Lockheed Martin To Get Billion Dollar Contract To Support AEGIS Radar Engineering
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Events, Lockheed Martin, MDA, Raytheon, S&T, Services, U.S. Navy, development program, missile defense, production program
The AEGIS air defense system started development forty years ago and has been in service with the U.S. Navy for about thirty on cruisers and destroyers. It is an integrated system of radars, software, missiles and vertical and rail launchers. The company that originally developed the radar was RCA but through acquisition and mergers it is now Lockheed Martin. The work on the radar has always been centered around Moorestown, NJ.
The system was originally for air defense but since the Nineties the Navy has been modifying it to support ballistic missile defense operations by creating the SM-3 missile. The SM-2 is the primary air defense missile currently in use. Raytheon makes the missile for the Navy. Lockheed was awarded a $1 billion contract to provide development work, engineering services and support to the missile defense part of the program last week. This contract is from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and not the Navy. The Obama Administration has focused on this naval system over the long range ground based systems and this indicates that commitment.
Boeing Advanced Tactical Laser Strikes Moving Target in Test — Press Release
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, MDA, Military Aviation, Press Releases, S&T, Services, development program, missile defense
Boeing Advanced Tactical Laser Strikes Moving Target in Test
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Oct. 13 — The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) and the U.S. Air Force on Sept. 19 damaged a moving ground vehicle from the air using the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) aircraft, completing ATL’s first air-to-ground, high-power laser engagement of a mobile target.
During the test, the C-130H aircraft took off from Kirtland Air Force Base near Albuquerque and fired a high-power chemical laser through its beam control system while flying over White Sands Missile Range. The beam control system guided the laser beam’s energy to the unoccupied, remotely controlled target, striking the vehicle and putting a hole in a fender. The test demonstrated the ability to aim and fire a high-energy laser beam at a moving target.
“In this test, a directed energy weapon successfully demonstrated direct attack on a moving target,” said Gary Fitzmire, vice president and program director of Boeing Missile Defense Systems’ Directed Energy Systems unit. “ATL has now precisely targeted and engaged both stationary and moving targets, demonstrating the transformational versatility of this speed-of-light, ultra-precision engagement capability that will dramatically reduce collateral damage.”
The test occurred less than three weeks after an Aug. 30 test in which ATL damaged an unoccupied stationary vehicle, marking the aircraft’s first air-to-ground, high-power laser engagement of a tactically representative target.
Boeing developed ATL for the Air Force. ATL demonstrations support the development of laser defense systems that will destroy, damage or disable targets on the battlefield and in urban operations with little to no collateral damage.
The Boeing-led ATL industry team includes L-3 Communications/Brashear, which built the laser turret; HYTEC Inc., which made a variety of the weapon system’s structural elements; and J.B. Henderson, which provides mechanical integration support.
Boeing leads the way in developing and integrating laser systems for a variety of customers, including the U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy. Besides ATL, these systems include the Airborne Laser, Free Electron Laser, High Energy Laser Technology Demonstrator and Tactical Relay Mirror System.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.
Contact:
Marc Selinger
Boeing Missile Defense Systems
703-414-6138
marc.selinger@boeing.com
Chuck Cadena
Boeing Missile Defense Systems
703-872-4503
chuck.cadena@boeing.com
Boeing Video Of Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) Aircraft
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Events, MDA, Military Aviation, Press Releases, S&T, Services, development program, missile defense
Boeing released a video yesterday of the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) Aircraft conducting a recent test where it successfully engaged a ground vehicle.
Full details of the test may be found at this press release.
The Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) program, sponsored by the U.S. Air Force, has equipped a C-130H aircraft with a high-energy chemical laser for engagements against ground targets. The system is designed to destroy, damage or disable targets with little to no collateral damage. ATL demonstrations support development of systems that will conduct missions on the battlefield and in urban operations.
Boeing Advanced Tactical Laser Defeats Ground Target in Flight Test — Press Release
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Events, MDA, Military Aviation, Press Releases, S&T, Services, development program, missile defense
Boeing Advanced Tactical Laser Defeats Ground Target in Flight Test
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Sept. 1, 2009 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Air Force on Aug. 30 defeated a ground target from the air with the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) aircraft, demonstrating ATL’s first air-to-ground, high-power laser engagement of a tactically representative target.
