Defense Daily back issues from April 1997:
Inspections identify problems in 500 Air Force fighter engines.(possible problems in approximately 500 F-15 and F-16 engines)
Apr 01, 1997; ... LANGLEY AFB, Va.----Air Force inspectors over the last three years have identified potential problems in an estimated 500 F-15 and F-16 engines that could have led to numerous mishaps, according to the Air Combat Command's (ACC) logistics chief."We could have lost the engines and ...
Air Force completes transfer of C-130s and C-21s to AMC.(transport airplanes, along with cargo and liaison airplanes, transferred from the Air Combat Command to the Air Mobility Command)
Apr 01, 1997; ... The transfer of most C-130 transport planes and C-21 light cargo and liaison aircraft from the Air Combat Command (ACC) to the Air Mobility Command (AMC) has been completed, according to Air Force officials.The target for the completion of the transfer had been today (Defense ...
Mobile command centers debut in Army's digital battlefield.(digitization experiment reveals the advantage of battlefield commanders making use of a mobile command center, such as the C2V from United Defense L.P.)
Apr 01, 1997; ... FT. IRWIN, Calif.----In experimenting with new technologies and warfighting concepts, the Army has found it can free its battlefield commanders from their fixed locations in the rear and allow them to direct operations while roving the battlefield in a mobile command center.The ...
First production V-22 exceeding flight test goals.(the V-22, a military aircraft that will convert from helicopter to forward flight mode, produced by Boeing Helicopters Co. and Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.)
Apr 01, 1997; ... Just weeks after the first production representative V-22 arrived at the Navy's Patuxent River, Md. flight test facility, a Boeing Helicopters official says the aircraft is "flying when we want it to fly" and should have no difficulty meeting or exceeding the 15 flying hours per month goal ...
GAO report support DoD merger policy. (General Accounting Office report indicates that Dept of Defense cost reimbursements are resulting in savings)
Apr 01, 1997 ... The General Accounting Office (GAO) in a report to be released today has concluded that a Pentagon policy that allows the government to reimburse companies for select merger costs is generating savings as promised.A draft version of the report, Defense Restructuring Costs, found ...
Lawmakers want more details on DoD's year 2000 strategy.(Representatives from various Congressional committees are asking for details of how the Dept. of Defense plans to cope with the computer changes needed by the year 2000)
Apr 01, 1997; ... Several key members of Congress have asked Defense Secretary William Cohen to provide additional details on how the Pentagon will ensure its early model computer systems do not fail when the year changes to 2000.In a March 26 letter, the chairmen and ranking members of the House ...
Acquisition reform week spreads message, identifies faults.(the Dept. of Defense hosted 'acquisition reform week' to help communicate the need for the defense industry to modernize and conform to a decreasing budget)
Apr 01, 1997; ... The Pentagon's acquisition reform week that concluded March 21 helped spread the message that reform initiatives are critical to funding modernization efforts on a shrinking budget and illustrated faults that need correcting, senior officials said."It's great to get feedback from ...
Clinton taps Clark to be new NATO military chief.(the selection of Army General Wesley Clark to become senior military officer and commander of United States forces in Europe)
Apr 01, 1997; ... President Clinton yesterday nominated Army Gen. Wesley Clark to replace Gen. George Joulwan as NATO's senior military officer and commander of U.S. forces in Europe.Clark, a 1966 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY, currently serves as commander-in-chief of the ...
B-2 becomes available for U.S. military operations.(the B-2 bomber received Initial Operational Capability status from the Air Combat Command and will be used by the military on a worldwide basis)
Apr 01, 1997 ... The B-2 bomber today became available for U.S. military operations worldwide after the Air Combat Command (ACC) gave Initial Operational Capability (IOC) status to the aircraft."This is a significant milestone in ensuring the future of national defense," Gen. Richard Hawley, the ...
