L-3’s SpecialOps Support Contracts

Latest updates[?]: 3 firms added to 5-year SITEC multiple-award contract.

US Special Operations Command (US SOCOM) has been extremely busy since Sept 11/01. That is creating corresponding demands on their support infrastructure, much of which is contracted. SOCOM is famous for having a practical, results-oriented, “get it done now” approach to contracting, which creates more freedom for contractors but also means a certain degree of added pressure. Much like the lives of SOCOM’s operators.

The L-3 Communications conglomerate does a lot of work with US SOCOM, and this article covers a few of those key contracts. Their Joint Operations Group’s profile describes the nature of their work with SOCOM – and it is extensive:

Rapid Fire 2011-07-14: EDA Props COTS

• A European Defence Agency (EDA) official is confident that member states will have identified potential pilot cases for its Common Off The Shelf Procurement initiative by the end of 2011.

• Diehl BGT and Israel’s RAFAEL have unveiled the PILUM long-range glide bomb concept. With a reported range of 60-100 miles, PILUM will use RAFAEL Spice’s combination of GPS/INS and imaging infrared, in Diehl’s HOSBO bomb system. This JSOW Block III competitor will be integrated on Tornado and Eurofighter aircraft – wonder if the Saudis, who fly both, will want any?

• The Dixmude, France’s 3rd Mistral Class LHD/BPC, has arrived in Toulon for final fitting and testing. It was ordered with French economic stimulus funds in April 2009.

• Britain’s 3rd Type 45 air defense destroyer, HMS Diamond, has officially joined the Royal Navy.

• As part of its efforts to build a strong UAV industry in the state, Oklahoma is petitioning the US FAA to create an unrestricted UAV corridor in civil airspace.

• Despite the presence of a Eurocopter EC645 at CANSEC, there is still little movement in Canada’s plans to replace the Griffon.

• Lockheed Martin delivers its National Source Tracking System (NSTS) to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to assist in the tracking of radioactive source material.

• Saab agrees to divest its shares in the 3D mapping company C3 Technologies AB. The transaction is expected to be closed by the end of the 3rd quarter FY11.

• Research and Markets adds DoD UAS Forecasts, Missions and Initiatives FY2012 DoD Budget Justification Analysis and The Venezuelan Defense Industry – Market Opportunities and Entry Strategies Analyses and Forecasts to 2015 to its list of publications.

• The Air Force of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) plans to follow up the recent graduation of its first group of third generation fighter pilots by introducing a new training program for the next cohort.