Black Hand* – Lloyd's Register of captains or journeymen with Privy Seal "Licenses to Kill, Burn, Bribe" for the City of London's Honourable Artillery Company 1537; the Master Mariners and Air Pilots (formerly GAPAN) 1929, and The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts 1638 – whose alumni include U.S. Presidents James Monroe, Chester Alan Arthur, Calvin Coolidge and John F. Kennedy and – perhaps – Barack 'Down Low' Obama.
McConnell alleges that in 1962, the late pedophile Lord Privy Seal and then commander of the Honourable Artillery Company, Lt. Col. Edward Heath, outsourced the U.K.'s 4-minute warning system, the NPL cesium clock and Telstar timing to Serco whose Lloyd’s Register of Black Hand actors can now spot, shoot, snuff, spin and spoil drone operations in the United Kingdom and United States to within 1 μs of each other (previous efforts were only accurate to 2,000 μs).
McConnell claims that Serco set up a Black Hand drone navigation service with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and NetJets at RAF Northolt in 1998 while its National Visa Center agents set up a ground-staff drone network at FAA Contract Towers for Bin Laden sleeper cells in America.
McConnell claims that Serco CEO Rupert Soames's brother Nicholas Soames, the former U.K. Minister of Defense, used RAF Northolt ground staff to pilot the drones which enforced no-fly zones in Iraq and back-haul images for snuff films financed through UN Oil-For-Food revenues paid into Serco's shareholder accounts with AXA (BNP Paribas) and JPMorgan in New York.
McConnell claims that Serco – the Black Hand navigator for U.S. Air Force Space Command – stood the Air Force down for 30 hours of "Blue Air" time on 9/11 while its Northolt ground staff and aviation engineers used NetJets and IAI drones to pilot the “first live-broadcast mass snuff film in human history.”
McConnell alleges that Serco aviation engineers at RAF Northolt extorted or blackmailed Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh – the former Grand Master of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots – into merging The Queen's Flight and 32 Squadron RAF into a Black Hand drone command and authorizing the use of a Buffett NetJets aircraft to track, drone and crash United 93 on 9/11.
McConnell alleges that Serco aviation engineers provided an "expert witness" storyline for the Wag the Dog movie "United 93" where filming took place on a 20-year-old reclaimed Boeing 757 at Pinewood Studios near RAF Northolt to shield actors from Abel Danger investigators.
McConnell invites rebuttal of his allegation that Serco aviation engineers modified Queen's Flight aircraft for use in Black Hand drone command out of RAF Northolt and relayed ad hoc waypoints via one of Buffet NetJets aircraft into the United 93 autopilot for the crash of 9/11.
Prequel 1: #2261: Marine Links Serco Black-Hand Drones To Obama Ground-Staff Pilot Snuff Film – "Caged And Burnt Alive"
Prequel 2: Brian J Walton: Aviation Engineer & Expert Witness
Queen Elizabeth II And Duke Of Edinburgh Leave For Germany (1965)
United 93 - Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHdqw6scuIc
Abel Danger 8-27-2014 Part I Warren Buffett - Cat Bond 'Traitor'
WAG THE DOG - Trailer - (1997) – HQ
Serco's relays Northolt drone commands via Airbus at former RAF Oakhanger
DEADLY ACCURATE Israeli military UAV could be used on Gaza Strip
Serco... Would you like to know more?
