Friday, February 28, 2014

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated February 26, 2014

Defense News: DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated February 26, 2014
Source: K. V. Seth - DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-037-14 February 26, 2014
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 26, 2014: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued February 26, 2014 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS
 
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
 
BAE Systems, Aerospace & Defense Group, Phoenix, Ariz., has been awarded a maximum $79,972,510 modification (P00102) exercising the second option year on a one-year base contract (SPM1C1-12-D-1027) with three one-year option periods for improved outer tactical vests and individual repair kits.  This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract.  Locations of performance are Arizona and Pennsylvania with a Feb. 27, 2015 performance completion date.  Using military services are Army and Air Force.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 through fiscal 2015 defense working capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
Tennier Industries*, Boca Raton, Fla., has been awarded a maximum $15,709,270 modification (P00008) exercising the first option year on a one-year base contract (SPM1C1-13-D-1028) with two one-year option periods for extreme cold wet weather trousers.  This is a firm-fixed-price contract.  Locations of performance are Florida, Pennsylvania, and Georgia with a Feb. 28, 2015 performance completion date.  Using military service is Army.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 through fiscal 2015 defense working capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa.
 
CORRECTION:  The contract awarded Feb. 25, 2014 to Zodiac Aerospace, Alpharetta, Ga.,  should have read the amount as $7,029,909 and the contract number as SPRPA1-14-C-003W  
 
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION ACTIVITY
 
Lincoln Public Schools was awarded a $12,016,371 firm-fixed price contract modification exercising the second of four option periods of service contract number HEVAS6-12-C-0001.  The contract is for comprehensive education program services, grades pre-kindergarten through eight servicing eligible dependent children of Department of Defense personnel residing on Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts.  The period of performance for this option is March 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenancce funding were obligated.  The contracting activity is the DoDEA/Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools, Peachtree City, Ga. 
 
Caesar Rodney School District was awarded an $8,191,180 firm-fixed price contract modification exercising the first of four option periods of service contract number HEVAS6-13-C-0001.  The contract is for comprehensive education program services, grades kindergarten through 12 servicing eligible dependent children of Department of Defense personnel residing on Dover Air Force Base, Del.  The period of performance for this option is March 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenancce funding were obligated.  The contracting activity for this action is DoDEA/Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools, Peachtree City, Ga.
 
NAVY
 
Harris Corp., Palm Bay, Fla., is being awarded an $11,164,184 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00039-13-C-0001) for Commercial Broadband Satellite Program Force Level Variant (FLV) terminal systems.  The Commercial Broadband Satellite Program FLV terminal system is used to provide the Navy with terminal-to-shore, space and terrestrial connectivity to significantly increase throughput of data; improve satellite communications reliability; and provide redundancy for military satellite communications.  The FLV terminal systems are deployed on CVN, LPD-17 class and T-AHs ships.  This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the contract to an estimated $37,497,686.  Work will be performed in Palm Bay, Fla., and is expected to be completed by February 2015.  If all options are exercised work could continue until February 2018.  Fiscal 2012 shipbuilding and conversion, Navy and fiscal 2013 and 2014 other procurement, Navy funds in the amount of $11,164,184 will be obligated at the time of award.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1).  The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.
 
Environmental Management Inc.*, Idaho Falls, Idaho, is being awarded a $21,486,839 modification under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N40085-10-D-0213) to exercise option four for facilities maintenance and heavy equipment repair services at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Station New River, and other outlying areas in eastern North Carolina.  The work to be performed provides for all labor, supervision, management, tools, materials, equipment, facilities, transportation, incidental engineering, and other items necessary.  The total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $108,929,969.  Work will be performed in Jacksonville, N.C., and work is expected to be completed March 2015.  Fiscal 2014 operation and maintenance, Marine Corps contract funds in the amount of $18,673,268 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.
 
CORRECTION:   The contract awarded Dec. 20, 2013 to J. Walter Thompson, Atlanta, Ga., (M00264-14-D-0002) should have read the amount as $169,999,999.  Task order 0001 should have read the amount was not-to-exceed $77,433,499.
 
