While some military items cannot realistically be converted, every conservation success or renewable energy conversion within the military’s jurisdiction makes it more deployable to the field, and more self-sufficient once there. Now add the fact that diversified “green infrastructure” lowers vulnerability to the kind of “system disruption” attacks one sees in Iraq, and the military/ security benefits become compelling. That means the military will be willing to invest in these technologies even when the dollars and cents case alone may be in question. It’s a trend that has already started… and it’s about to pick up speed.
The Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (AGM-158 JASSM) semi-stealth cruise missile faced development troubles, a partial program recovery and budgetary allocations, and recently was selected by Australia as their medium-long range precision strike missile. Now Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Orlando, FL has received an $80 million firm fixed price contract modification for 70 Lot 5 JASSM missiles, Lot 5 contractor engineering support, and JASSM reliability enhancement efforts. As previous articles have noted, reliability has been an issue for JASSM in the past though recent tests indicate possible improvement. This contract includes 5 dedicated JASSM reliability test vehicles.
Work will be complete February 2008. The Headquarters Air Armament Center at Eglin Air Force Base, FL issued the contract (FA8682-04-C-0060/P00012), which covers the USAF only since the Navy ended procurement in 2005 in favor of the SLAM-ER.
Lockheed Martin Corp. in Grand Prairie, TX received a $45.6 million modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for Block IA Army TACMS variants (unitary) XM57 guided missile and launching assemblies. DID has covered these long-range, supersonic, precision-strike tactical missiles in depth before, including future variant plans. They can replace a 6-pack of 227mm rockets on the M270 MLRS and M142 HIMARS multiple rocket launcher systems, and saw recent use in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Work will be performed in Dallas, TX and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2007. This was a sole source contract initiated on Nov. 7, 2003. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, AL is the contracting activity (DAAH01-03-C-0203).
The Headquarters Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base, UT has issued a pair of contracts to Northrop-Grumman Space and Mission Systems in Clearfield, UT. The contracts are related to the LM-30 Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
With the recent treaty-driven retirement of the more-modern MX Peacekeeper missiles, the Minuteman III missiles remain as the land-based leg of the USA’s nuclear triad. In order to keep them viable significant refits, upgrades, and other measures are underway. These two modifications are part of that effort, under contract # F42610-98-C-0001…
An earlier DID article noted Britain and Sweden’s SEK 4 billion contract for RB 57 NLAW(Next generation Light Antitank Weapon), Next Generation Light Antitank Weapon (NLAW) rockets in 2002, and the Swedish Materiel Administration’s SEK 500 million (GBP 36.3 million) order in 2005. As a follow-up to that order, Thales UK has just signed a GBP 10 million ($17.5 million at current conversion) export contract with Saab Bofors Dynamics for NLAW missile assembly.
In our last post describing the NLAW, we noted that final assembly will take place at Thales Air Defence in Belfast. The missiles will be assembled and tested in its high volume production line, using capabilities and expertise gained through similar missile programs such as the anti-air Starstreak and VT1, and the Hellfire anti-armor missile. Thales UK’s Basingstroke facility is also a key member of Team NLAW, assembling the center electronic package and Optical Sensor. As Thales somewhat awkwardly puts it: “The agreement with Saab Bofors Dynamics ensures that Thales UK will be responsible for the manufacture of export of the NLAW system for the foreseeable future.” In Britain, the system is known as MBT-LAW.
EDO Corporation received a contract from the Israeli Navy to purchase its advanced-technology ALOFTS Model 980 low-frequency, active, towed-array sonar. ALOFTS provides a long-range sensor capability that will counter the threat of extremely quiet submarines operating in either shallow or deep water. The Israeli Navy has used EDO’s sonar systems in the past, and after a thorough review the Israeli Defense Force Sea Corps (Tzahal Cheyl Ha’Yam) signed a contract valued at more than $7 million, plus options for additional systems.
