DTN News: US To Supply 2,526 Humvees To Afghan Forces

DTN News: US To Supply 2,526 Humvees To Afghan Forces

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including Reuters ~ Reported by Jim Wolf and Edited by Gary Hill

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - August 13, 2010: AM General, LLC, has been awarded an U.S. Army contract valued at $619 million for 2,526 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles, or Humvees, for the Afghan police force and National Guard, the U.S. Defense Department said on Friday. Work is to be performed in South Bend, Indiana, with a projected completion date of Dec. 31, 2013, the Pentagon's daily contract digest said. The contract was awarded July 30. One bid was solicited with one bid received, the notice said. AM General is privately held. In December 1999, AM General and General Motors Co GM.UL finalized a deal to jointly pursue product, marketing and distribution opportunities for HUMMER brand vehicles much like their Humvee military cousins. The High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) uses independent suspensions and portal geared hubs similar to portal axles to make for a full 16 inches of ground clearance. The vehicle also has disc brakes on all 4 wheels, and 4-wheel double-wishbone suspension.

The brake disks are not mounted at the wheels as on conventional automobiles, but inboard mounted disk brakes, which are attached to the outside of each differential.

The front and rear differentials are Torsen type, and the center differential is regular, lockable type. There are at least 17 variants of the HMMWV in service with the United States armed forces.

HMMWVs serve as cargo/troop carriers, automatic weapons platforms, ambulances (four litter patients or eight ambulatory patients), M220 TOW missile carriers, M119 howitzer prime movers, M1097 Avenger Pedestal Mounted Stinger platforms, MRQ-12 direct air support vehicles, S250 shelter carriers, and other roles. The HMMWV is capable of fording 2.5 ft (76 cm) normally, or 5 ft (1.5 m) with the deep-water fording kits installed.

In June 1981, the Army awarded AM General a contract for development of several more prototype vehicles to be delivered to the U.S. government for another series of tests, and the company was later awarded the initial production contract for 55,000 HMMWVs to be delivered in 1985. HMMWVs first saw combat in Operation Just Cause, the US invasion of Panama in 1989. The HMMWV has become the vehicular backbone of U.S. forces around the world. Over 10,000 were employed by coalition forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom, the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

International versions

*EQ2050/SQF2040 - Chinese versions of the HMMWV. There are at least two Chinese automobile manufacturers building HMMWV copies. Both HMMWV copies rely heavily on imported U.S.-made parts including chassis, gear box, and diesel engine. It appears that at least one company, Dongfeng Motor Corporation (DFM), has the full consent and cooperation of the General Motors Corporation. Both manufacturers claimed that they will be able to gradually increase the percentage of indigenously made content on the vehicles in the future, since the PLA is unlikely willing to accept any equipment that relies largely on foreign made parts. *Bulgaria - Bulgarian HMMWVs have been fitted with PKS heavy machine guns. Bulgaria usually replaces western machine guns on its vehicles to simplify maintenance, since the country is an active producer of Soviet/Russian-type ammunitions. *Greece - Greek unarmored M1114, built entirely by ELBO in Greece, equipped to fire the Russian 9M133 Kornet ATGM. It has storage room for 10 missiles. Israel's Plasan has developed armored versions of the HMMWV, assembled by ELBO in Greece as the M1114GR and M1118GR. *Plasan has also designed and supplied an HMMWV Armored Protection Kit for the Portuguese Army and a different version assembled by Automotive Industries in Nazareth for the Israel Defense Forces. *Poland - Polish Land Forces currently operate 222 different variants of HMMWVes (5 unknown variants are operated by special forces). Over 200 are used by the 18th Airborne Battalion which is a part of the 6th Air Assault Brigade. The used variants are designated as follows: Tumak-2 - M1043A2, Tumak-3 - M1025A2, Tumak-4 - M1097A2, Tumak-5 - M1045A2, Tumak-6 - M1097A2 (variant used for transport of special containers), Tumak-7 - M1035A2. All vehicles are modified to meet Polish rules of the road and are equipped with Polish communication devices. 140 HMMWVes are equipped with Fonet digital internal communication device. 120 M1025A2s and M1043A2s have a rotatable mount which can be fitted with either the UKM-2000P 7.62 mm general purpose machine gun or the NSW-B 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. M1045A2s are used by anti-tank subunits and are armed with Spike-LR which can be dismounted in field conditions. Additionally Polish forces of ISAF operate 120 HMMWVes on loan from the US forces. *The Swiss MOWAG Eagle light armored vehicle, designed for reconnaissance surveillance, liaison, escort, border patrol and police missions. Early versions of the Eagle utilize the HMMWV chassis, although the latest uses a Duro III chassis. It is an NBC-tight, air conditioned and armor protected vehicle. Eagle is in service and available in several configurations with varying levels of armor protection. The Eagle can be fitted with a wide assortment of armaments which can be manually or remotely operated turrets. *Egypt - AOI has a project of fitting HMMWVs with anti armor weaponry, options include: TOW, Milan, or HOT missiles.

