Friday, April 16, 2010

Missile Defense System Continues Integration with $424M Contract Modification






C2BMC Supports Real-World Operations 24-7 in 17 Time Zones

Defense News:
ARLINGTON, Va., April 15th, 2010 -- The Command, Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC) program was awarded a two-year, $424 million contract modification from the Missile Defense Agency to continue integration of the missile defense system. This phase of the program, work will be focused on increasing security, augmenting planner/situational awareness capabilities, handling new and more sensors and weapons systems, and providing more integrated functionality.

“C2BMC is a key component of the National Missile Defense mission,” said John Osborn, Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Services – Defense’s director of Missile Defense Systems. “The continued development, integration, test, and fielding of C2BMC provides real-world operations in support of our nation’s priorities and objectives.”

The C2BMC program is the “integrating element” for the Ballistic Missile Defense System and integrates the various sensors and weapon systems. The system is the force multiplier providing capabilities to integrate and globally synchronize missile defense systems and operations, providing an optimized, layered defense against all ranges of threats and in all phases of flight. The Lockheed Martin-led National Team B was originally awarded C2BMC in 2002 and majority of the work is conducted in Arlington, Va., Huntsville, Ala., and Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

Media Contact: Darci Bushey, 610.531.1393; e-mail, darci.k.bushey@lmco.com

For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com

Defense News: SEALY, TX, April 15th, 2010 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] today delivered the first two of seven operational Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV), and one companion trailer, to the U.S. Army and Marine Corps for Technology Development (TD) phase testing.

The vehicles, two JLTV Category B Infantry Carriers, feature a curb weight of 15,500 pounds and were signed over to the Department of Defense, ahead of schedule, in an acceptance ceremony today.


Lt. Col. Wolfgang Petermann, the U.S. Army product manager for JLTV, reiterates the importance of the JLTV Testing and Development phase during an Acceptance Ceremony celebrating the first delivery of Lockheed Martin-Team JLTV vehicles for US Army and Marines. Seated from left to right are Steve Ramsey, Lockheed Martin Vice President for Ground Vehicles; Lou Desantis, Lockheed Martin Vice President for JLTV Systems; and Rick Stevens, Lockheed Martin JLTV Program Manager.

Within days, Lockheed Martin plans to deliver two JLTV Category A General Purpose vehicles, each weighing in at less than 13,000 pounds (curb weight), one more Category B Infantry Carrier, one Category B Command and Control On-The-Move vehicle, one Category C Utility Carrier, and three more companion trailers. These vehicles are undergoing final acceptance preparation and will be delivered next week, also ahead of schedule.

The U.S. military services will conduct a 12-month test and evaluation effort at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD, and Yuma Proving Grounds in Yuma, AZ, as part of the 27-month JLTV TD phase.

“Today’s ceremony commemorates our commitment to provide the Warfighter with the lowest-risk, most technically innovative, survivable and affordable vehicle possible,” said Steve Ramsey, vice president of Ground Vehicles at Lockheed Martin. “We are delighted to deliver mature, tested and fully capable vehicles to the Government ahead of schedule.”

Lt. Col. Wolfgang Petermann, the U.S. Army’s product manager for JLTV, was on-site during the vehicle delivery, reiterating the importance of the TD phase. “The TD phase will demonstrate the integration of mature technologies as a complete system, providing the Services with an assessment of the technical and performance risks relevant to entering the Engineering Manufacturing Development (EMD) Phase, and it will establish an achievable set of requirements for the JLTV Program,” he said.

Also present for the ceremony was a representative from the Australian Department of Defence. In January 2009 Australia entered into a Land Force Capability Modernization (LFCM) Project Arrangement (PA) for the TD phase of the JLTV program, enabling tactical vehicle interoperability and integration between U.S. future forces and Australian land forces.

