* Financial historian Niall Ferguson discusses American debt, the effect on American defense, and the way out.
* The Pentagon has more immediate concerns, however, like what to do if/when supplemental funding bills aren’t passed.
* Shipwreck: Northrop Grumman is considering spinning off its shipbuilding business as it moves ahead with plans to close down three Louisiana shipyards – Avondale, Tallulah and Waggaman. NG plans to shift production of the LPD-17 class amphibious assault ships being built at Avondale to its Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula, MS after completing construction of the LPD-23 and LPD-25 for an extra $210 million.
* Special Ops?: Over 3,000 laptop computers were stolen from iGov Technologies’ facility in Tampa, FL, according to a St. Petersburg Times report; as DID reported, iGov supplies IT support, hardware, and software for the US SOCOM’s Tactical Local Area Network (TACLAN), although a SOCOM’s spokeswoman said none of the laptops contained military information or software.
* Billion Dollar Buyback: L-3 Communications is buying back up to $1 billion worth of its common stock through Dec 31/12; this marks the company’s 4th stock repurchase plan.
* AgustaWestland & Thales unveil an AW101 airborne early warning helicopter, in hopes of replacing the aging Sea King ASaC Mk7 fleet on Britain’s new carriers.
* GD NASSCO delivers the new T-AKE supply ship USNS Charles Drew [T-AKE 10] to Military Sealift Command.
* AEHF communications satellite launch delayed to Aug 10/10.
* Northrop Grumman’s MQ-8B Fire Scout helicopter UAV completes desert trials in the United Arab Emirates, which is interested in the platform.
* Clean-up on Berth 5: Emcor Government Services secures a contract worth up to $179 million to provide a broad range of services, include janitorial work and pest control, at 16 mid-Atlantic US Navy facilities.
* Exoskeleton in the Closet: Lockheed Martin is developing the HULC anthropomorphic exoskeleton to help US soldiers carry heavy loads over rough terrain under a contract with the US Army Natick Soldier Center. Not sure what the heck an exoskeleton is? Check out this photo.
* Harris snags $11 million US DoD order for the Falcon III AN/PRC-117G multiband manpack radio system for tactical communication.
* Defense Centers of Excellence’s National Center for Telehealth and Technology to unveil iBreathe iPhone/Android app, to help troops fight stress and PTSD.