Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Acro, Inc. Receives Purchase Order for Explosive Detection Devices From Division of U.S. Army

Acro Security Technologies


Defense News: CAESAREA, ISRAEL--(Marketwire - 04/06/10) - Acro, Inc. (OTC.BB:ACRI - News), a leading manufacturer of explosive detection solutions for the homeland security market and related sectors, today announced that the Company has received a purchase order for its ACRO-P.E.T., ACRO-N.E.T., ACRO-CH.E.T., and ACRO-U.E.T. explosive detection devices from a division of the U.S. Army.

"This order is very important for us because it continues our momentum in the United States and could further increase market adoption of our cutting-edge explosive detection solutions," said Gadi Aner, CEO and Chairman of Acro, Inc.

The ACRO-P.E.T. is the first explosives identifier of its kind, effective against TATP and other Peroxide Based IEDs. It is light, easy to use and gives instant results, even when explosive quantities are small. The novel portable 'micro-laboratory,' ACRO-N.E.T., with its sensitive, simple, rapid, precise and reliable operation, revolutionizes the field task of police and other security agencies in the detection and identification of explosives. ACRO-CH.E.T. (Chlorate Explosives Tester) is light, easy to use and gives instant results, even when explosive quantities are small. ACRO-CH.E.T. has low false positive and negative alarm rates, is very sensitive, and can detect 10 micrograms of chlorate based explosives traces.

This initial purchase order will be used to determine the suitability of Acro's explosive detection devices for certain U.S. Army units. The order is expected to ship within few weeks.

About Acro:
Acro, Inc. develops explosives detection technologies and manufactures relevant products. In addition to the explosives detectors that are currently marketed by Acro, the company continues to develop proprietary technologies for the HLS market. Acro's Advisory Board includes Nobel Prize laureate Prof. K. Barry Sharpless, and Prof. Richard A. Lerner, President and CEO of The Scripps Research Institute, one of the most influential scientific institutes worldwide. For more information about Acro, visit www.AcroSec.com.

Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning our marketing and operations plans. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made based on management's current expectations and estimates, which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, risks related to the evolving homeland security market, general economic conditions and other risk factors. Acro does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements made herein.

EADS could pick L-3 as partner for tanker bid


* BAE Systems, Raytheon out of running

* L-3, No. 8 Pentagon supplier, declines comment

* Top L-3, EADS officials served in Pentagon at same time

By Andrea Shalal-Esa


Defense News: WASHINGTON, April 6 (Reuters) - Europe's EADS (EAD.PA) would likely choose L-3 Communications Holdings Inc (LLL.N) as a key supplier, should it decide to challenge Boeing Co (BA.N) for a U.S. aerial refueling contract worth up to $50 billion, according to analysts and sources following the matter.

"Based on what we know today -- and things can change -- it appears that L-3 seems to be the likely subcontractor," Scott Hamilton of Leeham Co said, noting that there is a large faction within EADS that wants to move ahead with a bid.

Analysts say a strong agreement could help EADS in what is seen as an uphill battle against Boeing, maker of the current fleet of KC-135 aerial refueling tankers, especially given simmering protectionist sentiment among U.S. lawmakers.

EADS, the parent company of Airbus, has been in discussions with several companies, including L-3, Raytheon Co (RTN.N) and the U.S. unit of Britain's BAE Systems Plc (BAES.L).

But BAE Systems, which owned 20 percent of Airbus until 2006, is not joining the EADS team, said industry sources not authorized to speak on the record. BAE declined comment.

Massachusetts-based Raytheon also has no plans to join an EADS bid, company spokesman Jonathan Kasle said.

"From what I know, L-3 would appear to be the most likely candidate," said Loren Thompson with the Virginia-based Lexington Institute. Raytheon sold its major aircraft integration unit to L-3 in 2002, he noted.

L-3 spokeswoman Jennifer Barton said the New York-based company does not comment on rumors or speculation.

EADS declined comment on the latest chapter in a long-standing rivalry between Boeing and Airbus.

This is the Air Force's third attempt to begin replacing its KC-135s, which are nearly 50 years old on average.

EADS was a key subcontractor to Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC.N) when the team won the last tanker competition in February 2008, but the Pentagon canceled the deal months later after government auditors upheld a Boeing protest.

EADS DECISION AS SOON AS NEXT WEEK

Northrop withdrew from the competition last month after concluding that the revamped terms of the Air Force competition were skewed to favor Boeing's smaller 767-based tanker, not the larger A330-based tanker that Northrop and EADS were offering.

But the Pentagon told EADS, which would have provided about 87 percent of the plane's content, that it could bid as a prime contractor. Last week, defense officials said they would give EADS 60 extra days if it agreed to bid -- a significant extension, but short of the 90 days EADS had sought.

