XM-7 Spider System
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The XM-7 Spider program was established to develop alternatives to persistent antipersonnel landmine in Korea along the de-militarized zone. Spider is more of a “remote explosive device” than a typical fire-and-forget land mine. It is detonated by soldier command, and that soldier can even use non-lethal canisters if those have been loaded.

Unlike conventional land mines, the XM-7 Spider always has a known location, and can be safely recovered with ease and and readied for a new deployment if it has not been fired. If that isn’t possible for some reason, the units will deactivate after a set time period so they won’t become a future threat. The XM-7 is the successor to the Matrix system deployed in Iraq, and part of the USA’s Non-Self-Destructing Anti-Personnel Landmine Alternatives (NSD-A) program.

• Anatomy of a Spider
• The XM-7 Spider Program
• Contracts and Key Events
• Additional Readings
  
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Vehicle mounted systems are one element of the USA’s Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (JCREW 2) program. Lockheed Martin’s Symphony IED Jammer System is a programmable, vehicle mounted radio-frequency IED jammer with a role that’s similar to other fielded systems including Elisra’s EJAB, as well as ICE and ITT’s Warlock/ JCREW.

Neither Lockheed nor the Army are releasing details concerning the Symphony system, but it is known to come from the Canadian/UK firm Allen-Vanguard, who also acts in this capacity for General Dynamics ATP via their Med-Eng subsidiary. Outside the USA, Allen-Vanguard supplies jamming devices directly to Canada, Australia, and various European militaries. Symphony orders are continuing, with another delivery set recently ordered for the USA’s MRAP program…

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Ronco Consulting Corp. in Washington, DC received a $16.5 million firm-fixed-price contract for de-mining and unexploded explosive ordnance removal in Afghanistan. Work will be performed in Afghanistan, and is expected to be complete by March 28, 2008. There were 414 bids solicited on Feb. 25, 2007, and 2 bids were received (popular job, evidently). The Joint Contracting Command – Iraq/Afghanistan in Baghdad, Iraq issued the contracts (W91B4N-07-F-0028).

Since 1981, Ronco Consulting has worked extensively on more than 300 development projects, and over 200 mine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), and security projects around the world. The firm is currently operational in Afghanistan (including both aid work and work in “the scariest place I had ever seen”), Sudan, Eritrea, Iraq, Lebanon, Mozambique, Sri Lanka – and even stateside in the USA. By most accounts, however, Afghanistan is the most heavily mined country in the world; a souvenir from the Soviet era.

Ronco Consulting is hiring, but be aware that they’re a “drug-free workplace.” Damn, we sure would hope so.

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The Naval Facilities Engineering Command Washington in Washington, DC has issued contracts for construction of facilities at Indian Head, MD related to explosives disposal and counter-IED work. NAVSEA’s Energetics Center also resides at Indian Head, which makes it an appropriate location to address issues like IED land mines.

Thus far, all contracts have been awarded to John C. Grimberg Co., Inc. of Rockville, MD.

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APOBS

The Anti-Personnel Obstacle Breaching System (APOBS) is used to clear areas and create footpaths for troops moving in an area with mines or wire obstacles. It replaces the Bangalore Torpedo, which was heavier, took longer to set up, and required four times the number of people to carry.

Now small business qualifier Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Co. in Simsbury, CT has received a $12.6 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for production, testing, and delivery of APOBS. Video of APOBS in action can be found on the company’s web site [QuickTime, Low-Res 182 kb | Hi-Res 1.2 MB]. This contract also has the potential to increase in value very significantly…

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AN/PSS-14 at work

In late December 2005, DID noted that the USA has spent $1 billion on humanitarian land-mine removal over the last 10 years. A year ago, on August 16, 2005, we noted a $38 million contract to CyTerra for its AN/PSS-14 (formerly HSTAMIDS) Mine Detection Sets. Someone must have liked them, because L-3 recently announced that its March 2006 acquisition CyTerra has received a 10-year, $300 million contract for over 17,000 more sets as well as Sweep Monitoring Systems for training, Training Target Sets, and worldwide training and support. The value of the first order is approximately $24 million. The US Army and Marines currently have about 2,000 delivered sets in their possession. See corporate release.

