CROWS: Public Videogame Turns Into Weapon Trainer

CROWS with M2 HMG

DID has covered the CROWS remotely-operated machine gun before, and its use in Iraq on up-armored HMMWVs and M1117 Guardian vehicles. The weapons have been successful in the field, and DID has even covered a (now-defunct) blog by a CROWS service technician in Iraq who was moving into a “train the trainer” phase. So, how about a “train the public” phase?

CROWS is a “remotely-operated weapons system.” In plain English, it’s an automated, unmanned turret that can be operated from inside a vehicle, with the gunner using a joystick for firing and control while looking at a screen that shows visual, infrared, or other images from the RWS sensors. The weapon is also stabilized, which means it will adjust automatically as the vehicle it’s on shakes and moves. Does that sound like a video game to you? The US Army thought so too…

Boeing Reaches Settlement with US Government Over Druyun Scandal

Darleen Druyun

Senior Boeing legal representative Doug Bain has issued the following statement:

“Boeing and the Department of Justice have reached a tentative settlement of investigations by U.S. Attorneys in Virginia and California regarding the Darleen Druyun and EELV matters. Under the agreement, Boeing will pay $565 million to resolve potential civil claims and a monetary penalty of $50 million. Boeing will accept responsibility for the conduct of its employees and make additional commitments regarding ongoing compliance. No charges will be filed. The agreement is expected to be signed in the next few weeks.”

The broad ripple effects of the Darleen Druyun influence-peddling scandal can be seen via a quick look at related DID articles (see also this GovExec.com article). The EELV, or Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle, is a US program to produce next-generation space launch rockets involving Boeing and Lockheed. A separate scandal involving the theft of related documents from Lockheed Martin had far-reaching effects, detailed in this March 2005 DID article.

E-10’s MP-RTIP Ground Surveillance Radar to Test Aboard Proteus

Proteus with pod

DID has covered the Boeing 707-based E-8 J-STARS ground surveillance, communications, & battle management aircraft, which is proving to be an indispensable asset in the Global War on Terror. Unfortunately, its low-density (only 17 aircraft), high-demand status creates issues [PDF format]. The J-STARS’ envisioned Boeing 767-based successor, the E-10 MC2A, will use more modern electronics and may also have the ability to perform other roles, including airspace surveillance and SIGINT/ electronic warfare roles

The J-STARS role will be covered by the Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP), a high-resolution synthetic-aperture ground surveillance radar made by Northrop Grumman and Raytheon. This will be an advanced development of the radar currently used by the RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV. Of course, those improvements would also benefit the USA’s growing Global Hawk fleet – which is why the 851st Electronic Systems Group is preparing for a year-long test of the smaller MP-RTIP version aboard Rutan’s Proteus. Proteus, pictured above, would later influence his “White Knight,” the carrier vehicle for the X-Prize winning, history-making SpaceshipOne. See the US Air Force Link story for further details.

$21.4M for US Indian Affairs Boarding School

Small business qualifier Odyssey International in Baltimore, MD received a $21.4 million firm-fixed-price contract for replacement of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Leupp Boarding School. Leupp serves under the jurisdiction of the Western Navajo Agency, enrolling about 375 students in grades K-12 and offering courses that include “Entrepreneurship.”

Work will be performed in Coconino, AZ and is expected to be complete by Oct. 16, 2007. There were 20 bids solicited on Nov. 14, 2005, and 2 bids were received by the Army Corps of Engineers in Albuquerque, NM (W912PP-06-C-0006).