During the test, the C-130H aircraft took off from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., and fired its high-power chemical laser through its beam control system while flying over White Sands Missile Range, N.M. The beam control system acquired the ground target — an unoccupied stationary vehicle — and guided the laser beam to the target, as directed by ATL’s battle management system. The laser beam’s energy defeated the vehicle.
“This milestone demonstrates that directed energy weapon systems will transform the battlespace and save lives by giving warfighters a speed-of-light, ultra-precision engagement capability that will dramatically reduce collateral damage,” said Greg Hyslop, vice president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems. “By demonstrating this capability, the ATL team has earned a distinguished place in the history of weapon system development.”
The test occurred less than three months after a June 13 test in which ATL successfully fired its laser from the air for the first time, hitting a target board on the ground. The ATL team plans additional tests to further demonstrate the system’s military utility. These demonstrations support the development of systems that will conduct missions on the battlefield and in urban operations.
“The bottom line is that ATL works, and works very well,” said Gary Fitzmire, vice president and program director of Boeing Missile Defense Systems’ Directed Energy Systems unit. “ATL’s components — the high-energy chemical laser, beam control system and battle manager — are performing as one integrated weapon system, delivering effective laser beam energy to ground targets.”
The ATL industry team also includes L-3 Communications/Brashear, which built the laser turret; HYTEC Inc., which made a variety of the weapon system’s structural elements; and J.B. Henderson, which provides mechanical integration support.
Boeing leads the way in developing and integrating laser systems for a variety of customers, including the U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy. Besides ATL, these systems include the Airborne Laser, Free Electron Laser, High Energy Laser Technology Demonstrator and Tactical Relay Mirror System.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.
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Contact:
Marc Selinger
Boeing Missile Defense Systems
703-414-6138
marc.selinger@boeing.com
Chuck Cadena
Boeing Missile Defense Systems
703-872-4503
chuck.cadena@boeing.com
Competition For Boeing On Missile Defense Support Contract
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Contract Additions, Department of Defense, Events, Federal Budget Process, Lockheed Martin, MDA, Northrop Grumman Corp., Services, development program, missile defense, production program, space
Boeing has been the lead contractor on the development and deployment of the U.S. Ground Based Missile Defense (GMD) system. This system utilizes radars around the world and interceptors based in Alaska to provide long range, large coverage missile defense. This system was the core defense of the United States as envisioned by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Clinton and Bush administrations.
President Obama and his Secretary of Defense Robert Gates ended the future production and upgrade of the system but several interceptors have been deployed and a capability has been established. The new Administration intends to focus on the Navy’s long range systems and new technologies.
This does not mean that they are abandoning the deployed system. There may also be construction of further radars if the politics with Russia are worked out. Boeing was awarded a support contract worth about $250 million last year to maintain the system. This makes sense as they are the prime contractor on the system. Now MDA has announced that the next support contract will be openly competed. Lockheed and Nothrop Grumman have already announced that they will bid on the contract.
The idea that is competition will make the cost of the contract cheaper. Once a system is deployed there is technically no reason why any company with the capability cannot support it. The government owns the data rights and can transfer them to whomever they need to. It will have to be seen how competitive the other companies are.
Brownback Lauds Successful Airborne Laser Test — Press Release
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Congress, Department of Defense, Events, Kansas, MDA, Military Aviation, Services, States, development program, missile defense
Brownback Lauds Successful Airborne Laser Test
Congratulates Missile Defense Agency, industry team on successful in-flight test of laser tracking system
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Sam Brownback today commented on successful tests of the Airborne Laser tracking system over the weekend. “The ABL continues to make history,” Brownback said. “Last Saturday, for the first time, a boosting missile was tracked by lasers able to compensate for atmospheric conditions and remain locked on target for an extended period of time.”
The Airborne Laser is a modified Boeing 747 that carries laser systems designed to track and destroy ballistic missiles during the early, or boost, stages of flight. The ABL consists of three lasers, a tracking laser, an environmental laser that compensates for atmospheric variables, and a weaponized laser, all working in conjunction to track and destroy missiles in their boost phase. The successful test was conducted this weekend while the plane was in flight and was able to continuously track a launched missile.