Cyterra is an excellent example of the small-mid cap dynamic in the US defense sector generally.

The AN/PSS-14 employs a state-of-the-art metal detector and ground penetrating radar (GPR), coupled with an advanced microprocessor array and software in order to achieve a high probability of detection (in excess of 95%) for both large and small metallic and even nonmetallic antitank and antipersonnel mines. They’ve even been used to find underground pipes in civilian applications. It also significantly reduces the number of false targets or alarms. The apparatus weighs approximately eight pounds, uses standard batteries and can be operated by a single Soldier. See this U.S. Army page re: all countermine equipment in current use.

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M1114 On Patrol in Iraq

The Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command in Warren, MI has issued a trio of recent modifications under a firm-fixed-price contract (DAAE07-01-C-S001) to AM General LLC in South Bend, IN for M1151 and M1152 Humvee up-armored jeeps. The awards total $191.9 million ($75.8 million M1152 + $9 million M1152 2-man + $107.1 million M1151-P1). Work will be performed in South Bend, IN, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2007. This was a sole source contract initiated on July 17, 2000.

DID has been reporting substantial contracts for these vehicles since March 4, 2005. M1151s are Enhanced Armament Carriers, M1152s are Enhanced Troop/ Cargo/ Shelter Carriers, and M1152P1s are ambulances. They’re based on the same “A2” chassis as the M1114 up-armored Humvee and may be hard to tell apart, but there is an important difference….

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Buffalo. Soldier.
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Small business qualifier Force Protection Industries Inc. in Ladson, SC received an $18.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for Buffalo Mine Protected Clearance Vehicles. Work will be performed in Ladson, S.C., and is expected to be complete by Feb. 28, 2007. This was a sole source contract initiated on Jan. 27, 2006. The U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command in Warren, MI (W56HZV-06-C-0245).

The Buffalo is related to the Cougar family of V-hulled protected trucks, and incorporates a frontal blades/shovel attachment for dealing with IED land mines. It has seen service with a number of specialty units in-theater, as noted in David Axe’s recent coverage of the North Dakota National Guard’s 164th Engineer Regiment in Iraq. Also known as “The Claw” to some of the local Islamist paramilitary death-squads, it is heavily armored and has an outstanding safety record – but not a perfect one, and the reason why not is a truly classic story…

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Elisra’s EJAB

General Dynamics Armament and Technical Product (GDATP) in Burlington, VT won a $289 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity letter contract is for 3,858 Ground Mobile Electronics Counter Measure (ECM) Systems. This contract is for the development/design, integrate, test, production and installation of a Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Device ECM high powered jammer to include associated engineering, support, maintenance documentation and logistic, technical and field service support. This equipment will be deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). GDATP had no details on its site, but the devices sound similar to EDO’s Warlock, Elbit Elisra’s EJAB, the US military’s ICE, et. al.

This contract was competitively procured, with two offers received. Work will be performed in Burlington, VT (23%); Hanahan, SC (22%); and Sterling Heights, MI (7%); with the other half being performed by GDATP’s Canadian subcontractor, Marconi Electronic Systems in Ottawa, Canada (48%). Marconi, in-turn, plans to subcontract work to companies back in the United States, with a large portion going to a firm in Wisconsin. The work is expected to be completed July 2006. The Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, VA issued the contract (M67854-06-D-7004).

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Polish patrol, Iraq
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Elbit Systems’ 100% subsidiary Elisra Electronic Systems has received an order estimated at $3 million from the Polish Ministry of Defense for its unique EJAB (Electronic Jammer Against Bombs) system. Designed to thwart remotely activated explosive devices, EJAB will support the Polish Army’s forces in Iraq and work to help keep them safe from IED land mines. Judging by the doorless jeep picture on the left, the portability of Elisra’s EJAB will make it a timely purchase indeed.

DID’s report follows with a picture of the device, plus aditional details covering the order, EJAB itself and some recent shifts in Polish tactical doctrine. Not to mention a reason why every single one of us has a personal stake in the continued success of this technology…

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