Showing results 1 - 10 of 19 for the search terms: ammunitionshortage.
Results for "ammunition shortage"
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter: 2009-2010
18-Nov-2009 18:38 EST |
Related Stories: Alliances, Americas - USA, BAE, Britain/U.K., Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, Design Innovations, ECM, Electronics - General, Engines - Aircraft, Europe - Other, FOCUS Articles, Fighters & Attack, Finmeccanica, GE, Issues - International, Issues - Political, Lobbying, Lockheed Martin, Middle East - Israel, Northrop-Grumman, Official Reports, Other Corporation, Partnerships & Consortia, Policy - Procurement, R&D - Contracted, Radars, Rumours, Security & Secrecy, Sensors & Guidance, Testing & Evaluation, Transformation
F-35A: incoming…
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The F-35 Lightning II is a major multinational program which is intended to produce an “affordably stealthy” multi-role strike fighter that will have three variants: the F-35A conventional version for the US Air Force et. al.; the F-35B Short Take-Off, Vertical Landing for the US Marines, British Royal Navy, et. al.; and the F-35C conventional carrier-launched version for the US Navy. The aircraft is named after Lockheed’s famous WW2 P-38 Lightning, and the Mach 2, stacked-engine English Electric (now BAE) Lightning jet. System development partners included The USA & Britain (Tier 1), Italy and the Netherlands (Tier 2), and Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway and Turkey (Tier 3), with Singapore and Israel as “Security Cooperation Partners.” Now the challenge is agreeing on production phase membership and arrangements, to be followed by initial purchase commitments around 2008-2009.
This updated article has expanded to feature more detail regarding the $300 billion F-35 program, including other contracts as well as notable events. New material is highlighted by putting it in green type. Recent news include an investigation by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram into JET’s conclusions regarding program delays, Lockheed Martin’s response, and a Rolls Royce contract for production LiftSystem engine modules…
RESET of the US Army’s Vehicle Fleet Continues
04-Oct-2009 13:34 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, BAE, Boeing, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, FOCUS Articles, General Dynamics, Guns - Artillery & Mortars, Helicopters & Rotary, Policy - Procurement, Procurement Innovations, Support & Maintenance, Tanks & Mechanized, Trucks & Transport, Warfare - Trends
USMC M1A1 settles a
firefight in Fallujah
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The RESET process takes used vehicles apart, inspects the parts, then replaces any defective parts and refurbishes the equipment to like-new condition. Sometimes upgrades are also performed. RESET and related processes like remanufacture/upgrades are being performed on M1 Abrams tanks, Bradley IFV/CFVs, HMMWV jeeps, and even helicopters. It usually takes place when the vehicles return from the front lines in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations, where sand damage and increased wear have taken their toll.
In truth, many of these vehicles were produced in the 1980s, and are reaching an age where “deep maintenance” is a wise and necessary measure. A July 2006 Washington Times article noted the effect age and wear have had on the USA’s vehicle fleet, and DID has also covered this subject under the wider rubric of the Army’s maintenance overhang. DID believes these efforts are sufficiently important that the consolidated visibility of a FOCUS Article is in order.
Note that this is not a complete list of RESET contracts; DID will seek to backfill its roster as opportunities arise, and newly-added materials will be presented in green as a reader convenience. Recent additions include a contract to reset FMTV medium trucks…
MASS for Effect: The UK’s Long-Term Ammo Contract
01-Oct-2009 16:47 EDT |
Related Stories: Ammunition, BAE, Britain/U.K., Contracts - Awards, Guns - 20-59 mm direct, Guns - 60+ mm direct, Guns - Artillery & Mortars, Other Corporation, Policy - Procurement, Procurement Innovations, Public Partnering, Shells & Mortar Rounds
81mm mortar
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A weapon without ammunition is useless, which is why ammunition is almost always a strategic national capability whose production must remain in-country. On the other hand, government demand has a tendency to swing up and down within narrow limits, and the demands of efficiency usually lead to a single supplier situation – often using equipment that dates back to World War 2. The USA has run into problems because of its reliance on a single small arms ammunition plant, for instance, and has moved to modernize and diversify its base. Its ally Australia is modernizing key ammunition facilities, and trying to modernize its industrial approach as well.
