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!

Can miracle material stop radiation? - Wired

Iraqis to take over Anbar Province - Military.com

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

Persistent surveillance news

Raytheon has been awarded an $86.6 million contract to provide Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment (RAID) elevated sensor systems to the U.S. Army as part of the Base Expeditionary Targeting and Surveillance System program.

RAID provides persistent surveillance using infrared sensors elevated on a stationary platform. Raytheon first developed RAID to respond to the U.S. military's critical need for persistent surveillance in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

The RAID system is currently in wide use throughout Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and will be an integral part of the BETSS effort.

Work will be performed at Raytheon IDS' Integrated Air Defense Center, Andover, Mass., and Warfighter Protection Center, Huntsville, Ala.

Source: Raytheon

Army gets more armored dozers

Caterpillar, Inc. has been awarded a $397,100,467 firm-fixed price contract for light T-5 dozers and medium T-9 dozers with type A armor kits and type C armor kits This includes a five-year requirements contract with one five-year option.

Work will be performed in East Peoria, Ill., and is expected to be completed by Jun. 9, 2018. U.S. Army TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity.

Source: DoD

Catching 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!

• Mahdi Army uses “flying IEDs” in Baghdad - The Long War Journal


• Persistent Surveillance a Key Topic at DHS Conference - Amy Zalman


• USAF agency deploys alert system - GCN


• Russia's 'Cans of Whup Ass' - Wired


• Cyber B52 strikes mooted as response to Chinese infowar - The Register


• A faltering thin red line of 'eroes - Asia Times

Sources: As cited

Step up and move forward

You know about blogs, right? Hey, you're reading one. What about Wikis? Well, maybe not so much.

Below you will find a link to a presentation by Chris Rasmussen of the NGA. It's about how the American Imtelligence community is using a wiki, rss,tagging and, dare we say it, living the Web 2.0. Rasmussen's presentation is direct and honest. The positives and the pitfalls are there. These could be the words that inspire you to move your organization forward and, perhaps, streamline some processes at the same time.

Thanks to All News, All about Intellipedia for the heads up.

Kudos to Federal Computer Weekly for posting this presentation. Here it is.

Source: FCW

More counter IED system to the Army

On June 4, 2008 Applied Energetics, Inc., Tucson, Ariz. was awarded a $9,280,801 cost-plus-fixed fee contract for the continued development and production of ten counter improved explosive devise systems plus spares, operator training and technical support for an overseas operational assessment.

According to the DoD work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz. and is expected to be completed by June 4, 2008. Clerical error? The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. is the contracting activity.

Source: DoD

Canada names new Chief of Defence Staff

Back in December we told you about the candidates to replace Gen. Rick Hillier as Canada's CDS. In April we strongly hinted that Lt.-Gen. Walter Natynczyk, the Vice-Chief of Defence Staff (VCDS) could be the man for the job. Well today it was confirmed by the Government.

Here is the official biography.

"A native of Winnipeg, LGen Natynczyk joined the Canadian Forces in August 1975. He attended Royal Roads Military College and Collège Militaire Royal in St Jean, graduating in 1979 with a degree in Business Administration degree. His formative years were spent on NATO duty in Germany with The Royal Canadian Dragoons in troop command and staff appointments.

In 1983, LGen Natynczyk assumed duties as a Squadron Commander at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario. In 1986, he commenced a five-year regimental tour in Petawawa, serving in several staff and squadron command appointments; this tour included six months of UN peacekeeping duties in Cyprus. On completion of Canadian Forces Command and Staff College, he served on the Army Staff in St Hubert Quebec.

In May 1994, LGen Natynczyk embarked upon a year-long tour with the United Nations in the Former Yugoslavia as Sector South-West Chief of Operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina within HQ 7 (UK) Armoured Brigade, then as the Chief of Land Operations, UNPROFOR HQ in Zagreb, Croatia. In June 1995 LGen Natynczyk was assigned to the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff within National Defence HQ in Ottawa. He then commanded his regiment for two years, leading the Dragoons during domestic operations in the Ottawa region during the 1998 Ice Storm. LGen Natynczyk returned to Bosnia in 1998 as the Canadian Contingent Commander. On his return to Ottawa in March 1999 he was appointed J3 Plans and Operations during the period of deployments to Kosovo, Bosnia, East Timor and Eritrea.

