NEW YORK �� Lockheed Martin said Thursday that it is cutting 4,000 jobs due to a slowdown in business due to less U.S. government spending on defense.
The defense contractor also said it was closing and consolidating several of its U.S. facilities in an effort to increase the efficiency of its operations and make its products more affordable.
"In the face of government budget cuts and an increasingly complex global security landscape, these actions are necessary for the future of out business," CEO Marillyn Hewson said in a statement.
Defense contractors have been hurt by across-the-board budget cuts, known as sequestration.
By mid-2015, Lockheed plans to close plants in Newtown, Pa.; Akron, Ohio; and Goodyear, Ariz. Those closings will result in 2,000 job losses. The other 2,000 positions being eliminated will be focused in the company's Information Systems & Global Solutions, Mission System and Training, and Space Systems businesses.
Hot Defense Companies To Watch In Right Now: United Technologies Corporation(UTX)
United Technologies Corporation provides technology products and services to the building systems and aerospace industries worldwide. The company?s Otis segment designs, manufactures, sells, and installs passenger and freight elevators, escalators, and moving walkways, as well as provides maintenance and repair services. Its Carrier segment offers heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems, controls, services, and energy-efficient products for residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation applications. The company?s UTC Fire and Security segment provides electronic security products comprising intruder alarms, and access control and video surveillance systems; fire safety products, such as specialty hazard detection and fixed suppression products, fire extinguishers, fire detection and life safety systems, and other firefighting equipment; systems integration, video surveillance, installation, maintenance, and inspection services; and mon itoring, response, and security personnel services. Its Pratt and Whitney segment supplies aircraft engines for the commercial, military, business jet, and general aviation markets; industrial gas turbines; geo thermal power systems; and space propulsion systems, as well as provides fleet management, maintenance, repair, and overhaul services. The company?s Hamilton Sundstrand segment supplies aerospace products, such as power generation, management and distribution, flight control, engine control, environmental control, auxiliary power units, and propeller systems; and industrial products, including air compressors, metering pumps, and fluid handling equipment under the Sullair, Sundyne, and Milton Roy names. Its Sikorsky segment manufactures military and commercial helicopters, as well as offers aftermarket helicopter and aircraft parts and services. United Technologies Corporation was founded in 1934 and is based in Hartford, Connecticut.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Ben Levisohn]
The government shutdown has taken its toll on government contractors this week. In the Dow, United Technologies (UTX) dropped 4.7% to $104.27, making it the blue-chip index’s biggest loser, after said it could furlough workers. Raytheon (RTN) fell 5.7% to $74.25.
- [By Gerrit De Vynck]
Bombardier says the CSeries planes, which will feature the new geared turbofan engine from United Technologies Corp.�� (UTX) Pratt & Whitney, will be about four times quieter than existing jets. The company said last month it will need months to assess performance data on the CSeries after conducting the plane�� first flight Sept. 16. Bombardier is planning about 2,400 hours of flight tests on the jet, whose development program will probably cost about $3.9 billion.
- [By Rich Smith]
That company was United Technologies (NYSE: UTX ) , whose Pratt & Whitney subsidiary snagged a $648.8 million contract, modifying a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract related to the production of F135 jet engines for Lockheed Martin's (NYSE: LMT ) F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. Monday's award extends the period for performing technical baseline review design, verification, validation, and qualification work on the new engine. The awarded funds will also pay for the production of two spare flight test engines and associated spare parts.
- [By Ben Levisohn]
Citigroup’s Deane Dray and team took a long hard look at the U.S. economy and the their ratings on diversified industrial like United Technologies (UTX), Honeywell (HON), Tyco (TYC) and Wesco International (WCC) and decided it was time to makes some changes.
Hot Defense Companies To Watch In Right Now: US Global Nanospace Inc (USGA.PK)
US Global Nanospace, Inc. (USGN), incorporated in 1984, is a development-stage company that specializes in identifying, developing and commercializing advanced products the core technologies of which are primarily wide area perimeter security based or nanoscience derived. Its primary products include an integrated system to direct autonomous response featuring software and control elements, and biological and chemical decontaminants. Other products include optimized polymer and organic materials and nanofibers, advanced filtration systems for air, water and cigarettes, and blast mitigation and fire protection materials. It is focusing on obtaining global partners and/or licensees and marketing the products that it has developed for defense, security, and health and safety applications. The Company's customers for these systems, materials, formulas and processes include agencies or organizations under the direct control of the federal government of the United States, plu s domestic and foreign businesses and foreign government agencies or organizations, to the extent permitted by applicable law or regulations.
MAPSANDS
The Modular Autonomous Perimeter Security and Non-Lethal Defense System (MAPSANDS) is a new product in wide area perimeter security. USGN designed MAPSANDS to address the need for autonomous wide-area perimeter security and access denial for sovereign borders, oil/gas/water pipelines, power plants, seaports, ships, airports, oil and gas refineries, water treatment and desalinization facilities, offshore oil rigs and other high-value infrastructure. Unlike other wide area security systems, MAPSANDS eliminates the need for fences, manned control and dispatch, and response teams.
MAPSANDS is designed to automatically protect and defend high-value remote installations with or without human intervention, eliminating the issues of inadequate manpower or misplaced loyalty that have plagued exist ing wide-area security endeavors. MAPSANDS incorporates ad! va! nced radars capable of detecting, tracking and targeting to aim directional acoustic devices delivering clear verbal warnings and aversive warning tones to area perimeter intruders. These acoustic devices are designed to operate ranges, which enable to determine an approaching intruder's intent and affect the intruder's behavior. In the event an area perimeter intruder fails to heed the increasingly threatening acoustic warnings delivered by MAPSANDS, the system can be programmed to autonomously target and disperse non-lethal deterrent munitions, such as flash bang, tear gas, malodorants, or rubber pellets to establish a pre-set area denial perimeter.
MAPSANDS is designed to automatically protect and defend high-value remote installations with or without human intervention, eliminating the issues of inadequate manpower or misplaced loyalty that have plagued existing wide-area security endeavors. MAPSANDS incorporates advanced radars capable of detecting, trackin g and targeting to aim directional acoustic devices delivering clear verbal warnings and aversive warning tones to area perimeter intruders. A variety of advanced tactical options are available based on customer specifications and rules of engagement.
ALL-CLEAR
All-Clear is designed for the neutralization of chemical and biological weapons and contaminants, and for general disinfection and sterilization of surfaces. All-Clear was designed for military decontamination applications, as well as for use by fire/emergency personnel, law enforcement agencies, or other first responders to terrorist, hazardous materials (HAZMAT), or other emergency incidents. All-Clear is a decontaminant that enables to eliminate chemical and biological warfare agents, such as Sarin and Anthrax. The foam is developed to neutralize agents without the harmful effects that most chlorine and oxidizing decontamination agents have on sensitive apparatus like landing gear and brak e assemblies. Unlike other decontamination products th! at rel! y! on chem! ical reactions to oxidize agents All-Clear uses an enzyme to selectively destroy nerve agents and a biocide mixture to sterilize biological agents, including anthrax spores.