SERCO GROUP PLC Subsidiaries AND Shareholders [Includes AXA (BNP Paribas) and JP Morgan which laundered $64 billion through Oil-For-Food New York escrow accounts]
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1bmpzk_serco-group-plc-list-of-subsidiaries-and-shareholders_news
"United 93 is a 2006 drama film written,
co-produced, and directed by Paul
Greengrass that chronicles events aboard United Airlines Flight 93,[3] which
was hijacked during the September 11 attacks of 2001. The
film attempts to recount with as much veracity as possible (there is a
disclaimer that some imagination had to be used) and in real time (from the
flight's takeoff) what has come to be known in the United States as an iconic
moment. According to the filmmakers, the film was made with the cooperation of
all of the passengers' families.[4]…
Filming took place on a 20-year-old reclaimed Boeing 757, formerly operated by MyTravel Airways, at Pinewood Studios near London from October until December 2005. The cockpit was built by Flightdeck solutions. The location was chosen both for its financial incentives and to shield actors from unwanted public scrutiny they might have received in the U.S.[8] Action was filmed with handheld cameras, chosen for their versatility on the close-quarter sets and to create a sense of immediacy. Exterior airport sequences were shot on location at Newark Liberty International Airport, while interiors were shot back in England at London Stansted Airport. A few scenes were also shot in Washington, D.C. and Boston. In addition, an opening sequence set in Afghanistan was shot in Morocco, but it was cut from the film before release.[9]""
"Located in Bellevue, Nebraska AFB. Offut is part of some interesting angles of the September 11th attack. By coincidence, some WTC executes "evacuated" to Offutt Air Force Base just prior to September 11 event: "On the morning of September 11, (CEO) Tatlock herself had just arrived with a small group of business leaders at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha for a charity event hosted by Warren Buffett. She then heard the news of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center's north tower. "There on the screen, I saw the second plane crash into my office," Tatlock recalled. ...so the supposed event these business leaders were attending, at an Air Force base of all places, was a "charity" event organized by Warren Buffet of "The terrorists are coming, the terrorists are coming" fame. Tatlock is a high CEO in the Franklin Funds group, a group that had offices in the World Trade Center. The cover story in this article for her presence at Offutt was a charity event." Source: sanfrancisco.
bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/
Some fighters of
Netjets are owned by Warren
Buffett, tried to intercept Flight 93, as
confirmed in August 2002, during the Massaoui-lawsuit (->): "An official for NetJets, a company
that sells shares in private business aircraft, confirmed that the plane
tracking Flight 93 belonged to the company. The official, who asked not to be
identified by name, said the company was asked not to comment on the September
11 flight but would not say who made the request" Source: startribune.com/
The background of
Netjets: Netjets is based in Woodbridge, NJ. Raynor B. Reavis joined NetJets Inc. in
September 1998 as Senior Vice President of Sales. In this position, he is
responsible for the sales of the NetJets ®
fractional ownership program in the U.S. Prior to joining Executive Jet, Mr.
Reavis was Vice President of Marketing and Sales Support at Gulfstream
Aircraft, Inc. Before joining
Gulfstream, he was Senior Vice President of Sales at Raytheon Aircraft (->) and
British Aerospace, where he was responsible for worldwide sales of the Hawker
800 and 1000 aircraft. Earlier in his career, he served as Vice President
of Sales for Simuflight Training International, which provides advanced
simulator-based training to pilots and maintenance technicians for business jet
aircraft. Reavis is a former United States Marine fighter pilot who served in
Vietnam and on both the East and West Coast in active duty fighter squadrons.
He is a graduate of Baylor University with a Bachelor's degree in business
administration and economics.."
"Brian J Walton Aviation Engineer & Expert Witness
1995 to date … Serco Group plc, RAF
Northolt
Senior BAe 146 Crew
Chief
Operate under The
Military Aviation Authority (MAA) & Maintenance Approved Organisation
Scheme (MAOS) rules.
Fly on the BAe 146 CC2
of No32 (TR) Squadron, RAF (an amalgamation of The Queen's Flight and 32
Squadron RAF) as a civilian Engineering Specialist. Duties include setting up
the aircraft and testing all systems. Carry out all servicing and rectification
and solely responsible for engineering standards whilst away from base.
Fly worldwide on
Royal/VVIP Tours, often for extended periods and was the engineer on all of HRH
The Duke of Edinburgh's BAe 146 tasks for approximately six years until his
retirement from flying.
