Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Opportunity and Risk in the Aerospace & Defense Sector

Opportunity and Risk in the Aerospace & Defense Sector


August 11 2010 – (www.HomelandDefenseStocks.com), a leading global investor and industry portal for the defense and security sector, within www.Investorideas.com, provides defense investors with sector commentary from Scott Sacknoff, manager of the SPADE® Defense Index.



Opportunity and Risk in the Aerospace & Defense Sector

A short summary of the defense policy, the budget & investing.

by Scott Sacknoff, SPADE Defense Index



Read more from the Spade Defense Index:

http://www.homelanddefensestocks.com/Content_Partners/SI/Default.asp



#1: The Defense Budget is Going Down



Really? The media seems to focus on this but its not a real surprise to anyone who works in the sector, analyzes the sector, works in the government, or in Congress. Defense stocks are off 28% from its all-time highs having declined with the market decline of 2008/2009 and rebounding to the current level. In spite of the fear of a forthcoming budget contraction, many of the largest defense firms in the most recent quarterly reporting period posted revenues, earnings, and margins that beat analyst expectation, the sector remains tethered to the path of the S&P 500. The irony is that the defense budget has not yet declined and company's operating in the sector have yet to be impacted from what everyone expects will happen at some point.



Still, it is highly likely that the defense budget will not increase over the next several years due to the economic and budget situation facing the United States and the need to get our national debt and deficit under control. And it is highly likely that the budget devoted to defense activities will be smaller than we see today especially if the country does pull out of Iraq and Afghanistan within the next year and a half. That said, there are still some that maintain that the impact on the defense sector will be much less than many foresee because of the unwillingness of Congress, historically, to challenge what is and what is not needed in the defense sector. An article which appears in the Volume 17 #3 issue of 'Quest: The History of Spaceflight' goes into great detail the problems and issues that President Eisenhower faced trying to balance the budget while maintaining a strong defense sector. He feared that when a retired General was not in the White House it would be easy for the President and Congress to succumb to the advice of military personnel on what was truly needed to maintain a defense to protect the U.S. and it was usually much more than they actually needed. Reading the article it was remarkable how similar the situation is today. Yet, although the budget is tremendously important to the sector, today it is not the only factor one must consider.



#2 What May or May Not Happen



To head off any possible outside action, Secretary Gates and the Department of Defense have begun efforts to identify systematic waste and institute cost reduction measures. The hope is to keep the budget at or about the currently planned levels and use savings from efficiency measures for procurement and R&D. This would be a net positive to companies operating in the sector. War funding included, U.S. military spending in FY10 will approach $661B. The Defense Business Board estimates at least $200B ($1T over the Future Years Defense Plan) is overhead which would rank the agency 49th globally in GDP just behind Singapore and Portugal. A number of measures are being proposed including shutting the U.S. Joint Forces Command, freezing hiring (at the Office of Secretary of Defense, all Joint Staff directorates, and Combatant commands), eliminating redundant functions, reducing the DoD civilian workforce, and changing the rotation policy (which currently costs about $4 billion annually to move personnel from site to site). In addition, some personnel policy changes such as changing the way pay raises are calculated, raising DoD’s Tricare health care premiums, shifting retirees to the Medicare health system at age 65 (health care costs DoD $50 billion annually and is growing), and reducing the active force to levels seen earlier in the decade in 2003 are estimated to save the agency billions. In the immediate term, Sec. Gates is seeking to free up $101 billion over five years with each service freeing up $2 billion in 2012 and each DoD agency $1 billion. In 2013, the services ramp up to $3 billion with a peak of $10 billion in 2016.



#3: It’s easy to knock defense stocks but is there hidden value.



If Congress allows DoD to get its house in order the impact on companies operating in the defense sector might not be impacted as badly as some foresee. The share price of many defense stocks are already well off their all-time highs and fundamentals indicate some very strong companies maintaining substantial cash reserves

and low P/E, low P/S, and other favorable metrics.



