Free Republic

As the state that could be considered the birthplace of the aerospace industry, the Department of Defense has a great impact on California's economy, both directly and indirectly. For fiscal year 2001-02, defense amounted to $31.3 billion in direct spending: $19.9 billion in contracts to California companies and $11.4 billion in military payroll, including civilians working for the military and retirees. "We can't take it for granted," said Lon Hatamiya, secretary of the California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency. The agency is tasked with aiding the economic development of the state, generating new jobs and maintaining what is already there....

PALMDALE - With a light show worthy of a rock concert, the latest star in the Air Force's arsenal was unveiled Friday with the rollout of the first production-model Global Hawk. The Northrop Grumman hangar at Air Force Plant 42 was filled with dignitaries and employees to cheer the bulbous, grey-and-white unmanned vehicle. Like the Wright Flyer did 100 years ago, "Global Hawk will lead the way in another revolution in aviation - unmanned systems," said Scott Seymour, corporate vice president and president, Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems. The futuristic-looking aircraft is a high-altitude, long-endurance, unmanned aerial reconnaissance system designed to...

TAIPEI, June 5 (AFP) - 08:52 GMT - A US company is to build eight German-designed conventional submarines for Taiwan despite pressure from China which regards the island as part of its territory, a report said Wednesday. "The US government has notified Northrop Grumman to discuss with Taiwan on the type of submarine it is to buy, the price of the arms deal and other details of the contract," the widely circulated China Times quoted a military source as saying. The Taiwanese navy reportedly favors the German 209-class submarine built by Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft AG (HDW) shipyard. The paper said...