Guest Article by David Fitzpatrick, Managing Director, AlixPartners
Over the last 5 years, AlixPartners’ aerospace practice has conducted an annual Global Aerospace & Defense Review of the industry. The survey evaluates financial performance, as measured by such indices as revenue growth, cash flow, and operating income, for the top 100 industry participants. Detailed analyses are conducted on topics of interest, involving examination of industry trends and interviews with senior industry executives. The entire survey typically involves 250 – 300 pages of analysis and conclusions.
While defense aerospace companies have not yet been subject to the same kinds of pressures that are already visible in civil aviation, cuts have already been announced in the 2010 defense budget. We believe that recent changes in the political, economic, and geo-strategic landscapes make it likely that those cuts are only the beginning of a long-term realignment in government spending. That realignment will be compounded by shifts within the supply chain itself, creating a set of imperatives that will put inattentive businesses at risk – even as they create opportunities for the prepared.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has launched the Machine Reading program to develop a revolutionary, automated reading system that bridges the gap between naturally occurring text and the artificial intelligence (AI) reasoning systems that need such knowledge.
AI systems continue to grow in use by the US military as there is a consistent emphasis on using high technology as a strategic advantage and reducing reliance on humans.
DID has more on this military application of AI and a recent IBM contract…
Booz Allen Hamilton in Herndon, VA received a $19.3 million contract to provide the U.S. Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technical Division with survivability/vulnerability analyses, assessment and evaluations. The contract (SP0700-03-D-1380) is being awarded as part of the Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center (SURVIAC) program managed by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
The Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technical Division in Indian Head, MD provides engineering and technical services in support of Joint service explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) programs and other customer requirements. The division focuses its efforts in the following areas: developing EOD procedures to counter munitions threats; developing tools and equipment to meet EOD operational needs; and performing in-service engineering, depot level management and repair for EOD tools and equipment.
DID has more on the work being done under the SURVIAC program…
U.S. Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM) is moving from Arlington, VA to Fort Sam Houston, TX as part of the Army’s implementation of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission’s recommendations.
To accommodate IMCOM’s move, the U.S. Army Engineer District, Fort Worth, TX awarded a $55 million indefinite-quantity firm-fixed-price contract (W9126G-09-C-0055) to Chugach World Services in Anchorage, AK for renovation work on Buildings 2266 and 2264 at Fort Sam Houston. These buildings will become the new headquarters for IMCOM. Chugach expects to complete the renovation by July 30/11.