EADS, which had also wanted some changes in the request for proposals, is considering the Pentagon's offer. Industry sources expect a decision from EADS as soon as next week and say any announcement could name a U.S. partner.

Boeing said last week it was disappointed that EADS was trying to delay the tanker competition and was reviewing its options.

Analysts said an agreement to team up would clearly benefit L-3, which has been trying to expand its profile as a major player in the U.S. defense market. L-3 was the Pentagon's No. 7 supplier in fiscal 2009, with $7.1 billion in prime contracts, according to www.usaspending.gov, a federal website.

L-3 is the prime contractor on the Pentagon's Joint Cargo Aircraft, the C-27J. It is partnered on that deal with Alenia, a unit of Italy's Finmeccanica SpA (SIFI.MI).

That plane is "far smaller and less complex, but certainly along the same lines" as the refueling tanker, Leehams' Hamilton said.

EADS North America Chief Executive Sean O'Keefe has also known Robert RisCassi, the retired Army general who runs L-3's Washington office, for years.

RisCassi was vice chief of staff of the Army when O'Keefe was the Pentagon's comptroller in the late 1980s.

EADS NEEDS DOMESTIC POLITICAL COVER

But Lexington's Thompson said L-3 lacks the stature of bigger contractors like Northrop, Boeing or Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) to undergird an EADS bid for the tanker work.

"EADS really needs a major aircraft integrator...to give it domestic political cover in the United States. They don't really need a partner at all, but an American imprint for purposes of presenting themselves to the political system."

An agreement with L-3 would not allow EADS to "present their team as having a big American footprint," Thompson said. "It will be obvious the government is buying a European plane if EADS prevails," he said.

EADS is the prime contractor for a large Army helicopter program, and also builds equipment for the U.S. Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security.

Meanwhile, Boeing supporters in Congress argue that EADS should not be allowed to bid for the tanker work given a recent World Trade Organization ruling that the company benefited from illegal government subsidies, including aid to develop the A330 wide-body that it would pit against Boeing's 767 tanker.

The trade organization is due to rule on a European Union counter claim about illegal aid to Boeing in coming months.

Any EADS bid would also include many of the same companies that were involved in the joint Northrop-EADS bid, including General Electric Co (GE.N), Honeywell International Inc (HON.N), Rockwell Collins Inc (COL.N), Goodrich Corp (GR.N), and the U.S. unit of Britain's Cobham Plc (COB.L). (Reporting by Andrea Shalal-Esa; additional reporting by Tim Hepher in Paris and Rhys Jones in London; editing by Gerald E. McCormick and Leslie Gevirtz)

Col. Imam: An Alternative View of the Afghan Campaign

Defense News: Brigadier Amir Sultan Tarar AKA 'Colonel Imam', a veteran Pakistan Army officer and Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) operative is widely believed to have played a key role in the formation of the Taliban, after having helped train the Afghan Mujahideen;on behalf of the United States in the 1980s. Tarar is a graduate of Pakistan's Military Academy, he is a commando-Guerrilla warfare specialist, trained at the U.S. Special Operations School in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Western intelligence sources suspect he continues to support the Taliban today, and is active among a group of ex-ISI officers.

Earlier in 2010 Brig. Tarar broke silence giving rare interviews to local Pakistani, Western ( New York Times) and Russian (Russian TV) media. The main cause of these interviews seem to be part of a Taliban attempt to deal with the new American strategy, that moves to convince the 'people of Afghanistan' to withdraw from the fight, lay down their arms and accept NATO's terms. Part of this strategy was a U.S. offer to pay Taliban half a billion dollar to lay down their arms, an offer taken as a direct insult to the Afghan warfighters.

The military leaders are willing to negotiate with the U.S. over the current situation" Brig. Tarar said, but he immediately states that the Afghans will never be defeated. "This country has been the graveyard of empires." Tarar opened, describing the Afghans as proud people, not scared to sacrifice their lives. "Afghanis take courage in defending their country and that's what they are doing today" He said. When faced with overwhelming opponents, the Afghans just disappear in to the mountains, they were never subdued. In his interview in the Russian TV, Tarar complemented the Russians as a worthy enemy, much superior in ground battle to the current British, American and NATO troops. "The Spetznatz (Russian Special Forces) were formidable people." Tarar said, "When they came on to the field the Afghans Mojahideens didn't know how to handle them. For about six months the afghans were forced back, they could not carry out any actions because their fear of the Spetznatz. Ultimately, they revised their own techniques and all that and the Spetznatz were also reined in."

Had the Americans not interfered after the Russian departure, things would have been totally different, Tarar complains, "America abandoned the Mojahideen, and supported the criminals against them - those Mujahideen who made America a superpower and this is where the problem occurred." America has to give reassurance not to fight a war but helping with rehabilitation. A lot of damage has been done to this country. We need to extend a hand through Pakistan to these people.