AIR FORCE
 
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., has been awarded a $10,185,912 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00017) for an existing contract (FA8682-12-C-0006) for Joint Air-to-Surface Strategic Missile anti-jam GPS receiver - Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module Version 3 (JAGR-S V3) for development of the JAGR-S V3 and options for V3 Qualification Failure Review Board (FRB), V3 Flight Test FRB, and for the Transit Case Assembly.  Work will be performed at Orlando, Fla., and Troy, Ala., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2016.  Fiscal 2014 missile procurement funds in the amount of $10,185,912 will be obligated at time of award. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition.  Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/EBJK, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity.
 
*Small Business

Related U.S. Department Of Defense ~ Contracts
*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-037-14  February 26, 2014 
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing Receives $2.4 Billion Contract for 16 P-8A Poseidon Aircraft

Defense News: DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing Receives $2.4 Billion Contract for 16 P-8A Poseidon Aircraft
>US Navy orders 1st full-rate production lot
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 26, 2014: Boeing's [NYSE: BA] P-8A Poseidon program will enter full production, following a $2.4 billion contract award from the U.S. Navy for 16 additional aircraft that will bolster maritime patrol capabilities.

The order, which will take the total fleet to 53, marks a transition from preliminary low-rate production.

Boeing has delivered 13 P-8As to the Navy, which deployed its first patrol squadron to Kadena, Japan in December 2013 and has been conducting operational missions since then.

"This milestone is a testament to the incredible effort and dedication of the team to deliver the P-8A to the fleet as planned," Navy P-8A program manager Capt. Scott Dillon said. "The future of the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance community has begun to make history with the P-8As already delivered to the fleet. These full-rate production aircraft will give us the opportunity to deliver the best system through a cost-effective procurement contract."
Based on Boeing's Next-Generation 737-800 commercial airplane, the P-8A will enhance the service's anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Overall, the Navy plans to purchase 117 P-8As to replace its P-3 fleet.

"This contract reflects the success of the program and enables us to continue delivering an advanced, cost-effective maritime patrol aircraft to the Navy," added Rick Heerdt, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager. "We delivered eight P-8s, all on or ahead of schedule in 2013, and we intend to keep that streak going in 2014."

Boeing assembles the P-8A aircraft in the same facility where it builds all its 737 aircraft. The Poseidon team uses a first-in-industry in-line production process that draws on Boeing's Next-Generation 737 system and has resulted in cost and schedule savings.
Boeing's industry team includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation.

DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News - P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft (U.S. Navy & Indian Navy) video on youtube


 

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $33 billion business with 58,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter:@BoeingDefense.

Related Images of P-8A Poseidon Aircraft;




*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Boeing
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: French Army And The Sperwer UAV

Defense News: DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: French Army And The Sperwer UAV
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Strategy Page
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 26, 2014: The French Army has purchased five more Sperwer UAVs with an option to get two more. Although not as successful as American and Israeli competitors, the French made Sperwer continues to serve the French military and is expected to continuing doing so until the end of the decade. A French firm is developing a replacement, the Patroller, which is designed to appeal more to the export market. Most of the 150 Sperwers produced since the 1990s were bought by the French Army. Sperwer got its first heavy use during the Balkan peacekeeping missions in the 1990s. Five other nations also bought Sperwer, but most have since retired theirs and bought American and Israeli UAVs.

Starting in 2003 Canada, for example, bought 21 Sperwers, including ten second hand ones obtained from Denmark. The Canadians used their Sperwers heavily in Afghanistan and paid to improve the Sperwer flight control software, to make the UAV more stable when landing under windy conditions. It's often windy in Afghanistan. Still, troops were envious of UAV models they saw used by other nations. Canada stopped using Sperwer in 2009.

The $2.6 million Sperwer LE (Long Endurance) weighs 351 kg (772 pounds), carries a 50 kg (110 pound) payload, is 3.9 meters (12 feet) long, and has an endurance of 12 hours. Sperwer can operate up to 200 kilometers from its ground control unit. It is launched from a vehicle mounted catapult but lands conventionally.