All-Clear has been developed pursuant to the agreement with Kidde Fire Fighting, Inc. and is being marketed internationally to foreign governments, militaries and companies and has been presented to the United States Department of Homeland Security and the United States Department of Defense. All-Clear has passed the Boeing Series D6-17487, Revision P, corrosion test for use of foam on aircraft exteriors.
Radome and Radomex Impact Resistant Aircraft Radome
USGN developed radomes, a protective fairing typically found on aircraft that is used to protect radar antenna, that are designed to allow radar signal transmission. A fairing is a structure whose primary function is to produce a smooth outline and to reduce drag, for example, as on an airplane. This product is av ailable in limited quantities. The Company is supplying a standard composite radome for the Bell 212/412 and the Agusta AB212/412 series military and commercial helicopters to Agusta Aerospace and Bell Helicopter. In addition, it has developed materials suitable for producing an impact resistantballistic resistant radome (RadomeX). RadomeX is designed to provide variable threat ballistic protection to the flight crew, the radar equipment and the aircraft while allowing the radar to operate. RadomeX products are under development.
NanoFilterCX
NanoFilterCX is a cigarette filter. NanoFilterCX is designed to provide nanofiber-based, high-efficiency mechanical filtration for reduction of cigarette smoke toxins. In addition to the direct benefit to smokers of reducing toxins, the NanoFilterCX will be manufactured from a variety of polymers to optimize design and production requirements. The NanoFilterCX is still under development.
Nanofilte r Pathogen/Allergen Air Filter Purification Syste! ms
!
The ! core of USGN's NanoFilter technology was initially developed for NASA for use during extended crewed space flight applications lasting in excess of 120 days, to provide ultra-fine particulate matter air filtration and purification. The Nanofilter is comprised of advanced polymeric nanofiber combined with a patented particle stimulation mechanism.
The result is an optimized porous nanofilter media that is enveloped with an electronic field causing the airborne particulate matter to move in a churning motion perpendicular to the airflow direction without ionization, thus enhancing the London/Van der Waals force interaction (a type of particle attraction), resulting in an air filtration and purification system to capture bacteria, viruses, smoke, dust, odorants, and other sub-micron sized particulate matter. The three products: GARDS-Guardian Antiballistic Replacement Door Skins, SAV-A GUNNER (SAG) HMMWV Turret, and BLAST-X are not being marketed.
Gard s -Guardian Antiballistic Replacement Door Skins
The Guardian Antiballistic Replacement Door Skin (GARDS) for the AM General High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) are lightweight and flexible antiballistic panels designed to protect vehicle occupants in elevated-threat locations. GARDS are designed to be attached in the field to the interior of the existing HMMWV doorframe, upgrading threat level protection to NIJ Level IIIA or higher, providing for an increase in protection from small arms fire, projectiles, fragmentation and shrapnel when compared to the original equipment fabric doors. GARDS are designed to be installed in 15 minutes. They weigh as little as six pounds per panel, require no maintenance and as the original door structure and canvas cover remain intact, are intended to be unnoticeable from the outside of the vehicle. GARDS' strength, durability and low weight is a result of its G-Lam, anti-ballistic material. G-Lam is created with a process that results in mechanical propert! ies. GARD! S are d! esigned t! o provide protection against specific ballistic threats, fragmentation and shrapnel. G-Lam is also designed to be impervious to petroleum distillates and maintain performance at temperatures in excess of 400 degrees fahrenheit.
Sav-A Gunner (Sag) HMMWV Turret
The S.A.G. Turret has been designed as a durable, lightweight shielded turret offering protection against specific ballistic threats, fragmentation and shrapnel for the HMMWV. The S.A.G. Turret weighs approximately 160 pounds and offers rapid rotational capability. The S.A.G. Turret is approximately four feet in diameter, is designed to interface precisely with military HMMWV rotating turret rings and is designed to be installed by two people in less than one hour using common hand tools. USGN's G-Lam material used in the turret is designed to be impervious to petroleum distillates and to maintain performance at temperatures in excess of 400 degrees fahrenheit.
Blast-X Explosion Mi tigation Material
Blast-X is a lightweight blast mitigation material that may be manufactured in various mediums, including flat panels, conformable panels, and cast shapes. Blast-X integrates blast mitigation and containment technologies into a single unit or system of products that are designed to reduce risk to persons and property, preserve forensic evidence, increase safety in work environments, and prevent sympathetic detonation in munitions containers. Sympathetic detonation is the detonation of one explosive item by exploding another explosive item adjacent to it.
Blast-X is comprised of two distinct components: a mitigation medium to attenuate explosive shock waves, reduce initial shock pressure levels and minimize fire as it interacts with the heat and pressure of the blast environment, and a back panel made of USGN's G-Lam anti-ballistic/anti-fragment material to contain blast fragments and debris. Blast-Cast is a castable blast mitigatio n product designed for munitions conta! iners, mu! nitions stora! ge facili! ties, and any application where blast mitigation and more specifically sympathetic detonations are a concern. Blast-Cast is a custom manufactured solution that can be molded into myriad forms, in accordance with the customer's specifications. The components in Blast-X can also be used separately or spaced, depending on the definition of threat while considering new construction or retrofits. The blast mitigation portion of Blast-X is more appropriately placed as near as possible to the blast source, while the fragment barrier portion can be placed closer to the areas that are to be protected (such as occupied rooms and critical equipment).
US Global Nanospace, Inc. (USGN), incorporated in 1984, is a development-stage company that specializes in identifying, developing and commercializing advanced products the core technologies of which are primarily wide area perimeter security based or nanoscience derived. Its primary products include an integrated system to direct autonomous response featuring software and control elements, and biological and chemical decontaminants. Other products include optimized polymer and organic materials and nanofibers, advanced filtration systems for air, water and cigarettes, and blast mitigation and fire protection materials. It is focusing on obtaining global partners and/or licensees and marketing the products that it has developed for defense, security, and health and safety applications. The Company's customers for these systems, materials, formulas and processes include agencies or organizations under the direct control of the federal government of the United States, plus domestic and foreign businesses and foreign government agencies or organizations, to the extent permitted by applicable law or regulations.
MAPSANDS
The Modular Autonomous Perimeter Security and Non-Lethal Defense System (MAPSANDS) is a new product in wide area perimeter security. USGN designed MAPSANDS to address the need for autonomous wide-area perimeter security and access denial for sovereign borders, oil/gas/water pipelines, power plants, seaports, ships, airports, oil and gas refineries, water treatment and desalinization facilities, offshore oil rigs and other high-value infrastructure. Unlike other wide area security systems, MAPSANDS eliminates the need for fences, manned control and dispatch, and response teams.