Tarar highlights NATO's main weakness in the fact that their people are not prepared to fight while the Taliban are prepared to die for their cause. "It is not the technology or money; it is the superior faith, the religious faith, the faith to defend one's country, the stronger faith to defeat occupying forces, and a very superior faith to defend ones' religion. This is a very strong thing - nobody can defeat them!"

As an experienced warfighter Tarar is realistic to admit that wars cannot be won by faith alone. "Apart from that (Taliban) they have a lot of experience, at present they have been at war for more than 30 years; a bulk of them – about 80% were born during the war. The terrain is most suited to defend the area, to defend the people, and this is what the Americans are facing. In their present surge, maybe they will kill more people, mostly civilian people, maybe some Talibans, but ultimately they will be finished." Tarar is hopeful that negotiation between the right parties could lead to some kind of reconciliation. He is confident that the Taliban leader, Mula Omar is the one person the Americans should negotiate with, not hunt down.

Tarar is believed to have been the trainer of Mullah Omar and other Taliban factions back in his days with the Mojahideen. He has high appreciation to his former trainee: "Among all the (Afghan) leaders Mula Omar he is the most sensible man." Tarar said, "That is why he is respected by the majority of the (Afghan) people. The (other) elder people have a lot of respect for them, they fought very well against the Soviets, but at this moment they have been negated, nobody has much of a following compared to Mula Omar Mujaheed… He is today the biggest leader, and highly respected, and people are with him. Surely he will listen to every negotiation attempt. But can Americans be trusted?" Asked Tarar, alluding to the recent proposal to 'buy off' Taliban for $500 million. "If they can carry out this bribe strategy it is a shameless conduct. This term will become part of a military strategy people will laugh at." Tarar considers such offers an act of weakness "This will not work as people will see that their victory is coming."

What if Mula Omar is eliminated? Could such a loss shake the Taliban into a defeat? Tarar recommends talking, not shooting: "He is a man, if you do not talk to him how can you have success with dialog? You have to talk to the right person. If Mula Omar is not there, other people are there, they are going to come out. It is better that Mula Omar remains, otherwise there will be hell in this area. Tarar explains the unique belief that makes these leaders immortal in the hearts of their followers "The leadership has the soul of the holly prophet. Mula Mohammed who was martyred in ancient times, had the soul of Mula Umar, and people still respect him today. After they buried him they start fighting, at that time they were weak. Many people were killed – but they had a convincing and rightful cause, that kept their struggle. It is a credit to become a prisoner and to be killed is an honor."

Tarar does not expect the current NATO offensive in Southern Afghanistan to be defeat the Taliban. "The Americans and NATO have enough bombs to kill everyone in Marja, they have been doing that for some time…but this will not defeat the Taliban… After a month or so, reinforcements will be coming from all over the world, Russians, Uzbeks and Tajiks, even without the approval of their governments or their families, they will come" Said Tarar. Tarar don't think the Taliban or Mojahideen are capable of defeating the NATO forces as well. "They do not have the resources. The American soldier has the technology, but lack the faith - the sacrifice is not there, that's why they can't win the war. The Mojahideen have this superior factor, more superior than technology, but because of their other limitations – resources and finances, they cannot throw the Americans out of Afghanistan. But they can wear down the Americans, the way the Russians were worn down. It was then that Gorbachov gave orders to leave the area." Tarar concludes. He explains that the Taliban knew to take advantage of the unique cultural background of Afghan people for their benefit "The vast majority of Afghans are not Taliban, but are tribal people that follow Pashtun culture that praise revenge. If somebody kills your men, you kill ten of his. Our religion (Islam) doesn't say this. It says someone kills your men, you take revenge - you kill that man. These codes of action were quite effective when the Taliban took over the country and fought for domination against the oppositions. Religion, Pashtun culture and blood relations between each other unite many of the Afghans against outsiders."


Tuesday, April 6, 2010

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated April 6, 2010

Defense News: DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated April 6, 2010
Source: U.S. DoD issued April 6, 2010
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - April 7, 2010: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued April 6, 2010 areundermentioned;
CONTRACTS
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

