DTN News - AFGHAN WAR NEWS: U.S.-Pakistan Military Negotiations ‘Very Positive’ According Gen. John R. Allen

DTN News - AFGHAN WAR NEWS: U.S.-Pakistan Military Negotiations ‘Very Positive’ According Gen. John R. Allen
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 - May 23, 2012: Military-to-military talks between the U.S. and Pakistan, which recently resumed after a lapse, are going well, the commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan said today.

Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, International Security Assistance Force commander, acknowledged during a Pentagon press briefing that the issue of reopening Pakistani ground supply routes to NATO is still unresolved. Pakistan closed the routes after a late-November 2011 cross-border attack by NATO forces near a border coordination center in Afghanistan’s Kunar province accidently killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

“I have recently led a team to Islamabad to renew our conversation with the Pakistani military,” Allen said, noting the participants had “a very positive conversation about taking steps and measures necessary to prevent a recurrence of the events of 25 and 26 November.”

He said Lt. Gen. Shir Mohammad Karimi, general staff chief of operations for the Afghan National Army, also traveled to Islamabad for the two-day military talks with Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, the Pakistani army chief of staff.

“We committed ourselves to recurring meetings … with the idea of creating a constructive long-term relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan,” Allen said.

Allen noted Pakistan has many challenges along its border with Afghanistan. Pakistan’s forces are also fighting an insurgency, he said, and they have taken more casualties in the last two years than the U.S. has in 10 years of combat in Afghanistan.

“Where we can find intersection of our interests, we should leverage those,” the general said. “And I think we're to the point where that conversation can occur.”

Since the ground supply routes through Pakistan into Afghanistan closed in November, Allen said, military cargo has moved through the northern distribution network, a set of logistic arrangements connecting Baltic and Caspian ports with Afghanistan via Russia, Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Immediately after Pakistan closed off the ground supple routes, the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Transportation Command ramped up transport schedules to maintain the flow of supplies, Allen said.

“One of the great resources of the United States is the United States Air Force,” the Marine Corps general noted. The United States’ strategic logistics capabilities ensured the campaign and the supply chain supporting it continued uninterrupted, he added.

Supply stocks in Afghanistan are greater today than they were November 25, Allen said. At no point, he said, had gasoline dropped to less than a 30-day supply, the lowest level any supply stock had reached since the closure.

Allen noted the current routes are about twice as expensive and take more time than did supplies arriving through the ground route from Pakistan.

Allen emphasized he is not involved in government or policy discussions with Pakistan. But, he said, reestablishing communications among U.S., Pakistani and Afghan military leaders is “a very positive step” toward reopening supply routes.

“It is a negotiation, and negotiations take time, so I can't predict what the outcome will be and how soon that will be,” he said.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Karen Parrish - American Forces Press Service
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DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated May 23, 2012

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated May 23, 2012

 Source: U.S. DoD issued No.  418-12 May 23, 2012

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 23, 2012: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued  May 23, 2012   are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

NAVY

            Softchoice, McLean, Va., is being awarded a firm-fixed-price blanket purchase agreement to procure Microsoft brand name software licenses and software support, known as software assurance (SA), through 2015 for the Department of the Navy.  The licenses and SA must be compatible and interoperable with existing Department of the Navy hardware and technology equipment.  The maximum dollar value, including the base period and two option periods is $700,000,000.  Work will be performed in McLean, Va., and is expected to be completed May 31, 2015.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This agreement was solicited via General Services Administration eBuy electronic request and five offers were received.  The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-12-A-4701). 

            Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a $9,064,199 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00383-06-D-003F) for the incorporation of two Naval Air Systems Command approved engineering change proposals supporting the H-53 helicopter:  Dynamic Component Change No. 97 swashplate, and Dynamic Component Change No. 94 gearbox.  Work for the nose gearboxes will be performed at the Fleet Readiness Center (FRC) East, Cherry Point, N.C. (70 percent), and Sikorsky Aircraft, Stratford, Conn. (30 percent).  Work for the swashplates will be performed at FRC East, Cherry Point, N.C.  All work is expected to be completed by February 2016.  The applicable Navy Working Capital funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was not competitively procured.  The NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity. 

