Lockheed Martin and Saft Team to Develop Batteries for JASSM
Saft has collaborated with Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control to design lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) program. Designed as an autonomous, precision-standoff missile for the United States Air Force and Navy, the JASSM will rely on Saft’s batteries to power two unique flight test systems; the missile’s telemetry instrumentation kit (TIK) and a flight termination system. Saft will provide three separate batteries, made up of MP 144350 cells, to be loaded on each test missile. Together, the three batteries offer a complete, reliable power solution for the high-performance test missile.
The JASSM (Figure 1) enables pilots to strike high-value, heavily defended targets from well outside the range of enemy air defenses. The 2,250-pound missile has a range of more than 200 nautical miles and is designed to cruise in adverse weather, day or night. The missile’s 1,000-pound multipurpose penetrator warhead and pinpoint accuracy make it highly effective against a wide range of enemy targets.
Lockheed Martin
Bethesda, MD.
(301) 897-6000.
[www.lockheedmartin.com].
Saft America
Cockeysville, MD.
(410) 771-3200.
[www.saftbatteries.com].
SNT Wins U.S. Army Contract to Evaluate On-the-Move Networks
The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Life Cycle Management Command (CELCMC) has awarded Scalable Network Technologies a $349K basic research contract to develop a prototype analysis and simulation tool for evaluating cross-layer wireless network designs. The U.S. Army is studying cross-layer network designs as a potential solution to the interference, capacity and latency limitations of current-generation on-the-move communication networks.
A collaboration by SNT and Telcordia Technologies, the prototype of a cross-layer analysis and simulation system (CLASS) tool will be developed using analytical and simulation-based approaches for evaluation and validation of different cross-layer network architectures. Telcordia will participate as a subcontractor to SNT. The CE-LCMC CLASS prototype will include each of the analytical and simulation modules specified in the architecture of the CLASS tool and incorporate appropriate algorithms, operational scenarios and analytical optimization mechanisms.
Scalable Network Technologies
Los Angeles, CA.
(310) 338-3318.
[www.scalable-networks.com].
DRS Technologies to Produce More Vehicle Computing Systems for Army
DRS Technologies received an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) $531 million contract ceiling extension to its current JV5 production contract, to provide JV-5 ultra-rugged vehicle computing and display systems for the U.S. Army’s Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade and Below (FBCB2) program and Blue Force Tracking (BFT) and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) situational awareness requirements. This IDIQ contract provides for an indefinite quantity of JV-5 vehicle computing and display systems over the next five years, allowing the U.S. Army to place delivery orders against this contract for individual requirements. The ceiling extension was awarded to DRS by the U.S. Army’s Communication-Electronics Life Cycle Management Command (CELCMC) in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.
The JV-5 vehicle computing system (Figure 2) includes new technologies such as multicore processors, increased memory, greater data storage and expansion capability to allow for future technology improvements. These enhancements provide the computer systems with better graphics processing, data handling and system networking capabilities. The company’s DRS Tactical Systems unit in Melbourne, Florida will manufacture the systems and is scheduled to continue delivering them through 2012.
DRS Technologies
Parsippany, NJ.
(973) 898-1500.
[www.drs.com].
Northrop Grumman to Put Countermeasures Systems on Marine Corps Helicopters
Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded separate contracts to outfit U.S. Marine Corps CH-53D and CH-46E helicopters with the company's battle-proven Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) system. Under the terms of these latest contracts, with a combined value of approximately $13.3 million, Northrop Grumman will integrate the DIRCM self-protection system onto the Marines’ CH-53D (Figure 3) helicopter fleet, making the CH-53D the third Marine Corps rotary-wing platform to receive DIRCM protection from shoulder-launched, heat-seeking missile threats. In addition, numerous enhancements will be incorporated on the CH-46E helicopter fleet to streamline maintenance and handling of the system in the field. System deliveries will begin this year, with final deliveries in this year.
The only such aircraft protection system currently in production, Northrop Grumman's DIRCM system is now installed or scheduled for installation on several hundred military aircraft to protect approximately 40 different large fixed-wing transports and small rotary-wing platforms from infrared missile attacks. The system functions by automatically detecting a missile launch, determining if it is a threat and activating a high-intensity laser-based countermeasure system to track and defeat the missile.
Northrop Grumman
Los Angeles, CA.
(310) 553-6262.
[www.northropgrumman.com].
DataPath to Retrofit U.S. Army JNN/WIN-T Terminals
The U.S. Army has awarded DataPath a contract to manufacture and integrate Ka band conversion kits and provide spares kits that will enable DataPath Satellite Transportable Terminals (STTs) and other systems on the battlefield to operate using the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) system. The satellite SATCOM terminals being converted were designed and built by DataPath and deployed by the U.S. Army for the Joint Network Node (JNN)/Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) program. With all options exercised over a base year and three option years, the agreement could total as much as $225 million for DataPath.
The WGS system, with its first satellite launched in October 2007, increases the high-bandwidth communications capacity available to support U.S. military operations worldwide by adding Ka and X band capacity to supplement limited military X band and commercial Ku band. This will be the first deployment of large numbers of WGS-capable, Ka band SATCOM terminals for the JNN/WIN-T program. Under this delivery order, DataPath will provide and install Ka band conversion kits on approximately 800 deployed DataPath STTs and 18 Unit Hub SATCOM Trucks (UHSTs). DataPath will also provide spares kits for the retrofitted terminals.
DataPath
Duluth, GA.
(678) 597-0300.
[www.datapath.com].
ThalesRaytheonSystems Inks Deal to Upgrade Army Firefinder Radar
ThalesRaytheonSystems has been awarded a $217 million U.S. Army firm-fixed-price contract to provide production modification kits and power amplifier modules as part of the Reliability Maintainability Improvement program for the AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder weapon locating radar. ThalesRaytheonSystems is an equally owned transatlantic joint venture between Raytheon Company and Thales Group.
The Firefinder RMI program enhancements include a modular, air-cooled transmitter and new common radar processors that will be applied to the Army’s entire fleet of AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder radar systems as well as to the fleet of agile AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radars. These upgrades will significantly reduce lifecycle costs and provide higher system availability, extending the expected life of the radar to year 2030. The RMI program could potentially save the U.S. Army more than $5 billion. The AN/TPQ-37 is the world's premier long-range weapon locating radar. It locates the position of hostile artillery, rockets and mortars so friendly forces can quickly and accurately return fire. ThalesRaytheonSystems will procure, build, integrate and test upgrade kits for the AN/TPQ-37 radar, which will then be delivered to and installed by the U.S. Army Depot at Tobyhanna, PA, as part of a planned upgrade program for AN/TPQ-37 radars in the U.S. Army's fleet.
Raytheon Company
Waltham, MA.
(781) 522-3000.
[www.raytheon.com].
