Army Suppliers. Gen. Gustav Perna, the head of Army Materiel Command, says he is trying to rebuild the supply chain that provides repair parts for Abrams tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Stryker combat vehicles. That supply chain “atrophied” partly because those vehicles have not been heavily used in combat in recent years. Perna told reporters Oct. 10 at the Association of the U.S. Army annual meeting. “What has not atrophied so much is aviation because we use quite a bit of aviation in that fight,” he added.
NASA Caucus. Reps. Steve Knight (R-Calif.) and Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) are forming the House NASA Caucus to educate fellow lawmakers about the agency’s work in aviation and space. The caucus will “bring timely information to policymakers on these important issues related to exploration, research and development, and strategic investments vital to the future of U.S. air and space competitiveness,” Knight says. The caucus, which has 26 other founding members, plans to hold a kickoff event in December.
Big Award. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency has awarded Leidos a potential five-year, $988 million contract under the Information Technology Enterprise Management User Facing Services program. Under the contract, Leidos will transition UFS from existing NGA contracts and lead operations and sustainment of the new services. Leidos says it will also help NGA transition to future Intelligence Community Desktop Environment service offerings.
House Science Staff. Jennifer Y. Brown, chief of staff for the Republican majority on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, is leaving Capitol Hill to manage federal affairs for the Texas Tech University System. Mark Marin, deputy chief of staff for the panel’s majority, will replace her.
‘Warrant-Proof Encryption.’ Deputy U.S. Attorney General Rod Rosenstein warns that commercial communications devices, basically smart phones, continue to inhibit the ability of law enforcers to gather evidence against criminals and other ne’er do wells. Pointing out that “warrant-proof encryption poses a serious problem,” he says at a cyber security conference in London on Friday that encryption in instant messaging and smart phones “frustrates traditional law enforcement efforts to collect evidence needed to protect public safety and solve crimes.” Rosenstein suggests that technology providers can design systems that protect privacy and security while still providing for lawful access when needed. His comments are reminiscent of former FBI Director James Comey’s lamentations about criminals and terrorists being able to easily hide their communications from law enforcement using smart phones.
Avionics Contract. Rockwell Collins took home a five-year, $30.7 million contract by the Technology Application Contracting Office, to support U.S. Special Operations Command. The contract will provide avionics repair and logistics, field service support and spares management for Rockwell Collins’ Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS), including expanded roles in field service and repair chain management for other installed avionics. “This agreement extends our successful relationship of supporting the USSOCOM’s critical mission as well as our position as a trusted source for technical expertise and logistics management,” says Thierry Tosi, vice president and general manager of Service Solutions for Rockwell Collins. “We’ll continue to provide critical support when and where it’s needed.” Since SOCOM began using performance-based agreements for service and support about 10 years ago, Rockwell Collins has been able to keep critical equipment mission ready by improving reliability and reducing the volume of returns and shortening turnaround times, the company says. This has led to a significant reduction in the number of spares required.
Remote Weapons. Israeli arms manufacturer Rafael unveiled its new Samson remote-controlled weapon station (RWS) at the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual expo last week. The new Samson Dual 30mm M230LF RWS is designed to address Army and Marine Corps operational needs, including low-intensity urban conflict, enemy armored personnel carriers (APCs) and dismounted enemy forces. Â The Dual M230LF includes armor protection and under-armor reloading capabilities which boost crew survivability. The Samson Dual M230LF RWS mounts two main and secondary armaments, including a 30 mm M230LF cannon and 7.62 mm Coaxial general-purpose machine gun. This enables the force to effectively close the fire loop with varying degrees of firepower, from short range dismounted personnel to medium range APCs. The RWS is gyro-stabilized on two axes, elevation and traverse. This feature, supported by sophisticated algorithms, a 3rd-generation fire control system and automatic target tracker, enables accurate on-the-move shooting.
Army Rockets. The Army’s Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center will assess Thales’s induction rocket system technology under a six-month contract through the Foreign Technology Assessment Support agreement. During this period, the Telson-22 and Telson-12 rocket launchers, and Aculeus induction rockets, will be assessed in France by an American delegation in cooperation with Thales engineers. This digital technology, which has been employed in combat since 2009, boasts a range of operational advantages, including high precision and reduced weight, better ease-of-use and reduced maintenance. Because they align with Army technology objectives, these attributes provide a compelling impetus for the assessment of the French weapons system, already operational on the Tiger combat helicopter.
Data Storage. Mercury Systems received a $3.2 million follow-on order from a leading defense prime contractor for high-speed, rugged memory devices integrated into an airborne command, control, and intelligence (C2I) computing system. Mercury’s broad portfolio of BuiltSecure high density secure memory products include double data rate third- and fourth-generation synchronous dynamic random-access memory in military-hardened, low-profile ball grid array packages. Manufactured exclusively in a Defense Microelectronics Activit-accredited facility, trust and supply chain security are assured throughout the complete product life-cycle. “This order further confirms Mercury’s leadership position in the design and volume manufacturing of high density secure memory devices for programs critical to our nation’s military success,” says Iain Mackie, vice president and general manager of Mercury’s Memory and Storage Solutions group. “Our Advanced Microelectronics Center is honored to continue supplying secure, affordable and SWaP-optimized microelectronics to our valued defense prime contractor customers.”
