EUROPE
LAND
01 Sept 06. The German Bundeswehr has contracted with Rheinmetall to develop an expanded version of one its most important modernization projects, “Future Soldier System”. This multi-million euro development contract is expected to culminate in large-volume procurement orders starting in 2009, when serial production is set to commence. The system is destined to form a key part of the personal equipment of German soldiers at home and abroad. Dubbed “Future Soldier – Expanded System” (IdZ-ES), this state-of-the-art technology programme seeks to enhance materially the efficiency of infantry forces across the operational spectrum, while simultaneously reducing the risk for individual soldiers on the modern battlefield. The IdZ-ES order underscores Rheinmetall Defence’s role as a technology pacesetter in the process of force transformation. Rheinmetall is already playing a critical part in developing similar systems on behalf of the armed forces of Canada and France (ISSP and FELIN).
25 Aug 06. Germany, Switzerland and Thailand place orders worth €50m. The Rheinmetall Group of Düsseldorf has recently booked orders from Germany, Switzerland and Thailand for simulation systems worth some €50 million. Once again, these three nations have turned to the Group’s Bremen-based subsidiary Rheinmetall Defence Electronics GmbH for advanced simulation technology for training their troops. The German Army has contracted with Rheinmetall to modernize the system technology of the operations centre of its GÜZ combat training facility at Altmark in Saxony-Anhalt, which first entered service in 1997. Among other things, the upgrade package also includes a regeneration of the TETRA wireless system and installation of new high-performance networks and communication servers.
AIR
28 Aug 06. Goodrich has been selected by AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, to supply the Rotorblade Ice Protection System (RIPS) for the AW139 medium, twin-engine helicopter. The system assists in keeping the aircraft’s main and tail rotorblades ice-free during extreme operating conditions by using Goodrich’s DuraTherm(TM) electro-thermal deicing mat technology.
30 Aug 06. EADS Military Air Systems France has awarded Grob Aerospace and Sogitec Industries contracts to supply training aircraft and groundbased training devices for the French Air Force Flight Training School in Cognac. Thus the French Air Force which currently trains its pilots with TB 30 Epsilon aircraft will operate 24 upgraded TB 30 Epsilon combined with additional 18 Grob 120A aircraft for the training of its pilots in the future. The industrial cooperation is based on a contract with the French MoD awarded to EADS Military Air Systems and EADS Socata on 19 April 2006 for the management and support of “ab initio” pilot training for the French Air Force. The multi-services Cognac contract between the French MoD and EADS covers a timeframe of five years with the option for a ten year extension. It includes the procurement of new aircraft, line and base aircraft maintenance as well as groundbased training devices including flight simulators, and integrated logistics support with supply-chain management plus infrastructure handling.
USA
LAND
29 Aug 06. Armor Holdings, Inc. announced today the award of a $73.6m contract modification from the U.S. Army Tank- automotive and Armaments Command for production of M1114 Up-Armored HMMWV armor components. The Company stated that the new work is to provide additional armor components that increase IED protection levels for new and fielded vehicles with production to be performed during 2006 and early 2007 at the Armor Holdings Aerospace and Defense Group facilities in Fairfield, Ohio.
31 Aug 06. The U.S. Army has awarded BAE Systems a $34m modification to its Ground Standoff Mine Detection System-Future Combat Systems (GSTAMIDS-FCS) System Development and Demonstration contract, bringing the total value to $94m. The company