HMMWV replicas

Due to the popularity of the HMMWV, kits have been produced for the general market to build a HMMWV-lookalike at home. While the kits do not allow you to build a HMMWV from scratch (kitcar), they do allow you to turn a sedan into a HMMWV lookalike. An alternative is to buy a preconstructed (or "turnkey") wombat. Various kits exist, but one of the most famous names is the "Wombat" (previously called a HummBug). The former vehicle can be purchased for US$18,000; this puts it considerably cheaper than the actual HMMWV ($56,400.00), or Hummer. In Australia, a Gold Coast-based company called Rhino Buggies produces replicas of the Hummer H1 based on the Nissan Patrol 4WD vehicle for around AU$30,000. Some local vehicle assemblers in the Philippines even make small and full-sized replicas of the HMMWV. They are usually mounted on chassis intended for jeeps, jeepneys, or (in case of the full-sized replica) small trucks, and is powered by surplus gasoline or diesel engines. It looks like a real HMMWV, but it is smaller in size, and is priced the same as an ordinary "owner-type" jeep (Php80,000 upwards).

DTN News: Pentagon Eventually To Replace Armored Humvee With Oshkosh M-ATV In Afghanistan

DTN News: Pentagon Eventually To Replace Armored Humvee With Oshkosh M-ATV In Afghanistan *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) ARLINGTON, VA - November 3, 2009: M-ATV Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) All TerrainVehicle is displayed outside the Pentagon November 2, 2009 in Arlington, Virginia. The vehicle is designed to replace the up-armored Humvee in Afghanistan and about 40 of them have been deployed. Oshkosh Defense is committed to providing the best protection and mobility to our Warfighters – through the most threatening terrain, in the most treacherous of circumstances. They get that with the Oshkosh® M-ATV. Because it’s engineered specifically for their difficult missions – to move them in and get them out as safely as possible. The Oshkosh M-ATV incorporates rugged, durable, patented components and systems for maximum Warfighter mobility and survivability. Derived from the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) platform, the M-ATV incorporates the proprietary TAK-4® independent suspension system with battle-tested technology. It has the wheel travel, payload capacity, side slope stability, vehicle durability, extreme mobility and necessary Warfighter protection for today’s fight. In today’s most challenging battle zones, the M-ATV is the combat-tested, mobile, survivable, durable solution – the solution to getting Warfighters to the fight and back again M-ATV Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) All TerrainVehicle is displayed outside the Pentagon November 2, 2009 in Arlington, Virginia. The vehicle is designed to replace the up-armored Humvee in Afghanistan and about 40 of them have been deployed.

DTN News: China Buys All-American Hummer For $150 million

DTN News: China Buys All-American Hummer For $150 million

*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON, DC - October 11, 2009: Nothing was more American than the Hummer. It was Schwarzenegger, cigars and swagger, laughing in the face of scornful environmentalists. Only now the Chinese are laughing.

General Motors Co., seeking to shed brands after emerging from bankruptcy, is nearing an agreement to sell its Hummer sport-utility vehicle business to China’s Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. for about $150 million, said three people familiar with the deal. General Motors sold the military-inspired off-road brand to China's Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. for a reported $150 million on Friday, consummating a deal announced in early June.

Tengzhong, a sprawling conglomerate with no car-building experience, will own 80 percent of the company. Hong Kong investor Suolang Duoji, who in turn is a major investor in Tengzhong, will own the rest. They will assume existing agreements with Hummer's 160 U.S. dealerships, including two in the Washington area. In its June bankruptcy filing, GM estimated that Hummer was worth $500 million. The deal requires regulatory approval in both Washington and Beijing. GM said it will continue to make the Hummer at least until June 2011, with an option to continue another year. Hummer's management team will stay in place, and company headquarters will be located in the Detroit area. After GM's attempts to sell its Saturn brand failed last week, analysts called the deal a victory for GM despite the low price tag. "It's good news for General Motors, they actually got some money out of it versus having to spend money to wind it down, as they have to do with Saturn," said Michelle Krebs, an analyst with auto information site Edmunds.com. Back in February, while seeking more federal aid, GM said that it would sell or close its Hummer, Saturn and Saab divisions in an effort to succeed as a leaner, more profitable company.

Concern about Hummer's sale to the Chinese was muted. "Yeah, it feels a little weird," said Anthony Cancel, new car sales manager at Moore Cadillac Hummer in Chantilly. "But Americans are still going to build these cars" for a while, Mr. Cancel said. "That's going to employ 3,000 Americans." He noted that even with Hummer's future in doubt, his dealership was still selling 15 of the vehicles a month, down from a peak of 75. GM has not produced the car for six months, he said. "It came at a pretty good time, we only have two left. From the time they turn the factory on it takes four weeks for us to get cars," Mr. Cancel said. Ms. Krebs said the Chinese are following the lead of the Japanese and Koreans, but not by building the cars on their own. "The Chinese are achieving a global presence by acquisition rather than introducing their own brands," she said. "They're buying low right now."

