Mil-Tech

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. Wins $2.4 Million In SATCOM Equipment Orders.

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. informed its Tempe, Arizona-based subsidiary, Comtech EF Data Corp., received $2.4 million in orders for satellite modems and redundancy switches. The equipment will be employed by the United States government to support an ongoing military communications program.

The order includes the DMD2050 Universal Satellite Modem and corresponding redundancy switches. The DMD2050 Satellite Modem is designed to comply with the widest possible range of United States government and commercial standards, and is compatible with the largest number of satellite modems in the industry. It is fully compliant with MIL-STD-188-165A (all terminal types) and the IESS 308, IESS 309, IESS 310, IESS-315 and DVB-S commercial standards. The DMD2050 supports advanced and bandwidth-efficient forward error correction and a range of modulation.

Fred Kornberg, president and chief executive officer of Comtech Telecommunications Corp. informed, “These orders are another example of the government’s confidence in Comtech to provide market-leading infrastructure products for warfighter communications.”

Comtech EF Data Corp. produces a broad spectrum of satellite communications products, including Satellite Modems, Bandwidth & Capacity Management, TCP/IP Performance Enhancement Proxies, Encapsulators, Receivers, Converters, Amplifiers, Transceivers and Terminals. All products meet or exceed the standards published by worldwide and regional satellite networks.

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. designs, develops, produces and markets innovative products, systems and services for advanced communications solutions.

Comtech To Support Military Communications Program.

Comtech Telecommunications’ (News – Alert) Tempe, Ariz.-based subsidiary, Comtech EF Data Corp., will provide satellite modems and redundancy switches to the U.S. government. The equipment, worth $2.4 million, will be used to support an ongoing military communications program.

Comtech EF Data (News – Alert) Corp. manufactures a variety of satellite communications products, and all products meet or exceed the standards published by worldwide and regional satellite networks, according to company officials. In addition to other products, Comtech will deliver the DMD2050 Universal Satellite Modem and corresponding redundancy switches.

This modem supports advanced and bandwidth-efficient forward error correction and a range of modulation. DMD2050 can comply with a wide range of U.S. government and commercial standards, and is compatible with a large number of satellite modems in the industry. This product was also chosen because it is compliant with MIL-STD-188-165A – all terminal types – and the IESS 308, IESS 309, IESS 310, IESS-315 and DVB-S commercial standards.

Comtech has delivered equipment to the government for a long time now and Fred Kornberg (News – Alert), president and CEO of Comtech Telecommunications, informed these orders show the government’s confidence in their company. U.S. government officials informed they are confident that Comtech can provide high -quality infrastructure products for warfighter communications.

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. designs, develops, produces and markets innovative products, systems and services for advanced communications solutions.

This information follows recent win by Comtech EF Data. Earlier this month, Comtech EF Data was awarded a $1.6 million order from an Asian mobile operator who will utilize Comtech’s satellite equipment to supporting its cellular backhaul service expansion.

DRS Defense Solutions’ Telemedicine Network Project

DRS Defense Solutions, LLC. a wholly-owned subsidiary of DRS Technologies, Inc., announced that its Joint Tele-Medicine Network (JTMN) project team has been recently recognized, receiving first place honors, for outstanding service to American’s Warfighters by the DoD Chief Information Officer/G6.

The JTMN team is responsible for the design and installation of the Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) satellite systems installed at military hospitals and clinics throughout Southwest Asia. The systems are used to transmit critical medical data from hospitals and clinics to medical experts for the rapid triage and treatment of patients.

This satellite based network gives radiologists time to review x-rays films in advance of patient arrival to higher level medical treatment facilities. With data reaching these facilities in less than 10 minutes, physicians are able to prepare treatment plans for wounded warriors before they arrive.

The First Place Team Award was presented October 28, 2009, during the DoD CIO Executive Board Meeting at the Pentagon.

