In more government contact news this past week, URS announced that the Company is one of seven firms that has been awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract by the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center to provide worldwide environmental remediation services. The contract, which has a two-year base period, followed by three one-year options, has a maximum aggregate value to all seven awardees of approximately $945 million over the full five-year term.

Under the terms of the contract, URS can compete for, or be assigned, task orders to provide a variety of services for projects at Department of Defense installations worldwide. Potential services include the elimination of conventional munitions and chemical warfare material; environmental compliance and remediation services; and other munitions-related services.

Commenting on the contract award, Gary V. Jandegian, President of Infrastructure & Environment for URS, said: “We are pleased by this award, which demonstrates URS’ expertise in providing a variety of munitions-related services. We look forward to expanding our work with the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center and helping them meet their important objectives.”

With the economy on the rebound, it is great to see aerospace stocks leading the way with shares of publicly traded companies making great strides for the first time in several years.

And one of the key reasons why these companies are growing is due to the defense contracts that the government is supplying to the industry. Forbes had this to say about the economic rebound,

“So, how to hedge your bet? With economic recovery now a fact, the mixed suppliers such as Boeing and Rockwell-Collins, which derive about half their business from defense programs, should do pretty well even under the big cut case. The 787 Dreamliner ramp should offset most defense stagnation, which in the case of Boeing came in the form of numerous big-ticket weapons system cancellations last year. Without a successful 787, Boeing would be in a world of hurt but it now looks full speed ahead.”

Some of the brigh spots in the aerospace industry are:

• United Technologies (UTX)
• Goodrich (GR)
• Precision Castparts (PCP)
• BE Aerospace (BEAV)
• Spring AeroSystems
• Hexel (HXL)

As the war expands, it appears that the current rebound is simply the start of a great expansion in the aerospace marketplace.

As reported by the local news correspondent at CitySpur, The skies above the Gulf might get even more crowded next year as plans for a new Abu Dhabi-based low-cost airline get underway. The new airline to come out of the capital emirate will be the United Arab Emirates’ third budget airline, following in the footsteps of flyDubai based in Dubai and Air Arabian in Sharjah. “The Middle East is still playing ‘catch up’ with the rest of the world as far as LCCs [Low Cost Carriers] go,” David J Bentley, Joint Managing Director of Big Pond Aviation, told The Media Line. “The rest of the world is moving on with the continuing evolution of the hybrid model that superficially keeps costs and prices low while pandering to the needs of business travelers.” In parallel with the Gulf’s premium airlines, the low cost segment of the market has seen substantial growth, with six new carriers established over as many years, including Air Arabian in 2003 in Sharjah, Kuwaiti Jazeera Airways and Saudi Arabian Sama Airlines.

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In response to the attempted attack on Christmas day, the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) called on governments across the globe to focus attention and resources on commercial aviation security measures to protect travelers around the world. NBTA is pleased the Obama Administration has ordered investigations into how travelers are placed on watch lists and airport screening procedures, and urges aviation and homeland security officials to consider risk-management security programs when reviewing current and future airline passenger protection regulations.

Michael W. McCormick, NBTA Executive Director, said:

“Although it usually takes a tragedy to bring to light the urgent nature of our global security needs, we were very fortunate that all involved arrived safely in the attempted terrorist attack. We can now focus our full attention on the needed improvements to global aviation security that was exposed so dramatically last week.

As the Obama Administration quickly reviews this incident and all policies and procedures to protect air travel, we urge officials to evaluate better weapon and explosive detection devices and related procedures. Watch list processes must be enhanced, and any bureaucratic gaps must be addressed.

NBTA has long supported risk-management programs that enhance aviation security. TSA’s Secure Flight helps to enhance domestic and international travel through the use of improved watch list matching, while the US-VISIT program collects biometric information from international travelers, both of which help to protect travelers and our nation. These programs should be used as readily available tools to improve the system that protects our global aviation security.

