New on-board ROV hazard prediction application

Allen-Vanguard has launched ROV-Track CBRNE, a unique software application for its Defender and Vanguard bomb disposal robots which predicts and illustrates CBRNE hazard areas around a suspect device.

The hazard prediction is based on data compiled by meteorological and CBRNE sensors integrated with the ROV and transmitted to the command console. Scene controllers are provided with a clear visual display of potential down-wind exposure enabling the formulation of a safe and effective response. Continual recalculation based on prevailing conditions means that controllers can make decisions based on real-time status.

ROV-Track CBRNE predicts the hazard area based on relevant standards for blast effect, fragmentation and the characteristics of CBRN agents. However, these standards may be manually updated in line with the user’s experience and response protocols. Defender has integral GPS and can be fitted with up to four sensors as well as a set of disruptors. The smaller, more lightweight Vanguard™ can carry two sensors.

Source: Allen-Vanguard

Navistar MRAPS to receive upgrade

The U.S. Navy has given Navistar division International Military and Government LLC (IMG), $261,373,172 a contract modification for engineering change proposals to upgrade Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) low rate initial production vehicles.

The government will procure several engineering changes which will provide additional armor protection to increase the survivability of the MRAP Category I (CAT I) vehicles. The order also includes ambulance kits. Work is expected to be completed Nov. 2008.

More Navistar stories here.

Source: DoD Photo: Navistar

Hillier resignation update

Update: General Hillier's statement to the Canadian Forces.

CBC Radio has just announced the resignation of Canadian Chief of Defence Staff, General Rick Hillier.

Hillier assumed his position in February, 2005. He has not always popular with his political overlords. However, General Hillier may have been the most respected CDS in a generation. As recently as last week he had given no direct indication as to his plans although he firmly rejected a future in politics.

Back in December we wrote:

"Sitting in the background are two officers who could replace the "Big Cod". On one hand there is Air Force Commander Lt.-Gen. Angus Watt. On the other the Army's Lt.-General Andrew Leslie. Both are sharp although Leslie was "born" for the job and has had more media experience."

Now added to this list is Lt.-Gen. Walter Natynczyk, the Vice-Chief of Defence Staff (VCDS). Natynczyk has extensive and varied experience to bring to the job.

One little known fact is his very interesting military exchange experience. On exchange you are subject to the regs of the nation you are serving with, after all you are there to learn. After time at the U.S. War College Natynczyk became Deputy Commanding General, III Corps and Fort Hood. Soon American foreign policy was focusing on Sadam. This meant that in early 2004, he deployed with III Corps to Baghdad, Iraq. There he served as the Deputy Director of Strategy, Policy and Plans and later as the Deputy Commanding General of the Multi-National Corps (Iraq). Obviously Natynczyk has international respect as a soldier.

Hillier's resignation is to be effective July 1st, Canada Day.

Sources: As cited or linked.
Photo: DND

In the age of MRAPs a humvee order

The U.S. Army has awarded AM General, LLC, South Bend, Ind. a $650,079,405 firm-fixed price contract for 4,526 high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicles.

Work will be performed in Mishawaka, Ind., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

One bid was solicited on Mar. 17, 2006. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity.

Other HMMWV, related, stories here.

Source: DoD
Photo: AMC General

NGRAIN Canadian military's sole 3D solution provider

NGRAIN has been awarded a one year contract (with four option years) by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) on behalf of the Department of National Defence (DND) as a sole supplier of interactive 3D equipment simulations. This NGRAIN Enterprise Software 3D Modelling & Visualization contract was sponsored by the Assistant Deputy Minister of Materiel (ADM Mat) as a national multi-year, cross services contract. This multi-million dollar contract (with all options exercised) will provide 3D virtual equipment simulations used for performance support, training and maintenance.

NGRAIN software enables non-technical users to incorporate information relevant to each element of the 3D object (part, assembly, and sub-assembly) and easily insert the resultant 3D Knowledge Object into Microsoft Word documents, PowerPoint slides, web pages or courseware.

Using NGRAIN solutions, DND personnel can interact with the 3D virtual object much as they would with a real piece of complex equipment. Once created, the same NGRAIN 3D content can be used in multiple training courses, technical publications and logistics applications, and can be deployed on standard desktops, ruggedized laptops, tablet PCs, and PDAs. This enables the rapid, efficient deployment of simulations and provides DND personnel access to the most up-to-date information in the classroom or in the field.

Extending a long-standing relationship with the Canadian Forces, this contract covers the entire suite of NGRAIN products and solutions, most notably NGRAIN 3D Virtual Task Trainers (VTTs). NGRAIN VTTs are 3D Knowledge Objects with animations, tasks, and testing built to represent a series of procedures on specific equipment. NGRAIN VTTs can be used as a standalone training or operational aid, or can be embedded into courseware or technical publications.

