DTN News - OSHKOSH DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. Army Orders More Oshkosh FMTVs

DTN News - OSHKOSH DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. Army Orders More Oshkosh FMTVs
*Oshkosh vehicle contract delivers significant savings for the U.S. Army
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Oshkosh Defense
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 28, 2012: Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), will produce more than 2,500 additional Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles(FMTV) trucks and trailers for the U.S. Army following an order from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC). The Army has now ordered more than 29,000 FMTV trucks and trailers from Oshkosh.

“Over the first three years of this five-year contract, we have delivered superior-quality trucks and trailers for soldiers for their combat operations, relief efforts and unit-resupply missions at home and abroad,” said Mike Ivy, vice president and general manager of Army Programs for Oshkosh Defense. “We will continue to offer fleet improvements by developing prototypes with upgraded technology, such as our TAK-4® independent suspension system that improves off-road mobility, ride quality and protection capabilities.”

Oshkosh Defense’s rigorous production and quality processes ensure on-time delivery of high-quality trucks and trailers. The FMTV is a series of 17 models ranging from 2.5-ton to 10-ton payloads. Vehicles have a parts commonality of more than 80 percent, resulting in streamlined maintenance, training, sustainment and overall cost efficiency.

This is the latest order under the five-year FMTV contract awarded to Oshkosh Defense for the production of trucks and trailers, as well as support services and training, through calendar year 2015. The order is valued at more than $294 million and deliveries are scheduled to be completed in February 2014.

About Oshkosh Defense
Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is an industry-leading global designer and manufacturer of tactical military trucks and armored wheeled vehicles, delivering a full product line of conventional and hybrid vehicles, advanced armor options, proprietary suspensions and vehicles with payloads that can exceed 70 tons. Oshkosh Defense provides a global service and supply network including full life-cycle support and remanufacturing, and its vehicles are recognized the world over for superior performance, reliability and protection. For more information, visit www.oshkoshdefense.com.

About Oshkosh Corporation
Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corporation manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Medtec®, Jerr-Dan®, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline™, SMIT™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. Oshkosh products are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, visit www.oshkoshcorporation.com.

®, TM All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the expected level and timing of the DoD’s procurement of products and services and funding thereof, including the impact of the DoD’s allocation of certain tires which will restrict and delay certain FHTV sales; risks related to reductions in government expenditures in light of U.S. defense budget pressures and an uncertain DoD tactical wheeled vehicle strategy; the cyclical nature of the Company’s access equipment, commercial and fire & emergency markets, especially during periods of global economic uncertainty, lower municipal spending and tight credit markets; the Company’s ability to produce vehicles under the FMTV contract at targeted margins; the duration of the ongoing global economic weakness, which could lead to additional impairment charges related to many of the Company’s intangible assets and/or a slower recovery in the Company’s cyclical businesses than equity market expectations; the potential for the U.S. government to competitively bid the Company’s Army and Marine Corps contracts; the consequences of financial leverage, which could limit the Company’s ability to pursue various opportunities; increasing commodity and other raw material costs, particularly in a sustained economic recovery; the ability to pass on to customers price increases to offset higher input costs; risks related to costs and charges as a result of facilities consolidation and alignment, including that anticipated cost savings may not be achieved; risks related to the collectability of receivables, particularly for those businesses with exposure to construction markets; the cost of any warranty campaigns related to the Company’s products; risks related to production or shipment delays arising from quality or production issues; risks associated with international operations and sales, including foreign currency fluctuations and compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; the potential for increased costs relating to compliance with changes in laws and regulations; risks related to disruptions in the Company’s distribution networks; risks related to actions of activist shareholders; and the Company’s ability to successfully execute on its strategic road map and meet its long-term financial goals. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update information contained in this press release. Investors should be aware that the Company may not update such information until the Company’s next quarterly earnings conference call, if at all.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Oshkosh Defense
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: South Korea Mission Strategically Important, Officials Say

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: South Korea Mission Strategically Important, Officials Say
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Karen Parrish - American Forces Press Service
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 28, 2012: U.S. forces in South Korea help to sustain an important alliance, deter an unpredictable threat and support the national defense strategy’s shift toward the Asia-Pacific region, senior defense officials told Congress today.

Peter Lavoy, acting assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific security affairs, testified along with Army Gen. James D. Thurman, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, before the House Armed Services Committee in a hearing examining the security situation on the Korean peninsula.

