Canada secures long-term LAV support

Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) and Secretary of State (Agriculture), and Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, today announced that the Government of Canada has awarded a $374 million contract to General Dynamics Land Systems Canada (GDLS-C) to provide a full range of services to the Canadian Forces Wheeled Light Armoured Vehicles fleet.

"As the sole manufacturer of the Wheeled Light Armoured Vehicles, General Dynamics Land Systems Canada is the only company capable of providing the full range of services needed to maintain these state-of-the-art vehicles well into the future," said Minister Paradis, adding, "The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that the Canadian Forces are equipped with the services they need to support their operations."

"Canada's fleet of LAV III vehicles form the backbone of operations in Afghanistan," said Minister MacKay. "They continue to prove their worth in the exceptionally demanding Afghanistan environment. This contract will ensure that these vehicles receive the maintenance support needed to perform in challenging operations for years to come."

The services provided for in the contract include fleet management, publication and technical data management, program management, spare parts, repair and overhaul services, training support, technical services and field service representation. The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis as GDLS-C is the designer of the Wheeled Light Armoured Vehicles and, together with its prime suppliers, owns most of the intellectual property rights or has exclusive access to all of the proprietary technical data related to this equipment. The contract period is from June 1, 2008, to March 31, 2013.

Source: GoC

Navistar Defense LLC, of Warrenville, Ill., has recently been awarded two contracts.

The first is for an assortment of automotive parts, including wheels, axles, air conditioners, engines, compressors, generators, and transmissions. Work will be performed primarily in Springfield, Ohio, with limited production in various other cities, This is a firm fixed price contract for $56,857,635 and is expected to be completed by May 4, 2009. C

The second contract is for wheels and pneumatic tires at a firm-fixed price of $21,420,480. Work will be performed in Trenton, N.J., and is expected to be completed by Jan. 30, 2009.

TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity for both.

Source: DoD

Germany orders more Dingos

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) has won a large order for all-protected vehicles and remote controlled weapon stations from the German Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB).

The contract includes the manufacture and delivery of a total of 50 DINGO 2 patrol and backup vehicles, four DINGO 2 GSI (battle damage repair) vehicles, 44 optional DINGO 2 GSI.

Also included are 230 light and 190 heavy FLW weapons stations.

The German Armed Forces will take a fast-track delivery of 54 DINGO 2 already by the end of this year.

Source: KMW Press Release

Happy July 4th!

Happy Fourth of July to our American readers!

Canada Day

Happy Canada Day to our Canadian readers!

Catch up on your reading ...

Here are some items of general interest that we have found or have had brought to our attention by readers. Thank you!

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Middlesex University gears up for MoD grand challenge - MoD

ITT wins upgrades to Swedish coastal radars - Defense Industry Daily

BAE Systems completes acquisition of Tenix Defence - BAE

Trust Digital mobile security meets DISA specs - GCN

Sources: As cited

MoD annouces new protected vehicle purchases

The UK Ministry of Defence has announced it will be purchasing 86 new Viking and Jackal protected vehicles.14 Vikings have been ordered from BAE for £14M. The 72 Jackals will come from Babcock Marine.

The MoD also "unveiled" two new vehicle types, the Ridgback and Panther. The Ridgback is described as the "little brother to the hugely popular Mastiff". The MoD will receive 150 of the vehicles. Pather will be the new command and liaison vehicle.

Source and Photo: MoD

FCS changes

Future Combat Systems (FCS) has come under a lot of examination and editorializing recently. In response the Army has indicated the program will be taking a new direction, or rather, moving program emphasis around.

The Army has announced that it will accelerate the delivery of FCS capabilities to infantry brigade combat teams (IBCTs). These technologies will include "Unattended Ground Sensors, the Non Line of Sight-Launch System and network kits for the HMMWV platform. Additionally, the Class I Block 0 Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) and the Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV)".

More details here.

Source: U.S. Army

A practical acquisition

SUMMA Technology of Huntsville, Ala., has been awarded a $26,092,635 firm-fixed price contract for the container roll in/out platform. Work will be performed in Cullman, Ala., and is expected to be completed by Jun. 30, 2011.

U.S. Army TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-06-D-0269).

Editor's note: Summa became part of AAR Corporation (NYSE: AIR) in December 2007.

Source: DoD
Photo: Summa

HMMWV mods contracted

AM General of South Bend, Ind. has been awarded a $25,741,548.80 firm-fixed contract for reliability enhanced vehicle engineering change engineering change proposals on high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicles.

The work will be performed in Mishawaka, Ind., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2009.

Tank-automotive and Armaments Command is the contracting activity.

Source: DoD