Responsible for training
and annual assessment of all the new BAe 146 Crew Chiefs, ensuring they
continue to meet exacting engineering standards. Accompany Test Pilots on full
Air Tests on an annual basis and on any Air Checks. Carry out diagnosis,
rectification and functionals of all systems, including ground running of the
engines and APU, also take part in hangar servicing of the BAe 146 at all
levels up to C check.
Completed all the
manufacturers BAe 146 training courses, Airframe, Engine, Electrics, Avionic
and SEP10 Autopilot course."
"NetJets, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway,
offers fractional ownership and rental of
private business jets.[1] Formerly called Executive Jet
Aviation, NetJets Inc. was founded in 1964. It was the first private business
jet charter and aircraft management company in the world. NetJets sells part
ownership or shares (called fractional ownership) in aircraft, this gives the
fractional owner a share in the use of the aircraft.
…
NetJets sells
fractions of specific aircraft, chosen from several available types at the time
of purchase. Owners then have guaranteed access (50–400 hours annually,
depending on share size) to that aircraft with as little as four hours’ notice.
If the owner's aircraft is unavailable for some reason, another aircraft of the
same type, or a larger aircraft, will be provided. Fractional owners pay a
monthly maintenance fee and an "occupied" hourly operating fee. The latter is
charged only when an owner or guest is on board, not when the aircraft is
flying to a pick up point, or flying to another location after completing a flight.
For companies or
individuals that require less than the minimum 50 flight hours and the
five-year commitment of fractional ownership, they can buy flight hours in
25-hour increments.
…
NetJets' fleet is the
largest private jet fleet in the world with more than 650 aircraft worldwide."
"Originally formed in 1916 as part of the Royal Flying Corps, the squadron saw action
during the First and Second World Wars with fighter aircraft, but was disbanded
in 1969. The Metropolitan Communications Squadron, involved in the VIP
transport role, was renamed as No. 32 Squadron at that time. In 1995, the squadron
was merged with the Queen's Flight and incorporated 'The Royal'
title into its name. At this time the squadron moved from RAF Benson to
RAF Northolt, where it remains.
The merger ended the
RAF's provision of dedicated VIP transport aircraft; the aircraft of 32
Squadron are available to VIP passengers only if not needed for military
operations. Three flights within the squadron operate the British Aerospace 146, AgustaWestland AW109 and British Aerospace 125."
"RAF Northolt mulls plan to boost bizav activity
- January
8, 2008, 11:13 AM
Britain's Ministry of
Defence (MoD) is considering plans to allow 30- or 40 percent more business
aviation traffic at the Royal Air Force’s London-area Northolt base. At the
same time, newly formed Northolt Business Aviation is preparing to offer unused
air force hangar space to corporate operators.
The MoD is now
contemplating an application to increase annual civil movements permitted at
the airfield from 7,000 to 9,000 or 10,000. The basis for the increase, which
has been requested by civil operators and service companies active at the
airfield, is that the number of military movements at the site has declined
since 10 years ago, when the current limit was set. The airport is located just
12 mi west of London, about three miles north of Heathrow Airport and close to
the M25 beltway.
Local politicians and
residents have been steadfastly opposed to increased civil traffic at Northolt.
This opposition is being countered by the argument that modern business
aircraft are significantly quieter than the military transports that have used
the airfield.
Rising demand for RAF
Northolt as an alternative business aviation gateway to the UK capital cannot
be met by current limits, with controllers having to ration slots so as not to
exceed the 7,000-movement annual quota. Operators have complained that this
rationing is handled in a somewhat irrational, bureaucratic way, rather than
acknowledging that business aviation traffic tends to be lighter in the
vacation months of July and August and allowing the movements to be spread more
evenly over the busier months. At press time the annual slots quota for 2002
had been almost exhausted, forcing some operators to use alternatives such as
Farnborough.