General Electric.($118.1 million contract from the United States Navy for 54 F404-GE-402 aircraft engines to be delivered to Finland)
Apr 01, 1997 ... General Electric yesterday was awarded a $118.1 million contract option from the Navy to deliver up to 54 F404-GE-402 ...
Army considers new modernization strategy. (plan may delay fielding of next generation tanks and other combat systems for 15 to 20 years)
Apr 02, 1997; ... The Army is considering a new modernization plan that delays the fielding of next generation tanks and other combat systems for fifteen to twenty years, according to a recent Army briefing.Instead, the Army would concentrate its modernization funds toward fielding advanced ...
Canada to buy U.S. Army radio for NATO air defense system. (17 Near Term Digital Radios purchased from ITT for $1.2 million)
Apr 02, 1997; ... The Canadian Ministry of Defense has decided to buy the Army's newest digital radio for use in NATO's low-level air defense system in Germany, according to industry officials.The Canadians finalized a deal last week worth $1.2 million for 17 units of the Near Term Digital Radio ...
New Army study supports Comanche's effectiveness. (Vector Research Inc.'s study of RAH-66 Comanche helicopter)
Apr 02, 1997; ... A forthcoming study commissioned by the Army finds the RAH-66 Comanche helicopter has the potential to be a more capable and survivable scout platform than the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter combined with the Outrider tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (TUAV)."TUAVs and Kiowa ...
For the right price, ITT could sell defense units. (ITT Defense and Electronics Inc.)
Apr 02, 1997; ... Although ITT Industries considers its Defense & Electronics unit a core business integral to its diversified base, the unit could be sold for the right price, according to a top executive."Clearly a lot of people want to know when we will sell because the prices the market is ...
Strategy piece of defense review nears completion. (Quadrennial Defense Review)
Apr 02, 1997; ... The Pentagon is expected to lock in the strategy portion of its Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) as soon as next week, paving the way for military planners to make final budget and programmatic choices to best meet it, a Pentagon spokesman said yesterday.There has been "a lot of ...
Industry voices support for GAO merger findings. (defence industry; General Accounting Office's conclusion that Defense Dept saves money when it reimburses contractors for corporate merger and restructuring costs)
Apr 02, 1997; ... The defense industry is voicing its strong support for the General Accounting Office's conclusion that government reimbursement for corporate merger and restructuring costs are yielding the savings claimed by the Pentagon.In a report released yesterday, Defense Restructuring Costs, ...
Air Force's research laboratories to be consolidated. (four laboratories to be merged into the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio)
Apr 02, 1997; ... The Air Force's four major research laboratories will be consolidated into one central lab, service officials said yesterday.The consolidation is expected to take effect April 8.The Air Force announcement regarding the consolidation came in the form of a notification to ...
DoD urged to build on intelligence success in Bosnia.
Apr 03, 1997; ... A new Defense Department report hails the military's intelligence operations in Bosnia as an "impressive achievement" and urges Pentagon leaders to build on the accomplishments there by developing and fielding more next-generation information systems.The report by the Defense ...
Britain's GEC submits bid for France's Thomson-CSF.
Apr 03, 1997; ... Britain's GEC plc reportedly has submitted a bid to the French government to take over state-owned defense electronics giant Thomson-CSF.GEC-Marconi spokesman Richard Coltart and Thomson-CSF spokeswoman Charlotte Royer both declined comment yesterday. The GEC offer was first ...
Upcoming ADPA/NSIA board meeting to discuss membership dues. (American Defense Preparedness Association/National Security Industrial Association)
Apr 03, 1997; ... On Friday, the board of directors of American Defense Preparedness Association (ADPA)/National Security Industrial Association (NSIA) will meet together for the first time since the groups merged to discuss a range of topics including its membership dues and its new name."We want a ...
Army denies Hellfire subcontractor's request for payment. (Precision Machining Inc.)
