MIDS JTRS Receives NSA Certification — Press Release
SAN DIEGO – The Joint Program Executive Office for the Joint Tactical Radio System (JPEO JTRS) announced today that the Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) has received National Security Agency (NSA) Certification to provide secure distribution of situational awareness and command and control information among airborne warfighters. The NSA Certification was granted March 9, 2010 by Mr. Richard C. Schaeffer, Jr., Director, NSA Information Assurance Directorate (IAD). This is the first JTRS product to be certified at this level of security by the NSA.
“Formal NSA Certification is a monumental accomplishment for the MIDS JTRS Program and the JTRS Enterprise. This is another first for MIDS JTRS as the program continues to blaze new trails and pave the way for other JTRS products to be successful and meet warfighter requirements. The MIDS Program Office has been working extremely close with NSA for over six years to bring this leading edge, next generation technology to the warfighter at the right time. I want to thank NSA, the MIDS JTRS vendors, and all the government personnel for their outstanding work. This is huge for the MIDS JTRS Program,” stated CAPT Scott Krambeck, USN, MIDS Program Manager.
The NSA Certification confirms that the MIDS JTRS terminal has met the highest standards in ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of the data and the availability of the system. NSA Certification is a critical milestone in support of the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for MIDS JTRS on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. A successful NSA Technical Review Board (TRB) was conducted on MIDS JTRS in December 2009 which was the precursor to this NSA announcement.
The MIDS JTRS terminal is the first in a series of networking systems that will provide a single chassis, multiple channel capability to the warfighter, significantly reducing the number of different and unique radios in the operational environment. Use of JTRS radios also means a very real reduction of the upkeep and spare parts necessary to support our forward deployed forces.
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About JPEO JTRS
The Joint Program Executive Office for the Joint Tactical Radio System, headquartered in San Diego, Calif., was initiated in early 1997 to improve and consolidate the Services’ pursuit of separate solutions to replace existing legacy radios in the Department of Defense inventory. The JTRS program has evolved from separate radio replacement programs to an integrated effort to network multiple weapon system platforms and forward combat units where it matters most – the last tactical mile. JTRS will link the power of the Global Information Grid to the warfighter in applying fire effects and achieving overall battlefield superiority.
JTRS is developing an open architecture of cutting edge radio waveform technology that allows multiple radio types (e.g., handheld, aircraft, maritime) to communicate with each other. The goal is to produce a family of interoperable, modular software-defined radios which operate as nodes in a network to ensure secure wireless communication and networking services for mobile and fixed forces. These goals extend to U.S. allies, coalition partners and disaster response personnel. For more information, please visit http://jpeojtrs.mil/.
MRAP-ATV Continues To Drive Work For Plasan Bennington
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Department of Defense, Events, Oshkosh Truck Corp, Plasan, Services, States, Vermont, logistics, production program
The MRAP-ATV is the new lighter, more maneuverable MRAP made for service in Afghanistan. Oshkosh won the production contract and so far has been awarded contracts for over 8,000 vehicles by the U.S. military. Plasan Bennington makes armor plates for the vehicles and as Oshkosh receives contracts so does the Vermont company.
It announced that Oshkosh had given it a sub-contract worth over $170 million as part of a recent order of 1,460 MRAP vehicles. As the U.S. industry geared up to produce not only MRAPs but also uparmored HUMVEE and trucks several companies expanded their capabilities. Plasan Bennington is one along with BAE Systems. Protection against IED and mines demands the production of sophisticated metal plates for use on military vehicles.
EADS-NA Says Not Comfortable Priming KC-X Contract
Filed under: Alabama, EADS, General Dynamics, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Corp., Raytheon, Syndicated Industry News
Aviation Week is reporting that EADS-North America felt it needed an partner on the KC-X contract as it was not comfortable being the prime for such a large effort. While EADS has experienced some decent growth in the U.S. it still has a fairly lean organization.
The company was confident that they could provide to Northrop the basic airframes on cost and schedule. Northrop would have then been responsible for the necessary military modifications. EADS would have had to find a partner in General Dynamics, Raytheon or Lockheed Martin. There would be few large contractors available in the U.S. with the past experience to support a contract of this size.
