Paul Stewart, an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance industry veteran and former senior executive at ForceX, has joined computing systems firm ZMicro as director of programs. He will oversee the lifecycle management of ZMicro’s programs with the Defense Department, ZMicro said Thursday. “Paul brings a tremendous depth of expertise in ISR and DoD program management,” said Jason Wade, president of […] More

A team of Thales Alenia Space and Orbital ATK has finished construction work on the first batch of communications satellites for Iridium‘s NEXT program, Spaceflight Now reported Wednesday. Stephen Clark writes the satellites are set for delivery to Vandenberg Air Force Base for fueling and mating with a SpaceX-built Falcon 9 rocket prior to the launch of initial  satellites on Sept. 11, […] More

Ultra Electronics‘ sonar systems business unit has secured a $13.7 million contract extension from the U.K.’s defense ministry to supply sonobuoys for the U.K. navy’s Merlin Maritime Patrol helicopter. The company will provide sonobuoy engineering, manufacturing, logistics and support services in an effort to aid the royal navy to maintain its persistent Anti-Submarine Warfare surveillance systems used against hostile […] More

AgustaWestland has selected CAE to provide aviation training equipment for the U.K. naval forces under the U.K. defense ministry’s Merlin Life Sustainment Program. The subcontract calls for CAE to design and assemble a rear-crew trainer, flight navigation procedures trainer and two fixed-based flight training devices for the AW101 Merlin helicopter crew of the Royal Navy, CAE said Wednesday. […] More

Lockheed Martin has chosen Thales to provide airborne surveillance and control capability for the U.K. naval forces’ new Merlin airborne surveillance helicopters. Thales said Friday it received the Merlin ASaC subcontract for the company’s Searchwater radar and Cerberus mission system, which will be installed on the helicopters. The technology will work to protect the U.K. navy’s aircraft […] More

BAE Systems has been awarded a $28 million contract to update the U.K. defense ministry’s missile warning technology. The company will develop the third-generation configuration of its Common Missile Warning System survivability tools, the company said Tuesday. “Through this purchase, the U.K. pilots will have enhanced detection of small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades, improving […] More