Rolls-Royce To Build New Engine Controls For OH-58D
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Events, Military Aviation, Rolls-Royce, Services, U.S. Army, development program, logistics, production program
The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior is the standard reconnaissance helicopter in use by the U.S. Army. As all Army Aviation it has seen a great deal of use in Iraq. Ultimately it will be replaced by the result of the current Armed Aerial Scout program. This replaced the failed Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) program which was canceled in 2008. Due to this failure the Army must continue to invest money into the OH-58 to keep it fighting.
Rolls-Royce was awarded a contract to develop a new Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) for the aircraft. This system is one of the key components of the upgrades to the aircraft. No value for the contract was provided. FADEC systems are becoming common on helicopters and fixed wing aircraft and aid in managing fuel consumption and performance. Rolls-Royce manufactures the M250 engines for the Kiowa Warrior at their plant in Indianapolis.
Winding Down In Iraq Costs Cubic
Cubic Corporation (CUB) a mid-sized defense contractor announced their recent quarterly results. Due to the end of contract in Iraq which was not...U.S. Lets Contracts To Clean Up Overseas Bases Tetra Tech To Benefit
The United States military over the last nine years has established and operated large bases in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Global War on Terror…
Iraq To Buy Ukrainian Military Equipment Shutting Out U.S. Again
Iraq signed a contract with several Ukrainian companies to provide military hardware such as tanks and transport aircraft. The deal might be...Russian Rather Than U.S. Helicopters For Iraq and Afghanistan Raising Eyebrows
A contract by Iraq to buy Russian Mil Mi-7 transport helicopters has raised concerns in Congress that it did not go to an American supplier.M-ATV not end for MRAP
WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Conventional mine-deterrent vehicles deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan should see continued use despite plans for next-generation vehicles, a review says.
Iraq takes control of C-130s
AL-MUTHANA AIR BASE, Iraq, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- The Iraqi air force took control of C-130 air operations from the U.S. military as part of the gradual withdrawal of combat forces.
RAF Merlins headed to Afghanistan
BENSON, England, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- With its Merlin helicopters pulled out of Iraq, the British Royal air force said it was preparing to deploy the transport vehicle and its crew to Afghanistan.
ASD Reports Latest On The Counter-IED Systems Market
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Events, IT, Industry Analysis, Promotions, S&T, development program, logistics
Our premier sponsor, ASD Reports, is offering a new one on the The Counter-IED Systems Market 2009-2019. You can find it here. This report discusses how this sector will expand through urgent needs to counter improvised explosive devices. The report “examines this sector comprehensively, providing a review of current programmes and products with an emphasis on revenues.”
U.S. extends Blackwater task in Iraq
BAGHDAD, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. State Department says a controversial U.S. private security company claimed to have been enlisted in a CIA hunt for al-Qaida members will continue its armed presence and task of shielding U.S. diplomats in Iraq.
Iraq suspends removal of blast walls
BAGHDAD, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Security officials in Iraq say towering, concrete blast walls shielding the capital will not be torn down as planned.
Defense Department Translator Contract Criticized
The Department of Defense obviously has a great need for translators considering the current main efforts are in Iraq and Afghanistan. In order to...MRAP-ATV Fallout Leads To Navistar Layoffs
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Department of Defense, Events, Mississippi, Navistar, Restructuring, Services, production program
Oshkosh won the MRAP-ATV contract for a new vehicle for use in Afghanistan. One of the losing bidders was Navistar who had sold several thousand MRAP vehicles for use in Iraq to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Now with the fact that they did not win the contract to build the new vehicles for use in Afghanistan the company has announced layoffs at their Mississippi plant. This illustrates one of the problems with defense contracting. If you don’t continue to win contracts to provide systems or services you will eventually wither. Defense acquisition is normally for a certain number of units or for a period of time that will end. Companies win or lose contracts and that leads to contractions or expansions in work forces.
