Canada’s C$ 1.67 billion Aurora Incremental Modernization Project began in 1998, and is an amalgamation of 23 individual projects grouped into 4 chronologically consecutive block upgrades. Key upgrades successfully performed under the AIMP to date have included new electro-optical and infrared sensors (L-3 Communications) under Block III, and upgrades to the navigation and flight instruments (CMC Electronics) under Block II. AIMP, plus the Aurora fleet’s new long-term, performance-based maintenance program, are designed to keep Canada’s fleet flying until 2015 or so.
Canada is also pursuing land-surveillance upgrades to its fleet. Given Canada’s commitments on the ground in Afghanistan, and employment of American P-3 Orion and British Nimrod MRA2 aircraft for ground surveillance in that theater, these contracts may yet contribute to NATO’s Afghan mission.
The latest update involves deployment of the aircraft to Afghanistan on a special overland mission.
Rolls-Royce announced an $80 million contract to provide AE 2100D3 spare engines and parts to power new C-130J military transport aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, the Royal Norwegian Air Force and the Indian Air Force. The contract, which is managed by Robins Air Force Base in GA, includes an initial 27 AE 2100D3 spare engines and parts for delivery through 2011.
The AE 2100D3 engine is a modular turboprop engine with 4,600 shaft-horsepower. The AE engine line is produced by Rolls-Royce and manufactured in Indianapolis, IN. Along with the AE 3007 and AE 1107C-Liberty, the engine line has totaled more than 37 million hours of service.
The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, PA has awarded 2 contracts, worth a total of $46.7 million, to supply influenza vaccine to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies.
One contract went to MedImmune Vaccines Inc. of Gaithersburg, MD, which received a maximum $32.3 million firm-fixed-price, sole source contract. There was one response to the original solicitation. The date of performance completion is June 30/10 (SPM2DP-09-D-0005).
Another contract went to Sanofi Pasteur in Swiftwater, PA, which received a maximum $12.4 million firm-fixed-price contract. There were eight proposals originally solicited for this contract, with one response. The date of performance completion is May 26/10 (SPM2DP-09-D-0007).
Virginia Class Cutaway (click to view full: Large!)
Trident Systems Inc. in Fairfax, VA received a $10.2 million modification to a previously awarded contract for Phase III engineering services in support of mobile computing on-board SSN-774 Virginia class submarines and other submarine/ surface ship systems, surveillance and air platforms.
The contract modification is for engineering services in support of the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Topic: Mobile Computing for Submarine Application. The Phase III SBIR effort addresses systems and subsystems ranging from simple single processors to highly complex multi-processor network architecture. Work will include software development, procurement of COTS products and hardware/ software integration. Trident will perform work in Uniontown, PA (70%); Fairfax, VA (20%); and Raleigh, NC (10%) and expects to complete the work by May 2010. The Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC manages the contract (N00024-06-C-6265).
The Virginia class of attack submarines are designed for a broad spectrum of open-ocean and littoral missions. They are designed as a less expensive alternative to the Seawolf-class attack submarines, and are slated to replace the aging Los Angeles class submarines, of which 17/62 have already been decommissioned.
Oceaneering International’s Marine Services Division in Chesapeake, VA won a $14 million firm-fixed-price contract to extend the service life of 3 landing hovercraft. Oceaneering is performing the work under the Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), which extends the expected service life of the LCAC by 50%, from 20 years to 30 years. The scope of this contract includes repair and upgrade of the buoyancy box, gas turbine engine replacement, installation of a new skirt, installation of an integrated C4N equipment package, craft alterations, and repair work. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring its cumulative value to $38.9 million.
LCACs are high-speed, fully amphibious hovercraft capable of carrying a 60-ton payload (75 tons in overload) over water and land at speeds in excess of 40 knots and a nominal range of up to 200 nautical miles. Carrying equipment, troops, and/or supplies, the LCAC launches from inside the well deck of an amphibious warship, then travels the waves at high speed, runs right through the surf zone near the beach, and stops at a suitable place on land. “LCAC Hovercraft: US Navy’s Champion Schleppers Get SLEPped” (subscriptions) discusses the LCAC hovercraft and the SLEP.
Oceaneering will perform the work in Norfolk, VA and expects to complete it by November 2012. This contract was competitively procured via FedBizOpps.com, with four offers received by the Naval Sea Systems Command at the Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC (N00024-09-C-2240)