The Sperwer uses a noisy engine (think lawnmower) and flies low enough to be heard. This has not proved to be a problem, as the people below, if they are Taliban, either start shooting at the UAV or try to run away. Despite this, Canadian troops came to depend on their Sperwers and many preferred to have more of them rather than another, newer UAV. The troops learned that operator experience is a major factor in UAV success, and much of that would be lost if they switched a new model. Canada eventually replaced their Sperwers with Israeli Herons.

The Sperwer suffered from the heat, dust, and wind that is so abundant in Afghanistan, and there were several attempts to get an improved UAV to the troops. For a while, Canada was going to buy some Predators, not just because these one ton UAVs are more capable than Sperwer but because Predator could carry Hellfire missiles. But this became a political issue in Canada, where many politicians did not like the idea of an unmanned aircraft carrying, and using, missiles, even if the actual firing was done by a human operator on the ground. Everyone agreed that a larger UAV would be better, especially one that could carry a laser designator and be more stable in the wind. By 2009 Canadian troops in Afghanistan began using the Israeli Heron and that proved satisfactory.

Related ~ Sperwer UAV



*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Strategy Page
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Saturday, February 15, 2014

DTN News - SOCHI 2014 OLYMPICS: 2014 Olympic Opening Ceremony (Video)

DTN News -  SOCHI 2014 OLYMPICS: 2014 Olympic Opening Ceremony (Video)

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 14, 2014: On February 7th billions of people all over the world will be able to witness an exciting show - the XXII Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. Wait for the details on the 7th of February! 

The Games were officially opened by President Vladimir Putin. An audience of 40,000 were in attendance at the stadium with an estimated 2,000 performers.



At a cost of 30 billion pounds (over $49 billion), the Sochi Games is the most expensive Olympics in history.

The 2014 winter Olympic opening ceremony kicked off the biggest sporting event of the year on Friday, Feb. 7, and the world's best athletes came to show their team spirit in Sochi, Russia.

88 nations were represented at the Parade of Nations, which is one of the best known Olympics spectacles. The Parade is when all of the athletes representing their countries walk around the arena dressed to the nines in their patriotic gear while in alphabetical order by country name.
Photo courtesy - http://www.sochi2014.com/

*Presented & compiled for DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

(Read complete story on Defense-Technology News - Click on link undermentioned)

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.ca

DTN News - SOCHI 2014 OLYMPICS: Sandro Viletta Competes During Alpine Skiing Men's Super Combined

DTN News -  SOCHI 2014 OLYMPICS: Sandro Viletta Competes During Alpine Skiing Men's Super Combined

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 14, 2014: Sandro Viletta of Switzerland competes during the Alpine Skiing Men's Super Combined Downhill.



At a cost of 30 billion pounds (over $49 billion), the Sochi Games is the most expensive Olympics in history.

The 2014 winter Olympic opening ceremony kicked off the biggest sporting event of the year on Friday, Feb. 7, and the world's best athletes came to show their team spirit in Sochi, Russia.

88 nations were represented at the Parade of Nations, which is one of the best known Olympics spectacles. The Parade is when all of the athletes representing their countries walk around the arena dressed to the nines in their patriotic gear while in alphabetical order by country name.
Photo courtesy - http://www.sochi2014.com/

*Presented & compiled for DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

(Read complete story on Defense-Technology News - Click on link undermentioned)

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.ca

DTN News - SOCHI 2014 OLYMPICS: Curling Women's Round Robin Match between Japan And Great Britain

DTN News -  SOCHI 2014 OLYMPICS: Curling Women's Round Robin Match between Japan And Great Britain

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 14, 2014: Ayumi Ogasawara of Japan looks on as Chinami Yoshida and Michiko Tomabechi sweep the ice during the Curling Women's Round Robin match between Japan and Great Britain on day 8 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Ice Cube Curling Center.
At a cost of 30 billion pounds (over $49 billion), the Sochi Games is the most expensive Olympics in history.



The 2014 winter Olympic opening ceremony kicked off the biggest sporting event of the year on Friday, Feb. 7, and the world's best athletes came to show their team spirit in Sochi, Russia.

