Raytheon Co. said today that it received a $24 million contract from the US Air Force for Paveway II laser-guided bomb components.
The contract, which was competitively awarded, represents the majority of the Air Force’s laser-guided bomb buy for overseas contingency operations, the defense contractor said.
Raytheon’s Paveway systems are designed to upgrade bombs into precision-guided weapons using laser and global-positioning guidance systems.
Separately, Raytheon said it received a $14.6 million contract to develop new image processing technology for the Advanced Distributed Aperture System.
ADAS gives helicopter pilots 360-degree situational awareness, making it easier for them to operate in low visibility conditions, Raytheon said.
2011年11月16日星期三
2011年9月13日星期二
Seeking the parking truth in Bunbury
BUSINESSES and consumers will be given a voice on the contentious topic of parking meters when surveys are handed out across the CBD.
The Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and Industries will kick off the feedback process by distributing surveys to businesses by the end of next week.
Chamber chief executive officer Andrew Horan said this was a vital step in working towards a solution that suited everyone.
“It is critically important that we gather information from all the businesses across the CBD to get a really good understanding of how paid parking affects businesses and consumers,” Mr Horan said.
“Then we can provide guidance to the City of Bunbury of the changes that are needed.”
Mr Horan said the survey would ask questions about how parking relates to the business and its staff in terms of convenience and availability.
It would also include questions which related to the consumers of the business, for example where they park and how long they need to stay in one bay.
An investigation into paid parking by the Bunbury Mail showed that Bunbury was a more expensive place to park than seven out of 10 cities surveyed.
Mr Horan said there were massive differences across Australia from city to city.
“The question is whether the particular situations are working in that city or is there congestion.”
Eyeswest optometrist Janelle Coates opened her business in Victoria Street three weeks ago and said she was pleased to have the opportunity to provide feedback.
“It’s a very positive move for Bunbury, it’s an inclusive way to let us have our say and then we can move forward together as a business community,” Mrs Coates said.
The business survey will be followed by a street survey of consumers.
Mayor David Smith said the information would be collected by the Chamber before being forwarded to council’s parking committee to make recommendations for change.
Mayor Smith said he opposed extending paid parking to Thursday nights and said providing one hour free on-street parking would destroy the churn of customers that the system was designed to create.
The Bunbury Chamber of Commerce and Industries will kick off the feedback process by distributing surveys to businesses by the end of next week.
Chamber chief executive officer Andrew Horan said this was a vital step in working towards a solution that suited everyone.
“It is critically important that we gather information from all the businesses across the CBD to get a really good understanding of how paid parking affects businesses and consumers,” Mr Horan said.
“Then we can provide guidance to the City of Bunbury of the changes that are needed.”
Mr Horan said the survey would ask questions about how parking relates to the business and its staff in terms of convenience and availability.
It would also include questions which related to the consumers of the business, for example where they park and how long they need to stay in one bay.
An investigation into paid parking by the Bunbury Mail showed that Bunbury was a more expensive place to park than seven out of 10 cities surveyed.
Mr Horan said there were massive differences across Australia from city to city.
“The question is whether the particular situations are working in that city or is there congestion.”
Eyeswest optometrist Janelle Coates opened her business in Victoria Street three weeks ago and said she was pleased to have the opportunity to provide feedback.
“It’s a very positive move for Bunbury, it’s an inclusive way to let us have our say and then we can move forward together as a business community,” Mrs Coates said.
The business survey will be followed by a street survey of consumers.
Mayor David Smith said the information would be collected by the Chamber before being forwarded to council’s parking committee to make recommendations for change.
Mayor Smith said he opposed extending paid parking to Thursday nights and said providing one hour free on-street parking would destroy the churn of customers that the system was designed to create.
2011年6月26日星期日
Gettelfinger a teacher and preacher
In June 1988, the Rev. Gerald Gettelfinger was on a canoe trip in Canada when he got wind that he might be asked to fill a vacancy in the Diocese of Evansville.