Agility Awarded Option Year on U.S. Army’s Heavy Lift VI Contract — Press Release
Filed under: Agility DGS, Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Events, IT, Press Releases, U.S. Army, logistics
Agility Awarded Option Year on U.S. Army’s Heavy Lift VI Contract
Logistics Leader will Continue to Support U.S. Army’s Transportation Supply Line Needs in Iraq and Kuwait
ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 6, 2009 – Agility Defense & Government Services (DGS) announced that the U.S. Army has awarded a one-year option on the Army’s Heavy Lift VI contract. The value of this one-year extension is estimated to be up to $91 million. Under the extension, Agility will continue to provide transportation services for military personnel, supplies, and equipment.
For Heavy Lift VI, Agility supplies and operates vehicles, including heavy equipment transport (HET) and flatbed trailers, to support the U.S. Army’s supply line needs in Iraq and Kuwait. To service the contract Agility also provides skilled personnel to handle transportation, and maintenance operations.
“The Heavy Lift VI renewal again underscores Agility DGS’s reputation for efficient, effective and highly dependable performance on complex logistics assignments,” said Dan Mongeon, president and CEO of Agility DGS. “We will continue to deliver best value services to the Army on this important contract.”
The extension was awarded by the Rock Island Contracting Center and continues Agility’s engagement for Heavy Lift VI through 30 June 2010.
About Agility Defense & Government Services
Agility Defense & Government Services is the public sector arm of Agility. It provides complete supply chain management, logistics services and commodity services to defense and government customers. With more than 550 offices in 120 countries, Agility DGS and its parent offer a vast network of global land, sea and air transportation capabilities, including warehousing and storage.
For more information, contact Jim Cox, Agility DGS vice president of public affairs and marketing, at 703.417.6050 or at jcox@agilitylogistics.com, or visit www.agilitylogistics.com.
JASM Under Threat
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Events, Lockheed Martin, Military Aviation, Restructuring, Services, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, production program
The Joint Air-to-Surface Missile (JASM) is an air launched cruise missile used by the U.S. Air Force and Navy. It has been in production for several years and has been deployed for use in Iraq and Afghanistan. Despite this the Air Force is planning anew series of test the results of which may lead to the cancellation of the program.
In recent testing the missile achieved only a sixty percent success rate well below the goals set for it. The system is manufactured by Lockheed Martin and canceling would be a loss of significant work. There have already been over 600 of the missiles made.
There have been issues with the wiring and fuses and Lockheed is working on these. The fact that the system seems to be in steady rate production indicates that it successfully completed all testing required to move to that phase. The recent failures may be due to storage or problems in the manufacturing process or maybe with some suppliers.
The fact that the Air Force is threa
MRAP-ATV Contract Continues On Track
Filed under: BAE Systems, Business Line, Companies, Congress, Contract Awards, Department of Defense, Events, Federal Budget Process, Force Protection, Oshkosh Truck Corp, Proposal, Services, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, logistics, production program
The MRAP-ATV is a program to develop a lighter, more maneuverable Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle for use in Afghanistan. The Army has been working on awarding a production contract by the end of this quarter. Reports indicated that that will happen and one or more companies who are participating in the current testing will receive an order.
The Army and other Services have invested a great deal of money in the last five years into these systems to counter the IED and mine threat in Iraq and Afghanistan. The vehicles due to their size and weight primarily are road bound and provide point-to-point transport. The rougher terrain in Afghanistan and lack of roads has led to the MRAP-ATV requirement. The program has moved fast as basically all of the vehicles proposed are existing systems.
The winner(s) will see a great deal of work quickly as the military hopes to ramp up production and quantities very quickly. The use of MRAP and their force mix are all undergoing study as the U.S. tries to fit them into its regular tactical organizations and doctrine.
Army To Upgrade And Refurbish M2 Bradleys
Filed under: BAE Systems, Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Events, Pennsylvia, Services, States, Texas, U.S. Army, logistics, production program
In the 1980’s the U.S. Army upgraded their heavy units with the M1 Abrams tank and M2/M3 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV). These vehicles have been upgraded over the last twenty-five years and saw service in Desert Storm as well as the invasion and stabilization operations in Iraq. There has been no new production of them for several years and since 2001 the Army has spent a great deal of money to keep the vehicles up and running.