88 nations were represented at the Parade of Nations, which is one of the best known Olympics spectacles. The Parade is when all of the athletes representing their countries walk around the arena dressed to the nines in their patriotic gear while in alphabetical order by country name.
Photo courtesy - http://www.sochi2014.com/

*Presented & compiled for DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News

(Read complete story on Defense-Technology News - Click on link undermentioned)

http://defense-technologynews.blogspot.ca

Monday, January 6, 2014

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: How The Su-30 MKI Is Changing The IAF’s Combat Strategy

Defense News: DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: How The Su-30 MKI Is Changing The IAF’s Combat Strategy
Analysis: Internationally, a project for one year takes ten fold longer in India. Decisions are taken at a snail pace and time is wasted on unnecessary red tape bureaucracy. Defense procurement system is politically corrupt, as an example urgently needed Hawk Mk132 advanced jet trainers for Indian Air Force, which took 30 odd years to acquire at the cost of hundreds of young Indian Air Force pilots life. India is the largest democratically governed country in the world as is an exemplary system for other nations to follow suit, but at the same time the system is a curse with too many voices and noises, NO ACTION. India should have for some period a system of administration similar to China, which is straightforward with no two way decision, would benefit for the betterment of the country at large. (DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News)
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources January 5, 2014 Rakesh Krishnan Simha
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 6, 2014: The versatile and constantly evolving nature of the Sukhoi enables the Indian Air Force to think big and strike far. With the induction of large numbers of class leading Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has not only made a huge technological transition from a MiG-21 dominated fleet, its war fighting doctrine has also changed, focusing on long-range and strategic missions.

Aggressiveness is a fundamental requirement of air combat, and the IAF has traditionally been an attack orientated force. For instance, on December 3, 1971 in response to Pakistan Air Force (PAF) raids on 11 Indian airbases, the IAF responded with initial air strikes the same night, which were expanded to massive retaliatory air strikes the next morning.

In previous wars, it didn’t matter if their opponents had better aircraft and radars, IAF pilots compensated for it with their superior training and ingenuity. IAF pilots truly internalised what Sergei Dolgushin, a Russian Air Force ace with 24 victories in WWII, said is a prerequisite to be a successful fighter pilot: “a love of hunting, a great desire to be the top dog”.

Long range and two fronts
It was with the MiG-29 Fulcrum that the IAF for the very first time acquired a superior aircraft compared with those operated by the PAF. However, the qualitative edge was marginal. On the other hand the Sukhoi-30 MKI is an “air dominance fighter” that is allowing the IAF to perform a multiplicity of missions required to keep in step with India’s rising global stature. The Sukhoi’s versatility – owing to its extended range, speed, firepower and super-manoeuvrability – has given the IAF considerable leeway in deploying the aircraft in offensive missions.

In April 2013 the IAF held its largest-ever combat exercise involving as many as 400 combat aircraft plus 200 transport planes and helicopters. The exercise was aimed at testing the IAF’s capability for a two-front war against China and Pakistan, by deploying “swing forces” from the western theatre right across to the east.

As part of the war games, Sukhoi-30MKIs flew 1800 km bombing missions from Chabua in Assam to the western front, with mid-air refuelling. This is possible because the Sukhoi has a range of 4.5 hours on internal fuel, and IAF pilots are known to lead missions over 10 hours.

BrahMos and the mini air force
The Su-30 MKI has 12 hard points for missiles and bombs. The IAF is carrying out structural modifications on the Sukhois to enable them to carry the air launched variant of the BrahMos cruise missile. If the contracting firms are able to reduce the mass and weight of the missile, the aircraft would be able to carry up to three of these missiles.

In previous wars the IAF avoided attacks on non-military infrastructure, preferring to target tanker farms and military bases. The decision to equip the Sukhois with the BrahMos creates new synergies and signals a new intent. The Sukhoi’s radar can detect tall buildings at a distance of 400 km and small building at 120 km. The BrahMos is a highly destructive missile and belongs to a class of Russian missiles that are designed to cut small warships in half. So in the next war expect a lot of damage to enemy infrastructure – dams, power stations and industrial clusters are all likely to be targeted.

There is another ominous angle. India’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC) has asked for 40 nuclear capable strike aircraft to be used conjointly with land-based and submarine launched ballistic missiles. Although it’s not clear whether the IAF or the SFC will operate this mini air force, what is clear is that exactly 40 Su-30 MKIs have been converted to carry the BrahMos. That’s some coincidence.