MAPSANDS is designed to automatically protect and defend high-value remote installations with or without human intervention, eliminating the issues of inadequate manpower or misplaced loyalty that have plagued existing wide-area security endeavors. MAPSANDS incorporates advance! d radars capable of detecting, tracking and targeting to aim directional acoustic devices delivering clear verbal warnings and aversive warning tones to area perimeter intruders. These acoustic devices are designed to operate ranges, which enable to determine an approaching intruder's intent and affect the intruder's behavior. In the event an area perimeter intruder fails to heed the increasingly threatening acoustic warnings delivered by MAPSANDS, the system can be programmed to autonomously target and disperse non-lethal deterrent munitions, such as flash bang, tear gas, malodorants, or rubber pellets to establish a pre-set area denial perimeter.
MAPSANDS is designed to automatically protect and defend high-value remote installations with or without human intervention, eliminating the issues of inadequate manpower or misplaced loyalty that have plagued existing wide-area security endeavors. MAPSANDS incorporates advanced radars capable of detecting, tracking and targeting to aim directional acoustic devices delivering clear verbal warnings and aversive warning tones to area perimeter intruders. A variety of advanced tactical options are available based on customer specifications and rules of engagement.
ALL-CLEAR
All-Clear is designed for the neutralization of chemical and biological weapons and contaminants, and for general disinfection and sterilization of surfaces. All-Clear was designed for military decontamination applications, as well as for use by fire/emergency personnel, law enforcement agencies, or other first responders to terrorist, hazardous materials (HAZMAT), or other emergency incidents. All-Clear is a decontaminant that enables to eliminate chemical and biological warfare agents, such as Sarin and Anthrax. The foam is developed to neutralize agents without the harmful effects that most chlorine and oxidizing decontamination agents have on sensitive apparatus like landing gear and brake assemblies. Unlike other decontamination products that rely o! n chemica! l reactions to oxidize agents All-Clear uses an enzyme to selectively destroy nerve agents and a biocide mixture to sterilize biological agents, including anthrax spores.
All-Clear has been developed pursuant to the agreement with Kidde Fire Fighting, Inc. and is being marketed internationally to foreign governments, militaries and companies and has been presented to the United States Department of Homeland Security and the United States Department of Defense. All-Clear has passed the Boeing Series D6-17487, Revision P, corrosion test for use of foam on aircraft exteriors.
Radome and Radomex Impact Resistant Aircraft Radome
USGN developed radomes, a protective fairing typically found on aircraft that is used to protect radar antenna, that are designed to allow radar signal transmission. A fairing is a structure whose primary function is to produce a smooth outline and to reduce drag, for example, as on an airplane. This product is available in limited quantities. The Company is supplying a standard composite radome for the Bell 212/412 and the Agusta AB212/412 series military and commercial helicopters to Agusta Aerospace and Bell Helicopter. In addition, it has developed materials suitable for producing an impact resistantallistic resistant radome (RadomeX). RadomeX is designed to provide variable threat ballistic protection to the flight crew, the radar equipment and the aircraft while allowing the radar to operate. RadomeX products are under development.
NanoFilterCX
NanoFilterCX is a cigarette filter. NanoFilterCX is designed to provide nanofiber-based, high-efficiency mechanical filtration for reduction of cigarette smoke toxins. In addition to the direct benefit to smokers of reducing toxins, the NanoFilterCX will be manufactured from a variety of polymers to optimize design and production requirements. The NanoFilterCX is still under development.
Nanofilter Pathogen/Allergen Air Filter Purification Systems
The core! of USGN's NanoFilter technology was initially developed for NASA for use during extended crewed space flight applications lasting in excess of 120 days, to provide ultra-fine particulate matter air filtration and purification. The Nanofilter is comprised of advanced polymeric nanofiber combined with a patented particle stimulation mechanism.The result is an optimized porous nanofilter media that is enveloped with an electronic field causing the airborne particulate matter to move in a churning motion perpendicular to the airflow direction without ionization, thus enhancing the London/Van der Waals force interaction (a type of particle attraction), resulting in an air filtration and purification system to capture bacteria, viruses, smoke, dust, odorants, and other sub-micron sized particulate matter. The three products: GARDS-Guardian Antiballistic Replacement Door Skins, SAV-A GUNNER (SAG) HMMWV Turret, and BLAST-X are not being marketed.
Gards -Guardian Antiballistic Replacement Door Skins
The Guardian Antiballistic Replacement Door Skin (GARDS) for the AM General High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) are lightweight and flexible antiballistic panels designed to protect vehicle occupants in elevated-threat locations. GARDS are designed to be attached in the field to the interior of the existing HMMWV doorframe, upgrading threat level protection to NIJ Level IIIA or higher, providing for an increase in protection from small arms fire, projectiles, fragmentation and shrapnel when compared to the original equipment fabric doors. GARDS are designed to be installed in 15 minutes. They weigh as little as six pounds per panel, require no maintenance and as the original door structure and canvas cover remain intact, are intended to be unnoticeable from the outside of the vehicle. GARDS' strength, durability and low weight is a result of its G-Lam, anti-ballistic material. G-Lam is created with a process that results in mechanical properties. GARDS are desig! ned to pr! ovide protection against specific ballistic threats, fragmentation and shrapnel. G-Lam is also designed to be impervious to petroleum distillates and maintain performance at temperatures in excess of 400 degrees fahrenheit.
Sav-A Gunner (Sag) HMMWV Turret
The S.A.G. Turret has been designed as a durable, lightweight shielded turret offering protection against specific ballistic threats, fragmentation and shrapnel for the HMMWV. The S.A.G. Turret weighs approximately 160 pounds and offers rapid rotational capability. The S.A.G. Turret is approximately four feet in diameter, is designed to interface precisely with military HMMWV rotating turret rings and is designed to be installed by two people in less than one hour using common hand tools. USGN's G-Lam material used in the turret is designed to be impervious to petroleum distillates and to maintain performance at temperatures in excess of 400 degrees fahrenheit.
Blast-X Explosion Mitigation Material
Blast-X is a lightweight blast mitigation material that may be manufactured in various mediums, including flat panels, conformable panels, and cast shapes. Blast-X integrates blast mitigation and containment technologies into a single unit or system of products that are designed to reduce risk to persons and property, preserve forensic evidence, increase safety in work environments, and prevent sympathetic detonation in munitions containers. Sympathetic detonation is the detonation of one explosive item by exploding another explosive item adjacent to it.
Blast-X is comprised of two distinct components: a mitigation medium to attenuate explosive shock waves, reduce initial shock pressure levels and minimize fire as it interacts with the heat and pressure of the blast environment, and a back panel made of USGN's G-Lam anti-ballistic/anti-fragment material to contain blast fragments and debris. Blast-Cast is a castable blast mitigation product designed for munitions containers, munitions storage f! acilities! , and any application where blast mitigation and more specifically sympathetic detonations are a concern. Blast-Cast is a custom manufactured solution that can be molded into myriad forms, in accordance with the customer's specifications. The components in Blast-X can also be used separately or spaced, depending on the definition of threat while considering new construction or retrofits. The blast mitigation portion of Blast-X is more appropriately placed as near as possible to the blast source, while the fragment barrier portion can be placed closer to the areas that are to be protected (such as occupied rooms and critical equipment).