Apr 03, 1997 ... The Army has denied the request by a contractor that makes storage and shipping containers for Hellfire missiles for payment of $6.5 million in relief.The contractor, Precision Machining Inc. (PMI), had alleged that several of the Army's contracting decisions had caused it to incur ...
Litton wins $116.2 million contract from Taiwan. (for radar warning receivers)
Apr 03, 1997 ... Litton said yesterday it won a contract worth up to $116.2 million from the Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. of Taiwan to produce improved radar warning receivers (IRWR) for its indigenous defense fighter, the Ching-Kuo.The base portion of the contract, worth $111 ...
Israel orders 15 Black Hawks under FMS. (helicopters; foreign military sales package)
Apr 03, 1997 ... The Pentagon yesterday notified Congress that Israel plans to purchase 15 Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters under a proposed $200 million Foreign Military Sales package.Along with the aircraft, Israel will purchase 34 ...
The Army on Tuesday awarded Oshkosh Truck Corp. (contract for Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks)
Apr 03, 1997 ... The Army on Tuesday awarded Oshkosh Truck Corp. a $43.3 million contract option to produce 172 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT) through 1998. Oshkosh also will deliver 172 2.5-ton and 5-ton trucks ...
DoD warned felons may be getting top security clearances.
Apr 03, 1997; ... A interagency group warned the Pentagon last fall that deficiencies in the government's security clearance practices may be resulting in "persons with serious felony arrests" receiving top security clearances in the armed forces.In an October memorandum to Joan Dempsey, deputy ...
Hughes Aircraft Company. (wins contract for infrared systems)
Apr 03, 1997 ... Hughes Aircraft Company said last week it won a $11.2 million contract to build 178 third-generation infrared systems for the Danish Army. The systems ...
The Romanian government. (lets contract for identification, friend or foe equipment to Thomson-CSF Communications and Aerostar)
Apr 03, 1997 ... The Romanian government chose France's Thomson-CSF Communications, in partnership with Romania's Aerostar, to supply identification, friend and foe equipment for the ...
Dellums suggests cuts in defense spending. (Ronald Dellums)
Apr 03, 1997; ... The ranking member of the House National Security Committee suggests that the U.S. could save hundreds of millions of dollars in planned defense spending in the next five years by reducing the nuclear arsenal, cancelling Cold War acquisition programs and relaxing requirements for responding ...
Lockheed Martin to lead Army scout vehicle development team.
Apr 03, 1997; ... Lockheed Martin is expected today to announce that it will team with British Aerospace to develop the Army's Future Scout and Cavalry System (FSCS).This team will also compete for the British Army's Tactical Reconnaissance Armored Combat Equipment Requirement (TRACER) contract. ...
Standard Missile Company. (delivers first Block IIIA Standard Missile to Navy)
Apr 03, 1997 ... Standard Missile Company, a joint venture authorized by the Navy in 1995 between Raytheon and Hughes Missile Systems ...
Cohen says he will trim F-22 program if costs increase. (Defense Secretary William Cohen on Air Force tactical fighter being built by Lockheed Martin and Boeing Co.)
Apr 04, 1997; ... Defense Secretary William Cohen in a letter sent Wednesday to key members of Congress said he is prepared to reduce the F-22 aircraft buy if costs increase above Air Force projections."If we determine that cost savings cannot be achieved, we will ...make changes to the program ...
F-22 contractors will meet cost goal, official vows. (Lockheed Martin Corp., Boeing Co. and Pratt and Whitney expect to meet $48.3 billion budget for Air Force fighters)
Apr 04, 1997; ... The F-22's contractors because of aggressive cost-reduction efforts will meet their $48.3 billion goal in the production phase of the program despite warnings that costs could soar, a Lockheed-Martin official vowed yesterday.Tom Burbage, the F-22 program manager for Lockheed ...
