Oshkosh Defense Awarded $11.9 Million Delivery Order to Supply United Arab Emirates With HEMTT A4s — Press Release
Filed under: Oshkosh Truck Corp, Press Releases, U.S. Army, United States, logistics
OSHKOSH, Wis. — March 18, 2010 — Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), has received a delivery order from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (TACOM LCMC) to supply more than 40 next-generation Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT) to the United Arab Emirates.
The delivery order, valued at $11.9 million, is part of the UAE’s Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC)-3 missile systems purchase approved by the U.S. Congress. The HEMTT variants included in this contract are the Patriot tractor, wrecker and guided missile transporter. The vehicles will be built and delivered July through September 2011. The order was issued under the Army’s Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV) III contract.
“Our HEMTT A4 variants included in this order will provide transportation, resupply and recovery support for the PAC-3 missile systems,” said Andy Hove, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Defense. “Oshkosh Defense’s high-performance vehicles meet the durability, mobility and payload-capacity needs of militaries worldwide and thrive in the most demanding environments.”
The HEMTT A4’s advanced suspension, more powerful engine, air-conditioned cab and anti-lock brakes, in addition to the vehicle’s 13-ton payload capacity and off-road capabilities, will provide exceptional support to the UAE armed forces. Oshkosh Defense’s UAE-based facilities will supply regional aftermarket support services.
Along with vehicles such as the SandCat and Global Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET), the HEMTT A4 is part of Oshkosh Defense’s full line of international vehicles designed to meet a variety of logistical and operational needs around the world.
About Oshkosh Defense
Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is an industry-leading global designer and manufacturer of tactical military trucks and armored wheeled vehicles, delivering a full product line of conventional and hybrid vehicles, advanced armor options, proprietary suspensions and vehicles with payloads that can exceed 70 tons. Oshkosh Defense provides a global service and supply network including full life-cycle support and remanufacturing, and its vehicles are recognized the world over for superior performance, reliability and protection. For more information, visit www.oshkoshdefense.com.
About Oshkosh Corporation
Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corp. manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Medtec®, Jerr-Dan®, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline™, SMIT™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. Oshkosh products are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, log on to www.oshkoshcorporation.com.
®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.
U.S. Air Force Awards United Launch Alliance WGS-4 Satellite Launch — Press Release
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Countries, Events, Lockheed Martin, Press Releases, Satellites, Services, U.S. Air Force, United Launch Alliance, United States, development program, space
U.S. Air Force Awards United Launch Alliance WGS-4 Satellite Launch
DENVER, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ — The U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center recently awarded United Launch Alliance a contract modification to perform the launch services for the Wideband Global SATCOM-4 (WGS-4) satellite aboard a Delta IV Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle. The anticipated launch period is December 2011 – February 2012 from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
The WGS-4 mission will be the fourth satellite of the WGS system and the first in the Block II series. The WGS satellites are from the space component of a new high-capacity satellite communications system providing enhanced communications capabilities to America’s troops in the field for the next decade and beyond. WGS enables more robust and flexible execution of Command and Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR), as well as battle management and combat support information functions.
WGS-4 will join the existing constellation of the WGS-1, 2 and 3 satellites and provide additional information broadcast capabilities. WGS-1 and WGS-2 were both launched previously on ULA Atlas V rockets on Oct. 10, 2007 and Apr. 3, 2009 respectfully. WGS-3 was launched on a Delta IV on Dec. 5, 2009.
“Following the launch of WGS-3, United Launch Alliance is proud to continue our vital role in providing the latest technology for the warfighter with this contract for the fourth launch of a WGS spacecraft,” said Michael Gass, ULA President and Chief Executive Officer. “The WGS constellation was the first series of satellites to launch on both the Atlas V and Delta IV launch vehicles since the inception of ULA. This operational flexibility for our government customers was a primary reason for the creation of ULA.”
This mission will be launched by the Delta IV Medium+ (5,4) configuration using a single common booster core with a Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne RS-68 main engine with four Alliant Techsystems GEM 60 solid rocket motors, a PWR RL10B-2 upper stage engine and a five-meter diameter upper stage and composite payload fairing.
