Tuesday, December 20, 2011

DTN News - JAPAN DEFENSE NEWS: Japan Picks Lockheed F-35 Fighter As Allies Stress Tight Ties

Defense News: DTN News - JAPAN DEFENSE NEWS: Japan Picks Lockheed F-35 Fighter As Allies Stress Tight Ties
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Reuters
 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 20, 2011: Japan picked Lockheed Martin's F-35 jet as its next mainstay fighter Tuesday, choosing the aircraft over combat-proven but less stealthy rivals, as concern simmers over North Korea and as China introduces its own stealth fighters.

The decision came as Japan and the United States stressed that their security alliance was tight in the face of worry about an unstable North Korea after the death of its leader, Kim Jong-il.


Defense Minister Yasuo Ichikawa said the decision to buy 42 of the stealth aircraft, valued by analysts at more than $7 billion, would help Japan adjust to a changing security environment after Monday's announcement of the death of the 69-year-old North Korean leader.


"The security environment surrounding future fighter jets is transforming. The F-35 has capabilities that can firmly respond to the changes," Ichikawa told reporters.

Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon hailed Japan's selection of the F-35, saying it would help establish a strategic, conventional deterrent in the Asia-Pacific region, where concern simmers about instability under Kim's successor, his untested youngest son, Kim Jong-un.

"The F-35 Program Office looks forward to strengthening partnerships with Japan, and contributing to enhanced security throughout the Asia Pacific region," the Pentagon said in a statement after Japan announced its decision.

The F-35, which is in an early production stage, competed against Boeing's F/A-18 and the Eurofighter Typhoon, made by a consortium of European companies including BAE Systems.

Experts said the decision to opt for the U.S. plane, made informally well before news of Kim's death, reflected Japan's desire to tighten U.S. ties in the face of concern over China's rising military might and other regional uncertainties.

"It reflects Japan's recognition on a variety of levels that at a time of greater insecurity, it needs to be more deeply engaged with the United States on security issues," said Brad Glosserman, executive director at Honolulu's Pacific Forum CSIS.

In a sign the allies meant to stand together, U.S. President Barack Obama spoke by telephone to Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and underscored the U.S. commitment to its allies, the White House said.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura told a news conference that Washington and its two close Asia allies, Japan and South Korea, were likely to hold high-level talks on North Korea soon. "The date has not been decided but it will be at the soonest possible opportunity," he said.

U.S.-Japan relations had frayed after the novice Democratic Party of Japan took power in 2009 for the first time, vowing to recalibrate the alliance on a more equal basis and attempting, unsuccessfully, to keep a pledge to move a U.S. military base off Japan's Okinawa island.

Noda, who took office last September, has firmly shifted gears back to a more traditional security stance.

"Once again, Japan's security policy is right back to the post-war Japanese mainstream -- the decision that the U.S. is Japan's best security partner," Glosserman said.

Japan had been widely expected to choose the F-35 due to its advanced stealth capability and U.S. origin. Stealth technology has drawn much attention in Japan since China, which has a long-running territorial dispute with Japan, in January confirmed it had held its first test flight of the J-20 stealth fighter jet.

Despite Sino-Japanese tension over territorial feuds, maritime resources and a bitter wartime past, Noda will nonetheless be seeking China's cooperation in coping with North Korea when he visits Beijing on December 25-26.

"Instructions from the prime minister were that we need to establish close cooperation and exchange of information with the United States, South Korea and China, so we will seek to work with China on this understanding," Fujimura said.

BOOST FOR LOCKHEED MARTIN

Japan's choice of the F-35 comes as a shot in the arm for Lockheed Martin's F-35 program, which has been restructured twice in the past two years and is expected to boost the odds that South Korea will follow suit with its own order for 60 fighters. Japan will pay 9.9 billion yen per fighter including backup parts in the initial stage of procurement.

"This program badly needed an endorsement like this, particularly one from a technically respected customer. But there are still many complications, especially price tag and work share demands," said Richard Aboulafia, an analyst with the U.S.-based Teal Group.

He said the F-35 program was facing scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and officials who need to trim hundreds of billions of dollars from the defense budget over the next decade.

Boeing's loss of the order would be a real setback for the company's prospects in the fighter business, especially since there were few other large competitions open anymore, said Loren Thompson of Lexington Institute.

"The market place is signaling to Boeing that its days in the fighter business may be numbered," Thompson said.

Japanese firms Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd , IHI Corp and Mitsubishi Electric Corp will participate in the production and maintenance of the F-35, the Defense Ministry said.

A Lockheed Martin official said Japanese defense contractors could become global suppliers to the F-35 stealth fighter program if Japan's government decided to ease a decades-old ban on exports of military equipment.

"The Japanese aerospace industry is world class, so if there was a relaxation (of the export ban) it would be very logical for them to have the opportunity and indeed it would be a very good opportunity to participate in the F35 global supply chain," Dave Scott, director of international business development for the stealth fighter, told Reuters.

Japan is considering easing the export ban, a step that might allow its contractors to bid for contracts in the United States, which spends 10 times as much on its military.

Ending the ban would also allow Japan to buy aircraft, ships, missiles and other equipment more cheaply by allowing domestic manufacturers to tap overseas markets and lower production costs through economies of scale.

(Additional reporting by Andrea Shalal-Esa and Carol Bohan in Washington, Tim Kelly and Shinichi Saoshiro in Towriting by Leika Kihara and Linda Sieg; Editing by Edwina Gibbs and Robert Birsel)

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Reuters
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated December 19, 2011

Defense News: 
DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated December 19, 2011
 

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - December 19, 2011: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued December 7, 2011 are undermentioned;


CONTRACTS
NAVY
            DZSP 21, L.L.C., Philadelphia, Pa., is being awarded a $90,798,789 modification under a previously awarded cost-plus-award-fee contract (N40192-10-C-3000) to exercise the third option period for base operation support services at Joint Region Marianas.  The work to be performed provides for general management and administration services; command and staff (public affairs office); public safety (safety and contingency); port operations; ordnance; material management; galley; facilities management and engineering services; sustainment, restoration and modernization; facilities services; utilities (electrical, wastewater, steam and demineralized water, and potable water); base support vehicles and equipment; and environmental.  After award of this option, the total cumulative contract value will be $684,987,784.  Work will be performed at various installations in the U.S. Territory of Guam, and is expected to be completed December 2012.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Marianas, Guam, is the contracting activity.
           
 Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded an $84,386,113 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-11-C-0032) to exercise an option for the procurement of 226 all up round, full rate production Lot 8 AGM-154C-1 unitary joint stand-off weapon missiles, including associated support equipment.  Work will be performed in Dallas, Texas (44 percent); Cedar Rapids, Iowa (24 percent); Tucson, Ariz. (22 percent); and McAllester, Okla. (10 percent).  Work is expected to be completed in June 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.
        
    The Boeing Co., Seattle, Wash., is being awarded a $19,776,811 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-09-C-0022) for one weapons tactics trainer and electronic classrooms (nine, 10-seat classrooms and six, 20-seat classrooms) in support of the Low Rate Initial Production Lot II P-8A Multi-Mission Maritime aircraft.  Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo. (75 percent), and Seattle, Wash. (25 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 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.  
     
       Lockheed Martin Corp., Baltimore, Md., is being awarded a $15,239,268 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-09-C-2303) to exercise an option for post-delivery support for LCS 3 (future USS Fort Worth).  Lockheed Martin will perform the planning and implementation of deferred design changes that have been identified during the construction period.  The corrections and upgrades are necessary to support Fort Worth’s sailaway and follow-on post delivery test and trials period.  Work will be performed in Moorestown, N.J. (39 percent); Marinette, Wis. (34 percent); Hampton, Va. (18 percent); and Washington, D.C. (9 percent).  Work is expected to be completed by December 2012.  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.
     
       Rite Solutions Inc.*, Pawcatuck, Conn., is being awarded a $14,404,724 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-10-C-6258).  This contract is a Phase III Small Business Innovative Research topic number N05-149, “Combat System of the Future,” to perform research, development, and engineering services.  Rite Solutions will apply unique humans systems integration processes leading to command decision modules and supporting infrastructures, command and control center configurations, and other technical support work associated with topic N05-149 applicable to Navy submarines, surface, and air platforms.  Work will be performed in Middletown, R.I., and is expected to be completed by May 2012.  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.
        