U.S., Israel agree to speed Arrow missile. (Arrow missile defense system development)
Apr 04, 1997; ... Defense Secretary William Cohen and Israeli Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai yesterday agreed to speed development of the joint U.S.-Israel Arrow missile defense system, the Pentagon said.In a meeting at the Pentagon, the two leaders "discussed the recent successes of the joint ...
Cohen to urge South Korea not to buy Russian missiles. (Defense Sec William S. Cohen, surface-to-air missiles)
Apr 04, 1997; ... Defense Secretary William Cohen is expected to press South Korean officials next week not to buy Russian surface-to-air missiles (SAM) and instead purchase the U.S. equivalent, a senior defense official said yesterday.Cohen, who leaves tomorrow for a tour of the western Pacific, ...
Texas judge rules in favor of Pratt & Whitney in antitrust suit. (court rejects Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corp.'s claim regarding engine repair market)
Apr 04, 1997 ... A Texas judge on Wednesday ruled in favor of Pratt & Whitney by rejected an injunction request from Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corp. that has brought an antitrust suit against the giant engine maker.Chromalloy, a jet engine parts maker, brought suit against Pratt & Whitney 18 months ...
Lockheed Martin agrees to L-3 deal repositioning 10 units. (forms L-3 Communications Inc. with Lehman Brothers Capital Partners and management team)
Apr 04, 1997; ... Lockheed Martin yesterday agreed to a $525 million deal with Lehman Brothers Capital Partners and a management team to create a new company composed of 10 Lockheed Martin units.The deal creates L-3 Communications Inc. and meets the conditions of a Feb. 1 memorandum of understanding ...
Hughes wins $111 million infrared sensor contract. (GM Hughes Electronics Corp. will produce infrared systems for Army's M1A2 Abrams tanks and M2A3 Bradley vehicles)
Apr 04, 1997 ... The Army has awarded Hughes a $111 million contract to produce second generation forward looking infrared systems for the service's M1A2 Abrams tanks and M2A3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles.The second generation forward looking infrared system is designed to enable soldiers to ...
Army soon to decide on THAAD subsystem competition. (Army may invite subsystem bids for Theater High Altitude Area Defense program)
Apr 04, 1997; ... The Army is expected within the next several weeks to decide whether it will reintroduce competition into the Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) program, according to service officials.Service officials said that the issue has been under study for months as a result of ...
National Missile Defense Program Office established. (US Ballistic Missile Defense Organization creates Joint Program Office for National Missile Defense)
Apr 04, 1997 ... The Joint Program Office for National Missile Defense (JPO-NMD) was formally stood up on Tuesday in Arlington, Va., according to the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization.Army Brig. Gen. Joseph Cosumano will head the new program office.The JPO-NMD will be responsible for ...
2,800 Lockheed Martin machinists may soon join 500 now on strike. (Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems, Fort Worth, TX, machinists unhappy with proposed labor contract)
Apr 04, 1997; ... About 2,800 Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems machinists in Fort Worth, Texas, on Sunday may join 500 striking machinist should union leaders vote to reject a March 31 company labor proposal.Union workers are demanding that the company guarantee jobs, better wages and ...
Delta II explosion was caused by damaged motor, Air Force says. (rupture of Alliant Techsystems' solid rocket motor caused Jan 1997 explosion of Delta II rocket)
Apr 04, 1997; ... The January explosion of a Delta II on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Station, Fla., occurred when one of the Delta's strap-on solid rocket motors somehow was "split in a linear fashion," according to the Air Force Space Command.But Space Command officials in a one-page ...
Lockheed Martin. (wins $32.3 million contract option to make 1,500 rockets for Extended-Range Multiple Launch Rocket System)(Brief Article)
Apr 04, 1997 ... Lockheed Martin on Tuesday won a $32.3 million contract option to produce 1,500 Extended-Range Multiple Launch Rocket System (ER-MLRS) rockets. While the ...
