BAE & GDLS to Partner on HBCT Modernization

HBCT on rails

BAE Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems have signed a memorandum of agreement to work collaboratively in support of the U. S. Army’s Heavy Brigade Combat Team modernization plan aimed at achieving modernization and commonality among the US Army’s heavy brigades. BAE already has partnership agreements with the Army concerning its M2/M3 Bradley infantry/ cavalry fighting vehicles, and its M109 tracked self-propelled howitzers. General Dynamics makes the USA’s M1 Abrams tanks, which are undergoing upgrades (M1A2 SEP & M1 TUSK) and RESET programs of their own.

The agreement was developed with the Army’s encouragement under the leadership of Kevin Fahey, the Army’s Program Executive Officer, Ground Combat System (PEO-GCS). It defines how both companies will work with the Army’s Heavy Brigade Combat Team Project Manager, and the Abrams & Bradley vehicle Product Managers, to turn front-line requirements into common solutions for relevant vehicles in the HBCT. The agreement also establishes the basic process for collaborative specification and product development, and provisions for the common procurement of material to support system evolution on both companies’ combat vehicles. common solutions would reduce logistics burdens, lower development costs, and make Soldier training easier; the HBCT’s combat vehicles have already demonstrated successful common requirements management in programs like HTI for thermal imaging.

BAE Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems are also One Team partners for the Future Combat Systems program, with primary responsibility for the program’s family of tracked vehicles. FCS Spinout 1 is already transferring communications systems and networking hardware to HBCT vehicles, and this partnership makes it easier to leverage other emerging technologies into common upgrades as well. BAE Systems release | GD release.

US MRE/Humanitarian Ration Orders, FY 2007

Tastes like (Parmesan) Chicken…

The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) in Philadelphia, PA issues contracts for American field rations, knows as Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), and for Humanitarian Daily Rations used when providing aid in emergency situations abroad.

While there are reports that the French RCIR (Ration de Combat Individuelle Réchauffable) has superior trade value on the front lines, MREs are generally considered to be a significant improvement over earlier US rations. DID readers with a high fright threshold might wish to view a set of comparative photos of modern army rations from various militaries; even if you knew nothing about China, you could guess that their soldiers are draftees. Or, you can learn about the tactical uses of MREs as protection against anti-tank rockets. See below for field anecdotes and contracts from FY 2007 – Present.

US-Israeli Covenant Forces Review of Civilian Satellite Deal With China

Eros-A pic,
Cape Canaveral

In 2005, issues regarding Israeli weapons exports boiled over between Israel and the USA. Israel’s status as an observer in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program was suspended until a resolution in 2006 resulted in the USA assuming de facto veto power over all Israeli exports – even those that do not use American technologies, and fall outside of ITAR as non-military items, but could have potential security implications.

Israel’s canceled $100 million deal to upgrade Venezuela’s F-16s at a time when America was still shipping spare parts is often touted as the first example of that covenant in action. A more recent illustration of that covenant’s effects was recently provided when China sought to purchase time-share use of an Eros-B satellite from the ImageSat International (ISI) joint venture. IAI’s Eros series is derived from Israel’s Ofek-5 military satellite, and provides sub-1.8m imaging similar to France’s Spot satellites, and Space Imaging’s IKONOS. Although the Eros is not classified as a military item, the ISI Satellite Operating Partner (SOP) program allows images to be streamed directly to a customer’s ground stations, and it was submitted for review – a review that may yet scupper the deal…

New Zealand Makes its LUH Choice

A109 Malaysia

The Royal New Zealand Air Force is a shadow of its former self these days, but at least the service was recently given permission to upgrade its helicopter capabilities. Phase 1 involved buying 9 NH90s in 2006 to replace its Vietnam-era Hueys. Phase 2 aims to replace their Bell B47G-3B-2 Sioux, an upgraded derivative of the Bell 47 helicopters that most people recognize from watching the Korean War TV show M

• A*S*H. Over 6,000 Bell 47s were produced in over 20 versions from 1946-1973.

The AgustaWestland A109 is New Zealand’s preferred choice for a new training and light utility helicopter (T/LUH). It will provide a platform to train aircrew in basic helicopter operations, plus the advanced skills required to operate both the Navy SH-2G Super Seasprites, and the RNZAF NH90s that were scheduled to come into service in 2010, but have been delayed. It is also capable of performing basic light utility missions like transport, rescue, and medical evacuation if needed.

It’s Cpl. Klinger!
(click to view larger)

The New Zealand Ministry of Defence will now begin negotiations with Finmeccanica subsidiary Agusta-Westland for 5 aircraft and a simulator. The A019E/LUH currently serves with the armed forces of Malaysia, South Africa, and Sweden, the US Coast Guard, and with a number of national police and border agencies around the world. The broader A109 family also serves in Albania, Argentina, Australia (Navy), Belgium (A109BA, associated with a major bribery scandal), Benin, China (licensed CA109), Chile (Carabineros), Ghana, Italy, Latvia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Sweden, UK, and Venezuela. RNZAF release.

For further updates regarding New Zealand’s A109 and NH90 helicoppter buys, see “New Zealand Selects NH90, A109 Helicopters as its new Fleet“