CONTRACT NEWS IN BRIEF
EUROPE
LAND
30 Nov 07. J & S Franklin are pleased to announce two major contracts to supply tents for the UK MoDe for use by British Military personnel in Afghanistan. The tents, part of the ‘Improved Tented Camp’ (ITC) have been supplied in a range of sizes for use in tented field hospitals and as personnel accommodation. The two contacts together are worth £1m.
19 Nov 07. Ballistic Sensor Fused Munitions (BSFM): Contract Award. The Defence Equipment Minister announced (19 Nov 07) an £83m contract award for the development and supply of BSFM, to be fired from the 155mm AS90 self-propelled howitzer. The contract was awarded to GIWS of Nurnberg, Germany, with a £1.5m sub-contract for batteries going to MSB of Coatbridge, Scotland. It is claimed that the new munition will be able to “seek out and destroy hostile armoured vehicles” at ranges up to 22.5km. BSFM are expected to enter service in 2011.
Comment: BSFM are part of a family of advanced munitions which have been under development for at least eight years. The BSFM shell contains two explosive sub-munitions, each having target detecting sensors and a self-destruct system. The number of BSFM being procured has not been made public. As at 24 May 07, 146 AS90 howitzers remained in service of which three are permanently on loan to Industry for reference purposes. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0747, 03 Dec 07)
SEA
03 Dec 07. The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems a $91m contract to continue providing modifications and support for fire control systems aboard U.S. and U.K. ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) and for the attack weapons control system aboard U.S. guided missile submarines (SSGN). General Dynamics will provide operational support, repair, installation,
checkout, development, production, and training systems for U.S. and U.K.
submarines. In addition, the contract includes development to extend the
life of the Mk 6 missile guidance system. Work will be performed in Pittsfield,
Mass., and is expected to be completed by April 2011.
AIR
03 Dec 07. RAF get a lift from sixth C-17. The RAF’s ability to transport heavy equipment and supplies to troops in theatre was significantly enhanced with the purchase of a sixth C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft. The purchase of the aircraft, through a £130m contract with the Boeing Company, was announced by Baroness Taylor.
30 Nov 07. R&D Design Services, Ltd. (RDDS), of Margate, Kent, U.K., a leading provider of vision-enhanced airborne surveillance systems to Civil, Police and Military organisations worldwide, today announced that they have been awarded a contract valued in excess of £180,000 with Westland Helicopters Ltd., of Yeovil, U.K., to provide a number of 9” enhanced CRT monitors to be incorporated into the EH101 helicopter. (Source: Shephard)
04 Dec 07. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. will provide the German Air Force with Litening navigation and targeting pods for its Tornado and Eurofighters. The $25m deal is a follow-up to the German’s previous order for a similar amount.
Nov 07. Sea King Helicopters: Support Contract. The Defence Equipment Minister announced contract signature with AgustaWestland for Implementation Phase 2 of the Sea King Integrated Operational Support (SKIOS IP2) programme. The programme is designed to “maintain availability levels and reduce costs” for the Sea Kings operated by the RN and the RAF. The contract is worth £470m over the first five years, with a price review thereafter.
Comment: The above contract extends SKIOS IP1 which was awarded on 6 Apr 05 and valued at £300m for five years. A Written Answer on 16 Dec 07 listed 95 Sea Kings as remaining in service: 19 Mk3 & six Mk3A (operated by the RAF for Search and Rescue); 37 Mk4, 15 Mk5, five Mk6 & 13 Mk7 (operated by the RN in
a variety of roles). (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0747, 03 Dec 07)
30 Nov 07. France Ord