Poland & Elbit to Cooperate on Rosomak APC Surveillance Upgrade

Elbit concept

Elbit Systems Ltd. recently announced a $16 million contract from the Polish Ministry of National Defense to supply a testing set of mobile multi-sensor monitoring and surveillance systems for Poland’s Rosomak, a variant of Patria’s 8×8 AMV wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier.

The consortium of Elbit Systems Land, Elbit C4I-Tadiran and the Polish Military Communication Institute will give the APC with surveillance payloads that include TV, thermal vision systems, a motion detection battlefield surveillance radar unit, encrypted communications systems, and an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) which is presumed to be Elbit’s Skylark. The project will be performed in cooperation with the local Polish industries.

US Navy Orders Cell Phone Services, Dec. 2010

The US Navy’s Fleet and Industrial Supply Center in San Diego, CA has awarded 4 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award task order contracts for wireless service and devices. The maximum dollar value for all contracts, including the base period and one 6-month option period, is $96 million. Work will be performed in various continental United States locations, and is expected to be complete in June 2012.

This requirement was awarded through full and open competition via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online and Federal Business Opportunities websites, with 5 offers received. The 4 winners may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract; they are:

• AT&T Mobility, LLC, Hanover, Md. (N00244-11-D-0002)
  
• Sprint-Nextel, Reston, Va. (N00244-11-D-0003)
  
• T-Mobile USA, Inc., Bellevue, Wash. (N00244-11-D-0004)
  
• Verizon Wireless, Laurel, Md. (N00244-11-D-0005)

Rapid Fire 2010-12-21: USAF AETC Support

• Key senators push for passage this week of the House-passed FY 2010 defense authorization bill [PDF].

• Ignoring Pentagon chief Gates plea, the Senate plans to vote on a continuing resolution extending government spending at current levels only through Mar 4/11; House-passed bill [PDF] would provide $513 billion in DoD spending and extend funding through Sept 30/11.

• Russia to develop new heavy ICBM by 2020, while SS-18 Satans and SS-20 Sabers to remain in service until 2026, according to Russian missile expert.

• EADS Eurocopter delivers the first 3 of 50 EC725 Cougar medium utility helicopters to Brazil.

• RQ-4 Euro Hawk UAV variant makes a 30.3 hour flight at Edwards AFB, CA.

• Russian President Medvedev visits India to solidify Russia’s position as India’s leading arms supplier.

• Strategy Analytics: Defense industry demand to rebound with emphasis on advanced technologies.

• International Institute for Strategic Studies’ Senior Fellow Douglas Barrie wins the 2010 Lauren D. Lyman Award for outstanding career achievement in aviation journalism, from the American Aerospace Industries Association.

• GTEC closes $52.5 million acquisition of Signature Government Solutions, a Herndon, VA-based defense IT firm, with funding from $100 million revolving credit.

• Up to $53 million to L-3 unit to provide trainer maintenance and precision measurement and equipment laboratory support for the USAF Air Education and Training Command.

Spotlight: The US Military’s December 2010 Fuel Contracts

Fill ‘er up!

The US military uses far more fuel than any branch of the American government, and the US Air Force uses far more fuel than the other services. DID has spotlighted the magnitude of these buys before, in March 2009 and March 2006, as a way of driving this reality home. The phenomenon has also been examined by organizations like the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the Brookings Institute, both of whom have raised concerns about meeting that demand in future.

March is not the only month for fuel contracts by any means, as purchases continue throughout the year. These purchases are handled by the US military’s Defense Logistics Agency Energy, located in Fort Belvoir, VA. To date, December 2010 fuel contracts total $1,551,570,807.

Rapid Fire 2010-12-20: Optical Terminals

• Tensions rise as South Korea conducts live-fire drills near Yeonpyeong Island, the site of the North’s earlier attack.

• USA’s Ground Based Midcourse Defense system against long-range ballistic missiles misses its target in a recent test.

