Up to $160M to ManTech to support LRSW space launch operations. (March 23/10)

The US Air Force’s Launch and Range Systems Wing (LRSW) is modernizing the US space launch ranges – the Eastern Range (Patrick AFB, FL) and the Western Range (Vandenberg AFB, CA)

A focus on LRSW’s modernization efforts is the US Launch & Test Range System (LTRS), which consists of ground-based surveillance, navigation, flight operations and analysis, command and control, communications and weather assets located at the Eastern Range and the Western Range.

The majority of the equipment supporting the US space launch ranges was installed during the 1960s and 1970s. Multiple LTRS upgrade efforts are underway including the Range Standardization and Automation (RSA) program, ongoing Instrumentation Modernization (IM) projects, numerous recapitalization efforts, and various depot support projects to reduce operations and sustainment costs. The current modernization efforts is replacing approximately 20% of the system.

The LRSW uses contractors to support its modernization work…

• Oppenheimer analyst boosts Boeing’s rating, cuts Lockheed Martin’s.

• Australia’s first 3 F/A-18F Block II Super Hornets begin their flight to Australia.

• Helibras breaks ground on new manufacturing facility for Brazil’s EC725 medium helicopters.
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• EADS CEO says the company is looking to buy a medium-sized defense company in the US; last US acquisition was PlantCML.

• The use of metrology assisted machining, manufacturing, and assembly is growing in the aerospace sector.

• Strategy Analytics: Annual market for SATCOM-related electronics to grow from $796 million in 2009 to nearly $2.58 billion in 2020.

• Der Spiegel Online attempts to cover the growing use of UAVs, includes interview with Brookings’ Peter Singer (vid. “In the Loop? Armed Robots and the Future of War”)

• US Navy i-ENCON program saves 354,000 barrels of fuel during Q1 2010; 4.9% better than Q4 2009.

• WIRED Danger Room looks at ongoing issues with removable storage in US military, and the flip-side of its cyber-security efforts for operations.

• Boeing completes design of US Navy free electron laser weapon system to take out high-speed cruise missiles.

• Honeywell gets US Army order to maintain Cold War era Washington-Moscow hotline.

• CACI secures $219 million contract to provide C4ISR and IT to SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic.

• GAO blocks $1 billion contract award to Xe Services, formerly known as Blackwater, to train Afghan police, upholding DynCorp protest. Washington Post | Business Week | GovExec | DynCorp release

• European shipbuilder consortium (Fincantieri, Damen, Meyer Werft, STX, Thyssen Krupp) and EU sign grant agreement for 3.5 year BESST (Breakthrough in European Ship and Shipbuilding Technologies) project.

• Defense Threat Reduction Agency is looking for industry input for a robotic underground munition that would be an air-dropped mobile platform capable of drilling underground to deliver munitions. FedBizOpps notice | Ubergizmo.com | Tech Journal

• USJFCOM tests Lockheed Martin’s Valiant Angel system to sort through full-motion video from UAVs and sensors.

• New T-11 parachute doubles the number of paratroopers that can be deployed, according to US Army testing.

• L-3 gets $20.9 million order to build 4 F-16 flight simulators for the USAF.

• Canada awards C$14.9 million contract to M. Sullivan & Son to build a new 6,139 square meter health center at Canadian Forces Base Kingston.

• CSBA Paper looks at potential US responses to China’s sea-denial doctrines: “Why AirSea Battle?” [PDF]. Defense Tech moves to strike up a conversation.

• Indian Air Force signs EUR 560 million contract for 12 AW101 VIP helicopters.

• Are trans-Atlantic defense partnerships viable? Wall Street Journal weighs in.

• So do European governments and firms, as ripples continue to spread from the KC-X tanker bid pullout by Round 1 winners EADS/Northrop Grumman.

• US and South Korea exercises prelude to that country taking over wartime operational control of its forces in 2012. Defense against WMD a focus. DoD article | CCTV.com report | AFP | Korea Herald | JoongAng Daily

• Navistar expects orders for US military trucks to raise profits in 2010.

• L-3’s STRATIS division wins $230.9 million contract recompete to provide intelligence support services to US and multinational forces in Iraq; division also snags $24.8 million US Special Ops imagery contract.

• Sikorsky’s H-92/CH-148 Cyclone naval helicopter prototype arrives in Canada for trials.

• Northrop demonstrates LITENING surveillance and targeting pod on a Super Hornet; Raytheon’s ATFLIR had been the only qualified option.

• South Africa: “Navy ready to defend World Cup.” We still don’t think that will be enough to stop the Brazilians.