"The Chinese are achieving a global presence by acquisition rather than introducing their own brands," she said. "They're buying low right now." Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co. has joined a Swedish consortium led by Koenigsegg seeking to complete the purchase of Saab this month. China's Geely Automobile was interested in buying Opel from GM and is bidding to buy Volvo from Ford Motor Co. "It's the same with the Indians, with Tata [Motors] buying Jaguar and Land Rover," Ms. Krebs said. The Financial Times reported this week that Geely's bid for money-losing Volvo was worth $2 billion but that Ford had concerns about protecting its technology. The London newspaper reported that a U.S. consortium led by former Detroit executives has also placed a bid. Independent auto analyst Tom Libby said trade is so interconnected now that Chinese ownership of Hummer is unlikely to diminish its macho appeal. "I have always held that the Hummer brand has value in this market and I consider it a viable competitor to Jeep," he said. The Jeep had its origin in the U.S. military, he said, and still benefits from "sort of a patriotism connection." The Hummer is derived from the Humvee, the U.S. military's successor to the Jeep. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican and former action-movie hero, persuaded military contractor AM General to make a civilian version of the Humvee in the early 1990s. AM General of South Bend, Ind., continues to make the military Humvee.

The challenge for Hummer, with fresh capital from Tengzhong, will be to reinvent the brand, which has suffered in recent years from its gas-guzzling image. The company will improve efficiency and performance and branch out to alternative fuels and diesel engines. There's no image problem in China, though. "I think it works for China," Ms. Krebs said. "I have been to China and Hummers are real popular there, even though they are only sold on the gray market. I've seen them on the streets of Shanghai. "They're popular in the Middle East and there are opportunities elsewhere, such as Russia," she said.

DTN News: BAE Systems Receives $89 Million Contract For Vehicle Emergency Escape Windows

DTN News: BAE Systems Receives $89 Million Contract For Vehicle Emergency Escape Windows *Source: DTN News / BAE Systems (NSI News Source Info) MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota - August 25, 2009: BAE Systems will supply Vehicle Emergency Escape (VEE) windows for new production M1151 Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) under a contract with AM General. The patent-pending VEE Window technology enables soldiers to quickly exit the vehicle in the event of an emergency, such as a rollover or accident, by releasing and pushing out the front window. The simplicity of the design requires no additional training for soldiers. The total potential value of this indefinite deliver/indefinite quantity contract is up to $89 million. "For the first time the VEE Window will be incorporated into AM General’s M1151 HMMWV production line," said Mark Signorelli, vice president and general manager of New Vehicles & Amphibious Systems. "This life-saving technology is standard on the HMMWV platform is another step in our commitment to Warfighter safety in an unpredictable environment." The VEE Window is part of the Army’s Fragmentation Kit Seven (FRAG 7), which is a set of survivability upgrades to already fielded M1151 HMMWVs. This contract raises the total orders for VEE Window kits to more than 29,000, with more than 10,000 kits already shipped for the up-armored M1114 and M1151 HMMWVs. The VEE Window technology is adaptable to many tactical up-armored combat vehicles, including Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles or Marine Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacements. Work on the VEE Window order will be performed at BAE Systems and industrial partner facilities in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Butler, Pennsylvania. About BAE Systems BAE Systems is the premier global defense and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded $34.4 billion in 2008.

DTN News: Technology TODAY August 11, 2009 ~ Humvee Still Made In America

DTN News: Technology TODAY August 11, 2009 ~ Humvee Still Made In America

*Source: DTN News / Defense Media (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON, USA - August 11, 2009: The military’s High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, also known as a “HMMWV” or a “Humvee,” will continue to be made in the United States, by an American-owned company. The recent announcement that Detroit-based General Motors will sell their Hummer brand of vehicles to Chinese-based Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company, has no bearing on the U.S. military’s Humvee. “The Army’s Humvee and the civilian Hummer look similar and share a common appearance,” said spokesman Lt. Col. Martin Downie. “But the rights to produce those two different vehicles are no longer owned by the same company.” Humvee manufacturer AM General is an American company based in South Bend, Ind. The company produced the first 55,000 Humvees for the Army in 1985. The company continues today to produce the Humvee for the military. In the early 1990s, AM General began producing a civilian version of the Humvee, calling it a “Hummer.” But by the late 1990s, AM General had sold the Hummer name to General Motors. While GM will sell the Hummer nameplate to Sichuan Tengzhong, the military’s Humvee, its designs, unique performance capabilities and technologies will continue to be owned by, and the vehicle produced by, AM General.

