CONTRACT NEWS IN BRIEF
EUROPE
LAND
07 Jul 09. Germany has commissioned Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) to produce 405 Puma infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), under what is now the largest European armaments project for land forces. The Federal German Defence Technology and Procurement Agency has awarded a €3.1bn contract for the delivery of the newly developed combat vehicles to Project System and Management, a joint venture company of KMW and Rheinmetall of Düsseldorf. The air-portable, all terrain Puma offers war fighters protection against mines, anti-tank weapons and improvised explosive devices. The Puma also incorporates an unmanned turret design as well as decoupled running gear isolated from the vehicle body pan, which reduces noise and vibrations inside the vehicle.
25 Jun 09. Rheinmetall AG of Düsseldorf has just been awarded a €54m contract to equip the German armed forces with a state-of-the-art mortar system. The system’s newly developed 120mm mortar track and associated support vehicles make an important contribution to the mission-oriented modernization of the Bundeswehr armoury. This important order encompasses eight Wiesel 2 (“weasel”) vehicles, each of which is armed with a 120mm mortar (lePzMrs). An option exists for an additional two vehicles configured for a command and control role, and worth some €7.5m. Delivery is slated to take place in 2011.
08 Jul 09. The UK Army has awarded a contract to Finmeccanica subsidiary SELEX Galileo to install 40 Enforcer Remote Controlled Weapon Stations (RCWS) on the Ridgeback fleet. Under the contract, the company will integrate the Enforcer RCWS into the SELEX Galileo Indirect Vision System already equipped to the Mastiff and Ridgeback armoured vehicles providing enhanced survivability, observation and firepower to the vehicle crew. The Enforcer Indirect vision system consists of thermal and day cameras connected to the SELEX video and control infrastructure allowing the system to be operated and viewed from the picture displays. The integration will help the latest protected patrol vehicles to improve capabilities by providing enhanced situational awareness to the users. (Source: army-technology.com)
SEA
06 Jul 09. The DGA has awarded DCNS a contract to produce a design definition of a ‘Synior’ demonstrator for the classification and identification of uncooperative targets. On detecting a potential target, the challenge is to decide whether or not action needs to be taken and if so whether it should be defensive or offensive. This involves threat assessment (aka classification) and identification; a problem essential to all forms of military engagement. In the case of naval engagements, this task is performed by the extended combat system comprising the combat systems of each participating warship. At the naval force level, the challenge is to classify and identify all detected targets with the highest possible reliability.
USA
LAND
07 Jul 09. DRS Test & Energy Management, Inc., Huntsville, Ala. was awarded on Jun. 30, 2009 a $26,200,000 firm-fixed-price contract for various hardware kits to support direct support electrical system test sets. Work is to be performed in Huntsville, Ala., with an estimated completion date of Sept 30, 2011. One bids solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army TACOM LCMC (RI), AMSCC-TAC-ARV-B Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52H09-06-G-0001).
06 Jul 09. DRS Technologies has won a follow-on order for Second Generation Forward Looking Infrared (SGF) sighting systems and components for the US Army combat and tactical-wheeled vehicles from Raytheon. Soldiers use SGF sighting systems to detect and engage tactical enemy targets at all times, even in zero-visibility conditions. The technology aids in digital battlefield imagery to support interoperability among military platforms. The deal will provide critical thermal imaging technology to troops in the Abrams Main Battle Tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehi