DID SSGN FOCUS Article Updated

From these…

DID has a FOCUS Article covering the strike and special operations SSGN “Tactical Trident” submarines. Four ultra-stealthy Ohio-class SSBNs are having their ballistic missiles removed and replaced with up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles – as well as accomodation for 66-102 special forces troops, SEAL delivery vehicle (SDV) “mini-subs,” and a mission control center. In future, they may also carry UUV robotic vehicles, even as the soldiers on board launch UAVs.

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.

…to these

Our DID Focus article for the SSGN program discusses the origins of these conversions, the key players, the timeline, and some of the technologies involved. DID also offers comprehensive coverage of the announced contracts and key milestones to date under this $1.4 billion refurbishment and conversion program, and even includes a section with a number of ancillary contracts and programs. Recent additions include sea trial information, more detailed dates, and additional pictures of the subs during and after conversion. Read “SSGN “Tactical Trident” Subs: Special Forces and Super Strike.”

$12.4M for more OSSCAR Efforts

NC-130H test bed

Small business qualifier Compass Systems, Inc. in Lexington Park, MD received a $12.4 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the research and development for various command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting programs, sensors, mission and targeting systems, communication suites, and small aircraft vehicle systems. These efforts are in support of the Roll-On Roll-Off Sensor System for the Contingency Airborne Response program.

Adara Tapped for Network Help at NHRC

Adara Networks, Inc. in Scotts Valley, CA received a $7.3 million firm-fixed-price contract for designing and testing an integrated service platform to solve problems of network latency, scalability and integration complexity for the Naval Health Research Center. Which leads one to ask the question on everybody’s mind: do they make house calls?

They probably do, but only for people with very complex in-house networks. Their NPX(TM) technology coordinates all sites, servers, and content in the network using a GOLD (Generic Object Locator by Distance) approach. The system builds tables that contain the best location for objects on the network, then maintains and updates the tables. This provide a single platform for additional network services and objects, and offers global load balancing, fail-over capability, and dynamic content management/ object re-location. Low-overhead encryption is also part of NPX’s services. See technology page for relevant Flash movies.

This contract for the Naval Health Research Center also covers evaluation and project support. Work will be performed in San Jose, CA (85%); Charleston, SC (10%); San Diego, CA (2%); Dahlgren, VA (1%); Patuxent River (1%); and Quantico, VA (1%), and is expected to be complete by May 2008. This contract was awarded competitively through Navy Electronic Commerce Online, with 1 offer received by the Fleet and Industrial Supply Center in San Diego, CA (N00244-07-C-0027).

Memorial Day 2007

Honor & Reflect

Monday, May 28, 2007 is Memorial Day in the USA. DID honors those who have given all of their tomorrows in American military service; we will not be publishing. Carmella LaSpada is executive director of the White House Commission on Remembrance which was set up by Congress in 2000, and urges Americans to remember and honor the true spirit and purpose of Memorial Day:

“The national Moment of Remembrance is a time for Americans to contemplate those things that bind us together by remembering the legacy of those who died to better our country… We encourage all Americans, no matter where they are and what they are doing, at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, to stop and give thanks [via a moment of silence, or something symbolic like ringing a bell].”

Nov. 11, 2007, known most frequently as Remembrance Day around the world, will also be a non-publishing day except for a memoriam post. Thank you to those who are serving, those who have served, and those who give their all so that the people at the tip of the spear have the right tools to do a difficult, dangerous… and vitally necessary job.

House FY 2008 Defense Budget Earmarks: Excerpts

Earmarks involve designating funds in spending legislation that must be used for a very particular purpose. While they can be a useful tool, they can also be a magnet for shady dealings and last-minute surprises. Indicted Naval ace and former Congressman Randy Cunningham’s activities revolved around earmarks, for instance; so, too, did the recent scandal that revolves around Congressman Jack Murtha.

Analysts from a watchdog group called Taxpayers for Common Sense claim that 30% of the FY 2005-2006′s $64 billion in earmarks were connected with the Department of Defense. This is possible; past US national defense budgets have included everything from renovations to Washington’s baseball stadium (based on the standings, a donation to hire players might have been better), to Utah watershed conservation, to the initial funding that got the famous Predator drones going.

As it happens, new House of Congress rules passed in January 2007 provide more transparency into the sponsors, recipients, and purposes of earmarks. A May 23, 2007 TCS release mines some of that data from the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act passed by the House last week, and presents highlights.

$10.2M to Renovate a Battle Seminar Facility at Leavenworth

The clock tower

Carothers Construction in Water Valley, MS received a $10.2 million firm-fixed-price contract for renovations of a Battle Seminar facility at Fort Leavenworth, KS. Work is expected to be completed by July 15, 2008. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on March 23, 2007, and 3 bids were received by the U.S. Army Engineer District, Kansas City, MO (W912DQ-07-C-0021).

Founded in 1827, Fort Leavenworth is probably most well-known for its Center for its military prison – the United States Disciplinary Barracks. It is also home to a wide range of training and doctrine commands, however, and serves as a key link that provides training and learning opportunities to members of other mailitaries around the world. Leavenworth is home to the Battle Command Knowledge System, Center for Army Leadership, Center for Army Lessons Learned, Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate Combined Arms Center – Training, Command and General Staff College, Combat Studies Institute, Current Force Integration Directorate, and elements of US Army TRADOC (Training & Doctrine).

Another $160M for Minot AFB Family Housing

“Only the best come north”

Mainot’s most visible unit is the 5th Bomb Wing, making it one of two B-52H Stratofortress bomber bases in the USAF. The base also hosts the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles assigned to the 91st Space Wing. With 2,447 family housing units (426 officer units; 255 senior enlisted and 1,766 for junior enlisted), Minot AFB has one of the largest housing complexes in the US Air Force.

DID covered a $41.6 million August 2006 contract to Small business qualifier RMR Joint Venture in Minot, ND. Now they’re received an additional $160.7 million firm-fixed-price contract for replacement of family housing at Minot Air Force Base, ND. Work is expected to be complete by May 24, 2011. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Feb. 7, 2007, and 1 bid was received by the U.S. Army Engineer District in Omaha, NB (W9128F-07-C-0008).

Saab Acquires UUV Maker Seaeye

Seaeye Cougar-XT

Sweden’s Saab Underwater Systems makes UUVs like the Double Eagle, and has a special focus on littoral, shallow and difficult underwater environments due to Sweden’s underwater geography. Seaeye Marine, with approximately 50 employees and annual sales of approximately GBP 12 million (currently about $23.75 million), is located in Fareham, Hampshire on the south coast of England. The company develops and manufactures a range of electric powered remotely-operated underwater systems, and has become a leading supplier to the offshore oil and gas industry. The firm has expanded its vehicles’ capabilities of late to include the tasks like security, salvage and coastal observation.

The parties appear to think that the two are a good fit, as Saab just bought Seaeye Holdings Ltd. for GBP 13 million (currently about $25.7 million). Saab sees it as a way of strenthening their naval products portfolio with offerings that can serve both civilian and military markets. Seaeye CEO Chris Tarmey sees Saab as a way into maritime security and defense applications, and believes there may be technical synergies as well. Saab Release | Seaeye release.

Denel & Patria Building South Africa’s Next IFV

Hoefyster/ Badger -
Denel concept

DID has covered a number of contracts for wheeled armored personnel carriers; in Europe, the 3 perennial combatants are GD-MOWAG’s Piranha/LAV, GD-Steyr’s Pandur II, and Patria’s Armored Modular Vehicle (AMV). Now Denel Land Systems has announced a contract from the South African government’s Armscor procurement agency to develop the South African Army’s new generation infantry combat vehicle. The “Hoefyster” program aims to produce an 8×8 wheeled APC in the 25 ton class, designed as a family of vehicles that can be equipped with various turrets and on-board options.

The Rand 8.3 billion contract (R 1 billion currently = about $145 million) for 264 vehicles may be the largest single contract Denel has landed in its 16-year history, and South African companies will deliver more than 70% of the total value of the contract. The other 30% will be delivered by Finland’s Patria Oyj, whose amphibious AMV will be Project Hoefyster’s base vehicle – but our South African readers inform us that it won’t be replacing the wheeled Rooikat tank-destroyers…

Britain Puts GBP 200M Down on HMS Audacious SSN

Astute, pre-launch

As the clock ticks down to June 8, 2007, the Royal Navy prepares to launch the first nuclear attack submarine of their new Astute Class and make her HMS Astute. Each of the new Astute Class submarines is 7,800t, and will be stealthier than the current Trafalgar Class SSNs despite having 47% more displacement. The subs will feature a bunk for each sailor (!), and DID has covered their new 2076 Stage 5 sonar system; no word on whether they’ll also feature HMS Torbay’s new camouflage paint system.