• Chinese documents seen by Japan’s Asahi Shimbun seem to confirm the more-or-less open secret that China aims to deploy an aircraft carrier. China is also working on a “J-15″ naval fighter variant based on a Ukranian SU-33 prototype, while rumored SU-33 sales from Russia have made no progress.

Rapid Fire 2010-12-17: Interagency Collaboration

• Pretty please: Pentagon chief Gates says failure of Congress to pass $1.1 trillion FY 2011 omnibus spending bill (which includes defense) would jeopardize “vital military requirements.” FY 2010 ended Sept 30/10.

• US GAO releases “National Security: An Overview of Professional Development Activities Intended to Improve Interagency Collaboration.” Boring topic, critical focus.

• Raytheon’s upgrade to the USAF’s Distributed Common Ground System begins operation at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

Bulgaria Changes Its Order for up to 8 C-27J “Baby Hercs”

C-27J: Isn’t he adorable?

Initial order drops to 3 planes. (Dec 16/10)

In February 2006, Finmeccanica announced that its C-27J Spartan (aka. “Baby Herc”), developed as a joint venture between its Alenia Aeronautica subsidiary and Lockheed Martin, had been finalized as Bulgaria’s choice to replace its current fleet of Antonov An-26 “Curl” airlifters. The Bulgarians want up to 8 C-27Js, which share significant commonalities with the C-130J Hercules that extend to most of their avionics and their engines as well as their look.

The “Baby Hercs” will be used for troops and material transport within Bulgaria, and may also participate in NATO operations (Bulgaria has been a NATO member since April 2004) as they are fully compliant with civil and military interoperability standards. The deal was eventually set as 5 C-27Js for EUR 91.8 million… but that has changed.

Rapid Fire 2010-12-16: US Aerospace 2010 Sales

• Robust military aircraft sales offset decline in commercial aircraft sales, as US aerospace industry sales [PDF] reach a record $216.5 billion in sales this year.

• Royal Navy to withdraw HMS Illustrious strike carrier from service in 2014, eliminating all carriers from the fleet. HMS Ocean amphibious helicopter carrier will provide long-term helicopter landing capability. The LPD ship HMS Albion takes over from Ark Royal as the navy’s flagship, and all 4 remaining Type 22 frigates will be withdrawn from service in 2011.

• German government okays defense minister’s proposal to end conscription from July 1, 2011.

Both Barrels: Finnish Order Launches Patria’s AMOS Mortar Turret

AMOS on AMV

Patria’s twin-barreled AMOS 120mm mortar turret is about to begin production, thanks to an order from the Finnish government for an initial set of 18 systems, for fielding in 2013. The EUR 120 million development contract was signed in 2003, and the most recent amendment begins series production. Patria.

AMOS has a range of just 10 km, which is typical for mortars but short for artillery. It makes up for that shorter reach by using the same ammunition as infantry mortar teams; and by traveling on an armored vehicle that can move into range, under fire, without ever exposing the crew. Firing can commence within 30 seconds of reaching the desired position, and the combination of twin barrels and modern system allow it to fire multiple rounds that all land in the target area at the same time (MRSI). To date, AMOS has been integrated with Patria’s AMV wheeled APC(Armored Personnel Carrier), BAE’s popular CV90 tracked IFV(Infantry Fighting Vehicle), and small boats. Patria has also developed a lighter, less expensive single-barrel version called NEMO, which has already received orders from some export customers.

Rapid Fire 2010-12-15: Russian Modernization

• Show me the rubles: Russia to spend 20 trillion rubles to modernize its armed forces, including spending on strategic nuclear forces, air-defense systems, C4ISR equipment, 5th-generation fighter, and Borey Class nuclear submarines. Money is nice, but along the way there are big challenges involved in restoring Russia’s defense industry.

• Strategic thinking: Obama administration’s review of Afghanistan strategy due out Thursday.

• Research and Markets: Singapore’s defense budget is expected to reach US$11.5 billion by 2015, up from US$7.9 billion in 2009.