British Subs Debunk Conventional Fashion: Is Blue the New Black?

The new HMS Torbay
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Back in January 2006, DID covered pioneering technology from Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corp. that made it possible to quickly and inexpensively apply advanced fractal camouflage patterns to aircraft, UAVs, helicopters, vehicles - even buildings. The fractal camouflage trend has continued in the field of uniforms, and camouflaging other military assets seems to be getting more attention too.

Now Britain's SSN Trafalgar Class attack submarine HMS Torbay has undergone a transformation from her normal black hue to a steely blue, in a bid to become less visible to possible hunters. The idea is that blue will soften the sharp outline of black submarines and make them harder to detect. While Hyperstealth's technology is not designed for use on submarines, they have done further work on air vehicle and ship camouflage patterns in particular. DID offers explanations and previews...

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FY 2006 Contracts for US Carrier Pilots' T-45 Training System (updated)

Do you feel lucky...?
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DID has covered the T-45 Training System before, which includes T-45 Goshawk aircraft, advanced flight simulators, computer-assisted instructional programs, a computerized training integration system, and a contractor logistics support package. The integration of all five elements is designed to produce a superior pilot in less time and at lower cost than previous training systems.

The US Navy used the T-45TS to train its pilots for the transition to modern jet fighters - and carrier landings. This is not a risk-free assignment, by any means; nevertheless, it's a critical link in the naval aviation chain. DID recaps its coverage of the complete T45TS system, notes the budgetary figures, and covers the FY 2006 contracts for this system.

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MREs for Everyone!

The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, PA recently issued almost $550 million worth of contracts for fixed-price with economic price adjustment contracts for Meal Ready to Eat (MRE) and Humanitarian Daily Ration (HDR) sets, on behalf of the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies.

DID readers with a high fright threshold might wish to view a set of comparative photos of modern army rations from various militaries, or learn about MREs' uses as RPG protection. If you'd just like to know about the contracts, however....

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MTC Acquires SOF Integrator AIC

MH-47E, via AIC
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MTC Technologies, Inc. (MTC) in Dayton, Ohio and subsidiaries announced a friendly takeover of Crestview, FL's Aerospace Integration Corporation (AIC) which became effective as of April 1, 2006. Founded in 1997, AIC is an "S corporation" small business headquartered in Crestview, FL. With approximately 345 employees and approximately $34 million in revenue for the 12 months ended December 31, 2005, AIC has focused its efforts on serving DoD's Special Operations Forces (SOF) and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) special mission units. AIC performs turn-key design and modification for avionics, flight controls, and weapon systems, and fully integrates the upgraded systems and components into aircraft and ground-based vehicles. AIC has worked on just about every modified aircraft in SOCOM's fleet, from HH-60 Pave Hawks to AC-130U "Spooky" gunships.

The acquisition further strengthens MTC's goal to become a premier player in aircraft modernization and sustainment activities, while providing a significant increase in SOF which is one of its target markets.

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RAM Missiles: FY 2006 Contracts

Mk-44 firing RAM
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The Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) MK-31 guided missile weapon system is co-developed and co-produced under a NATO cooperative program between the United States and German governments to provide a small, all-weather, low-cost self-defense system against aircraft and cruise missiles. The RIM-116 weapon system was later called RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile), because it spins during flight. To save costs, Designation Systems notes that the RAM was designed to use several existing components, including the rocket motor of the MIM-72 Chaparral, the warhead of the AIM-9 Sidewinder and the IR seeker of the FIM-92 Stinger. Cueing is provided by the ship's ESM suite or radar.

RAM is currently installed, or planned for installation, on 78 U.S. Navy and 30 German Navy ships, including American LSD, LHD, LPD and CVN ship types. This number will grow as vessels of the LPD-17 San Antonio Class and Littoral Combat Ships enter the fleet. While the number of systems procured has been relatively stable, Pentagon budget documents show US program spending rising from $47 million in FY05 to $85.8 million in FY06, before dropping back to $56.9 million in FY07. A recent contract helps to explain why.

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$47.1M for 40mm Grenade Bodies

Practice makes perfect...
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The U.S. Army Field Support Command, Rock Island, IL recently issued a pair of firm-fixed-price contracts for projectile assemblies that are part of the M918 target practice 40mm grenade cartridge. Bids were solicited via the World Wide Web on Dec. 9, 2005, and three bids were received. Work is expected to be completed by Aug. 31, 2007, and these awards went to a pair of small business qualifiers:

JKS Industries Inc. of Mulberry, FL won a $24.1 million contract (W52P1J-06-C-0017). Elite CNC Machining of Largo, FL won a $23 million contract (W52P1J-06-C-0018).

Demolition, Construction at NSWC Corona

Small business qualifier Macro-Z-Technology in Santa Ana, CA won a $9.9 million firm-fixed-price contract for design and construction of an addition to the Joint Warfare Assessment Laboratory at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona. The two-story steel-framed modular structure addition will have level II security requirements throughout. This project will also demolish existing Buildings 543, 522, 523, and 808.

