Monday, March 23, 2015

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Lockheed Martin Corp., Marietta, Georgia, For One USAF HC-130J And Other Previous Awarded Contracts

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Lockheed Martin Corp., Marietta, Georgia, For One USAF HC-130J And Other Previous Awarded Contracts
Source: DTN News + CR-053-15 Dated March 23, 2015
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 23, 2015: Lockheed Martin Corp., Marietta, Georgia, has been awarded a $72,721,898 modification (P00394) to previous awarded contract FA8625-11-C-6597 for fiscal year2013 congressional add aircraft procurement. 


Contractor will provide one HC-130J production aircraft under the basic contract. Work will be performed at Marietta, Georgia, and is expected to be complete by March 31, 2017. 

Fiscal year 2013 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $36,360,949 are being obligated at the time of award. 


Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8625-11-C-6597).

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources + CR-053-15 Dated March 23, 2015
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated March 23, 2015

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated March 23, 2015
Source: K. V. Seth - DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-053-15 March 23, 2015
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 23, 2015U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued March 23, 2015 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS
 
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
 
BAE Systems Controls Inc., Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been awarded a maximum $383,033,935 firm-fixed-price, requirements-type contract for support of multiple weapon systems platforms. Estimated value cited is based on demand quantities for the life of the contract. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. This is a five-year base contract with one five-year option period. Location of performance is Indiana, with a March 19, 2020, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Defense Logistics Agency. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Virginia (SPE4AX-15-D-9414).
 
John W. Stone Oil Distributor LLC,* Gretna, Louisiana, has been awarded a maximum $7,501,160 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract for marine gas oil. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and five offers were received. This is a four-year base contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Louisiana with an April 30, 2019, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal year 2015 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (SP0600-15-D-0367).
 
NAVY
 
Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, is being awarded a $109,583,490 cost-only contract for procurement of long lead material in support of fiscal 2015 Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) and Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) full rate production requirements and spares. Work will be performed in Camden, Arkansas (64.5 percent); Andover, Massachusetts (17.2 percent); San Jose, California (6.5 percent); Middletown, Connecticut (3.3 percent); Warrington, Pennsylvania (2.2 percent); San Diego, California (2.1 percent); San Carlos, California (1.1 percent); Joplin, Missouri (0.9 percent); Reisterstown, Maryland (0.8 percent); Milwaukie, Oregon (0.7 percent); Tucson, Arizona (0.4 percent); Tampa, Florida (0.2 percent); and Mesa, Arizona (0.1 percent), and is expected to be completed by March 2018. Fiscal 2015 weapons procurement (Navy) and fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $18,980,806 will be obligated at time of award and funds in the amount of $3,556,495 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c)(1), as implemented in FAR 6.302-1 - the supplies or services required are available from only one responsible source and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-15-C-5408).
 
Lafayette Group Inc.,* Vienna, Virginia, is being awarded a potential $92,739,725 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee multiple award contract to provide technical assistance as well as research and development for the advancement of interoperable communications to federal, state, local, tribal, and non-governmental entities, and to support other command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence efforts. This is one of two multiple award contracts. Each awardee will have the opportunity to compete for task orders during the ordering period. This five-year contract includes no options periods. Work will be performed in Vienna, Virginia (50 percent), and at government facilities throughout the U.S. and its territories (50 percent). Work is expected to be completed March 22, 2019. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funding will be obligated via task orders as they are issued. The types of funding to be obligated include operation and maintenance (Navy) and interagency agreements through federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Commerce. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Request for Proposal N66001-13-R-0006 published on the Federal Business Opportunities website, and the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command e-Commerce Central website, with two offers received. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-15-D-0028).
 
Science Applications International Corp., McLean, Virginia, is being awarded a potential $83,818,576 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee multiple award contract to provide technical assistance as well as research and development for the advancement of interoperable communications to federal, state, local, tribal, and non-governmental entities, and to support other command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence efforts. This is one of two multiple award contracts. Each awardee will have the opportunity to compete for task orders during the ordering period. This five-year contract includes no options periods. Work will be performed in McLean, Virginia (50 percent), and at government facilities throughout the U.S. and its territories (50 percent). Work is expected to be completed March 22, 2019. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funding will be obligated via task orders as they are issued. The types of funding to be obligated include operation and maintenance (Navy) and interagency agreements through federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Commerce. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Request for Proposal N66001-13-R-0006 published on the Federal Business Opportunities website, and the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command e-Commerce Central website, with two offers received. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N66001-15-D-0029).
 
Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia, is being awarded a maximum amount $50,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering contract for design or architect engineering services for the implementation of National Environmental Policy Act and Executive Order 12114, Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions-Aircraft Homebasing and Related Operational Issues. The work to be performed provides for the preparation of various documents to support the proposed infrastructure-related actions with respect to aircraft home basing issues. Examples of taskings required to complete this work may include analysis of home basing of aircraft, construction, renovation, and/or demolition of airfield facilities and infrastructure; base realignment and closure actions; and proposed operational actions related to aircraft home basing. Additionally, other tasks, studies, surveys, or documents may be required to complete the environmental planning documents including, but not limited to, environmental documentation for aircraft readiness and training operations at the home base locations and within Department of Defense-managed airspace and Navy/Marine Corps training ranges. The principle geographic area covered by this contract encompasses Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic's area of responsibility (AOR) and the adjacent waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, including the continental U.S., the Caribbean, Europe and North Africa. Additionally, tasks associated with this contract may be assigned anywhere in the world. This contract may address task orders to support joint service or global efforts including the entire NAVFAC Atlantic and NAVFAC Pacific AORs worldwide. No task orders are being issued at this time. All work on this contract will be performed within the NAVFAC Atlantic AOR including, but not limited to, Virginia (30 percent), California (30 percent), Florida (20 percent), and Washington (20 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of March 2020. Fiscal 2015 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $10,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with five proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N62470-15-D-8005).
 
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Charlottesville, Virginia, is being awarded an $18,100,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-priced, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost-type contract for the production of the WSN-7 navigation system and spares and technical support in association with production. The AN/WSN-7(V) ring laser gyro navigator system is a self-contained inertial navigator designed for Navy surface ships. Work will be performed in Charlottesville, Virginia, and work is expected to be completed by December 2021. Contract funds will not be obligated at time of award. Funding will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with authority 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)( 1) - only one responsible source. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-15-D-5208).
 
The Boeing Co., Huntington Beach, California, is being awarded a $12,878,533 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract to provide design agent and technical engineering services in support of the AN/USQ-82(V) Gigabit Ethernet Data Multiplex Systems (GEDMS) program. GEDMS is a third generation shipboard network used for DDG 51 class destroyers. GEDMS transfers inputs and/or outputs for the machinery control systems, damage control system, steering control system, AEGIS combat system, navigation displays, and interior communications alarms and indicators. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $39,991,521. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (91 percent) and the governments of Australia (3 percent), Korea (3 percent), and Japan (3 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. The work will be performed in Huntington Beach, California (72 percent); Arlington, Virginia (11 percent); Bath, Maine (9 percent); Pascagoula, Mississippi (3 percent); Georgetown, District of Columbia (3 percent); Richardson, Texas (1 percent), and Fairfax, Virginia (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by March 2016. Fiscal 2014 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $3,179,520 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with authority FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii) – only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N00178-15-C-2016).
 
WR Systems Ltd., Fairfax, Virginia, is being awarded a $12,429,742 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price contract for engineering and program support services for the Relocatable Over-the-Horizon Radar system. Work will be performed in Chesapeake, Virginia, and work is expected to be completed by March 31, 2018. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $500,000 will be obligated at the time of award, and will expire by the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c)(1) with one offer received in response to this solicitation. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N00189-15-D-Z021).
 
AIR FORCE
 
Lockheed Martin Corp., Marietta, Georgia, has been awarded a $72,721,898 modification (P00394) to previous awarded contract FA8625-11-C-6597 for fiscal year2013 congressional add aircraft procurement. Contractor will provide one HC-130J production aircraft under the basic contract. Work will be performed at Marietta, Georgia, and is expected to be complete by March 31, 2017. Fiscal year 2013 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $36,360,949 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8625-11-C-6597).
 