~Air BP, Warrenville, Ill. is being awarded a maximum $124,754,182 fixed-price with economic price adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for aviation turbine fuel. Other locations of performance are Texas and Louisiana. Using service is the Defense Energy Support Center. The original proposal was Web solicited with 27 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is April 30, 2011. The Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (SP0600-10-D-0474).
~Goodrich Corp.*, West Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a maximum $20,589,102 firm-fixed-price, sole-source, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for jet engine fuel pump. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. There was originally one proposal solicited with one response. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is April 2013. The Defense Logistics Agency (DSCR-ZBAB), Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity (SPRTA1-10-D-0053).
~Avfuel Corp.*, Ann Arbor, Mich., is being awarded a maximum $5,212,150 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for fuel. Other location of performance is Washington. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. There were originally two proposals solicited with two responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is March 31, 2014. The Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity (SP0600-10-D-0026).
ARMY
~JLG Industries Inc., McConnellsburg, Pa., was awarded on April 1 a $85,737,655 firm-fixed-price contract for 492 All Terrain Lifter Army Systems 10,000 pound lift capacity variable reach rough terrain forklifts. Work is to be performed in McConnellsburg, Pa., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2012. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with four bids received. TACOM Contracting Center, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-07-D-A001).
~Combat Support Associates, Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded on March 31 a $46,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. This contract is a six-month extension of the combat support contract for Kuwait. This procurement is for base operations support services, including security and logistics for supplies and services, which are critical to accomplishing the mission and functions of assigned and tenant units moving into, out of, and within the country of Kuwait. Base operation services also support the Coalition/Joint Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration mission; promotes security and stability within the region; and provides operational support for Operation Iraqi Freedom, while simultaneously fulfilling international security commitments and theater deterrence in support of the Defense Cooperative Agreement between the United States and Kuwait. Work is to be performed in the Kuwait area of responsibility with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2010. O ne bid was solicited with one bid received. Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., is the contracting activity (DASA02-99-C-1234).
~Olin Corp., Winchester Division, East Alton, Ill., was awarded on March 30 a $43,442,000 sole-source indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with firm-fixed-price orders. This procurement is for the manufacture and delivery of caliber .50 M903 sabot light armor penetrator; M962 Sabot light armor penetrator tracer bulk; and the 4:1 linked configuration of the M903/M962. Delivery order #0001 will be issued at contract award. Work is to be performed in East Alton, Ill. (50 percent); Towanda, Pa. (26 percent); Jonesborough, Tenn. (8 percent); Independence, Mo. (6 percent); Hopkins, Minn. (4 percent); Wood Dale, Ill. (4 percent); and St. Marks, Fla. (2 percent), with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2016. One sole-source bid was solicited with one bid received. Joint Munitions & Lethality Contracting Center, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15QKN-10-D-0010).
~Science Application International Corp., McLean, Va., was awarded on March 30 a $39,999,302 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. This contract will be issued under the Army Geospatial Center (AGC) Broad Agency Announcement in support of the Business Transformation Agency (BTA). This action is titled “Shared Approach for the Design, Development and Operation of Federated Information Systems/Services, Database and Dissemination.” The contractor will provide basic and applied research in the field of database development and will provide technical support to BTA’s business systems for service-oriented architecture implementation. It will also develop a federated architecture based on a common vocabulary and the primitives and patterns concept. These efforts, in support of the BTA and business mission area, will be applicable and transferable to AGC’s database development efforts and similar efforts across the Department of Defense. Work is to be performed in Arlington, Va., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 28, 2015. Bids were solicited via Broad Agency Announcement with one bid received. Army Geospatial Center, Contracts Office, Alexandria, Va., is the contracting activity (W5J9CQ-10-C-0009).
~Science Application International Corp., Mclean, Va., was awarded on April 1 a $32,815,507 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The war fighter analysis and integration contract provides the Army, other services, and the Department of Defense an advanced capability for analysis and integration of defense issues. These defense issues include investigation of battlefield and battle space systems and technologies; impact of changes to force structures; analysis of training, tactics, procedures, and hardware-software; including specific efforts for simulation design; simulation engineering, implementation, integration, and maintenance; parametric modeling; data collection, reduction, and first- level analysis; and design, engineering, and integration of simulations and modeling to support evacuation of potential threats, doctrine and requirements, technologies, design and performance, manufacturing processes, logistics and manpower, and defense system interface architectures. Work is to be performed in McLean, Va., with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2010. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Huntsville, Ala., is the contracting activity (DASG60-02-D-0006).
~Donjon Marine Co., Hillside, N.J., was awarded on March 30 a $30,932,000 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract consists of deepening of the existing 47-foot Federal Navigation Channel System to a depth of 52 feet. The project consists of dredging and disposal of non-rock, and possible drilling, blasting, dredging and disposal of rock. Work is to be performed in New York and New Jersey Harbor Channel Navigation with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2010. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with three bids received. U.S. Corps of Engineers, CECT-NAN, New York, N.Y., is the contracting activity (W912DS-10-C-0006).
~Science Application International Corp., McLean, Va., was awarded on March 30 a $24,097,263 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. This contract will be issued under the Army Geospatial Center Broad Agency Announcement. The contractor will develop the human resources architecture to align with the set of Web Ontology Language (OWL) ontologies and resources description framework data describing the operational requirements, domain concepts, and systems of the distributed Department of Defense human resources community. The foundation of this effort includes ontology architecture for modeling; processes on the Object Management Group/Business Process Management Notation standard; domain vocabularies based on the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) OWL standard; information systems and mapping to those systems based on database-to- resource description framework query; an open framework; and rules based on the draft W3C rule interchange format standard. These models will be collaboratively developed by a group of ontology experts, human resources subject matter and system experts, and business process engineers. Work is to be performed in Arlington, Va., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 18, 2013. Bids were solicited via Broad Agency Announcement. Army Geospatial Center, Contracts Office, Alexandria, Va., is the contracting activity (W5J9CQ-10-C-0007).
