New Data Matrix UID

In order to support recent U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) policies “for the Unique Identification (UID) of Tangible Items” The Uniform Code Council, Inc. announced today that it has published the Guidelines for Application of EAN.UCC Unique Identification (UID) Markings to Items in the Supply Chain. The Uniform Code Council is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the development and implementation of standards-based global supply chain solutions, including the Universal Product Code (UPC) bar-coding system.

IAI Harpy UAV

DID had covered the issue of Israel’s Harpy anti-radar UAV sale to China before, noting that it had stalled cooperation on the American F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program but that negotiations were ongoing. That situation now appears to be resolved. UAVs Blog links an article that reports:

“A compromise has been reached with the US over the Harpy anti-radar unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), produced by Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI), which were sold to China. The Harpies China sent to IAI for what was called “repairs”, will not be upgraded, while the US has withdrawn its demand that Israel confiscate them….Sources in Washington said that following the Harpy compromise, technological cooperation in the JSF program would resume. They added that an announcement to this effect was possible during Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz’s upcoming visit to Washington in July.”

See also this excellent analysis from the Jamestown Foundation re: the longer-term implications for the Israeli defense industry.

UPDATE: Resolution is ongoing, but it was rockier than expected.

To note that cross-ownership within Europe’s defense sector gives its ownership structures a Byzantine level of complexity is to utter a truism rather than a criticism. This NDIA diagram from Boeing, updated on Feb. 3, 2003, may help untangle the web (locally-stored version).

AGS fires LRLAP

BAE acquisition United Defense LP’s Armament Systems Division in Minneapolis, MN received a not to exceed ceiling $376 million cost-plus-award-fee contract for continuation of design, development and test of the 155mm Advanced Gun System (AGS), in support of the DD (X) Destroyer program. The contract includes the fully automated gun, magazine and Long Range Land Attack Projectile (LRLAP).

The AGS is a 155mm Gun Weapon System planned for installation in the DD (X) Destroyers to provide high-volume, sustainable gunfire in support of amphibious operations and joint land battles. The DD (X), in turn, is envisioned as a land attack destroyer with strong stealth features and other enhancements that enable it to get close to shore in a war zone and still survive. As DID noted in its recent coverage, the DD (X) program had its costs capped at $1.7 billion per ship (current estimates are $3 billion) in the proposed Congressional FY 2006 budget. Note that this provision has not been finalized.

Fiber Laser Test

East Granby, CT firm Nufern, the largest independent manufacturer of fiber laser and amplifier modules and specialty optical fiber, is being awarded a $25 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for high power/ high energy fiber laser applications.

MGPTS module

Johnson Outdoors in Binghamton, NY is being awarded a maximum $15.9 million firm fixed price contract for Army Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps for Modular General Purpose Tent Systems (MGPTS).

Lest we forget…

Today is Memorial Day in the U.S. On most days, Defense Industry Daily works to put out “daily news for procurement managers and defense contractors” by offering procurement news with perspective that puts it in context, discussing trends in the defense and security sectors, and bringing in relevant reports from the field. Today, we choose instead to spend a day saluting and remembering the people for whom we all do this – the soldiers, airmen, and sailors on the front lines.

Winds of Change.NET offers a comprehensive roundup of links to organizations that support troops in the field and their families. The list includes American, Australian, British, Canadian, Danish, Israeli, and Polish troops; plus organizations acting on behalf of civilians and contractors in the war zones.

Chair of the Joint Chiefs
Gen. Richard B. Myers

Every Memorial Day, the Pentagon becomes a rallying point of a different kind, as it hosts one of the largest motorbike rallies in the world. “Rolling Thunder” pays tribute to those killed in Vietnam, and remembers the missing from all American conflicts. The number of riders has grown each year since the rally was first held in 1988 – last year, an estimated 400,000 motorcycles made the ride.

Former Army Ranger and U.S. military officer Blackfive writes about Memorial Day:

“Of course, Memorial Day is about remembering the sacrifices that our military men and women have made over the last 229 years. We are still a young nation, but one that has made many sacrifices to remain free. We should also take time to remember the families who have lost loved ones.

I have focused on just a few of the fallen over the last few years. I’ve lost three good friends during the War on Terror. And I write about the others to ensure that we don’t forget their sacrifices – I do that for me as much as for anybody. I can’t speak for the friends of the many others who have fallen, but for Mat, Cooter, and Mike, I can say this -”