Exports

Defense sector export revenues in 2009 were $38.1 billion and have been rising for the past several years. Countries in the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle-East were not hit as hard during the recent global economic downturn and remain committed to building up their defense capabilities. As an example Qatar has issued an RFP to acquire up to 40 fighter jets, Canada, announced plans to purchase 65 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to replace some of its F/A-18 at a cost estimated to be around $400 million. South Korea set its 3rd phase fighter acquisition competition for 2012 where they anticipate acquiring another 40-60 planes by 2020 to bolster the 120 Boeing F- 15K aircraft they have already bought. And the 19 July 2010 Defense

News cited that the Asian market for the F-35 aircraft ($60M - $90M each) could be for more than 500 fighters over the next two decades. And Sikorsky (United Technologies) said it plans to double its international helicopter sales to about $2 billion a year by 2014.



European Economic Issues

Meanwhile economic and budget problems in Europe could be a net positive for the U.S. defense sector as resources are committed to debt reduction and the acquisition of U.S.-built equipment becomes cheaper than maintaining an indigenous capability. For example, in the United Kingdom, spending on research and technology has declined by 25% to 439 million pounds ($676 M) since 2007 and defense spending

cuts of 10%-20% are considered likely. Capabilities will either suffer or they will be supplemented by buying hardware from their allies.



Increased Commercial and Related Activity

Analysts see the commercial aerospace sector as beginning an upswing that will take it through much of the next decade as airlines around the world upgrade their fleets. Boeing (NYSE: BA) has indicated that it is fully booked beyond the middle of the decade and is increasing manufacturing to meet demand—and this is before the order cycle uptick from U.S. carriers which have delayed purchases because they suffered financially in recent years. At the Farnborough Air Show in July, $47 billion worth of contracts was announced, most of it commercial. Next year at the Paris Air Show (the show rotates sites), this figure should be much higher as government's get a handle on their budget situations and government-focused contracts are announced alongside the commercial activity.



Restructuring Operations

Defense companies have known that a peak in defense spending was coming and have been preparing for some time. Many have substantial cash on their balance sheets which will allow them to continue to shift into markets that they deem as faster growing. A leaner defense landscape will lead to an uptick in Mergers and Acquisitions. Boeing on 4Aug10 completed their $775 million acquisition of Argon ST and the private equity acquisition of DynCorp closed on 7July10. Meanwhile Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) announced it was exiting its shipbuilding business which they see has "little synergy between this and their other businesses". And European aerospace and defense firm, EADS, announced that it plans to expand in the U.S. and has an estimated 8 billion euros ($10.3 Billion) to spend on an acquisition.



Our Destabilized World

The recent failed assassination attempt of the Iranian president and North Korea's capturing another South Korean vessel reveal that our view on safety can change quickly. At this time there are several dozen ongoing armed conflicts around the world that could remain at current activity or escalate at any time. What we are willing to spend in the aftermath of a terrorist or warlike act can quickly shift our spending priorities.



#4 So, what's the downside?



Although the actual impact on a company's revenue from changes in the government budget may not be felt for several quarters (due to the length of time between when the budget process begins and money becomes available to procure items or research), the announcement itself tends to move stocks in the sector. Negative news and rumors can drive stocks in the sector lower even when no action takes place. At this point it time it is not clearly known what role Congress will take in reducing defense spending and what it will allow the Pentagon to do. All signs point to the fact that the Pentagon's efforts to restructure its operations are being met positively by many members of Congress and the money it frees up will be used to rebuild its capabilities, supporting the sector as a whole. However, changes can and will impact specific programs as well as the companies working on them. As an example, companies receiving significant revenues from war-time operations are likely to see declines as the U.S. pulls out of Iraq and Afghanistan once additional acquisitions to replace spent materials and build-up capabilities is accomplished. Although most of the companies that trade on the stock exchanges are much less exposed to the war effort than the public would imagine, it is likely they would be negatively impacted in the short term before share prices rebound. Likewise larger companies are more diversified among programs, agencies, and customers, and hence more immune to individual wins and loses but are susceptible to greater impact when large shifts occur.