United Launch Services LLC, Littleton, Colorado, has been awarded a $21,850,000 firm-fixed-price modification (P00035) to previously awarded contract FA8811-13-C-0003 for the Enhanced Flight Termination System. The contractor will provide engineering, program management, and technical support for a secure flight termination system for Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle launch vehicle production services. Work will be performed at Centennial, Colorado, and is expected to be complete by 30 days after the last scheduled National Security Space launch supported. Fiscal year 2013 missile procurement funds in the amount of $5,462,500 and fiscal year 2014 missile procurement funds in the amount of $16,387,500 are being obligated at the time of award. Launch Systems Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, is the contracting activity.
 
CORRECTION: The modification to contract FA8721-05-C-0002 awarded to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that was announced on March 17 gave an incorrect date range and stated the contract extension was for research and development projects that began execution prior to April 1, 2015. The correct statement is that the contract extension is to prevent a break in service for all research and development projects under the subject contract. All other information is correct.

DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY
 
Veteran Solutions Incorporated of Glen Burnie, Maryland, was awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (HDTRA1-15-D-0003) with a five year ordering period and a ceiling of $50,000,000 for administrative support services. This contract provides for non-personal services to provide administrative support services agency-wide to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). Work will be performed at DTRA Headquarters in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and at other DTRA locations in Florida, New York, New Mexico, California and Germany, with an expected completion date of March 22, 2020. Fiscal year 2015, operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $250,000 are being obligated at time of award on one initial task order. This contract was a competitive acquisition with a service-disabled veteran-owned small business set-aside and 24 offers were received. DTRA, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, is the contracting activity.

ARMY
 
Honu’Apo LLC,* Honolulu, Hawaii, was awarded a $15,000,000 modification (P00002) to contract W911KF-15-D-0003 for various construction projects at Anniston Army Depot, Alabama. Funding and work location will be determined with each order with an estimated completion date of Dec. 16, 2016. Army Contracting Command, Anniston Army Depot, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

Mission1st Group Inc.,* Princeton, New Jersey, was awarded a $8,545,461 modification (P00003) to contract W52P1J-15-F-0012 to fully fund the base period up to the definitized amount and provide network and communications, engineering, and installation support to the 335th Signal Command Theater Provisional and Army Central G-6 throughout U.S. Central Command. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $8,545,461 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Sept. 23, 2015. Work will be performed in Kuwait and Afghanistan. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity.
 
Westat, Rockville, Maryland, was awarded a $7,660,051 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract with options for good clinical practices compliant clinical trials of freeze dried plasma to obtain Food and Drug Administration licensing. Work will be performed in Rockville, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of March 29, 2021. Bids were solicited via the Internet with one received. Fiscal 2015 research, development, testing and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,955,529 are being obligated at the time of the award. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity Frederick, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W81XWH-15-C-0048).
 
Textron Systems, Hunt Valley, Maryland, was awarded a $6,640,731 modification (P00023) to contract W58RGZ-13-C-0016 to procure 104 Mobile Directional Antenna Systems in support of the One System Remote Video Systems. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Army) and fiscal 2014 other procurement funds in the amount of $6,640,731 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Jan. 30, 2016. Work will be performed in Hunt Valley, Maryland. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES
 
Interactive Process Technology, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, is being awarded an $8,508,098 modification (0013) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (HQ0034-12-A-0010) to provide technical, analytical, and administrative support services to assist the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. Work will be performed in Alexandria, Virginia; Falls Church, Virginia; and Washington, District of Columbia. The expected completion date is April 22, 2017. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance funds are being obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured, with two proposals received. Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity.

*Small business

MOST RECENT CONTRACTS


*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-053-15 March 23, 2015 
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To General Dynamics Land Systems, Michigan, For All Logistic Requirements of The Buffalo A2 M1272 Vehicle

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To General Dynamics Land Systems,  Michigan, For All Logistic Requirements of The Buffalo A2 M1272 Vehicle
Source: DTN News + CR-051-15 Dated March 19, 2015
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 23, 2015: General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $22,786,250 firm-fixed-price multi-year contract for updates and revisions to all logistic requirements and data, except provisioning, in support of the Buffalo A2 M1272 vehicle, and completion of a total system support package. 


Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of March 10, 2018. 

One bid was solicited with one received. Fiscal 2015 other procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $22,786,250 are being obligated at the time of the award. 

Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-15-C-0101).