A nuclear warhead on an air-launched BrahMos fired from a super-manoeuvrable Su-30 MKI won’t just further enhance the IAF’s strike capability and aircraft survivability, it would also complicate the enemy’s defence planning.

Mission capable
Such complex missions require powerful navigation systems. India has chosen to buy barebones Sukhois from Russia and then cram them with Israeli and French equipment. Plus, the already excellent Bars radar, which can track an aircraft at 125 km and a battle tank 40 km away, is being replaced with the Russian Zhuk active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars.

Another quantum leap the IAF is making is in beyond visual range (BVR) missiles for the Su-30 MKI. Complementing the Zhuk radar will be the Novator KS-172 air-air missile, with an estimated 300-400 km range and a speed of Mach 4. If Russia and India can bring this missile to production, the IAF will finally be capable of anti-AWACS and anti-satellites missions.

The Su-30 MKI has also given a fillip to the DRDO, which has designed and developed the aircraft’s electronic counter measures suite, including the radar warning receiver and frequency hopping radios and identify friend or foe system. Irkut President Alexy Fedorov says the Su-30 MKIs are being upgrade to the ‘Super Sukhoi’, which has features similar to a fifth generation aircraft.

Numbers game
It is a fact that quantity has a quality all its own. Including aircraft under order, India’s Sukhoi-30 MKI fleet is currently pegged at 272. It is an impressive number for such a high-end and expensive weapons platform. This shows a keen sense of judgement by the IAF, which realises that 100 per cent fleet utilisation is impossible and having a large number of air superiority aircraft around is the key to getting the job done.

With such numbers at its disposal, the IAF is now able to build a network of bases around the country. Earlier, because of the low range of its fighter aircraft and coupled with the fact that the IAF had to quickly deploy them in war, most Indian air bases – such as Adampur, Jammu, Amritsar and Jodhpur – were close to the Pakistan border.

But now Sukhois are also being stationed at places such as Thanjavur in the deep south, Chabua in the northeast and Pune in western India. Because of its long legs and speed the Sukhois can join battle at a few hours notice.

A worrying factor, however, is the planned force of 272 Sukhois falls well short of the 400 Sukhoi-30 equivalents and knockoffs in the Chinese air force. If the 126 French Rafales are inducted over the coming years, India should achieve at least quantitative parity with China. That is, until the Chinese stealth fighters arrive. 

*Related Images of Indian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI





*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources January 5, 2014 Rakesh Krishnan Simha
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Sunday, January 5, 2014

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. Waived Laws To Keep F-35 on Track With China-Made Parts

Defense News: DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. Waived Laws To Keep F-35 on Track With China-Made Parts
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Reuters
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 4, 2014: The Pentagon repeatedly waived laws banning Chinese-built components on U.S. weapons in order to keep the $392 billion Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter program on track in 2012 and 2013, even as U.S. officials were voicing concern about China's espionage and military buildup.

According to Pentagon documents reviewed by Reuters, chief U.S. arms buyer Frank Kendall allowed two F-35 suppliers, Northrop Grumman Corp and Honeywell International Inc, to use Chinese magnets for the new warplane's radar system, landing gears and other hardware. Without the waivers, both companies could have faced sanctions for violating federal law and the F-35 program could have faced further delays.

"It was a pretty big deal and an unusual situation because there's a prohibition on doing defense work in China, even if it's inadvertent," said Frank Kenlon, who recently retired as a senior Pentagon procurement official and now teaches at American University. "I'd never seen this happen before."

The Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, is examining three such cases involving the F-35, the U.S. military's next generation fighter, the documents show.

The GAO report, due March 1, was ordered by U.S. lawmakers, who say they are concerned that Americans firms are being shut out of the specialty metals market, and that a U.S. weapon system may become dependent on parts made by a potential future adversary.

The waivers apply to inexpensive parts, including $2 magnets, installed on 115 F-35 test, training and production aircraft, the last of which are due to be delivered in May 2014. Lawmakers noted that several U.S. companies make similar magnets.

