CONTRACT NEWS IN BRIEF

EUROPE

LAND

21 Sep 07. The Finnish Defence Force has procured HYDRA, the unattended, networked sensing system developed by SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems (S&AS) UK. The FDF will employ HYDRA as a system for perimeter and border control at tactical level. HYDRA, which has now entered production, is a situational allows the user to detect, recognize, identify, and track targets of interest from a safe, remote location. HYDRA uses visible band cameras, thermal cameras, and acoustic tracking in conjunction with seismic, passive infrared and magnetic sensors.

SEA

10 Sep 07. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) has signed a contract with the Norwegian Ministry of Defence (MoD) for Underwater Surveillance and Protection. KONGSBERG by KDA will carry out the 3 year project in cooperation with Kongsberg Maritime (KM) and Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), and assisted by the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN). First version of the integrated surveillance and protection system has already been installed at Haakonsvern, the main base of the RNoN. Necessary adaptations, improvements and extensions will be implemented in the integrated system during the project period. The background for the project is the general need for protection of Norwegian installations in Norway, and protection of Norwegian forces in international operations. The modular and flexible systems solutions being developed, are based on Norwegian technologies and can be used at fixed installations, like Haakonsvern, or as mobile systems used by forces in unknown waters. Core technology has been developed by KDA through the work related to the underwater systems now in operation on board the new ”Fridtjof Nansen” class frigates in Norway. (Source: ASD Network)

18 Sep 07. Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV): Remus 600. The MoD confirmed (18 Sep 07) that Hydroid LLC of Massachusetts had been awarded a £5.5m contract to supply two Remus 600 UUV, for the detection of underwater mines and other obstructions. The UUV are due to enter RN service in 2009.
Comment: The primary role of the UUV will be mine countermeasures and hydrographic surveys although they could have a secondary role in support of salvage operations. While the UUV can be deployed from any vessel with a suitable crane or davit, it is expected that they will normally be found on board the Hunt Class. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0737, 24 Sep 07)

AIR

17 Sep 07. Turkey, Italy pen $2.7bn A 129 deal. The Turkish Defence Industries Undersecretariat (SSM), AgustaWestland, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and Turkish contracítor Aselsan signed contracts on 7 September to produce Italian A 129 attack helicopters in Turkey. A statement from TAI on 12 Sepítember said the contract, worth USD2.7 billion, covers the acquisition of 51 attack and tactical reconnaissance helicopters (ATAK) for the Turkish Land Forces, with an option for 41 more. (Source: Jane’s)

24 Sep 07. McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $9,988,860 order against a previously issued Basic Ordering Agreement (N00019-05-G-0026) for the integration and test support for the Turkish Peace Onyx III F-16 Integration and Test Program for the Government of Turkey under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo. and is expected to be completed in December 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. is the contracting activity.

USA

LAND

25 Sep 07. DRS Technologies, Inc. was awarded a $13.6m contract from the U.S. Army to continue manufacturing Direct Support Electrical System Test Sets (DSESTS) and Test Program Sets (TPS) for the U.S. Army’s M2A2 and M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle Systems. The contract was awarded to DRS by the Army’s Tank Automotive and Armaments Command Life Cycle Management Command’s