BUFFALO
The Buffalo Mine Protected Clearance Vehicle (MPCV) is the recognized leader in route clearance missions around the globe and is currently in service with the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France and Italy. The Buffalo’s improvements include increased engine power and greater compatibility, increased driving range, increased fording and slope angle performance, enhanced HVAC and a common spare for all six tires. The enhanced safety features include, larger roof hatches for crew egress and both crew and engine compartment Automatic Fire Extinguishing Systems (AFES). With bar armor and an air spade as optional features, the more powerful, improved Buffalo is ready to roll.

HISTORY
The Buffalo vehicle was designed based on the successful South African Casspir mine-protected vehicle. While the Casspir is a four wheeled vehicle, the Buffalo has six wheels. Buffalo is also fitted with a large articulated arm, used for ordnance disposal. Both vehicles incorporate a "V" shaped monohull chassis that directs the force of the blast away from the occupants.

Buffalo is also now equipped with BAE Systems' LROD cage armor for additional protection against RPG-7 anti-tank rounds. Glass armor is sufficient at 6 inches thickness. Run-flat tires are present in all tires. The Buffalo combines ballistic and blast protection with infrared technology to detect the presence of dangerous ordnance and a robotic arm to disable the explosive ordnance. Personnel operate the Buffalo’s 30-foot robotic arm and claw from within the armoured hull via a mounted camera and sensory equipment, to safely dispose of mines and IEDs.

In 2004, the United States had a limited number of Buffaloes in service, with an order for 15 more, at a cost of $10 million. On June 6, 2008 Force Protection, Inc delivered its 200th Buffalo to the U.S. Military.

In 2009 Force Protection Started work on the A2 version, with major changes in the Axle Tech rear axles, Cat C13 engine, Cat CX31 transmission and suspension, along with addition upgrades to the HVAC system, hood and front bumper. the easiest way to identify an A1 version from the A2 version is the front bumper of the A2 has a larger profile. The last Buffalo A2 truck 795 will be completed in June 2014. Force protection was bought by General Dynamics Land Systems.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources + CR-051-15 Dated March 19, 2015
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: F-35 Jump Jet Gears Up For Crucial At-Sea Tests

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: F-35 Jump Jet Gears Up For Crucial At-Sea Tests
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources By Lance M. Bacon, Staff writer - NavyTimes
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 23, 2015The blue-green team is gearing up for operational tests that could build momentum for the embattled F-35B Lightning II — or add more fuel to the fire of outspoken critics.

The first shipboard operational test period for the Marine Corps' short take off and vertical landing version of the Joint Strike Fighter is scheduled to take place May 18-30 aboard the amphibious assault ship Wasp. Six of the jets will participate, four out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, and two from MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina.

Evaluators will assess the stealth jet's integration and operation within the full spectrum of flight and maintenance operations, as well as supply chain support while embarked at sea, said Maj. Paul Greenberg, Marine Corps spokesman. Lessons learned will "lay the groundwork" for future deployments, he said. The aims of the at-sea tests include:

*Assess day and night take-offs and landings, weapons loads, and extended range operations.
*Assess aircraft-to-ship network communications.
*Evaluate the landing signal officer's launch and recovery software.
*Test the crew's ability to conduct scheduled and unscheduled maintenance.
*Determine the suitability of maintenance support equipment for shipboard operations.
*Assess the logistics footprint of a deployed, six-plane F-35B detachment.

The F-35B remains the centerpiece of Marine fixed-wing modernization because "it supports our doctrinal form of maneuver warfare and our operational need for close air support in austere conditions and locations potentially inaccessible for traditional fighters," Greenberg told Navy Times on March 17."The Lightning II will provide effective close-air support to our Marines and sailors when they need it the most."

Twenty-one alterations were required to equip the Wasp for regular operation of the F-35B aircraft, according to Matt Leonard, spokesman for Naval Sea Systems Command. Each alteration will be made on all L-class ships during planned availabilities and in line on newly constructed ships in advance of the F-35B's arrival.

Among the biggest challenges has been the downward force and heat of the F-35B's engines as it lands, which has burned the nonskid deck. A new highly tolerant, temperature resistant thermal spray coating was applied and has been successfully evaluated aboard Wasp during F-35B, V-22, AV-8B and other helicopter flight operations, Leonard said.