    Lockheed Martin Corp., Baltimore, Md., is being awarded an $11,855,315 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-2300) exercising an option for core Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class services.  Lockheed Martin will assess engineering, baseline and configuration management services in support of the basic construction, post-delivery, test and trials phases of the LCS class.  Work will be performed in Hampton, Va. (20 percent); Virginia Beach, Va. (20 percent); Washington, D.C. (15 percent); Marinette, Wis. (13 percent); Moorestown, N.J. (12 percent); Baltimore, Md. (10 percent); Manassas, Va. (7 percent); and Arlington, Va. (3 percent).  Work is expected to be completed by December 2012.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
         
   Advanced Systems/Supportability Engineering Technologies & Tools*, Manassas, Va., is being awarded an $11,439,232 modification under a previously awarded contract (N00024-10-C-6259) to exercise options for Phase III Small Business Innovative Research topic number N05-149, “Combat System of the Future.”  These services will be rendered as needed to extend and apply previous efforts that focus on manning requirements, operator cognition, automation, data fusion, processing, technology evolution and combat system development applicable to Navy submarines, surface and air platforms.  Work will be performed in Manassas, Va., and is expected to be completed by August 2012.  Contract funds in the amount of $1,396,753 will be provided at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
       
     
Navistar Defense, L.L.C., Warrenville, Ill., is being awarded $9,574,093 for firm-fixed-priced Delivery Order 0015 under Modification 16 to previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5032) for the procurement of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected recovery vehicles (MRVs) contractor logistics support for contract data requirements list (CDRLs).  The objective of the MRVs CDRLs requirement is to support the warfighters and coalition forces that require assistance resulting from disabled vehicles during Operation Enduring Freedom.  Work will be performed in Warrenville, Ill., and is expected to be completed by the end of February 2014.  Procurement funds in the amount of $9,574,093 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was competitively procured.  The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity. 
       
     Austal USA, Mobile, Ala., is being awarded a $7,917,425 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-2301) to exercise an option for core Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class services for the LCS program.  Austal USA will assess engineering, baseline, and configuration management services in support of the basic construction, post delivery, test and trials phases of the LCS class.  Work will be performed in Mobile, Ala. (30 percent); Pittsfield, Mass. (30 percent); Malvern, Pa. (20 percent); Newport News, Va. (13 percent); and various locations of less than two percent each, totaling (7 percent).  Work is expected to be completed by December 2012.  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.

AIR FORCE
            Raytheon Missile Systems, Tuscon, Ariz., is being awarded a $15,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the laser maverick missile production.  The location of the performance is Tucson, Ariz.  Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2013.  This was a sole-source acquisition.  Therefore, one proposal was received.  OO-ALC/GHGKA, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8213-09-D-0008 0004).
      
      Honeywell International, Inc., Tempe, Ariz., is being awarded a $12,116,102 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for performance based logistics support and sustainment contract in support of secondary power assets for C-130, B-2, and ground start carts.  Upcoming increments will include F-15, C5/E3, F-16, and A-10.  Department of the Air Force, 748 SCMG/PKBA, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8208-07-C-0001-P00043).
  
          The Boeing Co., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is being awarded a $10,878,123 firm-fixed-price contract for five major subassemblies required to build-up six AC-130U 25mm ammunition storage handling systems assemblies.  These subassemblies are conveyor assembly; loader/downloader; magazine transfer unit; magazine drive gearbox; and the gun drive gearbox.  The location of the activity is Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and is expected to be completed Jan. 31, 2014.  AFGLSC, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8520-12-D-0003).
         
   Raytheon BBN Technologies Corp., Cambridge, Mass., is being awarded a $7,103,773 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for developing architecture and revolutionary technologies for analyzing, identifying, and slicing binary executable components.  Deliverable will be prototype system/software and hardware and technical documentation.  The location of the activity is Cambridge, Mass., and is expected to be completed Jun. 7, 2015.  Air Force Research Laboratory/RKIF, Rome, N.Y., is the contracting activity (FA8750-12-C-0023).



