The deadline for USTACOM’s 4th and final iteration of its JLTV RFP for Low Rate Initial Production and Full Rate Production has passed, and all three prime contractors have submitted their proposals. The Firm Fixed Price contract should last 3 years of LRIP followed by 5 years at full rate. Pricing the years out will depend of whether Multiyear Procurement is approved by Congress.
Americas
* Computer Sciences Corp. saw revenues fall nine percent, blaming the downturn at least in part on an inability to recruit specialized talent needed to fulfill business already won.
* The U.S. Navy, Air Force and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency test launched a Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) from a B-1 bomber. The missile flew to several waypoints and was able to avoid an obstacle place between it and its target. The Navy stated that this third test of the LRASM indicates it has “transitioned from a DARPA demonstration to a formal, U.S. Navy program of record.” The B-1 will be the first platform to enable launching, to be followed by the Navy’s F/A-18.
Middle East
* Saudi Arabia awarded a $166 million contract to Gilbane Federal to design facilities needed to mondernize the kingdom’s F15 variants.
Asia
* While South Korea reportedly shrugged its shoulders and indicated it hadn’t been consulted after being warned by China that it wouldn’t be wise to deploy the American THAAD anti-missile system on the peninsula, the Pentagon isn’t bashful about confirming it has been in “constant discussions” with its South Korean ally.
* Russia’s deputy prime minister warned the country’s defense industry that after 2020 they should expect relatively little domestic purchasing or subsidy. The statement appears to be designed to impel executives to invest today’s revenues into technology and upgrades to make them sustainable after the current up-arming is over.
Today’s Video
* Lockheed released this video showing off its LRASM anti-ship missile capabilities, now in the news again after a test launch.
