AeroVironment, Inc. unveiled a new miniature gimbaled sensor payload on the battle-proven RQ-11B Raven small unmanned aircraft system April 2 at the Army Aviation Association of America Annual Professional Forum and Exposition. The modular payload includes a high-resolution color and an infrared thermal video sensor, as well as a laser illuminator integrated into a multi-axis…

Boeing and Mubadala Aerospace of Abu Dhabi April 17 announced a 10-year direct contract for Strata Manufacturing, Mubadala Aerospace’s advanced composite aerostructures facility in Al Ain, to produce commercial composite aerostructures for the 777 and 787 Dreamliner. In addition, the companies announced a strategic agreement that positions Strata to be a future supplier of the…

Raytheon posted a 17 percent jump in the first-quarter profit April 26 and the defense contractor boosted its full-year outlook with sales for missile, intelligence and information systems on the rise. The big jump in comparable net income was partially due to the charges that the company was saddled with during the same period last…

Hawker Beechcraft announced May 3 that it has reached an agreement with a significant number of its senior secured lenders and senior bondholders on the terms of a financial restructuring plan that will strengthen the company for the future and eliminate approximately $2.5 billion in debt and approximately $125 million of annual cash interest expense….

Lockheed Martin successfully conducted a series of target tracking tests against Rocket, Artillery and Mortar targets using its Extended Area Protection and Survivability miniature hit-to-kill interceptor system. The tests were conducted during the first week of April at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., in collaboration with the U.S. Army Research Development & Engineering Command/Aviation Missile…

Northrop Grumman’s Sperry Marine business unit is supplying advanced integrated bridge systems for the new class of patrol boats being built for the Swedish Coast Guard. The IBS for the new Swedish patrol boats is based on Northrop Grumman’s advanced VisionMaster FTâ„¢ technology, which integrates the vessels’ navigation and ship control functions in a secure…

The General Dynamics board June 6 declared a regular quarterly dividend of 51 cents per share on the company’s common stock, payable Aug. 10, 2012, to shareholders of record at the close of business July 6. The board also authorized management to repurchase 10 million shares of the company’s issued and outstanding common stock on…

Precision Castparts Corp. has agreed to acquire Klune Industries, a manufacturer of complex aluminum, nickel, titanium, and steel aerostructures. Klune focuses on complex forming, machining, and assembly of aerostructure parts, in addition to offering significant expertise in a range of cold-formed sheet metal components. The company, which operates facilities in North Hollywood, Calif.; Spanish Fork,…