Hot Defense Companies To Watch In Right Now: Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC)
Northrop Grumman Corporation (Northrop Grumman), incorporated on January 16, 2001, provides products, services, and integrated solutions in aerospace, electronics, information and services to its global customers. As of December 31, 2011, the Company operated in four segments: Aerospace Systems, Electronic Systems, Information Systems and Technical Services. The Company conducts most of its business with the United States Government, principally the Department of Defense (DoD) and intelligence community. It also conducts business with local, state, and foreign Governments and domestic and international commercial customers. Effective as of March 31, 2011, the company completed the spin-off of Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII). HII operates the Company�� former shipbuilding business. In September 2012, it acquired M5 Network Security Pty Ltd.
Aerospace Systems
Aerospace Systems is engaged in the design, development, integration and production of manned and unmanned aircraft, spacecraft, high-energy laser systems, microelectronics and other systems and subsystems. Aerospace Systems��customers, primarily domestic government agencies, use these systems in a number of different mission areas, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; communications; battle management; strike operations; electronic warfare; missile defense; earth observation; space science; and space exploration. The segment consists of four business areas: Strike & Surveillance Systems; Space Systems; Battle Management & Engagement Systems; and Advanced Programs & Technology. Strike & Surveillance Systems designs, develops, manufactures and integrates tactical and long-range strike aircraft systems, unmanned systems, and missile systems. Key programs include the RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned reconnaissance system, B-2 stealth bomber, F-35 Lightning II (F-35), F/A-18 Super Hornet strike fighter, Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aircraft syste! m, and Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP).
Space Systems designs, develops, manufactures, and integrates spacecraft systems, subsystems and electronic and communications payloads. Its main programs include the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) payload and many restricted programs. The Battle Management & Engagement Systems designs, develops, manufactures, and integrates airborne early warning, surveillance, battlefield management, and electronic warfare systems. Key programs include the E-2 Hawkeye, Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS), Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) unmanned aircraft system, EA-6B Prowler and its next generation platform, the EA-18G Growler, and Long Endurance Multi Intelligence Vehicle (LEMV). Advanced Programs & Technology creates advanced technologies and concepts. Its programs include the Navy Unmanned Combat Air System (N-UCAS), and other directed energy and advanced concepts programs.
Electronic Systems
Electronic Systems is engaged in the design, development, manufacture, and support of solutions for sensing, understanding, anticipating, and controlling the environment for its global military, civil, and commercial customers and their operations. Electronic Systems provides a variety of defense electronics and systems, airborne fire control radars, situational awareness systems, early warning systems, airspace management systems, navigation systems, communications systems, marine systems, space systems, and logistics services. The segment consists of five business areas: Intelligence, Surveillance, & Reconnaissance Systems; Land & Self Protection Systems; Naval & Marine Systems; Navigation Systems; and Targeting Systems. Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems delivers products and services for space satellite applications, airborne and ground-based surveillance, multi-sensor processing, analysis, and dissemination for com! bat units! and national agencies both domestically and internationally, providing battlespace awareness, missile defense, and command and control. Key products include the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS), Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), Defense Support Program (DSP), ground processing, exploitation and dissemination systems, the TPS-78/703 family of ground based surveillance radars, and the Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar.
Land & Self Protection Systems delivers products, systems, and services that support ground-based, helicopter and fixed wing platforms (manned and unmanned) with sensor and protection systems. These systems perform threat detection and countermeasures that defeat infrared and radio frequency (RF) guided missile and tracking systems. The division also provides integrated electronic warfare capability, communications, and intelligence systems; unattended ground sensors; automatic test equipment; and advanced threat simulators. Key programs include the U.S. Marine Corps Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) multi-mission radar; the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) system for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and strategic international and NATO allies; the AN/ALQ-131(V) electronic countermeasures pod; the LR-100 high-performance radar warning receiver (RWR)/electronic support measures (ESM)/electronic intelligence (ELINT) receiver system; the U.S. Army�� STARLite Synthetic Aperture Radar for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs); the U.S. Army Vehicle Intercom Systems (VIC-3 and VIC-5); the U.S. Army Next Generation Automated Test System (NGATS); the U.S. Air Force Joint Threat Emitter (JTE) training range system; and the Vehicle and Dismount Exploitation Radar (VADER) system that enable airborne platforms to track individual persons or vehicles.
Naval & Marine Systems delivers products and services to defense, civil, and commercial customers supporting smart navigation, shipboard radar surveillance, ship control, mac! hinery co! ntrol, integrated combat management systems for naval surface ships, high-resolution undersea sensors (for mine hunting, situational awareness, and other applications), unmanned marine vehicles, shipboard missile and encapsulated payload launch systems, propulsion and power generation systems, and nuclear reactor instrumentation and control. Key products include Integrated Bridge and Navigation Systems, Voyage Management System, Integrated Platform Management Systems, Integrated Combat Management System, AN/WSN-7 Inertial Navigator, anti-ship missile defense and surveillance radars (Cobra Judy, AN/SPQ-9B, AN/SPS-74), propulsion equipment, missile launch, and sonar systems for the Virginia-class submarine, and launch system support for the Ohio-class submarine.
Navigation Systems delivers products and services to defense, civil, and commercial customers supporting situational awareness, inertial navigation in all domains (air, land, sea, and space), embedded Global Positioning Systems, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, acoustic sensors, cockpit video monitors, mission computing, and integrated avionics and electronics systems. Key products include the Integrated Avionics System, the AN/TYQ-23 Aircraft Command and Control System, Fiber Optic Acoustic Sensors, and a robust portfolio of inertial sensors and navigation systems. Targeting Systems delivers products and services supporting airborne combat avionics (fire control radars, multi-function apertures and pods), airborne electro-optical/infrared targeting systems, and laser/electro-optical systems including hand-held, tripod-mounted, and ground or air vehicle mounted systems. Key products include fire control radars for the B-1B, F-16 (worldwide), F-22 U.S. Air Force, and F-35; AN/APN-241 navigation/weather radar; the AN/AAQ-28(V) LITENING family of targeting pods; Distributed Aperture EO/IR systems; and the Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder (LLDR). In addition, the Electronic Systems segment also includes the Advanced Co! ncepts & ! Technologies Division (AC&TD), which develops next-generation systems and architectures.
Information Systems
Information Systems is a provider of advanced solutions for the DoD, national intelligence, federal civilian, state and local agencies, and commercial and international customers. Products and services focus on the fields of command, control, communications, computers (C4) and intelligence; airborne reconnaissance; intelligence processing; air and missile defense; decision support systems; cybersecurity; information technology; and systems engineering and integration. The segment consists of three business areas: Defense Systems; Intelligence Systems, and Civil Systems. Defense Systems is a provider of net-enabled Battle Management, C4 Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems, decision superiority, and mission-enabling solutions and services in support of the national defense and security of our nation and its allies. Defense Systems is a developer and integrator of many of the DoD�� programs-of-record, particularly for command and control (C2) and communications for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and Joint Forces. Major products and services include C4ISR Integration, Mission Systems Integration, Military Communications and Networks, Battle Management C2 and Decision Support Systems, Tactical and Operational C2, Ground and Maritime Combat Systems, Air and Missile Defense, Combat Support Solutions and Services, Enterprise Infrastructure and Applications, Defense Logistics Systems, Identity Management and Biometric Solutions, Cloud Computing, Maritime Mission Systems and Force and Critical Infrastructure Protection. Systems are installed in operational and command centers worldwide and across all DoD services and joint commands.
