Posts Tagged ‘Homeland Security’

* Acquisition advances Boeing's strategy for growth in C4ISR, cyber and intelligence markets
* Combined business will offer affordable, network-based capabilities to meet the mission-critical needs of Boeing's domestic and international customers
* Combination creates robust synergy opportunities by leveraging Boeing's platform solutions with Argon ST's deep expertise
* Acquisition expected to have an immaterial impact on earnings

ST. LOUIS -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Argon ST [NASDAQ: STST] today announced that they have entered into an agreement for Boeing's acquisition of Argon ST in an all cash tender offer and merger for $34.50 per share, or approximately $775 million, net of cash acquired.

The agreement to acquire Argon ST, a leading developer of command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) and combat systems, advances Boeing's growth strategy and expands the company's capabilities to address the C4ISR, cyber and intelligence markets.

"Combining the strength of Boeing with the experience of Argon ST will significantly accelerate our capabilities in sensors, communications technologies and information management," said Dennis Muilenburg, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. "Today's announcement follows two years of partnering with Argon ST's talented employees who, like Boeing employees, take pride in developing and deploying world-class engineering solutions for our customers."

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Fairfax, Va., Argon ST develops sensors and networks designed to exploit, analyze and deliver information for real-time situational awareness. In fiscal 2009, the company generated $366 million in revenues. Argon ST has operating locations in Virginia, California, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida, Maryland and Texas, and has approximately 1,000 employees.

"We're very pleased to join The Boeing Company," said Terry Collins, chairman and chief executive officer of Argon ST. "Our employee teams know each other well, and we are excited to now continue our combined support to warfighters and first responders as one company."

Once acquired, Argon ST will be a stand-alone subsidiary of Boeing and a new division of Boeing Network & Space Systems, a business within the Boeing Defense, Space & Security operating unit. Argon ST will continue to be led by Collins and his management team, which will help ensure a seamless transition for employees and customers.

"As part of Boeing, Argon ST will continue to provide leading-edge network-based communications solutions for domestic and international customers including the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Homeland Security so they can continue to execute their critical missions," said Roger Krone, president of Boeing Network & Space Systems. "We're confident that this combined team will be able to achieve great things together in the future."

The transaction is expected to close by the end of the third quarter 2010. The completion of the transaction is subject to a majority of the outstanding Argon ST shares being tendered, as well as satisfactory completion of other customary closing conditions, including U.S. regulatory approval.

The definitive agreement was unanimously approved by Argon ST's board of directors, and Argon ST's board intends to recommend that the company's stockholders tender their shares in the offer.

Boeing plans to fund the transaction with existing cash. The acquisition is expected to have an immaterial impact on Boeing's earnings.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

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Additional Information
This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell shares of Argon ST. Vortex Merger Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, has not commenced the tender offer for the shares of Argon ST stock described in this release. Upon commencement of the tender offer, the Vortex Merger Sub will file with the SEC a tender offer statement on Schedule TO and related exhibits, including the offer to purchase, letter of transmittal, and other related documents. Following commencement of the tender offer, Argon ST will file with the SEC a tender offer solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9. These documents will contain important information about The Boeing Company, Argon ST, the transaction and other related matters. Investors and security holders are urged to read each of these documents carefully when they are available. Security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the tender offer statement, the tender offer solicitation/recommendation statement and other documents filed with the SEC through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, security holders will be able to obtain free copies of these documents from The Boeing Company or Argon ST by contacting: Scott Fitterer of The Boeing Company at 312-544-2294 or Aaron Daniels of Argon ST at 703-995-5610.

Forward-Looking Information Is Subject to Risk and Uncertainty
Certain statements in this release may be "forward-looking" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "intends," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "targets," "anticipates," and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements regarding the proposed acquisition of Argon ST include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected timetable for completing the transaction, future business prospects, our guidance relating to 2010 and 2011 financial and operating performance, product development and benefits and synergies of the transaction, as well as any other statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions about future events that may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. As a result, these statements speak to events only as of the date they are made and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by federal securities laws. Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the effect of economic conditions in the United States and globally, the ability of the parties to satisfy the transaction conditions and consummate the merger, the risk that competing offers will be made, our ability to successfully integrate Argon ST's business and realize anticipated synergies, and other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Nammo and Thales Australia signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) at Eurosatory today for a
planned cooperation on the next generation aircraft ammunition.

