Rapid Fire 2011-04-14: JTRS GMR Costs

• Defense spending would total $513 billion under the compromise FY 2011 continuing resolution (CR) unveiled [PDF] by the House Appropriations Committee, a reduction of $18.1 billion from what the Obama administration wanted but $5 billion more than last year. Still, the use of the CR to fund the federal government for the rest of FY 2011 will leave many defense programs in limbo.

• Show me the money: Russian Helicopters plans to raise $500 million in an initial public offering on the London and Russian exchanges.

• Boeing could lose out on Joint Tactical Radio System’s Ground Mobile Radios (JTRS GMR), as the US Army balks at potential $300,000 costs. US Army networks division chief Col. Jim Carpenter says they’ll publish requirements instead, and ask companies to conduct their own R&D to meet the service’s needs. That could be good news for firms like Harris, Thales, and General Dynamics.

• Faced with delays of 3 years and more to its Scorpene program, and questions about industrial structure for the follow-on Project 75i, India turns to HDW to upgrade its existing U209-1500 “Shishumar” boats for longer service life.

• Embraer and Elbit deepen their relationship by creating a joint venture to market unmanned air systems in Brazil. Elbit’s Hermes 450 UAV is already in limited use there with the FAB.

• Blame it on Rio: The Russian defense industry sees great potential for arms exports to Brazil and other Latin American countries.

• Major US Coast Guard acquisition programs are at cost, schedule, or program acquisition risk due to flawed acquisition management and unrealistic budget planning, warns GAO.

• Teal Group worldwide mission model identifies 2,315 space payloads over the 2011-2030 time frame, an increase of 4% over last year’s count – 20% of those are for military missions.

• Lockheed Martin gets $176 million contract extension to provide depot maintenance products and support at USAF Air Logistics Centers in Ogden, UT; Oklahoma City, OK; and Warner Robins, GA.

• Raytheon delivered 366 of its popular RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles in 2010, which are used by customers around the world for medium range naval air defense. That’s more than double 2009’s total, while using an international manufacturing base.

• Lockheed Martin completes delivery of the 2nd production C-5M Super Galaxy ultra-heavy air transport at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Marietta, GA.

• Fuel cells usually don’t do well with standard military fuels like JP-8, because of the chemicals inside. Lockheed Martin is working to create a fuel cell that can handle JP-8.

• Note to soldiers: the metal detectors they give you for land mines aren’t foolproof. USMC Cpl. Matt Garst found that out the hard way – then walked away from the blast.