Press Release — Statement on US Refueling Tanker Program Announcement
Filed under: Alabama, Boeing, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Syndicated Industry News, Washington
Statement on US Refueling Tanker Program Announcement
WASHINGTON, March 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The European Commission notes yesterday’s decision by Northrop Grumman / EADS not to submit a bid to the US Department of Defense for the US Air Force’s aerial refueling tanker contract.
“It is highly regrettable that a major potential supplier would feel unable to bid for a contract of this type. Open procurement markets guarantee better competition and better value for money for the taxpayer,” stated EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht.
In February 2008, Northrop Grumman / EADS was selected and awarded the contract to provide aerial refueling tankers for the US Air Force in a fair and transparent competition. This was a positive sign for free and open competition across the Atlantic. This also seemed to indicate that successful bids are possible when European industry teams up with US industry and they are allowed to compete fairly. This award was subsequently cancelled at the end of 2008.
In December 2009, Northrop Grumman / EADS expressed serious concerns to the Department of Defense and the US Air Force on the proposed acquisition criteria for the contract.
The European Commission would be extremely concerned if it were to emerge that the terms of tender were such as to inhibit open competition for the contract.
The US defense trade balance with the EU has traditionally been significantly in the US’ favor. In 2008 the US exported $5 billion and imported only $2.2 billion worth of defense material, in line with a historic ratio of double exports to imports.
The Commission will be following further developments in this case very closely.
Source: Delegation of the European Union to the United States
Statement From Northrop Grumman on U.S. Air Force Aerial Refueling Tanker Program — Press Release
Filed under: Alabama, Boeing, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Syndicated Industry News
Statement From Northrop Grumman on U.S. Air Force Aerial Refueling Tanker Program
WASHINGTON, March 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The following is a statement from Wes Bush, Chief Executive Officer and President of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) , concerning the U.S. Air Force aerial refueling tanker program.
“After a comprehensive analysis of the final RFP, Northrop Grumman has determined that it will not submit a bid to the Department of Defense for the KC-X program. We reached this conclusion based on the structure of the source selection methodology defined in the RFP, which clearly favors Boeing’s smaller refueling tanker and does not provide adequate value recognition of the added capability of a larger tanker, precluding us from any competitive opportunity.
“Northrop Grumman fully respects the Department’s responsibility to determine the military requirements for the new tanker. In the previous competition, Northrop Grumman was selected by the Air Force as offering the most capable tanker for the warfighter at the best value for the taxpayer. However, the Northrop Grumman and EADS team is very disappointed that the revised source selection methodology now dramatically favors Boeing’s smaller refueling tanker. We agree that the fundamental military requirements for the new tanker have not changed since the last competition, but the Department’s new evaluation methodology now clearly favors the smaller tanker.
“We continue to believe that Northrop Grumman’s tanker represents the best value for the military and taxpayer – a belief supported by the selection of the A330 tanker design over the Boeing design in the last five consecutive tanker competitions around the globe. Regrettably, this means that the U.S. Air Force will be operating a less capable tanker than many of our Allies in this vital mission area.
“Our prior selection by the Air Force, our firm belief that we provide the best value offering, and the hard work and commitment of the many individuals and communities on our team over many years made this a difficult decision for our company. But we have a fiduciary responsibility to our shareholders to prudently invest our corporate resources, as do our more than 200 tanker team suppliers across the United States. Investing further resources to submit a bid would not be acting responsibly.
“We have decided that Northrop Grumman will not protest. While we feel we have substantial grounds to support a GAO or court ruling to overturn this revised source selection process, America’s service men and women have been forced to wait too long for new tankers. We feel a deep responsibility to their safety and to their ability to fulfill the missions our nation calls upon them to perform. Taking actions that would further delay the introduction of this urgent capability would also not be acting responsibly.
“We recognize that our decision likely creates a sole-source outcome for Boeing. We call on the Department to keep in mind the economic conclusions of the prior round of bidding as it takes actions to protect the taxpayer when defining the sole-source procurement contract. In the previous round, the Air Force, through a rigorous assessment of our proposal, determined that it would pay a unit flyaway cost of approximately $184 million per tanker for the first 68 tankers, including the non-recurring development costs. With the Department’s decision to procure a much smaller, less capable design, the taxpayer should certainly expect the bill to be much less.”