~FLIR Systems, Inc., Portland, Ore., was awarded on March 30 a $12,516,015 firm-fixed-price contract. This requirement is for the purchase of 25 FLIR Star Safire II systems; three turret FLIR units; three central electronics units; and three hand control units. Work is to be performed in Portland, Ore., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 30, 2010. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, AMCOM Contracting Center, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-10-F-0004).
~Robertson Fuel Systems, LLC, Tempe, Ariz., was awarded on March 30 a $10,347,180 firm-fixed-price contract for 14 fuel tank kits for the UH-60 Blackhawk. Work is to be performed in Tempe, Ariz., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2015. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aviation & Missile Commands Contracting Center, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-10-D-0029).
~The Ross Group, Tulsa, Okla., was awarded on March 30 a $10,225,685 firm-fixed-price contract for electrical work at multiple locations in Fort Sill, Okla. Work is to be performed in Fort Sill, Okla., with an estimated completion date of April 11. Three bids were solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Engineer District, Tulsa, Okla., is the contracting activity (W9126G-06-D-0043).
~World Technical Services Inc., Anchorage, Alaska, was awarded on March 30 a $9,363,352 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for logistics support services. Work is to be performed in Fort Sill, Okla., with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2010. One sole source bid was solicited with one bid received. Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Sill., Okla., is the contracting activity (W9124-10-C-0002)
~DQSI, LLC, Covington, La., was awarded on March 30 a $7,666,836 firm-fixed-price contract for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, 8(a) multiple-award task order contract for Atchafalaya Basin Floodway, Bayou Sorrel Lock, 2010 northwest guide wall replacement and new dolphins, Iberville Parish, La., (ED 09-140) (ED9140-10-M-0001). Work is to be performed in Plaquemine, La., with an estimated completion date of April 21, 2011. Bids were solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities Web site with three bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, New Orleans, La., is the contracting activity (W912P8-08-D-0047).
~Capco, Inc., Grand Junction, Colo., was awarded on March 30 a $7,063,501 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of the M192 light-weight ground mount. Work is to be performed in Grand Junction, Colo., with an estimated completion date of July 24, 2010. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with six bids received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Joint Munitions and Lethality Contracting Center, Picatinny, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15QKN-09-D-0027).
~AeroVironment., Simi Valley, Calif., was awarded on March 30 a $6,781,162 firm-fixed-price contract. This effort exercises a priced option for 51 Marine Corps digital data link systems; 51 initial spares packages; and contractor logistics support. Work is to be performed in Simi Valley, Calif., with an estimated completion date of March 29, 2011. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command/CCAM-AR-A, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-05-C-0338).
~General Dynamics Armament and Technical Productions, Inc., Burlington, Vt., was awarded on April 1 a $6,760,000 firm-fixed-price contract for 8,000 barrels for the M2 machine gun. Work is to be performed in Saco, Maine, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2011. Two bids were solicited with two bids received. TACOM Rock Island, CCTA-AR-SA, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52H09-04-D-0108).
~Sabre Defense Industries, LLC, Nashville, Tenn., was awarded on April 1 a $6,720,000 firm-fixed-price contract for 8,000 barrels for the M2 machine gun. Work is to be performed in Nashville, Tenn., with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2011. Two bids were solicited with two bids received. TACOM Rock Island, CCTA-AR-SA, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52H09-04-D-0107).
NAVY
~Lockheed Martin, Maritime Systems and Sensors, Moorestown N.J., is being awarded an $85,000,000 definitization modification to previously awarded letter contract (N00024-09-C-5103) for Aegis platform systems engineering agent activities and Aegis modernization advanced capability build engineering. This modification includes FY10 research, development, test, and evaluation incremental funding of $54,613,863 and the definitized contract with options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $450,000,000. Work will be performed in Moorestown, N.J., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
~Canadian Commercial Corp., General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada, London, Ontario, is being awarded a $28,578,333 firm-fixed-priced modification to delivery order #0007 under contract (M67854-07-D-5028). The procurement is for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle engineering change proposal upgrades and associated non-recurring engineering costs to support the 250 low-rate initial production 17 MRAP RG-31A2 vehicles ordered. Work will be performed in Centennial, Colo., and Boston, Mass., and is expected to be completed no later than Dec. 31, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
AIR FORCE
~Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a $20,395,814 contract which provides for the trainers software development effort and the urgent response effort and to increase the not-to-exceed amount for the depot partnering effort. At this time, $20,395,814 has been obligated. 478 AESG/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (FA8611-08-C-2897,P00044).
~Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, Clearfield, Utah, was awarded a $15,459,507 contract which provides for the Minuteman enhanced reliability accelerometer engineering and feasibility study, Phase III, prototype. At this time, $10,990,902 has been obligated. 526th ICBMSG/PKE, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (F42610-98-C-0001).
~McDonnell Douglas Corp., St. Louis, Mo., was awarded a $10,264,377 contract which provided for the purchase of 89 carriage load crew trainers and 356 weapons load crew trainers to support F-16 Block 40/50, F-35, and F-22 integrations and training requirements. 681 ARSS/PK, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8672-10-C-0013,P00004).
~EDO Corp., Lancaster, Calif., was awarded a $8,520,662 contract which will provide for standard high-power radar signal simulators (AN/PLM-4), 85 production units (AN/PLM-4) with millimeter wave option, and 6 production units. Two percent of this effort will support Foreign Military Sales efforts to Morocco. 542 CBSG/PKT, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity (FA8540-07-C-0004).
~Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, Clearfield, Utah, was awarded a $7,476,242 contract which provides for detailed vendor technical data used during the production of the Minuteman missile propulsion replacement program. This data will help identify potentially significant future use to support age degradation analysis, and sustainment anomaly or failure investigations. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 526 ICBMSW/PKE, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (F42610-98-C-0001).
~L-3 Communications Corp., Bristol, Pa., was awarded a $5,500,000 contract which provides for National Security Agency-certified telemetry support device products that will be used for both encryption and decryption of critical flight test data. At this time, no money has been obligated. AFFTC/PKEE, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., is the contracting activity (FA9302-10-D-0010).
*Small business

