EUROPE
LAND
21 Apr 10. EADS Defence & Security (DS) and Thales have received a contract worth 26.1m euros from the French defence procurement agency DGA (Direction Generale de l’Armement) to produce and support two sets of MGPs (Modules Geographiques Projetables – deployable geographic modules) for the 28th Geographic Group of the French Army. The operation, for which DS has been designated prime contractor, aims to develop a system that is deployable and reactive in terms of production, maintenance and distribution of military geography information. The MGP modules will be used to supply geographic data updated in the field to operational land forces via a single cartographic access point.
21 Apr 10. The Finnish Army has awarded a contract to Sagem to provide a new series of Matis HH (handheld) thermal imagers. The Matis HH imager features an ergonomic design for tactical efficiency and complements new functions such as stabilised observation and image recording to its infrared vision. In addition, Matis incorporates the latest technologies for the JIM LR long-range multifunction binoculars, which includes video, laser range-finding, North seeker and GPS functions. The handheld thermal imager is capable of detecting an armoured vehicle from a range of over 8km, and a soldier from over 5km away. Integrated in pointing systems for artillery pieces, the Matis HH provides day / night operational capabilities, in terms of detection and identification of enemy activities, encompassing vehicles, landing craft, aircraft and foot soldiers. Sagem will also provide complete maintenance services for these imagers, which will join the previous Matis imagers already deployed by the Finnish Army.
AIR
16 Apr 10. Thales Norway will supply Swedish armed forces helicopters with a new Command and Control (C2) system. Under the contract, Thales will supply and integrate flexible C2 systems, which will provide enhanced command and control capability for helicopter units deployed in combat operations. As an integrated part of the armed forces’ overall C2 systems, the new system will be interoperable with existing mobile C2 systems within the air force and Nordic Battle Group. The contract has been awarded by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration. (Source: airforcetechnology.com)
USA
LAND
21 Apr 10. The U.S. Army has selected Alliant Techsystems (ATK) to rapidly deliver a new precision-guided mortar for Afghanistan. The Accelerated Precision Mortar Initiative (APMI) began in response to an
operational needs statement for a GPS-guided 120-millimeter round for
Afghanistan. The service plans to field the round in November. The mortar must have an accuracy of 10 meters (circular error probable). A contract was signed last week with ATK, Maj. Jeffrey Hilt, APMI program lead for the Army, said at an April 21 conference of the Precision Strike Association. Raytheon Missile Systems and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems were also competing. In November, the Army awarded the three companies $5m each to design and demonstrate the round in three months. APMI will be integrated with current mortar fire control stations. (Source: Defense News)
20 Apr 10. FLIR Systems, Inc., North Billerica, Mass., was awarded an estimated $35,209,784 one-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the purchase of long range ground mobility visual augmentation system in support of U.S. Special Operations Command procurement division. The work will be performed in Billerica, Mass., and is expected to be completed by 2011. U. S. Special Operations Command is the contracting activity (H92222-10-D-0013).
22 Apr 10. Insight Technology, Inc., Londonderry, N.H., is being awarded a $48,750,000 firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the advanced infrared target pointer/illuminator/aiming laser (ATPIAL). The ATPIAL provides a laser pointer and illuminator capability which is used by th