N-G Receives $2.5B Missile Defense Contract

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems in Reston, VA received an indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity award term contract to support Ballistic Missile Defense System operational components that:

• May be deployed in the future;

• Support the Missile Defense Agency/ Integration Center missile defense-related analysis, system-level engineering, integration, interoperability, and test and evaluation;

• Support development of Joint and Combined missile defense doctrine, requirements, and concept of operations through simulations, wargames and exercises;

• Provide a rapid prototyping environment for air and missile defense missions;

• Support combatant commands by integrating missile defense concepts, space asset exploitation, and battle management/ command and control, communications, computers, and intelligence.
  

EADS Equips Bundeswehr With TETRAPOLBw Mobile Communications

EADS and the Federal Office for Information Management and Information Technology of the Bundeswehr (German armed forces) recently concluded the “TETRAPOLBw” procurement contract for TETRAPOL-based communications technology. This includes 30 mobile digital radio systems with 10,000 terminal devices, accessories and a training facility worth about EUR 55 million by the end of 2007. With “TETRAPOLBw”, the Bundeswehr will now be able to guarantee voice and data communication for all operational units in service, encrypted in a mobile cellular network, for all tactical communication levels.

$50M to Lockheed for GBU-12 Bomb Kits

F-16 Dropping a Paveway
(click to enlarge)

Lockheed Martin’s Shingo Prize winning Archbald, PA facility has received a contract valued at approximately $50 million to deliver GBU-12 laser-guided bomb (LGB) kits to the U.S. Air Force next year. The contract represents more than half of the U.S. Air Force’s requirements for the current fiscal year.

The GBU-12 converts standard Mk 80 family free-fall bombs into “Paveway II” precision-guided munitions. Each guidance kit consists of a computer control group (CCG) guidance system that screws into the front-end of the bomb, plus an air foil group (AFG) for the back end that provides lift and stability. The CCG uses a semi-active laser seeker and pneumatically-controlled guidance canards, plus the AFG fins, to direct the bomb onto the target.

Ceradyne Gets Special Body Armor Order

Interceptor OTV
(click to enlarge)

In a previous DID article covering SAPI and ESAPI inserts for the US Military’s Interceptor body armor, Ceradyne, Inc. was mentioned. That firm recently received orders totaling $14.6 million for its lightweight ceramic armor systems: approximately $12 million for certain elite U.S. fighting units and $2.6 million for the U.S. Marine Corps. Approximately $1.56 million of the above orders are for specially designed body armor, shaped to protect other areas of the body in addition to the chest and back.

These new orders are separate from the contracts for SAPI and ESAPI Interceptor body armor inserts. Shipments are expected to commence in October 2005 and be completed by August 2006.

US Awards Submarine Contracts

Virginia Class Submarine

The US Navy has just awarded three submarine-related contracts for a series of basic requirements, ranging from maintenance to EHF communications terminals. The total value of all these contracts could be as high as $112.5 million.

Eat Your Vegetables, They Paid $73.5M for them in Virginia…

Military Produce Group received a $72.5 million requirements type contract to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for 22 commissaries located in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia (includes Port of Embarkations for Iceland and Cuba). Work will be performed in Norfolk, VA with deliveries of fresh fruits and vegetables to various commissaries located in DeCA’s East Region, with a contract completion date of September 30, 2007. Thirty firms were solicited and two offers were received. The c Defense Commissary Agency, Resale Contracting Division in Fort Lee, VA issued the contract (HDEC02-05-D-0013).

Lockheed Martin to Acquire Coherent

Lockheed Martin Corporation recently announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Louisville, CO based Coherent Technologies, Inc., a renowned supplier of high-performance, laser-based remote sensing systems. Its best known product is WindTracer(R), a pulsed Doppler LIDAR that uses an infrared, eyesafe laser to bounce off dust particles. The light reflected back to the system measures the wind speed and direction and also maps aerosol concentrations.

Coherent Technologies will become the center of excellence for Laser Radar within Lockheed Martin, and Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Denver, CO will manage the Coherent business. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, and the deal’s closing is expected later this year. This is Lockheed Martin’s fourth announced transaction this year, and the acquisition of Coherent follows their strategy of acquiring small and medium-sized businesses that align with core competencies and broaden Lockheed’s presence with key customers.