Rapid Fire Nov. 9, 2012: AMPV EMD Pre Draft RFP
- Following last April’s Industry Day, the US Army released a presolicitation for the Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development (EMD) phase of the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV). Several variants are envisioned to handle a variety of tasks including resupply, medical treatment, casualty evacuation, mission command, and mortar carrier. The draft RFP and a 2nd industry day will follow in the next few months. TACOM | FBO | Defense News.
- Rear Adm. Joseph A. Horn Jr. is now heading the Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS). He was previously program executive for Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense. This frees up his predecessor James D. Syring to take charge of the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). Following this move, here is the latest NAVSEA organizational chart.
- While India’s ambassador to France just said the Rafale deal should be finalized within 4 months, India’s Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses boldly weighs in on China’s push for indigenous fighter jet capabilities:
“In view of the unresolved border issues between the PRC and India, it would be prudent for the IAF to reassess its equipment plans. Instead of inducting another fourth generation aircraft under the MMRCA programme, it may be better to replace the MMRCA with a mix of F-35s and increased numbers of Su-30MKI and LCAs.”
- This comes just after Air & Space Power Journal published an article [PDF] arguing that “the Air Force assumes
ignores the fact that many air combat operations continue to occur in
low-threat environments” and urging the US Air Force to “reconsider its long-standing position that fifth-generation fighters are the only option for recapitalizing its fighter fleet.”
- Chinese Expansion in Kyrgyzstan: Myth or Reality?
- A shareholder is suing United Technologies, claiming the board should have prevented export of software to China for which UTC subsidiary Pratt & Whitney Canada was fined last June.
- Finmeccanica’s 3rd quarter new orders decreased by 3% to 2.9 billion euros (about $3.7B) but their sales increased by 8% to 4.1 billion euros ($5.2B). Their backlog: 44.7 billion euros.
- The UK launched a consultation on the future of its reserve forces. MoD.
- Weekend food for thought: the perils of history [PDF] and drawing false conclusions from precedent, published by the US Naval War College Review.