Source: NGRAIN

Conferences 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.

Top conversations around the office ...

Here are some extra stories you may find interesting.

Don't forget, you can subscribe to Defence, Security & Tech. Look to the menu for the link.

• "Romanian firefighters were shocked after a farmer was spotted using an unexploded missile as an anvil."
• " ... to send a soldier out on patrol or, indeed, into battle with defective equipment could constitute a breach of Article 2 (right to life) under the European Convention on Human Rights."
• Need a chem/bio suit or parts for your F-14? Check out eBay according to the GAO (30 page .pdf).
• A new Russian missile early warning radar station will go into service by the end of the year.
• Canadian Government blocks sale of MDA space division to American ATK.

Sources: As linked

More GPSs

The U.S. Air Force has exercised contract production options with Rockwell Collins for the purchase of 9,746 Defense Advanced GPS Receivers (DAGRs) and accessories.

The DAGR is the replacement for the Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver (PLGR) in integrated platforms as well as for the advanced and basic GPS user. It provides users, including Foreign Military Sales (FMS), with a GPS Precise Positioning System (PPS), hand-held, dual-frequency (L1/L2), lightweight receiver (less than one pound) with a built-in next generation, tamper-resistant GPS “SAASM” (Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module) Security module.

This is a modified firm fixed price contract for $21,765,082.

Source: DoD
Photo: Rockwell Collins

More CREW systems to Iraq

ITT Communications & Countermeasures Systems is being awarded a $45,194,148 modification to previously awarded contract for the production and support of 586 JCREW 2.1 Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (CREW) systems to meet urgent Department of Defense (DoD) requirements in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Vehicle mounted CREW systems are one element of the DoD’s Joint Counter RCIED Electronic Warfare program. Spiral 2.1 CREW systems are vehicle mounted electronic jammers designed to prevent the initiation of RCIED.

Source: DoD

Land Rover WMIK replacement introduced

The British Army has wanted to replace its' under-armoured and relatively slow, Land Rover-based, Weapons Mounted Installation Kit (WMIK).

This week the Jackal was introduced in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan. Among the features of this new platform is an airbag suspension system which allows for a relatively smooth ride over rough terrain and a more stable firing platform. The system can also raise the vehicle by more than a metre for obstacle clearance or to gain a better view of the field.

Jackal facts

• Crew: 2+1
• Length: 5.39m
• Width: 2.00m
• Height: 1.97m (not including weapon system)
• Weight: 6,650kg
• Speed: 130k/h max
  
• Engine: 5.9 litre Cummins ISBe Euro3
• Communications: BOWMAN ready

Source and Photo: MoD

It's in the numbers

The success of the U.S. Transportation Command is being heralded by the Armed Forces Press Agency. They certainly have been busy supplying troops in Iraq and Afghanistan along with their other tasks including humanitarian assistance.

One of the pressures on the system has been the delivery of MRAPs to theatre. Illustrating this point are the air and sea deliveries for this program which have now reached a confirmed total of 5,200 units.

Source: DoD

Future robots without a robotics industry?

Popular Mechanics has a good article out on robots and their future. One interesting quote is from iRobot's CEO Colin Angle. He was speaking at the RoboBusiness Conference and said, quite rightly, “Are we sure we’re not just an adjunct to another industry?”

Also covered in the piece is the quiet retreat from Iraq of the armed SWORDS robot. This Talon product was designed to carry 240, 249 or 50-caliber machine guns, the M202 –A1 with a 6mm rocket launcher or the ubiquitous M16. It seems there were technical issues.

Update April 15: Sharon Weinberger, at Danger Room, has an update on "the quiet retreat".

Update April 16: Popular Mechanics clarification.

Sources: Popular Mechanics and DoD
Photo: U.S. Army

New UK de-mining kit

Ultra Electronics Command and Control Systems (Ultra CCS) worked closely with Director Equipment Capability (Ground Manoeuvre) to bring a new counter-mine capability to theatre a year early.

"The dismounted counter-mine capability provides Royal Engineer combat engineers, infantry assault pioneers, Royal Armoured Corps assault troopers and Royal Marine assault engineers with the ability to detect minimum metal mines in very challenging soil conditions.

It has been so successful that doctrine has been changed to lead with the new detector, as opposed to the 'prodder', which greatly improves the rate of advance.

The kit is made up of the impressive Vallon detector, improved marking equipment and enhancements to the level of protection for the operator in the event of a mine explosion. There is also a package of training which includes kits for users to keep up skill levels while in their unit."

Source: MoD

New biodetector for U.S.

The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command Acquisition Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., has awarded General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products a contract option worth approximately $43 million to produce and test Joint Biological Point Detection Systems (JBPDS). The contract terms also include field-support packages and user training for the technology. This award is a modification of a 2004 contract and brings the total value to date to more than $200 million.

