12 Mar 04. General Dynamics C4 Systems has received a $6.7m delivery order as part of a $47.5m firm-fixed-price contract for baseband node (BBN) large extension node (LEN) configuration and BBN-LEN configuration spares. The contracting agency is the U.S. Army Communications- Electronics Command (CECOM), Fort Monmouth, N.J. The baseband node is a dynamic and rapidly deployable early entry communications system. Housed in a lightweight shelter and mounted on an expanded capacity HMMWV, the BBN provides Joint Task Force (JTF) warfighters with voice, video, and data communications using commercial and military satellite systems. In addition, it provides the tactical user an interface to strategic data networks, commercial, Joint, combined, and coalition communications systems across multiple security levels.
08 Mar 04. Computer Sciences Corporation’s DynCorp International subsidiary has been awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command to provide comprehensive helicopter support services to countries operating UH-1 and AH-1 helicopters procured through the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Based on the Army’s evaluated contract value, CSC estimates the value of the contract, which has a five-year base period and five one-year options, to be approximately
$406m if all options are exercised. Under the contract, CSC’s DynCorp International will provide countries participating in the FMS program with comprehensive turnkey support services, including: program management; logistics support; aircraft sustainment engineering; maintenance and aircrew training; aircraft maintenance and refurbishment; repair and overhaul of aircraft components and engines; airframe and engine upgrades; and production of technical publications.
15 Mar 04. Thales has signed new contracts worth almost €100m with EADS to supply over 500 Threat Warning Equipment (TWE) self-protection systems for Eurocopter Tiger and NH90 helicopters. These aircraft will be delivered to the armed forces of France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Finland and Australia. The TWE system, developed and integrated by Thales, consists of an instantaneous wide-band electromagnetic detection function (radar warning receiver) and a laser warning receiver developed by EADS. Thales will also supply the system’s central processing unit.
18 Mar 04. The U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command at Rock Island, Ill., has awarded General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems a $103.9m modification to a firm-fixed priced contract for the production of MK80 Series bomb bodies. The contract, consisting of a base award and two options, has a total projected value, with all options exercised, of $240m. Production under this contract includes both inert and live bomb bodies in the 500-pound, 1000-pound and 2000-pound classes and will be performed at the company’s Garland, Texas, manufacturing facility. Work is expected to be completed by Sept. 2005.
15 Mar 04. Westland Helicopters, an AgustaWestland company, is leading a consortium that has been awarded a contract by the UK Department of Trade and Industry, to investigate the use of optical networks to significantly reduce the amount of wiring in aircraft. The programme is called FONDA (Future Optical Network Distribution for Aerospace). As the system requirements of modern aircraft increase and diversify, so does he need to transmit information around the aircraft more quickly and efficiently. The next generation of aircraft will need to support faster and more capable databus networks whilst also supporting existing databuses in a similar way to the computer industry’s use of Ethernet. FONDA is targeted to meet this need, by researching, designing, developing and demonstrating an optical network that supports simultaneous operation of different databus.
19 Mar 04. McDonnell Douglas Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, St. Louis, Mo., is bei