The JTMN team consists of key military and government members from the Office of the Surgeon General, PM Defense Wide Transmission Systems, and DRS Technical Services employees collaborating from Falls Church, VA; Mac Dill Air Force Base, FL; Fort Monmouth, NJ; Germany; Iraq; Kuwait and Afghanistan. The team has been deployed throughout Southwest Asia since 2003.

U.S. Navy's Mobile User Objective System

A team led by General Dynamics C4 Systems has successfully completed the second of three incremental ground segment tests for the U.S. Navy’s Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), the U.S. military’s next-generation narrowband satellite communications system. The company will provide the user entry and integrated ground segments to Lockheed Martin, prime contactor for the MUOS program. MUOS will provide cell phone-like services to ground-based warfighters, enabling users to communicate directly with each other and their commanders virtually anywhere in the world.

There are three ground system builds that incrementally will deliver the MUOS Ground System. Ground System Build 1 was successfully completed in April 2008 demonstrating the capability to command and control the MUOS satellite. It was installed and tested at the Naval Satellite Operations Centers (NAVSOC) in Point Mugu, Calif., and Colorado Springs, Colo.

The recently completed Ground System Build 2 will be tested with the first MUOS satellite at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Sunnyvale, Calif., where final integration of the satellite is underway. Build 2 installation supporting the first MUOS satellite launch and on-orbit testing will occur at the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Pacific (NCTAMS PAC) in Wahiawa, Hawaii.

Ground System Build 3 will complete the remaining ground systems capabilities. Deploying to four sites around the world, including Wahiawa, to provide global coverage for the MUOS constellation, it will complete testing during the fourth quarter of 2010.

US Army deal for Gen. Dynamics Canada

The U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, in support of the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC), has awarded a USD$2.2 billion contract to General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada for 724 Light Armored Vehicles (LAV) for a Foreign Military Sale (FMS). Vehicle deliveries will begin in April 2011. General Dynamics Land Systems, the Canadian company’s parent corporation, is a business unit of General Dynamics ( GD).

The contract was signed through the Canadian Commercial Corporation, a Crown Agency of the Canadian Government.

Dr. Sridhar Sridharan, senior vice-president of General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, said, “We are pleased to be working once again with TACOM and USASAC in support of their Foreign Military Sales program. This contract now allows us to immediately start work on variant design and production readiness. We look forward to reaching the manufacturing portion of this contract which will help us bring stability to our production workforce.”

Vehicles provided under this contract will be the LAV II version — a 300 horsepower 8×8 vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of up to 32,000 lbs (14,500 kg). The vehicles will be produced in 10 different variants.

General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, located in London, Ontario, Canada, is a business unit of General Dynamics Land Systems of Sterling Heights, Michigan. For over 30 years, more than 1900 highly skilled technical employees have designed, manufactured, delivered and supported to global customers a unique family of light armoured vehicles (LAV). More information on the company is available at www.gdlscanada.com

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 92,300 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.generaldynamics.com.

U.S. Army's BLACK HAWK Helicopter Fleet Surpasses 1 Million Flight Hours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sikorsky BLACK HAWK helicopters flown by the U.S. Army in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters of war have accumulated more than 1 million fleet flight hours without a single Class A material failure with the aircraft, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. reported today from the Dubai Air Show. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (UTX).

The U.S. Army currently operates more than 350 BLACK HAWK helicopters combined in these two Overseas Contingency Operations. BLACK HAWK helicopters have flown these missions since February 2003 and are maintaining an 84 percent mission capable readiness rate while operating in the extreme heat, wind, and sand conditions.

While the U.S. Army’s fleet of BLACK HAWK helicopters continues to log fleet hours in theater, BLACK HAWK aircraft operating in the Middle East region are also performing well for Sikorsky consumers. There are approximately 150 BLACK HAWK helicopters operating elsewhere in the Middle East.

“The BLACK HAWK helicopter has proven itself in the most extreme and rigorous environments, and each milestone is a testament to its durability and effectiveness,” informed Scott Starrett, President, Sikorsky Military Systems. “It is a proven, reliable combat aircraft.”
The U.S. Army’s total BLACK HAWK helicopter fleet exceeds 1,740 aircraft and has amassed nearly 6 million flight hours.

