Sunday, July 4, 2010

DTN News: Tensions Flare Again As Israel Proposes To Expand Settlements

Defense News: DTN News: Tensions Flare Again As Israel Proposes To Expand Settlements
*

Jerusalem's settlements

Source: DTN News / Economist.com
(NSI News Source Info) JERUSALEM, Israel - July 5, 2010:

IT SOUNDS straightforward enough. In the words of Stephan Miller, spokesman for Jerusalem city: “Once any construction project in the city of Jerusalem has completed the permit process…it can begin construction, irrelevant of race, religion, creed and gender.” But there is the rub. Race, religion, creed and sometimes even gender are supremely relevant if the Holy City, a complex web of separate Jewish and Arab districts, is ever to be divided peaceably into the capitals of two states, Israel and Palestine.

A series of Jewish settlement-projects inside Arab districts of East Jerusalem threaten to exacerbate tensions in the city. But the mayor, Nir Barkat, seems determined to push them forward regardless. The prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, due to meet President Barack Obama in Washington on July 6th, has been embarrassed by Jerusalem’s building plans before. But his attempts to stop or at least defer them are sporadic. His critics say they are half-hearted, too, because ideologically the prime minister sympathises with the settlers. Indeed, Mr Netanyahu’s aides point out that, though subscribing since last year to the “two-state solution”, he has never accepted that Jerusalem need be divided, or that part of it should be the Palestinians’ capital.

Mr Miller was referring to the old Shepherd’s Hotel in the Arab district of Sheikh Jarrah, a long-empty building that a Jewish-American developer has bought and proposes to turn into apartments for Jewish settlers. Work began at the site this week, under the protection of armed civilian guards. Another Jewish building project in the same district requires the eviction of 28 Palestinian families, many of whom have been living there for more than 50 years. Israeli Jews and local Palestinians now protest there, relatively peacefully, each week.

However, bullet-marked walls and damaged cars attested this week to the much less peaceful activity around another chain of Jewish settlement-sites, deep within the steep, winding lanes of the Arab district of Silwan which sprawls beneath the Old City walls to the south. Palestinian residents described how on June 27th police charged through Silwan’s narrow thoroughfares firing tear-gas grenades through windows and doors, choking people inside their homes. They produced the spent canisters as evidence. Much more seriously, they exhibited cartridge cases of live ammunition, claiming that the civilian employees of private-guard companies fired in the air in response to stone-throwing by Palestinian youths.

In the nights that followed, police raided the district and carted off teenagers, some as young as 12, on suspicion of stone-throwing. Sucking ice-creams in the hot, dusty alleys in the morning, the youngsters looked no worse for their night inside, though some said they were slapped and all asserted proudly that they were shouted at and threatened by the policemen.

Staying put in Silwan

The trouble-spots that sparked this week’s violence are a 12-flat settler apartment block called Beit Yonatan, which the Israeli Supreme Court has ordered evacuated and sealed off because it was built illegally, and, nearby, a Palestinian apartment block that was once a synagogue. Jewish settlers are demanding that the Palestinian families leave, as the building is owned by Jews. Uri Ariel, a Knesset member, says if the police do not oust the families he will do so himself on July 4th. Police units are deploying around the district in preparation for what threatens to be another violent Sunday.

Silwan is also the site of a large and controversial building plan adopted last week by the municipality’s planning committee. Mr Barkat proposes a $50m park-and-tourism complex for the valley of Silwan. It would be called the King’s Garden, and would extend from a popular archaeological site known as the City of David, opposite the Old City walls, to form a national park in honour of the biblical king.

The project will mean demolishing 22 Palestinian homes, built illegally over the past two decades, and moving the residents to new homes nearby. In an effort, so far unsuccessful, to win local consent, the mayor is offering retroactive building licences for another 60-odd homes in the area, also built illegally. But local people are not tempted. They say the illegal building is the result of decades of Israeli refusals to grant building licences to Palestinians. And they do not wish to celebrate King David’s life and legend. The mayor holds out to them the prospect of a better, greener life in Silwan; but they see his scheme as yet more “Judaisation” of the Holy City.

DTN News: McCain Slams US Withdrawal Date From Afghanistan

Defense News: DTN News: McCain Slams US Withdrawal Date From Afghanistan
Source: DTN News / AFP
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - July 5, 2010: US Senator John McCain Sunday slammed the July 2011 target for beginning to pull US troops out of Afghanistan, saying setting a firm date for withdrawal would raise questions about US commitment there.

US Senator John McCain Sunday slammed the July 2011 target for beginning to pull US troops out of Afghanistan

"I'm concerned about the perception of our friends and our enemies as well as the people in Afghanistan, as to the depth of our commitment," McCain told ABC news in an interview from Kabul.

The Republican lawmaker and former prisoner of war said the policy of announcing a planned draw down date was a "bad idea," and that the United States should only leave Afghanistan when the country is stable enough to maintain a strong government.

"I'm all for dates of withdrawal, but that's after the strategy succeeds, not before. That's a dramatic difference," he said.

Afghanistan's ambassador to the United States, Said Jawad, agreed on CNN. He said any deadline must be "based on the reality on the ground," to send a clear message that "NATO and Afghans are there to finish the job."

