SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – General Dynamics C4 Systems has been awarded a $41 million contract modification from the U.S. Marine Corps System Command for the production of nine capability set II Combat Operations Centers and 18 common modules. The capability sets and modules combine to become nine operations centers used by Marine Corps commanders. Deliveries will be completed by March 2010.
The Marine Corps awarded the first contract for Combat Operations Centers to General Dynamics in 2002. Since then, more than 280 Combat Operations Centers have been ordered for Marine Corps command-and-control operations at the battalion, regiment, division and wing levels. This new order will equip the next-higher level of Marine Corps decision-making, the major subordinate commands, with the same command-and-control capabilities.
“The Combat Operations Center is a key step in the migration path to the Marine Air Ground Task Force’s next-generation command-and-control system,” said Manny Mora, vice president of battle management systems for General Dynamics C4 Systems. “This network-enabled environment readies Marines to leverage the services and capabilities of the global information grid.”
Combat Operations Centers are the focal point of decision-making for Marine Corps commanders and their staffs. Each operations center comprises a network of workstations and servers supporting standard Tactical Data Systems and other mission-critical software, voice, data and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications. Tents, trailers, radios, power generation and other tactical hardware integrate for a single-system command-and-control capability wherever Marines fight.
General Dynamics C4 Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), is a leading integrator of secure communication and information systems and technology. The company specializes in command and control, communications networking, space systems, computing and information assurance for defense, government and select commercial customers in the United States and abroad.
Un saludo.
Albert Einstein
“Lo importante es no dejar de hacerse preguntas.”
02/09/2008 15:06 KIEV, September 2 (RIA Novosti) - A joint Ukrainian-Polish-British tactical exercise began on Tuesday at the Nova Demba military training grounds in Poland, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said.
The Cossack Steppe 2008 exercise is part of the NATO Partnership for Peace Program and has been conducted in succession on the territories of the three countries since 1997.
"The current exercises are aimed at practicing stabilization measures in a region controlled by opposing terrorist and extremist forces," the ministry said in a statement.
The exercise involves 50 Ukrainian servicemen from the 79th Airmobile Brigade and will be conducted until September 14. Soldiers from the brigade have served as peacekeepers in Yugoslavia, Iraq, Kosovo, and Sierra Leone.
The stated goal of Ukraine's defense policy has long been to integrate with NATO, a drive that has received strong backing from the United States.
Every year the U.S. Departments of State and Defense allocate about $1-3 million to Ukraine's participation in Partnership for Peace Program through the so-called "Warsaw Initiative," founded by the United States in July 1994. The initiative primarily helps to promote the ability of the Ukraine's armed forces to cooperate with NATO members, as well as to prepare the country for joining NATO.
De nuevo, una clara señal de la intención del gobierno ucraniano en integrarse en la OTAN y dejar aislada a Rusia.
Albert Einstein
“Lo importante es no dejar de hacerse preguntas.”
SOCORRO, N.M., Sept. 3, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) fired two Excalibur precision-strike artillery projectiles equipped with low-cost titanium (Ti) bases at the maximum charge level possible Aug. 7 as part of design testing for the new projectile.
Modular Artillery Charge System-5 is the maximum charge level for U.S. Paladin and M777 howitzers. Projectiles must be fired at this charge level to achieve their longest range. At MACS-5, Excalibur reached a range exceeding 40 kilometers (more than 24 statute miles) using U.S. artillery systems.
"When the commander needs cannon artillery, the Excalibur can achieve precision with discrimination at ranges we have not seen in the past," said Kevin Byrnes, vice president of Raytheon's Army programs. "This is a game-changer for soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan who fire Excalibur in combat operations."
The new Excalibur design uses fewer parts and requires simpler manufacturing, resulting in lower costs and increased reliability.
"The additional range achieved with MACS-5 will give more flexibility to maneuver commanders," said Steve Bennett, director of Raytheon's Excalibur program. "Success at the highest charge level is critical to meeting the warfighter's needs."
Albert Einstein
“Lo importante es no dejar de hacerse preguntas.”
General Dynamics Awarded 64.6 Million Euros for 100 RG-31 MK5E Vehicles by the Spanish Army VIENNA – General Dynamics Santa Bárbara Sistemas has been awarded a 64.6 million Euro ($102 million) contract by the Spanish Government to supply RG-31 Mk5E mine protected vehicles for the Army. General Dynamics Santa Bárbara Sistemas is one of four companies that comprise General Dynamics European Land Systems.