“For over 60 years, the United States has maintained a presence on the Korean peninsula to deter aggression against … [South Korea] and to fight and win, should deterrence fail,” Lavoy said.

The U.S.-South Korean alliance continues to be a cornerstone of U.S. regional strategy, and department and military leaders will continue to strengthen that alliance, make U.S. forces there more efficient and effective, and enhance presence, power projection and deterrence in the region, he added.

Lavoy said North Korea's “provocative behavior” continues to present a serious threat to the United States, its allies, and the region. He noted that North Korea has a large conventional military and is pursuing ballistic missile and weapons-of-mass-destruction programs, including uranium enrichment.

In response to that threat, he said, the U.S. and South Korean governments and militaries are working to strengthen strategic capabilities, further integrate operations and work from an alliance perspective to meet current and emerging threats.

The two countries have a comprehensive plan under the Strategic Alliance 2015 framework to transition wartime operational control from the U.S.-South Korean combined forces command to the South Korean joint chiefs of staff by December 2015, Lavoy told the panel. The transition will allow South Korea to lead its national defense while maintaining an enduring U.S. defense commitment and capability, he said.

In line with the strategic agreement, U.S. forces will consolidate and relocate from the metropolitan area of the South Korean capital of Seoul to centralized locations south of the city, he said. The move will improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance force protection by placing most service members and equipment outside the effective range of North Korean artillery, Lavoy told the committee.

Thurman said the U.S.-South Korean relationship is “the finest military partnership I have experienced in my 37-year career.”

As the democratic, wealthier southern neighbor of a closed-off North Korea, Thurman said, South Korea faces the threat of attack or provocation that can come with little or no warning.

“Our deterrent capability is based on U.S. and [South Korean] military readiness, and this is my primary focus,” the general said. “I have conducted a thorough review, including two combined exercises, and I have determined our forces remain ready to defend the … Korean peninsula.”

Both militaries are well-equipped, well-trained and professional, Thurman said, while the alliance is strong and the U.S. presence provides a stabilizing influence in the region.

“I think just by having a forward presence, that is a calming effect,” he added.

His forces train to respond to chemical and biological as well as conventional weapons attacks, Thurman said, and work hand in hand with South Korean forces on cyber defense.

“I have come to realize that cyber is a key warfighting domain,” he said. “It is [as] important as our air, maritime and ground operations.”

Thurman said he would welcome productive talks between the United States and North Korea, “but my sense is the [approach they have] taken with their military-first policy is not going to change.”

Thurman said his force numbers and equipment are able to meet the mission, but he acknowledged he’d like to see some adjustments. While he has enough troops, the standard one-year tour junior service members serve in South Korea creates a “churn” of 600 to 700 men and women arriving or leaving each month, he said.

“So I have asked [Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, Army chief of staff] and the Army to look at how we can build readiness at best value, and see what we can do,” he said. “And I'm very mindful of the cost, and I don't want to create a requirement that is not operationally focused.”

The general said he’d also like to increase his air capabilities.

“We do not have a full combat aviation brigade there,” Thurman noted. “I have asked the department as well as the Department of the Army and back through [U.S. Pacific Command] and the Joint Staff to look at adding that battalion back that was repositioned out of there to meet requirements for the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Thurman emphasized his forces feel a sense of satisfaction in their mission.

“I think what makes Korea unique is we have a threat to the north. We have a well-stated mission. And I have not seen a decline [in] any morale issues,” he said. “This requires active leaders, leaders that are sensitive to the needs of their service members. And that's where I put my effort in making sure that, if there [are] any quality-of-life issues, then we quickly try to resolve that.”

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Karen Parrish - American Forces Press Service
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*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 28, 2012

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated March 28, 2012

 Source: U.S. DoD issued No. 215-12 March 28, 2012

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 28, 2012: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued  March 28, 2012 are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

AIR FORCE

            Lockheed Martin-Information Systems & Global Services, Colorado Springs, Colo., is being awarded a $78,200,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price, and cost-reimbursement contract for the Shared Early Warning System Program, which provides near real-time missile event information to partner nations as agreed upon through existing or newly negotiated bilateral agreements, and provides situational awareness information to U.S. theater combatant commander headquarters.  The location of the performance is Colorado Springs, Colo.  Work is to be completed by September 2016.  ESC/HSIK, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., is the contracting activity (FA8722-12-D-0003, TOs 0001--0011).