"If we had a fully functioning system in Afghanistan, there would be no need for the rest of the world to be there. It will take some time," he said. "The threat of terrorism is still imminent."

McCain warned that the Taliban would fill any vacuum left by departing US troops.

"I know enough about warfare," he said. "I know enough about what strategy and tactics are about."

"If you tell the enemy that you're leaving on a date certain, unequivocally, then that enemy will wait until you leave," he said.

DTN News: Japan Revises Its Role In The China Market

Defense News: DTN News: Japan Revises Its Role In The China Market
Source: DTN News / Financial Times
(NSI News Source Info) TOKYO, Japan - July 5, 2010:
For more than two decades, much of the work of the Shanghai office of Japan’s Osaka Prefecture was helping small Japanese parts suppliers join the shift of manufacturing capacity from their high-cost homeland to far cheaper China.

Japan tapping into Chinese growthThese days staff spend more time helping small to medium enterprises make contact with Chinese customers so they can make up for a dearth of Japanese domestic demand, says office chief representative Katsuaki Tanaka.

“In the past, China was called the world’s workshop – now it’s the world’s market,” Mr Tanaka says. “And (Japanese) companies of all types want to operate in this market.”

Shifting demands on Mr Tanaka’s time are part of a historic broadening and deepening of the economic relationship between East Asia’s pre-eminent powers.

Even the most cautious Japanese companies are keenly aware of China’s potential as a source of sales, a message highlighted by Beijing’s success in mustering its financial resources to shrug off the effects of the global economic slowdown. The growing sophistication of Chinese manufacturing and the maturity of Japanese-invested operations means industrial supply chains are ever more tightly enmeshed. China is no longer just a cheap place to do final assembly of Japanese products for shipment elsewhere.

“Previously, parts and intermediate products came in and finished goods were exported to Japan but now the flow goes both ways,” says Yasuo Onishi, president of the Shanghai office of the Japan External Trade Organisation.

China looks likely to surpass Japan as the world’s second-largest economy in market dollar terms this year. Chinese per capita incomes remain low but plenty of urban consumers are able to sample high-value goods and services.

Japanese businesses from restaurants and resorts, to pharmaceuticals providers and sake brewers look to tap into Chinese growth. New investment in Shanghai is mostly in the service sector, says Mr Onishi.

Japan’s advanced environmental technology means it could well play a central role in China’s efforts to cut pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

But while China replaced the US as Japan’s biggest export market last year, Japanese groups face problems. Companies from Japan operating in China are keen to expand but the proportion mak ing a profit there has fallen in the past 50 years to just above 50 per cent in 2009, says a Jetro survey. Japanese businesses in China appear vulnerable to labour unrest and their technological edge could be eroded by Beijing’s demands that they share secrets with local partners.

Still, the rise of cash-rich Chinese companies eager to expand abroad has created another role for Osaka Prefecture’s Shanghai office. “We are trying to get Chinese enterprises to invest in Osaka,” notes Mr Tanaka.

DTN News: Chinese Navy Air Force - Maintain Strong Impact With 400 Combat Aircraft Mostly Vintage