Clemins: IT-21 battle group integration should be done by 2000. (Admiral Archie Clemins, Information Technology-21)
Apr 07, 1997; ... PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii----Impressed with the success of installing commercial information technology on the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) under the Information Technology-21 (IT-21) initiative, the Navy wants to expand the effort to all of its battle groups by 2000, according to the ...
Problems prompt Army to delay production of recovery vehicle. (M88A2 Hercules tank recovery vehicle)
Apr 07, 1997; ... Dissatisfied with the performance of its M88A2 Hercules tank recovery vehicle, the Army has delayed a decision indefinitely on the vehicle's production, service officials said Friday."Our concern centers around the Hercules' inability to tow a 70-ton vehicle up wet, muddy slopes," ...
Lockheed Martin, Pentagon cautiously optimistic of UAE win. (United Arab Emirates fighter competition)
Apr 07, 1997; ... Lockheed Martin and Pentagon officials are cautiously optimistic that the United Arab Emirates may be poised to announce the company's F-16 fighter as the winner of its fighter competition, sources said.Last week, Le Point--a leading French weekly newsmagazine--indicated that ...
France rejects GEC's bid for Thomson-CSF. (General Electric Company PLC)
Apr 07, 1997; ... France's Ministry of Finance on Friday for the second time rejected a bid by Britain's GEC plc to take over the French government's 58 percent stake in electronics maker Thomson-CSF.The Finance Ministry on Friday said in a statement that "The granting of more than 50 percent of ...
V-22 tiltrotor approved for low rate production. (V-22 Osprey helicopter)
Apr 07, 1997 ... The Marine Corps' V-22 Osprey tiltrotor was approved for low rate initial production (LRIP) last week by the Defense Acquisition Board (DAB), according to service and industry sources.Pentagon acquisition chief Paul Kaminski is expected to formalize the DAB's decision by signing ...
Denmark not expected to sign JSF MOU on April 16. (Joint Strike Fighter, memorandum of understanding, April 16, 1997)
Apr 07, 1997; ... Denmark is not expected to join the Netherlands, Norway and the United States in signing an April 16 agreement to participate in the Pentagon's Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, Danish and program officials said."Denmark wants to join JSF, but the economic approval process has ...
Clinton allows U.S. firms to compete in Chile fighter contest. (Lockheed Martin Corp., McDonnell Douglas Corp., change in US policy on arms sales to Latin America)
Apr 07, 1997; ... In what could signal a major policy shift, President Clinton last week decided to allow U.S. aircraft makers Lockheed Martin and McDonnell Douglas to seek licenses from the State Department permitting them to market their combat planes to Chile which is seeking new fighters. ...
ITT blames digital traffic jam for SINCGARS glitches. (Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System)
Apr 07, 1997; ... ITT believes problems with its Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) at the Army's digitization experiment last month were largely caused by an overload of radio transmissions in the area that confused the radio into thinking its communications were being jammed. ...
Air Force launches weather satellite on Titan II. (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, rocket)
Apr 07, 1997 ... The Air Force last week successfully launched a weather satellite aboard a Titan II rocket.Both the Titan II and the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellite are built by Lockheed Martin.The ...
AF officials express confidence about ABL progress. (Air Force, Airborne Laser system)
Apr 07, 1997; ... Air Force officials last week expressed confidence that the developing Airborne Laser (ABL) system would shoot down its first test missile in the first part of the next century as planned.The Air Force officials made their comments at a breakfast with reporters at the Pentagon. ...
Lockheed Martin Electronics & Missiles.(Defense Contracts)
Apr 07, 1997 ... Lockheed Martin Electronics & Missiles, Orlando, Fla., was awarded a $1.4 million delivery order amount of a firm fixed price with cost plus fixed fee, time and materials, and contract line-items contract for Target ...
Lockheed Martin Logistics Management.(Defense Contracts)
Apr 07, 1997 ... Lockheed Martin Logistics Management [LMT], Arlington, Texas, was awarded on April 1, a $9.7 million firm fixed price contract to provide for the aircraft maintenance function at Tyndall AFB, Fla., in FY 1998 (mobilization period August-September 1997). The work will be performed at Tyndall ...