U.S. TRANSPORTATION COMMAND

            Evergreen Helicopters of Alaska, Anchorage, Alaska, is being awarded a $15,903,080 option year modification for fixed wing aircraft, personnel, equipment, tools, material, maintenance and supervision necessary to perform passenger and cargo air transportation services.  Work will be performed in Afghanistan and the option will start June 1, 2012, to be completed by May 31, 2013.  This contract was a competitive acquisition with seven offers received. U.S. Transportation Command Directorate of Acquisition, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., is the contracting activity (HTC711-10-D-R017).

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources U.S. DoD issued No.  418-12 May 23, 2012
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing Delivers 3rd Peace Eye AEW&C Aircraft To Republic Of Korea Air Force

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: Boeing Delivers 3rd Peace Eye AEW&C Aircraft To Republic Of Korea Air Force
*Airborne battle management aircraft is 2nd to be modified by Korea Aerospace Industries
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 22, 2012: Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered the third Peace Eye 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) on May 16.

The aircraft was delivered ahead of schedule to ROKAF Base Gimhae, the main operating base for the Peace Eye fleet. Peace Eye No. 3 is the second aircraft in the fleet to be modified into an AEW&C configuration by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) at its facility in Sacheon.

"A key factor in our continuing success in delivering Peace Eye's powerful capability is the close working relationship that exists among the Boeing team, the ROKAF, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, and our Korean and U.S. industry partners," said Randy Price, Boeing Peace Eye program manager.

The last Peace Eye aircraft being modified by KAI will be delivered to the ROKAF by the end of this year.

The Peace Eye program includes four 737 AEW&C aircraft, plus ground support segments for mission crew training, mission support and system maintenance. Five AEW&C aircraft are in operation for the government of Australia. Turkey's first AEW&C aircraft is on plan for delivery later this year.

Based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737-700 commercial airplane, the 737 AEW&C aircraft is designed to provide airborne-battle-management capability with an advanced multirole electronically scanned radar and state-of-the-art mission crew consoles that are able to track airborne and maritime targets simultaneously. The mission crew can direct offensive and defensive forces while maintaining continuous surveillance of the operational area.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 61,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.

Contact:

Dave Sloan
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
+1 253-657-8008
david.a.sloan@boeing.com

Chang Koh
Boeing Korea
+82 2 2075 4815
changgyun.koh@boeing.com

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing 
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DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated May 21 + 22, 2012

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated May 21 + 22, 2012

 Source: U.S. DoD issued No. 405-12 May 21, 2012 + 413-12 May 22, 2012

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 22, 2012: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued  May 21 + 22, 2012   are undermentioned;

No. 405-12 May 21, 2012

CONTRACTS

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

            Charleston Aluminum, L.L.C., Gaston, S.C.*, was issued a modification exercising the first option year on contract SPM8E5-10-D-0012/P00008.  The award is a fixed-price with economic price adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum $49,587,000 for heat-treated aluminum sheet and plate materials.  There are no other locations of performance.  Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies.  There were five responses to the Web solicitation.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2012 Defense Working Capital Funds.  The date of performance completion is May 31, 2013.  The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.

            Ami Metals, Inc., Brentwood, Tenn., was issued a modification exercising the first option year on contract SPM8E5-10-D-0011/P00009.  The award is a fixed-price with economic price adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum $49,206,000 for heat-treated aluminum sheet and plate materials.  There are no other locations of performance.  Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies.  There were five responses to the Web solicitation.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2012 Defense Working Capital Funds.  The date of performance completion is May 31, 2013.  The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.

            TW Metals, Carol Stream, Ill., was issued a modification exercising the first option year on contract SPM8E5-10-D-0010/P00017.  The award is a fixed-price with economic price adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum $43,700,000 for heat-treated aluminum sheet and plate materials.  There are no other locations of performance.  Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies.  There were five responses to the Web solicitation.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2012 Defense Working Capital Funds.  The date of performance completion is May 31, 2013.  The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.

