GLG News by Aerospace and Defense Consultants (US)

Gerard BuhrerOwnerSpectrum International Sourcing

The A-380 - Stay in Production or cancel?

May 7, 2010

Canceling the A 380 will invoke more costs not less. Even if the various Gov'ts would agree with layoffs, the severance pay and other benefits would outweigh the savings. Also most of the development costs are "sunk" they cannot be recovered at all. Future production costs must be reflected in the actual aircraft selling price. Also Airbus would suffer greatly in prestige should their "Queen" disappear, plus many customers would leave Airbus and go to Boeing.

Steve WolffPresidentWolff Consulting Services

Improving passenger screening without inconveniencing most travelers

February 17, 2010

Analysis of:Airport scanners stir fears over security lines | www.usatoday.com

Since 9-11 investment in checked bag screening has been ten times that for passenger checkpoint despite 6 checkpoint attacks & none via hold bags since PanAm 103.Effective passenger screening can be achieved with comparable investment levels.   However, the current approach of screening item-by-item will not work.  As terrorists’ primary aim has been to destroy aircraft, a new strategy that leverages work performed to date & that screens on a flight-basis is key to address today’s threat.

Stanley AltermanPresidentAlterman Associates

EADS in the USA DOD and HS Market

March 23, 2009

Analysis of:EADS still eyeing smaller U.S. buys | www.reuters.com

It is evident that EADS needs to acquire USA DOD industrial strength in the USA independent of the result of their AF tanker program proposed aircraft competition with Boeing. BAE has gained a strong role in the USA as one of the top DOD electroincs and system suppliers as has Italy's  Finmecanica made a major penetration with the DRS Technologies acquisition. I believe UAV systems and avionics represent a growing market for them to consider an acquistion like Axsys, FLIR or other UAV avionic players.

Stanley AltermanPresidentAlterman Associates

"All of the Above" Policy for Oil Exploration and Development, Dr. S.B. Alterman

August 11, 2008

Analysis of:What's so bad about foreign oil? | www.latimes.com

Let's consider some interesting information on drilling for oil and allowing oil shale leases.  In my opinion, we need an “all of the above” strategy to energy with the goal to make US independent of foreign energy sources as soon as possible.  This includes, conservation, CAFÉ standards, solar, wind, research into new technologies, drilling (including off-shore), oil shale, and clean coil conversion.  We need the equivalent of JFK’s 10 year goal for a man on the moon, with a 10 year goal for energy independence.  It seems like many of our politicians are beholden to environmental ideologues who misuse information to achieve their own narrow objectives and ignore the strategic implications and hidden costs of our energy dependence on unstable sources of supply. Visualize the USA, in 10 years time, being independent of ALL foreign energy sources. We will focus be able to focus on the problems of anti-terrorism, health care, democratization, food supplies and clean environments.      

Gerard BuhrerOwnerSpectrum International Sourcing

Costs Are Sinking The Boating Industry

April 2, 2008

Analysis of:Ill economic winds batter boat industry | www.chron.com

High Fuel cost are keeping many boats tied to their slips or not being launched at all. Coupled with higher cost for storage, towing, moorage at destinations, and lower free income, the 2008 boating season will be very flat. New boat sales are at the lowest point in years and even used boats are flooding the market. Here in the North East we are seeing high numbers of people leaving boating for good.  At my marina - one of the largest in Ct. - we are seeing  a 20-25% vacancy rate. That is the worst in 20 years.

Steve WolffPresidentWolff Consulting Services

AS&E Technology - is it worth it?

September 3, 2007

Analysis of:Foolish Forecast: AS&E Fills Its Dance Card | www.fool.com

AS&E has heavily and successfully marketed its backscatter X-ray technology for several applications.  Backscatter X-ray has its strengths but also weaknesses - especially for large dense cargo containers. When properly applied, it can reveal certain concealed items, but are these limitations worth the cost.

Steve WolffPresidentWolff Consulting Services

UK and the Future of Airport Passenger Checkpoints

August 22, 2007

Analysis of:Welcome to London: Your Luggage Is Missing | online.wsj.com

No simple solution for improving the Passenger Screening Checkpoints at airports is likely. The UK Government is under pressure from airports and airlines to relax constraints currently in effect, even though the threat level remains high. The UK Government is testing (off-line) combinations of new technologies aimed at optimizing and replacing the current central search/ passenger checkpoint process within the next couple of years.

Stanley AltermanPresidentAlterman Associates

Nanotechnology has enabled wave based optics to replace photonics, with amazing results

July 2, 2007

Analysis of:Optical Waves Wash Photons Aside | stanleyalterman.blogspot.com

100 years after the birth of the "photon" some bright ex-Disney scientists at Creative Technologyare intent on demonstrating that Einstein’s instincts regarding the wave properties of light will lead to fundamental technology insights and a host of revolutionary optical products. C-Tech is currently designing lensless, filterless cameras capable of accurate and ultra-sensitive spectral imaging on a pixel level via lightwave phased arrays and light engines generating true color for filterless displays and hyper-accurate, extremely rapid spectrometry. Their technology can reduce the size, weight and power consumption of a whole generation of optical and UV devices needed by the military, homeland security and the health industry for a whole range of functions.

Stanley AltermanPresidentAlterman Associates

Social Media and WEB 2.0. While you became mesmerized by MySpace, YouTube and Google, KICKAPPS appeared!

June 27, 2007

Analysis of:Social Media and Web 2.0 | stanleyalterman.blogspot.com

The government, especially every branch of the military, large corporations with a message and image, educational institutions, religious organizations, organizations of all sorts, and a host of other community Website needs to offer effective alternatives to websites like MySpace where students, customers, employees, parishioners, club members, servicemen, their families and government employees can participate in social networking where there can be levels of moderation and reporting that more properly balance the virtues of security, privacy and openness.

Steve WolffPresidentWolff Consulting Services

Consolidation: GE & Smiths; the joint Venture

February 9, 2007

Analysis of:G.E. Buying a British Aerospace Company | www.nytimes.com

Both GE and and Smiths Detection are leaders in complementary technologies that, when merged, could allow the formation of a company that can provide comprehensive solutions to various homeland security applications.  Challenges remain in forming and executing this JV and the time required will give competitors a chance to gain influence.

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