Defense News: DTN News: Chinese Navy Air Force - Maintain Strong Impact With 400 Combat Aircraft Mostly Vintage
* Roger Smith - DTN News has added contents and images in this article from reliable sources besides Strategy Page
Source: Strategy Page
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 4, 2010: The Chinese Navy has its own air force, with over 400 combat aircraft. Most of these are elderly, but still dangerous under the right conditions. These aircraft operate from 24 air bases along the 18,000 kilometer long coastline.
There are about 120 H-6s, a Chinese built Russian Tu-16. Although the Tu-16 design is over fifty years old, China has continued to rely on their H-6s as one of their principal bombers. The H-6 is a 78 ton bomber with a crew of four, a 6,000 kilometer range. It can carry nine tons of bombs and missiles.There are about 45 J-7s, a Chinese built copy of the MiG-21. Many are being equipped with Western (or Western class) electronics and engines. This makes it a considerably improved MiG-21. Can carry 1.5 tons of bombs.
There are about 60 J-8s, a Chinese two engine variant of the MiG-21. China's first attempt at building their own aircraft. But it was not a very original or successful effort. Can carry about three tons of bombs and is mainly used by the navy.
There are nearly a hundred JH-7s. These are Chinese designed and built fighter-bombers that entered service in the 1990s. They were meant to replace the retired H-5s (Russian Il-28 copies).
There are 24 Su-30s (a Russian design) and at least two J-15s (a Chinese copy of the Russian Su-27s modified to operate from carriers). The navy would like to replace all its J-7s and J-8s with Su-30s, but that won't happen. Meanwhile, the navy is being provided with J-11s. In the last few months, satellite photos have shown J-11 jet fighters at naval air bases. These are illegal Chinese copies of the Russian Su-27. These are cheaper than Su-30s, and are built entirely of Chinese parts.
The remaining aircraft are helicopters, trainers and transports.
The navy has long had a reputation as a ramshackle outfit, with old (and often rejected by the air force) aircraft, poor training and indifferent leadership. There have been considerable efforts to change all that, but progress is slow.
HISTORY OF THE TU-16 IN CHINA
The origins of the H-6 can be traced back to 1956, when the Soviet Union agreed that it would help China to build a medium bomber force. The idea behind this was that the USSR would command a combined USSR-PRC nuclear force, something which later proved unacceptable for the Chinese. A license agreement for Tu-16 bombers was signed in 1957, and two years later the first parts for assembly in Harbin arrived from the Soviets. Apart from these, two Soviet-built Tu-16s were flown in to serve as pattern aircraft. The first H-6 built from Soviet parts flew only 67 days after manufacture started, on September 27th 1959. After factory acceptance trials, this aircraft went to the PLAAF just like a second prototype built with Soviet parts. One of these was later modified as a nuclear bomber with an airconditioned bombbay and special bomb mountings. A nuclear bomb was dropped by this aircraft at the Lop Nor test site on May 14, 1965.
Production got seriously delayed when the CCP decided that H-6 production should be concentrated at Xi'an, while Harbin would start working on a reverse-engineered Il-28 under the designation H-5 because the plant at Harbin already had a major Il-28 rework facility. Moving H-6 production to Xi'an however ment that some 3000 engineers had to be moved, as well as the already delivered documents and tools. This entire program lasted until 1964, by which time it was realised that a large part of the necessary technical documentation was missing. The PRC was quick to blame this on the Soviets with which relations had seriously deteriorated by then. It is nevertheless equally possible that the relocation of the H-6 production caused the loss of these documents.
To retrieve this data, the existing H-6es built with Soviet parts, together with the two Tu-16s were taken apart and studied with the intention to reverse-engineer them. Over ten years after the first flight of a Badger built in the PRC, a prototype of the H-6 built with only Chinese parts took to the air. To distinguish this from the origian two Harbin-built H-6es, these got the designation H-6A. Deliveries of aircraft built to this standard were delivered to operational PLAAF and PLAN units from 1970 on. It is not known if all of these are equipped with the airconditioned bombbay and other nuclear modifications, although some sources suggest that these are officially referred to as H-6II.
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com
Disclaimer statement
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied herein, DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Unless otherwise indicated, opinions expressed herein are those of the author of the page and do not necessarily represent the corporate views of DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News.

DTN News: US Offers Top-Of-Line Weapons To India

Defense News: DTN News: US Offers Top-Of-Line Weapons To India
Source: DTN News - compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources
(NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - July 3, 2010: As India inches closer to finalising the purchase of 126 fighter aircraft, the US has offered India top of the line defence weapon
systems.
The Pentagon has said that three agreements that are currently being negotiated between India and the US would allow the country to share key American technologies.
“Pentagon is working with India to put three foundational agreements in place with New Delhi that would allow American frontline technologies to be shared with the country,” top Pentagon official Michele Flournoy was quoted as saying.
Her comments come as India is in the final stages of finalising the $10 billion deal to buy 126 fighter aircrafts. US companies Boeing with its F-18 super hornet and Lockheed Martin with its F-16 fighting Falcons are among the bidders for the contract.
Making a strong pitch for awarding of the contract to the US companies, Pentagon official Michele Flournoy pushed for US solutions for India’s defence needs” and said India should opt for American fighter jets as it would pave the way for “more effective protection of mutual security interest in the future”.
“Today, two American companies are among the leading competitors for the $10 billion sale of 126 advanced fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force, currently the world’s biggest defence tender. And we are also looking at future defence sales of the C-17, as another example of near-term defence cooperation,” she said.
The Pentagon official also emphasised that the US looked at defence sales as strategic decisions. “I want to underscore though that we in the Department of Defence do not view defence sales as mere commercial transactions... We understand that India is making a strategic as well as an economic choice when it makes defence acquisitions,” she said.
“Obviously the commercial benefits of defence sales to the US economy can’t be denied. But from a DOD perspective, these sales are even more important in building a strategic partnership that will allow both countries to cooperate more effectively, to protect their mutual security interests in the future,” Ms Flournoy said.
The Pentagon official not only held out the promise of top of the line technology but also revealed that the US is making export control reforms a key priority.
"We see streamlining and modernising of export control system as a national security priority and one that directly affects our ability to build and sustain these key partnerships”.
She further said that US would continue to work with India on countering the spread of WMD, maritime cooperation and identifying new technologies to combat the threat.
She noted that US arms sales to India were increasing and pointed out the recent purchase by New Delhi of C-130J Hercules Transport Aircraft, P-81 Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft and the proposed sale of heavy-lift C-17 Aircraft.
“I am and will continue to be a very strong advocate of US solutions for India’s defence needs. US companies are eager to work with India as the Indian military continues to modernise,” she said.

