Adapting Commercial Container Ships to Deliver Emergency Aid
Through the TEMP program, Raytheon is creating an innovative system of modular technologies – including air and sea cargo transport, cargo transfer and onboard support resources – that enable commercial container ships (cargo ships) to support humanitarian aid and other non-combat missions through the use of advanced technology such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Unlike naval ships, commercial vessels are not designed with the capabilities needed for aid missions. Through the TEMP system, alternative vessels such as container ships could be quickly readied to carry out an aid initiative with limited manpower. The system can be deployed in less than a day and is capable of maintaining mission operations for 30 days or more.
Containerships Figure in Disaster Relief Plan
The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Tactically Expandable Maritime Platform (TEMP) program has completed the design of innovative technologies to transform commercial container ships into self-contained floating supply bases during disaster relief operations, without needing port infrastructure. The program envisions a container ship anchoring offshore of a disaster area, and the ship’s crew delivering supplies ashore using DARPA-developed, modular on-board cranes and air- and sea-delivery vehicles.
SAIC: $2m DARPA Contract for AUSV
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) [NYSE: SAI] announced today it was awarded a prime contract by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to design a concept for a new autonomous unmanned surface vessel to help counter the modern threat submarine. The contract has a six month period of performance and a total value of $2 million. SAIC is one of six companies selected for Phase I of the DARPA Program. Officially named the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) Phase I, the program involves a broad range of activities which include: concept exploration; technology surveys; wargaming; risk assessment; and production of a concept design, construction plan and preliminary performance specification.
Winter Nominated as Secretary of the Navy
Northrop Grumman Corporation confirmed that President George W. nominate Donald C. Winter, 57, to become Secretary of the Navy. Winter currently serves as corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman's Mission Systems sector, a position he has held since January 2000. current position. as an executive advisor to the CEO's office. Mission Systems, will serve as acting sector president. Systems since July 2004. distinguished career in the U.S. Navy. 2004 revenues of $5 billion and employs 18,000 people. communities," Sugar said. system programs. He joined TRW Inc. Systems when Northrop Grumman acquired TRW in December 2002. pointing programs at the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. was awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service.