The Wasp also underwent seven "cornerstone" alterations that provide necessary electrical servicing upgrades, expand weapons handling and storage, provide for the F-35B Autonomic Logistics Information System, secure access facilities, and relocate the flight deck tramline for flight safety.

The Wasp is the test ship for the F-35B and has not made a major deployment in over a decade.

While the Air Force's decision to replace the venerable A-10 with its F-35A variant has nabbed headlines, some analysts and lawmakers remain critical of the Corps' next-generation jump jet for three reasons. It has the shortest range and smallest payload of any F-35, its capabilities are reduced and it's the most expensive. An Air Force F-35A airframe and engine runs $77.7 million, as compared to $105.5 million for the F-35B, and $89.7 million for the F-35C, according to an April 2014 Congressional Research Service report. The Marine Corps also plans to buy the carrier-based F-35C.

Supporters point out that few (if any) potential adversaries can beat the fifth-generation fighter, and this design amounts to a leap ahead for reconnaissance, electronic warfare and close-air support missions

"This actually doesn't just replace the F/A-18, the AV-8 or the EA-6. It's a fundamentally different capability," Marine Commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford said in March 10 testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee. "It's a transformational capability. It'll do everything that those three aircraft will do, but also, in terms of the information environment, it'll do a significant amount more for the Marine air-ground task force."

Initial operating capability for the F-35B is scheduled for July.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources By Lance M. Bacon, Staff writer - NavyTimes
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To MTU America Inc., Novi, Michigan Involves Foreign Military Sales To Israeli Navy

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To MTU America Inc., Novi, Michigan Involves Foreign Military Sales To Israeli Navy
Source: DTN News + CR-052-15 Dated March 20, 2015
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 23, 2015:  MTU America Inc., Novi, Michigan, is being awarded a $6,868,800 firm-fixed-price contract for three shipsets of propulsion system hardware and two spare marine gears for the Israeli Navy Super Dvora fast patrol boats. 


This contract involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Israel (100 percent). This contract to support the Israeli Navy under FMS case IS-P-LHC is a follow-on effort, which was previously performed under contract N00104-06-C-K058. 

This contract will provide the propulsion system equipment necessary to support the ongoing fleet maintenance and life cycle support of the Israeli Navy. 

Work will be performed in Friedrichshafen, Germany (70 percent), and Kristinehamn, Sweden (30 percent), and is expected to be completed by March 2017. 

FMS funding in the amount of $6,868,800 will be obligated at the time of award, and contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. 

This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(4) and FAR 6.302-4 International Agreement. 

The government of Israel is designated the sole source in its letter of offer and acceptance. 


The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-15-C-4127).

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources  + CR-052-15 Dated March 20, 2015
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Sunday, March 22, 2015

DTN News - SINGAPORE NEWS: Lee Kuan Yew, Founding Father and First Premier of Singapore, Dies at 91

DTN News - SINGAPORE NEWS: Lee Kuan Yew, Founding Father and First Premier of Singapore, Dies at 91
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Seth Mydans - The New York Times
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 22, 2015 (SINGAPORE): — Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father and first prime minister of Singapore who transformed that tiny island outpost into one of the wealthiest and least corrupt countries in Asia, died on Monday morning. He was 91.


“The prime minister is deeply grieved to announce the passing of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, the founding prime minister of Singapore,” said a statement posted on the Singapore prime minister’s official website. “Mr. Lee passed away peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital today at 3:18 am.”

Mr. Lee was prime minister from 1959, when Singapore gained full self-government from the British, until 1990, when he stepped down. Late into his life he remained the dominant personality and driving force in what he called a First World oasis in a Third World region.

The nation reflected the man: efficient, unsentimental, incorrupt, inventive, forward-looking and pragmatic.

“We are ideology-free,” Mr. Lee said in an interview with The New York Times in 2007, stating what had become, in effect, Singapore’s ideology. “Does it work? If it works, let’s try it. If it’s fine, let’s continue it. If it doesn’t work, toss it out, try another one.”

The formula succeeded, and Singapore became an international business and financial center admired for its efficiency and low level of corruption.