DTN News: Somalia - In Chaos Or Aleardy A Failed State

Defense News: DTN News: Somalia - In Chaos Or Aleardy A Failed State
*At least 31 civilians have been killed and 93 others injured in two days of clashes in Mogadishu between Somali government forces and local fighters. Medics said on Friday that most of the casualties occurred when heavy artillery hit residential houses.
Source: DTN News By Roger Smith
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 3, 2010: DTN News reports, Somalia rated the worst of the worst among failed states, Somalia tops the annual Failed States Index for the third consecutive year.Out of 177 countries indexed by Foreign Policy Magazine and The Fund for Peace published on Monday, Somalia was given the highest score on 12 indicators including delegitimization of the state, security apparatus, and factionalized elites.The past half-century has seen a continuous saga of disaster played out in Somalia.
The eastern horn of Africa officially became the independent Democratic Republic of Somalia, by shaking off Italian and British colonial rule, in 1960.In 1963, Somalia signed a military aid agreement with the Soviet Union and six years later Somalia’s longest standing president and military dictator Muhammad Siad Barre came to power in a military coup after the assassination of then President Abdi Rashid Ali Shermarke.
Siad Barre proclaimed Somalia a socialist state a year after gaining control. He then began nationalizing the country. He ruled based on his own version of “scientific socialism” that promoted self-reliance, modeled somewhat after China, the Soviet Union, and elements of the Quran.
In 1977, Somalia invaded the Ogaden region of Ethiopia and was defeated a year later after Soviet forces sided with Ethiopia. At this time, Somalia began drawing on support from the United States and in 1980, signed an agreement allowing American military access to several Somalia ports.
At least 31 civilians have been killed and 93 others injured in two days of clashes in Mogadishu between Somali government forces and local fighters. Medics said on Friday that most of the casualties occurred when heavy artillery hit residential houses.
The fighting broke out on Thursday as the country celebrated its 50th independence anniversary. Twenty-six civilians were killed on Thursday while five were killed on Friday, Ali Muse, the head of Mogadishu's ambulance service, informed the media according to DTN News.
"The fighting was the worst in recent months with heavy civilian casualties," Muse said. The fighting was still raging late on Friday, reports said. On Thursday night, Somali President Sharif Ahmed himself joined government soldiers, backed by African Union peacekeepers, in an attack on local fighters.
Government security official Colonel Mohamed Sugule said: "We have pushed the insurgents back to their positions and our forces are now controlling most parts of Abdulaziz and Shibis districts. We killed many of their fighters."
An African Union official who spoke to media on condition of anonymity confirmed that one of their armored vehicles was damaged.
The fighting has displaced more than 200,000 Somalis this year alone. Some 6,660 refugees are estimated to have made the sea crossing to Yemen in the first half of this year, half as many as over the same period last year, while 29,848 had reached neighboring Kenya compared with 44,385 in the first six months of 2009, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said.
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com

DTN News: Malaysia's Second Submarine Arrives In Lumut

Defense News: DTN News: Malaysia's Second Submarine Arrives In Lumut
Source: DTN News - Special Report
(NSI News Source Info) LUMUT, Malaysia - July 4, 2010: The KD Tun Razak, the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) second of two Scorpene submarines, arrived at the RMN Base, here, at 4.40pm yesterday.
The official welcoming ceremony was attended by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah and the Raja Dihilir of Perak, Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa, while the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah got onboard the ship from Langkawi, Kedah.
Also seen welcoming the submarine were Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
The vessel will continue its journey to its base in Teluk Sepanggar, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah after a week here.
The KD Tun Razak set sail from Toulon, France on April 30, manned by 32 officers of the Royal Malaysian Navy. It travelled 13,488km before arriving in Lumut.
The 64-day travel which began in Toulon, France on April 30, included several transit stops at the Iskandariah Port (Egypt), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Salalah (Oman) and Cochin (India) before arriving in Lumut.
Navy chief Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar said the submarine had successfully submerged 40 days out of the 47 days it was out at sea.
To test the safety of the submarine, Sultan Sharafuddin, as the captain-in-chief of the navy, boarded the submarine from Langkawi, accompanied by Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Abd Latiff Ahmad and Adm Abdul Aziz.
Speaking when receiving the submarine, Adm Abdul Aziz said the navy would not hesitate to take action against companies which leaked its secrets to the public.
He said the navy would recommend that the contracts of these companies, which have dealings with the navy, be cancelled or that legal action be taken against them.
Adm Abdul Aziz said that of late, there was a dangerous trend where information about the country’s strategic assets and sensitive information was made public via the Inter net.
“Information about the submarines had also been purposely manipulated by certain parties for their own selfish reasons.”

DTN News: UK Ministry Of Defence Signs Scout SV Contract With General Dynamics UK

