DTN News - GREETINGS: Happy Easter 2012 - Let There Be Peace On Earth, In Perfect Harmony

DTN News - GREETINGS: Happy Easter 2012 - Let There Be Peace On Earth, In Perfect Harmony
Source: DTN News - - K. V. Seth
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - April 5, 2012: To Our Readers and Viewers of  DTN News Plus Everyone in the Global Village, a Very Happy Easter, this Divine Holyday, the Miracle of Miracles! Warm wishes for a wonderful Easter from DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News.

Easter and the holidays that are related to it are moveable feasts, in that they do not fall on a fixed date in the Gregorian or Julian calendars (both of which follow the cycle of the sun and the seasons). Instead, the date for Easter is determined on a lunisolar calendar similar to the Hebrew calendar. The First Council of Nicaea (325) established the date of Easter as the first Sunday after the full moon (the Paschal Full Moon) following the northern hemisphere's vernal equinox. Ecclesiastically, the equinox is reckoned to be on March 21 (even though the equinox occurs, astronomically speaking, on March 20 in most years), and the "Full Moon" is not necessarily the astronomically correct date.

In Western Christianity, using the Gregorian calendar, Easter always falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25, inclusively. The following day, Easter Monday, is a legal holiday in many countries with predominantly Christian traditions.

*Link for This article compiled by K.V. Seth - DTN News
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DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated April 5, 2012

DTN News: U.S. Department of Defense Contracts Dated April 5, 2012

 Source: U.S. DoD issued No. 242-12 April 5, 2012

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - April 5, 2012: U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) Contracts issued  April 5, 2012   are undermentioned;

CONTRACTS

NAVY

            Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors, Owego, N.Y., is being awarded a $1,049,932,426 modification to definitize a previously awarded MH-60R/MH-60S mission avionics system/common cockpit advance acquisition contract to a firm-fixed-price, multiyear contract (N00019-11-C-0020).  This modification provides for the procurement of fiscal years 2012-2016 MH-60R Lot 10-14 mission avionics systems and common cockpits; MH-60 S Lot 14-17 common cockpits; and MH-60R/S integrated logistic support.  Work will be performed in Owego, N.Y. (58 percent); Farmingdale, N.Y. (25 percent); Woodland Hills, Calif. (4 percent); Ciudad Real, Spain (3 percent); East Syracuse, N.Y. (2 percent); Victor, N.Y. (2 percent); Everett, Wash. (1 percent); Stratford, Conn. (1 percent); St. Charles, Mo. (1 percent); Lewisville, Texas (1 percent); Bennington, Vt. (1 percent); and other locations inside the United States (1 percent).  Work is expected to be completed in June 2018.  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.

            Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Aerospace Systems, Melbourne, Fla., is being awarded a $27,058,492 modification to previously awarded contract (N61331-10-C-0023) for the procurement of the AN/AES-1 Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) low rate initial production.  Work will be performed in Melbourne, Fla. (36.2 percent); Tucson, Ariz. (34 percent); St. Charles, Mo. (12.5 percent); Irvine, Calif. (8 percent); San Clarita, Calif. (5 percent); and Edgewood, N.Y. (4.3 percent).  Work is expected to be completed by April 2014.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, Panama City, Fla., is the contracting activity.

            US Youth Sports, St Charles, Mo., is being awarded a $7,906,966 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of blast mitigating floor mat kits for the Buffalo and MaxxPro variants of the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected family of vehicles.  The scope of this effort is to provide blast mitigation floor mats which reduce the compressive and bending forces on the lower legs and have demonstrated the ability to reduce crew injury in combat.  This contract contains options, which, if exercised, will bring the value of this contract to $9,185,325.  Work will be performed in St Charles, Mo., and is expected to be completed Nov. 30, 2012.  Contract funds in the amount of $ $107,415 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was competitively procured, with five offers received.  Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity.

            Oceus Networks, Inc.*, Reston, Va., is being awarded a $7,804,428 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N68335-12-C-0100) to exercise an option for a rapidly deployable fourth generation long term evolution tactical, wireless, maritime command and control communication solution and support the operational test and evaluation.  This modification will provided for the installation of equipment on three ships and in an H-1 rotary wing aircraft for operational test and evaluation.  Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Md. (25 percent); Dalhgren, Va. (25 percent); Norfolk, Va. (20 percent); New River, N.C. (15 percent); Plano, Texas (10 percent); and other locations outside the continental United States (5 percent).  Work is expected to be completed in December 2013.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity.