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.
Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation
Press Release — Boeing Selects Pratt & Whitney to Power Boeing’s Proposed NewGen Tanker to be Offered to U.S. Air Force
Filed under: Boeing, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Pratt & Whitney, Syndicated Industry News, Washington
Boeing Selects Pratt & Whitney to Power Boeing’s Proposed NewGen Tanker to be Offered to U.S. Air Force
EAST HARTFORD, Conn., March 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — In an announcement made today, Boeing said it is offering the Pratt & Whitney-powered NewGen Tanker as its platform for the U.S. Air Force’s KC-X recapitalization program. Boeing’s proposal calls for the NewGen Tanker to be powered by Pratt & Whitney’s PW4062 engine. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.
“Pratt & Whitney is honored to partner with Boeing on the NewGen platform to be offered as America’s next generation of tankers for the U.S. Air Force’s KC-X program,” said Bill Begert, Pratt & Whitney Vice President of Military Business Development and Aftermarket Services. “The PW4000 engine has an exceptional track record of performance and reliability with numerous commercial customers operating the engine globally. We are confident it will meet Boeing and the U.S. Air Force’s performance requirements and expectations.”
Pratt & Whitney has delivered more than 2,500 PW4000-94″ commercial engines that collectively have logged more than 100 million flight hours on commercial aircraft around the world. The PW4062 is the highest thrust model in Pratt & Whitney’s PW4000-94″ commercial engine family and is offered for both commercial freighter and military tanker applications. Two PW4062 engines, each delivering 62,000 pounds of thrust, will power The Boeing Company’s NewGen Tanker.
The PW4000 family of engines includes models with thrust ratings ranging from 52,000 pounds to 98,000 pounds. These engines have an outstanding safety record, high reliability, excellent performance and low maintenance costs. The PW4000 family meets all required emissions and noise regulations, and offers superior fuel economy and maintainability. The PW4000-94″ engine operates commercially on Boeing 747, 767 and MD-11 aircraft and the Airbus A300/310 series.
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future business opportunities. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in government procurement priorities and practices, budget plans and availability of funding, and in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in the companies’ Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.
Stephanie Duvall
Pratt & Whitney Military Engines
860.557.1382
stephanie.duvall@pw.utc.com
Source: Pratt & Whitney
Boeing Will Submit Proposal Based on K-767
Filed under: Boeing, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Kansas, Northrop Grumman Corp., Proposal, Syndicated Industry News, Washington
As it did in the last contest two years ago Boeing (BA) plans to submit a 767 based tanker. This is similar to the ones they are already building for Japan. To differentiate it from previous versions they are calling it a “NewGen” aircraft. Boeing will upgrade the basic 767 design with a new fueling boom and parts of the 787 cockpit technology.
There is still no formal word from Northrop Grumman (NOC) or EADS (EADS:P) if they plan to submit a proposal this time around.
EADS Supports Bid For KC-X
Filed under: Alabama, Boeing, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Protest, Syndicated Industry News
It is being reported by various sources that EADS is pressuring Northrop Grumman to go ahead and submit a bid for the new KC-X RFP. Northrop had informed the Government that they planned not to if the terms were not significantly changed. They felt the RFP was favoring Boeing’s cheaper, smaller KC-767 aircraft.
The final RFP came out two weeks ago and still no word from Northrop that they will go ahead and submit something in May. EADS obviously would like another chance to win the contest after they lost the last one to Boeing’s protest in 2008. The $35 billion would go a long way to make up for the lost A400M revenue.
BRAC Work Continues At Fort Sam Houston For Eaton
Filed under: BRAC, Business Line, Companies, Congress, Contract Additions, Contract Awards, Department of Defense, Events, Services, States, Texas, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, logistics, medicine
The last round of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) act in the United States moved to consolidate development and training centers. One base that is gaining from this policy is Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX. Because it was decided to move most of the military’s medical training to this location much work is being done to expand the facilities there. Eaton Corporation received a further contract addition worth $8 million.