• China expects to boost defense spending by 7.5% this year, compared to a 14.9% increase in 2009. Washington Post | Wall Street Journal | Los Angeles Times | Xinhua News Agency

• French-Russian gas deal seen as possible preliminary to sale of Mistral amphibious assault ships.

• General Dynamics and Austal will reportedly end their LCS partnership, and plan to bid on Littoral Combat Ship contracts separately.

• Israel adding overlapping surveillance systems, RWS, along Gaza border.

• USAF looking at options to preserve F-22 production tooling. An especially good idea if they actually intend to start retiring F-22s in 2025.

• As cluster munitions treaty prepares to activate on Aug 1/10, US DoD states that “The United States is not a party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions and is not bound by its obligations…”

• US Army launches “Apps for the Army” competition for internal developers. But they already have “Gator Six”...

• Orbital Sciences to acquire General Dynamics’ satellite manufacturing unit for $55 million in cash.

• Boeing transfers on-orbit control, as USAF accepts Wideband Global SATCOM broadband satellite #3.

• Lockheed Martin CEO Stevens sees 10% drop in compensation because of bonus and incentive pay shortfalls.

Up to $32 million to Lockheed Martin for submarine satellite communication prototype. (March 5/10)

An impressive 18 companies won indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contracts to develop integration and management technology for radio frequency (RF) radar and communications functions on future naval platforms. The contracts are being awarded by the Office of Naval Research for its Integrated Topside (InTop) Program, which will develop a scalable family of electronic warfare, radar and communication equipment to support multiple classes of ships and other Navy platforms. Each contract has an ordering ceiling of between $50 million and $800 million.

InTop plans to reduce the number of topside equipment on Navy ships through a modular/ open RF architecture…

• White House releases its Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative, which includes plans to deploy intrusion detection and prevention systems throughout the US federal government.

• Up to $187.4 million to L-3 for US Navy systems engineering and technical support services.

• ITT snags $45 million order to support US military prepositioned equipment at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait under US Army’s FIRST contract [PDF].

• New Zealand army awards $100 million contract to Lockheed Martin to provide warehousing and repair services.

• Canadian Forces release latest suicide rates, program information. For comparison, the Canadian male rate was 17.9 per 100,000 in 2005, and would be higher if restricted to forces-eligible age ranges.

• Northrop Grumman seeking small businesses to join its GMD missile defense bid. Industry Day on March 11/10, in Huntsville, AL.

• Navantia delivering patrol vessels to Venezuela.

• USAF updating GPS-II ground control software.

• “Bet you’re surprised” category: 3 US Navy facilities nominated for wildlife conservation awards.

• Research and Markets: Study finds that technology companies have role to play in beefing up early warning systems for regional conflicts.

• Australian government continues to update their Defence Capability Plan 2009-2013 online, as promised.

• POGO says US Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) is resisting meaningful reform, advocates independent agency status.

• Is a deal to modernize India’s Mirage 2000 fighter fleet any closer? Depends on whom you ask.

• DARPA is looking for commercially available smart phone apps that can be used on the battlefield.

• NCI told to stop work on task order to support BRAC-mandated C4I/IT move to Fort Meade because of protest filed with GAO.

• Curtiss-Wright to supply $25 million Advanced Mission Management System to Northrop Grumman for US Navy’s BAMS UAS program.

• Lockheed Martin gets $23 million contract to provide computer systems for modernization of the USAF’s Launch & Test Range System.

• Will Northrop Grumman’s new compensation focus on profitability rather than growing market share kill KC-X tanker bid?

• US Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn asks for an extension to finalize a 3rd multiyear Super Hornet/ EA-18G deal.

• USAF, Northrop Grumman to redesign B-2 stealth bomber’s aft deck to lessen cracking .

• G2 Solutions: US Army tactical UAS competitions could total $2.6 billion between 2013 and 2025.

• Bill Sweetman on F-35 program: “Remember this distinction: The Donner Party was on track. They were not on schedule.”

• Pentagon moves F-35 JSF fighter full-rate production to November 2015, withholds $614 million from Lockheed Martin as promised earlier, restructures contract.

• Lockheed Martin-led team fabricates the world’s largest (16.4 foot diameter) heat shield structure, under budget and early.

• USA’s Ground Combat Vehicle next-generation armor: BAE (platform) teams with Northrop Grumman (C4ISR).

• Australia’s naval helicopter competition is officially on: MH-60R vs. NH90-NFH.

• UK Takeover Panel gives Babcock a 1 month deadline to complete GBP 1.25 billion purchase of UK defense firm VT Group.

• British medics get blood warming equipment to treat wounded in Afghanistan.

• BAE Systems will provide mission computer systems for the Indian Navy’s P-8I maritime patrol aircraft.