LGen Natynczyk attended the U.S. Army War College and was subsequently appointed Deputy Commanding General, III Corps and Fort Hood. In January 2004, he deployed with III Corps to Baghdad, Iraq, serving first as the Deputy Director of Strategy, Policy and Plans and subsequently as the Deputy Commanding General of the Multi-National Corps (Iraq). Upon his return to Canada he assumed command of the Land Force Doctrine and Training System. He was subsequently appointed Chief Transformation where he was responsible for implementation of the force restructuring and the enabling processes and policies.

LGen Natynczyk assumed the responsibilities of the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff on 28 June 2006."

The Minister of National Defence has already called Natynczyk a "Gentleman General" which probably means he's hoping for someone with less visibility than Hillier. That may be true but most feel this is a strong appointment.

Source: D,S & T and DND Photo: DND

Even more FMTVs

The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded BAE Systems a contract for the supply of up to 10,000 Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV), worth up to US$2.2 billion, with US$1.65 billion of funding already agreed*. The new contract includes a one year option for the procurement of 10,000 additional vehicles.

FMTV trucks are Long Term Armor Strategy (LTAS) configured cargo trucks, wreckers, expansible vans, shop vans, tractors, load handling systems, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System support vehicles and Low Velocity Air Drop configured trucks. BAE Systems’ LTAS is the newest version of FMTV. It is designed to accept an adaptable armor system offering high levels of protection when required. Additional elements of the contract include program support, engineering, integrated logistics support, configuration management and field service support.

More than 48,000 FMTV trucks and trailers are in service with the U.S. Army. The commonality of parts among FMTVs includes shared engines, transmissions, power trains, tires and cabs.

Source: BAE

* Editor's Note: This follows last month's announcement here.

QinetiQ ships measured response robot

QinetiQ North America’s Technology Solutions Group has shipped the first MAARS ground robot to the US military under a contract from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal/Low-Intensity Conflict (EOD/LIC) Program within the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO). MAARS (Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System) is the first fully modular ground robot system capable of providing a measured response including non-lethal, less-lethal and even lethal stand-off capabilities.

The MAARS system is an agile, combat-ready robot that is remotely controlled by the operator. The robot contains advanced processing capabilities and features a uni-body chassis with a plug-and-play design, which allows for ready use of new and evolving accessories and attachments. MAARS also comes with an easy-to-learn digital control system that provides comprehensive situational awareness that works up to a range of over one kilometre from the operator, effectively extending the reach of the operator and enhancing his survivability.

One of the most innovative capabilities of MAARS is the ability to apply non-lethal force by projecting the operator’s voice through mounted loudspeakers, or alternatively to pulse a green, eye-safe laser to dazzle people. In addition, MAARS’ two-way communication features allow the operator to interact from a safe distance. MAARS also has the capability to launch 40mm less-lethal ammunition, such as bean bags, smoke, star clusters and pepper spray, and lethal ammunition. If lethal action is required, an operator can launch 40mm high-explosive grenades or engage with the powerful M240B medium machine gun firing 7.62mm ammunition.

MAARS comes with tracks that can traverse all terrains, including stairs, and it is also capable of using wheels to increase speed and further reduce noise. The robot’s turret system is able to support a drop-in manipulator arm, multiple types of weapons and a wide range of sensor packages. Additional features include up to seven cameras with multi-modal capabilities. In the MAARS weapons-configured system, the operator always sees where the weapon is pointed in relation to himself and other friendly forces.

Source: QinetiQ

More QinetiQ stories here.
More robot stories here.

C2 PC to support COP

Northrop Grumman has been awarded a contract modification to transform the company's Command and Control Personal Computer (C2PC) into a core component of the Joint Tactical Common Operating Picture (COP) Workstation (JTCW).

Under the 18-month $30 million contract modification awarded by U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., Northrop Grumman will begin migrating C2PC to an open, services-oriented architecture required for it to be transformed into the JTCW Client and Gateway.

The Marine Corps expects to begin fielding JTCW in 2010. It will provide ground forces units above battalion level with consistent situational awareness, complementing Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below, which provides friendly forces situational awareness at company-level and below for platform-based and handheld systems.

