Sweden Expands Bv206S Fleet for Rapid Reaction Force

Bv206 in Afghanistan

A Jan 2006 DID article covered the reasons behind the Bv206 family’s popularity around the world, via BAE Hagglunds vehicles and local variants. Their outstanding air transportability, amphibious all-terrain capability, and multiple variants covering a wide range of functions and make them well-suited to a role as infantry enhancement vehicles. While they are not substitutes for a full APC like Hagglunds’ own CV90 or the wheeled General Dynamics LAV III/Stryker, they do offer air-portable infantry mobility with small arms protection; additional carrying capacity over all terrains to reduce soldiers’ burdens; and firepower enhancement via its weapon mount options, heavy weapon storage inside, and towing capabilities (incl. mortars, howitzers et. al.). The result is a combination of APC and Jeep benefits in a more mobile, all-terrain platform capable of 3rd-dimension envelopment and rapid ground response.

Now BAE Systems Hagglunds AB has received a SKr 260 million ($35 million) rush order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for 52 additional Bv206S vehicles, with an option for more. The order amounts to 52 vehicles with an option to acquire additional vehicles, bringing the Swedish Armed Forces up to a total of 93 Bv206S. The goal driving the FMV is:

$204.8M for US Navy H-60 Fleet Maintenance

From T-AOE 6 to CG 72

Maritime Helicopter Support Co. in Woodbridge, VA received a $204.8 million modification under previously awarded firm-fixed-price requirements contract (N00383-04-D-028N) for performance-based logistics support of the US Navy’s H-60 helicopter fleet. The SH-60B, SH-60F, and HH-60H Seahawks, MH-60S Knight Hawk and MH-60R MMH are all covered.

Work will be performed in Stratford, CT (90%) and Owego, NY (10%), and is expected to be complete by December 2008. This contract was not awarded competitively by the US Naval Inventory Control Point.

Up to $68.4 million for Component Repair on USMC’s H-1 Helicopters

AH-1W firing TOW

Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. in Fort Worth, TX received a $7.9 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for repair of various components of the US Marine Corps’ AH-1W SuperCobra and UH-1N Huey helicopters. The contract contains provisions for two one-year options which, if exercised, the total cumulative value of the contract will be $68.4 million. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, TX and is expected to be complete by December 2008. This contract was not competitively procured by the Naval Inventory Control Point in Mechanicsburg, PA (N00383-06-D-002N).

$125.9M to Sustain & Upgrade the USA’s P-3C Orion Fleet

P-3 with CG 54

Lockheed Martin Aircraft and Logistics Centers, Greenville, SC received a $125.9 million ceiling-priced modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract (N00019-05-D-0013) to exercise an option for the P-3C SMIP (Sustainment, Modification and Installation Program). See DID’s previous coverage and explanation of the P-3 SMIP program.

Work will be performed in Greenville, SC, and is expected to be complete in June 2007. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md issued the contract.

More Micro Laser Range Finders from Insight Technology

M6 Laser Illuminator
on Glock

Small business qualifier Insight Technology in Londonderry, NH received a delivery order amount of $13 million as part of a $120 million firm-fixed-price contract (W9124Q-06-D-0804) for the small tactical optical rifle-mounted micro laser range finder. Back in September 2005, DID covered a similar $10 million order placed under a different contract vehicle (W9124Q-05-C-0311). Insight also makes a wide range of rifle and pistol mounted illuminators and laser aiming devices like the MFALS, and is a leading supplier of tactical lights and lasers to U.S. Special Operations Forces. See all DID articles related to this firm.

Work will be performed in Londonderry, NH and is expected to be complete by Dec. 30, 2011. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on March 16, 2006, and two bids were received by the U.S. Army Contracting Agency, White Sands Missile Range, NM.