Intelligence Systems is focused on the delivery of intelligence-related systems and services to the United States Government and the international security community. Intelligence Systems focuses ! on missio! n areas, including Airborne Intelligence, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Systems, Cybersecurity, Geospatial Intelligence, Pervasive Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Ground Systems, Multi-Source Intelligence Data Fusion, and Dynamic Cyber Defense. Its offerings include intelligence sensing, processing, exploitation and dissemination systems, extremely Large-Scale Data Information Management, Intelligence and Prime Systems Integration, Knowledge Discovery Processes, ISR/Communications Quick Reaction Capability Solutions, Sensor Systems, Support to Special Operations, Cyber-SIGINT Mission Management/Multi-Intelligence, Language Services/Intelligence Analysis, Cyber Exploitation, Satellite Ground Stations, Weather Services, Geospatial Systems, Product Generation and Dissemination, Counter Narco-Terrorism, Drug Enforcement Operations, Geo-Intelligence Tradecraft Training, Enterprise Information Technology, Ground-Based Sensing, Studies and Analysis, Sustainment, Operations and Maintenance. Civil Systems provides specialized information systems and services in support of critical civilian government missions, such as homeland security, health, cybersecurity, civil financial, law enforcement and public safety. Primary customers are federal civilian agencies with some state and local and international customers. Civil Systems develops and implements solutions that combine a deep understanding of civil government domains with core expertise in prime systems integration, enterprise applications development, and high value information technology service, including cybersecurity, advanced networking and cloud computing.
Technical Services
Technical Services is a provider of logistics, infrastructure, and sustainment support, while also providing an array of modernization, high technology, and training and simulation services. The segment consists of three business areas: Defense and Government Services; Training Solutions; and Integrated Logistics and Modernization. De! fense and! Government Services provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of combat vehicles, engineering and high technology services for nuclear security and space missions, civil engineering work, military range work, launch services, and range-sensor-instrumentation operations. The division�� customer base includes the United States Army, Department of Energy, the DoD, NASA, and the intelligence community. Training Solutions provides training to senior military leaders, international and peacekeeping forces. The division designs and develops future conflict training scenarios, and provides warfighters and allies with live, virtual, and constructive training programs. The division offers training applications ranging from battle command to professional military education. Primary customers include the DoD, Department of State, and Department of Homeland Security. Integrated Logistics and Modernization provides life cycle product and weapon system sustainment and modernization. The division is focused on providing direct support to warfighters and delivering aircraft MRO; subsystem MRO and modernization; supply chain management services, warehousing and inventory transportation, field services and mobilization, sustaining engineering, maintenance, repair and overhaul supplies, and on-going weapons maintenance and technical assistance. The division specializes in quick reaction capability and deployed operations in support of customers. Primary customers include the DoD, as well as international military and commercial customers.
The Company competes with Lockheed Martin Corporation, The Boeing Company, Raytheon Company, General Dynamics Corporation, L-3 Communications Corporation, SAIC, BAE Systems Inc., EADS and Finmeccanica SpA.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Steve Symington]
Even so, as I also wrote last month, other companies in the defense space look tantalizingly cheap, as well. Defense product extraordinaire�Northrup Grumman (NYSE: NOC ) , for one, boasts a trailing P/E of just 8.9(!), though its forward estimates increase the ratio to a still low 9.5. Meanwhile, weapons maker Raytheon�currently trades at only 10.1 times both trailing and forward earnings, and cybersecurity whiz�SAIC�has trailing and forward P/E ratios of 9.1 and 11.7, respectively.
- [By Rich Smith]
President Obama just released his 2014 proposed defense budget -- and it's chock-full of nada for investors in the fledgling drone/unmanned aerial vehicle industry. What does the lack of funding for drones portend for such manufacturers as General Atomics, Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC ) , �AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV ) , and Textron (NYSE: TXT ) ?
- [By Rich Smith]
When Admiral Mullen uttered those words a few years ago, it struck fear in the hearts of America's defense contractors -- well, those other than Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT ) , which builds the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. A world without manned fighter jets, after all, promises to be a world that won't need to buy Lockheed Martin F-16s fighters, Boeing (NYSE: BA ) F/A-18 fighter bombers, or Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC ) EA-6B electronic warfare jets.
Hot Defense Companies To Watch In Right Now: Halberd Corp (HALB)
Halberd Corporation, incorporated on January 26, 2009, is a development-stage company whose operations are conducted under the name Sellmybusiness.com. Sellmybusiness.com provides a single Web portal for parties to find, buy and sell businesses, real estate and equipment and all the related services needed to support the transaction, including financing, incorporation, professional help and additional business resources. Sellmybusiness.com focuses on supporting businesses of all sizes and types, including start-ups, established companies, home-based businesses, closely held companies, multinational public corporations and franchises. Sellmybusiness.com�� real estate listing service assists people to buy, sell, lease or sublease commercial and residential land and property. Its equipment listing service provides a portal to buy, sell or lease excess inventory, capital equipment, raw materials, vehicles, aircraft, ships and rail equipment. On January 28, 2009, it acquired SellMyBusinessNow.Com, Inc. (SellMyBusiness).
The initial target market for SellMyBusiness.com is the 1.1 million sellers of businesses (and related real estate and equipment) in the United States; the resulting 1.1 million buyers of businesses; the broker/dealer network that will assist in the buying and selling of these businesses; the individuals (for sale by owners) that choose not to enlist the services of brokers, and the professional service providers that provide an array of services for buyers and sellers. The SellMyBusiness.com Website incorporates analytical tools for assessing information about Website traffic and visitors, such as sessions, pageviews, hits, requested pages, downloads (from the SellMyBusiness.com Website), page drilldowns, entrance pages, exit pages, bounce rates, click paths, length of pageview, depth of session, length of session, referrals, domains, user Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, browser details and reasons for de-listing.
The Company competes with BizBuySells.com, Bi! zQuest.com, BusinessBroker.net, BusinessDistrict.com, BusinessesFor Sale.com, BusinessMart.com, BusinessNation.com and DaltonBusiness.com.