*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources U.S. DoD issued No. 1031-11 December 19, 2011
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - OSHKOSH DEFENSE NEWS: Fond Du Lac County Sheriff's Department Receives New Tactical Protector Vehicle From Oshkosh Defense

Defense News: DTN News - OSHKOSH DEFENSE NEWS: Fond Du Lac County Sheriff's Department Receives New Tactical Protector Vehicle From Oshkosh Defense
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Oshkosk Defense
 (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 19, 2011: DTN News acknowledges the undermentioned article from Oshkosh Defense as of to-date as follows;

FOND DU LAC and OSHKOSH, Wis.  — Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office, located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, will be the nation’s first law enforcement agency to receive the state-of-the-art Tactical Protector Vehicle (TPV) from Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) and leading provider of vehicles to the U.S. Military. The Oshkosh TPV will expand Fond du Lac County’s law enforcement capabilities and provide greater protection to officers during high-risk situations.

According to Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Mylan Fink, the area has seen a significant increase in the number of situations requiring involvement of the department’s tactical team – from delivering high-risk warrants, to call-outs involving armed suspects. “Our officers are managing high risk situations that continue to grow in severity and numbers,” Sheriff Fink said. “They are putting their lives on the line as they enforce the laws and protect our community, and keeping them safe is something we take very seriously. The addition of the new Oshkosh TPV to our vehicle fleet will expand our tactical capabilities and provide greater protection for our officers in these high-risk situations.”

The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office is scheduled to receive its new Oshkosh TPV in Spring 2012. The vehicle provides officers with protection through an advanced armor system that utilizes ballistic steel and glass to enclose the entire crew compartment. The Oshkosh TPV offers a level of mobility and maneuverability unmatched by other protected vehicles in this class to meet challenging situations in congested urban settings as well as off-road rural environments. The highly customizable vehicle will be configured, both inside and out, with options selected by the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office to meet a wide range of tactical mission requirements.

“The Oshkosh TPV is designed for the high-risk demands confronted by tactical law enforcement officers on a daily basis,” said Ken Juergens, vice president and general manager of Joint Programs for Oshkosh Defense. “We are pleased to provide Fond du Lac County officers with the TPV, which was engineered using state-of-the-art techniques and specialized materials, to meet the needs of law enforcement.”

The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office’s TPV will accommodate nine officers and include electrically deployed drop-down skid plates for additional officer protection. The vehicle uses a 6.8-liter, 362-horsepower V-10 gasoline engine, can reach speeds of up to 75 mph, and has selectable four-wheel drive and run-flat tires.

Oshkosh is the leading provider of severe-duty, highly specialized vehicles for military, homeland security and government agencies around the world. The Oshkosh TPV is available through Oshkosh dealers throughout the U.S. and Canada. For dealer locations, visit www.oshkosh-tacticalprotector.com/findadealer.html. Bumper-to-bumper vehicle service is available through more than 61 service centers nationwide with extensive Oshkosh vehicle experience.

The Oshkosh TPV is being provided to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office through FAE in Appleton, Wis.

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.

®, TM All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the expected level and timing of DoD’s procurement of products and services and funding thereof, including the impact of the DoD’s allocation of certain tires which will restrict and delay certain FHTV sales; risks related to reductions in government expenditures in light of U.S. defense budget pressures and an uncertain DoD tactical wheeled vehicle strategy; the cyclical nature of the Company’s access equipment, commercial and fire & emergency markets, especially during periods of global economic uncertainty, lower municipal spending and tight credit markets; the Company’s ability to produce vehicles under the FMTV contract at targeted margins; the duration of the ongoing global economic weakness, which could lead to additional impairment charges related to many of the Company’s intangible assets and/or a slower recovery in the Company’s cyclical businesses than equity market expectations; the potential for the U.S. government to competitively bid the Company’s Army and Marine Corps contracts; the consequences of financial leverage, which could limit the Company’s ability to pursue various opportunities; increasing commodity and other raw material costs, particularly in a sustained economic recovery; the ability to pass on to customers price increases to offset higher input costs; risks related to costs and charges as a result of facilities consolidation and alignment, including that anticipated cost savings may not be achieved; risks related to the collectability of receivables, particularly for those businesses with exposure to construction markets; the cost of any warranty campaigns related to the Company’s products; risks related to production delays arising from supplier quality or production issues; risks associated with international operations and sales, including foreign currency fluctuations and compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; the potential for increased costs relating to compliance with changes in laws and regulations; risks related to disruptions in the Company’s distribution networks; and the Company’s ability to successfully execute on its strategic road map and meet its long-term financial goals. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update information contained in this press release. Investors should be aware that the Company may not update such information until the Company’s next quarterly earnings conference call, if at all.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Oshkosh Defense
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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