As DID noted in our October 24, 2005 article “V-22 Bows out of CSAR-X/PRV Competition,” all of the key bidders except Sikorsky had formally announced their helicopter platforms for the $8-10 billion, 141-helicopter combat search and rescue contract to replace existing HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters. The gap has now been filled, however, as Sikorsky has just made its declaration along with some recent partnership announcements.
Aerospace Integration Corporation (AIC) will provide system engineering and related services, while Rockwell Collins will provide training systems that leverage work already done on Canada’s Maritime helicopter program. Both MoU signings took place at the Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, FL – and the most significant aspect was Sikorsky’s public acknowledgment that the H-92 Superhawk would be its base CSAR-X platform.
Lockheed Martin Corp. Maritime Systems and Sensors in Manassas, VA received a $28.9 million cost-plus incentive-fee/award-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-04-C-6207 for production of sonar upgrade spares kits and sonar system for SSGN Class Tactical Trident (2 systems) and SSN 774 Virginia Class (1 system and advance orders for another 2), respectively. The contract ties into the Acoustic-Rapid Commercial Off-The-Shelf Insertion (A-RCI) program.
What is A-RCI, and what does it do for the submarines?
DynCorp International L.L.C. in Fort Worth, TX won an $84.9 million modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for maintaining the USA’s fleet of C-12 Huron and UC-35 Citation VIP transports, and RC-12 Guardrail ELINT/SIGINT spy planes. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, TX and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2007. Bids solicited via the World Wide Web on March 8, 2000, and two bids were received by the Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, AL (DAAH23-00-C-0226).
The RC-12 Guardrail ELINT/SIGINT spy plane is one of the platforms that was supposed to be replaced by the joint Army-Navy Aerial Common Sensor (ACS) modified business jets. With the $8 billion program’s suspension, the RC-12’s ongoing maintenance and service becomes even more critical.
In 2005 Australia and the US agreed to develop the CEAFAR (3D) active phased array radar as part of Australia’s bid to make its new Anzac-Class frigates survivable against supersonic cruise missiles, give them a potential role in long range air warfare, and even play a potential role in ballistic missile defence. As the (ex-) Minister of Defence Senator Hill noted at the time, these radars were small enough to have other applications, including airborne platforms and even the USA’s new Littoral Combat Ships.
Raytheon Co. in Tucson, AZ received a $20.1 million modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for TOW 2B Aero Generation 2 Missiles. Work will be performed in Tucson, AZ and is expected to be complete by Nov. 30, 2008. This was a sole source contract initiated on July 15, 2002 by the Army Aviation and Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal, AL (W31P4Q-04-C-0061).
The TOW 2B is an improved version of the original Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wire-guided missile. It features a dual-mode sensor and a new armament section equipped with two warheads substantially different from those used in other TOW versions. Earlier TOWs are direct-attack missiles with nose-mounted warheads that fire forward. The TOW 2B is designed to fly over the top of a tank and destroy it from above, where it is less heavily armored, by simultaneously detonating the missile’s two Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) warheads downward. The fly-over shoot-down flight profile permits the attack of targets in defilade or protected by berms or other fortifications. TOW 2B resembles the TOW 2A, with a six-inch diameter warhead section in front, but without the standoff probe. Range is over 3.5 km/ 2 miles.
Small business qualifier M.R. Pittman Group L.L.C. in Harahan, LA won a $25.5 million firm-fixed-price contract for Emergency Restoration of the London Avenue Canal Closure Structure. Work will be performed in New Orleans, LA and is expected to be complete by May 15, 2006. There were 48 bids solicited on Jan. 13, 2006, and three bids were received by The Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, LA (W912P8-06-C-0087).
