BAE Systems Unveil a New Mine Protected RG33L Truck

BAE Systems unveiled last week a new mine protected truck, which can be utilized for Infantry Carrier, Ambulance, Command and Control, Convoy Escort, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and other roles. The new RG33L is an air transportable 6x6 Mine-Protected Vehicle (MPV), incorporating a classic monocoque V-shaped hull design, similar to all modern MPVs. It utilizes a base armor protecting against small-arms fire and mine attacks, panoramic windows utilizing the TRAPP transparent armor, and modular, mission configurable appliqué armor kits.

US Army Converts TOW 2B Into a Wireless Weapon

The US Army awarded Raytheon an initial US$163.2 million contract, part of a five year program for the delivery a wireless version of the TOW 2B heavy anti-tank, precision assault missiles. The new missile uses a datalink embedded in the missile and launcher, thus eliminating the wire connection that limited the missile for a distance of 3,750 meters and complicated its performance over water and in urban environments.

Laser Armed C-130 Gunship Begins Flight Testing

Boeing has begun flight testing for the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) on a specially modified C-130H simulating the future high-power laser armed gunship. At present, the aircraft uses a solid-state "low-power" surrogate laser evaluating search and track of ground targets. The high power chemical laser destined for the program was fired for the first time on Sept 21 on a ground bench. By 2007, this high power module is scheduled for installation on the aircraft, to begin test firing in-flight. Boeing is developing ATL for the U.S. Department of Defense through an ACTD program.

Lockheed Martin Gets $47 Million for ATACMS Replenishment

The US Army fired over 100 ATACMS warheads since Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. The service is now replenishing its tactical missile stocks, under US$47 million contract awarded to Lockheed Martin. Block 1A Unitary Missile is the latest addition to the ATACMS family of munitions. This variant is designed to launch precision attack under all weather conditions, from ranges of 300 kilometers. The missile has a unique "vertical impact" capability, designed to improve penetration and optimize fragmentation coverage while reducing collateral damage. The missile is deployed from the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) family of launchers, including the MLRS M270A1 launcher and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher.

Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems is developing a large focal plane electro-optical staring array for a new missile warning satellite, capable of capturing images of the entire earth from a geosynchronous orbit. The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory is funding the program with $54.4 million. Development is scheduled to complete by mid 2008, in time for the US Air Force decision on follow-on for missile warning satellites. The system known as Alternate Infrared Satellite System (AISS) will be able to look for infrared plumes created by large rockets and provide early warning of ballistic missile launches. The large array will not use mechanically scanning parts and will, therefore, be more reliable and offer higher fidelity imaging. The staring approach enabled by the large focal plane array also will enable detection of brief infrared events, typical of short-range theater missiles.

New Sensor for Wide Area Search Track & Engagement

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is supporting an automated wide area targeting study to evaluate a new sensor which will couple wide area surveillance with advanced targeting capability for rapid response. When fully developed, the new high-altitude airship deployed sensor will be able to provide day/night, persistent tactical surveillance of all moving vehicles in a large urban battlefield.

Army orders 109 Boomerang II Gunshot Detectors

BBN Technologies will produce 106 Boomerang II mobile shooter detection systems under a recently awarded US$1.8 million US Army contract. Over 100 Boomerang II systems are already deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. BBN is now finalizing development of the next generation, Boomerang III which will provide enhanced performance and easier installation, maintenance, and support, while meeting or exceeding Boomerang II's accuracy and mil-spec qualifications.

The Royal Air Force (RAF) is modernizing 69 GR7 Harrier Vertical/Short Take Off and Landing (V/STOL) aircraft currently in service into the GR9 version. BAE is currently converting the first batch of 24 aircraft in service with Harrier Operational Training Unit (OTU) 20th Reserve squadron and 1st Fighter Squadron. The RAF plans to sustain these aircraft in service until the VSTOL Joint Strike Fighter will become operational in the next decade. The upgrades allow the aircraft to use more advanced precision weaponry such as the Paveway IV 500lb laser and GPS guided bombs and the Brimstone milimeter-wave, fire-and-forget anti-armour missiles. The GR9 will be able to engage 12 separate targets simultaneously with a single Brimstole salvo. The conversion of all 69 Harriers, under a £500 million program is expected to complete by 2009.

NATO is launching an Intelligence Fusion Centre to support NATO's operations with comprehensive intelligence support drawn from across the alliance. All NATO nations have been invited to contribute to the centre. The new center located at RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire , U.K. became operational today (October 16th, 2006). Under the initial operating capacity status the center is operated by 75 personnel, of an eventual 160 expected to man the center from across NATO.

BAE Systems has been awarded a $40.7 million contract to deliver 1,964 Marine Corps Transparent Armored Gun Shield (MCTAGS) turret kits for the U.S. Marine Corps to be used with Humvees, MTVRs and M88 recovery vehicles. BAE Systems is already producing 1,900 such systems for the Marines, under another contract awarded in 2005. Similar systems are provided for US Army Strykers, Bradleys, M1 and M113s.

US Army Shadow 200 To Get POP-300 EO Payloads

The US Army awarded AAI Corp. US$ 13.5 million contract for the supply of a first lot of IAI/Tamam POP-300 EO/IR payloads, to replace currently used POP-200. A follow-on order expected in early 2007 will bring the total value of this procurement is expected to be $27 million.

TRL Technology, a division of L-3 Communications, has launched a new generation of the Broad Shield Counter Remotely Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) jammer. The new system is better designed to address simultaneous threats and offers 50% reduction in weight, compared to current Broad Shield systems.

Lockheed Martin, Armor Holdings Team for JLTV

Lockheed Martin and Armor Holdings announced a teaming agreement, consolidating an industry team for the upcoming Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) competition. JLTV is intended to be the next generation in light armored wheeled tactical vehicles for the armed services. The team will be led by Lockheed Martin, which will also act as prime contractor and systems integrator. Earlier this year, Lockheed Martin completed the acquisition of the British company HMT Vehicles Ltd. and positioned it to provide the core for future tactical wheeled vehicles business. As part of the industry team, Armor Holdings will be responsible for vehicle assembly and armor survivability subsystems. In June 2006 Armor Holdings acquired Stewart & Stevenson, the producer of the US Army FMTV tactical truck, which is expected to be replaced by one of the versions of JLTV. Other team members include aluminum specialist Alcoa, JWF Industries and Axletech International.

ITT To Supply 32,000+ SINCGARS With 'Hooks' for SideHat

Harris Awarded US$179 million orders for FALCON Radios

Harris Corporation has been awarded a $1.9 million contract from the U.S. Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) for the new Falcon III (AN/PRC-152C) multiband handheld radios. These radios will be deployed with naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Naval Coastal Warfare Groups operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. This new transceiver is the first NSA-certified radio to implement the government's Software Communications Architecture (SCA) which, along with the embedded Sierra II software programmable encryption module, can easily be upgraded to provide additional capabilities in the future. Harris also announced further US Army orders, totaling approximately $176 for Falcon II series radios, including the AN/PRC-150C high frequency (HF) radios and AN/PRC117F VHF/UHF multiband manpack radios.