DTN News: Pakistan - The Battle Within - Pakistan Diary: Taliban Tactics

DTN News: Pakistan - The Battle Within - Pakistan Diary: Taliban Tactics (NSI News Source Info) ISLAMABAD - June 6, 2009: Twisted hunks of metal lay strewn across the road. It's the result of a brazen raid by the Taliban on a convoy ferrying prisoners into the North West Frontier Province's main city of Peshawar. Hit-and-run raids are more cost-effective than mass attacks on security forces. Imran Khan, Al Jazeera's reporter in Pakistan, is filing regular dispatches from the country as the army battles Taliban fighters in the North West Frontier Province. This high profile raid suggests there has been a subtle shift in the Pakistani Taliban's tactics. When this war began the Taliban stood their ground and the army had to fight them house-to-house, street-to-street. Now though, it seems the Taliban have renewed an old tactic: hit-and-run raids. These raids are incredibly difficult to deal with. They aim to wear down troops' morale as constant vigil has to maintained. The raids often hit low-level target, remote checkposts, supply lines, mobile patrols. In the case of the Talib's raid on a prisoner convoy details are still emerging. But it fits a pattern that has worked so successfully in Iraq, Afghanistan and here in Pakistan. The raids are, to use a business term, cost-effective. All it takes is a few armed men and some fire power. Once you have mounted the raids you simply disappear into the background, leaving behind destruction and mayhem. Because the groups that mount the raids are so small, intelligence on them is difficult to come by. But the security apparatus can fight back. In Iraq and Afghanistan, US military humvees have been uparmoured to protect against roadside bombs. In Pakistan, the army must now decide how they will deal this renewed tactic. But the army has the technology to protect itself. Other institutions, however, like the police, are less well protected and are likely to be the Taliban's targets as this conflict drags on.

DTN News: Humvee Still Made In America / Humvee Production Will Stay In America

DTN News: Humvee Still Made In America / Humvee Production Will Stay In America

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - June 5, 2009: The military's High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, also known as a "HMMWV" or a "Humvee," will continue to be made in the United States, by an American-owned company.

This Humvee prepares for a convoy mission inside the yard at Convoy Support Center Scania, Iraq, April 16. The military's Humvee is manufactured by AM General, an American company in South Bend, Ind. General Motor's decision to sell to a Chinese manufacturer their Hummer brand of vehicles, which shares a common background with the Humvee, will not affect where the Humvee is made.

The recent announcement that Detroit-based General Motors will sell their Hummer brand of vehicles to Chinese-based Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company, has no bearing on the U.S. military's Humvee.

"The Army's Humvee and the civilian Hummer look similar and share a common appearance," said spokesman Lt. Col. Martin Downie. "But the rights to produce those two different vehicles are no longer owned by the same company."

Humvee manufacturer AM General is an American company based in South Bend, Ind. The company produced the first 55,000 Humvees for the Army in 1985. The company continues today to produce the Humvee for the military.

In the early 1990s, AM General began producing a civilian version of the Humvee, calling it a "Hummer." But by the late 1990s, AM General had sold the Hummer name to General Motors. While GM will sell the Hummer nameplate to Sichuan Tengzhong, the military's Humvee, its designs, unique performance capabilities and technologies will continue to be owned by, and the vehicle produced by, AM General.