The contract calls for the delivery of 100 vehicles – 85 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), 10 Ambulances and 5 Command Post variants – plus integration of Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) turrets and ongoing integrated logistic support (ILS). Work under the contract is expected to be completed by 2009. The contract includes an option for a second phase for 80 additional vehicles that will include some manufacturing in Spain.
General Dynamics Santa Bárbara Sistemas, as prime contractor, will provide program management, engineering and logistic support. BAE Systems Land Systems OMC of South Africa will supply the vehicles as a subcontractor to General Dynamics.
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada (Ottawa) has a similar program with BAE Systems Land Systems OMC for this vehicle.
The RG-31 Mk5E is a 4x4 armored vehicle with a combat mass of up to 17,000 kg, including 3,500 kg of payload. In standard Armored Personel Carrier configuration, this air-conditioned vehicle carries a crew of 10 (driver plus nine). It is in service with many other countries including the United States and Canada and has been operating in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Es una noticia muy esperada por todos nosotros, ya que ladecisión se ha retrasado bastante tiempo.
Albert Einstein
“Lo importante es no dejar de hacerse preguntas.”
LA OTAN ATRAVIESA LA FRONTERA PAKISTANÍ EN SUS ATAQUES
Islamabad, Sept 3, IRNA Pakistan-NATO shelling NATO gunship helicopter bombed Pakistani border areas early Wednesday, killing at least 15 people and injuring several others, local tribesmen said.
They said the helicopters shelled Angor Ada, a small town in the border areas of South Waziristan.
Tribesmen said that three children and five women are among those killed.
They said that the forces attacked the houses of Payu Jan, Faiz Muhammad and Naza Jan at Musa Neka of Ango Ada.
Local authorities said that the NATO forces used ground forces to fire shells in Pakistani areas.
Local TV channels quoted tribesmen as saying that the US forces crossed into Pakistani areas, entered houses and opened fire on the inmates.
Meanwhile Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar said that NATO forces in Afghanistan have no permission to enter and carry out operations in Pakistani areas.
He did no comment on reports of fresh NATO attack in Pakistani areas. He said he will make a statement after getting full information.
Tribesmen said that a NATO also landed during the operation and three other helicopters were flying to give security cover to the helicopter on ground.
Missile strikes in Pakistani tribal regions by the NATO forces have increased in recent weeks, according to tribesmen.
Es la versión pakistaní, faltaría la confirmación por parte de la OTAN de este grave incidente.
Albert Einstein
“Lo importante es no dejar de hacerse preguntas.”
TUCSON, Ariz., Sept. 4, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- The Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN)-Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) Javelin Joint Venture received a $111.6 million U.S. Army Global War on Terror supplemental contract to produce additional Javelin missiles and command launch units. Javelin is the world's first man-portable fire-and-forget medium-range missile system. The compact, lightweight missile is designed for one-soldier operations in all environments. The joint venture expects to deliver the missiles and CLUs to the U.S. Army in the spring of 2011.
"The Javelin is very effective in the battlefield. It weighs only 49 pounds and is soft launched, which means the rocket motor ignites outside the launch tube. Soldiers can fire Javelin from inside a protective enclosure," said Duane Gooden, Raytheon Missile Systems' Javelin program director and president of the Javelin Joint Venture. "Javelin's long-wave imaging infrared technology also allows use of the weapon during poor weather conditions."
The Javelin enhances direct-fire capability against armored vehicles, buildings and field fortifications. Its anti-armor defense capabilities are critical to mission success in multiple environments. Javelin is currently in service with the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and 10 allied customers.
"Javelin's infrared command launch unit is designed for easy and quick target engagement," said Hady Mourad, Lockheed Martin's vice president of the Javelin Joint Venture. "Its thermal sight is also an excellent surveillance device, which has been demonstrated in the Global War on Terror."
Albert Einstein
“Lo importante es no dejar de hacerse preguntas.”
Navistar Defense LLC, Warrenville, Ill., is being awarded a $752,042,549 firm-fixed-priced delivery order #0009 under previously awarded contract (M67854-07-D-5032) for the procurement of Category I (CAT I) Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) low rate initial production vehicles with engineering change proposal upgrades for enhanced maneuverability and associated non-recurring engineering costs. This order will also be used to support the procurement of additional CAT I MRAP vehicles to provide protection of U.S. military personnel supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Work will be performed in WestPoint, Miss., and work is expected to be completed Feb. 2009. Contract funds will not expire by the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.