Northrop Grumman's Windows-based C2PC is a mobile, interoperable system capable of operating in a low-bandwidth, intermittent communications environment. It displays the military's common operating picture from a Global Command and Control System-based server or tactical data from other C2PC workstations. Initially developed for the U.S. Marine Corps, C2PC has been adopted by all U.S. military services, U.S. Coast Guard and the Defense Information Systems Agency and has been fielded to military bases around the world.

Source: Northrop Grumman

More Renaults to Afghanistan

Renault Trucks has announce they have received a contract from NATO for Sherpa 3 4x4s.

The Sherpas are to carry mobile communication systems for the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Taking into account the operational urgency, the first vehicles will be delivered to NATO in September 2008. When more details are available we will pass them on.

Source: Renault

TACOM contracts

Oshkosh Truck Corp. has been awarded a $121,242,434 firm-fixed price contract for a modification to the family of heavy tactical vehicles, load handling system, and wreckers, as well as the addition of 233 vehicles, and the cost of the federal retailers excise tax associated with the vehicles. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., and is expected to be completed by May 31, 2009.

AM General of South Bend, Ind., has gotten a $24,941,728 firm-fixed price contract for the addition of 255 high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicles to contract. Work will be performed in Mishawaka, Ind., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2009.

BAE Systems, Tactical Vehicle Systems Limited Partnership, Sealy, Texas has received a $34,050,460 firm-fixed price and cost-reimbursement contract for the award of a ceiling price change order modification for the procurement of long-term armor strategy B kits for the family of medium tactical vehicles. Work will be is expected to be completed by Nov. 15, 2008.

TACOM in Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity for these three contracts.

Source: DoD

Pentagon says AFRICOM will be ready for full operations October 1

The U.S. Defense Department says it is committed to launching its new Africa Command on time in October, and with the same capabilities as other major U.S. military commands. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Theresa Whelan made the comment in a VOA interview. VOA's Al Pessin reports from the Pentagon.

The Defense Department's top Africa official says Africa Command, which has been operating in a preparation phase for eight months, will be ready to take responsibility for all U.S. military engagement with the continent on schedule.

"We are confident that by 1 October AFRICOM will be enabled, and will be able to carry out the existing missions of the current combatant commands that are responsible for Africa. And the leadership here in the Pentagon is very committed to doing whatever it takes to make that a reality," she said.

Full VOA story here.

How the Army found middle ground to embrace the internet

"This winter, the Air Force, as the Pentagon’s point agency for Internet operations –“cyberwarfare,” in military jargon – banned access from official networks to many blogs, declaring that they weren’t “established, reputable media.” The Air Force didn’t seem concerned that America’s greatest enemies, international jihadists, had long ago latched onto websites as cheap, effective tools for sharing ideas."

David Axe looks at The Military's Internet 'Civil War' in The Washington Independent. This is the first of three parts.

Source: As cited
Photo: U.S. Army

A little extra reading ...

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

Skynet military launch postponed - BBC

Explosives Search Dog in Afghanistan - Ares

Gen. Speakes: FCS will work and helps troops now - DefenseTech

Army Installing $1.5B Worth of Sensor Towers - Defense News

Inspector General swamped - POGO

Minot flunks nuclear inspection - Air Force Times

Sources: As cited

Vehicle miscellany

Ibis Tek* of Butler, Pa. and LOM* of Chicago are both being awarded indefinite-delivery / indefinite-quantity contracts for MRAP 360 Degree Lighting Kits.

The Ibis Tek contract has a ceiling amount $158,075,500 with options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative ceiling value to $474,226,500. The LOM ceiling is $149,730,000 with options totalling $449,190,000. The work on both contracts is expected to be completed by May 2011. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

Stewart & Stevenson TVS, LP, Sealy, Texas, has been awarded a $37,356,777 firm-fixed price contract for low signature armor cabs in a box. Work will be performed in Texas and is expected to be completed by Feb. 19, 2009. U.S. Army TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity.

* DoD indicates these as "Small Business"

Source: DoD
Image: Ibis Tek

More FMTVs

BAE Systems has received a $54 million contract from the U.S. Army to manufacture approximately 370 Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV). The contract is a modification to the current FMTV production contract, now totaling $3.6 billion dollars.