DTN News: GM Strikes Hummer Deal With China Machinery Maker

DTN News: GM Strikes Hummer Deal With China Machinery Maker

(NSI News Source Info) DETROIT/NEW YORK – June 3, 2009: General Motors Corp said on Tuesday it reached a tentative deal to sell its Hummer brand to a privately held Chinese heavy machinery maker, part of an effort to drop four unprofitable vehicle lines and leave bankruptcy as a leaner company. Hummer is a brand of off-road vehicles sold by General Motors (GM). The original Hummer H1 was based on the military High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, or Humvee). However, the Hummer H2 and the Hummer H3 were based on other, smaller civilian-market vehicles. On June 1, 2009, as a part of the General Motors bankruptcy announcement, the company revealed that the Hummer brand would be discontinued. However, the following day GM announced that instead it had reached a deal to sell the brand to an undisclosed buyer. On June 2, 2009 GM announced the sale of Hummer to an undisclosed Chinese company. The New York Times reported that day that the buyer would be the Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company Ltd., a machinery company in western China, and later that day, Sichuan Tengzhong itself posted it on their own website.The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of this year and is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Financial terms of the agreement will not be disclosed at this time. Credit Suisse is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Shearman&Sterling is acting as international legal counsel to Tengzhong on this transaction. Citi is acting as financial advisor to GM. GM, a day after filing for bankruptcy, said in a statement that it reached a memorandum of understanding with Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co for the sale. Tengzhong said it will retain Hummer's senior management and operational team. GM said Tengzhong will also enter into a long-term contract assembly and key component and material supply agreement with GM. Under the deal, which is subject to regulatory review and is expected to close in the third quarter, Tengzhong will assume Hummer's existing dealer agreements. Financial terms were still under discussion and will not be disclosed, GM said. Bankers have said Hummer could fetch about $100 million in cash in addition to other commitments. The deal marks the first time that a Chinese buyer has acquired a brand from one of the struggling U.S. automakers. Chinese parts suppliers and automakers have shopped for U.S. automotive assets, including those at also-bankrupt Chrysler LLC, but no deals have been completed despite the enormous pressure on U.S. automakers in recent years to cut costs. Based in the Chinese province of Sichuan, Tengzhong makes special-use vehicles, highway and bridge structural components, construction machinery and energy equipment. Tengzhong was formed in 2005 through a series of mergers and, according to its website has 4,800 employees, compared with GM's 243,000. The Chinese firm said in a joint statement with GM that it would expand into the premium off-road vehicle segment. "We will be investing in the Hummer brand and its research and development capabilities, which will allow Hummer to better meet demands for new products such as more fuel-efficient vehicles in the U.S.," Tengzhong CEO Yang Yi said. Tengzhong's website (www.sctengzhong.com:8080/tengzhong/weben/gytz.jsp) did not indicate whether the company has experience running plants overseas or of producing passenger vehicles of any kind. GM said earlier on Tuesday that the buyer of Hummer, who it did not initially identify, would contract to build the H3 model SUV and the H3T pickup truck at GM's plant in Shreveport, Louisiana, through at least 2010. In addition, GM said the investor would fund future vehicles for Hummer and invest in alternatives to the heavy gas-guzzling engines that are the hallmark of the brand. In Shreveport, where 800 workers work on a single shift building Hummer H3 and H3T models, there was relief that a new buyer would keep the line running for at least a while longer. "We're just excited that Hummer may live on," said Morgan Johnson, president of UAW Local 2166, which represents workers at the GM plant. DIMINISHED EXPECTATIONS GM had expected Hummer to fetch more than $500 million when it went on sale a year ago. The automaker said in a court filing on Monday that the sale could not proceed on "reasonable terms" due to tight credit and concerns about GM's financial condition. Part of the problem has been that the military-derived Hummer has become an emblem of excess, turning consumer tastes against the brand's macho styling and prices that can top $71,000. U.S. sales fell by more than two-thirds in January-April. First seen as multipurpose, off-road military vehicles, Hummers were originally built by AM General. Its first model was the Humvee, built for the military. GM bought the Hummer brand from AM General in 1999. AM General still makes the Humvee for the U.S. military. After losing $88 billion since 2005, GM is in the process of cutting debt, workers and brands in bankruptcy. It is seeking to sell its Saab and Saturn brands this year and plans to discontinue Pontiac by the end of 2010. That would leave a smaller GM to be rebuilt around the Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC and Buick brands. Together those account for more than 80 percent of current sales. Credit Suisse is acting as exclusive financial adviser and Shearman & Sterling is international legal counsel to Tengzhong on the transaction. Citi is financial adviser to GM. (Additional reporting by Kevin Krolicki in DETROIT, Chris Kaufman in NEW YORK and Fang Yan in SHANGHAI; Editing by Matthew Lewis & Ian Geoghegan)

DTN News: Raytheon's SLAMRAAM Demonstrates Ability To Intercept UAS

DTN News: Raytheon's SLAMRAAM Demonstrates Ability To Intercept UAS

(NSI News Source Info) TEWKSBURY, Mass., - June 3, 2009: Raytheon Company's Surface Launched Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile successfully intercepted a maneuvering unmanned aircraft system (UAS) during a flight test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.