Bishop Francis Shea was preparing to retire, but Gettelfinger didn't take the rumor too seriously. The rumor persisted, especially in Indianapolis where Gettelfinger had served the archdiocese most of his professional life in mostly educational administrative capacities. Nine months later, he got "the call."
"A funny-sounding man asked me if I was alone and could I talk. It was very simple," Gettelfinger recalled. "The voice said: 'Pope John Paul II invites you to be bishop. Do you accept?' I asked him how much time I had to think about it and his answer was 'Not much.'"
That was March 11, 1989. Gettelfinger was ordained and installed as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Evansville on April 11, 1989. And now, after serving for 22 years, he is retiring as the longest-serving bishop in the history of this diocese.
His successor, Charles C. Thompson, will be ordained and installed June 29.
"For college graduates and young married couples, and for all younger Catholics, (Gerald Gettelfinger) is the only bishop they have ever known," said Paul Leingang, director of communications for the Diocese of Evansville.
Humble beginning
Gettelfinger was born Oct 20, 1935, in Ramsey, Ind., a rural area about 30 miles northwest of Louisville, Ky. He was raised on the family farm there, a place one of his brothers still calls home.
Gettelfinger attended a public school that had 60 children and no indoor plumbing. His religious education was limited to Saturdays and two weeks every summer. But his father, Gerald Gettelfinger Sr., made sure his eight children received a Catholic education.
Farm life and chores were a constant. Gettelfinger was one of three cousins who expressed an early interest in the priesthood, "but I was the only one to be accepted, to pass the tests," he said, explaining that studying for the priesthood "is a fairly demanding course of study."
He entered St. Meinrad Seminary in 1949 at age 13. He graduated from high school there in 1953; received his bachelor's degree there in 1957 and continued four more years of theological studies.
"I was there for 12 years ... never left the hill," Gettelfinger said, allowing that it took about nine of those years before he knew, unequivocally, that he wanted to become an ordained priest. And so it came to pass that he was ordained on May 7, 1961, at the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. (In addition to retiring this year, Gettelfinger is celebrating 50 years in the priesthood).
In Indianapolis and in addition to parish work, he began teaching at Chatard Catholic High School. He added a master's degree in education (from Butler University) in 1965. In the ensuing years, Gettelfinger served the Archdiocese of Indianapolis as a guidance counselor, a high school principal, Superintendant of Catholic Schools and Superintendent of Catholic Education.
In 1980, he was honored by the National Catholic Education Association for his state and national work developing boards of education. He was named a domestic prelate, with the title of Reverend Monsignor, on Jan. 26, 1983. During his years in Indianapolis, Gettelfinger held leadership positions that included vicar general, chancellor ("The Bishop's right hand," Gettelfinger said), pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral and chairman of the cathedral renovation project.
"I never anticipated becoming a bishop," he said.
teacher, preacher
When Gettelfinger assumed the mantle of Bishop of the Diocese of Evansville, he was unfamiliar with the community.
"I remember coming here in 1957. Bishop Chartard High School was playing football against Bosse High School and we beat them! 27-to-6!
"The transition (to the role of bishop) was easy for me," Gettelfinger said. "Bishop Shea told me it would take five years to get to know the diocese, and it was true. He told me the secret to success was getting out to all the parishes and because it is a small diocese it was easy to do."
The Diocese of Evansville includes 69 parishes and 29 schools in 12 counties in Southwest Indiana, serving more than 85,000 Catholics.
Gettelfinger, who identified himself as a "teacher and a preacher, quickly focused his attention on the local school system and Catholic youth.
"I am a teacher and a preacher," he said. "(And) Catholic school is the best tool we have for passing on the faith. Our schools were good when I got here."
Gettelfinger's first act, two weeks after his ordination, was presiding as "chief teacher" over a celebration of the Catholic school tradition at Roberts Stadium that included 6,000 students, teachers and support staff.