#5 So an ETF or Individual Company?



In this environment, picking an individual stock to play the sector can be more risky than investing in a fund or a fund as part of a larger strategy. The defense sector has always had its own nuances, such as companies not being able to provide details on classified sector contracts, a budget which has been estimated by the Washington Post to be $75 billion. With all the conversations about what and how DoD will restructure and how large its budget will be in coming years, the opportunities that the sector presents (which have included beating by better than 100% or tracking the market for more than a decade and with current valuations representing a business decline that has not yet appeared) is definitely offset by the risk of these new unknowns. Recent movements in some individual stocks can be dramatic and highlight the risks. After the resignation of the president and COO of Mantech (NASDAQ: MANT) for undisclosed reason, their stock decline by 18% in 2Q10 and was downgraded from buy to hold by BB&T analyst Mike Lewis. Comtech (NASDQ: CMTL) dropped 38% after losing an incumbent contract to Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT). Meanwhile as I type this, satellite imagery firm DigitalGlobe (NYSE: DGI) is up 14% today after receiving a multi-billion contract. The benchmark SPADE Defense Index (NYSE: DXS), provides a useful measure to see how the individual companies stand up to the performance of the sector as a whole. As the underlying index to the Powershares Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSE: PPA), it covers the breadth of the sector's activities, not a concentrated portion of it and represents firms whose activities are vital to the sector and vital to their companies operations.



With A&D representing 5% of U.S. GDP and the sector underweighted by the S&P500, investors should include the sector as a core element of their portfolio. At this time, the ETF appear to be less volatile, more diversified means to get that exposure.



Disclosure: Scott Sacknoff it’s the manager of the SPADE Defense Index, the underlying index for the Powershares Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSE: PPA)



About the SPADE Defense Index



More info and previous interviews:

http://www.homelanddefensestocks.com/Content_Partners/SI/Default.asp


The SPADE Defense Index® (AMEX: DXS) is a modified capitalization-weighted index comprised of publicly traded companies that benchmarks the performance of companies involved with the defense, homeland security, and space marketplace.

The SPADE Defense Index has been developed to be used by investors, financial professionals, trade analysts, and media as a benchmark for publicly traded stocks involved in these business sectors. The Index can be used as the basis for a range of financial instruments including options and other derivatives, exchange traded funds, and conventional mutual funds.

For more information: http://www.spadeindex.com/


Disclaimers: The information presented in this interview is for informational purposes and should not represent a solicitation or an offer to purchase an investment product. SPADE and the SPADE Defense Index are registered trademarks of the ISBC.



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Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Investorideas.com - Nanotechnolgy Stocks; mPower Technologies (OTC.BB:XDSL) to Speak at DoD Anti-Tampering Workshop at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

Investorideas.com - Nanotechnolgy Stocks; mPower Technologies (OTC.BB:XDSL) to Speak at DoD Anti-Tampering Workshop at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

Nanotechnolgy Stocks; mPower Technologies (OTC.BB:XDSL) to Speak at DoD Anti-Tampering Workshop at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base


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Visit this company: www.mPhaseTech.com


LITTLE FALLS, NJ - July 20, 2010 (Investorideas.com Newswire) - mPhase Technologies, Inc. (OTC.BB:XDSL), today announced that it has been invited to speak at an anti-tampering technical workshop sponsored by the US Department of Defense and scheduled to be held July 20-22, 2010 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. At the workshop, mPhase will describe the advantages of Smart NanoBattery technology for defense-based applications.


The purpose of the anti-tampering workshop is to bring together the technical community of DoD organizations, small business and defense contractors, to discuss potential technologies that may be suited for improving the reliability of hardware and software systems and preventing them from being compromised by unintended external events, security threats or technical breaches. A goal of the workshop is to facilitate the exchange of ideas and potential collaboration efforts for companies that have been awarded Phase II government funding, to help transition the technology past the Phase II prototyping stage.