Hot Defense Companies To Watch In Right Now: Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK)
Alliant Techsystems Inc. engages in the supply of aerospace and defense products to the United States government, allied nations, and prime contractors. The company also supplies ammunition and related accessories to law enforcement agencies and commercial customers. Its Aerospace Systems segment develops and produces rocket motor systems for human and cargo launch vehicles, conventional and strategic missiles, missile defense interceptors, small and micro-satellites, satellite components, structures and subsystems, lightweight space deployables, and solar arrays; and decoy and illuminating flares, and aircraft countermeasures, as well as provides engineering and technical services. Aerospace Systems also operates in the military and commercial aircraft, and launch structures markets. The company?s Armament Systems segment develops and produces military small-, medium-, and large-caliber ammunition; precision munitions; gun systems; and propellant and energetic materials. It also operates the U.S. Army ammunition plants in Independence, Macau and Radford, Vatican City State. Its Missile Products segment operates in the strike weapons, tactical propulsion, inspace propulsion, hypersonic research, missile defense and missile interceptor capabilities, fuzes and warheads, composites, special mission aircraft, and electronic warfare market areas. The company?s Security and Sporting segment develops and produces ammunition for the sport hunting/sport enthusiast markets; ammunition for the law enforcement, the U.S. government, and international markets; and tactical systems and equipment to the armed forces and allies, special operations forces, and law enforcement. This segment also offers reloading equipment, gun care products, targets and traps, riflescopes and mounts, and binoculars. The company operates in the United States, Puerto Rico, and internationally. Alliant Techsystems Inc. was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minne sota.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Dan Dzombak]
Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK ) is a defense contractor focused on aerospace and defense, ammunition, and accessories, with U.S. government customers making up 67% of its sales. Ammunition and accessories make up 40% of Alliant's revenue in fiscal 2013. Of that 40%, 14% came from Alliance's contract to run the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, which lasts until 2020. This past fiscal year the plant produced 1.8 billion rounds at the facility. The other 26% of the 40% comes from ammunition and accessories sales, where Alliant sells under the brand names Federal Premium, Fusion, and Eagle. Its Aerospace group made up 29% of the company's sales in fiscal 2013, selling rocket motors as well as composite components for aircraft and missiles.
- [By Rich Smith]
Notable winners (among publicly traded companies) included:
Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK ) , which was awarded a maximum $31.4 million firm-fixed-price contract modification extending the period for its providing logistic support services for Iraqi Air Force Cessna 208s through April 2014. Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC ) , which won a $23 million firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic order agreement to supply "software sustainment support" for U.S. Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft. Work on this contract is expected to be complete by Oct. 2014.� Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT ) �was awarded $19.8 million as a modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract to attach machine-powered mowing systems to U.S. Army Caterpillar 966H wheel loaders.�This contract brings the cumulative face value of Caterpillar's underlying contract up to $184.7 million in tota - [By Seth Jayson]
Basic guidelines
In this series, I examine inventory using a simple rule of thumb: Inventory increases ought to roughly parallel revenue increases. If inventory bloats more quickly than sales grow, this might be a sign that expected sales haven't materialized. Is the current inventory situation at Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK ) out of line? To figure that out, start by comparing the company's inventory growth to sales growth. How is Alliant Techsystems doing by this quick checkup? At first glance, not so great. Trailing-12-month revenue decreased 5.4%, and inventory increased 21.9%. Comparing the latest quarter to the prior-year quarter, the story looks potentially problematic. Revenue dropped 12.0%, and inventory grew 21.9%. Over the sequential quarterly period, the trend looks healthy. Revenue grew 9.2%, and inventory grew 3.9%.
- [By Rich Duprey]
Munitions manufacturer ATK (NYSE: ATK ) has been awarded a $3.2 million contract to provide a low-cost, light-weight, precision-guided missile that incorporates lock-on capabilities before and after launch.�
Hot Defense Companies To Watch In Right Now: Raytheon Company(RTN)
Raytheon Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides electronics, mission systems integration, and other capabilities in the areas of sensing, effects, and command, control, communications, and intelligence systems, as well as mission support services in the United States and internationally. It operates in six segments: Integrated Defense Systems, Intelligence and Information Systems, Missile Systems, Network Centric Systems, Space and Airborne Systems, and Technical Services. The Integrated Defense Systems segment provides integrated naval, air, and missile defense and civil security response solutions. The Intelligence and Information Systems segment offers intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, advanced cyber solutions, weather and environmental solutions, and information-based solutions for law enforcement and homeland security. The Missile Systems segment develops and produces weapon systems, including missiles, smart munitions, close-in weapon systems, projectiles, kinetic kill vehicles, and directed energy effectors for the armed forces of the U.S. and other allied nations. The Network Centric Systems segment provides net-centric mission solutions, including integrated communications systems, command and control systems, combat systems, and operations and precision components for the U.S. federal, state, and local government customers, as well as civil customers. The Space and Airborne Systems segment designs and develops integrated systems and solutions for missions, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; precision engagement; unmanned aerial operations; and space. The Technical Services segment provides training, logistics, engineering, product support, and operational support services for the mission support, homeland security, space, civil aviation, counterproliferation, and counterterrorism markets. Raytheon Company was founded in 1922 and is based in Waltham, Massachusetts.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Eric Volkman]
Raytheon (NYSE: RTN ) has added a new asset to its portfolio. The company announced Thursday that it acquired Maryland-based Visual Analytics, a privately held firm that Raytheon says broadens its "capabilities to meet the data analytics, data visualization and information sharing needs of its customers."
Hot Defense Companies To Watch In Right Now: Spirit Aerosystems Holdings Inc.(SPR)
Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, designs and manufactures commercial aerostructures worldwide. It operates in three segments: Fuselage Systems, Propulsion Systems, and Wing Systems. The Fuselage Systems segment develops, produces, and markets forward, mid, and rear fuselage sections and systems primarily to aircraft original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), as well as offers related spares, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. This segment also offers rotorcraft comprising forward cockpit and cabin for military aircrafts. The Propulsion Systems segment engages in the development, production, and marketing of struts/pylons; nacelles, including thrust reversers; and related engine structural components primarily to aircraft or engine OEMs, as well as provides related spares and MRO services. The Wing Systems segment develops, produces, and markets wings and wing components comprising flight control surfaces and other miscellaneous structural parts primarily to aircraft OEMs, as well as offers related spares and MRO services. This segment is also involved in designing, engineering, and manufacturing structural components for military aircrafts, including low observables that are radar absorbent and translucent materials; and radome new builds and refurbishment. It also provides other military services, such as fabrication, bonding, assembly, testing, tooling, processing, engineering analysis, and training. Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. serves large commercial airplanes, business and regional jets, and military/helicopter sectors of the aerostructures industry. The company was formerly known as Mid-Western Aircraft Systems Holdings, Inc. Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Michael J. Carr]
Einhorn added RAD to his portfolio in the second quarter of 2013, the last quarter we have a full report of his activity for. During that time, he was also buying Spirit AeroSystems Holdings (NYSE: SPR).