The contract modification calls for the production of FMTVs in various configurations, including Dump Trucks, Cargo Trucks, Wreckers, and Trailers. Approximately 100 of the FMTVs will be configured to meet the U.S. Army’s Long Term Armor Strategy initiative to equip all tactical vehicles with the ability to be armored when necessary.

Production of the FMTV trucks will be performed in Sealy, Texas, and is expected to be complete by November 2008.

Source: BAE

UK opens new Centre for Defence Enterprise

The MoD has had successes with their Grand Challenge (a competition open to the UK science and technology community to develop an autonomous vehicle capable of detecting a range of military threats in an urban environment) and the Competition of Ideas (set up to identify and take forward novel technologies). It fact "Ideas" received over 450 proposals and resulted in 66 funded projects.

Building on this, the MoD has launched the Centre for Defence Enterprise. The Centre, located in Harwell in the Oxford-London-Cambridge 'Golden Triangle, will be a modelled on commercial science parks and incubators, bringing together inventors, investors, entrepreneurs, and academics to incubate new businesses and technologies with defence and other applications.

At the opening the Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Baroness Taylor, said:

"The Centre for Defence Enterprise is about tapping into the UK's best talent to develop the next generation of military technology for our Armed Forces. It is an exciting opportunity to expand the MoD's science and technology supplier base for defence.

"We are looking for the innovative solutions and technology that will provide our front line with the battle-winning edge."

Source: MoD

Talon's return

It seems much of the robot talk recently has focused on iRobot. However, the Talon by Foster-Miller (now a subsidiary of QinetiQ North America) is back.

F-M has been awarded a new $400 million IDIQ (indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity) contract for additional robots and replacement parts for service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The contract award was made by the Robotic Systems Joint Program Office (RSJPO) administered by the Naval Air Warfare Training Systems Division (NAVAIR). It is a follow-on to the $150 million IDIQ awarded in the spring of 2007 that has now been fully funded.

Over 2,000 Talon robots are now deployed around the world.

Source: Press Release

Photo: Foster-Miler

MRAP ILS work awarded

Force Protection Industries, Inc., Ladson, S.C., is being awarded two contract modifications to purchase Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) Sustainment Parts and support.

One contract mod ($28,456,471) is for Welders. The second ($15,220,882) is for Field Service Representatives.

Work will be done in Ladson and in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom area’s of responsibilities. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

Source: DoD Photo: Force Protection

Conference listing updated

The Defense, Security & Tech conference listing has been updated. You will find it in the menu section on the right under "Research and References".

If you know of a conference or seminar that may be of interest to your fellow reader, please let us know. As arrangements can often require considerable coordination we ask for at least one month advance notice.

iRobot receives orders totaling $22M

iRobot Corp. has announced it received orders under two separate contracts from the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI), that manages these contracts on behalf of the Robotic Systems Joint Project Office at Warren, Mich. and Huntsville, Ala.

PEO STRI placed a $16 million order, the third under the xBot contract, to put more than 200 robots and spare parts into the hands of infantry by October 31, 2008. Orders to date now total $27 million under this $286 million Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract.

iRobot also received a delivery order totaling $6.3 million under the PEO STRI contract for a combination of iRobot® PackBot® 510 with EOD kit robots, the iRobot PackBot with ICx Fido Explosives Detection Kits, as well as spare parts and equipment. Total orders under this $64 million IDIQ contract equal $52 million, and iRobot expects to complete delivery by the end of September 30, 2008.

To date iRobot has delivered more than 1,500 PackBot robots.

Source: iRobot

New rescue tool for Canadian armoured vehicles

The firefighters at CFB/ASU Wainwright have a new rescue tool at their disposal.

With the increased use of armoured vehicles at home and abroad, it was only a matter of time before these vehicles were involved in road accidents and increased insurgent attacks. The problem facing firefighters was how to gain access to these vehicles and extricate the occupants if they couldn’t escape on their own. The armour plating and combat locks on these vehicles opened up a whole new world of vehicle extrication, one where some of the conventional methods wouldn’t work.

Enter the Broco Prime Cut Recovery and Rescue torch. Operating at a temperature of 5538°C, the torch can cut through the thickest of steel in a matter of seconds, allowing firefighters to cut off hinges or hatch handles on the toughest of vehicles and access the vehicle occupants. Portable and lightweight, the torch can be carried to any rescue scene.