An election in 2011 marked the end of the Lee Kuan Yew era, with a voter revolt against the ruling People’s Action Party. Mr. Lee resigned from the specially created post of minister mentor and stepped into the background as the nation began exploring the possibilities of a more engaged and less autocratic government.

Since Singapore separated from Malaysia in 1965 — an event Mr. Lee called his “moment of anguish” — he had seen himself in a never-ending struggle to overcome the nation’s lack of natural resources, a potentially hostile international environment and a volatile ethnic mix of Chinese, Malays and Indians.

“To understand Singapore and why it is what it is, you’ve got to start off with the fact that it’s not supposed to exist and cannot exist,” he said in the 2007 interview. “To begin with, we don’t have the ingredients of a nation, the elementary factors: a homogeneous population, common language, common culture and common destiny. So, history is a long time. I’ve done my bit.”

His “Singapore model,” sometimes criticized as soft authoritarianism, included centralized power, clean government and economic liberalism along with suppression of political opposition and strict limits on free speech and public assembly, which created a climate of caution and self-censorship. The model has been admired and studied by leaders in Asia, including in China, and beyond as well as being the subject of countless academic case studies.

The commentator Cherian George described Mr. Lee’s leadership as “a unique combination of charisma and fear.”

As Mr. Lee’s influence waned, the questions were how much and how fast his model might change in the hands of a new, possibly more liberal generation. Some even asked, as he often had, whether Singapore could survive as a nation in a turbulent future.

Mr. Lee was a master of “Asian values,” a concept in which the good of society took precedence over the rights of the individual and citizens ceded some autonomy in return for paternalistic rule.

Generally passive in political affairs, Singaporeans sometimes chide themselves as being overly preoccupied with a comfortable lifestyle, which they sum up as the “Five C’s” — cash, condo, car, credit card, country club.

In recent years, though, a confrontational world of political websites and blogs has given new voice to critics of Mr. Lee and his system.

Even among people who knew little of Singapore, Mr. Lee was famous for his national self-improvement campaigns, which urged people to do such things as smile, speak good English and flush the toilet, but never to spit, chew gum or throw garbage off balconies.

“They laughed, at us,” he said in the second volume of his memoirs, “From Third World to First: The Singapore Story 1965-2000.” “But I was confident that we would have the last laugh. We would have been a grosser, ruder, cruder society had we not made these efforts.”

Mr. Lee developed a distinctive Singaporean mechanism of political control, filing libel suits that sometimes drove his opponents into bankruptcy and doing battle with critics in the foreign press. Several foreign publications, including The International Herald Tribune, which is now called The International New York Times, have apologized and paid fines to settle libel suits.

The lawsuits challenged accusations of nepotism — members of Mr. Lee’s family hold influential positions in Singapore — and questions about the independence of the judiciary, which critics have said follows the lead of the executive branch.

Mr. Lee denied that the suits had a political purpose, saying they were essential to clearing his name of false accusations.

He seemed to genuinely believe that criticisms would gain currency if they were not vigorously disputed. But the lawsuits themselves did as much as anything to diminish his reputation.

He was proud to describe himself as a political street fighter more feared than loved.

“Nobody doubts that if you take me on, I will put on knuckle-dusters and catch you in a cul-de-sac,” he said in 1994. “If you think you can hurt me more than I can hurt you, try. There is no other way you can govern a Chinese society.”

A jittery public avoided openly criticizing Mr. Lee and his government and generally obeyed its dictates.

“Singaporeans are like a flea,” said Mr. Lee’s political tormentor, J.B. Jeyaretnam, who was financially broken by libel suits but persisted in opposition until his death in 2008. “They are trained to jump so high and no farther. Once they go higher they’re slapped down.”

In an interview in 2005, Mr. Jeyaretnam added: “There’s a climate of fear in Singapore. People are just simply afraid. They feel it everywhere. And because they’re afraid they feel they can’t do anything.”

Mr. Lee’s vehicle of power was the People’s Action Party, or P.A.P., which exercised the advantages of office to overwhelm and intimidate opponents. It embraced into its ranks the nation’s brightest young stars, creating what was, in effect, a one-party state.

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In a policy intended to remove the temptation for corruption, Singapore linked the salaries of ministers, judges and top civil servants to those of leading professionals in the private sector, making them some of the highest-paid government officials in the world.

