November 30, 2011 - BGI Awarded SBIR Contract - BGI, LLC, an innovative small business that provides customers with expert-based services and products that enhance capability in programs related to aviation training, has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to provide Animation and Analysis of Shipboard Aircraft Using Ship’s Geo-Referenced Data.

The objective of the contract is to develop an algorithm that compensates for and merges separately generated aircraft and ship motion data into a single stream/file that, when animated, accurately depicts the aircraft landing on the ship until after the arresting gear engages.

BGI is proud to support the government and the warfighter under this SBIR topic by providing a highly experienced operational and technical staff and by leveraging a wide range of BGI-developed training and analysis software products.

October 31, 2011 - BGI Named 2011 Supplier of the Year - BGI, LLC, a leader in national defense solutions, military aircraft simulation, flight training, and visualization and data analysis software, received the 2011 Supplier of the Year Award from L3 Communications Link Simulation and Training at a recent recognition dinner in Fort Worth, TX.  L3 Communications Link Simulation and Training selects an annual Supplier of the Year from a large pool of suppliers based on achieving cost, quality, and delivery objectives set forth in their program requirements. 

“BGI is very pleased to receive this award from L3 Communications Link Simulation and Training.  It represents years of working very closely with our larger industry partner, and was culminated this year by extensive efforts on current F-16 programs,” stated Corbin Hughes, Vice President for BGI.  “We remain truly committed to providing world class operational expertise and technical solutions to our customers.”   

BGI, LLC is an innovative veteran-owned small business that provides government and industry customers with expert-based services and products that enhance capability and profitability in programs related to aviation training.
Headquartered in Akron, OH, BGI has a strong military heritage and brings together engineers, operational analysts and instructor-experienced aircrews from a variety of backgrounds.

August 31, 2011 - BGI to Display at September Conferences - Akron, Oh - BGI will have a booth display at two popular fall conferences in September. Leading off the month, we will be attending the Navy Tailhook Association reunion 8-11 September in Reno, Nevada. The following week, you can find us at the ANG/AFRC Weapons and Tactics (WEPTAC) Conference in Tucson, Arizona. WEPTAC Conference dates are 12-16 September, with Industry displays on the evenings of 12 ^th and 13 ^th.

BGI is proud to be participating in Tailhook’s celebration of 100 years of Naval Aviation. Our display focuses on BGI’s contribution to Naval Aviation safety through our work on the Military Flight Operations Quality Assurance (MFOQA) program for multiple air platforms. BGI software tools currently contribute to post-flight operational and maintenance debriefing and data analysis on F/A-18 and helicopter platforms.

At ANG/AFRC WEPTAC, we will be emphasizing our participation in multiple simulation and training programs that benefit the USAF Warfighter while displaying our operational debriefing software tools in the booth. If you happen to be in attendance at either of these events, please stop by to discuss these and other BGI programs and projects, as well as the potential for employment and teaming opportunities

July 27, 2011 - Lockheed Martin, U.S. Army Demonstrate HALE-D During Abbreviated Flight – Akron, Oh - The U.S. Army and Lockheed Martin launched the first-of-its kind High Altitude Long Endurance-Demonstrator this morning, demonstrating a number of key technologies critical to development of unmanned airships.

The aircraft successfully launched at 5:47 a.m. out of the Airdock in Akron, Ohio. The airship reached an altitude of approximately 32,000 feet, however, a technical anomaly prevented the airship from attaining its target altitude of 60,000 feet and the HALE-D team decided to terminate the flight.

The aircraft descended without incident at 8:26 a.m. in southwestern Pennsylvania to a predetermined landing location. Lockheed Martin is coordinating with state and local authorities to recover the airship. We have confirmed that no injuries or damage were experienced during this landing in a heavily wooded area.

"While we didn’t reach the target altitude, first flights of new technologies like HALE-D also afford us the ability to learn and test with a mind toward future developments," said Dan Schultz, vice president ship and aviation systems for Lockheed Martin’s Mission Systems & Sensors business. "We demonstrated a variety of advanced technologies, including launch and control of the airship, communications links, unique propulsion system, solar array electricity generation, remote piloting communications and control capability, in-flight operations, and controlled vehicle recovery to a remote un-populated area."

The HALE-D is an unmanned solar-powered lighter-than-air vehicle designed to hover 12 miles above the earth’s surface for extended periods of time. The airship is designed to demonstrate advanced new technologies and capabilities for keeping American soldiers safer through improved communications.

Lockheed Martin is in the process of recovering the airship and will conduct a full evaluation.

The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (SMDC/ARSTRAT) contracted with Lockheed Martin to develop the High Altitude Airship program to improve the military’s ability to communicate in remote areas such as those in Afghanistan, where mountainous terrain frequently interferes with communications signals. The airship will serve as a stationery long-term overhead platform for a telecommunications relay system that will expand the range and reliability of battlefield communications.

The SMDC/ARSTRAT provides trained and ready missile defense forces and capabilities to the component commands and in support of the war fighter. It also focuses on researching, testing and integrating space, missile defense, high altitude, directed energy and other related technologies.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.

Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2mYxoPGghA

March 1, 2011 – BGI at USMC Assault Support OAG – BGI attended the United States Marine Corps Assault Support Operational Advisory Group (OAG) the last week of February 2011.  The USMC ASOAG is held annually in Fort Worth, Texas.  The Marine Corps Assault Support Community hosts the conference to facilitate the primary means of interface between requirements officers, resource sponsors and program managers for the purpose of establishing community priorities.  An industry trade show runs concurrently with the OAG conference, providing businesses with the opportunity to showcase their technologies and capabilities.  The conference provides a rare opportunity to interact directly with the Warfigher as well as program and resource leadership.  Chris Cross and Corbin Hughes, VPs of Engineering and Gold Divisions respectively, had the opportunity to attend the conference and participate in the general assembly and individual platform specific working groups.  The event gave BGI exposure to both the current budget situation and also the requirements “hot buttons” for the USMC Assault Support Community.

The ACC WEPTAC conference is held annually the first and second weeks of January at Nellis AFB, Nev.  It is hosted by the United States Air Force Air Warfare Center and run by the Air Combat Command Directorate of Air and Space Operations. The Industry Trade Show is open to all defense industry organizations including small businesses who want to showcase their existing and future technologies and capabilities. It presents an opportunity for the defense industry to meet with Warfighters who currently use or potentially will use their products. They are able to obtain direct feedback from the actual Warfighters on what they like and don't like about existing products technology and hear about products they would like to see in the future.  Industry representatives may participate in working groups if invited by the working group chairman, and our F-35 OT&E representative, Kip Hendershot did that in support of JSF Operational Test activities. BGI CEO Phil Dismukes was also in attendance for the two evenings of exhibitor displays.     

        This was also our first year attending the AETC Symposium, which is an annual event that offers 3,500+ attendees a multitude of venues to learn about the current and future environments of recruiting, training, and educating Airmen, along with operational and emerging topics and issues. Information is offered through two keynote speaker luncheons and 90+ individual breakout sessions/seminars organized by topic tracks. Additionally, the Alamo Chapter of the Air Force Association hosts an Exposition Hall offering 120+ military, industry, and education exhibitors and vendors displaying leading edge capabilities and information. BGI sent our display and four representatives—Phil Dismukes, Chris Cross, Tim O’Brien and Corbin Hughes. The event gave us new exposure to the AETC community and an opportunity to meet with a number potential customer and teammate companies.