Rolls-Royce Awarded $51 Million Production and Support Contract for U.S. Marine Corps Tanker Aircraft Engines


Defense News: INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, today announced a $51 million engine production and MissionCare™ services contract with U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). The contract is in support of Rolls-Royce AE 2100D3-powered KC-130J tanker aircraft, flown by theUnited States Marine Corps (USMC) and exercises the first option year of a four-year contract with NAVAIR.

Dennis Jarvi, President Defense North America for Rolls-Royce, said: “Rolls-Royce has been providing AE 2100D3 engines and support to the USMC KC-130J program for more than seven years, accumulating more than 350,000 flight hours and receiving consistently high customer ratings on MissionCare performance.”

“Rolls-Royce is committed to improving fleet readiness for the USMC, allowing them to concentrate on performing their critical missions whenever they are required.”

MissionCare is a comprehensive engine-care program customized to meet the needs of Rolls-Royce defense customers. The KC-130J MissionCare contract is truly "power by the hour” - a single contract line item number is used to pay a fixed price based on aircraft hours flown. Contract performance is measured almost exclusively against the fleet-driven performance metric of engine availability.

Under the terms of the agreement, which is administered by NAVAIR at Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Maryland, Rolls-Royce will provide engines, engine management, support, trouble shooting, parts supply and logistics support for the aircraft, operating at three U.S. Marine Air Stations: Miramar, CA, Cherry Point, NC and Okinawa, Japan.

NOTE TO EDITORS

  1. Rolls-Royce, a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, has established a strong position in global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy.
  2. As a result of this strategy, Rolls-Royce today has a broad customer base comprising more than 600 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 2,000 marine customers, including 70 navies, and energy customers in nearly 120 countries, with an installed base of 54,000 gas turbines.
  3. Rolls-Royce employs over 38,000 skilled people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in 50 countries. The Group has a strong commitment to apprentice and graduate recruitment, and to further developing employee skills.
  4. In 2009, Rolls-Royce invested £864 million on research and development, two thirds of which had the objective of further improving the environmental aspects of its products, in particular the reduction of emissions.
  5. Annual underlying revenues were £10.1 billion in 2009, of which about half came from services revenues. The firm and announced order book stood at £58.3 billion at 31 December 2009, providing visibility of future levels of activity.
  6. The AE 2100D3 is a lightweight, modular turboprop engine with 4,600 shaft-horsepower. The “common core” AE engine line is produced by Rolls-Royce and manufactured in Indianapolis, IN. Along with the AE 3007 and AE 1107C-Liberty, the proven engine line has totaled more than 21 million hours of service.
  7. Rolls-Royce has services agreements in place with all branches of the U.S. military, including the Air Force, Marines, Army and Navy, plus the Coast Guard.
  8. The C-130 has been the U.S. Department of Defense’s primary tactical transport and special mission aircraft since 1956, powered by Rolls-Royce T56 engines. The “J” version of the aircraft, powered by AE 2100D3 engines, continues that legacy.

