OVERVIEW Inherently, big defense contractors are expected to eliminate jobs as the Pentagon has lowered spending on traditional weapon systems, while smaller, niche companies may accelerate hiring as the United States garners resources to protect ground troops and strategic computer networks. Industry pioneer Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) aims to reduce 600 jobs as a result of the US Defense Department's decision to terminate the VH-71 presidential helicopter program. The Boeing Company (BA) hinted that Pentagon cuts would claim 1,000 jobs in its defense business, affecting staffing at various work sites in the United States in missile defense and in the Army's Future Combat Systems modernization program, which is now being opened to more competition. The large commercial aircraft sector is expected to generate most of its revenue from Asia Pacific Japan (APJ) and the Middle East, relying less on U.S. orders because of the ...

As a wholly owned subsidiary of Optex Systems Holdings Inc., Optex Systems manufactures optical sighting systems and assemblies applicable to military services and contractors. The company also manufactures periscope configurations, rifle and surveillance sights and night vision optical assemblies.

Optex Systems today announced it has secured a multi-year contract and first-delivery order of advanced laser protected periscopes for the U.S. Army’s Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) division. The contract could be worth about $7.5 million if Optex is awarded all delivery orders.

According to Danny Schoening, COO of Optex Systems, the company looks forward to working with the TACOM division and has already shipped some of the products.

“Our entire organization is very excited about being awarded this multi-year contract by the U.S. Army’s TACOM division. It’s a testament to our dedication of providing superior mission critical components for the men and women in uniform who perform their jobs

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Today Sean-Paul Kelley at the Agonist writes about the Russian hijinks in Georgia and Kaliningrad, which he argues is like a "dead cat bounce" - a slight, fitful resurgence in an otherwise long, steep decline: But, in the long run Russia has deep, systemic problems as a nation, what with a demographic collapse ongoing. Russia loses 800,000 people a year, net. That alone, when factored out twenty or thirty years into the future is catastrophic for Russia. Second, it's armed forces need dire reform. While officers in the Russian military do not outnumber enlisted members, the number isn't too far off. The army is too top heavy and even with oil in over $100 a barrel the Russians are having a hard time just maintaining what equipment they have. There are no new weapon systems coming on line. (If I recall correctly they were delivered one new fighter in ...