Over the years, he administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to thousands of Catholic youth in parishes throughout the diocese, celebrated with them as they graduated from high school, and celebrated Mass with elementary school students during Catholic Schools Week every year. He helped develop "Teens Encounter Christ" and "Communion and Liberation," two organizations for youth in the diocese, and he remains active in Boy Scouting, locally and nationally.
Gettelfinger made his mark throughout the Diocese. Among his more tangible accomplishments was naming St. Benedict Cathedral on April 11, 1999, the 10th anniversary of his appointment as bishop.
"Evansville had not had a cathedral for 34 years," Gettelfinger said. He explained that when the Evansville Diocese was established in 1944, a Downtown church was named the Cathedral of the Assumption. That 1831 structure was razed in 1965 to make way for Downtown development. Another Downtown parish church, Holy Trinity was named "Pro-Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity" at that time.
Gettelfinger said he selected St. Ben's from a field of three parish churches selected by a committee, because of its size, ("St. Mary's Downtown was too small") its interior architecture ("Good Shepherd was too modern") and the reasonable availability of parking (arguably still a sticking point).
In 1991 Gettelfinger also oversaw the opening of a new parish in Santa Claus, Ind. ("St. Nicholas Church what else?" he said) that thrives today. His other accomplishments include "Synod '93" which engaged clergy, religious and lay leaders in setting the direction for the diocese; the establishment of parish councils ("There had been no pastoral council since 1973 and I wanted each parish to have one.") and the establishment of a Diocesan Pastoral Council. He also established diocesan task force in the mid-1990s to study parish staffing in light of the dwindling number of priests. He revived a program establishing a permanent deaconate, "which the Vatican II Council had called for, but Bishop Shea suppressed," he said. A deacon is ordained, Gettelfinger said, "and they can do it all except say Mass, hear confessions and anoint the sick."
Bishop Francis Shea was preparing to retire, but Gettelfinger didn't take the rumor too seriously. The rumor persisted, especially in Indianapolis where Gettelfinger had served the archdiocese most of his professional life in mostly educational administrative capacities. Nine months later, he got "the call."
"A funny-sounding man asked me if I was alone and could I talk. It was very simple," Gettelfinger recalled. "The voice said: 'Pope John Paul II invites you to be bishop. Do you accept?' I asked him how much time I had to think about it and his answer was 'Not much.'"
That was March 11, 1989. Gettelfinger was ordained and installed as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Evansville on April 11, 1989. And now, after serving for 22 years, he is retiring as the longest-serving bishop in the history of this diocese.
His successor, Charles C. Thompson, will be ordained and installed June 29.
"For college graduates and young married couples, and for all younger Catholics, (Gerald Gettelfinger) is the only bishop they have ever known," said Paul Leingang, director of communications for the Diocese of Evansville.
Humble beginning
Gettelfinger was born Oct 20, 1935, in Ramsey, Ind., a rural area about 30 miles northwest of Louisville, Ky. He was raised on the family farm there, a place one of his brothers still calls home.
Gettelfinger attended a public school that had 60 children and no indoor plumbing. His religious education was limited to Saturdays and two weeks every summer. But his father, Gerald Gettelfinger Sr., made sure his eight children received a Catholic education.
Farm life and chores were a constant. Gettelfinger was one of three cousins who expressed an early interest in the priesthood, "but I was the only one to be accepted, to pass the tests," he said, explaining that studying for the priesthood "is a fairly demanding course of study."
He entered St. Meinrad Seminary in 1949 at age 13. He graduated from high school there in 1953; received his bachelor's degree there in 1957 and continued four more years of theological studies.
"I was there for 12 years ... never left the hill," Gettelfinger said, allowing that it took about nine of those years before he knew, unequivocally, that he wanted to become an ordained priest. And so it came to pass that he was ordained on May 7, 1961, at the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. (In addition to retiring this year, Gettelfinger is celebrating 50 years in the priesthood).
