Rapid Fire 2010-07-15: Northrop Grumman Considering Shipbuilding Spinoff

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* 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 […]

* 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 shipyardsAvondale, 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.

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