Procurement From United Press International

CONNECTICUT

Navy seeks submarine changes

GROTON | General Dynamics Electric Boat Co. has received a contract modification from the U.S. Navy for engineering services on nuclear-powered attack submarines.

The $268 million contract modification is for General Dynamics to support the Navy’s Virginia-class attack submarines with lead construction yard services. General Dynamics originally was awarded the contract in October 2005.

Under the modification, the company will “maintain and update design drawings and data for all Virginia-class submarines, including technology insertions, throughout their construction and post-shakedown availability periods,” the announcement says.

Company officials said the contract modification also will require General Dynamics to perform studies on development and design.

GEORGIA

Lockheed Martin wins reliability prize

MARIETTA | Lockheed Martin has been honored by the Defense Department with a Performance Based Logistics Award for the company’s F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft program.

The U.S. company received the PBL award for its F-22 aircraft readiness innovations, which officials say lower costs. Lockheed Martin partnered with the Air Force to implement a continuous aircraft-reliability improvement program that reduced repair time by 20 percent, leading to the cost savings.

The PBL awards recognize outstanding achievements in performance-based logistics development, implementation and execution.

“We are honored by this recognition,” said Dennis Haines, Lockheed Martin F-22 sustainment vice president.

CALIFORNIA

Pentagon seeking satellite modems

CARLSBAD | The Defense Department has contracted ViaSat Inc. for the company’s satellite modem technology to support the military’s communications requirements.

Under the $25 million contract, ViaSat will supply the military with its LinkWayS2 modems, which will be used to support high-speed-bandwidth, on-demand communications.

Company officials say the LinkWayS2 system can connect terminals directly to each other and also to multiple sites without a relay hub.

“This is another big vote of confidence for the LinkWay system, which improves security, throughput and operational bandwidth costs for the tactical Internet Protocol satellite communication network,” said Ric VanderMeulen, ViaSat government satellite communication systems vice president and general manager.

VIRGINIA

Anti-submarine training uses computer tech

MCLEAN | The Navy has contracted Alion Science and Technology to provide computer-based anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training technologies.

The U.S. company was awarded $37.93 million to supply the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division in Orlando, Fla., with ASW computer training systems for the Navy’s SH-60B Seahawk and SH-60F Oceanhawk multimission helicopters.

Under the five-year mission-rehearsal tactical team trainer deal, Alion will provide upgrades and other support for realistic simulated training capability.

“Alion has been involved with computer-based ASW tactical team training since the inception of mission rehearsal tactical team trainer in 2002,” said Dick Brooks, Alion distributed simulation group senior vice president and manager.

PENNSYLVANIA

Herley wins subcontract from Lockheed Martin

LANCASTER | Lockheed Martin has contracted Herley Industries Inc. to support a contract with the U.S. Navy for MH-60R helicopter advanced electronic technologies.

Pennsylvania-based Herley says its New England division in Massachusetts will supply Lockheed Martin Systems Integration with switch filter assemblies to support an electronic measures system on the Navy’s MH-60R multimission helicopter.

Officials say the contract for the switch filter assemblies is worth about $1.3 million.

Lockheed Martin is the prime air weapons systems integrator for the MH-60R, a helicopter used by the Navy for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions along with rescue and logistics support, among other applications.

WISCONSIN

Marines contract for armor kits

OSHKOSH | The U.S. Marine Corps has contracted Oshkosh Defense for armor kits that support the transport of medium tactical vehicles.

Oshkosh received the $180 million contract from the Marine Corps Systems Command to provide more than 1,500 reducible-height armor kits. The kits will go to support the transport requirements for medium tactical vehicles aboard prepositioning ships.

The reducible-height armor kits will be integrated with the company’s medium tactical vehicle replacement fleet, which includes cargo trucks, tractors and dump trucks, among others.

“The reducible-height armor kits provide maximum crew protection in the field while also improving transportability of the armored medium tactical vehicle replacement,” said John Stoddart, Oshkosh executive vice president and president, defense.

CALIFORNIA

Phoenix releases Prowler LTATV

ORANGE | Phoenix International Systems Inc. has announced the launch of its next-generation military-grade light tactical all-terrain vehicle.

The U.S. company released the new version of its Prowler LTATV, designed for military applications. Company officials say the new Prowler includes a more powerful engine and enhanced stability for surveillance, reconnaissance and search-and-rescue applications, among others.

“The new Prowler amplifies the advantages - unmatched reliability, stability, speed, endurance, power, all-terrain mobility and operator protection - of the current version Prowler,” said Amos Deacon, Phoenix International’s chief executive officer.

“And the Prowler is still the only LTATV platform designed specifically for military purposes and applications rather than simply a modified recreational vehicle.”

Compiled by Steven Davy of United Press International