Introduction - The business case study proposal is a company case about General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), the leading developer of unmanned aeronautical platform technologies (ga-asi.com, 2016). As noted on the GA-ASI website (2016), GA-ASI has been the premier provider and value chain orchestrator (Mudambi, 2008) of remotely piloted aircraft, also referred to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or drones, to the United States (US) government agencies since inception of the highly innovative technology in the early 1990s. Reductions in the US defense budget, sequestration and increased competition from other US based UAV platform providers such as Northrup-Grumman and Boeing (Hoovers Company Profile, 2016) has slowed GA-ASI sales to US and European allies in recent years and caused layoff concerns (Shalal-Esa, 2013).
Issue - GA-ASI is considering entering the growing, but more uncertain India UAV market to offset the reduction in UAV sales to advanced economies.
Company Overview - GA-ASI, affiliate of privately owned General Atomics is headquartered in Powhay, California with facilities in the San Diego area and Mojave Desert, as mentioned on the GA-ASI website (2016). The parent company, General Atomics, was found in 1955 as a division of General Dynamics (ga.com, 2016). GA-ASI is the leading, pioneer (Siddiqui, 2015), designer and manufacture of UAV technology. The principal aircraft platform developed by GA-ASI is known as the Predator and associated
The purpose of the report is to assist Aircraft Solutions (AS) in indentifying the most significant Information Technology (IT) security vulnerabilities. AS products and services are at the forefront of the industry and the protection of such is very important as they are an industry leader. The vulnerabilities that will be discussed are the firewall configuration, virtualization of their
Weaknesses are a symptom that is prevalent in today’s information technology realm, indicating vulnerabilities and risks that come hand and hand with shared networks like Aircraft Solutions. With enterprises exchanging an unprecedented level of information over open networks, the vulnerabilities and possibility of compromised security by unwanted intruders is swelling up into a new type of beast.
The Boeing Company designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight, and launch systems and services worldwide. It operates in five segments: Commercial Airplanes, Boeing Military Aircraft, Network & Space Systems, Global Services & Support, and Boeing Capital. The Commercial Airplanes segment develops, produces, and markets commercial jet aircraft for various passenger and cargo requirements; and provides related support services to the commercial airline industry. This segment also offers aviation services support, aircraft modifications, spare parts, training, maintenance documents, and technical advice to commercial and government customers. The Boeing Military Aircraft segment researches, develops, produces, and modifies manned and unmanned military aircraft, and weapons systems for global strike, vertical lift, and autonomous systems, as well as mobility, surveillance, and engagement. The Network & Space Systems segment researches, develops, produces, and modifies strategic defense and intelligence systems, satellite systems, and space exploration products.
is the air resistance on any given object that is moving in the presence of air. In the
The Fortune 500 Company chosen for this paper is the Lockheed Martin Corporation. Lockheed Martin is a global securities and information technology company headquartered in Bethesda, MD. Lockheed Martin employs roughly 126,000 people in several facilities throughout the world. The company's main business is in research, design, development, manufacturing, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. Lockheed consists of four operating units, or business areas, which consist of Aeronautics, Electronic Systems, Information Systems and Global Solutions, and Space Systems (LMC, 2011).
Aircraft Solutions (AS) is a recognized leader in the design and fabrication of component products and services for companies in the electronics, commercial, defense, and aerospace industry. Located in Southern California, AS has a dedicated, trained workforce and maintains a large capacity plant and extensive equipment to meet customer requirements. Much of the equipment is automated to increase production while reducing costs. The company's workforce has a large skill base: design engineers, programmers, machinists, and assembly personnel to work its highly-automated production systems.
This report is prepared to assist the aircraft solutions (AS), a well-known company for equipment and component fabrication in Southern California, in identifying the most important security vulnerabilities. This report also discusses possible threats, the likelihood of the threats occurring
The purpose of this paper is to explore and assess computer security as it relates to Aircraft Solutions. Aircraft Solutions provides products and services to a range of companies that require highly specialized skills. Information is accessed by internal and external users via their Business
Since the first flight of Orville and Wilbur Wright’s aircraft at Kitty Hawk, the development of new aircraft types and technology in these and existing aircraft has moved along at a quick and steady pace. Moreover, since 1903, aircraft limits continually have been pushed and surpassed. Aircraft now fly higher, faster, farther and carry more cargo or passengers than ever before. Nevertheless, it would only seem logical the next step in aviation evolution is removal of the human factor in flight. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have
Technology has continuously advanced throughout the decades and we have seen advances in military weaponry, telecommunication, social networks, healthcare/medical, automobile engineering, and aerospace. In light of several technological advancements previously stated, the invention of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has evolved tremendously, and provided tactical advantages for both the military and law enforcement in numerous critical situations. The use of drones received both criticism and praise for what it is capable of. First and foremost, drones are not solely used as “killing machines”. A drone is a form of surveillance and dataveillance system, and is used for nonlethal purposes since the 1950s (Carpenter & Shaikhouni, 2011).
Today, the Lockheed Martin Corporation is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland and employs 126,000 people worldwide. The company is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems. Lockheed also serves both domestic and international customers with products and services that have defense, civil, and commercial applications, with their principal customers being agencies of the U.S. Government. In 2011, 84% of their $45.8 billion in net sales were made to the U.S. Government, either as a prime contractor or as a subcontractor. Lockheed’s U.S. Government sales were made to both Department of Defense (DoD) and non-DoD agencies. Sales to foreign governments (including foreign military sales funded, in whole or in part, by the U.S. Government) amounted to 15% of net sales in 2011. The remainder of net sales was attributable to commercial and other customers. In 2011, net sales at Aeronautics of $13.2 billion represented 29% of their total net sales. Aeronautics has three principal lines of business and the percentage that each contributed to its 2011 net sales was 68 percent combat aircraft, 20 percent air mobility, and 12 percent in other aeronautics programs. At December 31, 2011, we operated in 545 locations (including offices, manufacturing plants, warehouses,
As far as the long term challenges associated with this product could be to continually improve the drones so that they are better able to adapt to the ever changing supply chain of the world. One possible problem could be if companies
The package comes, but there is no deliverer. A tractor is plowing the field after a successful harvest, but there is no driver. This is the future of technology, and more specifically, unmanned aerial vehicles. UAVs, more commonly referred to as “drones,” have been advancing for decades now. Their advancement has not come without opposition though, and while this argument is concentrated behind drones role in technologies' machination over society, the true reality is a shift to mechanization, a progression the United States has seen before. Historically, many economic shifts have affected the US, including the shift from agrarian society to industrialization in the Gilded Age, periods which allowed the US to dominate the world economy,
With Airbus continuing to gain market share on Boeing, some available opportunities that are not mentioned in the case study is an expansion into military production. Boeing was the leader of military aircrafts and this would be an open opportunity for Airbus. Airbus eventually entered into the military production in December 2000 with orders for the German Air force. Airbus has the opportunity as well to take the lead on green initiatives, as the world grows ever more concerned about the environment.
Drone technology is advancing rapidly and it is changing the way in which things are being done. Drones are widely used by many people as a hobby or for career purposes, as well as for military purposes by the United States. Drones provide the U.S military with many benefits, which helps the military to operate efficiently and in a safe manner. Businesses are utilizing this technology as well in order to make their companies run more efficiently, as well as to improve their customer service. Drone technology will positively impact our society; drastically change our culture and political system and definitely advance our economy as well as help enhance our environment.