"This workshop is a very good opportunity for exposing the advantages and unique capabilities of the Smart NanoBattery for forward-looking applications involving securing mission-critical systems," said Ron Durando, president and CEO of mPhase Technologies. "We are looking forward to working with the DoD organizations and defense contractors to potentially drive our technology into leading-edge military applications."

The development of the Smart NanoBattery has been undertaken with funding support from a Phase II STTR Army award.

About mPhase Technologies, Inc.
mPhase Technologies is introducing a revolutionary Smart Surface technology enabled by breakthroughs in nanotechnology, MEMS processing and microfludics. Our Smart Surface technology has potential applications within drug delivery systems, lab-on-a-chip analytic systems, self-cleaning systems, liquid and chemical sensor systems, and filtration systems. mPhase has pioneered its first Smart Surface enabled product, the mPhase Smart NanoBattery.
In addition to the Smart Surface technology, mPhase recently introduced its first product the mPower Emergency Illuminator, an award winning product designed by Porsche Design Studio and sold via the mPower website: http://www.mpowertech.com.
More information about the company can be found at http://www.mPhaseTech.com.


Forward-Looking Statements
As a cautionary note to investors, certain matters discussed in this press release may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such matters involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the following: changes in economic conditions; general competitive factors; acceptance of the Company's products in the market; the Company's success in technology and product development; the Company's ability to execute its business model and strategic plans; and all the risks and related information described from time to time in the Company's SEC filings, including the financial statements and related information contained in the Company's SEC Filing. mPhase assumes no obligation to update the information in this release.


Contact:
Michael Meek CPhTmPhase Technologies, Inc.Investor Relations301-718-1635The Investor Relations Group212-825-3210Erika Moran
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Published at www.Investorideas.com - Global research by sectors

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Defense Stocks; ITT (NYSE:ITT) Receives $53 Million Order from the United Kingdom for Night Vision Goggles

Defense Stocks; ITT (NYSE:ITT) Receives $53 Million Order from the United Kingdom for Night Vision Goggles



ROANOKE, Va.----Defense News ( Investorideas.com newswire , http://www.homelanddefensestocks.com/ ) ITT Corporation (NYSE:ITT) has received a $53 million order from the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MoD) for head-mounted night vision systems (HMNVS) that provide ground-based soldiers with superior performance during nighttime operations. To date, this is ITT’s largest order from the United Kingdom for night vision systems. The deliveries of the HMNVS will take place over the customer’s next five fiscal years.

“This recent order from the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence shows the high degree of confidence the customer has in ITT and our ability to deliver Generation 3 night vision technology”

.“This recent order from the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence shows the high degree of confidence the customer has in ITT and our ability to deliver Generation 3 night vision technology,” said Bruce A. Wald, vice president and general manager of ITT’s Night Vision & Imaging business. “Our Generation 3 solution is the first night vision technology choice of our international allies to operate in challenging environments.”


ITT has supported the UK MoD’s HMNVS program since 2003 by providing these battle-ready systems. In addition to the new systems produced at ITT’s facility in Roanoke, Virginia, ITT Defence Ltd. in Basingstoke, U.K. has also provided in-country, logistics support to the growing fleet of HMNVS since 2005. They have converted nearly 2,000 HMNVS from dual-battery to single-battery configuration and provide expedited repair to any systems requiring maintenance before, during or after deployment.

In addition to the faster repairs, ITT has increased its manufacturing capacity to meet the requirements of the international market. The expanded capacity has enabled ITT to deliver night vision technology to U.S. allies and coalition forces within 120 days after receiving an approved export license from the U.S. Department of State.


The HMNVS is the MoD’s variant of the AN/PVS-14, the ITT supplied night vision goggles that are commonly used by the U.S. military and homeland security agencies. The AN/PVS-14 is a lightweight, single-battery monocular goggle equipped with ITT’s Generation (Gen) 3 night vision technology, the most advanced night vision in the field today. ITT’s Gen 3 goggles provide the clearest, sharpest image available for soldiers performing nighttime operations, giving them the advantage on the battlefield. ITT Gen 3 goggles last in excess of 10,000 hours, compared to the Gen 2 tubes that last approximately 2,000 to 4,000 hours.



