US Government takes a step to allow DRS purchase by Finmeccanica
Filed under: Acquisitions, DRS Technologies, Finemeccanica, IT, Italy
The US Government’s Committee on Foreign Investment approved the planned acquisition of DRS Technologies by Italian company Finmeccanica. The deal is worth over $5 B and is structured as a stock purchase at $81 or so a share. DRS traded today at just over $80. DRS had long been rumored as an attractive takeover target, and the purchase by a European company again highlights their desire to get into the US Defense market.
See a short article at NJ.com.
Cross posted at BNET.
Gripen NG pitched to the Netherlands
Filed under: Holland, Military Aviation, Proposal, SAAB, production program
SAAB submitted a proposal to the Dutch government for replacement of the F-16 Fighting Falcons in service at this time. The current plan is to buy F-35 JSF aircraft. The SAAB proposal includes the Gripen aircraft, support, training and spares. No price for the 85 aircraft proposal was provided. If it is competitive there may be some desire by the Dutch to buy this aircraft over the F-35. SAAB has also proposed a Gripen to Norway and India.
For more see FlightGlobal.com.
Looks like Australia will go with the JSF
Filed under: Australia, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, McDonnell Douglas, Military Aviation, development program
Australia had being going back and forth on wanting the F-22 instead of the JSF. China, I am sure, has a lot to do with this. According to this story, the decision has been made to go with the F-35. America has a law preventing the export of the F-22, but Australia had asked for it anyway. There was some desire from the USAF to sell it, as every FMS sale lowers the price and the Air Force would like some more. The only way that is going to happen is to get it cheaper. So it will have to be seen if any sales overseas are made. Certainly Australia and the UK would be the prime customers for the F-22.
US weapon system acquisition policy
When the US government orders a new development program for a weapon system there are a variety of steps that must be done to get to the point of awarding the contract. Congress through law and regulation strictly dictates how a system may be acquired. The process is supposed to be driven by requirements. The users specify the requirements and then the material developer gets a system that meets the requirements at a good price for the government. Read more





