GDLS to Equip Two Brigades with Double-Hull Strykers
October 25, 2011: Over a year after receiving the first order for the new Double-V hulls (DVHs) version of its 8×8 Piranha vehicle design, production and modification of the new vehicles are running at full steam.
Following an order for 550 LAV III vehicles worth over one billion US$ from Canada, General Dynamics Land Systems won other orders this month, an award of $367 million to deliver 177 Stryker combat vehicles equipped with DVH. This award comes in addition to a similar $267 million order for 115 vehicles awarded earlier this month. Combined with previous orders for DHVs, this production order will provide the U.S. Army with vehicles to equip two Stryker brigade combat teams by July 2013. GDLS delivered the first vehicle Stryker DVH in May 2011, following 14 months of development. (Defense-Update)
Northrop Grumman Delivers Litening G4 Advanced Targeting Pods
October 22, 2011: The Northrop Grumman Corporation has completed delivery of the first 50 Litening G4 Advanced Targeting Pods under a U.S. Air Force contract. Litening G4 offers enhanced imaging capability, with wider field of view, better target identification at longer ranges than previous versions. The new pod has begun full operations at its first military base with seven additional base deployments planned in the near future.
Canada to Upgrade LAV III for One Billion US$
October 21, 2011: General Dynamics Awarded $1 Billion to Upgrade LAV III Vehicles by Government of Canada. The LAV III Upgrade Project will modernize 550 vehicles, significantly enhancing their survivability, mobility and firepower and extending the fleet’s lifecycle to 2035.
P-8 launches First MK 54 Torpedo
October 13, 2011: The P-8A Poseidon successfully launched the first MK 54 torpedo during a test event in the Atlantic Test Range Oct. 13. The test verified safe separation of the MK 54 weapon from the P-8A. Future tests will evaluate delivery accuracy, weapon integration, and end-to-end test. (More on the P-8A from defense-Update)
Recent & previous reports:
U.S. & Canada Defense Update – October 4, 2011
U.S. & Canada Defense Update – September 25, 2011
U.S. & Canada Defense Update – September 2, 2011