In Indianapolis and in addition to parish work, he began teaching at Chatard Catholic High School. He added a master's degree in education (from Butler University) in 1965. In the ensuing years, Gettelfinger served the Archdiocese of Indianapolis as a guidance counselor, a high school principal, Superintendant of Catholic Schools and Superintendent of Catholic Education.
In 1980, he was honored by the National Catholic Education Association for his state and national work developing boards of education. He was named a domestic prelate, with the title of Reverend Monsignor, on Jan. 26, 1983. During his years in Indianapolis, Gettelfinger held leadership positions that included vicar general, chancellor ("The Bishop's right hand," Gettelfinger said), pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral and chairman of the cathedral renovation project.
"I never anticipated becoming a bishop," he said.
teacher, preacher
When Gettelfinger assumed the mantle of Bishop of the Diocese of Evansville, he was unfamiliar with the community.
"I remember coming here in 1957. Bishop Chartard High School was playing football against Bosse High School and we beat them! 27-to-6!
"The transition (to the role of bishop) was easy for me," Gettelfinger said. "Bishop Shea told me it would take five years to get to know the diocese, and it was true. He told me the secret to success was getting out to all the parishes and because it is a small diocese it was easy to do."
The Diocese of Evansville includes 69 parishes and 29 schools in 12 counties in Southwest Indiana, serving more than 85,000 Catholics.
Gettelfinger, who identified himself as a "teacher and a preacher, quickly focused his attention on the local school system and Catholic youth.
"I am a teacher and a preacher," he said. "(And) Catholic school is the best tool we have for passing on the faith. Our schools were good when I got here."
Gettelfinger's first act, two weeks after his ordination, was presiding as "chief teacher" over a celebration of the Catholic school tradition at Roberts Stadium that included 6,000 students, teachers and support staff.
Over the years, he administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to thousands of Catholic youth in parishes throughout the diocese, celebrated with them as they graduated from high school, and celebrated Mass with elementary school students during Catholic Schools Week every year. He helped develop "Teens Encounter Christ" and "Communion and Liberation," two organizations for youth in the diocese, and he remains active in Boy Scouting, locally and nationally.
Gettelfinger made his mark throughout the Diocese. Among his more tangible accomplishments was naming St. Benedict Cathedral on April 11, 1999, the 10th anniversary of his appointment as bishop.
"Evansville had not had a cathedral for 34 years," Gettelfinger said. He explained that when the Evansville Diocese was established in 1944, a Downtown church was named the Cathedral of the Assumption. That 1831 structure was razed in 1965 to make way for Downtown development. Another Downtown parish church, Holy Trinity was named "Pro-Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity" at that time.
Gettelfinger said he selected St. Ben's from a field of three parish churches selected by a committee, because of its size, ("St. Mary's Downtown was too small") its interior architecture ("Good Shepherd was too modern") and the reasonable availability of parking (arguably still a sticking point).
In 1991 Gettelfinger also oversaw the opening of a new parish in Santa Claus, Ind. ("St. Nicholas Church what else?" he said) that thrives today. His other accomplishments include "Synod '93" which engaged clergy, religious and lay leaders in setting the direction for the diocese; the establishment of parish councils ("There had been no pastoral council since 1973 and I wanted each parish to have one.") and the establishment of a Diocesan Pastoral Council. He also established diocesan task force in the mid-1990s to study parish staffing in light of the dwindling number of priests. He revived a program establishing a permanent deaconate, "which the Vatican II Council had called for, but Bishop Shea suppressed," he said. A deacon is ordained, Gettelfinger said, "and they can do it all except say Mass, hear confessions and anoint the sick."
2011年5月5日星期四
Chrysler 300 has power, panache
Chrysler is back! The jury has been out since the company's brush with bankruptcy and bail-out, but the news that Chrysler is paying back Canada and the U.S., $7.5 Billion in government loans together with the arrival of 16 new or improved models, is proof positive that the third member of the Big Three is alive and well once more.