ULA program management, engineering, test and mission support functions are headquartered in Denver, Colo. Manufacturing, assembly and integration operations are located at Decatur, Ala., Harlingen, Texas, and San Diego, Calif. Launch operations are located at CCAFS, Fla., and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
For more information on the ULA joint venture, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com, or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321).
Source: United Launch Alliance
CONTACT: Michael Rein of United Launch Alliance, +1-321-730-5646, cell,
+1-321-693-6250, michael.j.rein@ulalaunch.com
Web Site: http://www.ulalaunch.com/
U.S. Military Buys Helium
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Countries, Department of Defense, Events, Services, United States, logistics, production program
The U.S. Department of Defense contracted with Global Gases Group to provide bulk helium for use by its military. The gas will be used to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Global Gases Group relies on Matheson Tri-Gas to provide the helium that ins then processed at various factories across the globe to support industrial use. Helium is used for welding as well as the more traditional use of lighter-then-air gas as well as diving operations.
The United States and Algeria produce most of the world’s supply of the gas. In fact up to 1996 the U.S. government controlled the supply from their production and used civil firms to process it. In that year Congress began liquidating the U.S. owned reserves and now the gas is produced and sold commercially. This contract continues to illustrate that the U.S. military buys everything and anything in support of its troops and operations.
Canada Buys CH-47 Helicopters
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Canada, Companies, Congress, Contract Awards, Countries, Events, Federal Budget Process, Military Aviation, United States, logistics, production program
Canada awarded Boeing a contact for fifteen CH-47 helicopters. The contract has a value of over $1 billion and requires and equivalent amount of offsets in the Canadian economy. Boeing already is selling the latest version of the heavy lift helicopter so valuable in Afghanistan to the U.S. and Great Britain. Canada being the third most heavily involved country in that war will certainly be able to use them.
The aircraft will be delivered in either late 2013 or early 2014 as they fit in to the current production. Canada has been requiring significant offsets in their latest round of contracts and this favor many U.S. companies as they have either Canadian subsidiaries or already buy parts and support from that nation.
So far the Obama Administration has made little changes to the existing plans for U.S. Army aviation modernization with the UH-60M, UH-72A and CH-47F. The replacement of the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) original canceled contract is also on current path for continuation at this time.
Follow On MRAP-ATV Contract Awarded To Oshkosh
Filed under: BAE Systems, Business Line, Companies, Contract Additions, Contract Awards, Countries, Department of Defense, Events, Force Protection, Michigan, Mississippi, Navistar, Oshkosh Truck Corp, Services, South Carolina, States, United States, production program
At the end of June Oshkosh won the initial MRAP-ATV contract from the U.S. Department of Defense. This one billion dollar contract was for over two thousand of the lighter and more maneuverable Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles for use in Afghanistan. The DoD conducted a contest between a variety of companies that included a “drive off” to demonstrate capability. While it was thought that more then one company would win contracts only Oshkosh received an order.
Now it was announced today that Oshkosh won a follow on order for another seventeen hundred vehicles for another billion dollars. The company already had to invest in expanding its workforce and capability to meet the first one. Part of any contract award by the Defense Department is based on the winner’s demonstration that they are able to meet the production and quantity requirements so Oshkosh should be able to build these. The follow on award though will deal a further blow to Navistar, BAE Systems and Force Protection efforts in the MRAP business.
The U.S. had rapidly purchased a variety of different MRAP vehicles for about four years to provide protection for troops as they moved around Iraq. There is an on-going struggle how to fit these vehicles into their tactical formations now that those operations are winding down. The MRAP are big, road optimized vehicles and are not designed for use in rough terrain or combat. This is part of the reason that the Future Combat System (FCS) vehicle portion was canceled. There may soon be an end to the purchase of any large numbers of MRAP as future more tactical combat vehicles are purchased.
EADS Sells More A330 Tankers To Saudi Arabia
Filed under: Australia, Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Congress, Contract Additions, Countries, Department of Defense, EADS, England, Events, Japan, Military Aviation, Northrop Grumman Corp., Services, U.S. Air Force, UAE, United States, commercial aviation, development program, logistics, production program
EADS announced today that Saudi Arabia had doubled their order for aerial tankers by buying three more A330 MRT aircraft. This means that the Kingdom will now have six of the advanced tankers. They along with the U.K., Australia and the U.A.E. have ordered the aircraft. As part of the buy of the new aircraft Saudi Arabia has ordered logistic and parts support for the tankers although no contract value was announced.
