TRICARE TRDP Stays With Delta Dental

Medical expenses are a large and growing portion of the Pentagon’s budget, and continuing care is part of that issue. There are also side programs, like the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program (TRDP). It’s a form of worldwide group coverage for eligible personnel retired from the uniformed services, un-remarried surviving spouses, eligible dependents, former members of the armed forces who are Medal of Honor recipients, and their eligible dependents. Enrolees pay the premium costs themselves, but the totals add up for the winning firm.

TRICARE actually has 3 major dental contracts…

Allies Absent in Afghanistan – Helicopters Hired

Chartered Mi-8, ISAF

Afghanistan is shaping up as a test of the NATO alliance. Thus far, the report is mixed. While a number of allied countries have committed troops, few of the NATO countries’ available helicopters have been committed, despite promises made and commanders’ requests from the field. Britain, the Netherlands, and the USA had contributed much of the combat helicopter support in the most active combat zones, alongside some CH-47s from non-NATO partner Australia. They’ve been supplemented by helicopters from some east bloc countries like Poland and the Czech Republic (Mi-8/17s), and by a few CH-47D Chinooks and Bell 412ERs from Canada. The sizable helicopter fleets belonging to NATO members like France, Germany, Italy, and Spain have also seen some use in Afghanistan, with the Italian contingent (currently CH-47s, NH90s and A129 attack helicopters) covering a wide area to the west. The most serious fighting, and corresponding need, remains in the south.

That has created political tensions within the alliance, especially when set against the backdrop of European shortfalls in meeting NATO ISAF commitments. At one point, the USA was forced to extend the deployment of 20 CH-47 heavy helicopters by 6 months, in order to try and make up the shortfall. With Canada and the Netherlands out of the picture after long combat deployments in the south, the situation is likely to become even more strained. Over the longer, term, however, a 2-track solution has emerged. Track one involves keeping up the pressure, and some members of NATO have responded. Track 2 has involved stanching the wound by chartering private helicopter support that can take care of more routine missions in theater, freeing the military helicopters for other tasks.

The US Army’s MMPV EOD/Engineer Vehicles

RG-33 MMPV EOD

In 2008, as the USA’s program to field blast-resistant vehicles hit its stride, the US Army moved to field specialized variants for their Engineers and Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams. The $2.288 billion MMPV program would buy up to 2,500 vehicles for use through 2015. The initial buy is expected to involve 1,362 MMPVs: 684 are slated for engineering units to conduct route and area clearance missions, command and control, mount mine clearing systems, and conduct explosive hazards reconnaissance. Another 678 will go to explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams to neutralize Improvised Explosive Device land mines and other unexploded ordnance.

BAE Systems was picked as the sole-source winner, with a design based on their blast-resistant RG-33.

Czechs Replacing Their Airlift Fleet

Czech AN-26

The Czech Republic’s armed forces aren’t large enough to make large foreign commitments, but the country is a frequent participant in NATO missions abroad, and needs airlift capacity for use during domestic emergencies. It currently depends on Soviet-era AN-26 “Curl” aircraft, which are wearing out quickly, and will need to be replaced soon.

“Czech L-159s: Cheap to Good Home” explored one possibility, which involved a trade of the Czechs’ fine light trainer and attack aircraft, in exchange for EADS-CASA C-295M light transports to replace the AN-26s. That turned out to be the Czechs’ preferred option, and a contract for 3 planes was signed in 2009. The EU couldn’t be content to leave well enough alone, of course, and they began legal action around the deal. That went nowhere, but their efforts may not be the only legal action. Technical problems, and allegations of overpricing, have triggered an investigation within the Czech Republic. Even as the C-295Ms themselves remain undeployable.

Rapid Fire Dec. 4, 2012: No Love Lost Between Icahn, Oshkosh

• Investor Carl Icahn and Oshkosh exchanged another round of press release hostilities in recent days. According to the AP as of today Icahn has effectively given up on his effort to buy out the truck maker.

• Several CEOs from defense contractors discussed seaquest-ration yesterday at the National Press Club and came to this conclusion: we give up, raise taxes already [see video at the bottom of this entry]. Meanwhile the GAO updated its long-term fiscal outlook for the federal government. Verdict: in the long run we’re still all dead.

• Following the review of many amendments and a 93-0 roll call vote on cloture last night, the FY13 NDAA should finally come to the floor of the US Senate today. But climate change might be a last-minute contentious curveball.