Then there’s Britain, whose long-term defense contracting practices are establishing world-class benchmarks. The UK MoD had been working on an arrangement that secures national supply needs from British sources, and ensures that modernization investments continues to improve industrial efficiency. Hence the new 15-year, GBP 2+ billion “Munitions Acquisition – the Supply Solution” (MASS) program, inaugurated in August 2008. The latest component is a major deal with a German supplier…
Ma Deuce Still Going Strong
20-Jul-2009 13:51 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, General Dynamics, Guns - under 20mm direct
M2HB: “Aroint thee!”
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Built since the 1920s, the reliable, powerful, air-cooled .50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2 Browning Machine Gun (aka. “Ma Deuce”) is still one of the world’s most effective heavy machine guns. It can be carried by a team of soldiers, or mounted on vehicles and aircraft. Despite its age, its combination of reliability, durability, and kick-butt firepower has made it one of the most requested weapons in the Iraqi theater of war, and it remains popular around the world. Modern alternatives like FN’s M3M/GAU-21 have been introduced, and the XM307/312 remains a future possibility, but the M2 remains, as one of our correspondents put it, “the mounted lance of the US cavalry.” The USA has even had to ramp up .50 cal ammunition production, in order to keep up.
This article covers the venerable, and valuable, M2 machine gun, and associated contracts. The US government is still buying more, and has just issued a multi-year contract, and a small business secondary supplier contract…
Up to $2B for U.S. Army Munitions Orders to Alliant Techsystems
17-Jun-2009 16:10 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Ammunition, Contracts - Awards, Delivery & Task Orders, Other Corporation
Alliant Techsystems (ATK) in Minneapolis, MN received $42 million in small-caliber ammunition orders from the U.S. Army Sustainment Command in Rock Island, IL to produce 5.56mm, 7.62mm and .50-caliber ammunition. ATK Small Caliber Systems will perform work at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, MO. The orders are part of a four-year indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity contract (W52P1J-09-D-0027) worth up to $2 billion.
ATK said it began operating the LCAAP in 2000 and is the largest supplier of small-caliber ammunition to the U.S. military, producing a mix of 5.56mm, 7.62mm, .50-caliber, and 20mm cartridges, as well as ammunition links. Working in partnership with the Army, ATK has expanded manufacturing capacity at the plant, and is also under contract to modernize the facility. The company has delivered 1.4 billion rounds of ammunition in FY 2009.
The US armed forces have suffered from small arms ammunition shortages in recent years, and their reliance on the World War 2 era Lake City plant as their sole source for military small arms ammunition was a contributing factor. In addition to financing the modernization of the Lake City facility, the US military has made General Dynamics Ordnance & Tactical Systems (GD OTS) its second source supplier for small arms ammunition.
Stuck in Sichuan: Pakistani JF-17 Program Grounded? No.
09-Mar-2009 15:02 EDT |
Related Stories: Asia - Central, Asia - China, Asia - India, Avionics, Engines - Aircraft, Events, FOCUS Articles, Fighters & Attack, Finmeccanica, MBDA, New Systems Tech, Northrop-Grumman, Other Corporation, Partnerships & Consortia, Russia
FC-1/ JF-17, armed
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Back in January 2007, DID wrote:
“The military world has no shortage of irony. The defense industry has its moments too, as Pakistan just discovered. An aircraft whose development was driven by military sanctions from the US and Europe is now derailed by military sanctions. This leaves the Pakistani Air Force dependent on an alternative from… America. Meanwhile, the Chinese are left with no export launch customer for a plane they may now have to reluctantly buy themselves, instead of the favoured and more capable J-10. Somewhere in Delhi, champagne is pouring – but first, a bit of background.”
The arms market also features no shortage of change. The agreement India thought it had, was reversed by Russian autocrat Vladimir Putin. Now Pakistan has begun to take delivery of the new fighters, and is reportedly seeking additional agreements with Western firms for avionics and weapons upgrades. India’s competing Tejas fighter is overcoming project delays by looking to foreign component sources, but Pakistan and China remain out front with their offering.