The business travel community is aware that procedural modifications are often required to address security concerns, and new regulations will be expected and adopted so long as corporate travelers can get to where they need to be efficiently and safely. Companies around the world rely on business travel to conduct business, and global markets rely on that business for economic growth.”

CitySpur Local News has reported that U.S. governmental agencies dealing with information necessary to protect the nation from terrorist activities, violent crime and other threats will in the future adapt to improved synergies and increased transparency when dealing with “Sensitive but Unclassified (SBU) information.” According to governmental officials, SBU refers collectively to the various designations used within the Executive Branch for documents and information that are sufficiently sensitive to warrant some level of protection but that do not meet the standards for classification. In a joint statement releasing the 50 page report today, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and Attorney General Eric Holder announced two major steps in their efforts to implement reforms to enhance information sharing among federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies and safeguard sensitive information used by the government. The joint statement stressed, “The recommendations also enhance government transparency by establishing clear rules that protect information only when there is a compelling need to do so.” “Our review of policies and procedures for access to and sharing of sensitive but unclassified information across the U.S. Government revealed a need for a more open, standardized approach,” said Secretary Napolitano.

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Rolls-Royce has been selected by United Airlines to power its new fleet of Airbus A350 XWB aircraft. The contract, for 25 Airbus A350 XWB plus TotalCare long-term service support, is worth $2 billion at engine list prices. The aircraft are due to be delivered between 2016 and 2019. In addition, the airline has also announced future purchase rights for a further 50 aircraft.

As a result of this strategy, Rolls-Royce today has a broad customer base comprising more than 600 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 2,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and energy customers in nearly 120 countries, with an installed base of 54,000 gas turbines.

The Trent XWB is the sixth member of the Trent family, the first of which entered service in 1995. By the time it enters service in 2013 on the Airbus A350 XWB the flying experience accumulated by all previous Trent engines will total around 70 million hours.

This agreement is Rolls-Royce’s first large civil engine contract with United Airlines.

John Tague, President at United Air Lines, Inc. said: “The Rolls-Royce Trent XWB offers the power and economical efficiency we expect from the A350 XWB while providing the performance and reliability our customers expect from one of the world’s largest airlines.”

Mark King, President – Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, added: “This represents a significant endorsement of our Trent XWB technology and its operational advantage. We are delighted that United Airlines has put its trust in the long-term performance advantages of Trent technology and TotalCare.”

Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines are specifically developed for the Airbus A350 XWB and have been designed to minimise the aircraft’s overall environmental impact. It is the most fuel efficient and environmentally sensitive large engine design on the market, with fuel efficiency ratings 28 per cent higher than pre-Trent generation engines.

With the announcement, firm orders for the Trent XWB engine total more than 1000 from 33 customers. The engine will enter into service in 2013, with current orders extending beyond 2020.

SpaceX recently conducted its first Dragon spacecraft operations training for a group of NASA astronauts and personnel at its corporate headquarters in Hawthorne, CA. The October training focused on how the crew will interface with the Dragon spacecraft while it is approaching and berthed to the International Space Station (ISS). Three of the participating astronauts — Tracy Caldwell Dyson, Shannon Walker and Douglas Wheelock — will be on board the ISS when Dragon makes its first visit under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program.

The astronauts were briefed on vehicle ingress and egress, habitability of the spacecraft, payload handling and commanding through SpaceX’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Communication Unit. The training was a key step in SpaceX’s progress towards providing NASA an alternative for cargo transport to and from the ISS when the Space Shuttle retires.

“This was the first time the NASA astronauts who will interact with Dragon during its early missions were actually inside a Dragon flight vehicle,” said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO, SpaceX. “SpaceX was honored to host the ISS crew for this preliminary training exercise, and we look forward to serving NASA further under the COTS program and CRS contracts.”

Also in attendance were NASA astronauts Marsha Ivins and Megan McArthur, as well as other key NASA personnel from the NASA Astronaut Office and Mission Operations Directorates.