The RAF station
commander at Northolt is actively encouraged by the MoD to generate commercial
revenue from the base by using "irreducible spare capacity." Crucially, he
cannot increase the deployment of RAF personnel specifically to provide for
civil operations. With the number of military operations progressively
decreasing, this spare capacity is necessarily increasing. That said, with a
possible war with Iraq looming it remains to be seen whether this might delay
any plans to allow a larger civil aviation presence at the strategically
located airfield.
Meanwhile, the
aforementioned Northolt Business Aviation, established two years ago by Peter
Riley, former director of flight operations for UK media group Granada, has
leased Northolt’s Hangar 311 from the UK government's Defence Estates agency
and has signed a deal that enables NetJets Europe to use the building as its
forward operating base. As of early last month, the fractional provider has
been operating some of its 38-aircraft fleet out of Northolt to take advantage
of its proximity to central London. By July, the NetJets Europe fleet is set to
rise to 60 aircraft.
Riley, a former RAF fighter pilot, told AIN that the NetJets activity should not constrain other business aviation flying at Northolt because the aircraft will rotate through the airfield as necessary, rather than being permanently based there. In fact, the total number of NetJets movements in and out of Northolt should probably decrease because the operator has previously had to resort to a lot of positioning flights to and from other London-area airports. By being nominally based at Northolt, it will benefit from preferential access to weekend slots and to the more economical civil aircraft fuel supply provided by Air BP.
NetJets is
establishing its own JAR 145 maintenance operation at the base to support its
own aircraft. Its overall European operation will continue to be managed from
its headquarters in Lisbon, Portugal.
The Granada flight
department had itself been based at Northolt until it was mothballed six months
ago. The company is now trying to sell its 1987 Hawker 800.
Maintenance for other based and transient civil aircraft is available
from Serco, which is bidding to provide support for the NetJets operations at
Northolt. The JAR 145-certified operation already provides support for the two
BAE 146s and six Hawkers operated by the Royal Air Force to transport members
of Britain's royal family, as well as government ministers and officials. This
operation falls under the auspices of the RAF's No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron,
which was formed from the 1997 amalgamation of the Queen's Flight (then based
at RAF Benson) and 32 Squadron’s government flight department.
The MoD is planning to build a new hangar next to the Northolt operations building, which doubles as a terminal for business aviation. The new building would mainly house The Royal Squadron’s aircraft, but will offer additional capacity for corporate operators.
Separately, the RAF is
evaluating possible replacement aircraft for the 146s and Hawkers. Options
being considered include the Gulfstream V and Bombardier Global Express, both
of which could provide significantly greater range than is possible with the
existing fleet.
Ground handling for business aircraft is provided by Northolt Handling,
a joint venture between Regional Airports (owner of London-area Biggin Hill and
Southend Airports) and Serco under a four-year license that started in July 2001. It will provide handling for the NetJets
aircraft and already provides other visiting operators with ad hoc covered
aircraft parking in Northolt's Hangars 5 and 6.
Slots at Northolt are
available strictly by prior arrangement, with the official deadline for
requests being 3:30 p.m. on the preceding day. In some instances, Northolt
Handling is able to secure slots on somewhat shorter notice since it works with
the RAF controllers on flight planning for civil movements.
Northolt Handling
manager Robert Walters told AIN that the average number of movements
each day is around 30, a number that peaked as high as 50 during busy periods
last year. The FBO now has almost 150 regular customers.
The airfield’s
official opening hours for civil flights are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays.
Based operators can sometimes get permission for flights outside these hours
and on weekends, provided the airfield is open for military operations at the
time. When a slot is not available, Northolt Handling tries to redirect flights
to its sister airports at Biggin Hill (12 mi southeast of London) and Southend
(37 mi to the east and open 24/7).
Northolt's main runway
is 5,525 ft long, which allows larger business jets such as the Falcon 900 to
take off fully loaded. Larger aircraft such as the Boeing Business Jet can also
use the airfield, but are limited by pavement-strength issues to around a dozen
movements per year.
