The Army's lead systems integrator (LSI) team of Boeing and Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) has chosen 15 companies to help develop key technologies and systems for the Future Combat Systems program. The new partners will lead a team of about 70 companies in developing key systems during the program's $15 billion systems development and demonstration (SDD) phase. FCS, made up of 18 systems and the soldiers that control them, is a key program in the Army's transformation plans.
The U.S. Navy echoed the Air Force July 10 in saying it does not intend to put weapons on the Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle, despite an Army general's recent comments suggesting the Defense Department will try to arm the Northrop Grumman-made surveillance aircraft. "At this time, we have no plans to arm the Global Hawk aircraft," a Navy spokesman told The DAILY.
The FAA commissioned the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) at midnight on July 9, marking the formal beginning of the agency's effort to enable precise satellite navigation for aircraft flying anywhere in the U.S.
A small number of backpack-sized drones launched by hand made such an impression on special forces units in Iraq that they may soon become standard-issue, according to the acquisition chief for U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). About 60 Pointer miniature unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) made by AeroVironment deployed to Iraq with "A teams," the 12-man special forces units that form the core of the Army's Green Berets.
(Editor's note: The following is excerpted from the written responses by Thomas W. O'Connell, who has been nominated to be assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low intensity conflict (SO/LIC). O'Connell testified July 10.) Q: The position of assistant secretary of defense for [SO/LIC] has been vacant for over two years. What changes, if any, have taken place during this time in the SO/LIC organization and the responsibilities of the ASD (SO/LIC)?
The U.S. Air Force is moving ahead with a program to develop new technologies for a huge satellite-borne radar antenna that would yield images sharp enough to help battlefield commanders. A bidders' conference for the Innovative Space Based Radar Antenna Technology (ISAT) effort is slated July 22-23 in Chantilly, Va., the Air Force Research Laboratory says in a July 7 FedBizOpps notice.
TOMAHAWK TEST: Raytheon Co.'s Tactical Tomahawk missile was launched underwater from a U.S. Navy submarine for the first time on July 9, the company said. The USS Tucson fired the missile, which flew more than 800 nautical miles at the Naval Air Systems Command sea and land test ranges in Southern California.
The Senate Appropriations Committee (SAC) delivered more bad news July 9 to the Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) program and the Missile Defense Agency's boost-phase interceptor missile effort, approving deep funding cuts in both programs as part of the fiscal 2004 defense appropriations bill.
Production of Sikorsky's Collier Trophy-winning S-92 utility helicopter is heating up as the company prepares to deliver its first units to customers next year. The first production S-92 began assembly in March and is expected to fly by mid-January, in time for delivery to the first S-92 customer in March 2004. Sikorsky is committed to producing 12 S-92s in 2004, 18 in 2005, and 27 in 2006. The company expects 27 to be the stable, long-term annual production rate, according to S-92 Program Manager Nick Lappos.
NEW DELHI - France's Eurocopter and India's Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) confirmed they have agreed to jointly produce subassemblies for Cougar and Fennec helicopters, and eventually entire aircraft, at Indian facilities. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding after Eurocopter made the joint production offer (DAILY, June 23). They have agreed to draw up a plan for the work and for equity participation.
"Buy American" provisions in the House version of the fiscal 2004 Defense Authorization Act drew both criticism and praise on Capitol Hill July 9. The provisions were introduced by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. They say that within four years, prime contractors and subcontractors should use machine tools, dies, and industrial molds made in America when working on defense acquisition programs of more than $5 million.
U.S. Global Aerospace is producing 11 radomes for Agusta's AB412 military helicopters under an order worth more than $120,000, the company said July 9. U.S. Global has delivered the first four radomes to the Italian company and is scheduled to complete shipment of the whole order by August 4.
The Pentagon is applying a "finer and finer filter" to dispatching U.S. war machines and flag officers to an increasingly burdensome field of global defense exhibitions, including air shows, a senior defense official said July 9. Lt. Gen. Tome Walters, head of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), said the Pentagon's policy officially hasn't changed. Military planners will continue to assess U.S. participation in each event on a case-by-case basis, factoring in the current state of operational demands, he said.
Army Gen. Tommy Franks said July 9 that the Defense Department will try to weaponize the Global Hawk surveillance aircraft, marking what would appear to be a major policy reversal for the unmanned aerial vehicle. But Air Force officials disputed the general's comments, telling The DAILY that the service has no plans to put weapons on Global Hawk. Air Force officials have indicated in the past that they would not arm Global Hawk because some countries would object to having a weaponized UAV fly in their airspace.
XCOR Aerospace's EZ-Rocket demonstrator, which has flown 15 test flights since July 2001, is approaching the end of its mission as engineers focus their attention on two follow-on vehicle designs, according to XCOR President Jeff Greason. "The EZ is pretty much wrapped up," Greason told The DAILY. "We might fly it one or two more times. If we go for a more ambitious test vehicle next, we might retrofit the EZ-Rocket with some of the easier-to-test things, but as far as its primary mission in life, it's pretty much done."
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) wants industry's input on the idea of demonstrating a laser relay mirror on a high-flying airship. Fixed to the High Altitude Airship (HAA) being developed for test purposes by the Missile Defense Agency, the mirror would reflect a low-power laser beam from the Hawaiian island of Maui to track space or mid-course objects.
NEW DELHI - Germany's announcement that it has lifted sanctions against Pakistan should help Pakistan's attempts to buy military equipment, according to a Pakistani diplomat here. The sanctions were put in place after Pakistan's 1998 nuclear tests, but Germany announced last week that they would be lifted. Germany has agreed to supply spare parts for Indian air force radar systems, a supply that had dried up because of the sanctions, the diplomat said.
BAE SYSTEMS MISSION SOLUTIONS, San Diego William L. Ballhaus has been named president. BOEING, Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Tina Lange has been appointed media specialist to the company's Florida operations. CABOT SUPERMETALS, Columbus, Ohio Charles Wickersham has been appointed research and development manager. DYNAMIC MATERIALS CORP., Boulder, Colo.