About ITT Geospatial Systems



ITT Geospatial Systems (www.geospatial.itt.com) headquartered in Rochester, N.Y., is a global supplier of innovative night vision, remote sensing and navigation solutions that provide sight and situational awareness at the space, airborne, ground and soldier levels. ITT Geospatial Systems solutions range from image, and data capture through processing and dissemination. Key applications include image intensification and thermal imaging; advanced power supplies; multi-spectral image systems; weather and climate monitoring; space science; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; GPS-based positioning, navigation and timing systems; and image exploitation software. Using our technologies, customers can move beyond mere image acquisition to image interchange and true knowledge sharing.



About ITT Corporation



ITT Corporation is a high-technology engineering and manufacturing company operating on all seven continents in three vital markets: water and fluids management, global defense and security, and motion and flow control. With a heritage of innovation, ITT partners with its customers to deliver extraordinary solutions that create more livable environments, provide protection and safety and connect our world. Headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., the company generated 2009 revenue of $10.9 billion. www.itt.com

___________________________________________________-

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Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Security Stocks News; United Protection Security Group Inc. (TXS.V:UZZ) - Q1-2010 Results

Defense and Security Stocks -
United Protection Security Group Inc. (TXS.V:UZZ) - Q1-2010 Results

EDMONTON - June 1, 2010 (www.Investorideas.com newswire) - UNITED PROTECTION SECURITY GROUP INC. ('UPSG or the Company'), a Canadian-based company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol (TSX-V: UZZ) is pleased to announce that it has released its Interim Financial Statements for the three month period ended March 31, 2010.

The Company believes it can accelerate revenue growth, return to historical margins, and increase operating cash flow by 2011. This quarter's solid performance underscores the fact that management is executing on that plans established in the fourth quarter of 2009 to return the Company to profitability. The Company is beginning to realize the benefits of the very substantial and deliberate long-term investments made to capitalize on the opportunities ahead as the Canadian economy improves and the Company continues to execute its growth plans.

Not only is UPSG one of Canada's few total security solutions provider, it increasingly has industry-leading security technology and, most importantly, people. It is the hard work, dedication and professionalism of people that is the Company's greatest asset and this quarter's performance demonstrates how well they can perform under a challenging economy.

First Quarter 2010 Financial Results

Revenue Increase

Revenue for the quarter amounted to $8,813,176, compared to $7,761,124 for the same quarter last year, an increase of $1,052,052 or 13.56%.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the quarter amounted to $2,060,893 (23.38% of revenue), compared with $$1,685,444 (21.72% of revenue) the same period last year, an increase of $375,449.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses totalled $1,734,856 for the period, compared with $1,517,890 for the same period last year, an increase of $216,966 or 14.29%.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses ("SG&A")

SG&A expenses totalled $1,188,255 for the period, compared with $1,017,867 for the same period last year, an increase of $170,388 or 16.74%.

The Company recorded EBIITDAS of $488,027 (5.67% of revenue) for the period, compared to $313,714 (4.04% of revenue) for the same period last year, an increase of $174,313.

Net Income (Loss)

Net income for the period totalled $326,037, ($0.005 basic and diluted earnings per share); compared with net loss of $(273,743) ($(0.004) basic and diluted loss per share) for the same period last year, an increase of $599,780.

Operating activities

Cash flows from operating activities totalled $181,934 for period, compared to cash flow used in operating activities of $(144,903) for the same period last year, a increase in cash flow from operating activities of $326,837.

Investment Activities

Cash used in investment activities amounted to $79,183 for the period, compared with $43,084 for the same period last year, a decrease of $36,099.

Financing Activities

Cash flow used in financing activities totalled $439,121 for the period, compared with $28,993 for the same period last year, an increase of $410,128.

