EUR 80M to OTO Melara for F125 Frigate Gun Systems

127/54 LW, firing
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Finmeccanica subsidiary OTO Melara recently announced [PDF format] a EUR 80 million (currently about $108 million) pair of orders for naval gun systems to be mounted on Germany’s F125 frigates, where they will be integrated with EADS FuWES command & fire control systems. The final contracts are expected to be signed in the third quarter of the year, subject to the approval of the F125 program by the German parliament.

The first contract worth EUR 70 million is for the supply of five 127/54 LW (Light Weight) gun systems: 4 for the ARGE F125 consortium’s F125 frigates, and one (1) for training. Note the difference between this gun and the 57mm weapon that will arm the frigate-sized US Littoral Combat Ship. See Naval Armament: The MCG Problem for an examination of the different conceptions at work here. The Germans had originally looked at mounting their MONARC 155mm howitzer on the F125s, but this order appears to mark the definitive end of those plans.

12.7mm Hitrole NT
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Germany has also selected the remote-controlled Hitrole(R) 12.7mm remote-control turret in the new Naval Tilting (NT) version. OTO Melara will provide a total of 25 12.7mm Hitrole NT systems under the ER 10 million contract: 5 on board each of the 4 frigates (TL = 20) and 5 on land for training purposes. The Hitrole RWS is currently serving with the Italian finance police and the UAE and Mexican navies, among others.

Field Review: New ACU Needs Work

The New ACU: Changes

“When the ACU was first introduced, I was a big fan. Having lived and worked in the uniform for over in year in various field environments – including combat in Iraq – it is clear the goal has not yet been achieved. With a few changes, the Army can complete the process and ensure today’s Soldiers have a top-quality uniform ready to take them into combat.”
   — Eric Coulson, US Army officer, Iraq

“USA Contracts for New Army Combat Uniforms in ACUPAT Camo” discussed the new features of the US Army’s combat uniform, and chronicles the contracts issued. In “New Army Uniform Doesn’t Measure Up,” Coulson’s review identifies a number of weak points (velcro, durability, propensity to hold dirt, fire protection, camo pattern), and suggests a number of key modifications required, including:

• A new pattern – like the “multicam” pattern being tested for Land Warrior.
  
• New material – Use Nomex or some other fire-retardant material instead of the 50/50 cotton-nylon blend.
  
• Return to sew on patches and buttons.
  

BAE Fitting Bradleys With Mine-Resistant Belly Armor

M2 Bradley, Iraq

BAE Systems Land & Armaments in York, PA received a delivery order amount of $23.4 million as part of a $41.9 million firm-fixed-price contract for Bradley Improvised Explosive Devices Belly Armor Kits.

Work will be performed in York, PA and is expected to be complete by Nov. 30, 2007. This was a sole source contract initiated on Nov. 3, 2006 by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command in Warren, MI (W56HZV-05-G-0005).

BAE Receives 3rd LCS Contract for Mk110 Gun

Mk 110 MOD 0 concept

April 2/07: BAE Systems in Minneapolis, MN announces its second contract from General Dynamics to supply a 57-mm Mk 110 naval gun system as the main gun fitted to the U.S. Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship [LCS 4]. The contract is worth $7.2 million, and includes options such as spare parts and training. The gun is scheduled to be delivered in 2008.

The gun’s Mk 295 ammunition allows the system to perform against aerial, surface or ground threats, with a firing rate of up to 220 rounds/minute. The Mk 110 is designed to have minimal deck penetration, and can be operated directly or by remote control. BAE Systems has now received 3 contracts from the LCS program contenders, for a total of 4 gun systems…