Landing fees go
directly to the RAF and are among the most costly in the London area. A GIV
operator, for example, would pay around £1,100 ($1,700). RAF Northolt currently
collects almost $2 million in civil landing fees annually and is ranked as one
of Britain’s most commercially viable air force bases.
Handling fees are
charged in the following four mtow categories: £90 ($140) for up to 10 metric
tons (22,046 lb); £120 ($186) for between 10 and 20 metric tons (up to 44,092
lb); £150 ($233) for between 20 and 40 metric tons (up to 88,184 lb); and £180
($279) for aircraft over 40 metric tons. The Northolt landing fee covers use of
a ground power unit and lavatory service for the aircraft. The handling fee
covers all other ground services.
Northolt Handling
currently has three staff members besides Walters, and it is about to add
another. Supplementary baggage handling can be provided by RAF personnel during
busy periods.
In addition to Serco,
which now manages the RAF's visiting aircraft servicing operation, line
maintenance and repairs can be conducted by Jet Aviation, which dispatches
mechanics from its Biggin Hill operation.
Visiting aircraft
generally have to purchase fuel from RAF supplies at somewhat elevated prices.
For based aircraft, and by special arrangement, fuel can be supplied by Air BP."
26 January 2012
The Royal Air Force
and Naval Air Command have awarded service group Serco contracts worth £130
million.
The Multi-Activity
Contracts (MACs) are for a range of operational support, engineering and
training services.
Serco successfully rebid its RAF Northolt MAC to provide aviation and engineering facilities and logistics support. Included is maintenance and associated support for the 32 (The Royal) Squadron, as well as at various satellite stations in and around London.
The three-year Northolt MAC starts in April 2012 and has options to extend for a further four years. Total value if extended would be around £70 million.
Also successfully rebid is the contract for aviation and engineering facilities and aircraft support at Royal Navy Air Stations Yeovilton and Culdrose. The contract "complements our maintenance and support services currently provided under a separate contract to the Merlin helicopter fleet at RNAS Culdrose", Serco said in a written statement.
The three-year Yeovilton and Culdrose contract also starts in April, with a possible two-year extension. Total value over five years would be around £40 million.
Last November, Serco won a new MAC for RAF Valley on the Isle of Anglesey, North Wales, where the Navy and Air Force train jet pilots. RAF Valley is also the headquarters of the military's Search and Rescue Force and the RAF Mountain Rescue Service.
The five-year RAF Valley contract starts in April and has a total value to Serco of over £20 million.
The recent contracts extend Serco's operational support to cover 29 UK military bases, Christopher Hyman, chief executive of Serco Group, said. Services range from aircraft engineering and training programmes, as well as asset and infrastructure management.
Serco successfully rebid its RAF Northolt MAC to provide aviation and engineering facilities and logistics support. Included is maintenance and associated support for the 32 (The Royal) Squadron, as well as at various satellite stations in and around London.
The three-year Northolt MAC starts in April 2012 and has options to extend for a further four years. Total value if extended would be around £70 million.
Also successfully rebid is the contract for aviation and engineering facilities and aircraft support at Royal Navy Air Stations Yeovilton and Culdrose. The contract "complements our maintenance and support services currently provided under a separate contract to the Merlin helicopter fleet at RNAS Culdrose", Serco said in a written statement.
The three-year Yeovilton and Culdrose contract also starts in April, with a possible two-year extension. Total value over five years would be around £40 million.
Last November, Serco won a new MAC for RAF Valley on the Isle of Anglesey, North Wales, where the Navy and Air Force train jet pilots. RAF Valley is also the headquarters of the military's Search and Rescue Force and the RAF Mountain Rescue Service.
The five-year RAF Valley contract starts in April and has a total value to Serco of over £20 million.
