22 Sep 06. An announcement of a contract win by BAE Systems this week signals a major breakthrough by Selex in the IED detection market.
On September 22nd BAE Systems, Information & Electronic Systems Integration, Incorporated, Nashua, N.H., was being awarded a $79,537,169 firm-fixed-price, incentive fee contract for production and support of up to 3,874 Dismounted Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (CREW) systems to meet urgent Department of Defense requirements in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Dismounted CREW systems are one element of the DoD’s Joint Counter RCIED Electronic Warfare program. Dismounted CREW systems are wearable electronic jammers designed to prevent the initiation of Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Devices. This contract is for the urgent procurement and support of CREW systems, to be used by forces in each of the military services of the Central Command Area of Responsibility (AOR).The Navy manages the joint CREW program for Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO). Work will be performed in Christchurch, Dorset, United Kingdom (69 percent); Lansdale, Penn., (28 percent); Nashua, N.H. (3 percent); and is expected to be completed by October 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured and based upon a limited competition from five offerors under Unusual and Compelling urgency provisions. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-06-C-6353).
As the announcement states 60% of the work will be carried out at SELEX’s plant in Christchurch, U.K.
A source told BATTLESPACE that this ‘Looks like a bit of a blow for TRL which had sold an earlier batch to the US. The US has shopped around for these items and quite simply may have may have used up all the production capacity. The first batch they purchased were Russian – they took a long look as Israeli kit but I think that the threat was very different in Iraq.’
SELEX Communications is the name behind the development, supply and support of a wide range of Radio Frequency (RF) products designed to provide security forces with protection against the remotely controlled Improvised Explosive Device (IED) threat. The Company’s experience is based on longstanding classified activities spanning over 20 years in providing bespoke solutions to specific operational requirements. RF design expertise spans the full radio communication spectrum, with specialist skills in linear Power Amplifier (PA) development and fast digital signal processing. Software is developed for both product-embedded and PC-hosted applications. Machined alloy cases provide the basis of our rugged, EMC-sealed, lightweight kit.
Comprehensive thermal management is core to the design of reliable equipment, particularly for worldwide deployment.
SELEX Communications offers security forces military grade products from the Guardian range of inhibition equipment. The design of the Guardian range supports the electromagnetic compatibility solutions that may be necessary for co-located operation beside communications and other systems.
Many of the operational features of Guardian equipment are programmable. For example, inhibition sub-bands can be defined.
Inhibition performance can be optimised while minimising risk of inadvertent radio-controlled IED (RCIED) detonation. Software code can be easily loaded externally using the Guardian man-machine interface (MMI), obviating the need to open the equipment.
The Guardian Built-in Test continually monitors the equipment parameters, providing immediate audible and visual warnings to the operator.
In addition, the Guardian Depot Test Set supports fleet maintenance activities at forward repair workshops. Zeroing features incorporated into Guardian equipment ensure inhibition capability security. All Guardian in