This is driven by Norway and Australia's involvement in the F-35 fighter program and the need for a new ammunition round capable of meeting all requirements and ensuring lethality against both soft and hard targets. This will include cooperation on the Norwegian ammunition concept, APEX, and a special training round as well as Thales' frangible ammunition round called APFI. The APEX development and
qualification effort is now fully funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Defense and Nammo.

'This cooperation will create a new platform for ammunition business between two industry leaders. Nammo's APEX concept is based on more than 20 years of heritage in the aircraft ammunition business with presence on nearly all fighter aircraft of NATO and in the western world. This will give the air forces superior performance both in the air combat role and in the close air support role' said Kjell Kringsjå, the Executive Vice president of Nammo's Medium and Large Caliber Division.

Chris Jenkins, CEO of Thales Australia, said: 'I have high expectations for this cooperation. Not only will this create a broader basis for further business development, but it will also pave the way for industrial participation related to the F-35 programme and entry into the aircraft ammunition area.'

'Our significant expertise in ordnance, combined with our world-class propellant technology, is the basis of what will be a highly productive partnership with Nammo and a product offering that will appeal to a wide range of international customers.'

The Nammo Group
The Nammo Group is an international defense group specializing in design and production of ammunition products, shoulder fired weapon systems, missile and space propulsion systems and demilitarization services. The Nammo Group employs 1900 people in 7 countries.

Thales
Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace and Space, Defence, Security and Transportation markets. In 2009, the company generated revenues of 12.9 billion euros (equivalent of AUD 22.7 billion) with 68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers as local partners.

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Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has received the U.S. Army Kiowa Warrior Supplier Excellence Award for 2009. The award, selected by the Kiowa Warrior Program Manager, is presented annually to the supplier demonstrating superior field support over the prior 12 months. Bert Brown, Rolls-Royce, Vice President, U.S. Army Helicopter Programs, accepted the award from Major General Myles, Colonel Robinson and Lieutenant Colonel Rauer during the Team Kiowa Warrior event associated with the recent annual Kiowa Warrior Users Conference.

Ken Roberts, Rolls-Royce, President - Helicopters, said: 'We are honored to receive this recognition. Our team is focused on providing unparalleled support for the U.S. Army and the Kiowa Warrior aircraft, keeping our customer's mission the focus of our work.'

The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior is powered by the M250 C30R/3 engine. A single-engine, military helicopter used for observation, utility, and direct fire support, the OH-58D has been in use by the U.S. Army since 1980 and operates primarily in armed reconnaissance roles in support of ground troops.

Kiowa Warrior aircraft continue to operate in Iraq and Afghanistan. These deployed aircraft are directly supported by Rolls-Royce field representatives. The Kiowa Warrior fleet of 368 aircraft is scheduled to remain in service until 2025.

1. Rolls-Royce, a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, has established strong positions in its four global markets - civil aerospace, defense aerospace, marine and energy.
2. The company has a broad customer base including more than 600 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 2,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and energy customers in nearly 120 countries. With facilities in 50 countries, Rolls-Royce employs more than 38,000 people worldwide and has businesses headquartered in the UK, US, Canada, Germany, Scandinavia and China. This global presence allows the Group to access long-term international growth opportunities with its technology, presence, partnerships and people.
3. In 2009, Rolls-Royce and its partners invested $1.4 billion in research and development, two thirds of which had the objective of further improving the environmental aspects of its products, in particular the reduction of emissions.
4. Rolls-Royce is the world-leading producer of light turbine engines in the helicopter market. The M250 line has produced over 30,000 engines, more than half of which are still in service with approximately 4,500 operators in 150 nations. The M250 family has accumulated over 200 million flight hours, providing an unmatched level of expertise in every conceivable operational condition.
5. Rolls-Royce turboshaft and turboprop engines provide power in the 300 shp to more than 7,300 shp range, powering over 200 aircraft models to date including the Bell 206/407/430 and AgustaWestland Super Lynx/AW159/T129. This creates a broad base of market opportunities for both rotary and fixed-winged aircraft.