More than 3,000 BLACK HAWK helicopters are in use today, operating in 27 different countries. Designed to stringent U.S. Military standards, the BLACK HAWK helicopter has become the leader in multi-mission-type aircraft. Among the mission configurations it serves are troop transport, medical evacuation, electronic warfare, attack, assault support and special operations.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., USA, is a world leader in helicopter design, produce and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., USA, provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.

KBR received part of $3B Air Force contract

KBR Inc. awarded a basic contract by the U.S. Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment to compete for future task orders Co has been awarded a basic contract by the U.S. Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment (AFCEE) Contracting Officer to compete for future task orders.

KBR is one of 23 companies that received contract award notification from AFCEE in the Full & Open competition.

The total contract value to be dispersed among participating contractors is $3 billion and has a base contract period of five years. Under the contract and upon award of future task order(s), KBR will provide a full range of engineering and construction activities necessary to meet Air Force and other customer requirements.

The billion dollar defense contract for Toll

Toll Group, the Australian-based provider of integrated logistics services, has announced the conclusion of negotiations for the supply of relocation services to the Australian Department of Defence. Final contractual issues are being resolved and contract signing is expected in the near future.

“We are pleased to announce that Toll Transitions, the Toll Group’s specialist relocations business, has been notified they have successfully tendered for the contract with the Department of Defence for the provision of both Removal Services (RS) and Relocation Administration Services (RAS),” said Toll Group Managing Director, Paul Little.

“This Defence contract is comprised of an initial five year period, followed by up to 4 one year extensions, which are at the discretion of Defence. The initial five year period is expected to generate revenues of more than $1 billion, and if the extensions are granted total revenue of around $2 billion would be expected.” Mr Little said.

Removal Services involves the movement of the personal and household effects of Defence members. Relocation Administration Services co-ordinate the Defence members’ relocations, including flights, temporary accommodation, allowances and reimbursements. The RAS works closely with the RS on the removals component of the task.

“For the past 10 years Toll has provided Removal Services to the Australian Department of Defence. The inclusion of Relocation Administration Services into the contract is a significant addition and a further testament to the professionalism of the Toll Transitions team.

“Defence require over 22,000 removals and 23,000 relocations to be managed each year under this contract which is the largest of its type in Australia.

“The Tender win will entail substantial growth and opportunities for Toll Transitions with over 100 additional staff being recruited and a number of new offices being established around the country.” Mr Little said.

Turkey Gives Israel Deadline For Drone Delivery.

Turkish defense minister quoted as saying Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit have 50 days to fulfill deal for delivery of 10 drone aircraft for Turkish army, informed ‘if this does not bear fruit, the tender may be cancelled’.

Turkey has given Israeli contractors 50 days to fulfill a long-delayed deal for the delivery of 10 drone aircraft for the Turkish army, Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul was quoted as saying Saturday.

The delays in the project, launched in 2005, have come against a backdrop of tensions between the two regional allies over Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip at the turn of the year.

The two contractors – Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit – have been sent a letter to fulfill the terms of the deal within 50 days, the CNN Turk news channel quoted Gonul as saying.

“If this letter does not bear fruit either, the tender may be cancelled. But there is no cancellation at the moment,” Gonul informed CNN Turk, according to the report.

Negotiations between the two sides are continuing, he added.

Israeli officials have rejected suggestions that the delay had political links, saying the project was snagged by technical problems as Turkish-manufactured equipment proved too heavy for the aircraft.

Turkish media reported this week that Turkey had returned the only two planes to have been delivered on grounds they failed to meet the required technical norms concerning flying altitude and time.

Turkey awarded the contract in April 2005, saying that it involved the manufacture of three unmanned aerial vehicle systems, including 10 aircraft, surveillance equipment and ground control stations.

The contract was part of a 183-million-dollar project in which Turkish firms were to provide sub-systems and services amounting to 30 percent of the project.