Defense News: DTN News: UK Ministry Of Defence Signs Scout SV Contract With General Dynamics UK
Source: DTN News / General Dynamics UK
(NSI News Source Info) LONDON, U.K. - July 3, 2010: The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with South Wales-based General Dynamics UK to deliver the Specialist Vehicle (SV) for the British Army. The demonstration phase, which has been activated by the signature of the contract by Peter Luff MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for Defence Equipment, Support & Technology is worth £500m. The demonstration phase will see the development of seven prototypes for the Scout reconnaissance vehicle and supporting variants built on the ASCOD SV Common Base Platform, as well as providing associated training equipment.ASCOD SV, which is a modified military off the shelf (MMOTS) platform already proven in service with a number of NATO allies, will replace the ageing CVR(T) fleet and will introduce new vehicle roles.
“The MoD chose General Dynamics UK’s ASCOD SV because it guaranteed the best protection for British troops, the best value for money for the British taxpayer, the best deal for the UK Industrial base, the best integrated solution, and the best growth potential for the British Army to combat future threats throughout the 30-year lifespan of the vehicle,” commented Dr. Sandy Wilson, president and managing director of General Dynamics UK.
“I am particularly proud that this vehicle has been designed in Britain by British engineers and will provide jobs for British workers, as well as saving the lives of British military personnel wherever they may be in the world over the next 30 or so years,” continued Dr. Wilson. “My team and I at General Dynamics UK look forward to working in partnership with the MoD over the next several years to deliver the vehicle the British Army deserves and needs in order to do their difficult jobs in the safest and most effective manner possible.”
Key advantages that the ASCOD SV delivers to the MoD include:
A modern drivetrain, which is good for the 30-year life of the vehicle and thereby obviates the need for a mid-life upgrade;
Load-carrying potential of up to 42 tonnes with a growth path to 45 tonnes, which provides the ability to meet future threats likely to appear over its entire 30-year life, as well as carry its heaviest variants;
A Common Base Platform that will support variants such as an Armoured Personnel Carrier, Protected Mobility vehicle, a Repair vehicle and a Recovery vehicle;
An open electronic architecture, available across all variants, which will make the SV fleet easier to maintain, ease the training burden, and play a key role in lowering costs throughout the life of the vehicles; and
An advanced turret design which, because of its internal space and leading ergonomics, delivers improved survivability and fightability for its crew. General Dynamics UK has sub-contracted Lockheed Martin UK Ampthill to produce the turret.
ASCOD SV also has high export potential, as required under the Defence Industrial Strategy.
The trials of the prototype vehicles are expected to begin with the Army no later than 2013. Once the demonstration phase is successfully completed, the MoD will be in a position to proceed to the Manufacture Phase and begin production of these battle-winning vehicles.
For all media materials including broadcast quality B-roll and Video log on to http://www.generaldynamics.uk.com/ASCODSV/

DTN News: Oshkosh Defense Announces New Delivery Orders For Heavy-Duty Army Vehicles

Defense News: DTN News: Oshkosh Defense Announces New Delivery Orders For Heavy-Duty Army Vehicles
Source: DTN News / Oshkosh Corporation Dt. June 30, 2010
(NSI News Source Info) OSHKOSH, Wis. - July 3, 2010: Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) announced today its Defense division has received two delivery orders from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC) for the U.S. Army’s Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV). The two delivery orders are valued at roughly $600 million, and extend production for nearly 1,900 new and recapitalized severe-duty Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT A4) vehicles, the backbone of the Army’s logistics and resupply fleet, and more than 530 Palletized Load System (PLS) trailers.“For more than 30 years, Oshkosh HEMTTs have provided unparalleled performance to U.S. soldiers,” said Charlie Szews, Oshkosh Corporation president and chief operating officer. “The production of these next-generation vehicles and support trailers, as well as the recapitalization of existing HEMTTs to like-new condition, signifies the fleet will continue to support and protect Warfighters for decades to come.”
Through Oshkosh Defense remanufacturing and recapitalization services, heavily used vehicles are returned to Oshkosh, stripped to their frame rails, completely rebuilt to like-new condition and upgraded to the new A4 configuration. For the Oshkosh® HEMTT A4, changes include a more powerful drivetrain; improved suspension; a fully air-conditioned and armor-ready cab; and other structural changes to make in-the-field installation of add-on armor quicker and easier. Recapitalized vehicles are reset to zero miles and zero hours, and offer a significant cost savings compared to new vehicles.
HEMTT deliveries begin in July 2010 and continue through September 2011. PLS trailer production will start in June 2011 and continue through October 2011.
About Oshkosh Defense
Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is an industry-leading global designer and manufacturer of tactical military trucks and armored wheeled vehicles, delivering a full product line of conventional and hybrid vehicles, advanced armor options, proprietary suspensions and vehicles with payloads that can exceed 70 tons. Oshkosh Defense provides a global service and supply network including full life-cycle support and remanufacturing, and its vehicles are recognized the world over for superior performance, reliability and protection. For more information, visit www.oshkoshdefense.com.
About Oshkosh Corporation
Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corporation manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Medtec®, Jerr-Dan®, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline™, SMIT™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. Oshkosh products are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, visit www.oshkoshcorporation.com.
®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated July 2, 2010

