India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) recently announced that it had concluded a “very big order” for airframe structures from Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and signed an agreement with Elbit Systems to make aircraft and helicopter simulators. While precise details were not offered, PTI reports that the deals are “expected to run into millions of dollars.”

HAL CEO Ashok K Baweja also held talks with top Boeing officials attending Franborough on a major program for outsourcing aircraft structural components for Boeing’s present and future programs.”A roadmap of various processes is being finalised,” Banerjee said. HA currently makes aircraft doors for both Boeing and Airbus, and also makes kits to convert 737 passenger aircraft into freighters.

See DID’s February 2005 article re: aerospace outsourcing to India for more general background on the larger trends.

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Swedish C-130s/Tp84s
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Sweden’s C-130 Hercules aircraft are known as Tp84s over there, and they are currently undergoing an avionics modernization program. Their C-130 AMP will standardize the Swedish C-130 fleet with the installation of a fully integrated, night-vision-goggle compatible digital glass cockpit (i.e. computer screens replace many dials), and a new avionics suite consisting of digital displays and a flight management system from the 737 commercial airliner, both of which provide navigation, safety and communication improvements to meet Global Air Traffic Management requirements. Overall, C-130 AMP program brings the Tp84s up to the USAF’s C-130H2 standard, except that the Swedes will retain their existing defensive systems. The modernization comes on the eve of a greater focus on long-range mobility as Sweden prepares to lead the EU’s Nordic battlegroup.

A DID query to Boeing, however, revealed that a recent contract announcement for Sweden’s Tp84s had been misreported in several venues…

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DID has covered the nature, importance… and tribulations of the USA’s troubled Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) program, which was meant to be a centerpiece of US military transformation that would enable units to communicate seamlessly via equipment that would use software-defined electronics to “translate” different communications waveforms. JTRS was scheduled to be part of many new US systems, from updated MIDS/Link 16 terminals in aircraft to remote control of the NETFIRES “missile in a box” to a key role in the $100+ billion Future Combat Systems program. Etc. Etc.

The resulting technical difficulties were formidable, made more so by rising requirements demands from the US military. Eventually, the difficulties forced delays that affected combat commanders, led to rising costs, and finally created a breakdown. Boeing’s Cluster 1 program was put on notice for potential cancellation in April 2005, and subsequent reports have predicted that JTRS would be scaled back or even broken up entirely.

It now appears that the predictions of a scaled back restructuring were correct…

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In three years, the price of oil has risen from $30 a barrel to about $80. The US military reportedly represents 97% of the US federal government’s energy costs and now spends more than $10 billion a year on fuel, $4.7 billion of which went to pay for Air Force jet fuel. Meanwhile, the US Army Corps of Engineers sees energy use as a future operational issue for US bases and forces on the ground, and the Pentagon is taking a closer look at alternative energy options. Including new options for jet fuel and naval propulsion.

Along similar lines, Congressional Reps. Roscoe Bartlett [R-MD] and Steve Israel [D-NY – and see his blog also] recently inaugurated a bipartisan panel called the Defense Energy Working Group. Its goals include attracting other members of Congress to the working group, channeling funds for advanced energy initiatives in the Pentagon via federal incentives & handouts, and bringing in sectors like business and universities to collaborate. “Our reliance on foreign energy is a glaring military vulnerability,” Israel said. “It’s a fundamental national security issue.”

Former CIA chief James Woolsey, the Chair of the Pentagon’s Defense Science Board Policy Panel on DoD Energy Strategy, and an Advisory Board Member of the American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE), will also serve in the group. Woolsey is scheduled to address an energy security forum at the National Defense University later in 2006. For those wishing a preview, Transcripts and video of his appearance at the Pentagon’s recent Crystal City, VA conference are available.

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The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) in Philadelphia, PA. Has issued a set of fixed-price with economic price adjustment supplies contract for maintenance repair and operations (MRO) in various regions and zones under its control. The using services are the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Maine Corps, and federal civilian agencies.

These are indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contracts exercising option year one, and the date of performance completion is July 28, 2007. Proposals were Web-solicited and 6 responded. Winners included:

• Graybar Electric Co. Inc. in St. Louis, MO received a maximum $660 million contract for south central region, zone 1 (SPM500-04-D-BP11).

• Science Applications International (SAIC) in Fairfield, NJ received a maximum $320 million contract for south central region, zone 2 (SPM500-04-D-BP12).

