In this World Wide Wrap: Unmanned air vehicle takes shape, Boeing delivers EA-18G Growler, and Coast Guard boosts IT security.
Unmanned air vehicle takes shape
BAE Systems has started building a £124 million unmanned combat aerial vehicle demonstrator, aimed at helping the UK MOD determine the future balance of assets within the armed forces.
Named after the Celtic God of Thunder, Taranis will help inform the UK MOD`s approach to the future capabilities needed for deep target attack and intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance.
About the size of a BAE Systems Hawk, it will have low observable features and autonomous systems that will allow it to think for itself for much of its mission.
Boeing delivers EA-18G Growler
The Boeing Company has delivered the first production EA-18G Growler to the US Navy ahead of schedule and within budget.
"The Growler team put together a programme plan that has remained on cost and schedule, while meeting or exceeding all performance parameters. I don`t get to say that very often about our programmes," said Delores Etter, assistant secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition.
The US armed forces` newest airborne electronic attack aircraft combines the Super Hornet`s proven airframe and mission systems with a next-generation airborne electronic attack suite.
Coast Guard boosts IT security
The Department of Homeland Security has awarded General Dynamics a contract to provide technical and programme management support services to the US Coast Guard Incident Response Team. The award has a maximum potential value of $10.5 million over 52 months if all options are exercised.
Under the contract, General Dynamics will provide 24-hour technical and operational support to the Coast Guard network. The company will assist and coordinate department-level incident responses and identify, report and manage the resolution of computer security irregularities.
In addition, General Dynamics will provide database management, vulnerability assessments, penetration testing and systems administration of network sensors.