By the 1990s, the reliability of the Sparrow had improved so much from the dismal days of Vietnam that it accounted for the largest number of aerial targets destroyed in Desert Storm. But while the USAF had passed on the Phoenix and their own similar AIM-47/YF-12 to optimize dogfight performance, they still desired the Navy's multiple launch fire and forget capability for the F-15 and F-16. AMRAAM would need to be fitted on fighters as small as the F-16, and fit in the same spaces that were designed to fit the Sparrow since the Phantom. The European partners needed AMRAAM to be integrated on aircraft as small as the Sea Harrier. The US Navy needed AMRAAM to be carried on the F/A-18 Hornet and wanted capability for two to be carried on a launcher that normally carried one Sparrow to allow for more air-to-ground weapons. AMRAAM would eventually be the primary weapon for the F-22 Raptor which needed to fit all its missiles in internal weapons bays like the old F-106 Delta Darts in order to maintain a stealthy radar cross-section. The US Navy ultimately decided to retire its F-14 Tomcats and pass the Fleet Air Defense mission to the F/A-18C and F/A-18E/F Hornets, which needed even more advanced versions of AMRAAM to replace the Phoenix capability. "This test highlighted the flexibility and adaptability networked sensors and shooters bring to the warfighter to respond to today's evolving threats," said Pete Franklin, vice president for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' National & Theater Security Programs. "Together with the U.S. Army, we've built upon the proven capabilities of earlier variants of the ground launched AMRAAM currently fielded to our allies and deployed in our nation's capital. This brings us one step closer to the air and missile defense vision of an architecture linking any sensor to any shooter." SLAMRAAM, operated by Raytheon employees and U.S. Army soldiers, detected and tracked a maneuvering UAS target using a geographically dispersed network of three advanced Sentinel radars employing composite tracking to cue the weapon system. Operators fired an AIM-120C7 missile against the maneuvering UAS target at the system's maximum range. The engagement was executed from the centralized Integrated Fire Control System commanding a launch from a SLAMRAAM Humvee-based fire unit. Preliminary test data results indicate that the SLAMRAAM system successfully met all test objectives. Operational testing of the system continues in support of SLAMRAAM low rate initial production planned for late 2009. SLAMRAAM is a tailorable, state-of-the-art air defense system that can defeat current and emerging cruise missile threats and a wide range of air breathing threats. This affordable adaptation of the AMRAAM to meet emerging needs provides the warfighter with a system of highly mobile battlefield elements networked and geographically distributed to provide integrated fire control capability against airborne threats. Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Global Capabilities Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security. Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

U.S. Forces Handed Over Hundreds Of Humvees To Iraqi Counterpart

U.S. Forces Handed Over Hundreds Of Humvees To Iraqi Counterpart

(NSI News Source Info) May 7, 2009: Joint expeditionary tasking Airmen and Soldiers here are currently working to arm Iraqi forces with more protective means of transportation. As U.S. forces change over to the M1151 Humvee, they turn in the older M1114 vehicles to the Taji Redistribution Property Assistance Team here as a means of salvaging the vehicles.

The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Humvee) is a military 4WD motor vehicle created by AM General. It has largely supplanted the roles formerly served by the M151 1/4 ton MUTT, the M561 "Gama Goat", their M718A1 and M792 ambulance versions, the CUCV, and other light trucks with the United States military, as well as being used by a number of other countries and organizations.

Overall, the team processes M1114 up-armored Humvees prior to distribution to Iraqi army and police. "We receive M1114s from all over Iraq," said 1st Lt. Victoria Smith, assigned to the 732nd Air Expeditionary Group and the RPAT officer in charge.

"We are the central hub or depot point for the receiving and transferring of M114s over to the Iraqis." The team then accounts for each vehicle turned in and performs an initial safety inspection, storing them until they are ready to be picked up for processing to the next staging point.

"We take these vehicles in from various companies, various battalions, and whoever is in need of turning them in," said Tech. Sgt. Joseph Dietz, the RPAT yard boss. "Instead of scrapping these vehicles, we use kind of like a recycling program. "In turn, we continue to improve our relationship with the Iraqi government by selling these vehicles to the Iraqi government for a much lower price than they are standard," added the sergeant deployed from Moody Air Force Base, Ga.

"Then, the Iraqi government takes (the Humvees), does a little work to them and puts them out in their army and police force for better protection (of their forces) against (improvised explosive devices), insurgents, things of that nature."

Once the M1114s are accounted for and have passed their initial inspection, U.S. Soldiers assist in turning the vehicles over to the Iraqis for the next step in the redistribution process. During a typical pick-up, 150 Humvees are taken to the next stage in the process.

"The Iraqi army along with U.S. Soldiers come over to pick up the vehicles to take them to their next staging point," said Sergeant Dietz, a native of East Islip, N.Y. "We will transfer the M114 to (Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq). They will, in-turn, sell it to the Iraqi (government)."

MNSTC-I is a command that is responsible for helping Iraq organize, train and equip its military and police forces and develop Iraqi security institutions capable of sustaining security with reduced coalition involvement.

While in the hands of MNSTC-I personnel, the vehicles are repainted and any necessary maintenance is performed before they are turned over to Iraqi soldiers and police. Assisting in the redistribution process, Iraqi soldiers take the vehicles to MNSTC-I for processing, and help bring the Humvees one step closer to being distributed for use on their daily patrols.

"I am so thankful for these vehicles," said Hakem, an Iraqi army private stationed here. "I'm proud to be a part of the process to get them to our Iraqi soldiers and police. These Humvees will help keep them safe." "This process is really important," said Lieutenant Smith, a native of Colorado Springs, Colo., deployed here from Holloman AFB, N.M.

"It is important what we are doing in this country as far as helping rebuild the infrastructure. (This will) help get Iraq back on its feet and get them to the point where they can provide everyday security on their own streets." "We are helping the nation stand on its own," Sergeant Dietz said. "It feels good."