            Chugach Management Services, J.V., Anchorage, Alaska, is being awarded a $37,378,554 firm-fixed-price with cost-reimbursable contract line item numbers contract for civil engineering management services.  The location of the performance is Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.  Work is to be completed by Sept. 30, 2013.  AFNWC/PKOC, Albuquerque, N.M., is the contracting activity (FA9401-12-C-0006).

            Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Austin, Texas, is being awarded an $11,200,000 firm-fixed-price and requirements contract to provide full food services to 14 dining facilities located at Lackland Air Force Base, the Training Annex, and Camp Bullies in San Antonio, Texas.  This contract provides for approximately 8,400,000 meals annually for all trainees.  This action will be awarded as a new, follow-on contract with a six-month base period and on six-month option period.  The location of the performance is Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.  Work is expected to be completed by April 1, 2012.  802d Contracting Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA3047-12-D-0008).

            Spectrolab, Inc., Sylmar, Calif., is being awarded an $8,293,046 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to improve the manufacturing processing capabilities and space qualify state of the art solar cells (>33 efficiency).  The productization and qualification of high efficiency, flexible or rigid, multi-junction space solar cells will improve critical performance, mass and volume budgets for war-fight-specific satellite payloads.  The location of the performance is Sylmar, Calif.  Work is expected to be completed Dec. 18, 2028.  AFRL/PKMT, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-12-C-5501).

NAVY

            Northrup Grumman Systems Corp., Electronic Systems Sector, Land and Self Protection Systems Division, Rolling Meadows, Ill., is being awarded an undefinitized contract action with an estimated value of $25,500,000 to procure 110 sensors, 200 upgraded processors, and associated technical data in support of the Advanced Threat Warning System, a subsystem of the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures System.  Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, Ill., and is expected to be completed in March 2015.  Contract funds in the amount of $10,980,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-12-C-0074).

            Advance Engineering & Sciences, Annapolis Junction, Md., is being awarded a $25,292,042 modification to previously awarded contract (N00174-11-D-0002) for continued procurement of post-production maintenance support of counter radio-controlled improvised explosive device fixed-site systems and procurement and support of the transmitting set, countermeasure AN/PLT-4 systems.  Work will be performed in Boalsburg, Pa., and is expected to be completed by March 2013.  Contract funds in the amount of $45,000 will be provided at time of contract award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division, Indian Head, Md., is the contracting activity.

            ArmorWorks Enterprise, L.L.C.*, Chandler, Ariz. (N62583-10-D-0323); Southern California Gold Products, Inc.*, Oxnard, Calif. (N62583-10-D-0346); and American Defense Systems, Inc.*, Hicksville, N.Y. (N62583-10-D-0347), are being awarded option year two under a firm-fixed-price multiple award contract for armor solutions designed for civil engineer support equipment in support of the Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center, Port Hueneme.  The combined total value for all three contractors is $10,000,000.  No funds will be obligated with this award.  The total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $30,000,000.  No task orders are being issued at this time.  All work will be performed at various contractor sites within the continental United States, and is expected to be completed March 2013.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Specialty Center Acquisitions, Port Hueneme, Calif., is the contracting activity.

            Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $9,000,000 modification to the previously awarded V-22 Lot 17 advance acquisition contract (N00019-12-C-2001) to provide additional funding for long lead components required for the manufacture and delivery of four, fiscal 2013 Lot 17 CV-22 tiltrotor aircraft for the Air Force.  Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pa. (50 percent), Forth Worth, Texas (25 percent), and Amarillo, Texas (25 percent).  Work is expected to be completed in December 2012.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

            Avox Systems, Lancaster, N.Y., was awarded a fixed-price with economic price adjustment, sole-source contract with a maximum $20,000,000 for breathing apparatuses.  There are no other locations of performance.  Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.  There was one response to the Web proposal.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2012 through 2014 Defense Working Capital Funds.  The date of performance completion is March 26, 2014.  The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM8EG-12-D-0006).

            Jianas Brothers Packaging Co.*, Kansas City, Mo., was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract with a maximum $7,288,420 for various flavors of instant juice pouches.  There are no other locations of performance.  Using services are Marine Corps and Army.  There were two responses to the Web proposal.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2012 Defense Working Capital Funds.  The date of performance completion is March 27, 2014. Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Va., is the contracting activity (SPM3S1-12-D-Z198).