Leading the charge is the new Chrysler 300. First introduced in 2005 during the partnership with Mercedes-Benz, it signaled a shift from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive for the company's flagship large sedan. Designed in-house by Ralph Gilles, the 300 had an immediate visual impact with its Bentley-esque nose, broad shoulders and commanding presence, heightened by the knowledge that a brooding 340-horsepower Hemi V8 was lurking under the hood.
Fast forward to 2010.
The new 300 retains its basic shape but the frontal aspect has lost the brutish character of its predecessor. The new nose is less square and the revised chrome grille with seven horizontal slats and elegant winged Chrysler hood emblem suggest a new refinement without so much flexing of the muscles. The headlight clusters, for example, have a slimmer, more elegant keyhole shape that better defines the fenders, and feature diamond-like LED clusters for the Daytime Running Lights. Handsome multi-spoke, 20-inch polished aluminum rims complete the picture. Think iron fist in velvet glove.
Four models are offered for 2011, the 300 Touring, 300 Limited, 300C and 300C AWD. Base engine is the new Pentastar V6 that provides Best-in-Class 292-horsepower and delivers 7.3 L/100 km (39 MPG) on the highway. The optional Hemi V8 pumps out 363 horsepower and a meaty 394 lb-ft of torque without becoming a gas-guzzler. Thanks to Fuel Saver Technology, it can seamlessly switch from 8 to 4 cylinders during cruising, earning a remarkable 8.0 L/100 km (35 MPG) on the highway. Standard transmission is a smooth and rugged 5-speed Automatic with Manual Shift Mode.
Our tester was the Hemi-powered 300C finished in Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl with Black Nappa Leather-faced seating. If you think the exterior styling has reached a new level of sophistication, wait until you get inside.
In terms of quality, craftsmanship and convenience - including numerous exclusive or Best-in-Class features - the 300 cabin meets or exceeds a level of luxury found only in the most exotic, and far more expensive sedans from Europe and Japan.
Slip into the driver' seat and get comfortable. The four-spoke, power adjustable steering wheel with real wood upper and leather-wrapped lower sections provides class-exclusive 360-degree heating and fingertip controls for audio, cruise, Voice Command and Uconnect functions. You -- and the front seat passenger -- enjoy heated and ventilated seats with 12-way power adjustments and active head restraints. Power adjustable pedals ensure you can tailor the perfect driving position while two memory settings allow you to set seat, steering wheel, pedals, radio pre-sets and outside power adjustable mirrors.
A Vehicle Information Centre display sits between the main speedometer and tachometer gauges. Controlled by steering wheel buttons it lets you scroll through data such as fuel economy, distance to empty, tire pressures, fluid levels, ambient temperature and compass direction. The main gauges and secondary switchgear are illuminated with soft, soothing blue backlighting.
All four doors open wide to 90-degrees making entry and exit a lot easier than in most competitive sedans while rear seat passengers enjoy tons of head, shoulder and leg room, plus the comfort of heated seats. They also enjoy the largest, two-panel panoramic sunroof in its class and power rear backlight sunshade.
The black, soft-textured dashboard surfaces are complemented by the use of satin chrome and chrome trim to highlight gauges, steering wheel controls and air vents. Polished, Black Comodo Elm panels add a rich quality to the centre console with its chrome trimmed shift gate and covered storage bin with dual heated, cooled and illuminated cup holders. The centre stack is dominated by a bold 8.4-inch touch screen (largest in class) that is the heart of the media system. This is without doubt, the easiest, most intuitive touch screen I have seen in any vehicle. It lets you use your voice-activated Bluetooth cellphone, AM/FM and Sirius Satellite Radio (with one year complimentary service), CD and MP3 player. It even understands commands in English, French and Spanish. The Premium Alpine Sound System features nine speakers and 506 watts of amplified, speed-sensitive volume.
