German Military to Administer Deep Cuts in Manpower, Procurement
Bowing under economical burden the german Government plans deep cuts in defense spending, dramatically reducing planned procurement of main weapon systems and platforms. Overall the personnel level in military services will be reduced from 185,000 to 65,000, to include only professional service members. Among the hardest hit industry group will be EADS, with its Eurofighter Typhoon, NH90, Tiger helicopters and Euro Hawk drones affected, all programs are managed by EADS subsidiaries. (Defense-Update)
Boeing’s New Electronic & Mission Systems (E&MS) Division to focusing on ISR
October 15, 2011: The Boeing Company has restructured its Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) activities under the new Electronic & Mission Systems (E&MS) division, to control the Network and Space Systems business unit along with Argon ST, Digital Receiver Technology (DRT) and Boeing’s tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) programs. The manager of the new division is Terry Collins, who previously served as vice president and general manager of Argon ST. The new division’s portfolio will include Ship’s Signal Exploitation Equipment (SSEE) Increment F systems, serving the U.S. Navy; the Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance Surveillance System (EMARSS), serving the U.S. Army; and many of Argon’s legacy Navy and Marine Corps programs.
Russia Grants Venezuela US$4 Billion Line of Credit for Arms Purchases
October 7, 2011: Russia has granted Venezuela a new US$4-billion line of credit for military and technical cooperation, Venezuela’s president Hugo Chavez announced.
A|D|S chief: “the U.K. is heading in the wrong direction on Defense
October 7, 2011: The U.K. defence industry could be expecting further job losses following the government’s historic and recent cutbacks in defense spending. Further layoffs of 20,000 – 30,000 skilled employees are at risk across the defense industry, jeopardizing the ability of the British industry to recoup and sustain its market leading position, according to Ian Godden, Chairman A|D|S
ATK-GD OTS Team to Deliver the marines with Precision Mortar Bombs
October 4, 2011: ATK and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems are teaming to offer a full-up solution for the U.S. Marine Corps’ requirements for the rifled, 120mm Precision Extended Range Mortar (PERM). The new guided munition will provide the Corps’ Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS) towed-mortar the option to engage point targets from ranges of 16 – 20km. ATK will be the prime contractor to the USMC for the PERM Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) program, providing the guidance fuze technology, to be combined with the propulsion and warhead subsystems delivered by General Dynamics. ATK is already providing a similar solution for the U.S. Army 120mm mortars. (Defense-Update)