Defense News: DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated July 2, 2010
Source: U.S. DoD issued July 2, 2010
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - July 3, 2010: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued July 2, 2010 areundermentioned;<>
CONTRACTS
ARMY
~Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis.,
was awarded on June 29 a $584,914,693 firm-fixed-price, requirements contract. This contract is for the purchase of 1,274 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT) variant trucks; 452 refurbished HEMTT trucks; and 98 palletized load systems trailers. Work is to be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2012. One bid was solicited with one bid received. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-D-0024).
~Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., was awarded on June 29 a $105,570,416 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is for the production of 644 family of medium tactical vehicles; 621 trucks; and 43 trailers. Work is to be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2012. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with three bids received. TACOM LCMC, Warren, MI CCTA-ATB, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-D-0159).
~TASC, Inc., Andover, Mass., was awarded on June 30 a $44,786,637 firm-fixed-price contract. The contractor shall provide all the necessary labor, supplies, material and equipment in support of the U.S. Army Special Programs Office (ASPO), Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA). The SETA support encompasses a broad range of technical, engineering, and program/project management functions pertaining to systems and subject matter expertise for operation, acquisition, requirement management, full life cycle support, architecture development, training, and system integration. The contractor shall support conferences, demonstrations, and trade exhibits with the generation and fabrication of graphic and photo-based material, and artifacts generated at the government facility. The contractor shall provide technical expertise in the material acquisition process, and planning programming and budget execution system support for the ASPO budget office. Work is to be performed in Alexandria, Va., with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2015. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with two bids received. Army Geospatial Center, Contract Office, Alexandria, Va., is the contracting activity (W5J9CQ-10-C-0019).
~Atlantic Diving Supply, Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., was awarded on June 29 a $39,500,000 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is to purchase Generation III extreme cold weather clothing systems kits. Work is to be performed in Newark, NJ. (24 percent); Mayaguez, Puerto Rico (24 percent); Lansing, Mich. (18 percent); Fall River, Mass. (10 percent); Tullahoma, Tenn. (10 percent); Post Falls, Idaho (5 percent); Virginia Beach, Va. (5 percent); North Conway, N.H. (2 percent); and Mukilteo, Wash. (2 percent), with an estimated completion date of Dec. 29, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with three bids received. U.S. Army Research Development & Engineering Command Contracting Center, Natick, Mass., is the contracting activity (W911QY-07-D-0003).
~EvensonBest, New York, N.Y., was awarded on June 29 a $37,890,714 firm-fixed-price contract. As a result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure recommendation, the Defense Information Systems Agency has a need to lease-to-purchase private office case goods, open plans work stations, and general furnishings for a new headquarters facility at Fort Meade, Md. Work is to be performed in Fort Meade, Md., with an estimated completion date of June 24, 2013. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with three bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, Baltimore, Md., is the contracting activity (W912DR-10-D-0033).
~United Technologies Corp., Hartford, Conn., was awarded on June 28 a $33,866,773 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The contactor shall perform the Vulcan Program, Phase II, to further develop constant volume combustion (CVC) technology and culminate in a full scale demonstration of a Vulcan engine - CVC module and power turbine engine - that addresses near-term Department of Defense transition needs with the potential to significantly impact multiple defense and commercial applications. Specifically, Phase II will focus on naval ship-based power generation applications with CVC and an end-to-end demonstration for production turbine with an integrated CVC module. Work is to be performed in East Hartford, Conn. (52.40 percent); Hartford, Conn. (34.42 percent); and Jupiter, Fla. (13.18 percent), with an estimated completion date of June 27, 2012. Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-10-C-0143).
~Dragados USA, Inc., New York, N.Y., was awarded on June 29 a $33,770,948 firm-fixed-price contract for the recovery of “Rio Puerto Nuevo Flood Control Project, Margarita Channel Improvements and Miscellaneous Features Cam Juan, Puerto, Puerto Rico.” Work includes new excavation; wetland mitigations; demolition of two abandoned sewer siphons; construction of one grade control structure; and incidental related work. Work is to be performed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2013. Sixty-five bids were solicited with three bids received. Honorable Pedro Pierluisi, Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (W912EP-10-C-0035).
~Northrop Grumman Corp., San Diego, Calif., was awarded on June 30 a $33,344,592 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Global Hawk autonomous aerial refueling demonstration program will accomplish the first-ever fully autonomous rendezvous, rejoin, station keeping, aerial refueling, and formation separation of two unmanned aircraft. The demonstration will employ precise and robust antonymous operations to overcome the dual challenges of high-altitude flights environment and the limited control authority associated with long-endurance aircraft. A successful outcome will allow developers of future unmanned aircraft to produce more cost-effective systems that rely on aerial refueling for the most demanding missions. Work is to be performed in San Diego, Calif. (82 percent); Salt Lake City, Utah (9 percent); and Davenport, Iowa (9 percent), with an estimated completion date of June 29, 2012. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with 341 bids received. Defense Advanced Research Project Agency, CMO, Arlington, Va., is the contacting activity (HR0011-10-C-0076).
~Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., was awarded on June 29 a $30,910,661 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of 286 family of medium tactical vehicles; 37 b-kits; 167 trucks; and 119 trailers. Work is to be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2012. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with three bid received. TACOM LCMC, Warren, MI CCTA-ATB, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-D-0159).
~BAE Systems, Specialty Group, Inc., Phoenix, Ariz., was awarded on June 30 a $16,999,833 firm-fixed-price contract for helmet sensors, Generation II. Work is to be performed in Phoenix, Ariz., with an estimated completion date of June 15, 2015. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with two bids received. U.S. Army Research Development & Engineering Command, Natick Contracting Division, Natick, Mass., is the contracting activity (W911QY-10-D-0006).
~Allen-Vanguard, Inc., Ogdensburg, N.Y., was awarded on June 30 a $16,999,760 firm-fixed-price contract for helmet sensors, Generation II. Work is to be performed in Ogdensburg, N.Y., with an estimated completion date of June 15, 2015. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with two bids received. U.S. Army Research Development & Engineering Command, Natick Contracting Division, Natick, Mass., is the contracting activity (W911QY-10-D-0007).
~Day & Zimmermann Hawthorne Corp., Hawthorne, Nev., was awarded on June 30 a $16,072,491 firm-fixed-price contract for services for the operation and maintenance of Hawthorne Army Depot, storage, shipment and receipt of ammunition. Work is to be performed in Hawthorne, Nev., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2010. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (DAAA09-99-D-0022).
~Kitware, Inc., Clifton Park, N.J., was awarded on June 30 a $13,883,313 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The purpose of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Persistent Stare Exploitation and Analysis program is to build a revolutionary wide area motion imagery (WAMI) analysis workstation called the Persistent Motion Imagery Analysis Tool for Exploitation (PerMIATE). PerMIATE will leverage the most promising technologies in computer vision, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data visualization in an integrated system that will discover and analyze high-value intelligence content embedded in massive amount of WAMI data, both online and forensically. The most critical information will be clearly and intuitively presented to the video analyst for validation or refutation through deep exploration of the underlying evidence, resulting in substantial reductions in analyst workload as well as increasing the quality and accuracy of intelligence yield. Work is to be performed in Clifton Park, N.Y. (32 percent); Golden Valley, Minn. (12 percent); Melbourne, Fla. (8 percent); Woburn, Mass. (9 percent); Berkeley, Calif. (7 percent); College Park, Md. (6 percent); Troy, N.Y. (3 percent); Berkeley, Calif. (9 percent); Atlanta, Ga. (6 percent); Orlando, Fla. (5 percent); and New York, N.Y. (3 percent), with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2013. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with three bids received. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-10-C-0112).
