Guardian buys Difference Engines

Dulles-based Guardian Technologies International will acquire the intellectual property of Difference Engines in Columbia. Under the agreement, Mike Trudnak will remain as Guardian's CEO and Difference Engines President Walter Ludwig will become president of Guardian Life Sciences. Difference Engines makes biotech software that manages and archives medical images. Guardian creates computer technology that can make decisions.

DigitalNet captures $26M airports deal

Herndon-based DigitalNet announced a contract with the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority to support aviation systems in the national capital area. Under the five-year contract, worth $25.9 million if all options are exercised, the government IT contractor will become MWAA's main contractor and support 1,300 users in D.C., Reagan National and Dulles International airports.

SRA gains Army IT work

Fairfax-based SRA International adds another Army contract to its defense business. This one is worth up to $7.5 million over four years if all options are exercised. Under this contract, SRA will work with the Army Network Enterprise Technology Command to help it consolidate IT resources, centralize network management and develop service management goals. The Network Enterprise Technology Command, or NETCOM, is a new, single authority for operating and managing the Army's information technology programs. Earlier this month, SRA was awarded a contract worth up to $30 million by the Department of Defense's Headquarters Air Mobility Command for software testing of command and control programs.

XM earns millionth subscriber

District-based XM Satellite Radio is expected to report more losses when it releases its latest quarterly report next week, but the company just passed a one-in-a-million milestone--topping one million subscribers for the first time. After debuting its national service in November 2001, XM Satellite reached 1 million subscribers in just under two years.

Verizon high-speed Internet service hits Eastern Shore

Verizon extended its high-speed Internet service to 29 communities on the Eastern Shore, a mostly rural peninsula. Verizon now has 160,000 digital subscriber lines available for Eastern Shore customers. Residential DSL service will start at $29.95. Business contracts will start at $59.95.

CompuDyne wins Dallas airport contract

CompuDyne Corp. has received a $1.2 million contract to upgrade its security systems at one of the Midwest's busiest travel hubs, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) has used Hanover-based security technology company CompuDyne's Tiburon software since 1997. The new contract includes upgrades to the computer-aided dispatch and records management systems for police, fire and emergency medical services at DFW.

NeuStar to set up wireless registry

Sterling-based NeuStar was selected by the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association to operate the common short codes (CSC) wireless registry. Wireless data is one of the hot areas of technology; several local companies, including Fairfax-based AMS, are creating wireless data practices. The CSC registry will create a common address system for wireless data applications among participating U.S. carriers, expanding the reach of marketers, wireless service providers and content providers. Customers will get access to a variety of wireless content by entering a five-digit code, regardless of their carrier. Company officials say CSCs are expected to be used for everything from voting to coupons to payment options, anything that requires an interactive application. The CSC registry is accepting reservations.

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