BAE Systems was awarded a contract to repair and upgrade another 600 M2 vehicles. This contract is worth about $600 million over its full life. This is enough to equip about twelve battalions. Normally when the vehicles go through this process they are completely rebuilt and also receive any current upgrades available. At the end of the process basically a brand new vehicle is delivered back to the Army.
Work on this contract will be done in Texas and Pennsylvania. BAE Systems has been doing the bulk of this kind of work on the M2 for the last several years. The vehicles were originally made by FMC a company that has long since been merged and bought out of existence.
U.S. Company Receives FAA Certification For Russian Tanker Aircraft
Filed under: Business Line, Events, Florida, Military Aviation, Promotions, Services, States, Tactical Air Defense Services, commercial aviation, logistics, training
Tactical Air Defense Services announced that the FAA certified their Illyushin IL-78 “Midas” tanker aircraft for use in the United States. The IL-72 and IL-76 transports and the IL-78 tanker variant have served the Soviet and Russian military for years successfully.
Due to the world’s shortage of heavy lift transport aircraft various Russian companies have made a living out of leasing their Antanov and Illyushin aircraft to support non-American Western military in their deployments and operations. This includes moving troops and supplies to Iraq and Afghanistan. For modern ground operations this kind of support is critical and there are only so many C-17 and C-5 aircraft to go around.
It only make sense that this would spread to use in the United States. The company intends to use the aircraft to support training operations as well as firefighting. There are certainly opportunities for both missions as the U.S. Air Force tanker fleet is also stretched as it waits for the KC-X contract to get going again.
Photo from jamesdale10 Flickr stream.
England Looking At Harder Line On Typhoon Buy
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Additions, Countries, EADS, England, Events, Germany, Military Aviation, Restructuring, Saudi Arabia, Spain, production program
Update — It was reported on Monday that the expected penalties and cancellation fees related to the UK’s buy in this round for the advanced aircraft will be over two billion pounds ($3 billion or so). This amount of money may make it more feasible to purchase the aircraft. While penalties are capped at the two billion figure there would still be termination fees. The economic effect of ending the program would also be substantial as there are several thousand jobs in the UK that rely on the program. The decision on this effort will not be easy for the Brown Government already facing a dire financial situation.
As we wrote about previously England’s budget struggles are causing it to rethink the upcoming contract buy of Typhoon fighters. If England does not participate fully in the third option then either the other countries will have to renegotiate the prices most likely to a higher number. England does have the option of ending their participation in the multi-national contract but would have to pay substantial termination fees that might end up higher then the cost of buying the aircraft.
The interesting thing is that it was England worried that some of the other participants may have left the contract that worked to have the high fees put in the contract. England is trying a third option where most of there scheduled buy will go to Saudi Arabia rather then to them allowing some savings. The Brown government like Obama in the U.S. is facing trying to pay for a large economic stimulus package as well as increased social spending. This has put pressure on a military budget already suffering from the combined campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. Like Obama is doing one way to save money is to end large procurement programs to save defense spending. They can either be stopped in development or less units can be bought, like the F-22. Unfortunately the less you buy the more they cost so total savings may be limited.
If England does renege on this contract there will be significant future issues with their partners and for the Eurofighter consortium.
MRAP-ATV Moves Forward
Filed under: BAE Systems, Business Line, Companies, Congress, Contract Awards, Department of Defense, Events, Force Protection, Navistar, Oshkosh Truck Corp, Proposal, Protest, Services, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, development program, logistics, production program
In early March the Defense Department awarded a group of companies contracts to begin concept designs for the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected-All Terrain Vehicle (MRAP-ATV). Now it is being reported that the first production buy contracts may be awarded by May 1st. Crain’s Detroit Business says that the contracts had been delayed due to the short lived protest by Navistar. The Army plans to buy a small quantity of vehicles to do tests with and then order larger buys. The Defense Department had discussed in the past buying several of the proposed vehicles rather then focusing on just one.
