24 Sep 03. BCF, the UK’s specialist test equipment supplier told BATTLESPACE at Helitech that the company is keen to offer its systems into the US Army following the success of the company’s MIL-STD-1553 databus Network Tester purchased for the Challenger 2 MBT. BCF told BATTLESPACE that they had achieved a diagnosis of a fault in a Bradley APC in 20 minutes. The vehicle had been idle for 14 days in the vehicle park due to the US Army’s inability to deal wit the fault without sophisticated test systems such as that provided by BCF. BCF also provides fuel system test kits and filter monitors. The company hopes to team up with Tyco and AIM to provide a complete test service for a number of databus installations from diagnosis to repair.
19 Sep 03. Boeing Co. is urging the unprecedented cooperation of rival U.S. defense contractors to establish a single communication standard that would allow future weapons systems built for the U.S. military to talk to each other.
Boeing executives have invited Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, as well as software companies like Microsoft and smaller suppliers to a meeting to discuss create a standards body that would eliminate competing technologies used in radios and data networks on planes, ships and other weapons platforms.
22 Sep 03. AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica and GKN Company, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have signed the license and purchase agreement to produce and support the Japan Defence Agency (JDA) EH101s. The EH101 will meet the Navy ‘s Airborne Mine Counter-Measures (AMCM) and Antarctic Survey transport requirements. EH101 was selected after a competition which started with Sikorsky’s S-92 as a contender. Fourteen utility, RTM322 powered, rear-ramped variants of the EH101 have been ordered to replace the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force’s (JMSDF) long-serving fleet of Sikorsky MH-53Es and S-61s. Kawasaki Heavy Industries will establish manufacturing and test flight facility and extensive support facilities in Japan to reduce maintenance costs still further, whilst providing JMSDF with the other benefits of a local support service.
17 Sep 03. At the Defence NBC Centre, the Defence Procurement Minister accepted into service the Man-portable Chemical Agent Detector (MCAD). Under an £18m contract, over 2,000 MCAD are being delivered to all three Services where they will replace the logistically-inefficient NAIAD. Comment: MCAD occupies a 21cm square and has a height of 46cm with the carrying handle extended. MCAD will be complemented “shortly” by the Lightweight Chemical Agent Detector (LCAD). Some 10,000 LCAD have been ordered, each weighing 500 grams and designed to be clipped on to a soldier’s equipment. Both MCAD and LCAD are produced by Smiths Detection (formerly Graseby Dynamics).
(NAIAD = Nerve Agent Immobilised-enzyme Alarm and Detector.) (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS Issue 03/37, 22 Sep 03)
25 Sep 03. BAE SYSTEMS North America and Ultra Electronics Holdings plc, announced they have reached a definitive agreement under which Ultra will acquire BAE SYSTEMS Ocean Systems business. Ocean Systems, located in Braintree, Massachusetts, has 80 employees and produces special purpose acoustic and RF devices and systems for submarines, surface ships and acoustic test ranges. Ocean Systems also operates an open water test site to conduct acoustic research and production testing. Closing of the sales agreement, negotiated at $10m in cash, is expected to occur within 45 days, subject to completion of regulatory reviews and approvals. Ocean Systems has provided ship self-defense systems and services for more than 40 years.
16 Sep 03. Cobham announced interim results for the six months ended 30 Jun 03. Turnover rose to £403.4m (£365.0m in 2002) and profit before tax to £47.7m (£42.7m). Comment: The Company also took the opportunity to announce two further acquisitions and an order from RO Defence (BAE SYSTEMS) for the supply of countermeasures. The Chief