Transportation

Waxman goes after Booz Allen for SBInet conflict of interest
The consulting firm holds a contract to manage the SBInet program, but it also works as a subcontractor to Boeing in other projects; as Boeing is constructing the border system, Waxman worries about oversight
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Israel Aerospace Industries makes its mark in Indian UAV market
IAI has sold more than 100 of its Searcher Mark II and Heron models; company is in discussion with local Speck Systems for joint development of the Baaz; keeping tabs on Jammu and Kashmir a key Indian concern
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Raytheon announces new self-authenticating PASS Card
Interesting approach to WHTI program relies on a card with a self-contained fingerprint scanner; travelers press their thumb to the card, which then sends authentication data via RFID to security officials
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Banning lighters from flights costs company $5 million a year
The Pennsylvania maker of Zippo cigarette lighters says that the TSA decision to ban lighters from flight cost it $5 million a year
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TGR Helicorp announces unmanned alpine rescue helicopter
Alpine Wasp can fly as high as 30,000 feet using rotor blades designed for thin air; company will donate vehicles to the Everest Rescue Trust; UAV manufacturers see a market in long range, high altutude machines
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Brown researchers say bats, not bees, provide best MAV inspiration
Flexible wing structure seems to be the key, but researchers differ on which animal provides the best model; difference between bat’s upstroke and downstroke provides a valuable clue; Air Force Office of Scientific Research lends a hand
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Industry criticizes DHS for short-chaning port security
Maritime- and port-related industries criticize DHS for continuing to give a disproportionately large slice of federal security funding to aviation security, while being unreasonably frugal when it comes to port security
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CSC wins $5.9 million deal to digitize immigrant files
Compurers Sciences Corporation will convert A-files in anticipation of a guest worker program; DHS gains the ability to share critical data; CSC shows why it is such a lucrative takeover target
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Bush proposes $4 billion for Joint IED Defeat Organization
Allocation would be a major improvement over previous years; IEDs continue to take a toll, yet technological responses remain problematic; other budget winners include the Future Combat System and BioSense
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NICE Systems selected for D.C. airport surveillance overhaul
Israeli company recently won contracts to protect Beijing Olympics, Eiffel Tower, and New York City public transit; Reagan National Airport gets a makeover; video surveillance market marches on
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India announces coast guard expansion plan
Country will buy fifteen new ships and twenty-three more aircraft, including UAVs; coast guard looks for deep water capabilities capable of assisting with coastal counter-terror missions
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Russian UAV industry lags behind
Country has not a single native model in series production; government buracracy a major hurdle, but so too is a seeming lack of interest from both scientists and generals; government announces its first purchase from a Russian firm
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UPDATE: Israel selects RAFAEL for short-range missile defense
$500 million missile-based system beats out laser- and gun-based approaches; Northrop and Lockheed suffer setbacks; RAFAEL also involved in the Magic Wand long-range defense program
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Northrop and EADS received $559 German UAV contract
EuroHawk GmbH strikes a major deal in the European UAV market after years of effort; German Ministry of Defence impressed with EADS signals intelligence capability; delivery scheduled for 2010
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Bell Helicopters takes a look at an Israeli flying rescue vehicle
Helicopter-like machine relies on fans rather than rotor blades, allowing for greater maneuverability in the urban environment; Urban Aeronautics sees a market for first responders and military; craft can sidle up to a building and evacuate residents out of a window
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