Work will be performed in Corona, CA and is expected to be completed by April 2007. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the NAVFAC e-solicitation website, with four proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest in San Diego, CA issued the contract (N62473-06-C-5001).

Perspectives on Technology & Transformation

John Arquilla

MIT's Technology Review interviews John Arquilla, one of the people who pioneered the idea of "The Revolution In Military Affairs" (aka. transformation, network-centric warfare). It notes:

"Yet what if the Pentagon's big platforms weren't merely the wrong weapon systems to fight present and future wars, but actually likely to bring defeat? John Arquilla, one of the military intellectuals who created and promoted the concept of "transformation" for the U.S. military, believes that may be the case. Arquilla teaches at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, and is a RAND consultant and a Pentagon advisor. His publications include Networks and Netwars: The Future of Terror, Crime, and Militancy, [see also shorter paper], In Athena's Camp: Preparing for Conflict in the Information Age and the forthcoming The Reagan Imprint: Ideas in American Foreign Policy from the Collapse of Communism to the War on Terror."

Agree or disagree, he's always worth reading. Here are a few more recent articles that tie into the Arquilla article's points. or feature additional thought-provoking material and ideas which could impact military procurement down the road...

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Today's Special: Turkey Sub RFI

Preveze Class
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Defense-Aerospace notes that Turkey has issued an RFI for four more diesel-electric submarines:

"In this frame, Request for Information is issued to gather administrative, financial and technical information from related Companies who may be willing to participate for the project activities. The companies who are willing to reply to the RFI may request the RFI document by sending an e-mail including their company name and detailed contact address to [colcay at ssm dot gov.tr]. Then, the RFI document will be sent to the related companies by e-mail. The deadline for requesting the RFI document from SSM is May 15th, 2006 by local time 17:00."

Some quick background re: the Turkish Navy's existing fleet, where its rival Greece stands, and potential submarine competitors...

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GD Subsidiary Wins First Task Order for $2.3B TEIS II US Army IT Support Contract

The U.S. Army has selected Signal Solutions, Inc., a subsidiary of General Dynamics Network Systems, to receive the first competitively awarded task order under the Total Engineering and Integration Services (TEIS II) indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity contract.

TEIS II will be the sole contract used for mission support by the U.S. Army's Information Systems Engineering Command (ISEC) - a subordinate command of the U.S. Army's Communications Electronic Life Cycle Management Command (CELCMC) located at Fort Huachuca, AZ. Work will be performed at Fort Huachuca, the National Capital Region and at Army Information Systems Engineering Command customer sites worldwide. The Army has awarded a contract worth more than $2.3 billion to three systems integrator companies to provide omnibus IT services under TEIS II....

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Norway Rush-Orders Mine-Resistant Iveco MLVs

Iveco's MLV - UK version
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DID reader Endre Lunde informs DID that Norway decided on the 24th of March to buy up to 72 IVECO vehicles, which are called the Panther by the UK and will also be fielded by the Belgian Army. The initial order is for 25 be delivered in 2006 (15) and 2007 (10), and there is also an option to buy a further 47 vehicles over a two year period. The contract is said to have a value of EUR 8 million ($9.64 million at that day's conversion), and a contract of return purchases has already been made. The purchase is said to come as a reaction to experience in international operations where the current inventory, up-armored Mercedes "Gelendevagen" has been proved inadequate, especially after the events at Meymaneh, Afghanistan in early February.

Iveco's MLV vehicle is similar to the USA's Humvees in size, but unlike the up-armored Humvees still being purchased in numbers by the USA, the MLV has vastly improved protection against IED land mines. According to Army Technology, this is achieved through a number of design features...

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USA Upgrades Submarine Fleet Acoustics Under A-RCI Program (updated)

A-RCI is a sonar system upgrade installed on the USA's entire submarine fleet, including SSN-688 Los Angeles & SSN-688I Improved Los Angeles Class, SSN-21 Seawolf Class, SSN-744 Virginia Class, SSBN-726 Ohio Class nuclear missile boats, and the pending SSGN Tactical Trident special ops and strike subs.

By sharply upgrading ship sensor processing, it integrates and improves the boat's towed array, hull array and sphere array sonars, running more advanced algorithms and providing a fuller "picture" of the surrounding environment. Sometimes, it really is all about what you can do with it.

DID adds a bit more explanation of exactly what A-RCI entails and where its benefits were focused; then we'll go on to cover contracts placed under the A-RCI program in 2006.

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DID Improves its TIGER Coverage

M1 Abrams: Let's Roll
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A March 2006 global tank market report (2006-2016) by Forceast International notes the significant share of global spending covered by upgrades and maintenance agreements for advanced western tanks. The M1 Abrams receives particular mention in that respect, which is more or less inevitable given its comparative numbers.

Thanks to some assistance from Honeywell and the good people at Weber Shandwick, DID has upgraded its January core article covering US Army's $1.4 billion TIGER (Total InteGrated Engine Revitalization) program for the AGT-1500 turbine. What distinguishes Honeywell's performance-based approach under TIGER from previous contracts, and how does the program fit in with overall US Army plans for the M1 Abrams out to 2027? Read the improved DID article and see.