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AMBERLEY, Queensland -- Boeing Defence Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) today announced the graduation of the first RAAF C-17 Globemaster III pilots trained in Australia.

Since commencing Pilot Initial Qualification (PIQ) training on Feb. 1, Flight Lt. David Whyte and Pilot Officer Stephen Maunder have received more than 350 hours of programmed training from Boeing Defence Australia instructors at RAAF Base Amberley, including 120 simulated flight hours in the C-17 Globemaster III Aircrew Training System (ATS).

"Delivering Australia's first in-country C-17 pilot training program is a significant achievement for both Boeing and the RAAF," said Nigel Page, C-17 ATS site team lead for Boeing Defence Australia. "The graduation of Flight Lt. Whyte and Pilot Officer Maunder as qualified C-17 pilots demonstrates the success and value of the RAAF's new in-country pilot-training capability, assisted greatly by Boeing's training expertise and the Amberley-based C-17 ATS."

The Boeing-developed C-17 ATS consists of a Loadmaster Station, Learning Center, various support systems and a Weapons Systems Trainer (WST), which is a realistic, full-motion simulator used for pilot training.

"Training C-17 pilots at Amberley has saved the RAAF both money and time by removing substantial travel costs and the need for student pilots to spend longer periods of time training overseas," said Squadron Leader Brent Taylor, 36 Squadron Training Flight Commander. "We are pleased with the end result of the locally based training system, and congratulate Flight Lt. Whyte and Pilot Officer Maunder for passing with flying colors."

The students' training culminated in five flights at the controls of a real C-17 airlifter under the instruction of RAAF Qualified Flying Instructors, and acceptance by the RAAF's No. 36 Squadron.

"There is no doubt in my mind the Boeing-delivered PIQ training has equipped me with the tools and knowledge required for my career as a RAAF C-17 pilot," said Maunder. "I'm proud to have achieved my goal to become a C-17 pilot and look forward to supporting the C-17 strategic airlift capability for national and international operations."

The next two student pilots, Pilot Officers Luke Ridgway and Brett Hopewell, will graduate from the second PIQ training course this month. The third and fourth PIQ training courses will commence in July and August, respectively.

Boeing Defence Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company and a business unit of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, is a leading Australian aerospace enterprise. With a world-class team of more than 1,500 employees at 14 locations throughout Australia and two international sites, Boeing Defence Australia supports some of the largest and most complex defense projects in Australia.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

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Warton, United Kingdom: BAE Systems has been awarded a five year contract worth in the region of £150m by Eurofighter GmbH to provide an avionic equipment repair support service on the Typhoon fleets for the air forces of Germany, Spain and the UK.

The contract changes the current repair contracting method on Typhoon by placing an incentive on BAE Systems to provide resolution to technical problems more quickly and to continue to reduce the volume of repair activity undertaken. Under the contract BAE Systems will provide a range of repair services leading to much reduced support costs, improved reliability of the equipment and the transfer of risk to industry that traditionally was held by the customer. As with every contract undertaken by BAE Systems there will be no compromise on safety.

BAE Systems has equipment design responsibility for a number of avionic equipments within the Typhoon fleet and will work closely with seven key suppliers to deliver the repair support service within guaranteed turn-round times.

Chris Boardman, Managing Director of Typhoon Mission Support & International Programmes at BAE Systems said: 'This contract award demonstrates BAE Systems commitment to the reduction in the through-life support costs for the Typhoon fleet which was a key requirement of the Tranche 3a contract award last year. Our customers will benefit from improved reliability and a reduction in support costs allowing them to deliver a more efficient and cost effective frontline capability. This solution also shows the commitment BAE Systems has to supporting our customers' military objectives."

This contract underlines the Company's capabilities in the area of readiness and sustainment and is the latest in a number of Typhoon support contracts awarded in the last year. In 2009 BAE Systems was awarded a five year, £450 million contract by the UK MoD for the maintenance and support of Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft, to meet current and future operational commitments. Later that year the Company secured two further support contracts. The first a five and a half year contract worth more than £400m to provide support for the radar and defensive aids sub systems (DASS) on the Typhoon fleets for the air forces of Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. The second support contract was with the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF). This contract includes training in the United Kingdom for RSAF Typhoon pilots and Typhoon multi-skilled aircraft technicians.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is a global defence, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. In 2009 BAE Systems reported sales of £22.4 billion (US$ 36.2 billion).

