Turkish Attack Heli Competition Stumbles Again

AH-1Z: Flying away?

Back on August 15, 2005, DID noted the revival of Turkey’s on-again, off-again attack helicopter buy. The program has been plagued by a combination of political hesitancy and contract demands from the Turkish government that have killed past deals. Meanwhile, the program has been scaled back from 145 helicopters to just 50 – and now Turkish Daily News reports that procurement of an initial batch of 30 attack helicopters is facing fresh delays and a possible decision by the leading contender not to bid.

Turkey has become concerned that its limited number of helicopter gunships – 7 AH-1W Super Cobras and about 20 earlier AH-1 Cobra versions – may fail to meet the military’s operational requirements given that the Kurdish terrorist PKK resumed its attacks in May 2005. Yet the problems they face are almost wholly of their own making.

Eurofighters for Saudis? Only with Eurofavours

RAF Eurofighter

The Guardian reports that Britain has been in secret discussions with Saudi Arabia over a major arms deal that includes the Eurofighter Typhoon, and is said to be worth up to GBP 40 billion (USD $71 billion, EUR 59 billion). Talks are said to be stalling, however, after Riyadh asked for three “tricky” favors.

Saudi Arabia Offering $800M to Upgrade its C-130s

C-130 Hercules

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress that Saudi Arabia wishes to purchase upgrade kits and services for 54 C-130E/H Hercules aircraft, as well as associated equipment and services. The total value of this contract, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $800 million.

USA Orders 13 Extra AH-64D Apache Longbows for $192.5M

AH-64D Apache Longbow

The U. S. Army recently signed a $192.5 million contract with Boeing for 13 new AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters. The new helicopters, to be built in the current Block II configuration, will be provided in addition to AH-64A Apaches being remanufactured under a multi-year contract with the Army. Production will begin in early 2006 and will be performed at the Boeing facility in Mesa, AZ where Apaches have been manufactured since the program started.

David Almond, Boeing Apache Block II program manager, noted that this contract bridges the way to an additional 96 remanufactured AH-64Ds for the U.S. Army, and to eventual Block III Apache Longbow helicopter production. DID has described what AH-64D Block II and Block III involved in a previous article, and we have also covered the Apache’s new integrated Arrrowhead vision sensors and targeting system.

$53.3M for SBIRS-High Program Support

SBIRS-High

SBIRS-High will form the USA’s future front line of detection and defense against incoming ballistic missile launches. See this DID article for coverage of the SBIRS-High program’s trials, tribulations, and occasional successes.

The Headquarter Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, CA issued the contract has issued a pair of contracts recently for support of the SBIRS program effort at Colorado Springs, CO. Their total value is $53.3 million.

$28.3M for Trident II SLBM Fire Control System

SSBN Ohio Class

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems in Pittsfield, MA received a $28.3 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract to provide TRIDENT II MK98 MOD 6/7 Strategic Weapons Systems Development and Production. The Mk98 mod 6/7 is an updated fire control system for the SSBN 726 Ohio Class nuclear ballistic missile submarines and their Trident II nuclear missiles.

Work will be performed in Pittsfield, MA and is expected to be complete by December 2009. This contract was not competitively procured by the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs in Washington, DC (N00030-05-C-0051).

$7M for E-9 Support to Keep Boaters Safe During Missile Launches

E-9 with SAR mount

King Aerospace in Panama City, FL is being awarded a $7 million firm fixed price contract modification to provide for Full Contractor Logistics Support for the E-9 aircraft, Exercise of Option V (FY06) 1 October 2005 thru 30 September 2006. Work will be performed at Tyndall Air Force Base, FL and will be complete by September 2006. The Headquarters Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center at Tinker Air Force Base, OK issued the contract (F34601-01-C-0053/P00069).

The E-9A twin turbo prop aircraft, based on the Bombardier Q-series Dash-8 commuter transport, is used in the weapons evaluation program primarily as a surveillance platform to ensure the Gulf Coast waters are clear of civilian boaters and aircraft during live missile launches and other hazardous military activities. Two E-9A aircraft operating from Tyndall AFB are used for TM and UHF relay and surface clearance in support of Air Force Development Test Center (AFDTC) operations at Eglin AFB, FL. King Aerospace has a long and successful history of association with this pogram.

$9.1M for Katrina Cleanup at Keesler AFB, MS

Katrina

Whitesell/Yates Joint Venture in Biloxi, MS received a $9.1 million firm-fixed-price letter construction contract for permanent repairs to damaged facilities at Keesler Air Force Base as a result of Hurricane Katrina. This project will include demolition and dry-out, building envelop assessment, temporary protective covering of the exterior of the facility where storm damage allows for water intrusion, permanent repairs of damaged roof, interior construction, mechanical system, and electrical system.

Work will be performed in Biloxi, MS and is expected to be complete by March 2007. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, and due to the emergent nature of the contract, the company was issued a letter contract with no competition. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southern Division in North Charleston, SC issued the contract (N62467-05-C-0202).

US Navy Procures Gun Mounts by the Barrel

The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division in Crane, IN has issued 5 indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contracts worth a maximum of $29.9 million each for various types of gun-mounts. A full and open competition was held, with the solicitation being publicized on the World Wide Web. Eight proposals received and five contracts were awarded; the five winners can now compete amongst each other for task orders. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The winners included: