F-35A AA-1
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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). 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. As a result of reader feedback, we’ll make the new material more visible by putting it in green type. Recent news involves insight into the program’s integrated global design & production process, a weapons change, and an effort to make its engine lighter…

• The F-35 Family of Aircraft (i.e. “Continue reading…”)
• F-35 Program: Production Timelines & Structure
• F-35 Program: Events & Developments (FY 2007-08) [updated]
• F-35 Program: System Development & Production Contracts (FY 2006-08)
• F-35 Program: Ancillary and Sub-contracts [updated]
• Additional Readings & Sources
  
  Continue Reading… »

HMMWV, IEDed
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Paradigm Technologies, Inc. (Paradigm) recently recveived a $15.7 million Task Order to provide Business and Financial Management Support Services to the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle Joint Program Office in Quantico, Virginia. The Task Order, awarded through the Naval Sea Systems Command’s SeaPort-e, includes a base year and 4 one-year options.

The MRAP Vehicle Program fits with a strong international trend, and seeks to replace vulnerable, flat-bottomed Hummers with vehicles designed from the ground up to resist land mine blasts. It is a Joint, Acquisition Category (ACAT) 1D program that is currently the number 1 Department of Defense priority program, with a DX priority rating for materials that is usually reserved for items like nuclear submarines. The program is currently in the procurement phase, and is valued at about $25 billion over Fiscal Years 2007 – 2009. The Joint Program Office (JPO) is led by Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Virginia.

Under this contract (N00178-05-D-4486-EH02), Paradigm is teamed with Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) to provide comprehensive Business and Financial Management support to the MRAP JPO, in order to support the successful execution of the MRAP Vehicle program. This kind of support usually comes from professionals with domain experience – in this case, business and financial management support personnel with extensive ACAT 1 program experience. For further background context, see also the recent US GAO report covering the Pentagon’s use of contractors for acquisition assistance, and likely trends in this area.

EA-6B Prowler
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With the retirement of the US Air Force’s long-range EF-111 Raven “Spark ‘Vark,” the aging 4-seat EA-6B Prowlers are now the USA’s sole remaining tactical aircraft type for radar jamming, communications jamming and information operations like signals interception. They’ve been predictably busy as a result. In Iraq, they’ve been used for everything from escorting strike aircraft against heavily defended targets during the opening days of the war, to disrupting enemy IED attacks by jamming all radio signals in an area.

All airframes have lifespan limits, however, and the EA-6B is no exception. The aircraft’s 50 year old airframe design is also something of a mixed blessing. It offers excellent range, carrying capacity, and efficient subsonic performance – at the expense of poor self-defense capabilities, and difficulty keeping up with friendly aircraft traveling at high subsonic speeds.

EA-18G at Pax
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By 2009, therefore, a new electronic warfare aircraft is scheduled to make its appearance – one based on a new airframe, with strong self-defense capabilities as well as electronic attack potential. The EA-18G Growler is based on Boeing’s 2-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet multi-role fighter (which traces its history from the Northrop YF-17 and McDonnell Douglas F-18) and has 90% commonality, just as its predecessor the EA-6B was based on Grumman’s robust A-6 Intruder attack aircraft. At present, it is slated to be the only dedicated electronic warfare aircraft in the USA’s future force – and since the USA is the only western country with such aircraft, the EA-18G would be the sole source of tactical jamming support for NATO air forces as a whole.

This is DID’s focus article for the USA’s EA-18G Program, describing the aircraft and key systems, outlining the program, and keeping track of ongoing developments, contracts, et. al. that affect the program. New items will be highlighted via green type. The latest items involve facilities upgrades at a key base and part for their electronic attack kits, as the USA gets ready to open the throttle on EA-18G production…

• EA-18G: The Platform
• EA-18G: The Program
• EA-18G: Contracts & Other Key Developments [updated]
• Appendix A: The EA-18G and the Future Force Mix
• Appendix B: Additional Readings and Sources
  
  Continue Reading… »

Applied Engineering Management Corp. received a not to exceed $36.2 million firm-fixed-price task order under a previously awarded contract (N00178-05-D-4183, #JN01) to provide maintenance for Electronic Navy Housing (eNH). eNH is an integrated enterprise system that supports housing business processes and program management throughout the Department of the Navy housing enterprise, and is compliant with Navy information technology specifications including the Navy-Marine Corps Intranet.