Brownback continued, “I want to congratulate the Missile Defense Agency and its industry partners on this test. Every day, their hard work brings us a step closer to having a boost phase defense against ballistic missile threats. Especially with North Korea’s recent provocative behavior, ABL’s progress is more important than ever.”
The Airborne Laser is scheduled to undergo a series of tests this summer, culminating in a full system test to shoot down a missile this fall.
STATEMENT: Michael Rinn, Boeing vice president and ABL program director:
This is the first time in history anyone has actively tracked a boosting missile with a laser while closing atmospheric compensation loops. This was done at significant ranges and for many times longer than would be required to kill the missile had the high-energy laser been used.
Additional missile engagements will fine-tune the pointing accuracy and performance of the system. This significant test is a major step toward conducting this year’s missile-intercept test, which will demonstrate the unprecedented speed, mobility, precision and lethality that ABL could provide to America’s warfighters.
Northrop Tries To Save Kinetic Energy Interceptor
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Congress, Department of Defense, Events, Federal Budget Process, MDA, Northrop Grumman Corp., Restructuring, S&T, Services, development program, missile defense
Update — On June 10th the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) terminated the Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) for the convenience of the government. This meant that all of Northrop’s lobbying to continue the program to at least conducting the first key test in the program was wasted.
Moving quickly like he has on the FCS and VH-71 programs the Secretary of Defense Robert Gates had another stop work order issued for a program recommended for cancellation in the 2010 budget. MDA told Northrop Grumman to halt the KEI program. This $4 billion contract had only recently been issued and the first test flight of the propulsion system was planned for later this year.
Congress has shown a great deal of support for this program recently and the decision to end it was not well received. There was some concern expressed that the program had not been given a chance to demonstrate its capability. The total missile defense budget saw almost a twenty percent cut with this and the Ground Based Mid-Course system making up the bulk of that money. The plan is to focus on the Navy’s system as well as shorter ranged Army ones.
Northrop has proposed that even with the termination of the program they will still be able to meet schedule and complete the booster test. This may be an attempt to sway Congressional and Administration support for continuing the program beyond 30 September 2009. If they really can meet this test schedule and the history of missile defense programs is not in their favor due to the complexities of the tests and technology then it might help them carry the program over.
A Northrop Grumman video on the program is below which is kind of amusing as it is done as a fake newscast:
SBIRS Continues
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Congress, Contract Awards, Department of Defense, Events, Lockheed Martin, MDA, S&T, Satellites, Services, U.S. Air Force, development program, missile defense
The troubled Space Based Infra-Red System (SBIRS) satellite based detection system program has had its highs and lows over the last fifteen years or so. The constellation of satellites will be used to provide detection of missile launches across the globe and will replace the original DSP system. SBIRS is divided into high and low systems and has suffered from cost and schedule problems over its lifetime.
There is no denying that the aging DSP satellites need replacing and the Air Force and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) have worked hard to keep the SBIRS program going over the years despite criticism from Congress, various Presidential Administrations and outside groups.
On the 2nd of June Lockheed Martin announced that they had received a contract for the third high satellite of that constellation. This $1.5 billion contract will be for the payload, satellite and ground control systems. The launch will be paid for out of a different contract. To date two payloads are in space and the first two satellites are in development with the first planned launch sometime in 2010.
Photo from Lockheed Martin.
Obama’s Budget Hits Orbital Hard
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Congress, Department of Defense, EADS, Events, Federal Budget Process, MDA, Northrop Grumman Corp., Orbital Systems, Restructuring, Services, development program, missile defense, space
Orbital Sciences stock took a pounding last week as one of its major programs was proposed to be canceled by Obama and Secretary of Defense Gates. Missile defense programs along with the F-22 and FCS wheeled vehicles took the biggest in the budget. If the budget moves forward with the planned ending of major programs other companies may see their stock affected.
The upside though is that if the restructuring of the budget goes forward it will provide opportunities for other companies. There will also be new programs eventually as the need for some of these — like the VH-71 — are still there. The next big contract that seems will be awarded is the KC-X tanker replacement some time next year. A new competition will be held between EADS and Boeing. Currently it looks like the award won’t be split as some had hoped for.