Albert Einstein
“Lo importante es no dejar de hacerse preguntas.”
CONTRATO 292 NUEVOS VEHICULOS HEMMT A4 PARA EL US ARMY
Oshkosh Truck Corporation, Oshkosh, Wis., was awarded on Sept. 3, 2008 a, $82,652,531 firm/fixed price contract. This modification is for the RECAP of 292 HEMMT A4 vehicles. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wis., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2008. One bid was solicited and one was received. TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV07-C-0248).
Albert Einstein
“Lo importante es no dejar de hacerse preguntas.”
RUSIA AMENAZA A LA OTAN CON RETIRAR SUS TROPAS DE AFGANISTAN
04/09/2008 11:54 BRUSSELS, September 4 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's NATO envoy has said that Moscow could suspend cooperation with the military alliance on Afghanistan over the recent Georgia crisis.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed decrees last week recognizing South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states, saying the move was necessary to protect the republics from Georgian acts of aggression following Tbilisi's August 8 military offensive in South Ossetia.
NATO subsequently urged Russia to reverse its decision and respect Georgia's territorial integrity. Moscow blamed Western powers for encouraging Tbilisi's aggression and criticized the alliance for building up forces in the Black Sea and helping Georgia to rebuild its defenses in the conflict zone.
Speaking at a news conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels late on Wednesday, Dmitry Rogozin said "future cooperation [in Afghanistan] will depend on the alliance's position in the 'Caucasus crisis.'
"We are not satisfied either with NATO's words or actions," he said.
Russia has already suspended all peacekeeping operations with NATO for at least six months and has frozen its participation in NATO's Partnership for Peace program.
Rogozin said that Moscow so far had decided to continue supporting NATO operations in Afghanistan only because Russia was concerned by the worsening military and political situation in the Central Asian country amid an ongoing rise in extremism and drug production.
Moscow had earlier agreed to allow non-lethal goods for NATO troops in Afghanistan to pass through Russian territory.
Since the Taliban regime was overthrown in the 2001 U.S.-led campaign, Afghanistan has become the world's leading producer of heroin.
Afghanistan's opium production increased from 6,100 tons in 2006 to 8,200 tons in 2007, according to the UN. The narcotics trade has become an acute problem for Russia and the Central Asian republics due to a continual flow of illegal drugs from Afghanistan.
"We do not see any success [in NATO operations] but only a degradation of the situation in Afghanistan, and that is why Russia decided to maintain its cooperation with NATO in this area," he said.
NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has about 53,000 troops operating in the country under a UN mandate to help give security support to the Afghan government and stop the flow of drugs from the country.
However, despite international efforts, the Taliban, ousted from power after a U.S.-led military operation in 2001, have been stepping up their activities in recent months. The radical Islamic movement has vowed to increase suicide and other attacks in order to undermine the authority of the current Afghan administration.
Esta es una consecuencia más del tira y afloja entre Rusia y la OTAN.
Albert Einstein
“Lo importante es no dejar de hacerse preguntas.”
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – The U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), a $34 million delivery order for 30 M1A1 Abrams Integrated Management (AIM) main battle tanks. The contract includes an option for 30 additional AIM vehicles, bringing the total potential award value to $69.5 million.
AIM is a joint effort to refurbish M1A1 main battle tanks involving the U.S. Army Project Manager for Heavy Brigade Combat Team, the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, the Anniston Army Depot (Anniston, Ala.), and General Dynamics Land Systems. Under the AIM program, M1A1 Abrams tanks are completely disassembled and overhauled to a like-new, zero-mile condition. Refurbished tanks incur lower operational and support costs and report higher operational readiness rates.
M1A1s are configured with armor upgrades and additional mission-critical technologies to bolster crew situational awareness (SA). The SA package include second-generation Forward-Looking Infrared, Far Target Locate, Blue Force Tracking (BFT)/Force Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2), a tank-infantry phone, a .50 caliber thermal sight, a power distribution box, a rear slave receptacle, an eye-safe laser rangefinder, and driver’s vision enhancement.
This situational awareness package increases the M1A1 Abrams tank’s fighting capability by providing soldiers an electronic graphic of the battlefield with icons for friendly and enemy forces, and increases the accuracy of the tank commander’s .50 caliber machine gun.