NAVY

            Lockheed Martin Corp., Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., is being awarded a $47,586,369 firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of 18 AN/AAQ-30 target sight systems and data.  The target sight systemprovides target identification and tracking, passive targeting for integrated weapons, including Hellfire missiles, and a laser designation capability supporting friendly laser-guided weapons.  Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla. (90 percent), and Ocala, Fla. (10 percent), and is expected to complete by October 2015.  Contract funds in the amount of $2,643,687 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This non-commercial contract was issued on a sole-source basis, as Lockheed Martin is the only vendor able to provide AN/AAQ-30 in time to meet the government-required schedule.  Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-12-C-JQ26).

            Lockheed Martin Corp., Mission Systems and Sensors (MS2), Manassas, Va., is being awarded a $33,745,287 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-6294) for development and production of the Acoustic Rapid Commercial-Off-The-Shelf Insertion (ARCI) systems and common acoustics processing for technology insertions 12 through 14 for the United States’ submarine fleet and potential foreign military sales.  ARCI is a sonar system that integrates and improves towed array, hull array, sphere array, and other ship sensor processing, through rapid insertion of commercial-off-the-shelf -based hardware and software.  This modification will purchase technology insertion system upgrades, including pre-cable kits, for 15 submarines.  Work will be performed in Manassas, Va. (60 percent), and Clearwater, Fla. (40 percent), and is expected to complete by December 2013.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

            The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded an $11,084,479 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of the Harpoon and Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response weapons system components.  This contract combines purchases in support of the U.S. Navy ($4,342,034; 39.2 percent) and, under the Foreign Military Sales Program, the governments of:  Australia ($2,877,199; 26 percent); Turkey ($1,126,694; 10.2 percent); Japan ($916,182; 8.3 percent); Korea ($537,786; 4.9 percent); Saudi Arabia ($313,751; 2.8 percent); Pakistan ($246,452; 2.2 percent); Canada ($241,015; 2.1 percent); United Kingdom ($237,005; 2.1 percent); Kuwait ($79,668; 0.7 percent); United Arab Emirates  ($67,431; 0.6 percent); India ($59,428; 0.5 percent); and Egypt ($39,834; 0.4 percent).  Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo., and is expected to be completed in August 2013.  Contract funds will not 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-0058).

            The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded a $7,800,000 delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-11-G-0001) for a software license agreement for Advanced Harpoon Weapon Control System software for the government of Korea under the Foreign Military Sales Program.  This provides for the integration into the Encapsulated Harpoon Command Launch System III hardware.  Work will be performed in St. Louis, Mo., and is expected to be completed in June 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.  

            Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Conn., is being awarded a $6,788,520 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-10-C-2118) to obtain vendor services to design and procure the common controller for electric actuation.   The contractor will design, manufacture, and qualify test two configurations of the “common” controller to support electric actuation.   The work will be performed in Groton, Conn., and is scheduled to be completed by January 2016.  Contract funds in the amount of $580,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  Supervisor of Shipbuilding Conversion and Repair, Groton, Conn., is the contracting activity.

*Small business

No. 413-12 May 22, 2012

CONTRACTS

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

            Oceanic Medical Products, Inc., Atchison, Kan.*, was awarded a fixed-price with economic price adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum $50,000,000 for anesthesia systems and related components and accessories.  There are no other locations of performance.  Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies.  There were 50 solicitations with 25 responses.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2012 Defense Working Capital Funds.  The date of performance completion is May 23, 2016.  The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM200-06-D-8203).


            Genesis Vision, Inc., Rochester, N.Y.*, was issued a modification exercising the second option year on contract SPM2DE-10-D-7545/P00003.  The award is a fixed-price with economic price adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum $12,061,914 for various optical frames and accessories.  There are no other locations of performance.  Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies.  There were four responses to the Web solicitation.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2011 Defense Working Capital Funds.  The date of performance completion is June 2, 2013.  The the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.


*Small business


*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources U.S. DoD issued No. 405-12 May 21, 2012 + 413-12 May 22, 2012
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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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