2018cnc2-3

8 www.CNC-West.com CNC WEST February/March 2018 EXEC H TLINE Continued on page 88....... Kratos Picks up $23M Deal to Produce High-Performance Drone System Kratos Defense and Security Solutions Inc. received a $23 million production award for a new, high-performance, jet-powered unmanned aircraft system that has been under develop- ment. Kratos did not name its customer in its Jan. 8 announcement. The University City, Ca.-based business said the award covers the initial year’s production and that the business ex- pects multiple years of production. Kratos’ Unmanned Systems Division (aka USD) makes jet-powered drone systems for tactical and threat representation target purposes. Northrop Grumman Gets $172.7M U.S. Air Force Contract The U.S. Air Force awarded Northrop Grum- man Corp. a $172.7 million contract for its Battlefield Airborne Communications Node, known as BACN for short. BACN is a communications relay flown aboard an autonomous Global Hawk jet or a converted business jet. It allows disparate communica- tions systems to connect with one another. The newly signed deal calls for Northrop Grumman to provide payload operation as well as support for payload equipment and services. Northrop has provided the equipment for several years. Northrop has had contracts to provide the specialized communications equipment for several years. Work on the contract will be performed in San Diego and last through Janu- ary 2019. Boeing Sets Airplane Delivery Record, Finishes 2017 with Larger Order Book Boeing delivered more commercial airplanes than any manufacturer for the sixth consecu- tive year and set an industry record with 763 deliveries in 2017, driven by high output of the market-leading 737 and 787 jets. At the same time, the company grew its backlog with 912 net orders, reflecting healthy demand for its single-aisle and twin-aisle airplanes. Boeing reached a new high on the 737 pro- gram as it raised production to 47 airplanes a month during the year and began delivering the new 737 MAX, contributing to a record 529 deliveries, including 74 of the MAX variety. On the 787 Dreamliner program, Boeing continued building at the highest production rate for a twin-aisle jet, leading to 136 deliveries for the year. On the orders front, 71 customers placed the 912 net orders, valued at $134.8 billion at list prices. The total extends Boeing’s backlog to a record 5,864 airplanes – at year end – which is equal to about seven years of production. Signal Jammers Will be Made in San Diego as Part of Northrop Grumman’s $23.2M Contract The Pentagon is asking Northrop Grumman Corp. for more of its JCREW signal jammers. U.S. Navy SEALS and other U.S. forces will use the electronics to foil radio-controlled roadside bombs, or a related, newer threat: toy-sized drones that adversaries use to de- liver explosives. The Pentagon awarded Northrop Grumman a $23.2 million contract modification for JCREW electronics on Dec. 13. Nearly all of the work will be done in San Diego. Full-rate production is expected to continue to the middle of 2022. Boeing Receives Contract for Japan KC-46 Tanker Through the Foreign Military Sale pro- cess, the U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a $279 million contract for the Japan Air Self- Defense Force’s (JASDF’s) first KC-46 tanker and logistics support, marking the aircraft’s first international sale. Japan chose Boeing’s KC-46 tanker over com- petitors following its KC-X aerial refueling competition. The KC-46 adds to the JASDF’s current fleet of four KC-767J tankers. The U.S. Air Force will operate and main- tain its fleet of 179 KC-46 tankers through mid-century and beyond. Boeing began developing the KC-46A Pegasus tanker for the U.S. Air Force in 2011 and is assembling the 767-derivative aircraft at its Everett, Wash., facility.