Under the COTS program, SpaceX will execute three flights of the Dragon spacecraft. Dragon will pass in close proximity to, and berth with, the ISS as part of the second and third COTS missions, respectively. Upon completion of these demonstration flights, SpaceX will begin to fulfill the Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract for 12 cargo flights between 2010 and 2015 and represents a guaranteed minimum of 20,000 kg to be carried to the ISS.

Organic light emitting diode (OLED) microdisplays from eMagin continue to enable new simulation and training systems. Attendees at this year’s Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) can view eMagin’s high performance OLED-XL displays at eMagin’s booth as well as experience commercial and prototype products equipped with eMagin’s displays at the booths of premier suppliers including Atlantic Cyberspace, Cubic Defense Applications, Drive Square Inc., Intelligent Decisions, Intevac Vision Systems, NVIS Inc., Quantum3D, Rockwell Collins, and Sensics. I/ITSEC is being held through December 3 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

At Booth #1790, eMagin is showcasing its SXGA OLED-XL™ microdisplay (1280 x 1024 triad pixels), which offers digital signal processing in a compact package (0.77-inch diagonal active area) requiring less than 200 mW total power under typical operating conditions of 400 cd/m2, full-color. Important design enhancements include increased pixel uniformity, improved color gamut, on-chip temperature sensor and compensation, and compatibility with both analog RGB and digital video signals. eMagin is featuring the SXGA OLED-XL™ microdisplay in 720P mode combined with the Company’s patented WF05 40° field of view prism optics in a binocular HMD demonstrator.

“Our high performance, power efficient SVGA and new SXGA resolution OLED microdisplays are critical components in a growing number of training systems developed by our customers for dismounted infantry, first responders, and telemedicine,” said Susan Jones, eMagin’s chief business officer. “Realistic training simulations improve both mission effectiveness and soldier safety. Combined with the innovative advanced training platform hardware and software developed by our customers, OLED-equipped systems can provide an immersive experience to enable the highest levels of operational readiness through training and simulation.”

OLED-equipped products being displayed at I/ITSEC include:

• Cubic Defense Applications (Booth # 1433)

CombatRedi™ consists of a helmet-mounted display, a tactical manworn system with wireless communication, a simulated weapon and a sensor suite for tracking soldier movements during infantry training in an immersive 360° virtual battle space. CombatRedi™ draws on Cubic’s years of experience in developing the popular EST 2000 Engagement Skills Trainer, a U.S. Army-validated virtual trainer used for teaching marksmanship, collective and judgment skills. The demonstrator features an SXGA OLED display module.

• Drive Square, Inc. (Booth #3252)

Portable in-vehicle simulator solution for driver safety training and demonstrations. Incorporating eMagin’s Z800 3DVisor™, the training system can be used with any military or privately owned vehicle in the field.

• Intelligent Decisions/Atlantis Cyberspace Inc. (Booth #3163)

ID and ACI are jointly featuring dismounted infantry immersive group simulation (DIGS™), a cost-effective tactical training solution that combines state-of-the-art elements of next-generation game technologies with advanced virtual reality technologies. This is the first platform that can interface with any gaming engine. ID and ACI are showcasing Unreal Engine 3.0 integrated with Quantum 3D’s Expedition DI, Rockwell Collins’ SX45, and Cubic CombatRedi suite, each of which are equipped with eMagin’s OLED microdisplays. In addition, RCO’s SX45 is running wireless video using technology developed by MRA Digital.

• Intevac Vision Systems (IVS) (Booth #2919)

I-Port™ EX3, incorporating an eMagin SVGA+ OLED-XL display, is a versatile hands-free, near-eye helmet mounted display system which can also be mounted on lightweight military approved eyewear. The system provides a 35° diagonal field of view and accepts a variety of video inputs directly from the computer or sensor. It is well suited for OEMs, military, medical, training, simulation, and virtual reality applications.

I-Port™ Binocular 50, incorporating two eMagin SVGA+ OLED-XL displays, provides a wide 50° diagonal field of view module mountable in eyewear. IVS’ proprietary In-Line Reflective Optical Collimator (IROC) provides non-pupil forming and compact eye designs.