The contract is for electrical services and parts to support the construction of the required facilities. One key component of this is a 425 bed hospital that Eaton Corp. has been working on.
Boeing Unions Support Single Source Contract
Filed under: Alabama, Boeing, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Syndicated Industry News, Washington
According to The Seattle Pilot-Intelligencer the International Association of Machinists District 751 wrote to the new Build Them Both Coalition that they support Boeing’s bid for the KC-X. They were responding to a letter sent to them by Build Them Both. The IAM argued that a split buy would not meet their goals of maximizing Washington jobs.
As Expected Alabama Press Critical Of Air Force RFP
Filed under: Alabama, Boeing, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Syndicated Industry News
Writing in support of Northrop Grumman and the “Mobile region” the Mobile Press-Register has and editorial summing up the situation on the new RFP from their view. They do not demand that the RFP be changed or the contract be given to Northrop and EADS but they do point out that:
“If Northrop pulls out of the contest, Boeing may get the tanker contract, but the entire deal will be tainted — first by Boeing’s own corruption and collusion with some Pentagon officials several years ago over an earlier version of the tanker deal, and second by a decision-making process that puts politics above defense needs.”
It is true that a single bid competition is not much of a competition.
New Group Advocating For Split Tanker Buy
Filed under: Alabama, Boeing, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Syndicated Industry News, Washington
The Washington Post writes today about a new group buying advertisements to support the concept of buying KC-X tankers from both Boeing (BA) and Northrop Grumman (NOC). The group is called “Build Them Both” and its financiers have so far remained private. The idea of a split buy was floated last year but despite the ability to produce aircraft faster the related logistical costs are so high that the Air Force and DoD won’t consider it.
The article may be found here as the second part of the post.
Hopes High That This Try Is The End Of The KC-X Contest
Filed under: Alabama, Boeing, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Syndicated Industry News, Washington
Over at BNET: Government where I also publish I have a piece on how this third try will be the winning one for the Air Force and Defense Department to get a new aircraft to replace the aging KC-135 fleet. There still remain many challenges with the contest as Northrop may not bid and Boeing has expressed concerns with the fixed price portion of the contract.
It will be an interesting next few months as this is all worked out. Next deadline is May 10th when proposals are due.
In Comparison To Those In Alabama Boeing Supporters Confident
Filed under: Airbus, Alabama, Boeing, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Syndicated Industry News, Washington
The Herald a newspaper in Everett, WA has an article discussing how happy and confident Boeing’s legislator supporters are with the new RFP released yesterday by the Air Force. This is the opposite as to how those from Alabama feel. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) is quoted as saying, “Given a fair shot, Washington state’s workers will bring home this contract,” Murray said. “We have the skills, the technology, and the experience of having built the only combat-ready tanker to prove it.”
If Northrop Grumman (NOC) and its partner Airbus don’t submit a bid it will be hard for Boeing (BA) to not win the contract. Hence the happiness of their supporters.
Alabama Senators Not Happy With New RFP
Filed under: Alabama, Boeing, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Syndicated Industry News
In an article in The Mobile Press Register Senators Shelby (R-AL) and Sessions (R-AL) make it clear that they are not happy with the new RFP. Shelby says “The final RFP discredits the integrity of the entire process,” and Sessions seems to feel that Northrop Grumman (NOC) won’t bid. He laments the lack of competition in the process.
This of course is not a surprising reaction as Northrop and EADS planned to assemble the basic A330 aircraft in Mobile, AL and then integrate the military systems at a Northrop facility.
CONG. John Murtha (D-PA) Dies, Backed Split Tanker Buy
Filed under: Alabama, Boeing, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Mississippi, Northrop Grumman Corp., Syndicated Industry News
Congressman John Murtha (D-PA) a senior Democratic Representative and the Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee died yesterday from surgery complications. Murtha had at one time pushed the idea of awarding KC-X contracts to both Boeing (BA) and the Northrop Grumman (NOC) and EADS (EADS:P) teams as a way to rapidly replace the aging KC-135 aircraft. He eventually gave up on the idea.
