LOCATIONS

LAND

01 Oct 12. ATK has been notified by the U.S. Army that it was selected for both the production of ammunition and continued operation and maintenance of the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, Mo. The initial contracts period is seven years, and if all award terms are exercised, the contracts would cover a 10-year period. (Source: Yahoo!/PRNewswire)

02 Oct 12. Booz Allen Hamilton unveiled its new Abu Dhabi office facilities in the Etihad Towers complex to customers and partners this week, signifying the organization’s sustained momentum and growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. A reception will be held on October 3rd to celebrate the opening of the office. The management and technology consultancy leader also marked the occasion by hosting a senior group of UAE government and business dignitaries in a Harnessing Cyber Strength in the Middle East roundtable discussion on cyber security on October 2nd. (Source: Yahoo!/BUSINESS WIRE)

03 Oct 12. Eurocopter marked a major development for Brazil’s aeronautical industry yesterday with the inauguration of its Helibras subsidiary’s new rotary-wing center of excellence in Itajubá, Minas Gerais, where Brazilian Armed Forces EC725 helicopters will be assembled. Helibras’ new Itajubá plant will produce, assemble and maintain the EC725s being acquired by Brazil’s three armed forces in the largest such contract ever signed in South America – providing a highly capable aircraft fleet based on Eurocopter’s renowned Super Puma/Cougar helicopter family. The new industry capabilities will also enable Helibras to build the civilian EC225 version, providing locally-manufactured helicopters for off-shore oil and gas operations, as well as other applications. In addition to establishing a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, this center will create the framework for potential future helicopter development in the country, along with the evolution of its aviation industry supply chain.

MARITIME

03 Oct 12. Future USNS Cesar Chavez Completes Integrated Acceptance Trial. Following four days of intensive testing and trials, the future USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14) completed Integrated Acceptance Trial Sept. 28, departing from and returning to the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego. T-AKE 14 is the 14th and final Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo/ammunition ship to be presented to the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey. Because of the maturity of the class, the Navy holds only one round of trials on each ship of this class prior to delivery, instead of separate builder’s and acceptance trials. This single integrated trial requires less time, fuel and manpower than the conventional multiple trial method. Completion of the acceptance trial is the final major milestone prior to delivery to the Navy. The T-AKE program is based on a low risk, commercial-oriented acquisition strategy that has yielded multiple efficiencies. The last five ships of the class have delivered on cost and ahead of schedule, with USNS Cesar Chavez to deliver to the Navy later this year.

03 Oct 12. Austal launches USNS Choctaw County (JHSV 2). On October 1, 2012, Austal USA successfully completed the launch process of the
second Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), the recently christened USNS Choctaw County (JHSV 2). This 103-metre high-speed catamaran represents the US Department of Defense’s next generation multi-use platform. It is part of a 10-ship program potentially worth over US$1.6 billion.

03 Oct 12. Navy to Commission Guided-Missile Destroyer Michael Murphy. The Navy commissioned the newest guided-missile destroyer, Michael Murphy (DDG 112), Oct. 6, during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony at Pier 88 in Manhattan, N.Y. The newest destroyer honors Navy SEAL (Sea, Air, Land) Lt. Michael P. Murphy, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan June 28, 2005. Murphy led a four-man t