This would mirror the experience had with the large MRAP vehicles bought for use in Iraq and Afghanistan to defeat the IED threat. Then due to the large quantities needed quickly several companies were able to win contracts. Part of this was that the U.S. military moved slowly first equipping engineering units and then the bulk of their infantry and other troops. This meant that the U.S.M.C and the Army bought different types for the missions. The MRAP-ATV will be used in Afghanistan where a lighter, more mobile off road vehicle is needed due to the rough terrain. This has been a more deliberate process then that used for the MRAP. Multiple contracts would allow faster equipping of units, but will also require a larger, more diverse logistical and training tail.
U.S. Army’s Small Arms Struggles Continue
Filed under: Acquisitions, Business Line, Colt Defense, Companies, Congress, Events, Federal Budget Process, Services, U.S. Army, development program, logistics, production program
Over at CNET: Military Tech Mark Rutherford writes about how the Army has just put on hold its program to develop a new crew personal weapon to replace the M4 carbine and 9 mm pistols they currently use. The goal had been to develop a subcompact, lighter weapon. Interestingly the M4 “short” version of the M16 was developed for crew use and then became adopted military wide due to the need to have a shorter weapon to use from vehicles and in rapid response situations due to the threat in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Army had moved out on the XM8 system that would have had a rifle version and a support weapon firing 25mm rounds. This ultimately was canceled for a variety of reasons some political and some technical. The small arms situation with the U.S. is at such a state that the Special Operations Command (SOCCOM) went out and bought their own weapon, the SCAR. Attempts to get the whole military to adopt this were stymied as well. Much of these problems have to do with Colt and the U.S. desire to maintain and American designed and made small arms. The U.S. needs to move out and buy a new system to replace the M16/M4 family especially as there are issues with them in dusty environments. Really this has been one of the worst recent failures in U.S. acquisition history.
Peacekeeping for Ireland Leads to Orders for BAE
Filed under: BAE Systems, Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Countries, Events, Ireland, production program
The Republic of Ireland purchased up to fifty-four wheeled armored vehicles from BAE Systems Land Systems OMC. Creamer Media’s Engineering News writes that the contract calls for twenty-seven vehicles and options for another twenty-seven. Ireland will utilze these vehicles to support their peacekeeping operations. Some nations have purchased equipment in the past to support their units deployed on missions in Afghanistan and Iraq like Poland that will never be used anywhere else and won’t enter the nations military’s normal inventory. Ireland is doing that with this order from BAE’s South African component.
U.S Air Force Buys 15 C-17 Aircraft from Boeing
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Congress, Contract Awards, Events, McDonnell Douglas, Military Aviation, U.S. Air Force, logistics, production program
The BBC News reports that the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a contract to build 15 C-17 transport aircraft. The contract is worth almost $3 billion. The Air Force had been debating whether to buy any more C-17 but Congress provided the funds for these aircraft. The C-17 and C-5 fleet has been used a great deal supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The C-17 line was building some FMS aircraft for Qatar, UK and Canada but could see an end to production in the near future. This lot will continue the production for several more months.
U.S. Buys More HUMVEES
Filed under: AM General, Business Line, Contract Additions, Department of Defense, Events, Michigan, Services, States, production program
The U.S. Department of Defense executed an option to buy 1,700 more HUMVEE vehicles as part of an existing contract with AM General. WNDU.com reports the award is worth over $250 million. The U.S. military will soon be moving to replace the HUMVEE with the JLTV vehicle, but there is still requirements for thousands of these vehicles. Iraq and Afghanistan have been especially harsh on the modern jeep and versions with more and better weapons and armor have been developed.
Conservatives Charge UK Government to Cut Defense Spending
Filed under: Agusta Westland, BAE Systems, Contract Awards, England, General Dynamics, Military Aviation, Scotland, VT Group, development program, production program
Faced with the costs of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as the world’s economic crisis the UK government plans cuts to defense spending. Bloomberg.com: Europe reports that the Conservative opposition believes that the new aircraft carriers will be delayed and there will be cuts to a new vehicle and Lynx helicopter upgrades. The two large ships were due to begin construction in the near future as the contract had already been awarded to VT and BAE. The new armored vehicle is under development by General Dynamics and less then the currently planned 80 Lynx aircraft will be upgraded. The delay in the aircraft carriers would be a blow to Scotland as that part of the UK is relying on them for a significant number of jobs in the near future.