Officials had said at the time the Israeli side was expected to complete their part in 24 to 30 months.

Israel’s ties with Turkey, its main regional ally since 1998 when the two signed a military cooperation accord, took a downturn in January when the Islamist-rooted government in Ankara launched an unprecedented barrage of criticism of the Jewish state over its deadly offensive on Gaza.

Last month Turkey excluded Israel from joint military drills and said ties would continue to suffer unless Israel ends “the humanitarian tragedy” in Gaza and revives peace talks with the Palestinians.

Small Biz Opportunities in the New Defense Budget.

U.S. defense spending on R&D has yielded major innovations over the years. With significant investment for developing cutting-edge systems scheduled to continue in the next fiscal period, small businesses can expect near-term opportunities related to new technologies.

Defense engineering has contributed a great deal toward advancing new technological systems and innovating existing devices to meet the changing needs of both the military and the nation at large. With a vast budget and the ability to draw upon widespread resources, the United States military has ambitious plans for introducing the latest engineering advances. These innovations depend on the research and development (R&D) budget for the coming fiscal year, and may present useful opportunities for a wide range of industrial and manufacturing companies.

In late October, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2010 was signed into law, authorizing a $680 billion defense budget for next year. The law provides $550.2 billion for the U.S. Department of Defense and $130 billion for overseas conflicts, and is the largest military budget in history.

“The bill marks a transition in defense spending, moving away from big-ticket items for conventional warfare to instead fund more troops and equipment for fighting small wars,” MarketWatch reports.

Out of the total budget, approximately $78.6 billion, or 15 percent, is being devoted to research, development, testing and evaluation through the Department of Defense (DOD), according to international security institute The Stimson Center’s security spending blog Budget Insight. Roughly $4 billion will be spent on energy defense activities through the Department of Energy, and $1.4 billion on medical research, personnel and construction at the DOD.

Military R&D investment is divided into eight main branches: basic research, applied research, advanced technology development, four stages of weapons development (including planning, manufacturing, testing and management) and classified programs, Budget Insight reports. The first three categories represent the initial stages of the innovation cycle, equivalent to those of a university or lab research center, while the last four categories represent the product development process.

According to the Defense Department’s 2010 Budget Request, released in May, the military’s science and technology investment strategy for the future is focused on improving existing technology while pursuing long-term objectives and exploring new areas of engineering innovation.

The three main areas of future research cited in the request are: “1) basic research to create new understanding of physical, biological or other processes for potential further exploration for military needs, 2) applied research for application to militarily useful technologies and 3) demonstrations of mature technology in relevant operational environments that can be applied to acquisition programs in the near term.”

Although the DOD has cancelled the Future Combat Systems program — one of the military’s largest research and development projects in recent years, which involved building advanced communication technology to link combat vehicles — there are numerous other technological innovations likely to make an impact on both defense engineering and the industrial sector.

Military spending has been increasingly focused on communications and information computing technology, and this shifting priority is expected to benefit producers and small businesses in a significant way.

“Communications needs to be at the level of individual soldiers. And it must be secure from the enemy, too. So we need surveillance and security of information and reconnaissance to see the enemy,” Jon B. Kutler, former naval officer and founder and chairman of defense technology firm Admiralty Partners, told the New York Times. “All of this will see increased spending, but that can come in small companies and programs.”

“[T]hat means opportunity for small military contractors, even in a time of constrained budgets,” the Times informed.

Another series of innovations involves reactive materials, which are specialized metal-polymers, inter-metallic compounds and thermites that remain inert and insensitive to normal detonation methods, but react to release enormous quantities of energy upon physical impact.

“This is a new technology which will transform everything from bombs, missiles and bullets to mines and torpedoes, as well as creating completely new weapons that are unlike anything we have today,” Wired.com’s national security blog Danger Room informed.

As military research and development spending increasingly shifts toward newer technologies and more advanced systems, such as individualized communication and computing networks or reactive materials engineering for weapons and structures, more manufacturers — including small businesses — may soon be seeing the benefits of defense innovations.