In addition to using financial measures prescribed by CGAAP, certain non-CGAAP measures are also used in this news release. These non-GAAP measures are EBIITDA and EBIITDAS. References in this news release to EBIITDA are to net income before interest, impairment, taxes, depreciation and amortization. References in this news release to EBITDAS are to net income before interest, impairment, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation.

NON-GAAP MEASURES

Reconciliation of EBIITDA and EBIITDAS to Historical Results (CGAAP)

Statement of Income (Loss) Mar. 31, 2010 Mar. 31, 2009

-----------------------------

Net income (loss) for the period $ 326,037 $ (273,743)

Add:

Income taxes - 41,297

Interest 32,582 80,392

Amortization 127,609 65,768

Goodwill impairment loss - 400,000

-----------------------------

EBIITDA 486,228 313,714

Add

Stock-based compensation 1,799 -

-----------------------------

EBIITDAS $ 488,027 $ 313,714

-----------------------------

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Stock Awareness Activities

To find out more about United Protection Security Group Inc. (TSX-V: UZZ), visit our website at www.unitedprotection.com. To join the 'request for information', go to the web page www.unitedprotection.com and click the tab 'request information' and follow the prompts. You may also email Investor Relations at: iruzz@unitedprotection.com.

Statements in this press release other than purely historical information, including statements relating to the Company's future plans and objectives or expected results, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company's business, including risks related to business development and retention, and risks related to the current economic and credit conditions. As a result, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein.

For further information

For additional investor and media relations inquiries contact: Fredy Ramsoondar, CFO, Email: fredy.ramsoondar@unitedprotection.com, Tel: (780) 465-8101



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Saturday, May 15, 2010

Investorideas.com - U.S. Army Convening Top Industry Experts to Address Energy Technologies at Inaugural "Renewable Energy Rodeo and Symposium"

Investorideas.com - U.S. Army Convening Top Industry Experts to Address Energy Technologies at Inaugural "Renewable Energy Rodeo and Symposium"

Nation's top energy authorities, demonstrations at Fort Bliss in June

Category: Investment, Renewable Energy, Technology, Defense

DETROIT ARSENAL, WARREN, MI and FORT BLISS, TX - May 14, 2010 (Investorideas.com Newswire) - To evaluate the latest energy technologies that could reap immediate benefits for the military and the Nation, the U.S. Army is hosting the inaugural Renewable Energy Rodeo and Symposium (RERS) June 8-9, 2010, at Fort Bliss.

RERS, co-hosted by the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) and Fort Bliss, serves to advance energy initiatives affecting all levels of the Department of Defense, from ground vehicles to installations.

During the two-day exposition, the latest mature technologies and innovations in renewable energy concepts and alternative fuel technologies will be displayed and demonstrated. Panel discussions and guest speakers will feature some of the Nation's top experts in a variety of energy-related fields and technologies.

"Energy security remains a top priority for our warfighters and our Nation," explained TARDEC Director Dr. Grace M. Bochenek. "As we aggressively pursue the latest in renewable energy capabilities and alternative energy technologies, it is vitally important we tap the best-of-the-best from industry, academia and government."

RERS takes place at Fort Bliss, the Army's Center for Renewable Energy. "The Energy Rodeo and Symposium provides a unique opportunity to evaluate mature technologies in a dynamic environment while, at the same time, establishing crucial partnerships," said Fort Bliss Commanding General Howard B. Bromberg. "We are looking for game-changing technologies and innovative solutions for the energy and environmental challenges we all face."

Among the scheduled presenters is L. Jerry Hansen, Army Senior Energy Executive, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Strategic Infrastructure) and Senior Official performing duties as Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations & Environment). Hansen's responsibilities within Installations & Environment for Strategic Planning include Business Transformation, Lean Six Sigma implementation, Strategic Infrastructure Analysis and Strategic Management Systems implementation.

The Army continues to accept proposals from organizations that would like to participate as exhibitors. More information is available at https://renewable-energy-rodeo.com.

