Light Wheeled Vehicles. Forecast International predicts that the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) will dominate the international light wheeled vehicle market through 2024 – accounting for as much as 75 percent of worldwide production, given the economic downturn around the globe but the need for the JLTV program to succeed here at home. Forecast International expects at least 36,000 light wheeled vehicles – worth about $31 billion – through 2024, and “assuming the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program survives the ongoing budget crisis and enters serial production as scheduled in [fiscal year 2018], we believe the vehicle will utterly dominate the light wheeled vehicle market, just as the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, or Humvee) did between 2005 and 2009,” analyst Dean Lockwood says in a press release. Russian manufacturing accounts for about four percent of the world’s light wheeled vehicle production through 2014, and Chinese manufacturing for about three percent, according to the press release.
Photo: Lockheed Martin
XTAR KaBOOM. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) awards a $95,000 contract to XTAR for the Ka-Band Objects: Observation and Monitoring (KaBOOM) program, according to a company statement. KaBOOM is an experimental system to demonstrate uplink arraying of reflector antennas. Technologies developed in KaBOOM are expected to enable construction of a radar system whose primary goal is to track asteroids that have the potential to impact earth. XTAR will supply X-band space segment for one year ending Oct. 1. In addition to tracking objects, KaBOOM will generate data to fill capability gaps and address collection and operational needs for NASA and other agencies.
Fanning to OSD. Air Force Under Secretary Eric Fanning has been selected to serve as new Defense Secretary Ashton Carter’s chief of staff, a Defense Department official confirms Feb. 20. Fanning served as the Air Force’s under secretary since April 29, 2013 and previously served as deputy under secretary and deputy chief management officer (CMO) of the Navy from 2009-2013.
Schriever Wargame. Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) concludes its Schriever Wargame held at Schriever AFB, Colo., according to a service statement. Set in the year 2026, this wargame explores critical space and cyberspace issues in depth and investigates the military utility of emerging space systems and cyberspace capabilities. This year’s wargame highlights the resilience of a future space architecture that incorporates characteristics of increased flexibility, maneuverability and situational awareness as well as the crucial role that United States allies and the commercial sector play in space and cyberspace capabilities. Commercial entities participating in the wargame include Intelsat, Inmarsat, DigitalGlobe, Astrium and SSL Federal.
Pawlikowski Promotion. President Barack Obama nominates Air Force Lt. Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski to the rank of general with assignment as the head of Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), according to an Air Force statement. Pawlikowski takes over for Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, who is retiring after 34 years of service. Pawlikowski is currently assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition. Her nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.
Apache M-TADS/PNVS. The Army awards Lockheed Martin a $82 million performance based logistics (PBL) contract for AH-64 Apache helicopter Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) system sustainment, according to a company statement. The firm fixed-price contract is the third of three one-year options that support the initial $111 million PBL contract awarded in 2012. The total four-year contract value is $375 million. M-TADS/PNVS provides Apache helicopter pilots long-range and precision engagement capabilities for mission success and flight safety. Forward-looking infrared (IR) sensors provide enhanced image resolution that enables Apache aircrews to prosecute targets and provide situational awareness in support of ground troops outside detection ranges.
Cyber Security Tech Transfer. The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) branch says it has licensed a cyber security technology developed by a government laboratory to a commercial firm. Hyperion, a malware forensics detection and software assurance technology developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has been licensed to R&K Cyber Solutions LLC. The technology licensing occurred through S&T’s Transition to Practice Program.
Cyber (Un)Readiness. A new cyber security survey of senior information technology (IT) practitioners in the private sector and federal government finds the most serious risks, such as employee cyber awareness and supply chain security, don’t receive much of the security budget. The survey, conducted by Lockheed Martin and the Ponemon Institute, says employee awareness and supply chain security receive four percent and 15 percent, respectively, of the budget while mobile and cloud security, which are perceived to be lower threat levels, were the top budget items. “Compliance was rated the top cyber security business priority by the survey respondents,” George Delp, director of cybersecurity and advanced analytics for Lockheed Martin, says in a statement. “Though somewhat surprising, it is a tell-tale sign that organizations feel the pressure to meet industry security compliance requirements. While satisfying compliance standards is important, organizations should view it as a foundation on which to build a more comprehensive security posture.”