~Emerson Construction Co., Inc., Temple, Texas, was awarded on June 30 a $12,805,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of an Army Reserve Center, San Antonio, Texas. Work is to be performed in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 22, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with 19 bids received. U.S. Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, Louisville, Ky., is the contracting activity (W912QR-10-C-0063).
~Boeing Research & Technology, Seattle, Wash., was awarded on June 29 a $12,527,049 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. Boeing will reduce the risk and uncertainties associated with performing extended flight information to a sufficient level while still achieving a significant aerodynamic performance benefit. Where the risks cannot be completely mitigated, Boeing will quantify them with respect to formation type and relative positioning, enabling a trade or performance benefit versus risk and impact. Work is to be performed in Seattle, Wash. (40.64 percent); Louisville, Colo. (18.15 percent); East Hartford, Conn. (2.24 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (2.62 percent); Long Beach, Calif. (25.34 percent); and Renton, Wash. (11.01 percent), with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2012. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Contracts Management Office, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity (HR0011-10-C-0090).
~General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Inc., St. Petersburg, Fla., was awarded on June 30 an $11,027,351 basic order agreement with firm-fixed-price delivery orders. This award is made under the terms of the existing basic ordering agreement for the small caliber ammunition second source prime contractor for the production of 5.56mm ammunition used in M4 carbines, M16A2 rifles, and M249 light machine guns; 7.6mm ammunition used in M240 series machine guns; and Caliber .50 small arms ammunition used in M2 and other heavy machine guns. Work is to be performed in Saint Petersburg, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 27, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with two bids received. U.S. Army Field Support Command, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52P1J-05-G-0002).
~Lockheed Martin Services, Inc., Gaithersburg, Md., was awarded on June 29 a $10,989,965 firm-fixed-price contract. The contractor will provide the government of United Arab Emirates with one General Purpose Electronic Test Station (GET)-1000M2M; one GET-1000B2M; one GET-1000B2; installation and training; one lot of spares for the test stations; one lot of technical support and replacements for GET-1000B2M obsolete items. The government of Kuwait will be provided with 34 test program sets (TPS); two station upgrades; and one TPS training course for four weeks. The government of Israel will be provided with one station modification AN0025, adding power supply testing capability, and 14 TPS. Work is to be performed in Huntsville, Ala. (56.80 percent); locations outside the contiguous U.S. (25.81 percent); Englewood, Colo. (10.70 percent); North Reading, Mass. (5.35 percent); Wichita, Kan., (0.89 percent); and Waynesboro, Va. (0.45 percent), with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2015. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Army Contracting Command, AMCOM Contracting Center Redstone Arsenal., Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-10-C-0240).
~Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh, Wis., was awarded on June 30 a $8,750,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of 1,750 kits for Command, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance suite and battery upgrade/silent watch for Operation Enduring Freedom upgrades on the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected all-terrain vehicle. Work is to be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2012. Five bids were solicited with five bids received. TACOM, AMSCC-TAC-ADCA, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-D-0111).
~Caelum Research Corp., Rockville, Md., was awarded on June 30 an $8,641,352 firm-fixed-price contract for information systems operations and support services, i.e., communication security, database management, systems administration, helpdesk, programming, and data handling. Work is to be performed in White Sands Missile Range, N.M., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2011. Forty bids were solicited with forty bids received. Mission & Installation Contracting Command Directorate of Contracting, White Sands Missile Range, N.M., is the contracting activity (DABK39-03-C-0053).
NAVY
~Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Conn., is being awarded a $171,856,353 contract for lead yard services, development studies and design efforts related to Virginia Class submarines. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $880,871,020. Work will be performed in Groton, Conn. (91.1 percent); Newport, R.I. (1.4 percent); Quonset, R.I. (3.5 percent); and Newport News, Va. (4 percent). Work is expected to be completed by October 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-10-C-2118).
~Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $44,478,772 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for fiscal 2010 design agent engineering services for the MK-31 rolling airframe missile (RAM) guided missile weapon system, a cooperative development and production program conducted jointly by the U.S. and the Federal Republic of Germany under memoranda of understanding. The support procured is required to maintain current weapon system capability, as well as resolve issues through design, systems, software maintenance, reliability, maintainability, quality assurance, and logistics engineering services. The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $167,314,515. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz., and is expected to be completed by September 2010. Contract funds in the amount of $2,254,245 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-10-C-5432).
~Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, Sudbury, Mass., is being awarded a $13,682,885 firm-fixed-price definitization modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-06-G-5109) for procurement of three AN/SPY-1 radar transmitter multi-mission capability ordnance alteration (ORDALT) kits; 15 stabilized master oscillator ORDALT kits; 16 kill assessment system ORDALT kits; and four radio frequency coherent combiners. Work will be performed in Andover, Mass. (47 percent); Norfolk, Va. (47 percent); and Sudbury, Mass. (6 percent), and is expected to be completed by April 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
~DRS Sonar Systems, LLC, Gaithersburg, Md., is being awarded a $9,677,410 firm-fixed-price contract for development and fielding of a high search rate tactical anti-submarine warfare capability in the form of a variable depth sonar (VDS) for installation on the littoral combat ship. The VDS system is a multi-faceted engineered system that is composed of a rugged specialized handling system with an additional specialized articulating arm and capture mechanism, for a size of a small car weight/volume towed body; a variable depth sonar that can survive high sea states, work in deep water at combatant flank speeds, and generate high underwater source code level to detect submerged submarines. A major component of the VDS system is the towed active subsystem which consists of a hydro-dynamically stable tow body, tow cable, handling and stowage equipment and acoustic transmit assemblies. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $12,711,816. Work will be performed in Gaithersburg, Md. (10 percent); Panama City, Fla. (20 percent); and Stockport, United Kingdom (70 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with unlimited proposals solicited and three offers received. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, R.I., is the contracting activity (N66604-10-C-0675).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
~Direct Energy Business, LLC, Pittsburgh, Pa., is being awarded a maximum $90,294,923 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract to provide electricity. Other location of performance is Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, Ill. Using service is federal civilian agencies. There were originally 66 proposals solicited with four responses. The date of performance completion is Jan. 2, 2014. The Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (SP0600-10-D-8012).
AIR FORCE
~Pratt and Whitney Military Aftermarket Services, San Antonio, Texas, was awarded a $51,960,191 contract for the overhaul of core module, with a quantity of 28. This contract will support the F100-229, F15, and F16 aircraft. At this time, $51,960,191 has been obligated. 448 SCMG/PKBCB, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity (FA8121-10-C-0019).
U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND
~Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, is being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (H92241-10-D-0004) with a maximum value of $17,000,000 for depot-level maintenance support for the AN/APQ-174B multi-mode radar in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Technology Applications Program Office. The minimum order amount of $8,483,514 will be obligated with the basic contract. The work will be performed in McKinney, Texas; the performance period ends June 30, 2014. This contract was awarded through sole-source procedures in accordance with FAR 6.302-1. USSOCOM is the contracting activity.