The JBPDS is a self-contained instrument suite that rapidly detects and identifies biological warfare agents. Available in man-portable, shelter-based, ship-based and trailer-mounted variants, the JBPDS is a Joint Services program and is configured to meet the operational requirements of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force.

Source: General Dynamics

More detection articles here.

New Army trucks

Stewart & Stevenson Tactical Vehicle Systems has been awarded a $6,096,214 firm-fixed price contract for 38 medium tactical vehicle 5-ton cargo trucks.

Work will be performed in Sealy, Texas, and is expected to be completed by Nov. 15, 2008.

More Stewart and Stevenson news here.

Source: DoD

Photo: S & S AAR

Weekend reading

Hear is some interesting weekend reading just to keep you going ...

• Army failed to perform tests on body armor

• 300 IEDs a month - outside Iraq and Afghanistan

• Helmand: derided police turn over new leaf
  

Time marches on ...

Softsol Technologies Inc., is being awarded a Firm Fixed Price contract for $10,969,599.00.

This requirement acquired service to transform the business application software currently being used by the Defense Security Assistance Management System from Sun Microsystems Unified Development Server environment, formerly known as Forte, and using Transactional Object-Oriented Language, to a new environment and language called .NET.

Editors note: The Defense Security Assistance Management System is part of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency which comes under the Undersecretary of Defense. Forte (formerly Sun Performance WorkShop Fortran) was a development environment for applications in Fortran and C on the Solaris Operating Environment. Forte HPC also provided for C++. Sun no longer supports these products. Really, you can't call .Net a language but rather it's Microsoft's proprietary application development environment.

Source: DoD, various
Photo: SPARC station (good times ...)

Canada tightens controls on resitricted chemicals

This one almost slipped under the radar ...

The Government of Canada is taking action to better control the sale of chemicals that can be used to make explosives.

The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, and the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, have announced that new regulations for these chemicals, known as explosives precursors, will be implemented under the Explosives Act.

The new regulations will require that anyone who sells ammonium nitrate or any of the eight other chemicals be registered with the Explosives Regulatory Division of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and comply with security measures for storage, record keeping and customer identification.

"Our government believes that new controls on explosives precursors are necessary to reduce the risk of terrorist acts," said Minister Day. "This list of chemicals was drawn up on the basis of expert scientific and security analyses and includes chemicals that pose the greatest risk, and therefore, require regulatory control."

The nine chemicals to be controlled under the new regulations currently have a wide range of legitimate uses, such as ammonium nitrate, which is commonly used in agriculture as fertilizer. The chemicals are: ammonium nitrate; nitric acid; nitromethane; hydrogen peroxide; potassium nitrate; sodium nitrate; potassium chlorate; sodium chlorate; and potassium perchlorate.

Source: NRCAN Press Release

BAE MMPVs start rolling

In December 2007, BAE Systems was selected as the prime contractor for the MMPV program, worth up to $2.2 billion to produce up to 2,500 vehicles through 2015, for Army Engineers and Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams. BAE Systems has now received a $132 million production contract from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command for 179 Medium Mine Protected Vehicles (MMPV).

Twenty-four of 179 vehicles ordered will include a remotely controlled interrogator arm. MMPV is a multi-purpose, mine protected, 6x6 wheeled vehicle based on BAE Systems' next generation RG33 family of vehicles. The contract brings the total amount awarded to date to $152 million.

Under a strategic public/private partnership agreement, BAE Systems and the Letterkenny Army Depot will perform automotive and final assembly production operations of the vehicles in facilities on and adjacent to the Letterkenny Army Depot facilities in Pennsylvania. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in July 2008 and continue through April 2009.

U.S. Army engineers will use MMPVs to conduct route and area clearance missions, command and control, mount mine clearing systems, and conduct explosive hazards reconnaissance. MMPVs will also be used by Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams.

Source and photo: BAE

IMG contracts DRS

DRS Technologies, Inc. (DRS) has announced today it has received two contract awards valued at $34 million to manufacture 2,500 armored roof assemblies for the International Military and Government (IMG) MaxxPro 4 x 4 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle (International Military and Government LLC (IMG) is a unit of Navistar ).

The first award, granted in early February for 1,000 assemblies, was valued at $14 million. The second contract, worth $20 million, recently was awarded for an additional 1,500 roof assemblies.

Production is being performed by the company's DRS Sustainment Systems unit's manufacturing facility in West Plains, Missouri. Production of the first 1,000 units should be complete by mid-April, while the remaining 1,500 roof assemblies will be delivered by July 31. Deliveries of both orders will be made to IMG's vehicle production facility in West Point, Mississippi.

Source: DRS
Photo: Navistar