The rationale for the split buy is that it builds the aircraft quicker while also removing the uncertainty of a protest over a single award. The U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense have made it clear that they do not want to do this due to the increased logistical cost associated with operating two different aircraft. The systems might complement each other with the bigger, longer range KC-30 being based further back in the U.S. and its more permanent bases overseas with the KC-767 flying forward and supporting operations in-and-around South West Asia.
The dual award would also mean that Northrop and EADS will be guaranteed work so their threat not to participate in the latest round would not need to be carried out. That is why organizations like the Aerospace Alliance representing Mississippi, Alabama and Florida support they idea. Some work in Mobile, AL is better then none.
The chances of a split buy are fairly remote but there are still those who want it.
Senator Shelby Freezes Obama Nominees Over KC-X
Filed under: Alabama, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp.
It has been reported that Senator Shelby (R-AL) has placed a hold on every nomination made by President Obama that must be confirmed by the Senate. This means that without a vote of over 60 Senators the nominations cannot be considered. Putting a hold on specific individuals is not uncommon but the use of the “blanket hold” is. Reportedly Shelby is upset about progress on the KC-X RFP as well as plans to build a new national Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) school at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL.
Shelby had been a Democrat until the election of Bill Clinton when he switched parties. It would be hard to believe that this broad attack will force any changes to the RFP to make it more attractive to Northrop Grumman (NOC) and EADS (EADS:P). It will also be hard for Shelby to sustain this kind of action for long.
Support For Northrop Not Bidding On KC-X
Filed under: Alabama, Boeing, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Syndicated Industry News
Northrop Grumman and its partner EADS threatened a few weeks ago not to participate in the next attempt at buying a new tanker for U.S.A.F. Many feel that this is just a negotiating ploy to have the terms of the RFP changed to make it easier for Northrop to win. The company has expressed concern that the way the RFP is written now it will favor Boeing to the point that Northrop sees no reason to bid.
The U.S.A.F. and DoD need to attract multiple bids. They cannot go through with the program without some sort of competition. Now it has been made clear that both the Board of Directors of Northrop, stock analysts are shareholders are supportive of the plan not to propose. One would think that there should be an attempt to win $35 billion of work but the goal of Mr. Bush, the new CEO, and his supporters is to increase the margin and profitability of the company. This means he and his supporters want to concentrate on getting work and getting it done.
The KC-X program in its third iteration faces some problems. The chance of a protest by either losing side is high. Both teams have supporter in Congress. The program may be hard to get up-and-running with so much politics involved. If Northrop feels there is little chance of them winning this contract again or quickly making money off of it then they should not proceed.
Two Tanker Buy Pushed Again
Filed under: Alabama, Boeing, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Syndicated Industry News
The Mayor of Mobile, AL was recently on Capitol Hill raising the issue of buying the new KC-X tanker from both Boeing (BA) and Northrop Grumman (NOC). Northrop and its partner EADS (EADS:P) plan to assemble the A330 aircraft in Mobile and then fit them out with the necessary equipment at a Northrop plant. The idea of awarding contracts to both companies has been discussed before. The primary benefit besides avoiding a protest and delaying the program again would be to more quickly replace the KC-135 aircraft.
The U.S.A.F. and Defense Department have not been positive about this idea in the past due to the larger, more expensive logistics tail required to support two dissimilar systems. During World War II and the Cold War the U.S. often did invest in multiple systems for a mission often operated by separate services. The U.S. military has not had the resources to afford this kind of commitment.
The new RFP is expected to be released within a matter of weeks. For the Air Force to do a dual award it would require development and approval of a whole new acquisition strategy. This would lead to even further delays in this contract. The chances of buying the two aircraft in the next year or so are very slight.
Army Awards DCGS Support Contract
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Events, IT, Raytheon, Services, States, Texas, Textron, U.S. Army, development program, logistics, production program
Overwatch an operating unit of Textron Inc. (TXT) was awarded a contract by the U.S. Army to support the Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS)-Army system. DCGS is a product of Raytheon (RTN) that allows the distribution of a variety of intelligence material. The DCGS-Army as it sounds is the system in use by the Army at their ground facilities to support their operations.
Overwatch received a contract that will be worth over $48 million if all options are exercised to provide software development and training. The software is used to develop and support applications on the DCGS. Overwatch has been doing this kind of work for U.S. and other countries military since the early 1990. It was acquired by Textron in 2006.
BRAC Support Nets CACI A Contract
Filed under: BRAC, Business Line, CACI, Companies, Contract Awards, Events, IT, Maryland, Services, States, U.S. Army, logistics
The last round of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) for the U.S. military saw a focus on concentrating similar organizations and efforts. These include combining schools and research facilities for all of the services if there is some synergy. An example is moving medical training for the Army, Navy and Air Force to San Antonia, TX where the Air Force originally focused their training. A similar move is the transfer of network and information operations from several Army bases to the Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) in Maryland.
In order to coordinate and support these moves the Army gave CACI International (CACI) a contract that could be worth over $80 million if all options are exercised. The two and a half year contract primarily pays for the planning and conduct of the movement of the large number of IT and computer equipment necessitated by the move. These include test sets and equipment for the development and testing of new equipment.
Similar contracts have been awarded to other companies to support similar moves and consolidations. As can be imagined the logistics of all this are quite involved and the use of contractors allows the short term ramp up in personnel and capability required.
Diversification And Military Orders Helping Ceradyne
Filed under: Business Line, California, Ceradyne, Companies, Department of Defense, Earnings, Events, Services, States, logistics, production program
Ceradyne the maker of ceramic armor for a variety of military applications reports that despite a drop in revenue it expects to make its profit estimate for 2009. Though new test and acceptance processes by the military have delayed shipments and booking of revenue from 2009 into 2010 the company still projects a profit of greater then $15 million. The company has begun diversifying into other markets including energy production including solar, oil and gas. 2010 is also estimated to be as good or better then the past year as the company has made efforts to reduce its costs.
DoD Continues Investment In WMD Sensors
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Department of Defense, Events, SBIR, Services, States, Wisconsin, development program
The 2010 defense budget just signed last month includes further funding for Platypus Technologies to continue their research and development of a sensor for chemical and biological weapons based on liquid crystals. The value of this contract which lasts one year is about $2 million. Platypus is one of the leading innovators in the use of this LCD technology for uses such as this. The goal is to have a hand held sensor that changes color or intensity based on what it detects.
Since Desert Storm in 1991 the U.S. military has been working hard to develop systems that detect chemical and other Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) from a distance and more safely then the traditional swipe systems used for most of the last century. They have built ones based on lasers that can be vehicle mounted. This idea would work in the open air. Platypus needs to build a system that controls for variables like temperature and humidity while being able to detect trace amounts of gases and biological matter. This is what this research is focusing on. The company had previously received funding through the Defense Department’s Small Innovative Business Research (SBIR) program.
Alabama Keeps Pushing The Air Force
Filed under: Alabama, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Syndicated Industry News
Supposedly in a meeting between DoD and Air Force officials with members of the Alabama Congressional delegation it came out that the U.S.A.F. will adjust the KC-X RFP to keep Northrop Grumman (NOC) and EADS (EADS.P) in the competition. This of course is a report by Senator Sessions (R-AL) from the meeting. There is no official response as to how the U.S. officials will react to Northrop’s threatened non-participation.
It is in the best interest of the U.S. Government to have two bidders for this program and this may be a necessary step to assure that.
Kongsberg To Build More CROWS
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Additions, Contract Awards, Countries, Department of Defense, Events, Konsberg, Norway, Pennsylvia, Services, States, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, production program
The U.S. Department of Defense added to a contract previously won by Kongsberg of Norway for Crew Remote Operated Weapon Stations (CROWS). The value of this addition is over $800 million. The add to the existing contract will purchase a further 3,849 CROWS bringing the total to over 10,000.
The contract will be done over five years at Kongsberg Pennsylvania facility. CROWS allows weapons to be operated by a gunner sitting in the vehicle rather then up in the turret. This provides maximum protection to them in combat. CROWS are installed on HUMVEES as well as MRAP vehicles and are used in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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- 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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