Afghan NATO Supply Terminal Attacked In Pakistan

Afghan NATO Supply Terminal Attacked In Pakistan

(NSI News Source Info) March 15, 2009: Suspected militants attacked a Pakistani transport terminal from which supplies are sent to NATO troops in Afghanistan, burning dozens of vehicles and shipping containers, police said. Rising Taliban attacks have raised doubts about the reliability of critical supply routes through Pakistan, prompting the U.S. and NATO to seek alternatives. Vehicles use to transport NATO supplies to neighboring Afghanistan are set on fire in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Sunday, March 15, 2009. Police said suspected militants have attacked a transport terminal used to supply NATO troops in Afghanistan and burned dozens of military vehicles and shipping containers. About 40 assailants struck the Pak-Afghan Container Terminal near the northwestern city of Peshawar before dawn Sunday, police and witnesses said. Mohammad Asif Khan, an assistant to a driver whose truck was parked at the terminal, said armed men scaled the back wall of the compound and tied up the guards. "I was hiding in a corner, and I saw them throw petrol bombs and fire rockets and shots" at the parked vehicles, he said. Police official Ejaz Khan said the attackers burned dozens of vehicles and shipping containers. An Associated Press Television News cameraman who visited the depot said the charred wrecks included several Humvees. It was unclear if the torched supplies were destined for foreign troops in Afghanistan or for the Western-backed Afghan army, which uses similar imported equipment. Afghan-based U.S. and NATO forces get up to 75 percent of their supplies via routes through Pakistan. Suspected Taliban militants have repeatedly struck transport depots near Peshawar in recent months, destroying scores of military vehicles, while attacks on the road through the Khyber Pass to the Afghan border have repeatedly forced its temporary closure. U.S. and NATO officials insist the attacks have little impact on their operations, but are looking at ways to bring more supplies into Afghanistan through Central Asia.

Humvee Reports Ignored....Is Humvee A "Deathtrap"?

Humvee Reports Ignored....Is Humvee A "Deathtrap"?

(NSI News Source Info) February 6, 2009: The nation should be outraged by the news that military officials knew as far back as 1994 that the Humvee vehicle was a "deathtrap" against roadside bombs. According to a new inspector general's report, the Pentagon knew the Humvee didn't have enough armor to protect its occupants against improvised explosive devices, a shortcoming that later had devastating effects against American military personnel in the Iraq war. The inspector general's report says that officials from both the Army and Marines assessed the Humvee performance following the first Gulf War and the U.S. expedition into Somalia and found it lacking, to say the least. A 1994 report found the Humvees "even with a mine-protection retrofit kit developed for Somalia remained a deathtrap in the event of an anti-tank mine detonation." The assessment proved to be chillingly accurate. Troops in Iraq have sustained four times the casualties from roadside bombs while riding in Humvees than in the newer Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles. With the information available 15 years ago, why didn't the Pentagon act upon it then and start development of a Humvee replacement? Defense analyst John Pike of globalsecurity.org told USA Today that development of a mine-resistant vehicle in the 1990s wasn't seen as a "good career move." The military already had spent hundreds of millions of dollars on the Humvees. Military planners back then also assumed future wars would be fast-moving blitzes rather than long ground campaigns. This was a tragic miscalculation. Do those who made those bad decisions back then have trouble sleeping now at night? If they don't, they should. Unfortunately, the devotion to the Humvees — with their low clearance, flat bottoms and light weight — didn't end in the 1990s. The recent report looked at the Marine Corps response in the early years of the Iraq war. Despite repeated requests from field commanders in 2005 for MRAPs, the Marine's Combat Development Command didn't either create a plan to field the vehicles or obtain funding for them. The inspector general is now looking into the Army's response during the same time period. Is it possible to hold anyone to account for these wrongheaded decisions? If so, let's do it. Additionally, the Pentagon must take these reports to heart and learn from past mistakes. Our troops, their safety and our military objectives should take precedent over blind loyalty to expensive equipment, especially the ineffective kind.

Is Humvee A "Deathtrap"? Of Course Not!!!!!!!! The Whole Issue Has Been Politicalized

British Forces existing modified Land Rover (Photo/Image By NSI: Land Rover aforementioned) being maintained in Iraq and Afghanistan. The viewers can judge for themselves whether Humvee or Land Rover are protective vehicles.