It was only in 1981, 16 years after independence, that Mr. Jeyaretnam won the first opposition seat in Parliament, infuriating Mr. Lee. Two decades later, after the 2006 election, just two of the Parliament’s 84 elected seats were held by members of opposition parties.

But in 2011, the opposition won an unprecedented six seats, along with an unusually high popular vote of close to 40 percent, in what was seen as a demand by voters for more accountability and responsiveness in its leaders. Pragmatic as always, the P.A.P. reacted by modifying its peremptory style and acknowledging that times were changing.

But the new approach still fell short of true multiparty democracy, and Singaporeans continued to question whether the party intended to change itself or would even be able to do so.

“Many people say, ‘Why don’t we open up, then you have two big parties and one party always ready to take over?’ ” Mr. Lee said in a speech in 2008. “I do not believe that for a single moment.”

He added: “We do not have the numbers to ensure that we’ll always have an A Team and an alternative A Team. I’ve tried it; it’s just not possible.”

What Singapore got was centralized, efficient policy making unencumbered by what Mr. Lee called the “heat and dust” of political clashes, and social campaigns.

In one, the government tried vigorously to combat a falling birthrate, organizing what was in effect an official matchmaking agency aimed particularly at affluent ethnic Chinese.

Mr. Lee also promoted the use of English as the language of business and the common tongue among the ethnic groups, while recognizing Malay, Chinese and Tamil as other official languages.

With tourists and investors in mind, Singapore sought to become a cultural and recreational hub, with a sprawling performing arts center, museums, galleries, Western and Chinese orchestras and not one but two casinos.

Despite his success, Mr. Lee said that he sometimes had trouble sleeping and that he calmed himself each night with 20 minutes of meditation, reciting a mantra: “Ma-Ra-Na-Tha.”

“The problem is to keep the monkey mind from running off into all kinds of thoughts,” he said in an interview with The Times in 2010. “A certain tranquillity settles over you. The day’s pressures and worries are pushed out. Then there’s less problem sleeping.”

Lee Kuan Yew, who was sometimes known by his English name, Harry Lee, was born in Singapore on Sept. 16, 1923, to a fourth-generation, middle-class Chinese family.

He worked as a translator and engaged in black market trading during the Japanese occupation in World War II, then went to Britain, where he earned a law degree in 1949 from Cambridge University. In 1950 he married Kwa Geok Choo, a fellow law student from Singapore. She died in 2010.

After serving as prime minister from 1959 to 1990, Mr. Lee was followed by two handpicked successors, Goh Chok Tong and Mr. Lee’s eldest son, Lee Hsien Loong, who, groomed for the job, has been prime minister since 2004.

Besides the prime minister, Mr. Lee is survived by his younger son, Lee Hsien Yang, who is the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore; a daughter, Dr. Lee Wei Ling, who runs the National Neuroscience Institute; a younger brother, Suan Yew; and a younger sister, Monica.

Ho Ching, the wife of the prime minister, is executive director and chief executive of Temasek Holdings, a government holding company.

“His stature is immense,” Catherine Lim, a novelist and frequent critic of Mr. Lee, said in an interview. “This man is a statesman. He is probably too big for Singapore, on a level with Tito and de Gaulle. If they had three Lee Kuan Yews in Africa, that continent wouldn’t be in such a bad state.”

The cost of his success, she said, was a lack of emotional connection with the people he governed.

“Everything goes tick-tock, tick-tock,” she said. “He is an admirable man, but, oh, people like a little bit of heart as well as head. He is all hard-wired.”

In the 2010 interview with The Times, though, he took a reflective, valedictory tone.

“I’m not saying that everything I did was right, but everything I did was for an honorable purpose,” he said. “I had to do some nasty things, locking fellows up without trial.”

He said he was not a religious man and that he dealt with setbacks by simply telling himself, “Well, life is just like that.”

Mr. Lee maintained a careful diet and exercised for most of his life, but he admitted to feeling the signs of age and to a touch of weariness at the self-imposed rigor of his life.

“I’m reaching 87, trying to keep fit, presenting a vigorous figure, and it’s an effort, and is it worth the effort?” he said. “I laugh at myself trying to keep a bold front. It’s become my habit. So I just carry on.”

Thomas Fuller contributed reporting.

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