Since October 2007, Lockheed Martin-Team JLTV has invested in and built five test vehicles: the original JLTV Category B variant, which is designed as an infantry carrier, was unveiled in October 2007; the Utility Vehicle Light Category C variant, which is designed with a focus on payload, was introduced in February 2008; the General Purpose Mobility Category A variant, which is designed for logistical support, was unveiled in October 2008; our second generation Infantry Carrier Category B variant; and the ‘Command and Control on the Move’ Category B variant, which made its public debut in February 2010.

“Our Lockheed Martin test vehicles have undergone extensive testing and have accumulated more than 70,000 combined test miles, more than half of which have been conducted off-road to simulate mission conditions. This prior experience with Lockheed Martin-owned vehicles helped ensure the vehicles we begin delivering under contract to the Government today are ready for rigorous Government testing,” added Ramsey.

The Lockheed Martin-led JLTV Team includes:

  • BAE Systems, providing advanced armor solutions and production facilities for high volume assembly;
  • Alcoa Defense, supplying materials experience, design services and aluminum components that give the vehicle its structural strength at reduced weight; and
  • JWF – Defense Systems, offering state-of-the-art machining and cost-effective fabrication.
  • Lockheed Martin serves as the prime contractor and design agent, providing systems engineering, platform integration, design expertise, advanced systems, and program and supply chain management.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

Lockheed Martin
Craig Vanbebber, (972) 603-1615
e-mail
craig.vanbebber@lmco.com
John A. Smith, (972) 603-1157
e-mail
john.a1.smith@lmco.com

BAE Systems
Michael D. Teegardin, (281) 616-6112
e-mail
michael.teegardin@baesystems.com


For additional information, visit our website:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/mfc

Boeing Long Beach Building Receives ENERGY STAR® Certification


EPA award celebrates energy, efficiency, environmental protection

Defense News:
LONG BEACH, Calif., April 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and the City of Long Beach joined today to celebrate the prestigious ENERGY STAR® certification of the aerospace company's Building 800 in Long Beach by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

City and company officials unveiled a commemorative plaque at Building 800 in Boeing's Douglas Center to acknowledge reductions in annual energy consumption by 20 percent, natural gas by 60 percent and water by 25 percent. Building 800 is the second Boeing facility to receive ENERGY STAR certification.

ENERGY STAR is the national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection.

"This award speaks to Boeing's commitment in reducing environmental impacts," said Ralph Sobon, Long Beach site leader for Boeing. "Our approach involves multiple initiatives that encourage employee involvement on a broad level to achieve our energy and resource conservation targets."

"These reductions in energy and water consumption are outstanding examples of the environmental stewardship that the Boeing team is demonstrating as a member of our community," said Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster. "This is great example of the commitment that we would like to encourage throughout the City of Long Beach."

To earn certification, Boeing took a number of actions including installation of new energy management and power monitoring systems, improvements to heating, ventilation and air conditioning system and controls, retrofit of lighting fixtures and exit signs, reflective window film and new electrostatic filters.

Boeing's Bay Area Boulevard building in Houston, was the company's first ENERGY STAR certification in 2008.

Boeing has improved its energy performance by managing energy strategically across the organization through its "four walls" Conservation Initiative. Total energy use reductions in energy at Boeing's three Douglas Center buildings have reduced greenhouse gas emissions equal to the electricity use from 185 households (1,003 metric tons per year).

In 2009, American businesses, organizations and consumers with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved about $17 billion on their energy bills while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 30 million vehicles.

Boeing has been an Industrial Partner with ENERGY STAR since 1997.

Contacts:

Bob Saling

Boeing Commercial Airplanes Communications

206-766-2914

bob.saling@boeing.com

Kathy Spicer

Shared Services Group Communications

425-865-7509

kathleen.m.spicer@boeing.com

Robert Villanueva

Boeing Defense, Space & Security Communications

562-797-1194

robert.s.villanueva@boeing.com

Coalition for Space Exploration: Space Exploration in the 21st Century

space-coalition.gif


Defense News:
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Coalition for Space Exploration (Coalition) recognizes today’s Space Conference in Florida as an important step in the continuing discussion on the future of America’s global leadership in space exploration.

