle Management Contract

MARLBOROUGH, Mass., April 6, 2009 -- The U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN ) a $3.5 million Electronic Warfare Battle Management (EWBM) system design contract.

Under the award from the Air Force Research Laboratory, Raytheon will spend three years conducting a series of EWBM system experiments and demonstrations in the Air Force Research Laboratory's virtual combat laboratory at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Through these experiments, the Air Force will be able to apply EWBM to a variety of scenarios to determine the best use of electronic warfare assets on the battlefield.

Electronic warfare is the use of electronic attack, support and protection during military operations. Battle management focuses on the command and control of forces in the battle area. In joining these two solutions, commanders and warfighters will dramatically improve mission coordination and significantly enhance the common operating picture of the battlefield.

"This EWBM award provides a roadmap on how to best control and synchronize all available electronic warfare resources," said Jerry Powlen, vice president, Integrated Communications Systems. "Raytheon's solutions in electronic warfare and command and control will dramatically change the way we arm our warfighters to engage in combat."

Raytheon will work with Sierra Nevada Corporation, AEA Technology, Inc. and Bonn Corporation to provide this solution.

Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 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 a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

Contact: MB Hodgkiss 508.490.2607 mb@raytheon.com

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