Contact:

Rolls-Royce Corporation
Indianapolis, IN
Karin Ricketts
317-230-8774; mobile, 317-459-7542
karin.ricketts@Rolls-Royce.com
www.rolls-royce.com

DTN News: USAF Rules Out New F-15s And F-16s To Narrow ‘Fighter Gap’

Defense News: DTN News: USAF Rules Out New F-15s And F-16s To Narrow ‘Fighter Gap’
Source: DTN News / FlightGlobal.com By Stephen Trimble
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON, U.S. - April 6, 2010: Delays and cost overruns for the Lockheed Martin F-35 have not changed the US Air Force's plans to deactivateabout 250 fighters later this year, says its chief of staff, Gen Norton Schwartz.
The USAF, however, has begun destructive tests on Boeing F-15sand Lockheed F-16s to prove the viability for a potential service life extension programme, says Schwartz.
"At 10-15% of the cost [of a new fighter] you could perform a service life extension programme," Schwartz says, "which would get us close to where we need to be in, we think, a more affordable way."
Schwartz rejected buying the latest "fourth-generation-plus" versions of the F-15 and F-16 despite a new two-year slip and nearly 90% projected cost overrun for the F-35. "To be sure, we do not think it prudent to utilise precious procurement dollars for anything but fifth-generation aircraft." But Schwartz added an important caveat, that the USAF still has not determined whether the service life extension programme would be technically or financially viable.
The USAF has terminated Lockheed F-22 production with 186 aircraft in inventory after 2011, leaving only plans to acquire 1,763 F-35s over the next 30 years to modernise its fighter fleet. Meanwhile, the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review set the tactical aircraft requirement at about 2,000 fighters.
During the F-35's projected lifetime in production, however, the USAF faces a growing fighter inventory gap made even more complicated by Lockheed's cost and schedule problems.
In 2009 the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported alarming trends. TwelveAir National Guard units today patrol US airspace with F-16s scheduled for retirement by 2020. As of late 2008, only one of the 12 units was scheduled to receive F-35s by 2020 to continue flying the mission.
The increasing gap in the fighter inventory prompted a US lawmaker to predict the air force's dependence on the F-35 will be a "monumental mistake".
"When these F-16s and F-15s are no longer able to fly and the F-35s still has problems because somebody hasn't figured it out, you're going to have air guard units that are not going to have planes," says Representative Frank LoBiondo, who represents a district that includes an F-16 base, during a 24 March hearing.

DTN News: First F-15SGs Arrive In Singapore

Defense News:
DTN News: First F-15SGs Arrive In Singapore
Source: DTN News / FlightGlobal.com By Siva Govindasamy
(NSI News Source Info) SINGAPORE - April 6, 2010: Singapore has flown home its firstBoeing F-15SG fighters, just under a year after taking delivery of the first examples.
Republic of Singapore Air Force pilots started training with US Air Force F-15s in July 2008, moving on to the F-15SGs at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, after the first of those were delivered in May 2009.
The service has assigned the F-15SGs to the 149 Squadron, which is based at Singapore's Paya Lebar Air Base.
"The F15SG is a major enhancement to Singapore's air defence capability, and will also play a significant role in the Singapore Armed Force's overall operations. The F-15SG squadron will increase the SAF's ability to deal decisively with future threats and meet our critical operational needs," says Singapore's defence minister Teo Chee Hean.
Boeing has delivered 18 of the 24 F-15SGs on order. Five more aircraft are expected to arrive in Singapore over the next few months, while the other six aircraft that are on order will be delivered in 2011.
Some aircraft will remain at Mountain Home where the RSAF maintains the Peace Carvin V F-15SG fighter detachment, part of the USAF's 428th Fighter Squadron. They will operate there for the next 25 years, says the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The F-15SG, which is powered by two General Electric F110-129 engines, includes theRaytheon APG-63(V)3 active electronically scanned array radar, Lockheed Martin Sniper targeting pod, infrared search and track sensor and reportedly an Israeli-supplied electronic warfare system.
The aircraft has a maximum payload of 23,000lbs, allowing it to carry up to eight air-to-air missiles in an air-to-air configuration and up to fifteen 500lbs bombs in an air-to-ground configuration. Its weapons include the M61 20mm cannon, AIM-120 air-to-air missiles, AIM-9X air-to-air missiles, Maverick air-to-ground missiles and laser-guided bombs.Singapore is considering the F-15SG for a follow-on buy even as it continues to study the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Industry sources say that it may hold a second competition to evaluate its options

DTN News: Afghanistan TODAY April 6, 2010 ~ Karzai To Lawmakers: 'I Might Join The Taliban'

