Americas
* The Defense Logistics Agency is procuring support systems for US military aviators. A $49 million fixed-price contract sees for the production of oxygen delivery systems and their spare parts by Pacific Consolidated Inc. Pacific Consolidated manufactures state-of-the-art portable liquid oxygen plants that are used on aircraft carriers and as Aviation Ground Equipment to provide pilot Aviator Breathing Oxygen. Oxygen delivery systems provide fighter pilots with breathable air and provide a function called partial-pressure breathing for G (PPG), which pushes high-pressure air into the lungs during high-g maneuvers, which increases g tolerance. The system provides pilots with sufficient oxygen to prevent hypoxia symptoms. Oxygen delivery systems are deployed on a variety of military aircraft including the F-35, the F-16 and F/A-18. Work will be performed at the company’s location in Riverside, California and is expected to be completed by June 2023. Receiving customers are Army, Navy, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies.
* BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair is being awarded a $18.9 million contract in support of the Navy’s LPD 27 amphibious transport dock ship. BAE system will work towards the accomplishment of the post shakedown availability for the vessel. It will provide efforts including program management, planning, engineering, design, liaison, scheduling, labor and procurement of incidental material in support of the USS Portland. The USS Portland was commissioned on April 21st and is a San Antonio class amphibious assault support vessel. Its mission is to embark, transport, land, and support elements of a US Marine Corps Landing Force. It is designed to operate the Marines’ MV-22 Osprey, hovercrafts and amphibious armored personnel carriers. The Portland and its sister ships will operate as part of larger Amphibious Task Forces (ATFs) in conjunction with a full set of airpowers, additional assault ships, and air and sub-surface defense vessels. San Antonio Class vessels are potential command ships for US and joint task forces and could make excellent UAV hosts and controllers. All work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by July 2019.
Middle East & Africa
* Israel Aerospace Industries and Czech defense contractor Aero Vodochody are partnering to make a late bid for the US Air Force’s OA-X close air support program. Their pitch is an advanced version of the combat proven L-159. The USAF has already invited Textron Aviation and Sierra Nevada/Embraer to take part in an evaluation exercise this summer with their Beechcraft AT-6 and A-29 Super Tucano, respectively. The two companies will equip the L-159 jet trainer with fourth-generation avionics and several weapons integration systems. If chosen to produce the roughly 350 aircraft, both companies could open up a production line and supply chain for the jet within the continental US.
Europe
* Estonia is again opting for the Mistral short range air defense missile. The $59 million deal between the Eastern-European nation and the French missile manufacturer MBDA also includes man portable surface to air missiles, training missiles, simulators and testing and maintenance equipment. Under the terms of the contract, Estonia will continue acquiring Mistral SHORAD missiles in their latest generation which provide increased accuracy and longer service life than missiles of previous generations. The fully autonomous ‘fire and forget’ Mistral 2 missile is equipped with a two-stage solid propellant rocket motor and carries a 3kg high-explosive warhead loaded with tungsten ball projectiles. Guidance is by passive infrared homing using an indium arsenide detector array operating in the three to five-micron waveband. Compared to any other low-level air defense missile, Mistral is more reliable and successful. It has a success rate of 93%. The current contract also includes options for additional missiles up to the amount of $117 million, with the first deliveries to expected by 2020.
* Jane’s reports that Finnish arms manufacturer Patria is currently testing its latest version of its wheeled armored personnel carrier (APC). The Patria AMV is in serial production and more than 1,400 vehicles have been ordered. It has been selected by Croatia, Finland, Poland, Slovenia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and Slovakia. The AMV product family uses the same hull platform fitted with the turrets and mission systems for each of the variants, including an armored personnel carrier, infantry fighting vehicle. The new 6×6 APC can be fitted with a broad range of weapons including a 120mm turreted mortar system or a protected weapon station armed with a .50 machine gun (MG), in addition a 5.56 mm or 7.62 mm MG can be pintle mounted on the roof of the rear troop compartment. The hull is all-welded steel armor with an appliqué modular armor package that can provide protection against mines and IEDs.
Asia-Pacific
* India has requested the purchase of six AH-64E Apache helicopters. The possible US foreign military sale is valued at $930 million. The AH-64E Guardian Block III (AB3) is the helicopter’s next big step forward by incorporating 26 key new-technology insertions. If the deal goes through India would receive the newest Block III helicopters and up to 180 AGM-114L-3 Hellfire Longbow missiles, 90 AGM-114R-3 Hellfire II missiles, 200 Stinger Block I-92H missiles and other equipment ranging from fire control radars to ammunition. The prime contractors will be Lockheed Martin, General Electric, and Raytheon. This proposed sale would strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of an important partner in a region that is currently highly contested.
Today’s Video
* Israeli defense contractor Rafael unveils some of its newest military equipment and technology at Eurosatory 2018.