-
Search This Site
Custom Search -
-
-
-
-
Recent Posts
- Contracts for March 15, 2010
- Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc. Announces First Pending Sale of the THOR-LVX Cargo Scanner — Press Release
- MRAP-ATV Continues To Drive Work For Plasan Bennington
- Now Reports That EADS May Bid After All
- Wall Street Journal Says Trans Atlantic Defense Deal Falters
-
FREE Business Downloads
-
Latest Defense News
- Contracts for March 15, 2010
- Now Reports That EADS May Bid After All
- General Dynamics Awarded $9 Million Contract for U.S. Army Medical Command Lean Six Sigma Support
- Lockheed Martin Delivers 1,000th Vertical Launch ASROC Missile
- Raytheon’s Excalibur Ib Demonstrates Accuracy During First Guided-Flight Tests
- James Webb Space Telescope Core Completes Thermal Testing
- Sniper ATP Demonstrates Enhanced ISR Capability at Empire Challenge
- CNO Announces Flag Officer Assignments
- DOD CONTRACTS for March 12, 2010
- DOD News Briefing with Ashton Carter from the Pentagon
- Northrop Grumman Holds 3rd Annual International CEESIM Users’ Conference in the United Kingdom
- Lockheed Martin Awarded $23 Million for Production of JASSM-Extended Range Test Missiles
- Northrop Grumman Delivers Upgraded U.S. Navy Targets
- U.S. Army Receives First Lockheed Martin EQ-36 Counterfire Target Acquisition Radar System
- Manufacturing of Northrop Grumman’s First Low-Rate Initial Production E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Begins
- Raytheon and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Improve Flow of Commercial Imagery to Analysts and Warfighters
- Lockheed Martin Receives $60 Million Worldwide LANTIRN Depot Award
- General Dynamics Awarded Department of Homeland Security National Communications System Contract
- Northrop Grumman Plays Major Role in NASA’s Development of Alternate Astronaut Escape System
- Government of Canada Names General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada as Prime Contractor for LAV III Upgrade Program
- Northrop Grumman’s Second E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Enters Next Phase of Flight Testing
- Optex Systems Receives $3.4 Million Purchase Order from General Dynamics Land Systems
- Raytheon Completes Critical Milestone for Mobile X-band Radar System
- General Dynamics Awarded $22 Million by U.S. Navy for Repair Work on USS Hartford
- Military Base Realignments and Closures: DOD Needs to Update Savings Estimates and Continue to Address Challenges in Consolidating Supply-Related Functions at Depot Maintenance Locations. GAO-09-703, July 9
- House Armed Services Committee: schedule for the week of July 13 –17, 2009
- GAO Report: Overseas Contingency Operations: Reported Obligations for the Department of Defense. GAO-09-791R
- Raytheon’s AESA Radar for Boeing F-15E Receives New Designation
- Northrop Grumman Successfully Demonstrates Capabilities of LITENING Targeting System on U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F
- Raytheon’s GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II Completes Risk Reduction
- Hawker Beechcraft, Lockheed Martin Team to Compete for U.S. Air Force Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft
- Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy Sets World Aviation Records
- Northrop Grumman Advanced Composite Mate Joint Passes Stringent Tests for NASA’s Composite Crew Module Demonstration Program
- Lockheed Martin Team Passes Critical Design Review for Solar Ultraviolet Imager for GOES-R Satellite Series
- UK Awards Javelin Joint Venture $176 Million for Javelin Missile Rounds
- Contracts for March 12, 2010
- Lawsuit Successfully Defends Contract Against Inroads of In-Sourcing
- Two Helicopter Programs Start Over