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SAN DIEGO, California - A BAE Systems-led team will partner with the military to develop the U.S. Navy's primary intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting (ISR&T) system. Under a $72 million contract from PEO C4I PMW 120, the team will enhance the current version of the Distributed Common Ground System-Navy and continue to transition DCGS-N to an application-based system through the DCGS-N Prime Mission Product.

Making ISR&T data visible, accessible, and understandable across services, DCGS-N is part of the Department of Defense's DCGS family of systems and integrates ISR&T support capabilities into a Web-enabled, net-centric, and interoperable enterprise. DCGS-N uses commercial and government off-the-shelf hardware, software, tools, and standards to build a scalable, modular, and extensible multisource intelligence system that is interoperable with other DCGS systems.

"DCGS-N is a highly successful program that has recently achieved its Full Deployment Decision. We look forward to working with BAE Systems on near-term capability upgrades as we align towards the CANES architecture," said Capt. Robert E. Parker, program manager for PMW 120.

Along with BAE Systems, the team also consists of General Dynamics, Sun Microsystems, MTCSC, Space Dynamics Laboratory, InVisM, Argon ST, and Athena Consulting. As a DCGS-N Block 1 contractor, BAE Systems participated in the system's development and operational evaluation aboard the USS Harry S. Truman.

"An integrated system will enable the Navy to maintain information dominance in any battle space by accelerating its ability to exchange information and data across multiple security domains, warfare areas, environments, and theaters," said John Jarman, vice president and general manager of defense systems and solutions for BAE Systems. "With this award, we will continue working with PEO C4I and the fleet to improve information sharing within the Navy, other services, and the intelligence communities."

BAE Systems' extensive experience in providing ISR&T systems for the DoD, as well as enterprise systems development, integration and system installation experience provides the technologies and background to help the Navy fully realize the capabilities needed for DCGS-N to support the fleet. BAE Systems will perform the development work at its new command, control, communications, computing, and intelligence development centers in San Diego and Charleston, South Carolina.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is a global defense, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. In 2009 BAE Systems reported sales of £22.4 billion (US$ 36.2 billion).

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MELBOURNE, Florida - Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), an international communications and information technology company, will host its annual analyst meeting Monday, May 24 and Tuesday, May 25 at its RF Communications division headquarters in Rochester, New York.

Howard L. Lance, chairman, president and CEO, will present a business strategy review, which will be followed by a financial review from Gary L. McArthur, senior vice president and chief financial officer. Senior management from each of the company's major businesses will lead breakout sessions highlighting Harris technology, products, programs and markets. These sessions will be followed by tactical radio and public safety product demonstrations, and tours of the RF Communications manufacturing facilities.

About Harris Corporation
Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $5 billion of annual revenue and more than 15,000 employees — including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems, and services. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.

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The Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) has awarded Thales Norway a contract to supply the Swedish Armed Forces with a new Command and Control (C2) system for helicopter units.

According to the contract, Thales will be responsible for system design, integration and supply of C2 systems for Helicopter Units within the Swedish Armed Forces (SwAF). The system will provide improved command and control capability for helicopter units when deployed in national or international operations. It will be an integrated part of the Armed Forces overall C2 systems, and will be interoperable with existing mobile C2 systems within the Air Force and Nordic Battle Group.

Thales will supply a flexible C2 system based upon the general architecture of all C2 systems in the armed forces.

Thales is a trusted partner of the Swedish Armed Forces. As Glenn Pedersen, Managing Director of Thales Norway, explains: "We are extremely proud of the trust we have been given by the FMV. This contract award recognises Thales's technological excellence and expertise in modern C2 systems, and confirms Thales's strong presence as a systems integrator in the Swedish market'.

