BAE Systems gets safety nod

BAE Systems' First InterComm first-responder interoperable communications system, has received Safety Act designation from the US Department of Homeland Security as a qualified anti-terrorism technology.

First InterComm enables first responders to interoperate using its existing radios and frequencies. The low-cost, vehicle-mounted units link all of the radios at an incident scene without costly towers or other infrastructure.

The system also allows the creation of 'talk groups' to eliminate distractions resulting from too many people talking on the radio at the same time. Using First InterComm, an incident commander can maintain communication with all first responders, while designating which agencies to isolate into talk groups.

The Royal Norwegian Navy awarded Thales Underwater Systems a contract for the replacement of the hull-mounted sonar for the Oksoy and Alta classes mine counter-measure vessels.

The contract, won after strong international competition, covers the delivery of six TSM2022 MK3 N hull-mounted sonars and associated 15-year life cycle support, maintenance and extensive training package.

During the signature celebration held in Bergen, the Commander of the Norwegian defence procurement division, Brigadier Asle Johan Kjelsberg, declared: "The impact of this contract is improved operational performance, improved and increased possibilities for tactical training and increased possibilities for simulator training for the crew."

The Boeing Company has been identified as one of the nation's top innovators among aerospace and defence companies, based on the number of new patents it has received and the strength of its patent portfolio.

The top listing resulted from a study conducted by 1790 Analytics research firm and reported in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' IEEE Spectrum magazine.

The study, conducted in 2006, focused on 2005 data and showed that Boeing was granted 405 patents that year, about 60% more than the second place company, and had the strongest combined patent portfolio strength, something that 1790 Analytics calls 'pipeline power', as measured by the originality and variety of patents, as well as the rate of increase in number of patents obtained and the number of others in the industry citing those patents.

Lockheed Martin has unveiled its production facility for the Non-Line-of-Sight Launch System (NLOS-LS) on its Baltimore campus. The new $3.7 million facility will produce the container launch unit (CLU) subsystem of the NLOS-LS and continues the company's legacy of providing US and allied forces with the latest missile launcher technology.

The NLOS-LS precision attack missile, produced by Raytheon Missile Systems, is capable of targeting visually-obscured or over-the-horizon adversaries as part of the US Army's modular and future combat force, as well as special operations forces.

The self-contained system, which can operate either vehicle-mounted or deployed independently in the field, is capable of autonomous or manned operations. Raytheon Missile Systems will also produce components of the CLU at their facility in Tucson, Arizona.