IVS’ monocular demonstrator, incorporating eMagin’s SXGA OLED-XL display and IVS’ IROC, provides a 50° diagonal field of view. The product is designed for future training and simulation, body worn computing, remote sensing, and situational awareness applications.

IVS’ Night-Port™, a Digital Image Intensified Night Vision Viewer incorporating Intevac’s EBAPS® (Electron Bombarded Active Pixel Sensor) ISIE-11 (1600 x 1200) sensor, eMagin’s color SXGA OLED-XL display, and IVS’ IROC, provide a simultaneous 50° diagonal field of view of color symbology overlay and low light level night scene.

• NVIS Inc. (Booth #2901)

nVisor ST50 See Through HMD. NVIS is featuring a prototype of its lightweight, see-through HMD, which is funded by a Phase II SBIR through the US Army’s Research and Development Engineering Command (RDECOM). The target application is dismounted soldier training, but NVIS sees this new HMD filling an important market segment for a professional VR/AR display under $15,000. The HMD provides users with a 50° diagonal field-of-view of the new SXGA resolution OLED display from eMagin.

• Quantum3D Inc. (Booth #1070)

ExpeditionDI™ is 100% PC compatible and was designed to be a turnkey COTS solution for immersed training and mission planning exercises which enable system integrators and researchers to quickly and economically develop programs for individual or group training. The battery powered system incorporates features including Quantum3D’s Thermite™ man-wearable Tactical Visual Computer for graphics processing and mission coordination, multiple positional trackers, headset and microphone, and a weapons subsystem. The Expedition DI™ is being shown with Rockwell Collins’ SXGA-resolution SimEye SX45. The Expedition is also on display in Intelligent Decisions/Atlantis Cyberspace’s booth # 3163.

• Rockwell Collins (Booth #1501)

Rockwell Collins has launched two new rugged, high-resolution Helmet Mounted Displays (HMDs), the SX45 and SX60, that provide fully immersive simulation and training experiences through advanced realistic visuals. Weighing less than one pound, these HMDs operate on less than three watts of power, maximizing battery life, and can also be powered through a USB port.

SimEye SX45, incorporating eMagin’s SXGA OLED-XL displays, provides a 45° field of view which delivers high image fidelity and is the optimal display for viewing fine details at long range distances.

SimEye SX60, incorporating eMagin’s SXGA OLED-XL displays, provides a 60° field of view which heightens situational awareness and creates the feeling of being fully immersed in the virtual environment.

MicroView MV35 incorporates look-down capability for improved lethality, survivability, and combat effectiveness > 35° field of view full color SVGA OLED display.

• Sensics (Booth #2089)

Sensics is previewing a new HMD with a wireless video link incorporating eMagin’s SXGA OLED displays. The main characteristics include: 65° field of view, 100% stereo overlap, helmet-mounted design, battery-operated or DC-powered 9-21 VDC, and integrated control electronics. The key characteristics of the wireless link include 60 frame per second refresh rate, low latency (typically 35 mSec), up to HD 1080P resolution, low power, bandwidth efficient, and works at long range, not requiring a line of sight.

In addition, eMagin recently announced that it has commenced a 2-year, $6 million program to develop an ultra-high resolution OLED microdisplay with 1920 x 1200 triad color pixels. The program, managed by the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) of the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC), comprises the third phase of a multiple year effort to provide an ultra-high resolution, 3D-capable display system for advanced medical training systems. The WUXGA (Widescreen Ultra eXtended Graphics Array) microdisplay is being designed to be sized less than one-inch diagonal with over 7 million pixels at a 9.6 micron color pixel pitch. The program also involves the design of optics for a wide field-of-view between 60 and 80 degrees. The culmination of this program is expected to provide a prototype of an ultra-high resolution display system suitable for several applications within Army medicine and military simulation and training, as well as for broad military and commercial uses.