With this torch in firefighters’ hands, the next challenge was getting the occupants out. The firefighters were already trained in normal vehicle extrication and confined space rescue, so they combined these two and added specialized training in armoured vehicle extrication techniques. Identifying various armoured vehicles was also included in this phase of training.

The training is done in conjunction with the CF fire marshall and DND agencies on other bases. The trials were done in Petawawa, Valcartier and Montréal. Wainwright firefighters Bill Lawson and Brian Goodwin joined the trials in Montréal and are now tasked with training the fire crews in Wainwright. After that, instruction will be provided for military firefighters who are deployed overseas, and will then be offered to other firefighters at various bases throughout Canada.

The personnel who drive and ride in these armoured vehicles obviously hope they’ll never have to put their Broco to work. If an incident does occur, however, they can be certain that they are in good hands.

Source: Brian Goodwin, The Maple Leaf

Remembering

Monday May 26th is the Memorial Day Federal Holiday in the United States.

Photo: Tony Massey

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!

• DoD reviewing Apple's bid for PA Semi - EETimes
• 26 years after Gibson, Pentagon defines 'Cyberspace' - Danger Room
• Arrests in bomb scare at Swedish nuclear plant - Yahoo News
• FCC seeks input on new auction for public safety spectrum - GCN
  
• Committee accuses DHS of double-counting small business figures - GovExec

Sources: As linked

DCGS moves forward

Raytheon Company has accomplished a major requirement of the Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS) contract -- completing the end-to-end factory acceptance testing of the DCGS 10.2 system.

During the test, Raytheon conducted a series of on-site evaluations with representatives from the U.S. Air Force exercising the system and evaluating the results. In the next phase, Raytheon will deliver the DCGS 10.2 system to the first of several planned core sites, DGS-2 at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. There Raytheon will complete installation, integration and checkout in preparation for the site acceptance testing.

When fully fielded, DCGS Block 10.2 will be a worldwide distributed, network centric enterprise architecture that enables collaborative intelligence operations and production. Its environment provides for both the physical and electronic distribution of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data analysis and tools.

Raytheon's DCGS 10.2 upgrade will be capable of continuous on-demand intelligence brokering that will enable U.S. and coalition forces to get the information they need to take action and influence events in a significantly shorter amount of time.

Source: Press Release

Vehicle command and control transformation

Eagan, McAllister Associates, Inc., has been awarded a $22,071,517 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity performance-based contract with hybrid pricing arrangements to provide production engineering, integration product improvement, test and evaluation, and maintenance support as well as the capacity to modernize or introduce transformational technologies into systems and technical support services of various C5ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cryptology, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) programs for fielding on platforms such as: Marine Corps Up-Armored HMMWV, Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Rapid Responded Vehicle, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, other Department of Defense vehicle platforms, Navy C5ISR tactical vehicles, and Marine Corps C5ISR tactical vehicles, in addition to other tactical vehicles.

This contract includes four one-year options and three-award terms, which if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $221,972,342. Work will be performed in Charleston, S.C., and is expected to be completed by May 2009 (May 2016 with all options and award terms exercised). The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Charleston, S.C., is the contracting activity.

Source: DoD

Editor's Note: Eagan, McAllister Associates is wholly owned by SAIC

Major players make joint bid for Germany's AMPV

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann of Munich and Rheinmetall Defence of Düsseldorf have launched a joint programme to develop a highly protected new vehicle family in the 5 to 9 ton weight class. The first of the four-wheel drive Armoured Multi Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) vehicles should be ready for serial delivery by 2011. A life-size mock-up of the vehicle will be on show at Eurosatory 2008 in Paris this June, one of the world¿s leading venues for land systems. Completion of the first prototype is planned for 2009.

Responding to the Bundeswehr's current GFF ('protected command and role-specific vehicle') procurement programme, Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann have decided to develop a family of GFF 1/2-class vehicles which will fully comply with user requirements. The two defence contractors are financing the development project on their own.

The objective of the joint project is to supply the armed forces of Germany and other nations with a vehicle that sets an entirely new standard for mobility, modularity and protection technology; and to safeguard and promote certain technologies vital to German national security.