The Coalition believes human space exploration is a national imperative that calls for a focused strategy with a more aggressive timetable and milestones to drive the development of capabilities, in support of its missions. To successfully forge the industry and international partnerships necessary for future space exploration missions, America must have robust, sustained support from its elected officials and the public. This cannot be achieved, when goals are distant and unclear.

The President’s announcement, today, that NASA will undertake the development of a heavy-lift vehicle for deep space missions to specific destinations, including asteroids and Mars, provides some clarity to the future direction of space exploration, planned by the Administration. We commend the President’s efforts to help mitigate some of the job losses associated with the retirement of the Space Shuttle program and restructuring of Constellation. This highly skilled workforce is essential to the sustainment of our nation’s preeminence in space, economic, and national security and global competitiveness. The erosion of this skill base would seriously affect the nation’s industrial base and national security strategies.

While the steps outlined by President Obama are encouraging, many key issues and concerns remain with regard to the transition from the current programs to the proposed new exploration agenda and the impact that it will have on our nation’s space industrial base and global leadership.

Delaying a decision until 2015 on the design of a heavy-lift vehicle, the establishment of its first human exploration mission for no earlier than 2025, as a precursor to a Mars expedition in 2030, threatens to sacrifice a generation of experience and expertise in our nation’s human space flight workforce. Continuing development of a variant of the Orion spacecraft is good news, in that it will reduce dependence on Russianspacecraft for International Space Station (ISS) crew escape and take advantage of existing assets and investments, but it by no means fully addresses the issue of independent, assured American access to space. There remain questions as to whether the proposal to rely solely on commercial providers to send American astronauts to the ISS is premature and threatens to extend indefinitely our reliance on other nations. In the final analysis, the U.S. human spaceflight program is a national imperative, not only a commercial interest.

The Coalition for Space Exploration sees today’s Space Conference as an opportunity to advance the ongoing discussion to outline a clear strategy for America’s future in the exploration of space. We look forward to the coming deliberations of the Congress, as the legislative process continues, and as the voices of the public are heard in this important national dialogue.

About the Coalition for Space Exploration

The Coalition for Space Exploration is a group of space industry businesses and advocacy groups that collaborates to ensure that the United States remains the leader in space, science and technology by reinforcing the value and benefits of space exploration with the public and our nation’s leaders, and building lasting support for a long-term, sustainable strategic direction for space exploration.

Contact:

Griffin Communications Group
Jaime Napoli,
832-864-7228
281-413-7062 (mobile)
jaime@griffincommgroup.com

Research and Markets: Asia Pacific Land Defense Systems Market Outlook - Ageing Systems Driving the Need for Upgrades and Replacements

Research and Markets, the largest resource for market research information in world providing essential market research reports, industry research, industry analysis, forecasts, market studies, company profiles and country reports.

Defense News:
DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/40b626/asia_pacific_land) has announced the addition of Frost & Sullivan's new report "Asia Pacific Land Defense Systems Market Outlook" to their offering.

This Frost & Sullivan research service titled Asia Pacific Land Defense Systems Market Outlook provides an in-depth analysis of the market drivers and restraints, industry structure, and competitive environment, besides dealing with the challenges and issues faced by market participants. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following markets: armored vehicles, artillery, missiles, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) technologies, and firearms.

Market Overview

Ageing Systems Driving the Need for Upgrades and Replacements in the Asia Pacific Land Defense Systems Market

The growing need to implement modern technologies to replace ageing equipment has boosted prospects for the Asia Pacific land defense systems market. Threats in the form of illegal trafficking, piracy, and terrorism are rampant across the region, and it is vital for countries to be properly equipped to thwart these attacks. Ageing defense systems have increased the importance of military upgrades and replacements in this region. Both local and foreign defense contractors have opportunities to showcase modern land defense systems to better equip countries in Asia Pacific and augment defense mechanisms. Modern land defense technology is expected to drive the market for highly capable, reliable, and cost-efficient systems to protect against foreign and domestic threats. "Network-centric warfare (NCW) is one of the factors triggering military modernization and a more network-oriented military defense structure," notes the analyst of this research service. "With the world shifting toward NCW, priorities are placed in information superiority over enemy forces, providing an advantage early in battle." Interoperability between different land defense systems will offer Asia Pacific countries the advantage of situational awareness and ramp up defense capabilities.