The recent contracts extend Serco's operational support to cover 29 UK military bases, Christopher Hyman, chief executive of Serco Group, said. Services range from aircraft engineering and training programmes, as well as asset and infrastructure management.
Other news for
Thursday, 26 January 2012
"Job description … Aircraft Engineering Technicians are part of the Serco RAF Northolt Aircraft Maintenance Section (AMS) which
provides Line and Base maintenance for RAF aircraft used by No 32 (The Royal)
Squadron.
We currently have fixed-term vacancies (to end Dec 2015 but with possible extension) for Aircraft Avionic Technicians to work within the Aircraft Maintenance Section at RAF Northolt (HA4 6NG).
The role involves undertaking both Forward (Line) and Depth (Base) maintenance tasks on the BAe125 and BAe146 in accordance with the Military Aviation Authority's MRP145 Regulations.
Duties include:
- Flight Servicing and maintenance/repair tasks on Aircraft and Avionic Systems.
- Working within competencies and company authorisations as agreed with engineering management.
- Completion of supporting aircraft documentation in accordance with RAF aviation engineering procedures.
- Compliance with ALL Health & Safety, Tool Control and COSSH procedures.
Skills and experience required:
We currently have fixed-term vacancies (to end Dec 2015 but with possible extension) for Aircraft Avionic Technicians to work within the Aircraft Maintenance Section at RAF Northolt (HA4 6NG).
The role involves undertaking both Forward (Line) and Depth (Base) maintenance tasks on the BAe125 and BAe146 in accordance with the Military Aviation Authority's MRP145 Regulations.
Duties include:
- Flight Servicing and maintenance/repair tasks on Aircraft and Avionic Systems.
- Working within competencies and company authorisations as agreed with engineering management.
- Completion of supporting aircraft documentation in accordance with RAF aviation engineering procedures.
- Compliance with ALL Health & Safety, Tool Control and COSSH procedures.
Skills and experience required:
Essential:
- Recognised level of Aeronautical/Avionic engineering training
- Demonstrable practical experience in the maintenance of aircraft.
- The ability to hold/pass UK SC level security vetting
- Flexible/adaptable work ethos working 4 on/4 off shift pattern
Desirable:
- Previous experience of working within the MRP145 or Military environment
- Type qualification/experience on BAe125/BAe146 aircraft (Highly Desirable).
- Full UK driving Licence"
"Overview
of TRUMP Methods
Nigel Bevan October
2000
Serco Usability Services, UK
EU-funded trial application
of user-centred design methods developed in previous research projects (INUSE
and RESPECT)
Serco: apply the methods
Lloyds Register:
Usability Maturity Assessment
Inland Revenue/EDS -
IT for 60,000 staff
RAD methodology
Israel Aircraft
Industries - aerospace systems
traditional
methodology
Selected a windows-based application for the trial
Ground-based mission planning system
Allows
the pilot or ground staff to plan the route to be taken [by a drone]
Current development process
Requirements and design by pilots
No documented process
Implementation by programmers
Software engineering methodology"
"The TRUMP project involved three partners and one subcontractor. Serco Usability Services co-ordinated the project and provided the usability expertise to the user partners, IR and IAI. Lloyd's Register provided independent assessment of the usability maturity before and after the application at IR.
Serco Usability
Services
|
Serco Usability Services, previously at the National Physical
Laboratory, has been developing and applying practical human-centred
evaluation and design techniques for many years. It was the co-ordinating
partner for TRUMP and was the project's source of expertise in human-centred
techniques.
|
Inland Revenue
|
The Inland Revenue is the tax collection department of
the UK Government. With over 60,000 staff, IR relies on IT for administrative
support. Because they must implement Government tax policy, IR must be able
to implement new business systems rapidly and correctly.
|
Israel Aircraft
Industries (IAI)
|
Israel Aircraft Industries design
and build aircraft and avionics equipment. IAI has a reputation for
efficiency and quality, and the techniques introduced by TRUMP improved their
development efficiency and the quality of the products.
|
Lloyd's Register
|
Lloyd's
Register performed
independent assessment of the usability maturity of the Inland Revenue, both
before and after the introduction of the human-centred techniques.”
|
"Military pushes for killer drones
LOD, Israel - The
Canadian military wants to purchase unmanned aerial vehicles that can attack
targets as the U.S. military does now in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan with
its hunter/killer Predator drones, a move that has sparked interest from as far
off as Israel.
