• 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.

“Go Ahead, Make My Day”
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The US Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) awarded 10 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts for CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive) support services at Edgewood Chemical Biological Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.

ECBC is the USA’s principal research and development center for non-medical chemical and biological defense. The center develops technology in the areas of CBRNE detection, protection, and decontamination, and provides support over the entire lifecycle – from basic research through technology development, engineering design, equipment evaluation, product support, sustainment, field operations and disposal.

The 10 ID/IQ contracts have a 5-year period of performance and a total value of $485 million for all awardees. Work will be performed at ECBC facilities on Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, at contractor offices, and at other customer sites as required.

The winners of the 10 contracts are:

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• Feb 10: RF notes Tory shadow minister’s comment that Britain must be capable of acting unilaterally. Today: read Liam Fox’s full speech to the RUSI re: Britain’s coming defense review and challenges.

• Hollywood scriptwriters are preparing scenarios for the Cyber Shockwave exercise on Feb 16/10 involving top US government officials. The event is sponsored by industry and will be covered by CNN.

• France’s DGA procurement agency offers 2009 summary [ in French], says average program delays will be slightly longer.

• VCCT simulators improve convoy training, give US and allied forces an OODA loop advantage.

• Pros and Cons of Stryker wheeled APCs in Afghanistan. The Canadians know this debate well.

• Pentagon set to create a project office to manage “non standard” helicopter buys for allies – like Mi-17s for Iraq and Afghanistan.

• First flight of revamped German CH-53GA helicopter at Donauworth.

• Northrop Grumman delivers 1st AN/ZPY-1 STARlite radars for the Army’s Warrior ER/MP UAS under a $78.5 million contract.

• Northrop Grumman clarifies its SPQ-9B radar contract.

• General Dynamics awards an $18 million contract to Northrop Grumman to produce LRS-2000 rate sensor assemblies for US Army’s M1A1 Abrams tank.

• SAIC to develop integrated crew member simulators for the CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters under the US Army’s $17.5 billion STOC II contract vehicle.

• Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne hot-fire tests RS-68A upgraded engine for Delta IV rocket.

• VTOL UAV funding from… the State of Maryland.

• Iranian president warns Israel against pre-emptive attack.

• Japan and South Korea are demanding that North Korea return to talks to end its nuclear weapons program.

• Ike’s copy of Germany’s WW II surrender document up for sale – just $2.95 million.

• Russia’s top military officer says US missile defense in Europe should be curbed in new arms control treaty.

• Russia is developing the T50/PAK-FA stealth fighter, but can aircraft maker Sukhoi meet the 2015 deadline? AvWeek DTI analysis.

• Commander of Canada’s 8 Wing transport squadrons charged with 2 counts of 1st degree murder. Amid shock, another past case ruled out; but a serial killer investigation is underway. See timeline.

• India says it will integrate the Agni-III long-range missile system into the armed forces following 4th successful test launch.

• Rep. Norman Dicks, a Democrat from Washington with ties to Boeing, is expected to succeed Rep. John Murta [D-PA] as chairman of the US House defense appropriations panel.

• Textron mulls acquisitions in the defense sensor, ISR system, and military vehicle markets.

• Is Microsoft refusing to sell XBoxes to the US Army for training purposes?

• Tory leader says UK must develop military capabilities to act unilaterally if required.

• California state CIO Takai expected to be President Obama’s nominee for DoD CIO post.

• Australian uniforms: not made in China.

• US Navy Center for Information Dominance helps sailors train for Haitian languages, culture.

• SSI secures $48 million contract to provide USAF with space launch services.

• Versar and Kobe Steel get $13 million subcontract from URS to supply chemical weapons destruction technology.

Chemical weapons disposal
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To destroy chemical weapons, the US Army can’t just throw them in an incinerator. They have to be destroyed carefully so that no harmful chemicals are released into the air or water supplies.

In 2009, the US Army, working with the National Research Council (NRC), tested 4 technologies – 3 private-vendor systems and 1 Army-developed explosive destruction system (EDS) – to destroy chemical weapons. Tests were conducted at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky and the Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado.