Hot Defense Companies To Watch In Right Now: Lockheed Martin Corporation(LMT)
Lockheed Martin Corporation engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, operation, and sustainment of advanced technology systems and products in the areas of defense, space, intelligence, homeland security, and government information technology in the United States and internationally. It also provides management, engineering, technical, scientific, logistic, and information services. The company operates in four segments: Aeronautics, Electronic Systems, Information Systems & Global Services (IS&GS), and Space Systems. The Aeronautics segment offers military aircraft, including combat and air mobility aircraft, unmanned air vehicles, and related technologies. Its products and programs comprise the F-35 multi-role, stealth fighter; the F-22 air dominance and multi-mission stealth fighter; the F-16 multi-role fighter; the C-130J tactical transport aircraft; and the C-5M strategic airlifter modernization program; and support for the P-3 maritime patrol aircraft, and the U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. The Electronic Systems segment provides air and missile defense; tactical missiles; weapon fire control systems; surface ship and submarine combat systems; anti-submarine and undersea warfare systems; land, sea-based, and airborne radars; surveillance and reconnaissance systems; simulation and training systems; and integrated logistics and sustainment services. The IS&GS segment offers information technology solutions and advanced technology primarily in the areas of software and systems integration for space, air, and ground systems to various defense and civil government agencies. The Space Systems segment provides government and commercial satellites; strategic and defensive missile systems, including missile defense technologies and systems, and fleet ballistic missiles; and space transportation systems. Lockheed Martin Corporation was founded in 1909 and is based in Bethesda, Maryland.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Daniel Miller]
Boeing (NYSE: BA ) was heavily favored to win South Korea's contract for 60 fighter jets over Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT ) and other competitors. The fact that Boeing's offer was rejected and it is currently missing out on the $7.7 billion contract is bad enough. The real slap in the face, though, is that Boeing's bid was the only offer under South Korea's initial budget and was still dismissed.
- [By Luke Jacobi]
As the government shutdown continues, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) furloughed 3,000 employees and is trading down 0.32 percent.
Major Averages
Hot Defense Companies To Watch In Right Now: Halberd Corp (HALB.PK)
Halberd Corporation, incorporated on January 26, 2009, is a development-stage company whose operations are conducted under the name Sellmybusiness.com. Sellmybusiness.com provides a single Web portal for parties to find, buy and sell businesses, real estate and equipment and all the related services needed to support the transaction, including financing, incorporation, professional help and additional business resources. Sellmybusiness.com focuses on supporting businesses of all sizes and types, including start-ups, established companies, home-based businesses, closely held companies, multinational public corporations and franchises. Sellmybusiness.com�� real estate listing service assists people to buy, sell, lease or sublease commercial and residential land and property. Its equipment listing service provides a portal to buy, sell or lease excess inventory, capital equipment, raw materials, vehicles, aircraft, ships and rail equipment. On January 28, 2009, it acquir ed SellMyBusinessNow.Com, Inc. (SellMyBusiness).
The initial target market for SellMyBusiness.com is the 1.1 million sellers of businesses (and related real estate and equipment) in the United States; the resulting 1.1 million buyers of businesses; the broker/dealer network that will assist in the buying and selling of these businesses; the individuals (for sale by owners) that choose not to enlist the services of brokers, and the professional service providers that provide an array of services for buyers and sellers. The SellMyBusiness.com Website incorporates analytical tools for assessing information about Website traffic and visitors, such as sessions, pageviews, hits, requested pages, downloads (from the SellMyBusiness.com Website), page drilldowns, entrance pages, exit pages, bounce rates, click paths, length of pageview, depth of session, length of session, referrals, domains, user Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, browser details and reasons for de-list ing.
The Company competes with BizBuySells.co! m,! BizQuest.com, BusinessBroker.net, BusinessDistrict.com, BusinessesFor Sale.com, BusinessMart.com, BusinessNation.com and DaltonBusiness.com.
Hot Defense Companies To Watch In Right Now: Rockwell Collins Inc (COL)
Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rockwell Collins), incorporated on March 1, 2001, is engaged in design, production and support of communications and aviation electronics for commercial and military customers worldwide. The Company�� products and systems are primarily focused on aviation applications, The integrated system solutions and products it provide to its served markets include communications, navigation, automated flight control, displays/surveillance, simulation and training, integrated electronics and information management systems. The Company also provides a range of services and support to its customers through a network of service centers, including equipment repair and overhaul, service parts, field service engineering, training, technical information services and aftermarket used equipment sales. The Company operates in two segments: Government Systems and Commercial Systems.
Government Systems
The Company�� Government Systems business provides a range of electronic products, systems and services to customers, including the United States Department of Defense, other ministries of defense, other government agencies and defense contractors around the world. These products, systems and services support airborne, precision weapon, ground and maritime applications and are used in line-fit applications on new equipment, as well as in retrofit and upgrade applications designed. The Company�� defense-related systems, products and services include communications systems and products designed to enable the transmission of information across the communications spectrum, including satellite communications; navigation products and systems, including radio navigation products, global positioning system (GPS) equipment, handheld navigation devices and multi-mode receivers; avionics sub-systems for aircraft flight decks that combine flight operations with navigation and guidance functions that can include flight controls and displays, information/data processing and communicat! ions, navigation, safety and surveillance systems; cockpit display products, including multipurpose flat panel head-down displays, wide field of view head-up and helmet-mounted displays; simulation and training systems, including visual system products, training systems and services, and maintenance, repair, parts and after-sales support services.
Avionics consists of electronic solutions for a range of airborne platforms, including fixed and rotary wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and the associated aircrew and maintenance training devices and services. The Company provides complete avionics solutions (including cockpit avionics, mission system applications and system integration) and also provides individual avionics products to platform integrators. The Company serves various roles within these markets, including system and subsystems integrator, as well as provider of various electronic products. Communication products include spectrum voice and data connectivity for government and military use in the air, on the ground and at sea. Surface solutions include electronic systems applied to a variety of non-airborne market segments.
Commercial Systems
The Company�� Commercial Systems business supplies aviation electronics systems, products and services to customers located throughout the world. The customer base is consists of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of commercial air transport, business and regional aircraft, commercial airlines and business aircraft operators. The Company�� systems and products are used in both OEM applications, as well as in retrofit and upgrade applications designed.
The Company�� commercial aviation electronics systems, products and services include integrated avionics systems, such as Pro Line Fusion. Capabilities include synthetic and enhanced vision enabled flight displays, advanced flight and performance management systems, fly-by-wire integrated flight controls and information management! solution! s to improve operational efficiency; integrated cabin electronics systems, including cabin management systems, passenger connectivity and entertainment solutions, business support systems to improve passenger productivity and passenger flight information systems; communications systems and products, such as data link, high frequency, very high frequency and satellite communications systems; navigation systems and products, including landing sensors to enable automatic landings, radio navigation and geophysical sensors, as well as flight management systems; situational awareness and surveillance systems and products, such as synthetic and enhanced vision systems, surface surveillance and guidance solutions, head-up guidance systems, weather radar and collision avoidance systems; integrated information management solutions to improve the overall efficiency of flight, maintenance and cabin operations. These include on-board information management systems and connectivity solutions, airborne and ground applications and services, and ground infrastructure and services; electro-mechanical systems, including integrated pilot control solutions and primary and secondary actuation systems; simulation and training systems, including full-flight simulators for crew training, visual system products, training systems and engineering services, and maintenance, repair, parts, after-sales support services and aftermarket used equipment.
