Rapid Fire Dec. 10, 2012: Long Range Standoff Weapon

• Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon will all get fixed priced contracts from the US Air Force to support the Long Range Standoff (LRSO) program in preparation of its Technology Development phase. The intent is to replace AGM-86 Air Launched Cruise Missiles (ALCM), though the Air Force also has modernization plans to extend their life until 2030. As of last February’s FYDP, $2M were to be allocated to the program in FY13 with a ramp-up leading to $209M in FY16 and $353M in FY17. The Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) was at the time scheduled to be completed during the current fiscal year (i.e. FY13) with a Milestone A decision in 2014.

• United Technologies won’t sell its pump and engine control systems business to TransDigm as the US Department of Justice objected to the deal. They do have to divest that unit though as a condition imposed by regulatory authorities to approve UTC’s acquisition of Goodrich.

• BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair in California should have a steady workload for the next 5 years, according to its general manager Robert Kilpatrick. San Diego Union-Tribune.