DTN News: Fourth C-130J Heads Home To Norway

Defense News: DTN News: Fourth C-130J Heads Home To Norway
Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin Dt. July 1st, 2010
(NSI News Source Info) MARIETTA, Ga., - July 3, 2010: Norway’s fourth C-130J leaves the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] facility in Marietta. Norway placed a contract in November 2007 for four C-130J Super Hercules through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The first was delivered in November 2008. The new fleet enables Norway to meet its national airlift mission requirements and missions in support of international organizations like the U.N. and NATO.
The C-130J is the newest version of the Hercules and the only model still in production. Externally similar to the classic Hercules in general appearance, the J model sports considerably updated technology. These differences include new Rolls-Royce AE 2100 D3 turboprops with Dowty R391 composite scimitar propellers, digital avionics (including Head-Up Displays (HUDs) for each pilot) and reduced crew requirements (two pilots and one loadmaster—no navigator or flight engineer).
The aircraft can also be configured with the "enhanced cargo handling system". The system consists of a computerized load masters station from where the user can remotely control the under floor winch and also configure the flip floor system to palletized roller or flat floor cargo handling.
The cargo compartment is approximately 41 feet (12.5 m) long, 9 feet (2.7 m) high, and 10 feet (3.0 m) wide, and loading is from the rear of the fuselage. Initially developed for the USAF, this system enables rapid role changes to be carried out and so extends the C-130J's time available to complete taskings. These combined changes have improved performance over its C-130E/H siblings, such as 40% greater range, 21% higher maximum speed, and 41% shorter take-off distance.
The Royal Norwegian Air Force ordered four C-130Js in 2007 to replace six aging C-130Hs in need of additional repairs. The first aircraft was delivered in November 2008.
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