Although market prospects look upbeat, high procurement costs are deterring smaller nations from upgrading their land defense systems. Next-generation land defense systems easily cost up to millions and thus, are very expensive for developing countries, which are yet to make their procurement decisions. These systems are increasing in cost as the research and development costs involved are exorbitant. With developed countries looking to produce their own capabilities in this segment, the funding for technological improvements will continue to rise, increasing the price and costs for end users. High investments in the development of these land defense systems are limiting the growth of the local land defense systems industry, and most countries are still acquiring systems from foreign companies. Having a good relationship with targeted countries will provide better understanding of the needs and requirements of the respective governments in terms of defense procurement practices. Through these relationships and strategic alliances with local companies, a good competitive strategy can be worked out to improve a country's capability to develop indigenous land defense systems without depending on western expertise.

Going forward, communication systems, radars, and ISR systems are expected to see growth in the land defense systems market together with other market segments such as armored vehicles, missiles, artillery, and firearms. Information superiority, situational awareness, and network-centric systems are the key factors in modern defense tactics, which also determine the direction of future military land defense systems upgrade and procurement programs. Participants in this space must intensify research and development effort to unleash more reliable and cost-effective products. Moreover, strategic alliances must be established with local business partners to facilitate market penetration. Apart from improving chances of local presence, such initiatives would also promote system interoperability.

Market Sectors

Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this research:

  • Armored vehicles
  • Artillery
  • Missiles
  • Command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR)
  • Firearms

Technologies

The following technologies are covered in this research:

  • Radar
  • Battle tanks
  • Rifles
  • SAM
  • Anti-tank weapons

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

  • 1.1 Market Overview
  • 1.2 Market Analysis
  • 1.3 Major Research Findings

2. Land Defense Systems Market Outlook

  • 2.1 Market Overview and Definitions
  • 2.2 PESTEL Analysis
  • 2.3 Macro Industrial Influences

3. Market Engineering Measurements

  • 3.1 Industry Challenges
  • 3.2 Market Drivers and Restraints
  • - 3.2.a Market Drivers
  • - 3.2.b Market Restraints
  • 3.3 Competitive Structure

4. Land Defense Systems Analysis

  • 4.1 Land Defense Systems Analysis
  • 4.2 Land Defense Systems (Australia)
  • 4.3 Land Defense Systems (Malaysia)
  • 4.4 Land Defense Systems (Singapore)

5. Conclusion

  • 5.1 Key Success Factors
  • 5.2 Strategic Recommendations

6. Decision Support Database

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/40b626/asia_pacific_land.

Contact:

Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager,
press@researchandmarkets.com
U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907
Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated April 15, 2010

Defense News: DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated April 15, 2010
Source: U.S. DoD issued April 15, 2010
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - April 15, 2010: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued April 15, 2010are undermentioned;<>
CONTRACTS
NAVY