Leading the charge is the new Chrysler 300. First introduced in 2005 during the partnership with Mercedes-Benz, it signaled a shift from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive for the company's flagship large sedan. Designed in-house by Ralph Gilles, the 300 had an immediate visual impact with its Bentley-esque nose, broad shoulders and commanding presence, heightened by the knowledge that a brooding 340-horsepower Hemi V8 was lurking under the hood.
Fast forward to 2010.
The new 300 retains its basic shape but the frontal aspect has lost the brutish character of its predecessor. The new nose is less square and the revised chrome grille with seven horizontal slats and elegant winged Chrysler hood emblem suggest a new refinement without so much flexing of the muscles. The headlight clusters, for example, have a slimmer, more elegant keyhole shape that better defines the fenders, and feature diamond-like LED clusters for the Daytime Running Lights. Handsome multi-spoke, 20-inch polished aluminum rims complete the picture. Think iron fist in velvet glove.
Four models are offered for 2011, the 300 Touring, 300 Limited, 300C and 300C AWD. Base engine is the new Pentastar V6 that provides Best-in-Class 292-horsepower and delivers 7.3 L/100 km (39 MPG) on the highway. The optional Hemi V8 pumps out 363 horsepower and a meaty 394 lb-ft of torque without becoming a gas-guzzler. Thanks to Fuel Saver Technology, it can seamlessly switch from 8 to 4 cylinders during cruising, earning a remarkable 8.0 L/100 km (35 MPG) on the highway. Standard transmission is a smooth and rugged 5-speed Automatic with Manual Shift Mode.
Our tester was the Hemi-powered 300C finished in Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl with Black Nappa Leather-faced seating. If you think the exterior styling has reached a new level of sophistication, wait until you get inside.
In terms of quality, craftsmanship and convenience - including numerous exclusive or Best-in-Class features - the 300 cabin meets or exceeds a level of luxury found only in the most exotic, and far more expensive sedans from Europe and Japan.
Slip into the driver' seat and get comfortable. The four-spoke, power adjustable steering wheel with real wood upper and leather-wrapped lower sections provides class-exclusive 360-degree heating and fingertip controls for audio, cruise, Voice Command and Uconnect functions. You -- and the front seat passenger -- enjoy heated and ventilated seats with 12-way power adjustments and active head restraints. Power adjustable pedals ensure you can tailor the perfect driving position while two memory settings allow you to set seat, steering wheel, pedals, radio pre-sets and outside power adjustable mirrors.
A Vehicle Information Centre display sits between the main speedometer and tachometer gauges. Controlled by steering wheel buttons it lets you scroll through data such as fuel economy, distance to empty, tire pressures, fluid levels, ambient temperature and compass direction. The main gauges and secondary switchgear are illuminated with soft, soothing blue backlighting.
All four doors open wide to 90-degrees making entry and exit a lot easier than in most competitive sedans while rear seat passengers enjoy tons of head, shoulder and leg room, plus the comfort of heated seats. They also enjoy the largest, two-panel panoramic sunroof in its class and power rear backlight sunshade.
The black, soft-textured dashboard surfaces are complemented by the use of satin chrome and chrome trim to highlight gauges, steering wheel controls and air vents. Polished, Black Comodo Elm panels add a rich quality to the centre console with its chrome trimmed shift gate and covered storage bin with dual heated, cooled and illuminated cup holders. The centre stack is dominated by a bold 8.4-inch touch screen (largest in class) that is the heart of the media system. This is without doubt, the easiest, most intuitive touch screen I have seen in any vehicle. It lets you use your voice-activated Bluetooth cellphone, AM/FM and Sirius Satellite Radio (with one year complimentary service), CD and MP3 player. It even understands commands in English, French and Spanish. The Premium Alpine Sound System features nine speakers and 506 watts of amplified, speed-sensitive volume.
订阅：
博文 (Atom)