The firm will also provide on-site systems analyst and program management support for CNIC (Commander, Navy Installations Command) Housing, and providing contractor technical support representatives and systems integrators to offer technical and project management support for eNH’s mission critical human resource management, baseloading and Inventory and Utilization (I&U) modules.

Work will be performed in Virginia (90%); California (8%); and Colorado (2%), and is expected to be complete in March 2009 (March 2013 if all options are exercised). This task order was initially sent out only to small businesses, with only 1 proposal received at almost 3 times the government estimate. It was then solicited to both small and large businesses, with 2 offers received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic in Norfolk, VA issued the contract.

NSC 1 Bertholf
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The US Coast Guard’s massive $25 billion Deepwater meta-program (really Deepwater-II given post-9/11 changes) has endured more than its share of ups and downs. Nevertheless, Congressional support remains strong, and efforts are being made to restructure the program and get it back on track. “Voted Off the Island: The USCG’s Deepwater FRC Program” offered an in-depth look into the difficulties faced by the USCG’s Island Class cutter modification program, and by the Deepwater Fast Response Cutter that was supposed to replace it. “US Coast Guard’s Deepwater Effort Hits More Rough Sailing” covers recent program developments more generally.

The Legend Class National Security Cutters are the largest ships in the Deepwater program, and represent the program’s flagship in more ways than one. The 418 foot, 4,300 ton ships will be frigate-sized vessels with a 21 foot draughts¹, and are rather larger than the 379 foot, 3,250 ton Hamilton Class High Endurance Cutters (HECs) they will replace. Controversies regarding durability and potential hull fatigue, as well as significant cost overruns, have shadowed the new cutter’s construction. Nevertheless, the program appears to be moving forward.

This DID FOCUS Article covers recent developments concerning the Legend Class cutters. The latest developments include ongoing trials for the first-of-class ship, delayed delivery, a tempest over TEMPEST, and a GAO report that looks at the state of the program…

• Quick Background: The Deepwater Program
• The Legend Class National Security Cutters
• The Pitfalls of Being a Legend: NSC Issues & Action [updated]
• Legend Class Program: Contracts & Key Events [updated]
• Additional Readings [updated]
  
  Continue Reading… »

AN/PAS-13 family
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Thermal sights see heat. As our in-depth explanation of night vision devices notes, this has advantages in complete darkness, or in the presence of obscurants like dust storms, normal smoke, et. al. because they can still pick out human and vehicle targets. Using deep infared viewers also avoids “blooms” or whiteouts if someone flashes a bright light source like a flashlight at you. On the other hand, unless the lines on your map or lettering on that street sign have different heat values, thermal/ “deep infared” sights aren’t going to help very much. This is why most 3rd and 4th generation night vision goggles use a combination of thermal and light intensifier technologies.

The AN/PAS-13 thermal weapons sights are used in more limited capacities, either as weapons sights or without a weapon as a sort of hand-held “night telescope.” The second generation of these sights is now being fielded, and was recently the subject of additional multi-billion orders from the US military. DID explains the sights, what a “microbolometer” is and why it matters, and the contracts so far…...

• AN/PAS-13 thermal weapon sights
• New TWS: Contracts & Key Events
• Additional Readings
  
  Continue Reading… »

L-3 Communications has moved to buy Northrop Grumman’s Electro-Optical Systems (EOS) business for $175 million in cash. L-3 currently offers EO/IR (electro-optical/infrared) sensors, high-definition turrets, tactical sights and laser designators for air, land and sea applications. Northrop Grumman’s EOS’ portfolio is itself the result of absorbing multiple firms and includes night vision goggles, weapons sights, driver viewers, image intensification tubes and applied optics products. The sale should be completed in the second quarter of 2008, subject to standard regulatory approvals.