Kendall said the waivers were needed to keep production, testing and training of the Pentagon's newest warplane on track; avert millions of dollars in retrofit costs; and prevent delays in the Marine Corps' plan to start using the jets in combat from mid-2015, according to the documents. In one case, it would cost $10.8 million and take about 25,000 man-hours to remove the Chinese-made magnets and replace them with American ones, the documents indicate.

Lockheed is developing the F-35, the Pentagon's costliest arms program, for the United States and eight countries that helped fund its development: Britain, Canada, Australia, Italy, Norway, Turkey, Denmark and the Netherlands. Israel and Japan have also placed orders for the jet.

The program is already years behind schedule and 70 percent over initial cost estimates. At the time Kendall was granting the waivers, officials were acutely worried that further delays and cost increases would erode the foreign orders needed to drive down the future cost of each warplane.

In the documents, Kendall underscored the importance of the F-35 program to ensure continued U.S. military superiority and counter potential emerging threats from nations developing their own stealth fighter jets, including Russia and China.

He said additional delays would force the United States and its allies to keep its legacy fighters flying longer, which would result in higher maintenance costs. It would also leave them with older jets, which Kendall said "cannot match the offensive and defensive capabilities provided by F-35."

The Pentagon first disclosed problems with non-U.S. magnets in a little-noticed written statement to Congress in the spring of 2013. But the statement did not name companies involved and did not disclose that some of the parts came from China.

Officials at Northrop, Honeywell and Lockheed declined to comment on the issue, referring queries to the Pentagon.

Joe DellaVedova, spokesman for the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) at the Pentagon, said the office was committed to ensuring that federal defense acquisition laws were strictly followed.

"There was never any risk of technology transfer or other security breach associated with these manufacturing compliance issues," he said. "The JPO is working with industry to put in place long-term solutions to avoid the need for future waivers."

In his statement to Congress, Kendall said he took the matter "extremely seriously" and said Lockheed was told to take aggressive steps to identify any further cases, and correct its compliance process.

Bill Greenwalt, a former senior defense official and now an analyst with the American Enterprise Institute think tank, said the risk to national security appeared low since the magnets in question had no programmable hardware.

However, he added: "This is an area that will need considerable due diligence in the future to ensure that components for more high-risk applications are safe from potential tampering and foreign mischief."

SPECIALTY METALS

Since 1973, U.S. laws have banned the procurement of specialty metals produced outside the United States for use on U.S. weapons. A separate 2006 law also bans the purchase of end-use items and components that include such specialty metals.

The documents reviewed by Reuters show that Northrop first discovered the use of non-compliant Japanese magnets on the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar it builds for the F-35 in August 2012, alerting the prime contractor, Lockheed, which then told the Pentagon.

A subsequent investigation of all parts on the F-35 turned up two more cases in which non-U.S. specialty metals were used on the F-35's radar, and on target assemblies built by Honeywell that are used for positioning doors and landing gear.

Northrop's radar was also found to contain $2 magnets made by Chengdu Magnetic Material Science & Technology Co, in China's Sichuan region, according to the documents.

The magnets used on the Honeywell target assemblies were acquired through Illinois-based Dexter Magnetic Technologies Inc.

Dexter and Chengdu Magnetic did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

KNOWING AND WILLFUL?

In June, the House Armed Services Committee asked the GAO to determine whether the companies involved "knowingly and willfully" supplied non-compliant magnets, and how the Pentagon investigated that question. The committee also asked GAO for recommendations on potential changes, such as fines or penalties for non-compliance to deter future problems, as well as suggestions for beefing up Pentagon supply chain management procedures.

In a document approving use of Chinese magnets on the batch of 32 F-35 fighter planes now being built, Kendall said neither Lockheed nor Northrop knowingly allowed the parts to be used.

In his waiver, Kendall wrote that Northrop's initial mistake, involving magnets built in Japan, was an "administrative oversight" and noted the firm quickly reported the matter when it was discovered in August 2012. It led to the comprehensive review that found two additional issues involving Chinese-built magnets.

It is not clear from the waiver documents whether Kendall determined that Honeywell's use of Chinese-built magnets involved a similar mistake.

(Editing by Michael Williams, Tiffany Wu and Grant McCool)


*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Reuters
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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