Infrastructure Deal. Parsons has acquired Williams Electric Company, a Florida-based company that provides control system integration, electrical and general contracting, and energy infrastructure solutions to Defense Department and other federal government customers. Chuck Harrington, Parson’s chairman and CEO, says “This acquisition should be viewed as the latest investment within Parsons’ strategy to grow our leadership position in protecting critical infrastructure assets from threats targeting operational technologies, including control systems.” Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Small Business Cyber Security. The House last week unanimously passed a bill that directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to help small businesses identify and manage their cyber security risks. The NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Act (H.R. 2105) calls on NIST to provide guidance, tools, best practices, standards and methodologies on cyber security to small business, and highlights that participation by these companies is voluntary. The Senate in September approved companion legislation.
Guilty. A federal jury last week convicted William Whyte, owner of Virginia-based Armet Armored Vehicles, of fraud and criminal false claims related to his company’s “scheme” to provide the Defense Department with armored vehicles that “deliberately” didn’t meet ballistic and blast protection requirements. The Justice Department says that Whyte’s company received $2 million for the work to provide the U.S. and its allies with armored gun trucks. Armet is no longer in business.
IT Transparency Bill. The House last week unanimously passed a bill to extend a program aimed at making risk management efforts for federal IT investments more transparent. The FITARA Enhancement Act supports the IT Dashboard site, which keeps a record of agency technology spending, through 2020. A companion bill has been introduced in the Senate.
Ukrainian Defense. Representatives from the Ukrainian defense industry spoke at an Association of the United States Army conference Monday and reiterated their hope for more partnerships with U.S. industry to supply parts for their military products. Officials cited UkrOboronProm’s goal to meet NATO standards as the impetus for growing a relationship with stateside defense manufacturers. Officials spoke of the common challenge in combatting Russian electronic warfare campaigns. “We are here and we are interested in creating joint ventures, common projects with U.S. companies which can be mutually beneficial to both sides,” said UkrOboronProm President Roman Romanov.
DDG-56 Officers Relieved. The U.S. Navy relieved the USS John S. McCain’s (DDG-56) commanding officer Cmdr. Alfedo Sanchez and executive officer Cmdr. Jessie Sanchez due to a loss of confidence following the deadly August collision involving the destroyer. The Navy notes that while investigations are ongoing, “it is evident the collision was preventable” and both officers exercised poor judgments and leadership of the ships’ training program. The officers were reassigned to commander, Naval Forces Japan and Ship Repair Facility Yokosuka, respectively.
…And Temp Replaced. DDG-56’s top officers have been temporarily replaced by Cmdr. Ed Angelinas as acting commanding officer and Lt. Cmdr. Ray Ball as acting executive officer. Angelinas is the former commanding officer of the USS McCampbell (DDG-85) while Ball is chief engineer of the USS Antietam (CG-54).
…And Begins Transit. U.S. Navy specialists completed preparation to transport the damaged the John S. McCain (DDG-56) to Yokosuka, Japan, for repairs and the ship was loaded aboard the Merchant Vessel (MV) Treasure. The Navy previously contracts with SMIT Salvage for the transportation work. Once DDG-56 was verified as properly aligned over the blocking on MC Treasure, the vessels spent eight hours de-ballasting the Treasure to life the McCain out of the water. The McCain is expected to arrive in Yokosuka later in October.
Blackwing UAS. AeroVironment, Inc. won a $2.6 million U.S. Navy contract to order and continue expanding the Blackwing small unmanned aircraft system program. The contract includes orders for several Blackwing vehicles, sensor payloads, and refurbishment kits. Initial vehicles are planned to be delivered by May 2018, with final delivery set for Nov. 2018. Blackwing is a small UAS launched from a tube on submarines or unmanned underwater vehicles that uses a mini electro-optical and infrared payload, inertial/GPS autopilot system, and secure Digital Data Link.
1000s Of Sonobuoys. The U.S. Navy awarded ERAPSCO a modification to exercise an option on a previously awarded contract not to exceed $220 million to procure up to 166,500 various sonobuoys. These include AN/SSQ 36, AN/SSQ-53, AN/SSQ-62, AN/SSQ-101, AN/SSQ-125, and MK-84 signal underwater sound series sonobuoys. Work is expected to be finished by Oct. 2020. Funds will be obligated for individual delivery orders as they are issued.
SSN-790 Christening. The U.S. Navy and General Dynamics Electric Boat plan to christen the future USS South Dakota (SSN-790), the newest Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine, during a ceremony at the company’s shipyard in Groton, Conn. The ship’s sponsor is Deanie Dempsey, wife of former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey. SSN-790 is the 17th Virginia-class submarine.
Maritime Exercise. Ships form the U.S. and South Korea (ROK) Navies are set to participate in the Maritime Special Operations exercise (MCSOFEX) from Oct. 17 to 20. The Seventh Fleet says the exercise provides a visible and coordinated engagement of the U.S.-ROK alliance. U.S participating ships includes the USS Stethem (DDG-63), USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), and USS Mustin (DDG-89).
LPD-28 Keel. The future San Antonio-class USS Fort Lauderdale’s (LPD-28) keel was authenticated during a ceremony at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ facility in Pascagoula, Miss. This is typically the start of ship construction and is certified by ship’s sponsor Meredith Berger, former deputy chief of staff to the Secretary of the Navy. LPD-28 is planned to be delivered in 2021 while 11 other LPDs have been delivered so far.