Semantic Designs announced that Northrop Grumman has acquired an Enterprise Software Modernization License to apply SD’s JOVIAL2C direct translation tool to the U.S. Air Force’s B-2 Spirit Bomber Operational Flight Program (OFP) Refresh Project. The project will enhance and extend the lifetime of the B-2, the flagship of the nation’s long range strike arsenal.

Although the B-2 is the Air Force’s newest bomber, its computers and processors require upgrade to keep up with integration efforts. Expanded and more reliable systems are necessary to maintain the B-2′s leading edge combat capabilities.

As the Air Force’s B-2 prime contractor, Northrop Grumman contracted Semantic Designs to construct cost-effective, automated tools and translation methods to modernize the flight management computer system software applications, beginning with the OFP, by converting the legacy JOVIAL code to C. Northrop Grumman applied its system engineering methodologies to integrate new hardware and used the JOVIAL2C translator to convert the flight software to operate in the new processing environment.

“Semantic Designs’ automated JOVIAL2C direct translator allows Northrop Grumman to modernize the OFP and other software avionics components included in this B-2 refresh project,” said Ira D. Baxter, Semantic Designs’ chief executive officer. “Our translator provides a fast, reliable conversion to C at a lower cost than a manual conversion. It also gives the B-2 a modern software language that will support the operational and mission needs of the aircraft throughout its lifetime.”

BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin successfully fired two Long-Range Land Attack Projectiles (LRLAP), with full-scale rocket motors at Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah, to demonstrate the Navy’s 155-mm LRLAP program is on track for guided flight tests in June.

LRLAPs are precision guided projectiles fired by the Navy’s Advanced Gun System (AGS), a fully automated, 155-mm, stabilized gun mount. The primary mission of the LRLAP is land attack warfare in support of ground and expeditionary forces beyond the line of sight.

“Without extended range, precision guided munitions, the Navy is limited in its ability to provide critical, long-range fire support from ship to maneuver forces,” said Jim Schoppenhorst, vice president and general manager for U.S. Combat Systems at BAE Systems. “This test shows that 155-mm LRLAP is on schedule to provide DDG 1000 an extremely capable precision guided munition.”

The BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin LRLAP team is in the final stages of systems design and demonstration and preparing for system qualification and verification following system level critical design review in 2010.

Xytech Systems announced that the first installation of its new product, MediaPulse, is complete at the Boeing. MediaPulse has been successfully implemented in the company’s Creative Services division. Boeing Creative Services manages extensive and dynamic inventories of video, graphics, and photography across a global network of external and internal users.

MediaPulse is a next-generation application suite for asset and resource-based media workflows, and leverages Xytech Systems’ 20-year history of providing business workflow solutions to the media and entertainment industry. From the inception of MediaPulse, Xytech Systems envisioned a dramatically new type of software, one that transcended earlier limitations and offered users greater functionality and ease of use. MediaPulse was developed using the latest technology benefits of the .NET framework to create a product specifically designed to improve, streamline, and automate media operations. The powerful, multi-tiered architecture of MediaPulse provides Boeing with the increased performance and flexibility the company sought as it replaced its client/server applications.

MediaPulse was installed at Boeing Creative Services during its beta testing phase in late 2008. Since that time, MediaPulse has been fully implemented as a tracking and billing system for resources, a function that involves 700 users and 95 departments nationwide. In addition, MediaPulse has proven instrumental in the division’s purchase order management and reporting structure. Accurately and quickly managing the movement of assets is another critical requirement in Boeing Creative Services’ workflow. Richard Gallagher, CEO of Xytech Systems, commented that, “MediaPulse was developed for challenges like the ones faced at Boeing Creative Services: large volumes of diverse assets must be managed, tracked, and reported with speed and precision. The testing and final implementation that has taken place has been an exciting collaboration. It is an honor to continue our 19-year history with Boeing by launching a product that we are so proud of.”

iRobot announced that it has received an order totaling $16.8 million from the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI).

This order marks the first purchase of iRobot’s advanced PackBot 510 series under an existing $200 million Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The PackBot 510 series provides the Army with advanced robotic capabilities that surpass those of the battle-tested PackBot 500.

This is the sixth order under the IDIQ contract. The current total contract value now stands at approximately $22 million. This order includes the delivery of 125 PackBot 510 with EOD Kit robots.

The PackBot 510 with EOD Kit has advanced vision and surveillance capabilities. It easily adapts to different Improvised Explosive Device (IED) missions including check points, inspections, and route clearance. The robot provides soldiers with a tool to identify and dispose of IEDs, roadside bombs, and other unexploded ordnance while keeping them at safe distances. Additionally, the PackBot 510 provides improved lift and manipulation capabilities, greater speed, military-standard batteries, a hardened laptop with game-style hand controller, and a variety of other upgrades that enhance its mission effectiveness.