The big contract for military refueling aircraft is the new tanker for the United States Air Force (USAF). EADS and Northorp Grumman had won the contract for the KC-X last year only to see it overturned on a Boeing protest. Now the new Obama Administration and the USAF will try again with a completely new RFP. That contract would be for over one hundred aircraft and would dwarf previous orders. There is still discussion of possibly splitting the contract between the two suppliers with a goal of maximizing the number of aircraft delivered in a short time. The USAF and Defense Department are against that as the two aircraft would require their own substantial support tail of parts, maintenance and training which would be quite expensive.
The A330 is a bigger aircraft then the 767 proposed by Boeing last time but requires larger airfields and more gas to fly a comparable mission. The bigger aircraft can carry more fuel for other aircraft so there has to be a balance struck there. It is definitely conceivable that the loser of the next contract will protest anyway so there may be further delays to the acquisition of the greatly needed capability.
AAR SELECTED AS EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTOR FOR ROBUSTA B.V. VEHICLE MOBILITY PRODUCTS — Press Release
Filed under: AAR Corporation, Business Line, Companies, Events, Holland, Press Releases, United States, logistics, production program
AAR SELECTED AS EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTOR FOR ROBUSTA B.V. VEHICLE MOBILITY PRODUCTS
WOOD DALE, ILLINOIS (July 20, 2009) – AAR announced today that it has entered into an exclusive U.S. commercial and military aftermarket distribution agreement with Robusta B.V. to distribute Robusta’s vehicle mobility products, including Bogstrips. Bogstrips are reinforced mats designed to provide temporary traction to heavy duty vehicles and machinery. Robusta’s Bogstrips product line has been successfully used by the British and Australian Special Forces for almost two decades to recover trucks as large as 24 tons from bogged situations.
“AAR is very proud to represent Robusta B.V. and their high-performance, light-weight Bogstrips,” said David N. Perri, General Manager of AAR Defense Systems & Logistics. “Robusta’s products have an excellent reputation among defense customers and we believe that many more customer types could benefit from improved access to these convenient and functional products.”
“Robusta has specialized in heavy woven textile products for the last 40 years. The Robusta Vehicle Mobility products have proven to be very effective, not only in difficult military operations, but also in commercial recovery operations and terrain accessibility,” said Rob W. Verver, Managing Director of Robusta, B.V. “We are very enthusiastic about the fit we found with AAR and hope to leverage the solid reputation of their mobility products to broaden our distribution network to include new and different customer types.”
About Robusta
Robusta is a Netherlands based company that specializes in woven fabrics. Its Vehicle Mobility products enable drivers around the globe to keep their vehicles moving whenever transport roads are in poor condition or not available at all. They are successfully used by the military, mining companies, 4wd owners and emergency search and rescue services.
About AAR
AAR is a leading provider of products and value-added services to the worldwide aerospace and defense industry. With facilities and sales locations around the world, AAR uses its close-to-the-customer business model to serve aviation, government and defense customers through four operating segments: Aviation Supply Chain; Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul; Structures & Systems and Aircraft Sales & Leasing. More information can be found at www.aarcorp.com.
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U.S. Army’s Fort Bliss to Deploy AtHoc’s Network-Centric Mass Notification System to Enhance Force Protection Capability — Press Release
Filed under: AtHoc Software, Business Line, Companies, Countries, Events, IT, Press Releases, United States, logistics
U.S. Army’s Fort Bliss to Deploy AtHoc’s Network-Centric Mass Notification System to Enhance Force Protection Capability
Company’s Enterprise-Class Solution Will Provide Emergency Mass Notification to More Than 7,500 Personnel
SAN MATEO, Calif. (July 15, 2009) – AtHoc, Inc., the pioneer and leader in network-centric emergency notification systems, today announced a deal with the U.S. Army’s Fort Bliss to deploy a network-centric emergency alerting system. Located in Texas and New Mexico, Fort Bliss is the U.S. Army’s largest training center.
The deployment of AtHoc IWSAlerts™ IP-based mass notification system will enable the command’s emergency planners to rapidly deliver emergency alerts via multiple devices such as computers, cell and landline phones, and the fort’s existing public address system through a single, unified Web console.
