The
EFP Killer Strikes again in Basra
The deadly device known as Explosively
Formed Projectile (EFP), an offspring of the equally deadly
shaped charge
IED, used already widely in Iraq and Lebanon claimed the
lives of four British soldiers. It seems, that the top killer
named "routine patrolling" has reared its ugly head
once more in Iraq and at probably the worst possible timing.
The
Shat-el-Arab incident: Bluff or Coercion
There are some highly intriguing military issues pondering
over the 23rd March incident where two British boarding parties
were captured by Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps. Sofar
no explanation has been offered over this embarrassing incident
by an authoritative source in Britain.
A third aircraft carrier, USS NIMITZ, departed from its homeport
of San Diego on April 2 to join 5th fleet operating in the Persian
Gulf. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) will relieve the
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) CSG, currently operating in
the area.
Determined to lead the heavy wheeled armored vehicle market,
Force Protection, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRPT)
is expanding its production capacity to reap the maximum share
of the MRAP program. Force
Protection is expected to reach vehicle production levels of
more than 400 vehicles per month by the end of 2007, compared
to 50 vehicles per month at the end of 2006. (Defense
Market Summary - April 2007 Report)
DCN and Thales
(Paris: HO.PA) have finalized with the French Government a merger
agreement which leads the way to major consolidation in the
European naval defense industry. Under the agreement, Thales
transferred its naval operations in France to DCN and has acquired
a 25% stake in DCN while the French government will retain a
75 % stake in DCN. This transaction will position Thales as
"the industrial shareholding partner" of DCN and the
terms of governance will allow Thales to play an active role
on the Board of Directors to support the development of DCN.
There will also be the possibility for Thales to increase its
stake in DCN to 35% over the next two years. (Defense
Market Summary - April 2007 Report)
Eurofighter Typhoon is moving a step forward to become a true
multi-mission fighter. By the end of March 2007 Eurofighter
GmbH, the aircraft manufacturer was officially contracted to
extend the capabilities of the aircraft beyond those already
delivered with Tranche 1, based on the Main Development Contract.
The next stage will focus on air-to-surface capabilities and
communication improvements.
L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) Integrated Systems (L-3 IS)
was selected by the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence (MoD)
to become the preferred bidder for a planned upgrade of the
RAF Nimrod R1 electronic reconnaissance aircraft fleet. L-3
IS was awarded a contract worth more than GBP 11.5 million ($21.7
million) to carry out the risk reduction studies for HELIX Assessment
Phase Stage 3, a major mission system upgrade to the capabilities
of the Royal Air Force (RAF) Nimrod R1 electronic reconnaissance
aircraft fleet.
Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS) developed as part of the Future
Combat System family of combat systems was recently tested by
the US Army in an urban warfare test and received positive after
action feedback from the troops. The US Army plans to introduce
UGS to the current force as a spin-out of FCS, as early as 2008.
Canada
Orders 36 Sniper Targeting Pods for CF-18s
Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) has received a Canadian MOD contract
of an undisclosed value, for 36 Sniper
Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP). Pods are to be Sniper ATP's
integrated on the CF-18 Hornet to provide full ATP capability
with no aircraft modifications and no operational limitations.
Deliveries will beginn in April 2007. The Canadian Forces are
the seventh operator of the Sniper. Other operators include
the USAF and US Air National Guards, as well as the air forces
of Norway, Poland, Oman, Belgium and the UK.
The growing threat of hit-and-run and suicide attacks on naval
vessels operating in littoral water is motivating the world
navies to equip their vessels with advanced, high performance
close-in defenses capable of repelling such attacks. Remotely
controlled gun turrets are among the systems considered for
this role. The US Navy is fielding the Mk 38 Mod 2, based on
the Typhoon weapon station developed by RAFAEL, while the German
Navy selected the Italian HITROLE system for its F125 frigates.
The Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center at
Picatinny has designed a new armor shield that improves the
protection for HMMWV gunners in combat situations. The system
includes a combination of steel, transparent armor windows and
rear-view mirrors configured to provide protection against rifle
fire and IED blasts, allowing the gunner to maintain a protected
posture while performing mission objective with full visibility
through the windows. The system was transformed from conceptual
design models to full-scale production in just six months. With
over 2,500 of the systems fielded, O-GPK is currently in mass
production at the Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois. The plant
is expected to ship 7,500 kits by July 2007 and 20,000 by 2008.
