$151.2M to Lockheed Martin for Army HIMARS Launchers

M142 HIMARS

Lockheed Martin Corp.’s Missile and Fires Control in Grand Prairie, TX received a $151.2 million firm-fixed-price contract to supply high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS) full rate production Lot 5 launchers for the US Army.

The contract includes 46 Army launchers; 1 Army launcher rebuild; launchers loader module trainer kit; product definition data package maintenance tack; new equipment training; and support equipment.

The HIMARS is the newest member of the multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) family.

New USAF Nuclear Command Gets SAIC Support

The newly established USAF Global Strike Command (AFGSC) is taking over responsibility for the USA’s ICBM force as part of an effort to unify all USAF nuclear assets under 1 command.

Based at Barksdale Air Force Base, LA, the command was stood up on Aug 7/09 to oversee all of the USAF nuclear forces and conduct strategic deterrence and global strike operations.

To support the command’s work, the USAF awarded on Dec 28/09 a contract to Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) to provide requirements assessment, strategic planning, and programming support.

Up to $16M to Herley for USAF Target Drone Avionics

BQM-167A AFSAT Launch

Herley Industries in Lancaster, PA received a multi-year option contract with a potential value of $16 million from prime contractor Composite Engineering in Sacramento, CA to supply Herley’s avionics suite for the BQM-167A Air Force Subscale Aerial Target (AFSAT).

Products to be provided under the contract include command and control transponders, identification friend or foe (IFF) transponders, power distribution assemblies, electro-explosive devices, and integrated flight controllers.

The BQM-167A is the USAF’s primary aerial target for training fighter pilots, and can also be used to test anti-aircraft defenses…

OM Group to Acquire Defense Battery Supplier EaglePicher Technologies for $171.9M

OM Group in Cleveland, OH agreed to acquire EaglePicher Technologies, a Joplin, MO-based manufacturer of batteries, battery management systems and energetic devices for the defense, aerospace, and medical industries, from EaglePicher Corp. for $171.9 million.

In fiscal year 2009, EaglePicher recorded revenues of approximately $125 million, of which approximately 60% came from its defense business, approximately 31% from its aerospace business, and the balance from its medical and other businesses…

Kalman ICEs Order for USMC’s Combat Equipment Support

US Marines on patrol
(click to view larger)

Kalman and Co. in Virginia Beach, VA received a $6.9 million task order to provide business and analytical support to the US Marine Corps Systems Command, Program Manager, Infantry Combat Equipment (PM ICE), Combat Equipment Support Systems (CESS). The PM ICE fields, sustains, and assesses clothing and equipment for Marines.

Kalman and Co. will provide specialized analysis supporting CESS as it develops and refines the USMC’s requirements for asset management and logistics support improvements through the consolidation of equipment…

L-3 Gets $55.7M Order to Support US Navy Communications, IT Systems

L-3 Services, a Reston, VA-based subsidiary of L-3 Communications, received a $55.7 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N65236-07-D-5879) to support tactical satellite, telecommunications, information technology networking and psychological operations equipment for various US Navy customers.

L-3 Services will provide the following support: integration, production, test and evaluation, fielding, training, certification, maintenance, and life-cycle sustainment management…

Egypt Endeavors to Enhance F-16 Engines

EAF F-16C

On Dec 18/09, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced [pdf] Egypt’s request to buy parts and services from GE Aircraft Engines, in order to upgrade its most modern F-16s. Egypt wants to upgrade 156 of the F-110-GE-100 engines that power its F-16 C/D Block 40+ fighters through the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). Egypt will also buy transportation services, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, and U.S. Government and contractor technical support, in a complete package that could be worth $750 million.

The Egyptian Air Force is the 4th largest F-16 operator in the world. The EAF’s first 82 F-16s were F-16 A/B Block 15s and F-16 C/D Block 32s; all used the Pratt & Whitney F100 engine…

Harris Gets $311.4M Increase to USMC HF Manpack Radio Contract

AN/PRC-150 HFMR
(click to view larger)

Harris Corp.’s RF Communications Division in Rochester, NY received a ceiling increase of $311.4 million on an existing firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-05-D-7015) for purchases of High Frequency Manpack Radios (HFMRs) and support systems.

According to an Oct 16/09 FedBizOpps special notice, the US Marine Corps Systems Command is purchasing 6,100 AN/VRC-104 radio systems for use in the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV). The AN/VRC-104 system [pdf] includes the AN/PRC 150 HFMRs and vehicle installation kits…

Up to $19.2M to VSE for US Army Vehicle Corrosion Protection

VSE Corp. received a 2nd task order under the US Army’s Program Executive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support (PEO CS&CSS) Omnibus III Contract (W56HZV-09-A-A906) to manage and operate the US Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM)/Tank Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC) Corrosion Prevention and Control (CPAC) program [pdf].

The total contract value over the base period and 2 option years is $19.2 million, with the base period valued at $5.37 million.

The PEO CS&CSS Omnibus III contract vehicle, which provides logistics, programmatic, and technical services to the PEO CS&CSS, consists of 8 indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contracts with a 5-year period of performance, including options.

Raytheon’s AN/AQS-20 Mine Detection Sonar (AMCM)

MH-60S w. AQS-20

Advances made in American mine detection technologies during the mid 2000s included the AQS-20A mine detecting sonar array and airborne laser systems mounted to MH-60S helicopters. All of this is in the service of the USA’s new naval emphasis on littoral warfare and accompanying doctrinal changes. So, what’s the AN/AQS-20? And how is it also related to a new US ship class, not to mention a new undersea robot?

• The AN/AQS-20, AMCM, and Future Fleet Capabilities
  
• AQS-20 Contracts & Key Events [different article]