Raytheon Wins Another PATRIOT Contract
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Department of Defense, Events, Lockheed Martin, MDA, Military Aviation, Raytheon, Services, U.S. Army, development program, missile defense, production program
Raytheon the maker of the radar for the PATRIOT air and missile defense missile system as well as being the overall system integrator was awarded another support contract today by the U.S. Army’s PEO(Missile). This contract is for about $115 million to upgrade radars for four PATRIOT systems.
Raytheon has been the prime contractor for the system since its inception. With the current PAC-3 version Lockheed Martin makes the interceptor, but for the original and PAC-2 Raytheon was the source for the missile as well as the radar. PATRIOT remains the primary ground based system for the Army to protect against air and missile threats. The system has slowly been upgraded since 1990 on to deal with more advanced missiles.
Boeing Airborne Laser Engineers Receive Missile Defense Agency Award – Press Release
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Congress, Department of Defense, Events, Lockheed Martin, MDA, Military Aviation, Northrop Grumman Corp., Services, U.S. Air Force, development program, missile defense
WASHINGTON, April 29, 2009 — Three Boeing [NYSE: BA] Airborne Laser (ABL) engineers and three of their government and industry teammates received the Technology Pioneer Award from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) on March 23 for advancing technologies that would enable ABL to intercept and destroy ballistic missile threats.
MDA presented the award at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics/MDA 7th Annual Missile Defense Conference in Washington to honor the recipients’ work in developing critical technologies central to implementing high-power directed energy on ABL as a new class of powerful weaponry for the warfighter. Two critical ABL components are the high-energy laser to shoot down ballistic missiles soon after they are launched, and the beam control/fire control system that points the
laser beam while compensating for atmospheric turbulence. The laser, the beam control/fire control system and a state-of-the-art battle management suite are now integrated aboard the ABL aircraft, which underwent the largest modification to an airplane ever accomplished by Boeing. ABL is scheduled to perform a missile-intercept test this year.
“The six members of the joint government-industry team that received this prestigious award greatly deserve this recognition,” said Michael Rinn, Boeing vice president and ABL program director. “Thanks to their technical skill, teamwork and boundless dedication, we will soon be able to demonstrate the revolutionary speed, mobility, precision and lethality that the Airborne Laser could provide to America’s warfighters. ABL could change not only missile defense, but warfare in general, and these technology pioneers have blazed a path for other directed-energy weapons to follow.”
The honorees are:
* Don Clapp, ABL chief engineer and mission assurance manager, Boeing
* Jeff Hartlove, ABL deputy program manager, Northrop Grumman
* Steve Lamberson, ABL chief scientist, ABL System Program Office, MDA
* Dave Morris, ABL chief scientist and system performance manager, Boeing
* Harold Schall, ABL chief engineer for integration and testing, Boeing
* Paul Shattuck, ABL beam control/fire control chief engineer and technical director, Lockheed Martin.
Boeing is the prime contractor and overall systems integrator for ABL, which is designed to provide speed-of-light capability to destroy all classes of ballistic missiles in their boost phase of flight. ABL also has the potential to be deployed for other missions, including destroying aircraft and surface-to-air missiles.
The ABL aircraft is a modified Boeing 747-400F whose back half holds the high-energy laser, designed and built by Northrop Grumman. The front section of the aircraft contains the beam control/fire control system, developed by Lockheed Martin, and the battle management system, provided by Boeing.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.
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Contact Info:
Marc Selinger
Boeing Missile Defense Systems
(703) 414-6138
marc.selinger@boeing.com
Chuck Cadena
Boeing Missile Defense Systems
(703) 872-4503
chuck.cadena@boeing.com
Boeing Airborne Laser Team Begins Weapon System Flight Tests – Press Release
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Events, Lockheed Martin, MDA, Northrop Grumman Corp., Press Releases, Services, development program, missile defense
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., April 24, 2009 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], industry teammates and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency have begun Airborne Laser (ABL) flight tests with the entire weapon system integrated aboard the ABL aircraft.
ABL, a heavily modified Boeing 747-400F aircraft, completed its functional check flight April 21 from Edwards Air Force Base with the beam control/fire control system and the high-energy laser onboard, confirming the aircraft is airworthy, ready for more airborne tests, and on track for its missile-intercept demonstration this year. “With ABL’s return to flight, we are on the verge of fully demonstrating the unprecedented speed, mobility, precision and lethality that ABL could provide to America’s warfighters,” said
Michael Rinn, Boeing vice president and ABL program director. ABL would deter potential adversaries and provide speed-of-light capability to destroy all classes of ballistic missiles in their boost phase of flight. Eliminating missiles in their boost phase would
reduce the number of shots required by other elements of the layered ballistic missile defense system. ABL also has the potential to be employed for other missions, including destroying aircraft and surface-to-air missiles.
