CONTRACT NEWS IN BRIEF

EUROPE

LAND

01 Dec 08. The French Ministry of Defence is negotiating to buy JTRS (Joint Tactical Radio System)-approved Falcon III AN/PRC-152 multiband software-defined radios from Harris. These handheld units are to be delivered in 2009 for use by forward air controllers, according to a French officer speaking at the Omega Close Air Support Conference held in London in early November. (Source: Jane’s, IDR)

10 Dec 08. Crews of the UK’s military support vehicle will be better protected following the first deliveries of Support Vehicle Riotous Assembly Protection (RAP) kits provided by The RAP kits, which have been delivered to the UK Ministry of Defence, have been designed to provide additional protection to the crew of the cargo and recovery variants deployed in areas where there is a likelihood of civil unrest leading to a requirement for additional crew protection. The RAP kit is fitted as an appliqué system and protects both the crew and essential vehicle sub-systems that could be damaged by rioters throwing rocks, scaffold poles, spikes or petrol bombs at the vehicle. The principal construction is glass-fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP) moulded panels and grilles/screens using laser cut high-tensile XF500 Sheet steel. The kits have been designed and manufactured by MVE’s team based in Mildenhall, which is the design authority for the load beds and the RAP kits.

SEA

02 Dec 08. ADP2 award breathes new life into Shaman CESM programme. BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies (Insyte) has been awarded a £1.3m ($2m) contract by the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Defence Equipment and Support organisation to complete a further advanced development phase (ADP2) for Project Shaman. Shaman is a next-generation electronic surveillance programme intended to provide the UK Royal Navy with a new maritime communications electronic support measures (CESM) capability. (Source: Jane’s, IDR)

AIR

Dec 08. Three years after the contract was signed with Eurocopter, the IGE+XAO Group announces a very significant contract with Airbus. This new agreement covers the supply of the IGE+XAO Group´s PLM offer (Product Life-cycle Management) dedicated to Electrical Engineering. This software suite named SEE Electrical Harness PLM, encompasses most of the electrical engineering process, from the definition of electrical equipment to the automatic generation of electrical harnesses and wiring diagrams. This contract made up of several stages for which deliveries are planned from the 4th quarter 2008 until the end of 2011 could reach nearly €5m. This amount includes the SEE Electrical Harness PLM software licences as well as the development and associated services. IGE+XAO is currently working on the first stage which represents an already received purchase order of €1.3m excluding VAT.

10 Dec 08. The Air Force is modifying a contract with Raytheon Company, Tucson, Ariz. for $7,924,403. This action is for the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile Air Intercept Missile – Greece Offset Administration. This action is a modification to the Production Lot 21 contract. At this time the entire amount has been obligated. 695 ARSS, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. is the contracting activity (FA8675-07-C-0055, modification P00020).

USA

LAND

02 Dec 08. BAE Systems starts work on resetting FMTVs. Work has begun on the first of 200 FMTV (Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles) trucks scheduled for repair, overhaul and reconditioning by BAE Systems in partnership with the US Red River Army Depot (RRAD) under a new reset programme. The one-year contract is being undertaken at facilities in Texas and includes second- and third-year options for the reset of an additional 400 . (Source: Jane’s, IDR)

09 Dec 08. BAE Systems has been awarded a $6.26m contract by Lockheed Martin to manufacture 26 Increased Crew Protection (ICP) cabs for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The contract also includes 2