DID has covered the Pentagon’s increasing focus on energy consumption and conservation as a growing logistics and sustainability issue. Part of that coverage has mentioned “Energy: A Conversation About Our National Addiction” inter-agency events run by the Pentagon’s Office of Force Transformation and the Under Secretary for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, supported by the Cebrowski Institute at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.
Boeing Frontiers has an article explaining how Boeing and its supplier-partner Pemco Aeroplex Inc. are transforming the programmed depot-level maintenance (PDM, a major-overhaul) processes for the U.S. Air Force KC-135 tanker fleet using Lean initiatives. It’s a good introduction to some of these concepts and tools, which are in increasing use in militaries and defense firms around the world – and in the USAF itself via Smart Operations 21 (AFSO 21) and other related initiatives.
Indeed, it was USAF pressure that really kick-started this particular effort. The USAF is expected to select the FY 2008 prime contractor the Boeing 707-based KC-135 aerial tanker fleet’s Programmed Depot Maintenance program this month. As part of that RFP, they required that each aircraft complete PDM in about 175 days, vs. the average of about 214 days at the beginning of 2005. Read the full Boeing Frontiers article.
MTU Detroit Diesel in Detroit, MI received a $15.5 million firm-fixed-price contract from Israel for Fast Patrol Boat (FPB) propulsion systems. This contract was awarded under the foreign military sale program and is in support of the Government of Israel, Ministry of Defense Fast Patrol Boat Construction Program, a $40 million program to replace old Dvora Class FPBs with 2 new Israel Shipyards Shaldag II and 6 IAI/Ramta Super Dvora Mk IIIs. Both types are faster than existing Israeli FPBs, and capable of operations at extended ranges of up to 700 nautical miles; to reduce the support burden, the Shaldag II is designed for increased commonality with the Super Dvora fleet. The new FPBs will be equipped with Elbit/El-Op sensors and targeting systems, and RAFAEL Typhoon stabilized gun mounts.
RR Kamwea S-series (click to view larger)
Systems to be provided include MTUIDDC 12V-4000 M90 Marine main propulsion engines, ZF4650 reduction gears, Kamewa 63SII water jets and intakes, Marine automation systems monitoring and control system MCS Type 2, ancillary equipment, testing, technical publications, technical support, training, installation, coordination and integration. Although the release did not specify, MTU engines and Rolls Royce Kamewa water jets are used in its versatile Shaldag II and Super Dvora III patrol boats – this 3,650 bhp engine subtype appears to indicate use in the 27.4m/86 ft Super Dvora IIIs. Super Dvoras are popular fast response boats, and have been sold to nearly a dozen international customers including India and Sri Lanka. Their “thrust-vectoring” propulsion system reportedly allows them to operate in as little as 1.5 meters of water.
Work on this contract will be performed in Haifa, Israel (50%); Detroit, MI (25%); and between Sweden and Germany (25%). Work is expected to be completed by December 2009. This contract was not competitively procured by the Naval Inventory Control Point at Mechanicsburg, PA (N00104-06-C-KO58).
Simula Aerospace and Defense Group Inc. in Phoenix, AZ received an $8.3 million modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for the multiple armor spare parts for the M915 semi. The M915 is almost a carbon copy of the commercial tractor-trailer truck and weighs 14 tons; they are being up-armored with Crew Protection Kits for service in combat zones.
Work will be performed in Phoenix, AZ and is expected to be complete by May 11, 2007. This was a sole source contract initiated on December 2005 by the Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command in Warren, MI (W56HZV-06-C-0196).