The program has logged many accomplishments over the past several years. In 2007, ABL completed almost 50 flight tests that demonstrated its ability to track an airborne target, measure and compensate for atmospheric conditions, and deliver a surrogate high-energy laser beam on the target. In 2008, the team completed installing the high-energy laser onboard the aircraft and, for the first time, operated the entire weapon system at high power levels. Boeing is the prime contractor and overall systems integrator for ABL, and provides the modified aircraft and battle management system.
Northrop Grumman supplies the high-energy laser, and Lockheed Martin provides the beam control/fire control system. A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of
military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees
worldwide.
###
Contact Info:
Marc Selinger
Boeing Missile Defense Systems
(703) 414-6138
marc.selinger@boeing.com
Chuck Cadena
Boeing Missile Defense Systems
(703) 872-4503
chuck.cadena@boeing.com
Boeing’s Revenue Suffers But Not Due To Defense
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Department of Defense, EADS, Earnings, Events, MDA, Military Aviation, Services, U.S. Air Force, commercial aviation, development program, missile defense, production program
Update — When I wrote this originally I misspoke. Lockheed did eke out a slight gain from last year. Part of this was due to a share buyback that reduced the number of shares in circulation.
Boeing reported out their first quarter earnings today and revenue was down about fifty percent. This was mainly due to the reduction in demand for their passenger airplanes. As we discussed earlier there is concern that the proposed changes to the U.S. defense budget by the Obama Administration may negatively affect performance of the company’s defense sector in the future.
Interestingly they are the second of the four major defense contractors to report and like Lockheed Martin did see reduced earnings and revenue. The Seattle Times writes that the customers for airliners are deferring deliveries. The Boeing 777 saw a major drop in the number being constructed while the 787 ramps up to begin deliveries. The airline industry has taken a major beating as the world’s economy declines and this has had a negative effect on Boeing and EADS commercial product lines.
Boeing is hoping that Congress will temper the cuts to their programs included in the FY10 budget. Like in the past when it has continued C-17 production beyond what the Defense Department requested their is a possibility that the F-22, Airborne Laser and the missile defense cuts may not stand. This will probably be one of the ugliest parts of the defense appropriation process.
Boeing has had to reduce their estimate for the full year due to the recent decline in revenue. The company obviously is planning for a down year which is not surprising with the current world economic situation.
Kansas Fights for the ABL
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Congress, Events, Federal Budget Process, Kansas, MDA, Military Aviation, Proposal, Services, U.S. Air Force, development program, missile defense
Boeing uses their Wichita, KS facility to modify aircraft for use by the military. Obviously the state has a vested interest in keeping this plant with work. The tankers if Boeing wins the KC-X contract as well as the second Airborne Laser (ABL) 747 would be built here. So it is not surprising that The Kansas City Star is reporting that the Kansas Congressional delegation is a tad upset with Gates’ proposal to cancel the second ABL aircraft.
With all of the various programs that Gates’ has recommended terminating or restructuring you can expect to see stories like these. One state will demand that a ship building program continue or a vehicle one. The F-22 supporters started making a case before the announcement of the ending of production. Contractors and Congressman have a vested interest in keeping programs going for revenue and economic impact reasons. The fighting over keeping programs is really just another aspect of the whole earmark process. As Gate’s budget makes it through Congress there will be whole sale changes to what he proposed with programs continuing.
Boeing Releases Video Update on Airborne Laser
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Events, MDA, Military Aviation, Services, U.S. Air Force, development program, missile defense
The Boeing Company released the 2009 Executive Progress Report for the Airborne Laser (ABL) program. It can be found at their website here.