BY THE EDMONTON JOURNALDECEMBER 12, 2008
LOD, Israel - The
Canadian military wants to purchase unmanned aerial vehicles that can attack
targets as the U.S. military does now in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan with
its hunter/killer Predator drones, a move that has sparked interest from as far
off as Israel.
Project JUSTAS, which could cost as much as $750 million and would give the Canadian military a capability that only a handful of other countries possess, has caused a buzz at Israel Aerospace Industries and its Canadian partner, MacDonald Dettwiler of Richmond, B.C.
The Joint Unmanned Surveillance Target Acquisition System project was outlined in a letters of interest notice published by Public Works Canada this fall. The LOI sought feedback by early this month on "this forthcoming requirement ... to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, target acquisition and all-weather precision strike capabilities in support of Canadian Forces operations worldwide."
Lt.-Col. Alex Tupper, director of air requirements for UAVs in Ottawa, said that the LOI was something like "a market survey ... . Before we go before the government with this project we want a really good idea of what the industry can do about cost, schedules, risk and technical feasibility."
While the offensive-capable drones would not be in service prior to Canada's scheduled withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2011, IAI and MDA received a $100-million contract in August for an undisclosed number of Heron surveillance drones to provide intelligence to Canadian combat troops in Afghanistan. The aircraft weighs about 1,000 kilograms and can fly for about 40 hours at an altitude of 10,000 metres.
The contract followed publication of the report by former deputy prime minister John Manley which recommended that Canada withdraw its troops from Afghanistan if serious shortcomings in aerial reconnaissance were not urgently addressed.
"From micro UAVs to strategic and tactical UAVs, we don't leave any niche open," said Shmuel Falik, IAI's marketing manager, before conducting a tour of a hangar at Ben Gurion Airport, where toylike UAVs weighing only a few kilograms were parked beside others that were bigger than a Cessna. "We are looking to take care of all Canada's needs, international and domestic."
If the Canadian
government approves Project JUSTAS, IAI and MDA hope to sell Canada the much
larger Heron TP, a 4,650-kilogram drone with the same wingspan as a Boeing 737
and powered by a Canadian-built Pratt & Whitney turbo prop engine. The
Heron TP can carry a 1,000-kilogram payload and stay aloft for 36 hours at an
altitude of about 15,000 metres. As well as possessing a lethal strike
capability, the aircraft could be used in a pure surveillance role over
battlefields and for long-range Arctic and maritime patrols.
The Israeli and Canadian partners hope that their current Heron contract will help them to get a foot in the door before Canada formally seeks bids for an even more capable multi-purpose drone next year.
"What this contract gives us is a lot of experience with UAVs, with the concept, the supply chain, the logistics, support," said David Hargreaves, vice-president of integrated information solutions for MDA, which is providing technical support for the drones that are being leased. "It fits with other things that we do such as radars, satellites and reconnaissance."
The main rivals for the JUSTAS contract are expected to be California-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, which makes the Predator, and another Israeli company, Elbit Systems.
However, Tupper said
the air force expected other bidders, too, adding that "in our minds there
is no front-runner whatsoever." Falik of IAI, said: "At the tactical
level you have a lot of competitors because the entry ticket is a lot lower
than for the strategic level. When you get to the strategic level there aren't
many companies with viable solutions."
Training on the Herons that Canada leased for Afghanistan was conducted with Israeli experts and MDA technicians at CFB Suffield, Alta., and has involved troops slated to deploy to Kandahar early next year. "From all reports that I have received from a wide variety of sources, we're satisfied that the objectives have been met," Tupper said of the Herons' performance so far.