• Small business qualifier Supplycore, Inc. in Rockford, IL received a maximum $320 million contract for north central region (SPM500-04-D-BP10).
  
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Super Tucano
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On Dec 12, 2005, DID noted that Colombia had finalized a $235 million deal with Brazil’s Embraer for 25 Super Tucano/ALX trainer and light attack aircraft. It was the first sale of this upgraded COIN version since Brazil’s own purchase. Now comes news that Embraer has chosen Israel’s Elbit to supply many of the aircrafts’ avionics. Elbit Systems’ share of the project is expected to be worth approximately $17 Million, including the logistics support package. Delivery will take place during 2006 and 2007.

Elbit Systems also supplies a significant portion of the avionics for Brazil’s 99 Super Tucano/ ALX aircraft. See corporate release.

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The US military’s Headquarters Cryptologic Systems Group, San Antonio, TX has issued a pair of cost-plus-fixed fee contracts. They’re buying next generation crypto-modernization compliant encryptor/ decryptors for satellite telemetry, tracking and control in 2 configurations: an embeddable solution and an end cryptographic unit. This is logical, as you want one on the satellites and one on the ground. Solicitations began in March 2006, and work will be complete April 2008.

• L-3 Communications Telemetry-West in San Diego, CA received a $9.9 million contract (FA8307-06-C-0009). Note L-3’s recent purchase of TDL, which it may be able to leverage in contracts of this sort.

• General Dynamics C4 Systems Inc. received a $9.7 million contract (F8307-06-C-0010).
  
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Blind guard-dog?
Britain’s ‘Mastiff PPV’
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In July 2006, UK Defence Secretary Des Browne has unveiled a package of new equipment to help protect UK Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan following an urgent armored vehicles review he had ordered in June 2006. The UK Ministry of Defence had previously spent over GBP 527 million on Urgent Operational Requirement force protection supplementals for Iraq and Afghanistan, as detailed in this release.

Three types of vehicles were covered by that purchase – Pinzgauer’s Vector troop transport truck, upgrades to create the FV430 Mk3 Bulldog tracked armored personnel carrier, and the Cougar family of mine-resistant patrol vehicles. Additional orders for Cougar family and Bulldog vehicles would follow. Supacat’s “Jackal” all-terrain wheeled vehicle would supplement these choices, and its off-road capabilities were seen as being especially valuable in Afghanistan.

Despite these efforts, the UK MoD has faced sharp criticism, and endured several senior officer resignations, connected with its overall vehicle fleet’s lack of protection. In November 2008, therefore, it unveiled a GBP 700 million second phase effort to buy mine-clearance vehicles, upgraded BvS10 tracked all-terrain vehicles, and a wide variety of support and ancillary vehicles that can keep up with the other protected vehicles in its fleet.

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M2 Bradley
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On July 21, 2006, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia to provide funds for blanket order requisitions, under a Cooperative Logistics Supply Support Agreement (CLSSA). Briefly put, the Government of Saudi Arabia wants to be able to issue blanket order requisitions under the CLSSA for spare parts in support of its M1A2 Abrams Tanks, M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs), construction equipment, and support vehicles and equipment in the inventory of the Royal Saudi Land Forces Ordnance Corps. More specifically, the American equipment is in the possession of the 8th Armored Brigade in the southwest, near Khamis Mushayt.

If successful, this would grant the Saudis a contractually assured supply line for key vehicle spare parts, allowing them to operate their fleet with confidence. There’s a more detailed and contractual/ legalistic account in the DSCA release [PDF], but that’s the core of it. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $276 million, with procurement from the many contractors providing similar items to U.S. forces.

Javelin missile: fire!
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The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified the US Congress [PDF format] of Bahrain’s request for 180 Javelin anti-armor missile rounds (see MPEG video of Javelin firing) and 60 Javelin command launch units (CLUs), plus simulators, trainers, support equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and technical data, personnel training and equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics personnel services, Quality Assurance Team services, and other related elements of logistics support. Bahrain is the base for the US 5th Fleet, and a close ally in the region.

The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $42 million, and The prime contractor will be Raytheon/Lockheed-Martin JAVELIN Joint Venture in Orlando, Florida.

Despite a high per-unit cost, the Javelin missile is becoming popular in the wake of its performance in Iraq….

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