Defense News: DTN News: Afghanistan TODAY April 6, 2010 ~ Karzai To Lawmakers: 'I Might Join The Taliban'
*Afghan leader made threat twice at closed-door meeting, witnesses say
Source: DTN News / Allauddin Khan - AP
(NSI News Source Info) KABUL, Afghanistan - April 6, 2010: Afghan President Hamid Karzai threatened over the weekend to quit the political process and join the Taliban if he continued to come under outside pressure to reform, several members of parliament said Monday.Karzai made the unusual statement at a closed-door meeting Saturday with selected lawmakers — just days after kicking up a diplomatic controversy with remarks alleging foreigners were behind fraud in last year's disputed elections.
Lawmakers dismissed the latest comment as hyperbole, but it will add to the impression the president — who relies on tens of thousands of U.S. and NATO forces to fight the insurgency and prop up his government — is growing increasingly erratic and unable to exert authority without attacking his foreign backers.
"He said that 'if I come under foreign pressure, I might join the Taliban'," said Farooq Marenai, who represents the eastern province of Nangarhar.
"He said rebelling would change to resistance," Marenai said — apparently suggesting that the militant movement would then be redefined as one of resistance against a foreign occupation rather than a rebellion against an elected government.
Marenai said Karzai appeared nervous and repeatedly demanded to know why parliament last week had rejected legal reforms that would have strengthened the president's authority over the country's electoral institutions.
Two other lawmakers said Karzai twice raised the threat to join the insurgency.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the reports were troubling. "On behalf of the American people, we're frustrated with the remarks," Gibbs told reporters.
Pandering?
The lawmakers, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of political repercussions, said Karzai also dismissed concerns over possible damage his comments had caused to relations with the United States. He told them he had already explained himself in a telephone conversation Saturday with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton that came after the White House described his comments last week as troubling.
The lawmakers said they felt Karzai was pandering to hard-line or pro-Taliban members of parliament and had no real intention of joining the insurgency.
Nor does the Afghan leader appear concerned that the U.S. might abandon him, having said numerous times that the U.S. would not leave Afghanistan because it perceives a presence here to be in its national interest.
Karzai spokesman Waheed Omar's phone was turned off and another number for him rang unanswered Monday. Deputy spokesman Hamed Elmi's phone rang unanswered.
The comments come against the background of continuing insurgent violence as the U.S. moves to boost troop levels in a push against Taliban strongholds in the south.
NATO forces said they killed 10 militants in a joint U.S.-Afghan raid on a compound in Nangarhar province's Khogyani district near the Pakistani border early Monday, while gunmen seriously wounded an Afghan provincial councilwoman in a drive-by shooting in the country's increasingly violent north.
NATO also confirmed that international troops were responsible for the deaths of five civilians, including three women, on Feb. 12 in Gardez, south of Kabul.
'Accidentally killed'
A NATO statement said a joint international-Afghan patrol fired on two men mistakenly believed to be insurgents. It said the three women were "accidentally killed as a result of the joint force firing at the men."
International force officials will discuss the results of the investigation with family of those killed, apologize and provide compensation, he said.
The two men killed in the Gardez raid had been long-serving government loyalists and opponents of al-Qaida and the Taliban, one serving as provincial district attorney and the other as police chief in Paktia's Zurmat district.
Their brother, who also lost his wife and a sister, said he learned of the investigation result from the Internet, but had yet to receive formal notice.
Mohammad Sabar said the family's only demand was that the informant who passed on the faulty information about militant activity be tried and publicly executed.
"Please, please, please, our desire, our demand is that this spy be executed in front of the people to ensure that such bad things don't happen again," Sabar said.
In the latest of a series of targeted assassination attempts blamed on militants, Baghlan provincial council member Nida Khyani was struck by gunfire in the leg and abdomen in Pul-e Khumri, capital of the northern province, said Salim Rasouli, head of the provincial health department. Khyani's bodyguard was also slightly injured.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the shooting, although suspicion immediately fell on Taliban fighters who often target people working with the Afghan government and their Western backers.
One month ago, a member of the Afghan national parliament escaped injury when her convoy was attacked by Taliban insurgents in eastern Afghanistan. Female government officials regularly report receiving threats to their safety. Some women leaders, including a prominent policewoman, have been assassinated.
The Taliban rigidly oppose education for girls and women's participation in public affairs, citing their narrow interpretation of conservative Islam and tribal traditions. Militants, who are strongest in the south and east, carry out beatings and other punishments for perceived women's crimes from immodesty to leaving home unaccompanied by a male relative.
Also Monday, the organizer of a national reconciliation conference — known as a jirga — scheduled for early May said it would not include insurgent groups such as the Taliban. There has also been indications it would include discussion of the withdrawal of 120,000 foreign troops in the country.
Ghulam Farooq Wardak, the minister of education who is organizing the conference, said it will focus on outlining ways to reach peace with the insurgents and the framework for possible discussions.
Out of the jirga will come the "powerful voice of the Afghan people," Wardak said. "By fighting, you cannot restore security. The only way to bring peace is through negotiation."