MDA is to send a team
of Canadian technicians to Afghanistan to maintain the Herons. Missions will be
pre-programmed by air force personnel who will then monitor the flights from
computer consoles on the ground.
Missions can be changed by sending data to the UAV's on-board computers if, for example, troops as far away as 200 kilometres from technicians on the ground have something that they want looked at.
© (c) CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc."
"Serco Awarded $170m Air Traffic Control contract with the Federal Aviation Administration
Date : 01 February
2010
Serco has been awarded
a contract to support the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Contract Tower
(FCT) Program. Under this contract, Serco will provide air traffic
control services at 64 sites in the United States and Pacific region. The
contract is valued at approximately $170m over 5 years.
Since 1994, Serco has managed approximately 55 towers. Through this contract win, Serco will now be responsible for a total of 64 sites spread across the western United States and Alaska, including new locations in Hawaii, Guam and Saipan. The company will provide air traffic control services in the tower to support the safety of incoming/outgoing aircraft, improve the efficiency of air traffic and provide information and support to the pilots.
"We employ over 300 air traffic controllers providing safe and efficient air traffic control services at over 60 airports. This win extends our long-term relationship with the FAA as an integral contributor to the National Airspace System," said Steve Christmas, Vice President of Aviation at Serco.
As part of Serco Group, one of the largest contracted providers of Air Navigation Services worldwide, the company is responsible for more than 960,000 miles of airspace and handles more than six million aircraft movements a year. Serco employs more than 700 air traffic control specialists at over 75 airports - located in the U.S., U.K. and Middle East - who help maintain flight safety. In the US, the company has also been honored with the prestigious Willie F. Card Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Contract Tower Award 5 out of the past 7 years at towers in Lewiston, ID (2003), Phoenix-Mesa Gateway, AZ (2004), Jackson Hole, WY (2005), Goodyear, AZ (2008), and San Luis Obispo, CA (2009).
Ends
About Serco
Serco is a FTSE 100 international service company, which combines commercial know-how with a deep public service ethos.
We improve essential
services by managing people, processes, technology and assets more effectively.
We advise policy makers, design innovative solutions, integrate systems and -
most of all - deliver to the public.
Serco supports governments, agencies and companies who seek a trusted partner with a solid track record of providing assured service excellence. Our people offer operational, management and consulting expertise in the aviation, BPO, defence, education, environmental services, facilities management, health, home affairs, information and communications technology, knowledge services, local government, nuclear, science, transport and welfare to work sectors.
About Serco in North America
Serco Inc. is a leading provider of professional, technology, and management services focused on the federal government. We advise, design, integrate and deliver solutions that transform how clients achieve their missions. Our customer-first approach, robust portfolio of services, and global experience enable us to respond with solutions that achieve outcomes with value. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Serco Inc. has approximately 11,500 employees, annual revenues of $1.4 billion, and is ranked as the 28th largest Federal Prime IT Contractor by Washington Technology. Serco Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Serco Group plc, a $6 billion international business that has helped transform government and public services around the world.
More information about
Serco Inc. can be found at www.serco-na.com.
"Working on a long-term [C4I2SR and drone] engagement for the Air Force Space Command (AFSPC), Serco needed a third-party solution for administration and security for their classified and non-classified SharePoint environments. With a command of 40,000 users and a SharePoint installation that included one farm with five frontend servers, Serco required a tool to help them support everything from the Help Desk to SharePoint developers and site collection administrators"
Yours sincerely,
Field McConnell, United States Naval Academy, 1971; Forensic Economist; 30 year airline and 22 year military pilot; 23,000 hours of safety; Tel: 715 307 8222
David Hawkins Tel: 604 542-0891 Forensic Economist; former leader of oil-well blow-out teams; now sponsors Grand Juries in CSI Crime and Safety Investigation
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