$80M to Boeing for GMD Missile Defense Complex in Europe

Boeing in Huntsville, AL received a sole-source maximum $80 million cost-plus-incentive-fee, indefinite-delivery letter contract to conduct activation planning of a European-based Missile Defense Complex, as part of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) component of the USA’s anti ballistic missile program. Work will be performed at Huntsville, Alabama and the European site, and is expected to be complete by September 2013. The contract funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, AL is the contracting activity (HQ0147-07-D-0001).

Upon completion, GMD will consist of an complex array of components: Air Force Defense Support Program satellites (DSP – in service); Space Based Infrared System-High satellites (SBIRS-High, encountered problems and may be supplanted or supplemented by AIRSS); the Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS); Upgraded Early Warning Radars (UEWRs – in progress around the world); a Battle Management, Command, Control and Communications system (BMC3 – in Colorado and Alaska); the SBX Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX); and Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) missiles at Ft Greely, AK and Vandenberg, CA.

Missile defense efforts in Europe remain a source of controversy. Russia, which is helping Iran with its nuclear program, has objected strongly to such efforts. The nature and location of this complex are not discussed in the DefenseLINK release, however. Some additional readings related to this subject include…

BAE EIS Sending Its CREW to the Front Lines (updated)

BAE Systems’ Information & Electronic Warfare Systems group in Nashua, NH produces electronic IED jammers that disrupt the remote signals (often cell phones) used to set off land mines in Iraq, Afghanistan, et. al. They’re referred to as “Dismounted Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (CREW) systems” and what’s different is that they’re “dismounted,” i.e. not placed in vehicles but described as wearable.

This contracts cover urgent procurement and support of CREW systems, to be used by forces in each of the military services of the Central Command Area of Responsibility (AOR). So, just what do we know about the CREW system? A bit more, now…

Japan to Upgrade Another AEGIS Destroyer, Buy SM-3 ABMs

DDG-176 Chokai

On June 8/07, the US DSCA announced Japan’s request for Ballistic Missile Defense upgrades to one AEGIS Weapon System (Lockheed-Martin Maritime System and Sensors in Moorestown, NJ), AEGIS BMD Vertical Launch System ORDALTs (BAE’s Mk41 modifications, Minneapolis, MN), 9 SM-3 Block IA STANDARD missiles (Raytheon in Tucson, AZ) with MK 21 Mod 2 canisters, containers, spare and repair parts, publications, documentation, supply support, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance and other related elements of logistics support. The systems will be installed on Japan’s Kongo Class AEGIS destroyers, and the total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $475 million.

A subsequent Lockheed release strongly suggests that this is for the JDS Chokai [DDG-176], which is the last of the current Kongo Class destroyers; the 5th and 6th Improved Kongo Class ships currently under construction will reportedly have AEGIS BMD capability pre-installed. The JMSDF is working closely with the USA on missile defense activities, which includes modification and improvements to the SM-3 long-range anti-air/ABM missile as the outer layer of Japan’s ABM system, deployed from its Kongo Class AEGIS destroyers. Air Force cooperation has also improved by leaps and bounds, allowing for much closer coordination with the USA in all aspects including missile tracking. This article covers the elements of that request as they are fulfilled…

Elbit Acquires Ferranti Technologies

On July 26/07, Elbit Systems Ltd. announced that it has acquired the entire share capital of the UK company Ferranti Technologies (Group) Limited (“FTL”) for GBP 15 million (about $31 Million). FTL are specialists in the manufacture and design of wide range of electronic power management and control systems for application on air, land and seaborne platforms, with emphasis on the aerospace industry and on reliable operation in harsh climatic and electromagnetic environments. FTL’s comprehensive customer logistic support services cover repair, overhaul, modification, integrated logistic support, and post design services.

Elbit sees the acquisition as a way of enhancing support for its products in Europe, in conjunction with UAV engine company UEL and the U-Tacs joint venture behind the UK’s Watchkeeper UAV system.

FTL is located in Oldham, UK, and was established in 1994. It was formerly part of Ferranti International Group, and owns the former Ferranti name. In 2006, the Company reported annual sales of over £16 million/ $33M), with a workforce of 180 employees. The firm was sold by The Fifth Causeway Development Fund (advised by ABN AMRO Capital Ltd.) and by FTL’s management; it will continue its business growth in its Oldham facility in North West England.

SeaBees ‘Can Do’ in Djibouti

Djibouti & region

DID is always happy to report stories from the front lines that demonstrate real creativity and address key problems or save money. Djibouti sits at the entrance to the Red Sea, astride the passage from the Indian Ocean to the Suez Canal. It has become a key berthing base for western warships combating the rampant piracy off of the Somali coast, and also plays an important role in the Global War on Terror and intertwined efforts to stabilize the northwest Africa region. Both the US Marines and the French Foreign Legion base troops in and around Djibouti.

As that force grows and improvements are made to the facilities at Camp Lemonier, however, a need for power follows. This kind of imperative around the world has driven efforts to field containerized renewable power units, and at least one 5kw THEPS unit is scheduled to deploy in the Djibouti region soon. Meanwhile, more conventional approaches are being used to meet the required load. “Right now we can’t power all of the containerized living units we have,” said Camp Lemonier commanding officer Capt. John Heckmann Jr. Which is why the camp recently received 6 generators weighing 11,000 pounds each and producing 1 Mw each – enough power for approximately 1,000 American homes. The generators will primarily be used to support the camp’s $30 million berthing project.

The problem was, how to offload them without a crane? Renting one would be expensive and difficult, and take time. Seabees from Camp Lemonier Public Works, Mobile Utilities Support Equipment out of Port Hueneme, CA, and Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 were assigned to the problem, and thought about the railway industry, which uses electric jacks to perform maintenance on their box cars. If they could lift a boxcar, how about a generator? On July 24-25, they discovered the answer was “yes,” executed the project ahead of schedule, and saved $300,000 in crane rental fees. US Navy Newsstand story.