Northrop Grumman taps new VP, HR for Aerospace Systems sector

Northrop Grumman has named Heidi Hendrix vice president, human resources for the Aerospace Systems sector which the company has been building up this past year.

In her new role, Hendrix will be responsible for all aspects of human resources in the Aerospace Systems sector, including attracting, developing, retaining, supporting and engaging a diverse, inclusive and high-performance workforce, Northrop said in a release.

GD nabs $31M contract for fighter jet computer work

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems has won a five-year, $31.5 million contract to support the advanced mission computers in the Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet and AV-8B Harrier aircrafts.

This is the second contract of its kind to be awarded to General Dynamics; the first was awarded in mid-March.

QinetiQ North America names new GM of Defense Solutions unit

QinetiQ North America has named David Shrum general manager of its Defense Solutions business unit, where he will have management responsibility for its portfolios.

These portfolios include software and systems engineering, aeronautical engineering and logistics and fleet management, the company said.

Who won May's biggest contracts?

May played host to a steady stream of contract awards, continuing the monthly rise in the number of contract awards we've covered since the beginning of 2013.

To make May’s list, you had to have a contract worth $115 million and above range.

Washington Technology covered 52 awards in May, a sizable increase over the 45 in April, the 30 in March, and the 13 in February.

SAIC appoints head of investor relations for Leidos

Science Applications International Corp. has named John Sweeney senior vice president, investor relations of the company’s planned national security, health and engineering solutions company, Leidos.

Sweeney has previously served as the Investor Relations Officer for NASDAQ, Sirona Dental Systems and Weight Watchers International.

Raytheon wins $23.8M contract for Navy radar testing

Raytheon Co. has won a $23.8 million contract modification with the U.S. Navy for test and evaluation engineering support at two different sites.

Under the contract, Raytheon will execute Phase II CVN 78 Dual Band Radar Test and Evaluation engineering support, according to the Defense Department.

IBM acquires cloud computing firm

IBM has reached an agreement to buy SoftLayer Technologies in an effort to boost its position in the fast-growing market for computing sold to businesses as a service, delivered via the internet, DealBook reported.

Procurement pain, frustration and constipation ahead

On the heels of the Air Force’s decision to back away from its second attempt to make NetCents 2 Product awards came news that the Navy had again delayed the awarding of the Next Generation Enterprise Network, the $4.5 billion replacement of the Navy-Marine Corps Intranet.

The Air Force is asking for more information on compliance with the Trade Agreements Act, and the Navy says it needs to have more discussions with the two teams bidding on the contract. One team is led by incumbent Hewlett-Packard Co., and the second is led by Computer Sciences Corp. and Harris Corp.

Raytheon nabs $316.5M Navy contract for missile engineering services

Raytheon Missile Systems has won a $316.5 million sole-sourced contract with the U.S. Navy for standard missile engineering and technical services.

The cost-plus-fixed-fee contract has a base of $75.9 million.

Under it, Raytheon will provide research and development; design, systems and production engineering; technical services; evaluation services; component improvement services; and production proofing services, the Defense Department said.

Data Tactics Corp. takes on Air Force cyber battlespace analytics work

Data Tactics Corp. has won a $25.8 million contract with the U.S. Air Force to provide a graph engine that will help with cyber battlespace analytics.

Data Tactics Corp. provides cloud and cybersecurity services, and also has a data center as a service capability, among others.