The Chinook CH-47 is the UK’s “aircraft of choice in Afghanistan for heavy lift,” says Pete Worrall, director general helicopters at the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Defence Equipment & Support organization.
The high altitude of the rugged Afghan terrain takes its toll not only on troops but also on aircraft. The air at higher altitudes is less dense and that means less lift, which reduces helicopter carrying capacity. Smaller helicopters have problems carrying useful loads in Afghanistan, and most helicopters used there are medium size or larger.
To enable its Chinook fleet to handle the combat environment in Afghanistan, the UK MOD is spending GBP 408 million ($652 million) on an upgrade program…
The Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk awarded 3 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contracts, worth up to $103.2 million, to provide decision support services for the Navy Personnel Research Studies and Technology Division of the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) in Millington, TN.
The BUPERS organization serves to provide administrative leadership, policy planning, and general oversight of the Naval Personnel Command. BUPERS’ Navy Personnel Research Studies and Technology Division conducts research and develops technologies to recruit, retain and manage Navy and Marine Corps personnel.
Each of the 3 contracts contains a 1-year base period with two 1-year option periods. The 3 contractors and their contracts are:
Hutchinson Industries in Trenton, NJ received a maximum $106.6 million firm-fixed price, sole-source contract to supply run-flat kits for Hummers.
The run-flat kit [PDF] consists of a hard rubber insert that goes inside the Hummer tire. If the tire is shot or punctured, the run-flat insert protects the rim and tire, allowing the vehicle to continue to be driven at reduced speeds for a period of time. As a result, it allows the occupants to remain inside and return safely to base.
Using services are the US Army and US Marine Corps. The date of performance completion is Sept 29/10. The contract is managed by the Defense Logistics Agency’s Defense Supply Center Columbus in Ohio (SPM7LX-09-D-7137).