ABOUT FORT BLISS

Fort Bliss is a heavy maneuver training center with 1.12 million acres of landmass and airspace. It is a major deployment and redeployment center for all service members including reserve components. It is a prime site for renewable and alternative energy having over 350 days of sunshine per year, high winds and a geo-thermal energy project in the planning stages.

ABOUT TARDEC

Headquartered at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, MI, TARDEC is the Nation\'s laboratory for advanced military automotive technology and serves as the Ground Systems Integrator for all DOD manned and unmanned ground vehicle systems. With roots dating back to the World War II era, TARDEC is a full life-cycle, systems engineering support provider-of-first-choice for all DOD ground combat and combat support weapons, equipment and vehicle systems.

TARDEC develops and integrates the right technology solutions to improve Current Force effectiveness and provides superior capabilities for Future Force integration. TARDEC's technical, scientific and engineering staff lead cutting-edge research and development in Ground Systems Survivability; Power and Mobility; Intelligent Ground Systems; Force Projection; and Vehicle Electronics and Architecture.

TARDEC is a major research, development and engineering center for the U.S.

Army RDECOM and partner in the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command.

NOTE: Media are invited to attend RERS - especially on 6/9/10.

The Renewable Energy Rodeo and Symosium logo is available for download at www.tardec.com

Published at the Investor Ideas Newswire

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Defense stock, Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:OPXS) through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Optex Systems, Inc. manufactures optical sighting systems and assemblies primarily for Department of Defense (DOD) applications.

Defense stock, Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:OPXS) through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Optex Systems, Inc. manufactures optical sighting systems and assemblies primarily for Department of Defense (DOD) applications.


Optex Systems Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB:OPXS) is an expired advertising showcase stock on Investorideas.com

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Monday, April 12, 2010

Defense Stocks News ; DynCorp International Inc. (NYSE: DCP ) to Be Acquired By Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.

Defense Stocks News ; DynCorp International Inc. (NYSE: DCP ) to Be Acquired By Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.

DynCorp International Stockholders to Receive $17.55 per Share in Cash; Transaction Valued at $1.5 Billion

FALLS CHURCH, Va.----DynCorp International, Inc. (NYSE: DCP ), a leading global government services provider in support of U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by affiliated funds and/or managed accounts of private investment firm Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. (“Cerberus”) in a transaction with a total value of approximately $1.5 billion, including the assumption of debt.



The agreement was approved by DynCorp International’s Board of Directors and the Board will recommend that DynCorp International’s stockholders approve the transaction. Under the agreement, DynCorp International’s stockholders will receive $17.55 in cash for each share of DynCorp International common stock they own, representing a premium of approximately 49% percent, based on the closing trading price of $11.75 on April 9, 2010, and approximately 50% over the 90-day average closing trading price. Cerberus has obtained fully committed financing for the transaction, consisting of a combination of equity financing from Cerberus and debt financing from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. Each institution acted as a financial advisor to Cerberus as well.



William L. Ballhaus, DynCorp International’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the transaction stating, "We are very excited about today's announcement and what it means for DynCorp International, our employees and our customers going forward. I believe that under this partnership with Cerberus, DynCorp International will be able to build on our extensive heritage and successful performance to continue to achieve our growth objectives. Importantly, this transaction is a major milestone for DynCorp International's continued leadership in serving our customers and supporting U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives."



“Cerberus is pleased to partner with the outstanding management team and dedicated employees of DynCorp International,” said Timothy F. Price, Cerberus Managing Director and spokesperson. “This exciting news underscores our successful track record in the government services sector and furthers our goal of continuing to grow our portfolio in this area. DynCorp International has a demonstrated history of strong customer oriented performance, from a unique global platform. We are confident that DynCorp International will continue to serve its customers well while expanding its service offerings to current and prospective customers.”



