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