Air transport aviation electronics include avionics, cabin systems and flight control systems for commercial transport aircraft platforms. Business and regional aviation electronics include integrated avionics, cabin management and flight control systems for application on regional and business aircraft platforms. The Company develops integrated avionics, cabin and flight control solutions for business and regional aircraft OEMs and support them with the integration into other aircraft systems. Products offered for OEM applications in the business and regional aircraft cate! gory are ! marketed directly to the aircraft OEMs.
The Company competes with Honeywell International, Inc., Thales S.A., Panasonic, Raytheon Co., Harris Corp., BAE Systems Aerospace, Inc., General Dynamics Corporation, L3 Communications, Inc., The Boeing Company, Northrop Grumman Corp., CAE Inc., General Electric Co. and Garmin International Inc.
Advisors' Opinion: - [By Lauren Pollock]
Rockwell Collins Inc.(COL) said its fiscal first-quarter earnings slid� as charges related to a major acquisition offset a slight boost in the defense contractor’s sales. Rockwell also raised its full-year outlook.
- [By Rich Smith]
The configuration described in DSCA's notification to Congress does not appear to be configured for ground attack, however. According to the notice, the French drones would be powered by Honeywell (NYSE: HON ) turboprop engines, be equipped with Raytheon's (NYSE: RTN ) AN/DAS-1 Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems and AN/APX-119 (or KIV-119) international friend-or-foe transponders, and also ARC-210 radio systems from Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL ) , but no mention is made of any munitions, or pylons for attaching them to the planes, being sold to France.
- [By Monica Gerson]
Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is projected to report its Q1 earnings at $0.94 per share on revenue of $1.07 billion.
Cree (NASDAQ: CREE) is expected to post its Q2 earnings at $0.39 per share on revenue of $412.36 million.
- [By Rich Smith]
The U.S. Department of Defense awarded multiple contractors shares in some 17 contracts Tuesday, valued at up to $1.3 billion in combined dollar value. Most of the funds awarded went to a series of 13 contractors working on a single cyber-defense project -- but there were a few other winners. Among them:
Stan Honda, AFP/Getty ImagesGM's Cadillac brand was one of the biggest gainers in the latest J.D. Power vehicle reliability survey. DETROIT -- Engine and transmission problems caused quality in the U.S. auto industry to slip for the first time in 16 years in a vehicle dependability study of owners of 3-year-old cars and trucks, falling from last year's record-high levels. The industry's 2011-model cars, introduced in 2010, the year after sector sales hit a 28-year low during the recession, saw a nearly 6 percent decline in quality to 133 problems per 100 vehicles from 126 last year, according to the J.D. Power U.S. vehicle dependability survey released Wednesday. It was the first increase in the average number of problems since 1998. General Motors (GM), the No. 1 U.S. automaker, received eight segment awards, tops in the industry, and all four of its brands finished above the industry average. Its luxury Cadillac brand was one of the biggest gainers in the survey, jumping 11 spots to rank as the third most reliable. The biggest complaints among the more than 41,000 owners surveyed were about engine hesitation, rough transmission shifts and lack of power, but David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power, said a lot of that was due to lack of consumer familiarity with the smaller, less powerful 4-cylinder engines many buy now. "The manufacturers are starting to recalibrate the engine and transmission to squeeze every last point-one mpg out of the vehicle to help them hit CAFE regulations," he said of the rising federal fuel efficiency standards. "Some of the manufacturers accept that by doing that there's a compromise," Sargent added. "The consumers complain that the engine and transmission are not responding the way they want." Engine and transmission problems rose by nearly six per 100 vehicles, accounting for most of the industry's overall increase, and the decline was particularly sharp with 4-cylinder engines, where the number of problems for every 100 vehicles rose by nearly 10, J.D. Power said. While the automakers will adjust, the issue will continue because of the continued push for greater fuel efficiency, Sargent said. And this year's results are only just beginning to show the affect of another trend -- the higher penetration of technology like voice recognition and navigation systems. The inclusion of those features will lead to even more complaints. Toyota Motor's (TM) luxury brand Lexus led in reliability for the third straight year with a score of 68 problems per 100 vehicles, down from 71 last year. "The gap between them and everyone else is crazy," Sargent said of Lexus. "Mercedes is in second place and they're closer to the average than they are to Lexus. It's like everyone has been lapped by Lexus." Vehicle dependability is important to automakers because fewer problems translates into more loyal customers. J.D. Power said that 56 percent of owners who don't experience any problems with their vehicles stay with that brand for their next purchase. That loyalty rate slips to 42 percent when three or more problems are experienced. Sixteen of the 31 brands measured saw their scores decline or remain unchanged in the survey. However, the U.S. domestic nameplates improved at a slightly greater rate than imports, narrowing their scoring gap to eight problems per 100 vehicles with an overall average of 138, down from a gap of 10 last year. U.S. auto sales rebounded almost 12 percent in 2010, the year after demand hit its lowest level since World War Two and both GM and Chrysler underwent government-sponsored bankruptcies and Ford Motor (F) borrowed heavily to avoid the same fate. Chrysler Group is owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Porsche Falls in Ranks, Infiniti Rises Following Lexus in the survey were Daimler's Mercedes-Benz brand (104 problems per 100 vehicles), Cadillac (107), Honda Motor's luxury Acura brand (109) and GM's Buick (112). Cadillac cut the number of problems per 100 vehicles by 21 from last year. Ford's luxury Lincoln brand held the top ranking in the 2011 study. Rounding out the top 10 this year were Honda's (HMC) namesake brand, Lincoln and Toyota's namesake brand (each at 114 problems per 100 vehicles), Porsche (125) and Nissan's luxury Infiniti brand (128). Porsche fell from second last year and saw its problems per 100 vehicles rise by 31, while Infiniti jumped 10 spots in the rankings. The bottom five scoring brands were Hyundai Motor (169 problems per 100 vehicles), Chrysler's Jeep SUV brand (178), Tata Motors' Land Rover brand (179), Chrysler's Dodge brand (181) and BMW's Mini brand (185). However, Land Rover showed the greatest improvement by any brand, cutting its problems per 100 vehicles by 41. Among individual models, the Lexus LS and Cadillac DTS luxury sedans both had the strongest dependability in the industry with just 62 problems per 100 vehicles, J.D. Power said. The DTS is no longer built, having been replaced by the XTS. Chrysler's Dodge Journey scored the biggest improvement, cutting its problems by 62. GM, through its Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC brands, garnered eight segment awards, including the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid electric for the top ranked compact car and the GMC Sierra for the top ranked light- and heavy-duty pickup trucks. Sargent called GM's performance "impressive," but said the automaker will need to execute equally well with newer vehicles as it has with older models. Toyota and Honda led in seven and six segments, respectively. The Mini Cooper won the compact sporty car segment. 
) and Reynolds American (RAI