EUROPE
LAND
16 Aug 06. EADS has been given a first export order for its TransProtec containers, which were specially developed for the safe transport of people in crisis areas. According to the company’s announcement on Wednesday, the Danish Procurement Office has initially ordered two TransProtec containers from EADS Defence Electronics. EADS, in cooperation with the Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement BWB and the Munich based company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, has developed a new kind of protection system offering optimal protection against attacks with explosives, sniper fire, shrapnel, mines and ABC attacks. The system was purchased and successfully tested by the German Armed Forces under the name “MuConPers” (Multifähiger Container für die Personenbeförderung – multi-capable container for transporting individuals). The protected container can accommodate up to 18 persons including equipment. In future, a modified version of TransProtec will be capable of transporting a larger number of casualties and nursing staff together with the necessary facilities. The hook loading system makes it possible to quickly load and unload the transport vehicle, which has a protected driver’s cab. The containers ordered by the Danish Army have the same configuration as the containers deployed by the German Armed Forces in the Balkans. It is precisely the logistical transport missions (which also include transporting people) that always involve exposure to certain dangers.
14 Aug 06. The MoD has announced Team Athena – led by Lockheed Martin UK – as the as the contractor for the Land Environment Air Picture Provision (LEAPP) programme. Team Athena will now further develop their solution as part of the £30m Assessment Phase. LEAPP will provide UK Forces operating in the Land Environment with a clear and accurate picture of the current air situation during operations and will mark a fundamental change in the way ground forces are coordinated and future battles fought. By providing decision-quality data in near real-time the Team Athena solution will give commanders on the ground the ability to co-ordinate, plan and strike effectively. In addition, by improving situational awareness it will reduce the chances of ‘blue-on-blue’ incidents. Team Athena has implemented the Defence Industrial Strategy as a framework for development and is providing a solution which maintains UK sovereignty and security. The team is led by Lockheed Martin and includes BAE Systems, Advanced Systems Architectures, Systems Consultants Services Limited, SML, Ericsson Microwave Systems AB, AgustaWestland, EDS, Rockwell Collins UK and QinetiQ.
AIR
16 Aug 06. CAE has been awarded a contract valued at approximately C$50m by Lockheed Martin UK to perform a range of upgrades on the CAE-built UK Royal Navy’s EH101 Merlin Training System. As part of the Merlin Capability Sustainment Programme (MCSP), CAE will upgrade the Merlin Cockpit Dynamic Simulator (full-mission simulator), Cockpit Procedures Trainer (CPT), and two Rear Crew Trainers (RCTs) stationed at Royal Navy Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose. The required concurrency upgrades to the Merlin Training System are the result of upgrades planned for the Royal Navy’s fleet of EH101 Merlin helicopters, including a new avionics suite and updated communications/navigation systems.
USA
LAND
11 Aug 06. Alliant Techsystems has received a $38m contract modification from the Joint Munitions Command, Rock Island, Illinois, to produce light weight 30mm High Explosive, Dual Purpose (LW30 HEDP) ammunition for use on the Apache AH-64 helicopter. If all contract options are exercised, the total contract value could exceed $63m.
19 Aug 06. BAE Systems, York, Pa., was awarded on Aug. 14, 2006, a $5,108,058 modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for M88A2 Hercules Vehicles for the U.S. Marine Corps. Work will be performed in York, Pa. (98 percent), and Aiken, S.C. (2 percent), and is expected to be co