The vehicle family encompasses two type series. The agile AMPV 1 is the smaller of the two, and makes an ideal liaison vehicle. A higher level of protection and a heavier payload are the primary characteristics of the bigger AMPV 2. However, the entire vehicle family is based on standardized engineering principles and technologies.

Both type series feature a patrol vehicle with an unprotected floor in the rear section, and an equipment kit carrier with a safety cell extending all the way to the rear of the vehicle.

Also planned is a special patrol version of the AMPV1 that can be airlifted in a CH53 transport helicopter.

Source: Press release

More "7-tons" to roll out

MRAP and JLTVs may grab the headlines but the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement has been a staple since it started to replace Marine and Navy M900s in the late nineties.

Oshkosh Corp., Oshkosh has been awarded $11,214,202 under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the purchase of 37 MTVR variants and 28 weapons mount kits for MTVR vehicles.

Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., and work for this delivery order is expected to be completed by Dec. 2008. The Marine Corps System Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

Source: DoD

BAE gets counter-IED support contract

BAE Systems has been awarded one of four prime contractor positions on the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) Operations Support Contract. The contract has a maximum value of approximately $452 million if all deliveries and task orders are exercised by the prime contractors.

Under the Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, BAE Systems will provide JIEDDO with in-depth and integrated analysis services, subject matter expertise and programmatic support. While the majority of the work will be performed in the continental United States, other support will be performed around the world. No task orders have been awarded to date on this IDIQ.

BAE Systems has provided analytical support since the inception of the JIEDDO Counter-IED Operations Integration Center in 2006.

BAE Systems will also provide planning support to JIEDDO strategic actions, training support, operations research as well as assistance in developing effective, feasible solutions and concepts of operations that support improvement of counter-IED systems and integration. Other support services to be provided by the company under this contract include modeling and simulation support, data analysis from selected IED activities, and tracking and assessing counter-IED activities.

Source: BAE

Thales launches its' next-gen COMINT

Thales has announced the launch of its new-generation range of COMINT & EW services, systems and equipments called Q (Communications Intelligence & Electronic Warfare).

The CIEW family is primarily designed to meet the current defence and security threats while delivering information dominance and enabling Command & Control operations on the digitised battlespace.

Under the Q brand, the CIEW family includes the global know-how of Thales to design and deliver COMINT & EW solutions tailored to the missions and operational environments of defence and security users, respectively named Intelligence Q, Land Q and Naval Q.

Q mission packages rely on the same core equipment capabilities for interception, analysis, direction-finding and Command and Control warfare or force protection, which can be tailored to fulfil each user's operational environment.

- Land Q is a range of tactical electronic support and electronic attack solutions tailored to army tactical users. It is designed to target the current and near-term communication signals of airland engagement.

- Naval Q is a range of electronic support and electronic attack solutions tailored to maritime tactical users, either on littoral or onboard combat ships. It is designed to target the current and near-term communications environment of littoral and naval operations.

- Intelligence Q is a range of strategic intelligence gathering solutions for national or joint users. It is designed to meet the current and near-term communications signals of the homeland defence, border monitoring and national security environments.

Source: Thales

Getting caught up

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

• What do the NSA and You Tube have in common? The Register


• Nuclear Missile Deployment Area Discovered in Central China FAS

• Booz Allen business sale to the Carlyle Group for $2.54 billion Press release

• Canadian General gagged? Ottawa Citizen

Sources: As linked

SAIC Awarded $47 Million to Support Distributed Common Ground System - Army

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) has announced it has been awarded a subcontract by Sensor Technologies, Inc. to provide advanced analytical and technical support on a task order for the Distributed Common Ground System - Army (DCGS-A). The task order, awarded under the Army's Strategic Services Sourcing (S3) contract, has a two-year period of performance. SAIC's subcontract has a value of more than $47 million.

DCGS-A provides the U.S. Army with fully integrated and timely intelligence on the battlefield. SAIC will continue to support current DCGS-A system users while integrating new tactics, techniques and procedures and processes to help improve customer capabilities. Throughout the task order, SAIC will provide embedded mentor services to Army and DoD forces around the globe.

SAIC has previously provided system development and analytical support for the Army under a different contract vehicle.

Source: SAIC

Lockheed Martin to build next-generation GPS system

The U.S. Air Force has announced that a team led by Lockheed Martin has won the competition to build the next-generation Global Positioning System (GPS) Space System program, known as GPS III.