*Small business

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources U.S. DoD issued No. 215-12 March 28, 2012
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DTN News - DEFEXPO 2012 INDIA: Firms Flock To Delhi To Woo World's Top Arms Importer

DTN News - DEFEXPO 2012 INDIA:  Firms Flock To Delhi To Woo World's Top Arms Importer
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources TOI - The Times of India
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / NEW DELHI, India - March 28, 2012: The message is embarrassing but clear: with India failing to get its act together to build a strong defence-industrial base (DIB) unlike China, it will continue to be the world's largest arms importer in the foreseeable future.
 
So, gleeful global armament giants are again lining up to hard-sell their aircraft, helicopters, drones, submarines, howitzers, futuristic infantry combat vehicles, missiles, assault rifles and carbines at India's biennial arms jamboree here.

There are going to be 232 foreign firms, mainly from the US, Russia, France, Israel, the UK and Germany, and 60 official delegations in town this week for the four-day "DefExpo-2012' that begins on Thursday.

Over 335 Indian exhibitors, including major ones like Tatas, Punj Lloyd, L&T and Mahindra, will also be there to explore tie-ups and joint ventures with foreign companies as well as DRDO, defence PSUs and domestic shipyards.

"We understand fully well that indigenization cannot happen through only defence PSUs...we have taken several steps to encourage the private sector," said Shekhar Agarwal, secretary (defence production).

The defence ministry has been pushing for JVs and technology transfers to strengthen the DIB, albeit in a haphazard manner, even as it continues to restrict FDI to only 26% in the defence production sector.

Foreign vendors who bag arms deals over Rs 300 crore, of course, have to plough back at least 30% of the contract value into India as "offsets" in the defence industrial, civil aerospace, homeland security and training sectors.

The gigantic $20 billion MMRCA (medium multi-role combat aircraft) project to acquire 126 fighters, in fact, has a 50% offset clause. Offset contracts worth over Rs 50,000 crore are set to materialize over the next two to three years, say officials.

But India, with its fledgling DIB, still remains far away from reversing the current trend of being forced to import 70% of its military hardware and software. This also leaves it vulnerable to supply lines being choked in times of conflict.

Just earlier this month, Swedish think-tank SIPRI dubbed India the world's largest arms importer, accounting as it did for 10% of global arms imports in the 2007-2011 timeframe to display China. With an aggressive DIB, often propelled by "reverse engineering", China is becoming a major arms exporter to countries like Pakistan.

But if India inked arms deals worth $50 billion mainly with foreign vendors in the decade after the 1999 Kargil conflict, it will spend well over double that amount in the current decade.

The Army has pointed at huge operational gaps in fields ranging from artillery, aviation, air defence and night-fighting to ATGMs (anti-tank guided missiles), PGMs (precision guided munitions) and specialized tank and rifle ammunition.

After taking it up with defence minister A K Antony, the force now wants to brief the PM since it will need around Rs 41,000 crore to make up just its existing "critical hollowness'' in ammunition and equipment, say sources.

Indian arms bazaar

Aircraft:
-- India in final commercial negotiations with French Dassault Aviation for the $20 billion MMRCA project to acquire 126 fighters.

-- Over $1.5 billion contract for six new mid-air refueling aircraft in final stage between AirbusMilitary's A330 MRTT and Ilyushin IL-78MK tankers.

-- Acquisition of 75 Swiss Pilatus PC-7 trainer aircraft for over Rs 3,000 crore awaiting final nod.

-- Three major "follow-on" deals with US companies in pipeline: Six more C-130J "Super Hercules" tactical airlift planes (over $1.2 billion), four P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft (over $1 billion) and six C-17 Globemaster-III strategic airlift aircraft (over $2.4 billion).

Helicopters:
Army, Navy, IAF and Coast Guard on course to induct over 600 helicopters, ranging from heavy-lift and attack to maritime multi-role and light utility ones, the majority from foreign companies, for over Rs 20,000 crore in the coming decade.

Submarines:
Global tender for over Rs 50,000 crore `Project-75 India' to construct six advanced diesel-electric stealth submarines, armed with both land-attack missile capabilities and air-independent propulsion (AIP), to be issued soon.

Artillery:
Over Rs 20,000 crore 155mm artillery modernization programme to acquire 1,580 towed guns, 814 mounted gun systems, 180 self-propelled wheeled guns, 100 self-propelled tracked guns and 145 air-mobile ultra-light howitzers. 


 
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*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources TOI - The Times of India
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