Thales UK received a contract from Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) for the development and manufacture of optronic-mast technology for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s submarines. Contract figures were not disclosed.
The optronic mast’s design means that it doesn’t go through the hull like a normal periscope, which allows greater flexibility in craft design. The MELCO deal represents the first export contract for the optronic mast, which uses high-resolution cameras that are mounted in the submarine’s sensor head. The images provided are then displayed on console screens in the submarine’s operations center via an electronic link.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in Stratford, CT received a $63.6 million modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for Unique Configuration, Aircraft Warranty, Contractor Support, Manuals, Training, Tools, and Test Equipment, and Aircraft Support Equipment for the USA’s UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.
Work will be performed in Stratford, CT and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2010. This was a sole source contract initiated on March 3, 2005 by the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command in Redstone Arsenal, AL (DAAH23-02-C-0006).
Boeing subsidiary McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co. in Mesa, AZ received a $41.5 million firm-fixed-price contract for Reset of Apache AH-64 attack helicopters.
“Reset” is a term used by the Land-Based Weapon Systems Group’s Long Term Contracts Team at Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSSC), to capture the business of repairing equipment and replenishing stocks used in Operation Iraqi Freedom so they’re “reset” to good as new condition.
Enertec America in Alpharetta, GA received a $15.3 million firm-fixed-price modification to provide digital video and data recorders for the A-10 Thunderbolt II (aka. “Warthog”) close support aircraft. Total funds have been obligated. This work will be complete by November 2006. Negotiations were completed June 2005. The Headquarters Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base, UT issued the contract (FA8202-04-C-0023, P00005).