Under the $1.4 billion Development and Production contract awarded by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne and the Global Positioning Systems Wing, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., the team of Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, ITT Corporation, and General Dynamics, will produce eight GPS IIIA satellites, with first launch projected for 2014. The development contract will result in approximately 500 new jobs for Lockheed Martin.

Eight GPS IIIB and 16 GPS IIIC satellites are planned for later increments, with each increment including additional capabilities based on technical maturity. When fully deployed, the GPS III constellation will feature a cross-linked command and control architecture, allowing the entire GPS constellation to be updated simultaneously from a single ground station. Additionally, a new spot beam capability for enhanced military (M-Code) coverage and increased resistance to hostile jamming will be incorporated. These enhancements will contribute to improved accuracy and assured availability for military and civilian users worldwide.

ITT will provide the navigation payload, and General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems will provide the Network Communications Element (NCE) which includes the UHF Crosslink and Tracking Telemetry & Command (TT&C) subsystems.

Source: Lockheed Martin

National cyber security initiative

After years of silence on the issue of cyber security Washington's recent flurry of activity is quite astounding and far reaching. The state of affairs has gone literally from silence to the proposition that government become America's firewall.

How is this to be done? Who is going to do it? How will it be monitored? These questions currently are not clearly addressed or fall under the umbrella label of secrecy.

"A chief concern is that virtually everything about the initiative is highly classified, and most of the information that is not classified is categorized as `For Official Use Only.' These restrictions preclude public education, awareness, and debate about the policy and legal issues, real or imagined, that the initiative poses in the areas of privacy and civil liberties. Without such debate and awareness in such important and sensitive areas, it is likely that the initiative will make slow or modest progress. ... "

"The committee also shares the view of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence that major elements of the cyber initiative request should be scaled back because policy and legal reviews are not complete, and because the technology is not mature. ..."

"The committee also concludes that some major elements of the cyber initiative are not solely or even primarily intended to support the cyber security mission. Instead, it would be more accurate to say that some of the projects support foreign intelligence collection and analysis generally rather than the cyber security mission particularly. ... That is not to say that the proposed projects are not worthwhile, but rather that what will be achieved for the more than $17.0 billion planned by the administration to secure the government's networks is less than what might be expected."

From: Senate Armed Services Committee, Report 110-335, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009

HUMVEE contract awarded

AM General has been awarded a $187,750,244 firm-fixed price contract for 1,470 High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles. Work will be performed at Mishawaka, Ind., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2009.

Test and Automotive Command, TACOM., is the contracting activity.

Source DoD

Conference listing updated

The Defense, Security & Tech conference listing has been updated. You will find it in the menu section on the right under "Research and References".

If you know of a conference or seminar that may be of interest to your fellow reader, please let us know. As arrangements can often require considerable coordination we ask for at least one month advance notice.

Next gen networks go to trial

The Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency (DARPA) has selected BAE to develop and evaluate new "protocol stacks" - sets of network protocol layers that work together - for military mobile ad-hoc networks, or MANETs.

Under the first phase of the DARPA Control-Based Mobile Ad-Hoc Network program, a BAE Systems-led team developed a new protocol that improves network performance by a factor of five over current practices. The $5 million award for the program's second phase will further develop and field-test these protocols.

In a MANET, each network node operates not only as an end-system, but also as a router capable of forwarding traffic and forming a network free of any fixed infrastructure. Traditional networking approaches have adapted poorly to rapid in-the field network changes, achieving only a fraction of the potential performance. The MANET's flexibility makes it an attractive networking option for tactical operations.

BAE Systems will work with its program teammates, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and CenGen Inc., to develop the next-generation protocols and demonstrate their utility in support of special operations applications. Spring 2009 field demonstrations are planned at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia.

Source: BAE

Cyberspace carpet bomb?

"The world has abandoned a fortress mentality in the real world, and we need to move beyond it in cyberspace. America needs a network that can project power by building an af.mil robot network (botnet) that can direct such massive amounts of traffic to target computers that they can no longer communicate and become no more useful to our adversaries than hunks of metal and plastic. America needs the ability to carpet bomb in cyberspace to create the deterrent we lack." So writes Col. Charles Williamson III in Armed Forces Journal.