MDA Awards Boeing Contract for Missile Defense
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Congress, Contract Awards, MDA, Services, development program, missile defense
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) awarded Boeing the FY09 option to continue work on the Ground Based Mid-Course Defense program. Business Week reports that the contract is worth about $250 million. This is the system that used to be called National Missile Defense (NMD) with sensors and missiles based in Alaska. There are also other radars and sensor scattered across the globe. The contract has an FY10 option included in it as well. There have been some rumblings from the Democrats that this is a program they are looking at to significantly cut in the future. SmartBrief reports that Senator Levin has discussed this as an option for the next budget.
MDA Awards Pratt & Whitney Development Contract
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Events, Federal Budget Process, MDA, Pratt & Whitney, Services, UTC, development program, missile defense
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) awarded Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne a contract to being development of a new Directional Attitude Control System (DACS). The press release is at TradingMarkets.com. The initial contract is worth about $12 million. The DACS will be part of the Multiple Kill Vehicle program MDA previously announced that will allow one interceptor missile to carry more than one KV to attack enemy threat systems.
More on the Alaskan Missile Range Corruption Case
Filed under: Alaska, Congress, Contract Awards, Federal Budget Process, MDA, S&T, SMDC, U.S. Air Force, crime, development program, missile defense, space
We have written in the past about Mr. Cantrell, an manager at the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), and his corruption scheme that will lead to his jailing on taking bribes from contractors in the past here and here. Now The Kodiak Daily Mirror has more details on how Mr. Cantrell used Alaskan Senator Stephens to build a range on Kodiak Island which allowed him to get the necessary work in order to generate the kickbacks. Read more
MDA Awards Raytheon Interceptor Development Contract
Filed under: Contract Awards, MDA, Raytheon, development program, missile defense, space
Reuters reports that the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has awarded a over $400 M contract to Raytheon for development of a new interceptor to the Ground Based Missile Defense System. The contract is for a new, multiple kill vehicle payload to allow the attack of multiple targets with one interceptor. The current system installed in Alaska utilizes interceptors with one kill vehicle on them. This new system would minimize the number of interceptors required to destroy a target, especially if their are a number of decoys also as part of the attack.
Missile Defense corruption
Filed under: Alabama, Alaska, Congress, MDA, S&T, SMDC, U.S. Army, crime, development program, missile defense
Last year the US Government arrested two employees of the US Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) on charges that they were taking bribes to steer contracts to selected companies. Now the New York Times has done some further research on the issue and have found out that the main figure, the head of SMDC S&T center, had created a whole scheme to make Congress fund a large test program that would then be self-perpetuating. As part of this he broke Federal law by lobbying Congress directly.
The scheme he concocted was one that when I worked supporting the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO), now Missile Defense Agency (MDA), never made much sense to me. The MDA had an issue with testing the systems against long range targets. They targets required could not be tested in the United States as there was no range big enough to hold them. The Navy invested in improving their range on the West Coast of Kuaii in Hawaii that faced a broad open area. Targets would be air launched and fired into the range. The Army looked at building a launch facility on Midway to fire that targets at their main range in Kwajalien. The gentlemen at the core of the scandal, Mr. Cantrell, worked a proposal directly with Congress and various contractors to build a facility in Alaska on Kodiak Island and then use an old Navy helicopter carrier to fire the targets at Kodiak. This never really made sense due to its cost and the creation of all new facilities and modifying the ship at some cost.
Ultimately the idea went nowhere, although a launch facility has been built at Kodiak which supports Air Force operations right now. MDA made the sensible decision to begin testing US Army systems in Hawaii using the range there. Now that it turns out the Mr. Cantrell and various Senators using the earmark system was doing this for personal gain.
See an article in the Huntsville Times here.
MDA awards SETA contracts
Filed under: Contract Awards, IT, MDA, SETA, Teledyne Technologies, development program, missile defense
The last round of BRAC moved a significant number of MDA assets to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL. Now two SETA contracts were awarded recently to support the agency. DMD was given an ID/IQ contract that could be worth over $40 M if all options are executed. Teledyne Solutions was also awarded one that is worth over $150 M. Both contracts have multiple options, and with all ID/IQ contracts there is no guarantee any work will be given out.
See The Huntsville Times for more.
THAAD Video
Filed under: Lockheed Martin, MDA, Raytheon, development program, missile defense
As a follow-up to the post about UAE buying THAAD, here is a video from defensenet showing a recent test firing.
