In the field, time counts. The right emergency medical care, coupled with equipment that makes rapid evacuation possible, can easily be the difference between life and death. To that end, small business qualifier North American Rescue Product, Inc. in Greenville, SC won a maximum $31.9 million fixed price with economic-price-adjustment contract for litters, medical kits, accessories and similar products for the US Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Their products include the Combat Casualty Response Kit(R), the WALK(TM) Warrior Aid & Litter Kit built around their Talon II(R) Model 90 litter, et. al. Unlike the Skedco SK-200 BRS, the Talon cannot be dragged in hands-free mode and takes up more room on one’s back; even so, the integrated system is a step forward.
This is an indefinite-quantity/ indefinite-delivery type contract with a 5 year base and 5 more 1-year options; the contract will end on February 5, 2012. There were 455 proposals solicited, and 31 responded to the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) in Philadelphia, PA (SPM200-07-D-8260).
Back in February 2006, “India: LCA Tejas by 2010 – But Foreign Help Sought With Engine” described the state of India’s indigenous Tejas Light Combat aircraft, and its accompanying “Kaveri” engine. The Kaveri remains very much a work in progress, however, and so Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) bought 8 of GE’s F404-F2J3 engines for development purposes. This was followed by a 2004 order for 17 of GE’s more advanced F404-IN20 afterburning engines generating up to 19,000 pounds (85kN) thrust, to be used in operational production aircraft and naval prototypes. Now an order “in excess of $100 million” has been placed for 24 F404-GE-IN20 engines to power the first operational squadron of Tejas fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
Based on the F404-GE-402, the F404-GE-IN20 is the highest rated F404 model and includes a higher-flow fan, increased thrust, a Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) system, single-crystal turbine blades and a variety of single-engine features. The F404 engine family remains one of the most successful fighter engines of modern times, and over 4,000 of them power combat aircraft and UCAVs for a number of countries worldwide. See GE release.
A New Hampshire-based subsidiary of Israeli electronics firm Elbit Systems received a pair of follow-on orders for a laser rangefinder that can easily be carried and operated by individual soldiers. Carried and operated by Forward Air Controllers and Reconnaissance Marines, the system provides both range readings and a “bull’s eye” for targeting laser-guided precision weapons.
Kollsman, Inc. of Merrimack, NH received a $33.7 million contract modification and a $16.4 million modification to previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract M67854-06-C-6001 for an additional 400 U.S. Marine Corps Laser Target Designators (LTD). Work will be complete by June 2010. These requests follow a $4 million initial order on July 12, 2006 from Elbit Systems of America (ESA) for several LTD systems and a logistics support package. A corporate spokesperson confirmed that the entire contract runs for 5 years, with total potential orders of $123 million.
The US Civil Air Patrol was established as the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force in 1941, just before the Pearl Harbor attack. It has now been placed under the Air Force Homeland Security Directorate. CAP’s volunteer pilots fly reconnaissance missions for homeland security, search and rescue and disaster relief, and even counterdrug reconnaissance at the request of government or law enforcement agencies. They transport medical personnel and supplies, blood and live tissue. In times of disaster, they assess damage and transport emergency personnel from site to site. Now, a modest modernization is underway.
Overall, it’s an exceptionally effective, and cost-effective, force. DID offers details regarding a recent contract, as well as CAP’s force structure, budget, and ongoing modernization programs.
