Boeing Tapped For New Apache Helicopters | UK Started Selection of Systems Integrator for Morpheus | Taiwan Is Preparing Its CM-34 For Delivery

Americas

Boeing won a $154.9 million contract modification for new-build Apache AH 64E helicopters. The AH-64E attack helicopter is the latest version of the AH-64 helo used by the US Army. It is also known as Apache Guardian. Until 2012 it was designated as AH-64D Block III. The helicopter is fitted with more powerful General Electric T700-GE-701D engines, developing 1 994 shp instead of the 1 800 shp on the previous versions. In March 2017, Boeing won the first $3.4 billion multi-year contract for the AH-64E Apache helicopter. Under the first contract, the army was supposed to receive 244 remanufactured Apaches while an undisclosed international customer was to acquire 24 new units. Under the modification, Boeing will perform work in Mesa, Arizona and estimated completion date is December 31, 2922.

The Navy tapped Sikorsky with a $48.3 million firm-fixed-price order in support of the CH-53K King Stallion. The order is to procure spare parts to repair and maintain low-rate initial production Lot Three configuration aircraft. A couple of days ago Sikorsky won a one-year $107.3 million contract from the US Navy for the long-lead items needed to manufacture its fourth batch of six CH-53K helicopters for use by the US Marine Corps. In May, the company received a $1.1 billion contract to produce 12 CH-53Ks and provide aircraft system spares and logistics support services. The King Stallion is a heavy-lift cargo helicopter. Its design features three 7,500 shp engines, new composite rotor blades, and a wider aircraft cabin than previous CH-53 variants. Sikorsky will perform work under the newly received order in Canada as well as the UK and various parts in the US. Estimated completion date is in August 2024.

Middle East & Africa

DynCorp International won a $32.8 million time-and-materials contract to train, advise and assist the security forces in Afghanistan. Since 2010, DynCorp provides specialized training to strengthen the Afghan national security forces. Under the newly awarded time-and-materials contract DynCorp will perform work in Afghanistan with an estimated completion date of August 19 next year. Army funds in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award. The US Army Contracting Command in Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois is the contracting activity.

Israeli defense company Elbit announced that Israel’s Ministry of Defense selected Iron Fist Light Decoupled (IFLD), the Company’s Active Protection System for the Eitan new eight-wheeled Armored Fighting Vehicle as well as the D-9 Bulldozer of the Israeli Armed Forces. The Eitan AFV is an Israeli 8×8 armored personnel carrier. At eight meters long and three meters wide, the Eitan weighs in at 30-35 tons and is operated by three crew members – a commander, gunner and driver. It can carry nine fighters in an air-conditioned environment. Its body and suspension system have been improved to maximize crew protection and survivability. Improvements were also made to the steering, electric and control systems. The IFLD uses independent optical sensors, tracking radar, launchers, and countermeasure munitions to defeat threats at a safe distance from the defended combat vehicles. The system provides 360-degree protection coverage for close-range scenarios in both open terrain and urban environments. According to the company, the lightweight system offers versatile high-performance, negligible residual penetration, and ease of integration.

Europe

The UK Ministry of Defense started the process to select a Systems Integrator for Project Morpheus, its $3.8 billion program to deliver the major part of the UK’s Land Equipment Tactical Communication and Information Systems program. In early August 2019, the MoD released an invitation to tender, seeking expressions of interest from contractors via a dynamic pre-qualification questionnaire. Morpheus will give access to fully integrated operational information technology that simplifies the user experience, allowing units to focus on the mission. Morpheus is the first installation of Defense as a Platform in the tactical environment. In Spring 2017, Morpheus entered the second Assessment Phase, termed Evolve to Open.

Asia-Pacific

Jane’s reports that Taiwan is preparing its CM-34 IFV for delivery. Officials told the news platform that the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense’s Materiel Production Center is set to deliver the first tranche of 32 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) variants of the 8×8 Yunpao armored vehicle family to the Republic of China Army at the end of 2019. The CM-34 is based on the 6×6 CM-31 designed by Timoney Technology Limited of Ireland and is derived from the common 6.35 meter long, 2.7 meter wide, and 2.2 meter high welded steel hull also used by the in-service, the CM-32 and CM-33 Cloud Leopard armored personnel carriers. The CM-34 has a combat weight of 24 tonnes as opposed to the 22 tonnes of the earlier variants.

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