MDA awards launch services contract
Filed under: AADC, Contract Awards, MDA, missile defense, space
Alaska Aerospace Development Corp. (AADC) has won a ID/IQ contract to provide launch services at the Kodiak Island facility. This was built in order to launch targets for missile defense tests in the Pacific. The contract could be worth $50 M if all efforts are utilized. AADC has supported the facility for several years, and is payed by the launch. If there are no launches that year no pay is received.
For more see the Kodiak Daily Mirror.
Raytheon spreads the wealth around
Filed under: Contract Awards, MDA, Raytheon, Sonju Industrial, development program, missile defense, production program
Raytheon subcontracted with the small business Sonju Industrial to build missile components. See an article here. Sonju Industrial is a small business and will partner with Raytheon through the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) mentor-protege program. The contract will allow significant growth of Sonju Industrial. This is another example of how defense dollars flow to every part of the US and their significance to the nation’s economy.
First THAAD Battery stands up
Filed under: Lockheed Martin, MDA, U.S. Army, development program, missile defense
This is not a defense procurement issue but I have fond memories of working with THAAD ten years ago. The First Unit Equipped (FUE), Alpha Battery/4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 32nd Army Air & Missile Defense Command, was activated on 28 May. See a press release from Lockheed Martin here. THAAD is the Army’s long range ballistic missile defense system, layering on top of the existing PATRIOT systems.
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- Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Succeeds in First Vertical Landing
- House Armed Services Committee: Skelton to Introduce Legislation to Protect TRICARE
- DOD CONTRACTS for March 18, 2010
- Today in the Department of Defense, Friday, March 19, 2010
- Contracts for March 18, 2010
- Northrop Grumman Begins Installing First EHF Satcom Hardware on B-2
- Raytheon Missile Systems Establishes Air and Missile Defense Systems Product Line
- U.S. Department of Energy Selects Lockheed Martin to Advance Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Utility Power Plans
- Raytheon Awarded $12 Million for Patriot Missile Field Surveillance Program
- Northrop Grumman Names Janis Pamiljans Vice President of the Navy Unmanned Combat Air System Program
- Northrop Grumman Names Steven L. Enewold Vice President of Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Unmanned Aircraft System Program
- House Armed Services Committee: Hearing on the FY 2011 Budget Requests from the U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, and U.S. Transportation Command
- DOD CONTRACTS for March 17, 2010
- Northrop Grumman Awarded Planning Contract for the Refueling and Complex Overhaul of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)
- Today in the Department of Defense, Thursday, March 18, 2010
- National Guard (In Federal Status) And Reserve Activated as of March 16, 2010
- Contracts for March 17, 2010
- India, the New Land of Opportunity for Defense Contractors
- Sage [Grouse] Decision: Why the Feds Refused to Flip the Bird at Power Players
- Today in the Department of Defense, Wednesday, March 17, 2010
- DOD CONTRACTS for March 16, 2010
- US Navy Flag Officer Announcement
- USAF General Officer Announcement (REPOSTED)
- DOD Senior Executive Service Appointments and Reassignments
- Contracts for March 16, 2010
- Northrop Grumman Delivers 500th Directional Infrared Countermeasures System
- Lockheed Martin Awarded Task Order for Continued Production of Symphony IED Jammer Systems
- General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems Awarded $31 Million Navy F/A-18 Mission Computer Contract
- Lockheed’s JSF is Overdue, Over Budget – and Too Big to Fail
- Norad Flight Exercise Planned For Washington, D.C.
- Deputy Commanding General (Support) to Brief Live from Iraq
- Contracts for March 15, 2010
- Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) Pinpoint Protection for Afghanistan
- Marinette Marine Facility Expansion to Enhance Lockheed Martin’s Littoral Combat Ship Program
- FI Report: Near-Term Growth Expected in Medium/Heavy Military Rotorcraft Market
- General Dynamics Itronix Launches New GDAssure(TM) Program that Certifies Customer Computer Systems Prior to Installation
- Lockheed Martin Delivers Innovative Full-Motion Video Intelligence System to USJFCOM
- General Officer Announcement
- USAF General Officer Assignments
- USMC Flag Officer Announcement
- Christopher Gregoire Named Lockheed Martin Vice President and Controller
- DOD CONTRACTS for March 15, 2010
- Today in the Department of Defense, Tuesday, March 16, 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
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