~The engineering-environmental Management, Inc., Englewood, Colo., is being awarded a maximum amount $50,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for marine species monitoring, evaluations, and/or assessments at various locations within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic and Pacific area of responsibility. The work to be performed provides for marine and biological resources monitoring and management services. Specific tasks may include literature review and data searches; aerial, shipboard, and/or underwater surveys; passive acoustic monitoring; assessments to determine acoustic and other impacts; behavioral studies; biopsy darting; tagging; analysis of data and technical assistance to ensure legal compliance; preparation of necessary reports; consultation package and/or permit applications; as well as management and coordination of complex projects. Work will be performed predominately in Fla. (15 percent); N.C. (15 percent); Calif. (15 percent); Hawaii (15 percent); Va. (10 percent); Wash. (10 percent); S.C. (5 percent); Texas (5 percent); Alaska (5 percent), as well as outside the continental U.S. locations such as the Mariana Islands (5 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of Apr. 2015. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity (N62470-10-D-3011).
~Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $42,088,896 fixed-price-incentive-fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-07-G-0008) for non-recurring engineering to develop, qualify, test, and integrate an integrated avionics processor into the avionics system architecture for the Marine Corps MV-22 and the Air Force CV-22 (NRE only). The new IAP for the MV-22 will resolve obsolescence issues, add new network capabilities, increase data throughput for legacy 1553 network, and re-host mission computer capabilities that will significantly increase avionics system and operations readiness for the V-22 Program. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pa. (70 percent) and Ft. Worth, Texas (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in October 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
~L-3 Services, Inc., Mt. Laurel, N.J., is being awarded a $16,109,337 indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, performance based contract (with provisions for firm fixed price orders) to provide Federal Enterprise Information Technology (IT) support services in support of federal agency customers including Department of Defense, Department of Justice, and other federal agencies. The required services are mainly for counter-terrorism related services. The products and services in this acquisition include program management, technical engineering support, integrated logistics support, configuration and data management support, direct customer support, and security engineering support for various Federal Enterprise IT systems and networks. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to an estimated $85,539,822. Work will be performed in Charleston, S.C., (40 percent), Wash., D.C., (30 percent), San Diego (20 percent) and Norfolk, Va., (10 percent) and is expected to be completed by April 2011. If all options are exercised, work could continue until April 2015. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with proposals solicited via the Commerce Business Daily’s Federal Business Opportunities website, and the Space and Naval Warfare Systems e-Commerce Central website, with eight offers received. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic, Charleston, S.C., is the contracting activity (N65236-10-D-3810).
~General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems Inc., Fairfax, Va., is being awarded a $9,904,637 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-09-C-6206) for the procurement of the Multi Purpose Processor and Total Ship Monitoring System (TSMS) systems under the Acoustic Rapid Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) Insertion (ARCI) Program requirements for FY10. The Multi Purpose Processor is used within the ARCI Program to improve submarine acoustic processing capability on SSN 688/688I/Seawolf and Virginia Class Submarines. Work will be performed in Fairfax, Va. (65 percent); Chantilly, Va. (25 percent); and Millersville, Md. (10 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C. is the contracting activity.
~Information Network Systems, Inc., Cherry Hill, N.J., is being awarded $9,673,254 for task order #0055 under previously awarded contract (M67854-02-A-9013). The scope of this effort is to provide analytical, acquisition, administrative, and logistics support for the program manager, optics and non-lethal systems (PM ONS), Infantry Weapons Systems (IWS), Marine Corps Systems Command. PM ONS develops, demonstrates, procures, fields, and provides life-cycle management support for electro-optical systems; optics tools and test equipment; and non-lethal and force protection (NL/FP) Systems to support USMC Operating Forces. This includes all day and night scopes, laser pointers, laser illuminators, thermal weapons sights, night vision enhancement devices, and NL/FP Systems. Work will be performed in Marine Corps Command organizations Quantico, Va., and work is expected to be completed in June 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $7,656,042 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
~Tesoro Corporation, Virginia Beach, Va., is being awarded $7,421,107 for firm-fixed-price task order #0002 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N40085-09-D-5027) for design and construction of a Special Operations Forces small arms range at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story. The work to be performed provides for the design and construction of a small arms range associated support infrastructure and will also include administrative and training facilities. The task order also contains three unexercised options, which if exercised would increase the cumulative task order value to $8,719,558. Work will be performed in Virginia Beach, Va., and is expected to be completed by July 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Eight proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.
~Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va., is being awarded a $6,800,000 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-2100) for planned and growth supplemental work for the accomplishment of the Fiscal Year 2008 Extended Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (EDSRA) of USS Enterprise (CVN 65). EDSRAs are similar to overhauls in that they restore the ship, including all subsystems that affect combat capability and safety, to established performance standards. Additionally, an EDSRA provides an opportunity to perform hull inspections, recoating, and other maintenance related evolutions below the waterline that cannot be accomplished while the ship is waterborne. The EDSRA provides sufficient time to perform more extensive repairs and testing than are possible during an Extended Selected Restricted Availability. Work will be performed in Newport News, Va., and is expected to be completed by the end of April 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $6,800,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
AIR FORCE
~Science Applications International Corporation of McLean, Virginia was awarded a $22,000,000 contract which will provide for 19 replacement Deployable Tactical Air Navigation Systems in support of the Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems program office in Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. At this time, $7.7 million has been obligated. 747 ACSG/PKB, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma is the contracting activity. (FA8102-10-D-0001)
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
~American Apparel, Inc., Selma, Ala. is being awarded a maximum $20,815,122 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity contract for combat utility uniform. Other locations of performance are in Alabama. Using service is Marine Corps. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The original proposal was Web solicited with ten responses. This contract is exercising the fourth option year period. The date of performance completion is April 18, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SP0100-06-D-0331).
~Propper International, Inc., Mayaguez, Puerto Rico is being awarded a maximum $13,827,589 firm fixed price, indefinite quantity contract for combat utility uniform. Other locations of performance are in Puerto Rico. Using service is Marine Corps. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The original proposal was Web solicited with ten responses. This contract is exercising the fourth option year period. The date of performance completion is April 18, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SP0100-06-D-0332).
~Source for Native American Products, L.L.C., Princeton, Maine is being awarded a maximum $11,250,000 firm fixed price, total set aside, sole source contract for soft shell, cold weather, universal camouflage pattern jackets. Other location of performance is Ft. Kent, Maine. Using service is Army. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. The date of performance completion is August 31, 2011. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM1C1-10-D-1055).
ARMY
~Kingfisher Systems, Alexandria, Va., was awarded on Apr. 12, 2010 a $15,805,284 firm-fixed-price contract for civilian contractor Intelligence Analysts Support Services in order to augment military staff for intelligence support within United States Forces-Afghanistan. Work is to be performed in Afghanistan, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2012. Eighteen bids solicited with seven bids received. Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (GS-10F-0188T).
~CoppreTop Ledcor JV, Beaufort, N.C., was awarded on Apr. 12, 2010 a $15,734,700 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of an Army Reserve Center in Raleigh, N.C. Work is to be performed in Raleigh, N.C., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 9, 2012. Bids were solicited via FedBizOps electronic synopsis with thirteen bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District Office, CELRLCT-M, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-10-C-0046).
~Bosco Construction, Inc., Centennial, Colo., was awarded on Apr. 12, 2010 a $13,413,797 firm-fixed-price contract for the Scout/Reconnaissance Qualification Process Range PN 72172, Urban Assault Course PN 72173 and Convoy Live Fire Range PN 72177 located at Fort Carson, Colo. Work is to be performed in Fort Carson, Colo., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with eleven bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Neb., is the contracting activity (W9128F-10-C-0016).
~AveroVironment Incorp., Simi Valley, Calif., was awarded on Apr. 12, 2010 a $12,294,916 firm-fixed-price contract. This effort de-obligates excess funds and exercises a priced option for 216 Army digital link retrofit kits. Work is to be performed in Simi Valley, Calif., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 19, 2010. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command/CCAM-AR-A, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGX-05-C-0338).
~Bosco Construction, Inc., Centennial, Colo., was awarded on Apr. 13, 2010 a $10,435,366 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of A Qualification Training Modified Record Fire, and Multipurpose Machine Gun Ranges, PN 71693, 72170, and 72171. Work is to be performed in Fort Carson, Colo., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 30, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with fourteen bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Neb., is the contracting activity (W9128F-10-C-0017).
~Butcher & Baecker Construction Co., Inc., Rochester Hills, Mich., was awarded on Apr. 12, 2010 a $6,630,360 firm-fixed-price contract to construct Red Horse Beddown facility, Mansfield Air National Guard Base, Mansfield, Ohio. Work is to be performed in Mansfield, Ohio, with an estimated completion date of May 30, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with fifteen bids received. National Guard Bureau, USPFO for Ohio, Columbus, Ohio is the contracting activity (W91364-10-C-0001).
~Arkel International, LLC., Baton Rouge, La., was awarded on Apr. 12, 2010 a $6,417,984 firm-fixed-price contract to provide 16 pre-engineered buildings to include electrical power, and force protection barriers to Camp Leatherneck in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The building will be utilized ads living quarters for service members aboard Camp Leatherneck. Work is to be performed in Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 5, 2010. Ten bids were solicited with three bids received. Kandahar Air Field Regional Contracting Center, Afghanistan, is the contracting activity (W5K9GH-10-C-0099).