The developers of one of the systems tested – US-based Versar and Japan’s Kobe Steel – announced [pdf] Feb 9/10 that they received a $13 million subcontract from URS Corp. to deliver their Detonation in a Vacuum Assisted Chamber (DAVINCH) system to the Deseret Chemical Depot in Tooele, UT for chemical weapons destruction. In addition to supplying the system, Versar will provide project management at the depot.

The Army testing revealed some interesting facts about the DAVINCH system…

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SSK Dolphin Class
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In November 2005, reports surfaced that that Germany would sell Israel 2 AIP-equipped SSK Dolphin Class submarines. In 2006, the deal was finalized at a total of $1.27 billion, with the German government picking up 1/3 of the cost. The new boats are built at the Howaldtswerke-Deutche Werft AG (HDW) shipyard, in the Baltic Sea coastal city of Kiel, with deliveries originally scheduled to begin in 2010.

Now, reports indicate that an additional sale may be in the offing…

• The Dolphin Class, and Its Improvements
• Contracts and Key Events [updated]
• Additional Readings
  
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LGM-30G Minuteman III
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For 50 years, land-based Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) have been part of the US primary strategic deterrence capability, the nuclear-armed triad that also includes submarine-launched ballistic missiles and long range heavy bombers.

Although the main target for the US deterrent – the Soviet Union – imploded in 1991, other threats – such as nuclear-armed rogue states and non-state actors – have emerged. To address these new threats, the US Air Force undertook a major ICBM modernization program.

To carry out this program, the USAF awarded a 15-year ICBM Prime Integration Contract (F42610-98-C-0001) in 1997 to a team led by Northrop Grumman. Since then, the team, which includes Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and ATK, has been carrying out a major modernization of the ICBM system to ensure its readiness…

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Virginia Block III bow mods
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Sperry Marine, a Charlottesville, VA-based unit of Northrop Grumman, received a $20.9 million firm-fixed-price contract (N00024-09-C-5304) to supply AN/BPS-16(v)5 navigation radar systems for 8 US Navy Virginia-class Block III nuclear attack submarines.

The AN/BPS-16(v)5 is an X-band submarine navigation radar and electronic navigation system that provides navigation surface surveillance. The radar includes a naval electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS-N) which runs on Sperry Marine’s voyage management system (VMS) software.

The Virginia-class Block III submarines are being built by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding.

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Can’t do that anymore
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BAE Systems received a contract worth up to $20 million to support the US Air Force global monitoring for nuclear treaty compliance. The company will provide engineering, research, and program management services for the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida.

AFTAC operates and maintains a global network of nuclear explosion detection sensors called the US Atomic Energy Detection System (USAEDS). Once the USAEDS senses a disturbance underground, underwater, in the atmosphere or in space, the event is analyzed for nuclear identification and findings are reported to national command authorities through USAF headquarters.

AFTAC monitors compliance with the following nuclear testing treaties:

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From these…

In the aftermath of arms control treaties, some of the USA’s nuclear-powered Ohio Class SSBN nuclear missile submarines are being converted to become long range conventional strike and special operations SSGN “Tactical Tridents.” Four ultra-stealthy Ohio-class SSBNs are having their 24 Trident II D-5 nuclear ballistic missiles removed and replaced with up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles. The USA is also adding accommodation for 66-102 special forces troops, special attachments for new Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) or older Seal Delivery Vehicle (SDV) “mini-subs,” and a mission control center. In future, the SSGNs may also carry UUV underwater robotic vehicles and even UAVs for aerial operations.

...to these
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These modifications provide the USA with an impressive and impressively flexible set of conventional firepower, in a survivable and virtually undetectable platform that can remain on station for very long periods.

DID FOCUS articles cover significant programs of record. This updated article covers the origins of this conversion program, the key players, the timeline, the key technologies involved, and comprehensive coverage of the announced contracts under this $1.4 billion refurbishment and conversion program to date. All 4 submarines have now returned to service, and they are beginning to execute key missions…

• The US Navy’s New SSGN Platform
• SSGN Conversions: Timelines & Program Contractors
• SSGN Tactical Trident: Contracts and Key Events
• SSGN Tactical Trident: Ancillary Programs [updated]
• Additional Readings
  
  Continue Reading… »