EUROPE

LAND

23 Apr 12. Babcock has been contracted to undertake a mid-life software update to Eddystone, the Communications Electronic Support Measures (CESM) system operating on Trafalgar Class submarines. The update introduces enhanced system functionality and addresses hardware obsolescence issues, thus ensuring improvement and sustainment of the important operational capability to the platform Out of Service Date (OSD). Babcock provides post-design services and in-service support for Eddystone, and the supporting shore infrastructure, under a long term contract with MoD. This role includes a range of technical services including engineering support, integrated logistics support, obsolescence management, configuration management, helpdesk and stores management. Babcock is also the system design authority having led design, integration and installation as prime contractor for the previous competitively won procurement contract.

25 Apr 12. The Norwegian Army is set to receive additional new and upgraded CV90 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) from BAE Systems, in an effort to overcome medium armour shortcomings in its Telemark and Armored battalions. The Norwegian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has presented a bill which calls for upgrades to its existing fleet of CV90 vehicles and the procurement of unmanned aerial and ground vehicles, remote ground sensors and C4ISR systems. Espen Barth Eide, Norwegian Defence Minister, said the investment will provide its primary armoured units with additional capabilities and fighting power and constitutes a significant enhancement of the equipment available to the army. (Source: armytechnology.com)

TECHNOLOGY

27 Apr 12. MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. signed a three year contract for CA$1.7m to provide RADARSAT-2 information to the Netherlands Space Office (NSO). The RADARSAT-2 information will be used to provide information for government users as well as scientific and research purposes. NSO was established by the Dutch Government in order to develop the Netherlands’ space program and to bring that program to action. (Source: Yahoo!/PRNewswire)

USA

LAND

23 Apr 12. BAE Systems has received a $75m order from the
U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to produce and deliver hard armor inserts used to protect Soldiers and other men and women in combat.
(Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

25 Apr 12. General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded a $31,073,677 firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the procurement of 46 Abrams M1A2 system enhancement package V2 vehicles. Work will be performed in Lima, Ohio, Scranton, Pa., Anniston, Ala., and Tallahassee, Fla., with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2014. One bid was solicited, with one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-12-C-0198).

26 Apr 12. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products was awarded a $6.9m contract by the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command to convert more than 3,500 M2 heavy barrel (M2HB) machine guns to the M2A1 configuration. The M2A1 offers the proven performance of the existing M2HB heavy barrel (HB) machine gun, along with new features and design improvements that are adaptable to existing M2HB weapons. These innovative improvements help eliminate operator error, decrease muzzle flash and streamline barrel changes. General Dynamics developed the M2A1 .50 caliber weapon upgrade after more than 30 years of experience manufacturing the M2HB for the U.S. Department of Defense. The M2 machine gun is one of the world’s most effective crew-served weapons.

27 Apr 12. Harris Corporation and Jotron AS will upgrade air-to-ground
radios at the White Sands Missile Range as part of a five-year, $4m U.S. Army Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to modernize the communications infrastructure that supports aerial missions at the range. The contract has a base