ITT EXPANDS MARKETS AND PRODUCTS
By Julian Nettlefold
23 Feb 09. BATTLESPACE caught up with ITT at the IDEX and AUSA shows to explore how the Company was progressing with its expanded product range and markets post-EDO acquisition.
As we went to press the value of ITT’s EDO acquisition last year was confirmed by another huge order for CREW IED detectors. On March 4th ITT Communications Systems Division was awarded a $316,848,122 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-07-C-6311) for the production and support of 4,501 JCREW 2.1 Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (CREW) systems to meet urgent Department of Defense (DoD) requirements in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (See: BATTLESPACE UPDATE Vol.11 ISSUE 10, 07 March 2009, EDO JCREW 2.1 contract)
IDEX
On the opening day of IDEX ITT Corporation signed an Executive Memorandum of Understanding with Emirates Advanced Investments (EAI) to formalize a partnership for exploration of business pursuits in the defense and security sectors of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Dave Melcher, president of ITT Defense Electronics and Services, signed the agreement with Hussain Ibrahim Al Hammadi, chairman and CEO of Emirates Advanced Investments, during the IDEX 2009 exhibition in Abu Dhabi.
“This partnership reflects EAI’s commitment to helping to protect defense and security personnel across the region,” said Al Hammadi, on the signing of the partnership. “Because of ITT’s leadership role and their state-of-the-art capabilities, we believe this agreement will be mutually beneficial for developing solutions to a wide variety of critical defense requirements in the UAE and possibly elsewhere.” In creating a new strategic partnership between the companies, this agreement will enable a strong alliance in the fields of communications, sensing and surveillance, space, and advanced engineering and services. The partnership will allow the two parties to explore and develop strategic opportunities. “The UAE is a critically important market for ITT Defense, and we are honored and privileged to enter into a partnership with such a professional and enterprising team as EAI,” said Melcher.
“The signing of this agreement formalizes a relationship of trust and confidence that we have mutually developed over the course of nearly a year,” added Bernard J. Dunn, vice president of ITT Middle East Operations. “We are very much looking forward to the opportunity to work closely with EAI.”
“How are sales to the new Iraqi Defense Force developing?” The Editor asked Dave Melcher,
“There were a total of six different FMS orders for Iraq with a total value of $180 million. One order for 8000 radios was completed and that one was finished in December 2007 in 30 days from receipt of order. A second order is on-going, but very near to completion. The remaining four orders are scheduled for delivery in 2009. The orders consisted of SINCGARS and Spearhead and the ancillary equipment to support those systems.”
“Which other countries in the Middle East are using SINCGARS?”
“Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Egypt use SINCGARS and we are now having considerable interest in SpearNet.”
We then passed onto Night Vision Goggle requirements in the Gulf Region.”
“We already supply Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Jordan and see a large demand from other countries.” said Mike LoDebole.
In a separate and unrelated development ITT’s Andrea Brown Director of Communications for ITT Systems Division announced a new Green Initiative – ITT Watermark.
“ITT Watermark links to our corporate value of responsibility. ITT people the world over believe they have a responsibility to care for the environment and our communities. Through ITT Watermark, we intend to leverage the full capacity of our resources – our people, our technology and our financial strength – to make a sustainable mark in the world by providing safe water to children and families in nee