EUROPE
LAND
05 Oct 11. Carl Zeiss Optronics delivers Spotter 60 to French Army. Carl Zeiss Optronics will deliver 280 Spotter 60 units, including the corresponding accessories, to the French Army and Air Force. Spotter 60 is the only observation spotting scope on the market developed and built to meet military specifications. The traditional German company and its
French partner Rivolier received the order following an open bidding process and intensive comparison testing. The Spotter 60 delivers a bright, high-contrast image, particularly at high magnification. These high-performance optics enable the observation, identification and precise target acquisition of objects at long range and over longer periods. With the compact design and ease of use, the German Optronics company considerably improves the observer’s reaction time. Furthermore, Spotter 60 provides a high degree of flexibility. The Spotter
60 can be mounted to a tripod, thus enabling secure and steady use. Moreover, up to five Picatinny rails complying with MIL Standard 1913 can be mounted to enable the attachment of additional instruments. Carl Zeiss Optronics is the Defence and Security branch of Carl Zeiss AG. It offers optical and optronical equipment for all military applications, such as intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance, command & control as well as force protection.
18 Oct 11. SELEX Elsag, a Finmeccanica company, has been awarded a major turnkey contract to rationalise and upgrade NATO’s satellite communication (satcom) systems and associated infrastructure. SELEX Elsag will design, build, test, commission and support the infrastructure and communications systems upgrades, which will offer high levels of operational readiness, and reduced manning requirements and through-life costs. This includes a major new building and satcom facility in Belgium. Existing multiple antenna satellite ground stations in Kester (Belgium) and Lughezzano (Italy), and single antenna facilities at Oglananasi (Turkey) and Atalanti (Greece) will be upgraded, making extensive use of proven commercial off-the-shelf technology.
AIR
18 Oct 11. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Oct. 18 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of France for the upgrade of four E-2C HAWKEYE Aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $180m. The Government of France has requested a possible sale of the upgrade of four E-2C HAWKEYE Aircraft with weapon system sensor upgrades with Mode 5/S Identification Friend or Foe (IFF). Included are 5 APX-122 IFF Mode 5/S Interrogator Systems, 5 APX-123 IFF Mode 5/S Transponder Systems, and 5 ALQ-217 Electronic Support Measure Systems. In addition, this proposed sale will include related spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, weapon system support, development, publications and technical documentation, integration and testing, personnel training and equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics personnel support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $180m. (Source: ASD Network)
USA
LAND
19 Oct 11. General Dynamics – Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Saint Petersburg, Fla., is being awarded an $18,110,480 modification under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-05-D-6014) to exercise the final option for the procurement of 75 full rate production internally transportable vehicles (ITVs) together with their corresponding basic issue item kits and additional authorization list hardware. The ITV is a Marine Corps program to field an expeditionary vehicle supporting over-the-horizon amphibious operations, irregular warfare and enhanced company operations. The ITV will provide a deployed Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) with a ground vehicle that is internally transportable in the MV-22 tilt-rotor aircraft and