CONTRACTS
Harris Corp.Has received a $228-million order from the US Marine Corps to provide Falcon II AN/VRC-104 highfrequency radio systems for use in US Department of Defense (DoD) MRAP-All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATVs). The contract was awarded by the US Marine Corps - Systems Command on behalf of the Joint MRAP Vehicle Program. The AN/ VRC-104 is a vehicular transceiver/amplifier that includes the AN/PRC-150(C), the only Type-1 certified HF radio available today.
RELM Wireless Corp.Has received an order from the DoD valued at approximately $750,000 for the company's Rapid Deployment Portable Repeater (RDPR). Approximately $32,000 of the order was to be fulfilled in 2009. The remainder is to be fulfilled during 2010 with unspecified delivery dates, which are at the customer's option.
Giga-tronics, Inc.Has received three orders valued at $5.1 million for microwave components from a major aircraft manufacturer. The award for high-performance specialty filters based upon the company's fast-switching yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG) technology, will be fulfilled by Giga-tronics' Microsource component subsidiary located in Santa Rosa, CA.
White Electronic Designs Corp.Has been awarded multiple contracts worth approximately $6.8 million for the manufacture of products used in Global Positioning System (GPS) platforms. The NAVSTAR GPS design allows a security architecture that includes anti-tamper technology, which has been selected by the DoD to implement next-generation security functions for GPS. The use of this security architecture enhances the combatant commander's ability to use precise positioning, velocity, and time in all environments.
FRESH STARTS
NitronexHas announced a collaboration with Modelithics to create nonlinear models for Nitronex's high-power galliumnitride (GaN) devices. Initial models will focus on Nitronex's new thermally improved products targeting broadband and high-efficiency amplifiers for the military-communications, electronic-warfare, and radar markets. The models will be available as a free download from Modelithics' web site for Agilent Technologies Advanced Design System (ADS) and AWR Microwave Office (MWO) software at www.modelithics.com/mvp/NIT/. The models will also be included in Modelithics Select free shareware library, which is available for ADS and MWO.
RF ConnectionsHas launched a new e-commerce web site, which is designed to provide easy access to high-quality microwave components, cable assemblies, and connectors. RF Connections' mission is to support the component engineer, program office, test engineer, and supply-chain manager with online access to standard products. The company provides support when custom or prototype design is required. It is an authorized distributor for ResponseMicrowave (Hub-Zoned Small Business), Coaxant (VOSB), Precision Connector, and Intelliconnect USA.
California Eastern Laboratories (CEL)Has announced the addition of two domestic sales-representative firms. Rep One Associates, Inc. covers the Southeastern United States while Anchor Engineering, Inc. covers New England. Both firms will carry the full line of CEL products including NECbased RF and wireless ICs and discrete devices, optocouplers, solid-state relays, lasers, and detectors for fiber optics. They also will market CEL's MeshConnect line of IEEE 802.15.4/ ZigBee modules and ICs as well as other modules.
DigitalBridge Communications Corp. (DBC)Has been awarded a grant from the Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative (MBC) to triple its current broadband wireless coverage in Appomattox County, VA. This last-mile, matching-grant award was funded by the Virginia Tobacco Commission. It will enable DBC to bring affordable broadband services to underserved areas of Appomattox County. DBC's initial launch in Appomattox during 2008 was also supported by an MBC matching grant and led to the deployment of affordable wireless broadband services within six months with over 30-percent broadband adoption by residents and businesses.
Curtiss-Wright Corp.Has acquired Skyquest Systems Ltd. for approximately $16 million. Skyquest is a supplier of aircraft video displays, recorders, and video/radar converters for surveillance aircraft applications in the aerospace and defense markets. The business will become part of Curtiss- Wright's Motion Control segment.
Lockheed Martin Corp.Has announced the name and toplevel organizational structure for its new Mission Systems & Sensors businessone of three primary operating companies within the Electronic Systems Business Area. Abbreviated as "MS2," Mission Systems & Sensors represents the realignment of two prior standalone businesses in Electronic Systems (the former Maritime Systems & Sensors) and Systems Integration - Owego. The new MS2 retains a unique breadth and depth of support for maritime forces. With the integration of the former Systems Integration - Owego, however, it now has a significantly expanded portfolio of capabilities in products, processors, and integration expertise. The two businesses officially combined on Jan. 1. As a result of the anticipated synergies and efficiencies resulting from this combination, the company expects to eliminate approximately 1200 US positions from the MS2 business.
Motorola, Inc.Has announced that its Home & Networks Mobility business has joined forces with UAE telecom provider, du, in the launch of Dubai Metro's mobile WiMAX network. Motorola's WiMAX equipment provides mobile connectivity and effective backhaul for Wi-Fi traffic on the Dubai Metro transport-system train carriages as well as in Metro stations. The Dubai Metro will be the longest fully automated rail transport system in the world. The Red Line, which is 52 km long, is already functional and is expected to be followed by the Green line in early 2010.