“The PackBot 510 provides a new level of capability and modularity in support of the warfighter,” said Joe Dyer, president of iRobot Government and Industrial Robots. “These robots are battle-tested and are saving lives by giving our troops separation from many of the dangers found on the battlefield. The PackBot 510 builds on the tradition of the PackBot 500.”

iRobot has delivered more than 2,400 PackBot robots that make a difference every day by conducting dangerous missions that keep warfighters out of harm’s way.

Analogic Corporation announced that it has received an order from L-3 Security & Detection Systems for Explosives Detection Systems (EDSs) valued at approximately $16.1 million. The order includes eXaminer 3DX systems as well as eXaminer SX systems, recently certified by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Peter Cempellin, Vice President and General Manager of Analogic’s Security Systems Division, said, “This order signifies the strong position the eXaminer 3DX still has in the marketplace. In addition, this is the first order for our new eXaminer SX, which was certified by the TSA in January of this year. The eXaminer SX provides industry leading computed tomography (CT) technology in a smaller footprint, giving smaller airports affordable, advanced explosives detection capability. First commercial shipments, which will begin this June, are destined for airports worldwide.”

The adaptable, streamlined eXaminer SX is suitable for airport lobbies and baggage make-up areas and can also be fully integrated with baggage handling systems. The lower cost eXaminer SX provides the same proven detection capabilities as the larger eXaminer 3DX in a lighter, more compact frame. The system is available in three configurations: in-line, partially integrated, and standalone.

Both the eXaminer 3DX and eXaminer SX systems use 3-D Continuous-Flow CT technology and generate high-resolution 3-D color images in real time. The eXaminer systems also enable 360-degree rotational views of the entire bag and its contents, and provide continuous automatic detection of explosives.

B/E Aerospace has announced that The Boeing Company has selected B/E Aerospace as its manufacturer of cabin lighting for the next generation Boeing 737 aircraft program. This innovative B/E Aerospace supplier furnished equipment (SFE) system will become standard equipment on all next generation Boeing 737 aircraft, and is part of B/E Aerospace’s $2.3 billion unbooked SFE backlog. Program deliveries are expected to commence in late 2010, with volume deliveries commencing in 2011.

B/E Aerospace’s digital light-emitting-diode (LED) lighting system will play a critical role in the new Boeing “Sky Interior” for the 737. This innovative, lightweight LED system features adjustable lighting with full spectrum color capabilities, providing superior cabin ambiance and unprecedented lighting control. Studies have provided conclusive evidence that cabin illumination enhances passenger comfort.

“We are honored to have been selected by Boeing as the supplier partner of next generation lighting for the new 737 “Sky Interior”. We look forward to continuing our long-standing and excellent relationship with Boeing as we both develop ways to enhance aircraft performance and passenger comfort,” commented Amin J. Khoury, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of B/E Aerospace, Inc. “This award is part of our strategic “OEM direct”, or SFE, focus to substantially increase our revenue content per aircraft. The value of the OEM direct awards which the company has won currently totals over $2.3 billion, only a very small portion of which is included in the company’s backlog. Our current backlog of $2.8 billion, along with unbooked SFE awards, is in excess of $5 billion. As we deliver products from our total $5 billion plus backlog (booked and unbooked) we expect to substantially add to our current $7.3 billion installed base, which in turn should facilitate growth in our spares business over time.”

Intertek announced today the addition of a Supercharge Octane Test Engine in the Intertek Chicago Petroleum Laboratory. Intertek is the only international fuel testing and inspection company capable of providing this service in the Americas.

This fuel testing investment allows Intertek to deliver the full ASTM D-910 specification testing for Aviation Gasoline (Avgas) within the Intertek USA network of laboratories.

The new Supercharge engine in the USA complements Intertek’s existing engines in Europe, supporting the aviation industry from test facilities in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and West Thurrock, United Kingdom

The Intertek supercharged F-4 engine tests aviation fuel quality and measures a fuel’s “performance octane number” against the testing standard ASTM D-909. This is a crucial QC test for Aviation Gasoline (Avgas), testing fuel performance under severe conditions in higher-performance engines.

Avgas is a high-octane Aviation Fuel used to power small aircraft and some racing cars. It is produced to meet specifications such as ASTM D-910. The ASTM test D-909 determines the knock-limited power of fuel under supercharge rich-mixture conditions.

Neil Chapman, Laboratory Business Development VP for fuel services, said, “The addition of this fuel testing capability complements Intertek’s strategy for growth in testing expertise in the region, while expanding our capabilities globally.”

B/E Aerospace has announced that its vacuum waste systems have been selected by a number of major business jet manufacturers for next generation aircraft platforms. These programs are initially valued in excess of $150 million, with volume production commencing in 2011.

B/E Aerospace’s vacuum waste management systems were selected for the following new aircraft platforms, including: Bombardier Learjet 85, Dassault Falcon 7X, and Embraer Legacy 450 and Legacy 500.

