Rapid Fire 2011-04-27: Tactical Cryptologic Systems

Apr 26, 2011 22:46 UTC by Defense Industry Daily staff

The Pentagon is launching a preferred supplier program. Companies who receive high marks in the Defense Department’s performance-tracking system may see better performance payments and other rewards. The Pentagon will also encourage more use of contract provisions that provide companies a share of any savings they produce on existing programs, under its broader “Better Buying Power Initiative.” If they have not yet taken an in-depth look at Chrysler’s 1990s supplier initiatives, they ought to.
Lockheed Martin’s net income fell slightly to $530 million for the first quarter of 2011, despite a 3% increase in sales.
India is reportedly getting close to awarding $1 billion contract for intermediate trainers. Of course, “close” is a relative term when we’re talking about India. The contenders include turboprops like Embraer’s EMB-314 Super Tucano, Pilatus’ PC-7 Mk.II, KAI’s KT-1, and the side-by-side Grob 120TP; and Alenia Aermacchi’s M-311 jet.

Botswana buys 5 Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II turboprop trainers for about $44.8 million, to replace its 6 old Pilatus PC-7 turboprops. They’ll be used as lead-ins for the country’s wider fleet, which includes F-5/CF-116 fighters.

South Africa also flies PC-7 Mk.IIs, via upgrades. They’ll need those, and their recent Hawk trainer upgrades, to compensate for the inadequate flight hours available to their new JAS-39C/D Gripen fighter fleet.

L-3 Communications plans to repurchase $1.5 billion worth of its common stock through April 30/13.

Centurum gets $82.3 million contract to provide tactical cryptologic system support to the US and UK navies.

Harris receives $20.4 million US Army order to supply the Falcon II AN/VRC-104(V)3 high-frequency vehicular radio system – which includes the Falcon II AN/PRC-150-C tactical radio – for use in multiple variants of MRAP vehicles.

Raytheon announces that they have delivered the 1st SM-6 naval air defense missile to the US Navy, but their announcement implies that the delivery actually took place in March 2011.

Radar testing begins for the MFAS that will equip the US Navy’s MQ-4C BAMS UAV, a Global Hawk derivative.

Syria deploys tanks, troops, and snipers to Deraa, killing 25.