Virginia Class Cutaway (click to view full: Large!)
DefenseLINK notes that General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp. in Groton, CT received a $1.1 billion modification to previously awarded multiyear contract N00024-03-C-2101. It provides full FY 2006 funding for SSN-774 Virginia Class attack submarine construction at Electric Boat, covering work on SSN 781 (name TBD), $167.7 million in advance procurement funding for FY 2007 submarine construction [SSN 782] and $40 million in Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) funding for each of the FY 2007 and 2008 submarines [SSN 782 & 783]. The General Dynamics news release agrees but lists 208 million for SSN 782, which would bring the total to $1.35 billion.
Over at Military.com, Joe Buff has some kind words for the Virginia Class, and puts its intended mission and procurement program into perspective. One thing Buff didn’t cover, however, is this submarine class’ construction program – which is highly unusual.
The Czech Republic’s Ministry of Defence recently issued a modernization report for 2005 that detailed a number of its ongoing modernization projects as it seeks to become a NATO-interoperable force. There were a number of noteworthy projects in 2005, ranging from modernization of its T-72 tanks to its recently-concluded $1 billion armored personnel carrier competition, acquisition of Bofors’ laser-riding RBS-70 anti-air missiles, full incorporation of all 14 JAS-39 Gripen 4th generation lightweight fighters, modernization of its Mi-17 and Mi-24 (now Mi-35) helicopters, night vision devices, artillery radars, and modernization of several bases.
Agence France Presse reports that Indonesia is considering buying submarines from Russia, South Korea or China, and plans to buy 12 of them before 2024. Navy spokesman First Admiral Malik Yusuf was quoted as saying that: “We have received offers from several countries, including Russia. If we can buy them at cheaper prices, why not? We don’t want to depend on one country.” The navy currently operates two German-made Cakra Class (Type 209/1300) submarines delivered in 1981; Adm. Yusuf said Indonesia’s capability to defend its waters remained weak due to a lack of submarines, frigates and corvettes. See Hazegrey’s listing of the ships in Indonesia’s current navy.
Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ is being awarded a $97.7 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-03-C-0001) to exercise an option for the FY 2006 full-rate production of 420 AGM-154C Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW-C) missiles and 421 containers. In addition, this option provides for the procurement of one lot of technical data, one lot of administrative/financial data, one performance characterization Test Vehicle-C (PCTV-C), one Performance Characterization Test, and one lot unique identification nonrecurring engineering. Work will be performed in Tucson, AZ and is expected to be complete in February 2008. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD issued the contract.
Unlike Lockheed’s JASSM which shares its weapons interface, JSOW are unpowered. This really makes them GPS-guided glide bombs with a range of 15-70 km, but the USAF gave them a missile designation anyway. The JSOW-C incorporates an imaging infrared seeker for high precision and adds a BROACH multi-stage warhead with hard target penetration and blast-fragmentation capability.
The University of Dayton Research Institute in Dayton, OH received a $24.9 million cost-reimbursement, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract with task orders. The objective of this program is to develop materials for Air Force electronic and optical applications. The range of materials to be investigated in this program includes bulk compound semiconductor materials, epitaxially engineered semiconductor materials, optical materials, and high-temperature superconducting materials. Advances made in the program are expected to lead to improved materials and devices for digital, microwave, infrared detector, opto-electronic, nonlinear optical, power generation and control applications.
A partial list of UDRI’s capabilities and foci can be found here. Research tasks shall be accomplished primarily on-site using government furnished equipment, materials, and facilities in a complementary/ collaborative mode with other ongoing government supported in-house research projects. In certain cases, research may be performed off-site when it clearly represents the most advantageous method for accomplishing the research task. This work will be complete by January 2010. The Headquarters Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH issued the contract (FA8650-06-D-5401).
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) is a $30.5 billion business, and one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses. Over the next few weeks, its operations will be consolidated into three business profit and loss centers organized around capabilities. There will also be an Advanced Defense and Security Systems unit headed by George Muellner. It will include all advanced programs, but will continue to be linked with Boeing’s Phantom Works business unit.
