Pining for Control: South Korea Buying ABM Radars, AMD C2

ROK Flag

As North Korea prepares for another intercontinental missile test, South Korea continues to modernize its forces and take steps toward full sovereign control of its defenses. “Raytheon Begins SAM-X/Patriot Missile Work in South Korea” described one new piece of the ROK’s defenses. These PAC-2 GEM+ missiles are expected to be operational in 2010, and fully in place by 2012. South Korea doesn’t appear to be aiming as high as Japan, with its license-produced Patriot PAC-3s and long-range naval SM-3 systems, but medium range SM-2 Block IIIA/B missiles fired from ROKN KDX-III destroyers do offer another limited option for the ROK’s coastal cities.

As countries like the UAE have been quick to recognize, turning a series of point defenses into a cohesive system that can respond in time requires long-range detection, and strong regional command-and-control systems. Now, a key contract has been signed, as South Korea prepares to field its Air and Missile Defense Cell (AMD-Cell) radars and command system.

Up to $100M to 7 Firms for USMC Construction in South Carolina

The Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded 7 firms indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity multiple award design-bid-build construction contracts worth up to $100 million for general building type projects at US Marine Corps facilities in South Carolina. The general building type projects include new construction, renovation, alteration, and repair of facilities and infrastructure, roofing, demolition, and routine renovation.

The contractors will perform the work at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island (45%); Marine Corps Air Station at Beaufort (45%); and the Naval Hospital at Beaufort (10 percent).

The winning contractors are all small business qualifiers:

Aeroflex Wins $40.5M Order to Provide JTRS Test Equipment

Aeroflex 7200 Radio Tester

Aeroflex Wichita in Wichita, KS won [pdf] a maximum $40.5 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract from the US Marine Corps for ground radio maintenance automatic test systems. A delivery order with a value of $16.3 million is being issued concurrently with the contract award.

Under the contract, Aeroflex will supply its 7200 Configurable Automated Test Set (CATS) equipment, which is a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) platform for testing the performance of software-defined radios, including the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS). “US Contracts for Next-Gen Tactical Radio Upgrades” provides insights into the JTRS program, which is intended to bring the next-generation tactical radio system to US troops.

Sierra Nevada Gets $106.9M in Dismounted Counter-IED Jammer Orders

Sierra Nevada Corp. in Sparks, NV received 2 follow-up orders to supply Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (JCREW) 3.1 dismounted systems to meet the requirements of US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Dismounted JCREW systems are electronic jammers designed to prevent the initiation of radio-controlled improvised explosive devices (RCIED).

Under the original contract (N00024-09-C-6306) awarded June 2009, Sierra Nevada is to provide up to 2,500 JCREW 3.1 dismounted systems, support equipment and services, and additional long-lead time material, for a total contract value of $248.3 million.

Sierra has received 2 contract modifications on that original contract worth $106.9 million to supply parts and material for the JCREW dismounted systems…