CONTRACT NEWS IN BRIEF
EUROPE
LAND
08 Jun 09. Åkers Krutbruk has been selected to develop the protection system for Archer, the BAE Systems Bofors artillery system. The Swedish and Norwegian defence organizations have ordered the development of Archer. The process of developing the system is scheduled until 2010, with an option of delivery of a series planned for fall 2011. The Archer System is based on reused parts of the classical model of haubits 77B, and Volvo’s dumper A 30D. Åkers Krutbruk’s assignment is to develop an advanced mine and fragment protection system to create a safe working environment for the three or four soldiers that operate in the cabin. (Source: ASD Network)
09 Jun 09. Within the framework of the Defence Program RP 08, Armasuisse, the procurement and technology centre of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) has placed an order for 12 NBC Reconnaissance Vehicles. Thales will be acting as prime contractor, with the Swiss company Mowag acting as sub-contractor. After the successful roll-out of a pre-series vehicle, which was commissioned in 2006, a series of 11 vehicles will now be procured.
08 Jun 09. JCB has won a £14m order from the French military for a fleet of its market leading backhoe loaders. The deal, the biggest ever won from the French armed forces, was secured after a lengthy tendering and evaluation period during which JCB fought off competition from other global manufacturers. The first of the specially armoured and camouflaged machines, made at the company’s World Headquarters in Rocester, have now started to be delivered and are expected to be deployed in conflict zones around the world by engineer regiments.
SEA
09 Jun 09. Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., is being awarded a $56,368,520 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-5401) for the production of 90 Block 1 MK-44 Mod 2 rolling airframe missile (RAM) guided missile round pack (GMRP) all-up-rounds (AURs), and 40 ordnance alteration kits. The RAM guided missile weapon system is co-developed and co-produced under a NATO cooperative program between the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany. RAM is a missile system designed to provide anti-ship missile defense for multiple ship platforms. This contract modification includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this modification to $118,045,720. Work will be performed in Tucson, Ariz., (49.7 percent); Ottobrunn, Germany, (42.7 percent); Rocket City, W.Va., (4.5 percent); and Andover, Mass., (3.1 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2011. Contract modification funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea System Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
AIR
27 May 09. French Navy announces Panther helicopter upgrade. The French Navy has revealed details of a midlife upgrade programme for its AS 565MA Panther helicopters. Under an EUR80m (USD111.5m) contract awarded by the French ministry of defence procurement agency, the DGA (Délégation Générale pour l´Armement), all 16 aircraft in the fleet will be upgraded and delivered by the end of 2014. The programme will include the installation of a new-generation glass cockpit that is compatible with night-vision goggles; a tactical situation system from SIAE; a flight-management system with GPS; Link 11 data capability; an improved communications system; Sagem Défense Sécurité’s EUROFLIR 410 electro-optical/infrared sensor systems and a self-protection suite developed by Thales, EADS and MBDA. (Source: Jane’s, IDR)
09 Jun 09. The Air Force is modifying a firm fixed price contract with Lockheed Martin Corp., of Marietta, Ga., for $38,365,541. The contract modification is to definitized several Undefinitized Contract Actions, recognize offsets costs, and add additional requirements pertaining to the Norway Foreign Military Sales program for aircraft support. At t