EUROPE
LAND
23 May 11. Goodrich Corporation’s Sensors and Integrated Systems business in Plymouth, UK has received a follow-on order from Saab Bofors Dynamics AB for additional inertial measurement units (IMUs) for its Next-generation Light Anti-tank Weapon (NLAW) system. The contract covers additional NLAW units intended for export; deliveries are expected to be complete in 2012. The IMUs are Goodrich model SiIMU01®, a rugged MEMS-based IMU that provides missile navigation and guidance. The Plymouth team was first selected in 2001 to design and develop the NLAW’s IMU; deliveries of the SiIMU01® unit commenced in 2005. The most current order brings total SilMU01 requirements for NLAW to 20,000 units, including past, current and future delivery orders.
18 May 11. Lockheed Martin received a $45.3m contract to upgrade 22 Finnish Army M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launchers, incorporating the Universal Fire Control System and other enhancements. The upgrade enables the launchers to fire precision GPS-guided munitions for the first time. The agreement takes advantage of current full-rate component production for U.S. MLRS contracts. Finland joins other countries that have recognized the combat-proven precision advantages that the MLRS Family of Munitions delivers. This is Lockheed Martin’s third international M270 launcher upgrade contract.
SEA
12 May 11. Turkey signs with ADIK for new LSTs. Tuzla-based shipbuilder ADIK (Anadolu Deniz Insaat Kizaklari) has been contracted by the Turkish Ministry of Defence’s Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (Savunma Sanayii Müstesarligi – SSM) to design and build two 138 m Landing Ship Tank (LST) vessels for the Turkish Naval Forces. Contracts were signed on 11 May at the IDEF 2011 show in Istanbul. (Source: Jane’s Navy International)
18 May 11. MBDA has been awarded a £165M contract to provide the support for Sea Viper, the Royal Navy’s latest and most modern weapon system. Sea Viper is a world leading area air defence missile system that equips the Type 45 Destroyer and was successfully fired from HMS Dauntless in September 2010 and most recently in April 2011 from HMS DARING. MBDA will ensure the availability of the complete Sea Viper system for the T45 Class for a period of six years. The Project Availability Support Service – Sea Viper (PASS-SV) contract is the first support contract let under the Through Life Enabling Contract signed in April 2010 between the MoD and MBDA that established a new partnering approach on Complex Weapons between both parties. Team work will be an important contributor to delivering Sea Viper’s availability. MBDA is working closely with its subcontractors BAE SYSTEMS Maritime (Mission Systems) and DM Gosport on supporting Sea Viper. BAE SYSTEMS Maritime (Mission Systems) is providing the support services for the Multi Function Radar. DM Gosport is responsible for the out-loading of munitions to the Type 45 Class and for processing them at a new Munition Maintenance Facility (MMF) located in Gosport. The MMF is a four year development that will allow the UK to have an indigenous test and repair capability for the Aster Munition and is the subject of a separate procurement. The PASS-SV contract will also benefit from the synergies associated with the common Aster Munition and the Vertical Launch System (VLS) under the French-Italian FSAF (Future Surface-to-Air Family) programme. That programme is managed via the European Defence procurement agency OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’ARmement).
AIR
19 May 11. Hawk T1 Training Aircraft: Support Contract. BAE Systems announced (19 May 11) that the Company has been awarded a 12-month contract extension, worth £23.8m, by the MoD for the support and maintenance of Hawk T1 aircraft. Under the existing Hawk Integrated Operational Support contract, BAE Systems is responsible for ensuring that Hawk T1 are available to carry out agreed levels of training sortie