DTN News: New Iran Drones Can Spy And Strike

Defense News: DTN News: New Iran Drones Can Spy And Strike
Source: DTN News / UPI
(NSI News Source Info) TEHRAN, Iran - April 15, 2010: A senior Iranian military official warned that Tehran's newly produced unmanned aerial vehicles were capable of both striking hostile targets and gathering intelligence.
"We have made good advances and production is going on at suitable rate," ground forces commander Brig. Gen. Ahmad Reza Pourdastan told a news conference.
He said an unspecified number of the Iran-made drones would be displayed along with a fleet of new weapons, military equipment, jet fighters and advanced combat helicopters Sunday during the country's Army Day.
"The planes," Pourdastan said of the new drones, "would be used for operations as well as surveillance, which means that they can send us online footage from faraway distances and can also be armed for striking at targets."
He didn't elaborate but Iran's designs have already raised a critical eyebrow in Washington.
U.S. Secretary of State Robert Gates, specifically, warned last month that the new drones could "create difficulty" for the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan, expressing fear, also, that the aircraft could fall into the hands of terrorists.
Tehran launched an arms development program 30 years ago, in the wake of a U.S. weapons embargo. As of 1992, it has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and fighter aircraft.
Iranian officials have long argued that the country's military and arms programs were intended for "defensive purposes" and "should not be perceived as a threat to any other country," the state-run Fars news agency reported.
Even so, news of the drones' strike and intelligence-gathering capacities, came a month after Israel rolled out a fleet of pilotless planes capable of flying within Iran's reach.
Israeli military officials have declined to disclose the size of the fleet or whether it was purposely designed for use against Iran.
The Israeli drone launch, however, came at a precarious moment, viewed also as a message for Tehran.
Israel worries about Iran because of Tehran's controversial nuclear program, missiles and repeated threats against the Jewish state. Officials in Israel have suggested that it could launch pre-emptive strikes against Iranian nuclear sites if it is shown that Tehran is developing nuclear weapons.
Iran has long spurned the allegation claiming its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes.
The Islamic Republic is shielded by a sophisticated ground-to-air missile system. The government recently accused the U.S. administration of trying to scupper a S-300 missile defense deal with Russia for fear that Iran may reverse engineer the system.