- EADS-NA Says Not Comfortable Priming KC-X Contract
- Spirit AeroSystems Named to Boeing Tanker Supplier Team — Press Release
- Contracts for March 11, 2010
- Northrop Grumman Names Paul Russell to Lead Space Navigation Business Area
- Northrop Grumman Awarded U.S. Army Europe Linguist Contract
- Aegis Weapon System Tested During International Multiple Ship Demonstration
- Raytheon, Motion Reality Ink Agreement For Virtual Applications
- Lockheed Martin Awarded Arizona Support Center Contract for M-TADS/PNVS
- Lockheed Martin and Aegisound Honored With Defense Department’s Nunn-Perry Award
- GeoEye Selects Lockheed Martin to Build Next-Generation Commercial Remote Sensing Satellite System
- STOVL Jet Prepares for Vertical Landing
- DOD CONTRACTS for March 11, 2010
- US Navy: Flag Officer Announcement
- US Army: General Officer Announcement
- Today in the Department of Defense, Friday, March 12, 2010
- US Navy Flag Officer Assignments
- Still Some Support For Northrop
- Contracts for March 10, 2010
- Raytheon Announces Executive Appointments
- House Armed Services Committee: Skelton Statement on Earmark Changes
- Today in the Department of Defense, Thursday, March 11, 2010
- Today in the Department of Defense, Wednesday, March 10, 2010
- Press Release — Statement on US Refueling Tanker Program Announcement
- DOD CONTRACTS for March 9, 2010
- US Navy Flag Officer Announcement
- Contracts for March 09, 2010
- Raytheon, PlantCML Conduct Joint Civil Communications Open Architecture Demonstration
- Raytheon Awarded $152 Million for Patriot Engineering Services
- Department of Defence Reacts To Northrop’s Decision Not To Bid on KC-X
- Statement From Northrop Grumman on U.S. Air Force Aerial Refueling Tanker Program — Press Release
- Contracts for March 08, 2010
- Reports That Northrop Won’t Bid
- SPAWAR Selects Lockheed Martin for Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services Development Phase
- SELEX Galileo wins UK MoD CDAS Pointer-Tracker competition
- General Dynamics Awarded $41 Million for RG-31 MRAP Spare Parts
- Statement From Northrop Grumman on U.S. Air Force Aerial Refueling Tanker Program
- Northrop Grumman Names Tony Spehar Vice President, Program Manager Of ICBM Prime Integration Contract
- DOD CONTRACTS for March 8, 2010
- Today in the Department of Defense, Tuesday, March 09, 2010
- Raytheon Mourns the Passing of Jon C. Jones
- Statement by Deputy Secretary William Lynn on Northop Grumman Tanker Announcement
- Long Term Aircraft Plan Includes 109 KC-X Tankers
- Lockheed Martin Receives $213 Million Contract for 20 New F-16s for Egypt
- Press Release — Boeing Selects Pratt & Whitney to Power Boeing’s Proposed NewGen Tanker to be Offered to U.S. Air Force
- Contracts for March 05, 2010
- Northrop Grumman Team Awarded CANES Development Contract
- House Armed Services Committee: schedule for the week of March 8 – March 12, 2010
- House Armed Services Committee: Skelton Announces Committee Staff Appointments
- DOD CONTRACTS: March 5, 2010
- US Navy to Commission Guided Missile Destroyer Dewey
- USAF: General Officer Assignment
- Boeing Will Submit Proposal Based on K-767
- Contracts for March 04, 2010
- Lockheed Martin Delivers 11th C-130J Super Hercules to Ramstein Air Base
- Northrop Grumman Names David A. Drabkin Director of Acquisition Policy
- General Dynamics Announces Senior Leadership Changes
- DOD CONTRACTS: March 4, 2010
- Secretary of Defense Announces Flag Officer
- US Army General Officer Announcement
- US Navy Flag Officer Assignments
- First Flight For Canada’s New Airlifter
- General Dynamics Board Increases Dividend
More Defense News -->
-
Content from our trusted partner BNETGet your own CBS Interactive Widget.>GET IT NOW
get your job site
at simplyhired.com
