In an April 2015 announcement, the U.S. Navy awarded Astronics Test Systems (ATS) a $36.4 million contract for five years of production. ATS is expected to produce, test, and deliver the Radio Frequency Distribution and Control System (RFDACS) through the year of 2020. This subsystem is used for a submarine radio room, creating routing signals between antenna systems. Program manager of this project Peter J. Gundermann stated, “The RFDACS is deployed on all active Virginia-class and Los Angeles-class submarines and designated for all future Virginia-class submarines. This follow-on production award is a testament to the quality and reliability of the complex RF Subsystem we delivered to the U.S. Navy. We are pleased to have been selected again to support the men and women of our Naval Forces in meeting their mission." Read more >>

A new type of anti-submarine vessel is under development as part of DARPA’s Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) program. The concept was announced in 2010—now five years later, the prototype is about to set sail. The unmanned surface vessel could independently track adversaries’ ultra-quiet diesel-electric submarines over thousands of miles. One of the challenges the program faces is developing autonomous behaviors that will comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, known as COLREGS. The current system relies on radars for sensing other vessels. This solves 90 percent of the issue but the system is not able to determine the class of vessel. For example, current technology does not know whether the vessel is a powered boat or a sailboat. In addition, COLREGS requires a “proper lookout by sight and hearing” to be maintained. Read more >>

In April 2015, Royal Dutch Shell announced that it has agreed to purchase BG Group for almost USD$70 billion. This strategic move by Royal Dutch Shell challenges rival Exxon Mobil’s top spot in the liquefied natural gas industry. The BG Group currently exists as a major player in this industry even through the recent decrease in oil prices. Via the acquisition, Royal Dutch Shell looks to increase its ability to provide gas as a global commodity. In addition, the company looks to increase its scale and profits in liquefied natural gas and deep water drilling. Though Royal Dutch Shell already stands in the number two spot globally after Exxon Mobil in the oil and deep water drilling sectors, it looks to capitalize on emerging markets—Asia’s liquefied natural gas industry is expected to grow, along with major oil locations in Nigeria and the Gulf of Mexico. Acquiring BG Group will also allow Royal Dutch Shell to establish a strong position in Brazil against Petrobras which is expected to become a key player in production. Read more >>

Toyota Motor Corp. has decided to begin building plants again after a 3-year hiatus. With plans of spending approximately USD$1.25 billion, the new Toyota factories will be constructed in Guanajuato, Mexico and Guangzhou, China. With a final decision to be made by the end of this month, the plants have an estimated operational date in 2018 or 2019 and will increase the production capacity of Toyota by several hundred thousands of vehicles. The new production will stand as the end of a period of caution in which Toyota President Akio Toyoda called for an overhaul of manufacturing lines. With this expansion being the first major investment since its new Thailand plant in 2012, Toyota has developed innovative manufacturing equipment and engineering technology for increased factory efficiency. This technology can be used to decrease the size of new plants, provide greater efficiency, and can decrease initial plant investment by 40 percent compared to those built before 2008. Read more >>

Raytheon’s Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) is making its grand transition from water to air. This is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile that is currently utilized by twelve NATO nations and the US Navy. Originally, this missile was used for self-defense and high fire-power from ships. Other uses include low velocity air threats (LVATs), high-diving threats, surface-based targets, and flying targets, such as aircrafts and helicopters. First trials took place on the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. A recent upgrade was made to create the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow Missile. Read more >>