DTN News: U.K. Could Divert RAF Typhoons To Oman

Defense News: DTN News: U.K. Could Divert RAF Typhoons To Oman
Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) LONDON, U.K. - April 15, 2010: London could yet order at least a handful of Tranche 3B Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, if a deal to sell the aircraft to Oman is in place by early 2011.
Oman and the U.K. have been discussing Typhoon purchases for more than two years. Industry officials suggest that if the timescale for Oman’s delivery aspirations are to be met, the fighters will likely be drawn from Tranche 2 aircraft now in production for the Royal Air Force.
Were Typhoons to be diverted to Oman—officials say an order would probably be for 12 aircraft and potentially include an option for a further 12—they could be replaced by the U.K.’s “order” for Tranche 3B aircraft.
Securing a Tranche 3 deal among the four partner nations, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K., proved a prolonged and difficult process. The agreement was eventually reached at only by splitting the Tranche 3 production run into two blocks. Tranche 3A covered just under half of the originally planned production run. The remainder was to be discussed at a later date, with a notional commitment required during 2011.
Of the 40 U.K. aircraft ordered as part of Tranche 3A, 24 were actually replacement airframes for RAF aircraft re-allocated to the Royal Saudi Air Force under a U.K.-Saudi Arabia government-to-government defense agreement. The Saudis presently have 72 Typhoons on order, and a substantial follow-on buy is anticipated.
At the time of the Tranche 3A deal, in July 2009, British government officials suggested that the U.K. had met its obligations under the original agreement because of the level of investment required in the program. The ministry argued that the 16 new aircraft, coupled with the 24 Saudi replacement aircraft, meant the U.K. had reached the financial ceiling as identified by the original production memorandum of understanding. London also considered unilaterally withdrawing from Tranche 3, but this would have incurred penalties in the region of £2 billion ($3.1 billion).
Quentin Davies, the minister for defense equipment and support, at the time indicated the government had no plans for additional aircraft as part of a Tranche 3B order. His statement caused confusion among some defense officials, perhaps given the ongoing discussions with Oman.
More recently, Davies has indicated that a further procurement remains possible. “I do not exclude the possibility of purchasing more Typhoon fighters in future at all, but equally I am not prepared to commit to that,” Davies told Parliament last month. “I would not want to decide on whether to order further Typhoon aircraft until we have the results of the Strategic Defense Review.”
The U.K. will hold a national election May 6, and a defense review will be undertaken irrespective of which of the main political parties is returned to power.
The Royal Air Force of Oman presently operates the Jaguar and Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 50 as its front-line combat aircraft. Two squadrons of Jaguars are fielded along with a unit of F-16s.
The British prime minister’s office indicated at the beginning of April that a Typhoon deal with Oman was progressing well, although no detail of the discussions was provided. U.S. industry officials have also indicated recently that Oman may be considering acquiring another squadron of F-16s. Any deal would be government-to-government using Washington’s Foreign Military Sales mechanism.
It is unclear whether the additional squadron of F-16s is being considered alongside the Typhoons, or as an alternative to at least some of the Eurofighter aircraft.
Neither BAE Systems, the U.K. industry lead on the Typhoon, nor Lockheed Martin were willing to comment on any possible discussions with regard to Oman.
London’s effort to offset part of its Tranche 3 commitment with the first 24 aircraft of the Saudi Arabian order met with opposition initially from the other three Eurofighter partner nations. In the interest of securing a deal, however, this approach was accommodated. Whether a similar strategy in the Tranche 3B aircraft negotiations will be a cause of friction between London and its Typhoon partners remains to be seen.

DTN News: Saab Lures Bulgaria To Buy Gripen Fighter Jets

Defense News: DTN News: Saab Lures Bulgaria To Buy Gripen Fighter Jets
Source: DTN News
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - April 15, 2010: The Swedish company Saab has offered Bulgaria Gripen fighter jets at the price of second-hand US F-16 planes.
Daniel Boestad, Director of Saab International for Bulgaria, has stated, as cited by Darik Radio, that the offer is favorable for Bulgaria because it saves money without compromising on quality.
According to Boestad, the fighter aircraft offered by Gripen have a number of advantages compared to second-hand F-16 planes or the Russian MiG-29 planes that are currently employed by the Bulgarian Air Force such as the lower maintenance cost and smaller land teams needed for servicing them.
The Swedish manager has pointed out that the purchase of second-hand fighter jets is very risky and expensive.
“The fact that the exploitation period of the second-hand planes is almost over will mean that Bulgaria will have to launch a new procedure for purchasing fighter jets within several years,” said Boestad.
The state finances and respectively the funding for the Bulgarian Army are in a rather deplorable condition so one of the options for buying new military equipment is the purchase of US fighter jets together with Romania.
The Bulgarian government has made no final decision yet. However, the Head of Defense (formerly known as Head of the General Staff of the Army), General Simeon Simeonov recently stated that Bulgaria needs to buy multipurpose fighter jets, and that it needs to buy new ones rather than second-hand.