            Raass Brothers, Inc.*, Provo, Utah, is being awarded $6,672,108 for firm-fixed-price task order 0019 under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award construction contract (N62478-10-D-4022) for conversion of an existing single-story operational security vault into an electronics and communication installation shop, electronics and communication storage, and administrative office space at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.  The work to be performed provides for environmental, civil, landscape, architectural structural, fire protection, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and telecommunication work at Building 434, with incidental work at Building 475 and Substation I.  The task order also contains one unexercised option, which, if exercised, would increase cumulative task order value to $7,158,828.  Work will be performed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by November 2013.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  Five proposals were received for this task order.  The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Hawaii, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity.

AIR FORCE

            SAIC, McLean, Va., is being awarded a $32,876,384 firm-fixed-price, time-and-material contract to procure the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing (480 ISRW) has a requirement in support of the AF DCGS intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission.  The location of the performance is 480 ISRW, Langley Air Force Base, Va.  Work is to be completed by May 30, 2014.  Air Force Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity (FA7037-12-F-0062).

            Defense Engineering Corp., Beavercreek, Ohio, is being awarded a $24,125,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to procure the Collision Threat Warning Program.  This program is designed to conduct electro-optical threat warning research primarily in the area of sense and avoid.  The Collision Threat Warning Program will also address other future needs in electro optical situational awareness.  The location of the performance is Beavercreek, Ohio.  Work is to be completed April 6, 2018.  AFRL/PKSE, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-12-D-1376 and 0001)

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

            Herndon Products, Inc.*, O’Fallon, Mo., was issued a fixed-price with economic price adjustment, indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum $24,210,833 for various national stock numbers and items in support of the Industrial Product Support Vendor Program.  There are no other locations of performance.  Using services are Army, and Defense Logistics Agency.  There were seven proposals solicited and five responses.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2012 Defense Working Capital Funds.  The date of performance completion is March 2015.  The Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio, is the contracting activity (SPM7LX-12-D-9001).

            Wolverine World Wide, Inc., Rockford, Mich., was issued a modification exercising the first option year on contract SPM1C1-11-D-1045/P00004.  The award is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum $14,516,884 for Navy certified safety boots.  Other location of performance is Cedar Springs, Mich.  Using service is Navy.  There were three responses to the Web proposal.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2011 Defense Working Capital Funds.  The date of performance completion is Aug. 5, 2013.  The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.

WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICE

            Netcentrics Corp., Herndon, Va., is being awarded a $12,976,129 firm-fixed-price contract (HQ0034-11-D-0002) to obtain information technology operations back office support for the Office of the Secretary of Defense; Washington Headquarters Service (WHS); WHS supported organizations; and the Pentagon Force Protection Agency.  Work will be performed in Alexandria, Va., and Arlington, Va., with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2017.  Three bids were solicited through the Internet, with three bids received.  Washington Headquarters Service is the contracting activity.

*Small business

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources U.S. DoD issued No. 242-12 April 5, 2012
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DTN News - JAPAN DEFENSE NEWS: Japan Ready For North Korea Missile Launch

DTN News - JAPAN DEFENSE NEWS: Japan Ready For North Korea Missile Launch
*Japan deploys interceptor missiles amid fears projectile to be launched later this month may veer into its airspace
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Al Jazeera
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - April 5, 2012: Japan has completed the deployment of a land-based system of interceptor missiles in preparation for a planned North Korean rocket launch later this month.

The exercise was finalised in Okinawa on Thursday, days after a similar deployment was completed on Monday in Naha, the capital of the Okinawa prefecture.

The interceptors would be ready to shoot down any parts of the rocket that veer into Japan's airspace.

Kunisaki, a transport ship of the Maritime Defence Force, carried the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile interceptors to the port in Ishigaki island to be installed facing towards the controversial rocket's planned route.

With the PAC-3's arrival in Ishigaki, the island closest to the area of the rocket's trajectory, interceptors are now positioned in four locations in Okinawa, including the military bases in Naha, Miyako and Chinen.

Mobile missile launchers, in addition to the ones in Okinawa, will be positioned in the Tokyo metropolitan area in the next few days.

Birthday celebration
North Korea's "Unha-3" rocket is expected to fly over western Japan, including part of Okinawa, after it is launched from a pad on North Korea's west coast between April 12-16.