The 2 countries have set up a joint JF-17 marketing agency with China to promote export sales, and signed an agreement for the first 42 operational PAF aircraft. DID has also added technical information and program history…
$102.2M for 380.6M small-cal rounds
04-Mar-2008 14:54 EST |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Ammunition, Delivery & Task Orders, Other Corporation
.50 cal goodness
ATK business Alliant Lake City Small Caliber Ammunition Co. LLC in Independence, MO recently received a pair of firm-fixed-price contracts under DAAA09-99-D-0016 for small arms ammunition from the US government. The Alliant Lake location dates back to World War 2, and had become the USA’s only facility turning out military-grade small arms ammunition. The plant is currently undergoing extensive modernization efforts, while the adoption of General Dynamics as a secondary supplier has helped to ease the USA’s supply crunch for small arms ammunition.
The 3 contracts include a pair on Feb 29/08, and another on March 3/08. The first 2 lay out $21 million for 47,855,400 small caliber (5.56mm – 12.7mm/ .50 cal) rounds, and $13.5 million for 27,779,760 rounds. The 3rd lays out $67.7 million for 304,995,920 rounds. Work on these contracts is expected to be complete by Sept 30/09; in all cases, there was 1 bid solicited on Jan 2/08, and 1 bid was received by The U.S. Army Sustainment Command in Rock Island, IL.
$52.2M to Finance Ongoing Lake City Ammo Modernization
24-Jan-2008 12:27 EST |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Ammunition, Delivery & Task Orders, Other Corporation, Policy - Procurement
The U.S. Army Sustainment Command in Rock Island, IL recently issued a delivery order for the full amount of a $52.2 million firm-fixed-price contract with ATK’s Lake City Small Caliber Ammunition Co., LLC in Independence, MO. Work will be performed in Independence, MO and is expected to be complete by Sept 30/09. One bid was solicited on Oct 31/06, and 1 bid was received (DAAA09-99-D-0016).
The contract is slated to finance the ongoing modernization and enhancement of ammunition production at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, a legacy of World War II that remains the USA’s main manufacturing plant for small caliber (.50 caliber and lower) ammunition. In July 2005, “Pass The Ammunition: Army Taking Action on Small-Cal Shortages” explained the issues American forces have faced with ammunition shortages, and the steps that have been taken over the past few years to address this issue.
Ammo Imperative: Australia Modernizes Mulwala Facility
13-Jun-2007 09:50 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Ammunition, Australia & S. Pacific, Contracts - Awards, Explosives, Issues - Political, Official Reports, Other Corporation, Policy - Procurement, Thales
Mulwala plant
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Although single base propellants have been around for over 100 years, production of this type of propellant only began in Australia during World War 2, when appropriate equipment and know-how were provided under the USA’s Lend Lease Scheme. Prior to this date, all propellants had been of the British double base type. The Mulwala gun propellant facility in New South Wales was set up to produce these commodities, and remains the sole supplier of military-grade propellants and high explosives to the Benalla ammunition plant in northern Victoria. These plants are deemed to be strategic national assets, and produce ammunition for Australia’s Defence Forces; Mulwala also produces low-grade explosives and propellants for a few other customers, including America’s NASA.
Australia isn’t the only country looking to modernize single-source ammunition facilities from World War 2 or earlier. The USA is in the same boat. The Mulwala redevelopment project has finally received full approval, and work will commence shortly – with the assistance of the same firm that owns the USA’s prime (and until recently, only) small caliber military ammunition production facility…
Continue reading…
$298M to AEY for Ammo in Afghanistan
21-Mar-2007 08:00 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Ammunition, Asia - Central, Delivery & Task Orders, Small Business
Policeman, Sabari
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Small business qualifier AEY Inc. in Miami Beach, FL received a delivery order amount of $48.7 million as part of a $298 million firm-fixed-price contract for various ammunition for the Afghanistan Security Forces. AEY, Inc. was established in 1999; unsurprisingly, Craigslist says they’re hiring.
Work will be performed in Miami, FL and is expected to be complete by Dec. 30, 2008. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on July 28, 2007, and 10 bids were received by the U.S. Army Sustainment Command in Rock Island, IL (W52P1J-07-D-0004).
Ammunition and weapon shortages been an reported issue in Afghanistan, where police and other security forces trainees have been forced to use fake wooden rifles at times.
UPDATE: A major scandal followed this award, which was reportedly contested by up to 10 firms. See “AEY’s Ammunition: Ain’t An April Fools, Alas.”