Transaction Details



Completion of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including approval of the merger by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of DynCorp International’s common stock and regulatory approvals including expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. Assuming the satisfaction of conditions, the transaction is expected to close in the third or fourth calendar quarter of 2010. Upon completion of the merger, DynCorp International will become a private company, wholly-owned by Cerberus.



Under the terms of the agreement, DynCorp International may solicit alternative proposals from third parties for the 28-day period following the signing and intends to consider any such proposals. There can be no assurance that the solicitation of such proposals will result in an alternative transaction. In addition, DynCorp International may, at any time, subject to the terms of the merger agreement, respond to unsolicited proposals.



Affiliates of Veritas Capital Fund Management, L.L.C. have executed a Voting Agreement pursuant to which they have agreed to vote shares owned by them representing, in the aggregate, 34.9% of the outstanding shares of DynCorp International in favor of the transaction.


Goldman, Sachs & Co. acted as financial advisor to DynCorp International. Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP acted as outside legal counsel to the Company and Board of Directors of the Company. Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. acted as special outside counsel to the Board of Directors of the Company.


Evercore Partners along with the previously mentioned Banks acted as financial advisors to Cerberus. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and Jenner & Block, LLP acted as outside legal counsel to Cerberus.


About DynCorp International Inc.



DynCorp International is a global government services provider in support of U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives, delivering support solutions for defense, diplomacy, and international development. DynCorp International operates major programs in logistics, platform support, contingency operations, and training and mentoring to reinforce security, community stability, and the rule of law. DynCorp International is headquartered in Falls Church, Va. For more information, visit www.dyn-intl.com.


About Cerberus Capital Management, L.P.



Cerberus Capital Management, L.P., along with its affiliates, is one of the world's leading private investment firms with approximately $23 billion under management in funds and accounts. Through its team of investment and operations professionals, Cerberus specializes in providing both financial resources and operational expertise to help transform undervalued companies into industry leaders for long-term success and value creation. Cerberus holds controlling or significant minority interests in companies around the world. Cerberus is headquartered in New York City with affiliate and/or advisory offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. For more information, visit www.cerberuscapital.com.



Forward-Looking Statements



This communication contains forward-looking statements that involve numerous risks and uncertainties. The statements contained in this communication that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, without limitation, statements regarding the expected benefits and closing of the proposed Merger, the management of the Company and the Company’s expectations, beliefs and intentions. All forward-looking statements included in this communication are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “can,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “targets,” “goals,” “projects,” “outlook,” “continue,” “preliminary,” “guidance,” or variations of such words, similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what impact they will have on our results of operations or financial condition. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Neither the Company nor any other person can assume responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of forward-looking statements. There are various important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. These factors include: failure to obtain stockholder approval of the proposed Merger; failure to obtain, delays in obtaining or adverse conditions contained in any required regulatory or other approvals; failure to consummate or delay in consummating the transaction for other reasons; changes in laws or regulations; and changes in general economic conditions. The Company undertakes no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For additional information please refer to the Company’s most recent Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K reports filed with the SEC.



Additional Information and Where To Find It



In connection with the proposed Merger and required stockholder approval, the Company will file a proxy statement with the SEC. The definitive proxy statement will be mailed to stockholders of the Company. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT MATERIALS WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY AND THE MERGER. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents (when they are available) and other documents filed with the SEC at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed by the Company with the SEC may be obtained free of charge by contacting DynCorp International Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, DynCorp International Inc., 3190 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 700, Falls Church, VA 22042. Our filings with the SEC are also available on our website at http://www.dyn-intl.com



The Company and its executive officers and directors may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s stockholders with respect to the Merger. Information about the Company’s executive officers and directors and their ownership of the Company’s Class A Common Stock is set forth in the proxy statement for the Company’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on June 15, 2009. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the direct and indirect interests of the Company and its respective executive officers and directors in the Merger by reading the preliminary and definitive proxy statements regarding the Merger, which will be filed with the SEC.



This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.





Contact:

DynCorp International

Craig R. Reed

Senior Vice President, Strategy & Corporate Development

703-462-7253


Source: DynCorp International

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