The Colonel's enthusiasm may be admirable but he may also be opening up a huge can of worms that will just lead to escalating botnet activity. Where does that leave everyone else? It's nice to have an attitude that if you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem. The implications for relations with allies, business, and the public are huge.

Source: AFJ

Extra reading ...

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

• Camouflage paint hides vehicles from radar Gizmodo

• Do terrorists really believe? COMOPS Journal

• Value for the money? The defense budget blackhole POGO

• Lav-H for Canada? Ottawa Citizen

• Cyclone cowards fear ultimate market Asia Times

Sources: As cited

First UK Army vehicle of the future selected

The Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) is set to deliver more than 3,000 vehicles to the British Army. The total capability will be delivered in five families of vehicles: Utility, Reconnaissance, Medium Armour, Manoeuvre Support and the Basic Capability Utility.

The MoD has now announced that the General Dynamics (UK) Piranha 5 is the first vehicle to be selected. It will serve the role as the FRES Utility vehicle.

General Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff, said:

"Whilst our Protected Personnel Vehicles such as Mastiff are a very successful addition to meet specific operational requirements in both Iraq and Afghanistan, it is the FRES medium weight capability which will allow the Army to conduct a considerably wider range of operations in an uncertain and changing world. I am therefore delighted that we are maintaining progress on this vital programme."

The FRES programme will equip the UK Armed Forces with new medium weight armoured vehicles. The Utility Vehicle Design is one of a number of competitions being conducted as part of the competitive acquisition strategy for FRES. On 6 February 2008, the MOD announced that a Thales (UK) and Boeing team had been appointed for the System of Systems Integrator (SOSI) role. In addition, a competition to select an integrator for the Utility Vehicle is ongoing. Further competitions will select the designs for other variants.

Source: MoD

Alltop can be a great resource

Where do you go for information other than Defense, Security & Tech?

Alltop is a web site that aggregates topics with the better representative info providers and their most recent stories. They have just launched their military topic.

Everything is presented in Alltop's very clear manner. The variety of military related subjects covered is also very broad.

Check it out. http://military.alltop.com/

U.S. Army to receive more armor kits

BAE Systems will deliver 545 lightweight bar-armor kits to the U.S. Army for installation on ground vehicles. The company received a $23.7 million contract from the Army’s Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command Life Cycle Management Command to equip 371 RG-31 vehicles and 174 mine-protected Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Rapid Response Vehicles with its L-ROD™ aluminum armor, used widely on Army Buffalo ordnance disposal vehicles.

L-ROD is a modular system made of lightweight aluminum alloy that protects vehicles without adding significant additional weight or compromising their operational capabilities. It weighs less than half of comparable steel systems and is bolted to the vehicle, avoiding the need for welding or cutting. It also can be repaired easily in the field.

BAE Systems originally developed the system as part of a fast-response Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program to provide rocket-propelled grenade protection for High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles. Army officials conducted more than 50 live-fire tests to validate the system’s performance and optimize the engineering design.

Work will be performed at BAE Systems facilities in Manassas, Virginia, and Austin, Texas.

Source and Photo: BAE

New decontamination unit to German army

Kaärcher have announced the official hand-over of the complete TEP 90 system to the German army will take place on the 10 June at their production facility in Obersontheim.

The TEP 90 consists of a carrier vehicle with protected driving cab from Iveco Magirus, which feautres a decontamination system from Kaärcher Futuretech.

Length (inch) 400,8
Width (inch) 100,4
Height (inch) 151,6
Decontamination of persons (Persons per hour) 20-40
Decontamination of personal equipment (Sets per hour) up to 20
Decontamination of terrain (m²/h) up to 1500
econtamination of material (vehicles) (per hour) Min. 6
Decontamination of material (tanks) (per hour) Min. 4
Weight (lbs) 70547

Sources: Army Technology and Kaärcher

Photo: Kaärcher

EFPs and MRAPs

Various sources are reporting recent deaths in MRAPs related to explosively formed projectiles, or EFPs.

This should come as no surprise although it appears to be to some of the "main stream" media. More EFP information may be found below.

• 2 more U.S. soldiers' deaths in Iraq raise doubts about MRAP vehicle - Yahoo News
• Superbombs 101 - Danger Room
• Explosively formed penetrator - Wikipedia

Sources: As cited