About Thales and Thales Norway

Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace and Space, Defence, Security and Transportation markets. In 2009, the company generated revenues of 12.9 billion euros with 68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers as local partners. www.thalesgroup.com

Thales Norway is a trusted partner of the Norwegian Defence Force. Thales Norway develops and delivers secure and rugged information- and communication solutions for mobile and stationary use for military customers. Thales Norway has supplied Norway, NATO and other countries with infrastructure systems and security solutions for decades. www.thales.no

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Cleveland, OH March 31, 2010—Alphaport, a Cleveland-based provider of knowledge management and professional development services, engineering services, and applied technology, today announced a reorganization and new management team for its Knowledge Management (KM) Services and Training business sector. The changes, effective immediately, will underscore the company's core capability by applying new management focus on each of the sector's five business groups.
Ten years with Alphaport, Vice President Jennifer Jones will lead the Knowledge Management Services and Training sector. Jones has a solid background in Process-Based Mission Assurance working directly with academia, government, and military entities, and business firms.
Randy Adkins, former director of the Air Force Center of Excellence for Knowledge Management, will head up Alphaport's KM business group. Adkins successfully implemented the Air Force's 'Knowledge Now,' a knowledge-sharing operation that used a collaborative Web-based system to streamline the flow of information, making it accessible to Airmen anywhere in the world.
The other business components re-positioned to fall under the KM and Training umbrella include Educational Outreach; Data and Analysis; and Assurance Technology. James May, Ph.D., an expert in Instructional Systems Technology will serve as the Training and Workforce Development group's manager. The five groups are further staffed with veteran knowledge or training managers and facilitators. Reorganizing the KM sector in this way allows Alphaport to offer its customers a tailored, cost-effective approach to enable knowledge-sharing within their organizational cultures.
Alphaport's KM service offers an end-to-end turnkey process to develop knowledge-based systems that support an organization's information assets. Through the KM process, corporate knowledge, whether tacit or explicit, is identified, captured, and indexed. Knowledge is accessed through a centralized repository where employees are part of a virtual community through which they can collaborate and share their expertise on any number of work-related topics. A Knowledge Management system gives users instant access to reliable, valid information, whether the knowledge source is internal or external to the organization, within or independent from the organization's physical structure.
'Knowledge-sharing is critical to an organization's sustainability,' said Rosella Miranda, Alphaport's owner and Chief Executive Officer. 'Too often employers can quantify the loss of skills and knowledge as employees leave only after the need is there. When this happens, a company can lose its competitiveness and profitability. '
In addition, Alphaport has appointed Grant Illenberger as the company's Chief Financial Officer. Illenberger formerly worked with Alphaport on a consultancy basis and is now on board to support the reorganization and to assist in strategically integrating KM into Alphaport's other business sectors, Engineering Services and Product Development.
About Alphaport
Alphaport provides a full spectrum of advanced engineering services, space exploration technologies, and product development programs for the aerospace industry.
Alphaport has a rapidly growing team of experienced research scientists, engineers and project managers focused on applying their knowledge to the development of innovative technologies. The company provides technical expertise for commercial space systems, aerospace and government organizations with specialization in power propulsion, communications and emerging space technologies.
Other areas of expertise include comprehensive knowledge management training programs that help organizations capture and retain knowledge, and then apply intellectual property for technology innovation or workforce development.
Alphaport has received multiple business and technology awards, including the Inc. 500 Award for America's fastest growing private companies.
For more information visit www.alpha-port.com

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ST. LOUIS -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has received a contract modification from the U.S. Air Force for the fiscal year 2010 production of more than 6,000 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits. The modification increases the overall value of this phase from $72 million to $229 million.

Boeing will deliver the kits from this order in 2011 and 2012. The FY2010 production is the third procurement of a six-year contract Boeing received in January 2008. That agreement now has a potential total value of $1.3 billion with deliveries extending through 2015, if all options are exercised.

"JDAM provides warfighters with an effective, accurate and battle-tested weapon," said Dan Jaspering, Boeing director of Direct Attack Programs. "These additional JDAMs will supplement the original contract to ensure the long-term availability of this cost-effective weapon on today's battlefield."

JDAM is a low-cost guidance kit that converts existing 500-, 1,000- and 2,000-pound unguided free-fall bombs into accurately guided "smart" weapons. Its modular design allows customers to easily upgrade the weapon in the field to provide additional capability, such as laser guidance and extended range. Boeing has produced more than 210,000 JDAM kits since 1998. The Air Force and U.S. Navy have used JDAM weapons in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

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