These M1A1 tanks are slated for delivery to U.S. Army units beginning in October 2010. Work will be performed in Anniston, Ala.; Tallahassee, Fla.; Lima, Ohio; and Scranton, Pa., by existing General Dynamics employees.
Albert Einstein
“Lo importante es no dejar de hacerse preguntas.”
CONTRATO PARA INICIO PRODUCCION DEL PROYECTIL EXCALIBUR
TUCSON, Ariz., Sept. 5, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) an $85.3 million contract to produce tactical Excalibur projectiles for the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and the Australian Defence Forces.
Excalibur, a cooperative effort between Raytheon Missile Systems and BAE Systems Bofors of Sweden, is an artillery projectile that provides precision- strike capability at extended ranges for current and future 155 mm howitzers.
"The Excalibur is a combat-proven artillery round that gives the soldier precision guidance and extended range," said Kevin Byrnes, Raytheon's vice president of Business Development-Army Executive. "Nothing is more important to us than providing the warfighter with innovative and highly effective technology."
Excalibur is the only precision projectile currently fired from U.S. Army (Paladin and LW155), USMC (LW155) and Canadian (LW155) 155 mm howitzers. The objective Excalibur has a 40-km (24.8 miles) range that demonstrates better than 10 meter-(32.8 feet) accuracy.
"Excalibur's accuracy and lethality have brought the howitzer into the 21st century," said Raymond Sicignano, U.S. Army deputy product manager for Excalibur. "It provides both the precision and responsiveness required for operations in heavily populated areas. Its surgical strike accuracy effectively eliminates enemy targets while protecting the civilian population."
Albert Einstein
“Lo importante es no dejar de hacerse preguntas.”
AM General, LLC, South Bend, Ind., was awarded on Sept. 3, 2008, a $76,029,475 firm/fixed price contract for the purchase 560 each M1152A1B2 High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles. Work will be performed in Mishawaka, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. TACOM Warren, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (DAAE07-01-C-S001).
Albert Einstein
“Lo importante es no dejar de hacerse preguntas.”
Navistar Defense LLC, Warrenville, Ill., was awarded on Sept. 3, 2008, a $ 70,040,677 firm/fixed price contract for 10-ton general transport truck and spare parts to support the general transport trucks. Work will be performed in New Carlisle, Ohio, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2009. Bids were solicited via Sole Source and one bid was received. TACOM, AMSTA-AQ-ADBA, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-08-C-0489).
Navistar Defense, Warrenville, Ill., was awarded on Sept. 2, 2008, a $21,722,937 firm/fixed price contract for 120, 6x4 trucks and 35 ton trailer combinations with corresponding spare parts. Work will be performed in Warrenville, Ill., with an estimated completion date of Jun. 1, 2010. Bids were solicited Foreign Military Sales sole source designated and one bid was received. TACOM, AMSTA-AQ-ADBA Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-08-Z137).
Albert Einstein
“Lo importante es no dejar de hacerse preguntas.”
MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK), the largest supplier of ammunition to the United States military, has received an additional $104.3 million in military small-caliber ammunition orders from the U.S. Army Sustainment Command in Rock Island, Ill. Work on the contracts will be performed by ATK, at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP), in Independence, Mo. ATK began operating the plant in 2000. The company is also under contract with the Army to modernize the facility to increase efficiency and capacity.
LCAAP produces a mix of 5.56mm, 7.62mm, .50-caliber and 20mm cartridges. Working in partnership with the Army, ATK has expanded manufacturing capacity at the plant. The company is on track to deliver 1.4 billion rounds of ammunition in FY09.
ATK is a premier aerospace and defense company with more than 17,000 employees in 21 states and approximately $4.6 billion in revenue. News and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com/.
Albert Einstein
“Lo importante es no dejar de hacerse preguntas.”
DRS Sustainment Systems Inc., St Louis, Mo., was awarded on Sept. 5, 2008, a $8,694,734 letter contract will be firm fixed price contract. This contract is for the production effort of six (6) M1000 Heavy Equipment Transporter System (HET) trailers, including field service representatives support for the M1000 throughout HETS testing, system support package and parts support throughout HETS testing and a logistics package update. Work will be performed in West Plains, Mo., with an estimated completion of Jun. 5, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid was received. U.S. Army TACOM LCMC, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-08-C-0626).
Albert Einstein
“Lo importante es no dejar de hacerse preguntas.”