Fort Bliss’ adoption of a unified, network-centric alerting system represents another step in the Department of Defense’s rollout of third-generation mass notification technology. Leveraging existing IP networks and integrating existing mass notification capabilities results in an effective enterprise-wide system able to alert all personnel and receive feedback on their status.
“We are excited about working with the command at Fort Bliss and as we continue to expand AtHoc’s presence in the U.S. Army,” said (Ret.) Army Colonel David Brown, Director of Army Operations for AtHoc. “The Fort Bliss installation presented some unique challenges for mass notification. The network-centric architecture of AtHoc IWSAlerts was a perfect solution for the fort’s needs. Our third-generation solution will leverage the IP network to rapidly communicate with all personnel using their networked devices and seamlessly integrate with the fort’s existing telephony and giant voice systems to provide a pervasive and rapid mass alerting system.”
About AtHoc
AtHoc is the pioneer and recognized leader in providing enterprise-class, network-centric emergency notification systems to military, government and commercial organizations for physical security, force protection and personnel accountability. Millions of end users worldwide, in organizations such as the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, NASA, Microsoft, Boeing and PricewaterhouseCoopers, rely on AtHoc’s unified management systems for their emergency alerting and critical communication needs. AtHoc has partnered with market leaders including Microsoft, Cisco, Dell, Harris, Siemens, Avaya, Lockheed Martin, DCC and others to bring these notification solutions to the public and commercial markets.
For more information on AtHoc, please visit http://www.athoc.com.
Air Force Begins New Space Tracking System
Filed under: Australia, Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Countries, Events, IT, Military Aviation, Northrop Grumman Corp., S&T, Satellites, Services, U.S. Air Force, United States, development program, missile defense, production program, space
The United States Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to begin development of a ground based radar to conduct surveillance of space objects. The initial contract is worth about $30 million. The current Air Force system was installed back in the early Sixties.
The need for an upgrade to this capability has become more critical in recent years as the amount of near earth objects, space junk and satellites has increased. This system while primarily used to support missions in space will also provide some aid in missile defense. Identifying and tracking space junk will allow better detection of new objects including possible missile launches. The proliferation of objects has also affected launches and operations in space as the threat of collision to manned vehicles is especially dangerous.
Hear from key Joint Strike Fighter Nations at Fighter Training 2009 – Press Release
Filed under: Business Line, Events, Military Aviation, Press Releases, South Africa, United States, logistics, training
SMi’s Fighter Training conference is well timed to provide you with the most up-to-date review of international fighter training programmes. Hear from key Joint Strike Fighter nations including, UK, USA, Italy, Norway and Canada.
Taking place in London (UK) between the 3 – 4 June, you will have the opportunity to assess front line training adapted to an operational environment. Additionally take the chance to discuss the latest training methods, technologies and requirements; including presentations on simulation training, UKMFTS, the P5 combat training system and T-38 Talon Training.
Over 17 global experts at the forefront of next generation fighter training programmes will be speaking. They include Major Andrea Truppo, 20th Squadron Euro Fighter 2000 OCU Commander, 4th Wing Grosseto, Italian Air Force: Wing Commander Bob Young, S01 Synthetic Training, Air Command, Royal Air Force, UK; Colonel David E Peterson, Commander, 80th Flying Training Wing, U.S. Air Force; Lieutenant Colonel Robert Persson, Commander, 1 Squadron, F7 Wing, Swedish Air Force; Lieutenant Colonel Musa Mbhokata, Second in Charge 2 Squadron, Air Force Base Makhado, South African Air Force; and Lieutenant Colonel Jesus Caballero Calzada, 23rd Wing, Spanish Fighter School.
The agenda will address the most-up-to-date international fighter training programmes and asks how far the training can take the aviator. Understand new training methods being used at national and multi-national level to prepare pilots for operations.
There will be a pre-conference workshop on June 2 hosted by Innov8learning which will provide delegates with an open and interactive environment to discuss the latest developments in Instructional Design, the limitations of classroom based training, e-learning, simulation and mission rehearsal.
For full details visit www.smi-online.co.uk/09fightertraining3.asp



