Japan’s ABM System Cost Triples

DID has covered ongoing ABM developments involving the USA and Japan, from their joint development agreement, to contracts and moves aimed at the deployment of SM-3 Standard and Patriot PAC-3 missiles as an initial shield. Now The Yomiuri Shimbun reports that the USA has told Japan it would cost nearly three times more than previously estimated to develop a joint missile defense system against a possible attack by North Korea.

$273.7M for Ongoing C-17 Support Partnership in USA, UK

C-17

Boeing subsidiary McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach CA received a $273.7 million firm-fixed price contract modification to exercise the FY 2006 options for the C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership.

Through the C-17 GSP, Boeing has total system support responsibility for the aircraft, including materiel management and depot maintenance.

AeroVironment Given SBIR contract for New UAVs: Can They Do It Again?

Raven launching

Small business qualifier AeroVironment Inc. in Monrovia, CA received a not-to-exceed $9.6 million Phase III Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Program contract for Topic N87-190 entitled “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Development, Demonstration, and Production.” The objective is to bring a family of advanced UAVs to initial production for the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission. New vehicles concepts, as well as existing production UAVs, will be explored with the goal of rapid deployment for field trials. This effort will include R&D, UAV procurement, field trials, and user training.

AeroVironment has quite a record to build on in this area.

Nigeria Spends $251M for Chinese F-7 Fighters After Oil Deals

J-7 with weapons

Reuters reports that Nigeria’s government has approved a $251 million purchase of 15 fighter and trainer aircraft from China, further strengthening ties between the two countries after a series of significant oil deals.

The 12 F-7NI multi-role combat aircraft and three FT-7NI trainer aircraft and associated equipment will be bought from China’s National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corp. The F-7/J-7 is an upgraded version of the Soviet MiG-21 interceptor, with modernized avionics and weapons and a slight cranked-wing configuration. Reuters also notes that:

Modernizing Willy Pete

Shaw Environmental Inc. in Stoughton, MA received a $23 million firm-fixed-price contract for the design, purchase, and installation of equipment to modernize the white phosphorous facility at Pine Bluff Arsenal, AR. White phosphorous is an extremely effective smoke generator, especially for small size devices like grenades or mortars. It also has some uses as an incendiary, and its combustability in warm weather or upon handling can make it dangerous.

According to GlobalSecurity.org, Pine Bluff’s original mission was as a manufacturing center for magnesium and thermite munitions…

These Boots Are Made for Walkin’

Infantry boot

The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA recently issued four fixed-price with economic price adjustment contracts totaling $56.1 million, procuring boots for US Army and Air Force personnel. All are indefinite-quantity/ indefinite-delivery type contracts exercising their 2nd term options, and the option periods will end on September 22, 2006. With respect to the original contracts, proposals were Internet-solicited and four responded.

The four companies receiving order are:

$24.8M to N-G to Improve Network Security

Northrop Grumman Information Technology in McLean, VA received a $24.8 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract to develop a dynamic network security architecture that provides situational awareness of network security and events. It should also allow active policy to manage the network and policy to allow joint coalition operations. Solicitation began in August 2004 and two proposals were received. Negotiations were complete in July 2005. Work will be performed at Northrop Grumman Corporation Information Technology in McLean VA; and ITT Industries in Rome, NY. The Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH issued the contract (FA8750-05-D-0260).

Turkish Attack Heli Competition Stumbles Again

AH-1Z: Flying away?

Back on August 15, 2005, DID noted the revival of Turkey’s on-again, off-again attack helicopter buy. The program has been plagued by a combination of political hesitancy and contract demands from the Turkish government that have killed past deals. Meanwhile, the program has been scaled back from 145 helicopters to just 50 – and now Turkish Daily News reports that procurement of an initial batch of 30 attack helicopters is facing fresh delays and a possible decision by the leading contender not to bid.

Turkey has become concerned that its limited number of helicopter gunships – 7 AH-1W Super Cobras and about 20 earlier AH-1 Cobra versions – may fail to meet the military’s operational requirements given that the Kurdish terrorist PKK resumed its attacks in May 2005. Yet the problems they face are almost wholly of their own making.

Eurofighters for Saudis? Only with Eurofavours

RAF Eurofighter

The Guardian reports that Britain has been in secret discussions with Saudi Arabia over a major arms deal that includes the Eurofighter Typhoon, and is said to be worth up to GBP 40 billion (USD $71 billion, EUR 59 billion). Talks are said to be stalling, however, after Riyadh asked for three “tricky” favors.

Saudi Arabia Offering $800M to Upgrade its C-130s

C-130 Hercules

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress that Saudi Arabia wishes to purchase upgrade kits and services for 54 C-130E/H Hercules aircraft, as well as associated equipment and services. The total value of this contract, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $800 million.