Lockheed Martin Corp.(Defense Contracts)
Apr 07, 1997 ... Lockheed Martin Corp. [LMT], Denver, Colo., was awarded on April 1, a $207 million face value increase to a fixed price incentive contract to provide for production support from April 1997 through February 1998 for launch operations for the Titan II and IV launch systems. Contract is ...
General Electric Co.(Defense Contracts)
Apr 07, 1997 ... General Electric Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, is being awarded a $5.1 million firm fixed price contract to provide for 183 (best estimated quantity) High Pressure Turbine Forward Shaft Assemblies applicable to the TF-39 engine on the C-5 aircraft. Contract is expected to be completed February ...
Harris Corporation.(Defense Contracts)
Apr 07, 1997 ... Harris Corporation, Palm Bay, Fla., is being awarded a $17.1 million firm fixed price contract to provide for 220 Warhead Ready Tactical Telemetry Units for use on AIM-120 missiles during test firings. The work will be performed at Harris Corp., ...
Rockwell International Corp.(Defense Contracts)
Apr 07, 1997 ... Rockwell International Corp., Collins Avionics and Communications Div., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is being awarded a $25.3 million modification to previously awarded contract N00019-95-C-0004 to exercise an option for procurement of ARC-210 Electronic Counter-Countermeasure equipment. The ...
GAO denies Ingalls protest for LPD-17.(General Accounting Office, Ingalls Shipbuilding Inc., amphibious transport dock ship)
Apr 08, 1997 ... The General Accounting Office yesterday denied a protest by Ingalls Shipbuilding on the LPD-17 amphibious transport dock ship competition, upholding the Navy's selection of rival shipbuilder Avondale.GAO's decision, which is unsurprising because the agency rarely recommends ...
Pentagon will not meet QDR deadline on all fronts.(Quadrennial Defense Review)
Apr 08, 1997; ... The Pentagon expects to defer some issues in the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) until later this year, as it is becoming increasingly clear it will be unable to answer all the "tough questions" before the report's May 15 deadline, according to the undersecretary of the Army. ...
Lockheed Martin inks F-16 coproduction deal with Polish firm.(PZL-Mielec)
Apr 08, 1997; ... Lockheed Martin Chairman and CEO Norman Augustine last week inked a deal with Poland's PZL-Mielec, paving the way for the Central European company to coproduce the F-16 should Poland select the plane as its new fighter.Under the April 4 agreement, signed in Warsaw, Poland, Lockheed ...
Union approves Lockheed Martin proposal, averting strike.(International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems)
Apr 08, 1997; ... Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems machinists on Sunday approved a company labor proposal, averting a strike by about 2,800 unionized workers at a key Texas plant that produces F-16s, F-2 fighters for Japan, F-22 components, and is developing the company's Joint Strike Fighter design ....
Pentagon wants new radio for all the services' needs.
Apr 08, 1997; ... The Department of Defense wants to develop a new radio that can transmit and receive digital information for all four services at the strategic, theater, and tactical levels, the Pentagon's director for command, control, communications and computer (C4) systems said yesterday."If ...
Joint STARS records high success rate in first major exercise.(Joint Surveillance Target Attack radar System)
Apr 08, 1997 ... A Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) aircraft participating in its first major training exercise last month at Nellis AFB, Nev., was able to gather information from 98 percent of its targets, according to Air Force officials."We were extremely pleased with ...
Air Force plans to hold competition in next phase of LOCAAS.(Low-Cost Autonomous Attack System)
Apr 08, 1997; ... The Air Force plans to hold a competition for the next phase of the developing Low-Cost Autonomous Attack System (LOCAAS) pending approval from the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), according to an Air Force official.Ken Edwards, a LOCAAS program official at Eglin AFB, ...