The B/E Aerospace vacuum waste system incorporates a proprietary design which eliminates the primary failure cause in other vacuum waste systems. In addition, B/E Aerospace’s systems include advanced proprietary components and systems that significantly lower the overall cost of ownership, simplify maintenance and improve lavatory hygiene, all of which enhance the overall passenger experience. The cost of ownership savings is a direct result of weight savings and reliability improvements achieved by combining B/E Aerospace’s proprietary composite components into optimized integrated systems. The B/E Aerospace systems are configurable so these savings can be realized on both new aircraft and existing in-service aircraft. The design modularity provides for simplified, extremely fast maintenance, ease of removal that reduces service time by up to 60 percent and a reduction of airframe corrosion issues.

B/E Aerospace also announced that its vacuum waste management system has won the prestigious Crystal Cabin Award. The annual Crystal Cabin Award is sponsored by Aircraft Interiors International Magazine and the Aircraft Interiors Expo and recognizes excellence in aircraft interior products. This unique honor for outstanding cabin products and concepts is highly esteemed within the aircraft cabin interior industry. B/E Aerospace was presented the award at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany, the world’s largest exhibition exclusively dedicated to airline cabin interior design and engineering.

“We are very pleased to have had our technologically advanced vacuum waste system validated by such premier business jet customers including, Bombardier Learjet, Dassault and Embraer. In addition, we are privileged to have been recognized by our industry for the celebrated Crystal Cabin Award. This award further validates the technological reliability and cost advantages of our vacuum waste management systems. The significantly improved reliability and lower cost of ownership of the B/E Aerospace systems were important factors in our launch customers’ decisions to award these programs to us. As we expand our supplier furnished equipment (SFE) business, we look forward to broadening our OEM direct partnerships with these and other aircraft manufacturers, and to introducing our new systems to our commercial aircraft OEM customers,” commented Amin J. Khoury, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of B/E Aerospace, Inc. “These awards are part of our strategic “OEM direct”, or SFE, focus to substantially increase our revenue content on new aircraft platforms. The value of the OEM direct awards which we have won currently totals over $2.3 billion, only a very small portion of which is included in the company’s current backlog. Our backlog of $2.8 billion along with the unbooked SFE awards is in excess of $5 billion. As we deliver our backlog, our installed base of $7.3 billion is expected to grow very substantially. This increase in our installed base should eventually drive a significant increase in the size of our spares business.”

SpaceX successfully completed a rigorous qualification of its new Draco spacecraft thruster and Draco propulsion tank at the SpaceX Test Facility in McGregor, Texas.

The Draco thruster test series included 42 firings with over 4,600 pulses of varying lengths and was performed in a vacuum test chamber to simulate the space environment. The series resulted in a total firing time of over 50 minutes on a single thruster.

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, recently selected by NASA as part of their Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract to carry cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) and return cargo to Earth, utilizes 18 Draco thrusters to provide precision control in orbit and while approaching the ISS.

“The Draco thrusters allow Dragon to maneuver in close proximity to the ISS in preparation for berthing or docking,” said Tom Mueller, VP Propulsion, SpaceX. “Maximum control during these procedures is critical for the safety of the station and its inhabitants.”

Draco thrusters generate approximately 90 pounds of thrust using storable propellants with long on-orbit lifetimes. The use of these propellants provides the option for a crew-carrying Dragon spacecraft to remain berthed at the ISS for up to a year.

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to make its first flight in 2009 as part of NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. Under COTS, SpaceX will demonstrate the Falcon 9 / Dragon system’s ability to approach, berth, and transport cargo to and from the ISS. Following the demonstration of these capabilities, SpaceX will fly twelve cargo flights to the ISS for NASA’s CRS contract.

Falcon 9, SpaceX’s medium lift rocket, is scheduled for its inaugural flight later this year from SpaceX’s launch site in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

O’Neil & Associates has just been been awarded a five-year contract, valued at up to $30 million. The contract, issued by the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (TACOM LCMC) in Warren, Michigan, will enable O’Neil to continue their ongoing maintenance and development of the Army’s next-generation Electronic Maintenance System (EMS).

“We are excited that the U.S. Army is continuing to develop the EMS system, and believe that TACOM recognizes that we are a contractor dedicated to providing the best possible value to the Government. I am encouraged by the opportunities that will come from the foundation we’ve established in the past six years,” said Bob Heilman, CEO of O’Neil & Associates.

The EMS system enables intrusive diagnostics for tactical and combat vehicles within the Army fleet as well as other branches of the armed services. It seamlessly integrates the diagnostic information with the appropriate maintenance and parts information.

O’Neil’s Manager for the EMS Program, Hernan Olivas, says, “Through our work on EMS, we help the war fighters get their malfunctioning equipment working again as quickly as possible. That not only saves money, it saves lives.”

Technical Manuals created in EMS can be displayed on a wide range of standard computing devices, including ruggedized electronic service tools and PDAs. The EMS software will also generate data packets that are fed back into Army databases for parts ordering and predictive maintenance tracking. The communication can be done via land or wireless communications.