Dec 26/06: Optical Systems Technology, Inc. (OSTI) in Freeport, PA received a $6.9 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract from US Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, VA for production and delivery of the “Scout Sniper Mid-Range Night Sight.” The really interesting thing about OSTI’s sights is that they clip on to existing day scopes without requiring tools, do not alter or affect day sight centerline or boresight, and are permanently aligned. This is a significant improvement over a dual-scope approach that forces the operator to switch sights entirely for night use, with the potential for adjustment issues et. al.
OSTI has a number of products in this area, and the US Marines certainly take their weapon sights seriously. A direct enquiry revealed more about the specific sight selected, the quantities involved, and the customer – MARSOC…
“SBX ABM Radar: Somewhere Over the Rainbow?” linked to papers covering a number of the issues faced by Raytheon’s giant floating X-band radar. If it succeeds, the Sea-Based X-Band radar can greatly aid both testing and flexible response around the world, providing a 2,000 ton, incredibly sensitive radar that can track ballistic missiles over very long ranges. At the moment it’s experiencing teething problems, not unusual for such new technologies but a situation that cannot continue indefinitely.
Meanwhile, Raytheon Company has announced a $32.7 million subcontract to provide sustainment support for the X-Band Radar (XBR) portion of the Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX). The award was made by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, as SBX is considered to be part of the Ground Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), and Boeing is the prime contractor for that segment.
Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) will provide trained personnel for on-platform sustainment and operation of the XBR, along with radar maintenance and development of spares. The contract will run through 2007, and work will be performed at the company’s Missile Defense Center in Woburn, MA; the Integrated Air Defense Center in Andover, MA; and Raytheon Technical Services Company on site at the SBX platform.
“Future Contracting for Availability” through-life equipment management. A merger with the Defence Procurement Agency, which brings “Smart Acquisition” policies and program management and the UK’s Defence Industrial Strategy into the mix. Shifts toward a system whereby provisioning expeditions to Afghanistan et. al. is determined by capability-based lists, rather than quartermaster grab-it and go. A new building. The UK’s Defence Logistics Agency faced immense changes in 2006, and its activities place it at or near the center of wide ranging activities that are the setting the pace in Britain and beyond for defense acquisition transformation.
BAE Systems has received a $29.7 million contract from the Norwegian Defence Procurement Division for the development and delivery of M113 upgrade kits. The contract calls for the development and production of 72 power pack kits, air conditioning system kits, suspension kits, and track system kits for Norwegian M113 armored personnel carriers, plus the provision of logistics support and spare parts. The contract also includes options for 34 additional sets of kits, storage cases and additional spares.
Work will be performed at BAE Systems’ facility Santa Clara, CA and will continue through November 2008. The kits will be installed at the DPD’s facility in Norway. See BAE release.
Small business qualifier SupplyCore, Inc. in Rockford, IL received a maximum $356 million fixed-price with economic price adjustment, indefinite-quantity/ indefinite-delivery contract for maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) Supplies Prime Vendor for the CENTCOM region. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Other locations of performance are Kuwait City, Kuwait. Proposals were web solicited with 6 responses. Date of performance completion is January 02, 2008. The contracting agency is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) in Philadelphia, PA (SP0500-05-D-BP04).