The North says the launch is for putting a satellite into orbit in honour of the 100th birthday of the country's late founder, Kim Il Sung.

It has raised concerns that a failed launch, or a failing stage of the rocket, could endanger Japanese lives or property.

In addition to the PAC-3s, anti-missile equipped destroyers will be deployed to the Pacific and East China Sea.

Tokyo took the same measures in 2009 over an earlier North Korea missile launch.

They deployed warships with anti-missile systems, positioned patriot missile interceptors and established a system to warn residents when the rocket was approaching.

Japan's intentions were not to shoot down the rocket but to have self-defence forces on standby to intercept any fragments of a missile should the launch fail.

Japan, the US and other countries claim the North is seeking to test the capabilities of its long-range missiles, in violation of international agreements.


*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Al Jazeera
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S.-Russia ‘Reset’ Holds Challenge, Opportunity Says Official

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S.-Russia ‘Reset’ Holds Challenge, Opportunity Says Official
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 - April 5, 2012: The strategic “reset” of relations between the United States and Russia is gradually bringing results, a senior defense policy expert said today.

Celeste A. Wallander, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia policy, discussed challenges and opportunities in U.S.-Russia relations with members of the Women's Foreign Policy Group here today.

The reset strategy is “to cooperate in areas where we can cooperate with Russia, in areas that serve American national interest … and communicate clearly and honestly” on topics where the two governments don’t agree, she said.

The United States and Russia have made some important progress, Wallander noted, including:

-- Implementing the “New START” nuclear arms reduction treaty;

-- Making progress toward agreement on Iran;

-- Achieving some cooperation in the NATO-led Afghanistan mission; and

-- Strengthening defense and security communication both between the two nations and between Russia and NATO.

“The New START treaty was an important achievement. … It is another step in reducing global nuclear weapons stockpiles,” she said. The treaty also re-established regular mutual nuclear weapons inspections and meetings involving American and Russian military leaders and nuclear experts, she added.

On Iran, Russia has ended a contract that would have provided that country with Russian-made “very dangerous air defense systems,” Wallander said, and Russia supports the Afghanistan effort by allowing U.S. and NATO troops and cargo to travel through its territory.

The U.S.-Russian defense relations working group and the NATO-Russian council allow both regular high-level meetings and daily working-level discussions among U.S., NATO and Russian defense and strategy experts on security issues including countering piracy, narcotics trafficking and terrorism, she added.

Wallander also listed areas where the United States and Russia “don’t see eye to eye,” including Syria and the U.S. four-phase approach to European missile defense.

Both nations agree the violence in Syria must end, she said, and President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreed during their March meeting in Seoul, South Korea, to support the mission to Syria that Kofi Annan has undertaken as a United Nations and Arab League representative.

The two countries have not agreed on whether or when other nations should take action against Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime, she noted, but even in disagreement the U.S.-Russian relationship is “certainly in a better place” than in past years, when representatives and leaders “would have been talking at one another, not with one another.”

The United States views Russia as occupying Georgian territory in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Wallander said. While U.S. leaders know Russia’s policies about the disputed areas, she added, they “don’t accept them.”

Georgia and Russia have held regular bilateral talks in Geneva since they first clashed over the two republics in 2008, she noted. She added U.S. support to these talks demonstrates the “reset” strategy, emphasizing that even small steps build transparency and understanding, if not agreement, between Russia and the United States.

The United States takes a similar approach to Russia’s objections to the U.S. European missile defense plan, she added. That plan calls for a steady buildup of sea- and land-based systems designed to protect European nations and U.S. troops in Europe from a growing threat of missile attack from the Middle East, particularly Iran, she explained.

Wallander said the plan is based on an assessment that over the next 10 years Iran poses a “small, relatively straightforward nuclear missile threat” to nations in Europe, and the defense systems called for in the phased approach will not have the capability to threaten Russia.

The United States has invited Russia to participate in planning and implementing the missile defense systems, but with little success, she noted. Still, the United States remains “committed to seeking cooperation” on this and other issues, she added.

Civil demonstrations around the recent Russian presidential election demonstrate the long-term potential of the “reset” approach, she noted. The U.S. strategy, she said, aims at a prosperous, secure, militarily modern Russia that has transitioned to fully democratic government and is committed to building regional stability.

“We’ve seen a Russian … middle class that wants that, too,” Wallander said. “The next couple of years will be really interesting and really important for Russia’s future,” she said.

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