Deal Timing. Orbital Sciences Chief David Thompson says the timing is right for the company’s pending merger with ATK for two reasons, one internal to the company and the other external. He says on the investor call to discuss the $5 billion merger that for the past four to five years Orbital has been focused on developing new products, including introducing its Antares space launch vehicle and “rounding out” its line of medium class satellites. That work is largely complete, giving the company the “managerial bandwith (and) the financial flexibility to embark on the next phase of our growth.” He adds that externally, given tighter budgets and both companies’ focus on innovation and affordability, the combination makes sense and “puts Orbital ATK really…at the forefront of the changes that are going to become increasingly evident, particularly in the defense sector over the next five years.”
AIT-2 Delays. The Government Accountability Office says in a new report that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is about nine months behind on plans to test and procure the next generation of body scanners, also called Advanced Imaging Technology-2. The auditors say that TSA was nine months behind schedule when it began qualification testing in July 2013 because the three contractors developing the scanners–American Science & Engineering, L-3 Communications, and Smiths Detection–had difficulties providing their respective qualification data packages, which verity that they have met contract requirements and are ready for testing. Under a revised deployment schedule, the AIT-2 systems were to be installed by March 2014. However, TSA tells the GAO that before it purchases any AIT-2 systems, it is creating a technology roadmap for the AIT systems that it expects to complete this September.
GCCS-J. The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) awards Northrop Grumman $53 million to continue modernizing and sustaining the Defense Department’s command and control (C2) system used to plan, execute and manage joint and multinational military operations, according to a company statement. The award is an option exercised on the Global Command and Control System-Joint (GCCS-J) contract first announced in March 2013. GCCS-J provides worldwide connectivity with all levels of command and integrates systems for situational awareness and intelligence.
USAF Google Glass. Air Force re
searchers are testing Google Glass and its head-mounted optical see-through display technology for potential battlefield use, according to a service statement. A combination between a hardware and software product, Google Glass is based on the company’s own Android operating system and can leverage a great majority of modern smartphone capabilities while remaining light and allowing for largely hands-free operation. One possible use being investigated in preliminary studies is a medical app that would allow first responders in the pararescue community to monitor vitals of multiple casualties, without taking their hands of patients or weapons. The service is also investigating similar technologies like BAE Systems’ Q-Warrior display technology for Air Force viability.
DWSP. Millennium Space Systems’ Disaggregated Weather Satellite Pathfinder (DWSP) spacecraft completes a preliminary design review, according to a company statement. Millennium’s DWSP spacecraft is based on the company’s AQUILA M2 satellite bus. Millennium is also currently under contract to Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center’s (AFSMC) weather services directorate. DWSP supports Air Force Weather Satellite Follow-On Activities (WSFA) to assess more affordable and responsive solutions to replacing the heritage DoD Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP).
Boeing CST-100. Boeing unveils a new commercial interior of its Crew Space Transportation (CST-100) next generation manned space capsule, according to a company statement. Boeing and partner Bigelow Aerospace highlight the future commercial interior of the capsule it is developing for NASA, while Bigelow showcases a full-scale model of its BAA 330 commercial space habitat. CST-100, developed as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Integrated Capability initiative, is designed to transport up to seven crew members or a mix of crew and cargo to low earth orbit (LEO) destinations such as the International Space Station (ISS) and a planned Bigelow station.
USAF Promotions. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh promotes Maj. Gen. Robert McMurry to vice commander of Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (AFSMC), according to a service statement. McMurry is currently director of space programs for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition. Welsh also promotes Maj. Gen. Martin Whelan to director, space operations, deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements. Whelan is currently Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) director of requirements.
Robert Work Confirmed. The Senate voted on April 30 to confirm former Navy undersecretary Robert Work as the next deputy secretary of defense. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) had threatened to hold up the nomination after Work told the Senate Armed Services Committee that “the [Littoral Combat Ship] program is on solid ground” despite various reports highlighting concerns with the ship class and comments from acting deputy secretary Christine Fox about reducing the number of hulls the Navy will buy. McCain wrote to Work on Feb. 28 to seek clarification on his comments and was apparently satisfied with Work’s response.
Assistant Army Secretary Nominated. House Armed Services Committee staff member Debra Wada is nominated to be the assistant secretary of the Army for manpower and reserve affairs. HASC Chairman Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) called her “an indispensable asset” and said “Deb has provided wise counsel to members on both sides of the aisle, shaping key leader opinions and advocating tirelessly for the men and women in uniform…The president was wise to nominate her and I urge the Senate to confirm her swiftly.” HASC Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-Wash.) says “Debra is smart, hard-working and has a depth of policy knowledge that will serve her well in her new job and the Army is lucky to have her.”
New Boss. Cubic Corp. says that Bradley Feldmann, who is currently the company’s president and chief operating officer, will succeed Bill Boyle as CEO beginning July 1. Feldmann, who re-joined Cubic in 2008 after holding senior leadership positions at OMNIPLEX World Services Corp. and ManTech International, has also been appointed to the company’s board. Boyle will remain with the company after July 1 as an adviser to Feldman during the management transition and will stay on the board until Cubic’s next annual shareholders meeting.