L-3 EO/IR, Inc. is a division of the L-3 Communications EO/IR Group, comprising: L-3 WESCAM (Canada); L-3 Sonoma EO; L-3 EO/IR, Inc.; and L-3 Broadcast Sports, Inc. In L-3’s words, “EO/IR, Inc. acts as a contracting agency to permit a select group of important U.S. customers to contract with L-3 WESCAM via a U.S. entity. EO/IR, Inc. also deals with all export controls and licensing issues for the EO/IR Group under the direction of L-3’s Washington Office. In addition, EO/IR, Inc. facilitates the pursuit of major U.S. Defense programs for both L-3 WESCAM and L-3 Sonoma EO.”

Northrop Grumman’s EOS business is headquartered in Garland, TX, and generated approximately $190 million of sales for the year ended Dec 31/07. L-3 expects the firm to be immediately accretive to its earnings, and James W. Dunn, president of L-3’s Sensors and Simulation Group, says that “Including EOS, L-3’s EO/IR businesses will generate approximately $800 million in annual sales, with growth exceeding 10%.” L-3 release | NGC release.

M249-CB SAW
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FN Manufacturing Inc. in Columbia, SC received a $7.7 million firm-fixed price contract for 17,433 M249 Short Barrels. Work will be performed in Columbia, SC, and is expected to be complete by Oct 31/08. There was one bid solicited on Sept 24/03, and 1 bid was received. The U.S. Army TACOM LCMC, Rock Island, IL isued the contract (DAAE20-03-C-0100).

The M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW, aka. “Minimi”) is a 5.56mm gas-operated, air-cooled, belt or magazine-fed light machine gun used in US Army and Marine Corps squads as a higher volume of fire complement to the M-16 rifle or M4 carbine. It weighs 16.41 pounds and can fire 100 rounds per minute in sustained fire, or 200 rounds at its practical rapid rate. Note that this contrasts with maximum theoretical “cyclic rate” of 650-850 rounds/ minute continuous fire, which is far less accurate and requires barrel replacement once per minute due to heating issues. While most SAW variants will accept M-16 or M4 magazines, the Army Field Manual instructs soldiers to “Use the 20- or 30-round magazine for emergency use only when linked ammunition is not available.” A 200 round drum or less-noisy 100 round soft pouch is frequently used instead, and the weapon is belt-fed [good YouTube video shows loading]. A more compact variant known as the Mk46 is used by Special Forces, and by the US Navy.

The M249 has many positive characteristics, but has been the subject of some complaints from the field…

Continue Reading… »

“Build it right, maggots!”
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The Ttec-Tesoro Joint Venture in Norcross, GA received a $21.5 million firm-fixed price contract for design-build of the Consolidated Drill Sergeant School at Fort Jackson, SC. It includes classrooms, dining facility and administrative areas. There were 4 bids solicited on Nov 1/07, and 4 bids were received by the U.S. Army Engineer District in Savannah, GA (W912HN-07-D-0058).

NOTE: The actor R. Lee “Gunny” Emery from the movie Full Metal Jacket, History Channel’s “Mail Call”, his own web site, et. al. is the best-known popular representation of an American Drill Sgt. Good public domain pictures of that type are scarce; nevertheless, his character was a Marine, and so is Gunnery Sergeant R. Lee Emery (ret.). After due consideration, and with full respect for our favorite Gunnery Sgt., we have switched the picture to U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Rayford, the 2003 Drill Sergeant of the Year winner at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

C-17 #1 Arrives
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In March 2006, the Australian government announced that the Australian Defence Forces will acquire up to 4 new Boeing C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlift planes and associated equipment for A$ 2 billion ($1.49 billion then conversion). The first aircraft will be delivered to Australia later in 2006, with the balance of the fleet originally slated for to delivery by mid 2008.

Since then, aircraft have been rolling off the assembly line, and flying the (un)friendly skies to support Australia’s military – and now the last aircraft has arrived. DID chronicles the entire process…

• Australia: Why the C-17?
• Australia: C-17 Related Contracts & Events
• Appendix A: A New Day for Boeing’s C-17? (April 2006)
  
  Continue Reading… »