EUROPE

LAND

17 May 10. EADS Defence & Security has been commissioned by Germany’s
Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) to deliver a further 220 units of the Future Soldier System (Infanterist der Zukunft) in its basic version (IdZ BS). This is part of an immediate procurement measure to meet the needs of the Bundeswehr forces deployed in Afghanistan in the context of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission. It means that another 220 Bundeswehr soldiers will be supported by the tried and tested soldier system for mission preparation and execution. This new delivery will raise the Bundeswehr’s total number of IdZ BS equipment sets to about 2,500. An IdZ BS system for equipping an infantry squad (ten soldiers) consists of an identical basic configuration for all soldiers (including modular bullet-proof vest in protection class I to IV, C4I equipment including NaviPad for situational awareness and transmitting messages, target data and images, night vision device, tactical radio) and various special items (such as laser range finder, camera, thermal image sighting device). (Source: ASD Network)

19 May 10. Lockheed Martin Corp., Missiles and Fire Control-Dallas, Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded on May, 13 a $91,258,623 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. This contract is for replacing a purchase order for long-lead critical and French facilitization material, Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System Full Rate Production V. Work is to be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2012. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, AMCOM Contracting Center, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-10-C-0270).

18 May 10. SELEX Communications has completed the development and supply of 1,000 new dual-sided headsets for introduction into the UK Bowman communications programme through prime contractor General Dynamics UK (GD UK). The Bowman Lightweight Dual Sided Headset (BLDH) is a replacement for the Bowman Staff User Headset, which has been supplied into the programme by SELEX Communications during the last decade.

SEA

18 May 10. MTN Satellite Communications and its Spanish joint-venture partner, ERZIA, have been selected to provide VSAT products and services for Empressa Naviera Elcano. Under the agreement, MTN and ERZIA will provide C- and Ku-band VSAT connections for Elcano’s entire fleet of 11 vessels consisting of gas, bulk and petrochemical carriers sailing on routes worldwide. MTN last month announced the opening of its new Santander teleport in Spain. The teleport will be operated by ERZIA and will provide coverage over Europe, the Americas and Asia.

AIR

13 May 10. Eurofighter Typhoon: Additional Support Contract. BAE Systems announced (13 May 10) receipt of a contract from Eurofighter GmbH for the provision of an avionic equipment repair support service for Typhoon in service with Germany, Spain and the UK. The contract runs for five years and is worth “in the region of £150m”. Under the contract, BAE Systems is to provide a range of repair services, “leading to much reduced support costs, improved reliability of the equipment and the transfer of risk to Industry that traditionally was held by the customer”.
Comment: BAE Systems secured three Typhoon support contracts during 2009. A five-year, £450m contract was awarded for the maintenance and support of RAF aircraft. A five and a half year, £400m plus contract was awarded to provide sub-systems support for the German, Italian, Spanish and UK Air Forces. The third contract was for Royal Saudi Air Force training and support. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 09/19, 17 May 09)

18 May 10. Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a contract by the U.K. MoD to provide in-service support for Large Aircraft Infrared
Countermeasures (LAIRCM) used by the U.K. Armed Forces in current operations. T