US Supplies Shrinking In Afghanistan

US Supplies Shrinking In Afghanistan

(NSI News Source Info) KABUL, Afghanistan - February 3, 2009: The milk is now pulled from the mess hall by 9 a.m., to ration the limited supply. At the Camp Phoenix base store nearby, the shelves look bare. There's no Irish Spring Body Wash, no Doritos, no Tostitos Scoops, no Bayer Aspirin. "We're having the same problems all over Afghanistan," said Randy Barnes, who manages warehouses for the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, which operates stores at many of the bases where U.S. troops are deployed in the war on terror here. For the Soldiers at Camp Phoenix, about 650 of whom are from the Illinois National Guard, the missing supplies underscore what senior military officials have been saying for months: U.S. and coalition troops must find new routes to supply what will be a rapidly growing force in Afghanistan, ones that avoid the treacherous border areas of Pakistan where convoys have been ambushed. Supplying an army in any war is crucial; it's not just bullets and bombs, but everything from fuel to lettuce, that must be shipped in by the ton and the truckload. And a country like Afghanistan -- landlocked, mountainous and with few good roads -- poses enormously difficult challenges even without attacks by militants. Gen. David Petraeus, the chief of U.S. Central Command, announced late last month that the military had reached transit deals with Russia and several Central Asian states to the north of Afghanistan, to provide an alternate route from Pakistan. But it's not yet clear whether any new route would be able to absorb the heavy traffic. "It is very important as we increase the effort in Afghanistan that we have multiple routes that go into the country," Petraeus said. President Barack Obama has made the fight against militants in Pakistan and Afghanistan -- rather than in Iraq -- his top priority in the war on terror. His administration is expected to send as many as 30,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan in the coming months. The supply-route challenge is politically sensitive; as long as the U.S. and coalition troops depend on Pakistan to move supplies, it's difficult to be too critical of its government's help in the war on terror. Some in Washington have questioned Pakistan's commitment. But a route through Russia and neighboring countries is not necessarily a long-term solution either. The over-land route is much longer and more expensive, and dealing with repressive regimes in Central Asia also could pose political dilemmas. Sensitive military goods, such as weapons and ammunition, are transported by military convoy or air, and have not been hurt by supply-route problems, officials say. Air transport for non-combat goods is prohibitively expensive and also logistically difficult. Right now, subcontractors transport about 75 percent of non-sensitive military goods for U.S. troops and a smaller but significant amount for NATO troops from the port in Karachi, Pakistan, through the Torkham border crossing into Afghanistan. About 125 shipping containers pass through that crossing daily. It's the shortest route to Kabul and Bagram Air Base, the largest U.S. base in Afghanistan, yet it goes through narrow roads, mountain passes and hostile areas. Despite the risk, security is often lax. In recent months, Taliban-led militants have frequently attacked the military shipping containers, often stored by these subcontractors just outside Peshawar, Pakistan, in five ramshackle yards with little security and no barbed wire. Militants have destroyed more than 300 shipping containers so far, torching at least 80 Humvees for the Afghan National Army. Pakistani officials blamed the subcontractors for sacrificing security for profit. "There are two or three guards, no lights, no cameras. An office consists of an empty container, two broken-down chairs, no phone and no fax line," said Tariq Hayat Khan, the political agent for Khyber tribal agency, which includes the main road from Peshawar to Torkham. "By no stretch of the imagination can you call them shipping terminals. They've just started leveling fields and stacking containers. All they do is charge money and deliver from Point A to Point B." Because of the escalating number of attacks, Pakistan has suspended traffic through this crossing three times in the past seven weeks to launch offensives against militants. At the other major crossing in Pakistan, through Chaman in Baluchistan province, tribesmen blockaded the road for five days recently because a tribesman was killed, stranding hundreds of trucks and fuel tankers. Barnes said some of the destroyed containers set on fire near Peshawar were bound for stores at U.S. military bases. He said his company was still determining what was lost. In a roadside bomb attack on the route a couple weeks ago, four shipping containers filled with "near beer," soda and water for the troops were hit, dooming the entire shipment bound for Camp Phoenix and Camp Eggers, said Lt. Col. Eric Little, 37, of Springfield, the garrison commander for Camp Phoenix. Only at the end of January -- a month late -- did the last of 21 shipping containers with the personal goods of Illinois National Guard Soldiers arrive at Camp Phoenix. "The majority of stuff makes it from Point A to Point B -- but not necessarily timely," said Little, adding that finding other supply routes was a necessity. Taliban-led militants are not the only ones to blame. Some drivers are known to steal fuel and supplies from the trucks, or fake militant attacks and sell the goods, commonly available at markets in Kabul and near Bagram. Islamic holidays and tribal conflicts have also been used as an excuse for the massive delays. Although the supply-route problems are not yet hurting the military effort here, they affect daily life at the bases, at least at Camp Phoenix, usually one of the most well-stocked because it is in the capital. "I've never seen the store this empty, ever," said Ula Loi, the store manager. The troops can still get medicine from the medical tents, where the stocked supplies are plentiful, so the only immediate shortages are quality-of-life ones, which probably won't win much sympathy from Soldiers in more remote bases. Still, most snacks, half the beauty products, and all the adapter plugs and combination locks are sold out. Last week, several Illinois National Guard Soldiers complained about the empty shelves -- one traded a pack of spare razor blades for a bag of chips, neither of which were available. "They don't even have any Vaseline," said 2nd Lt. Michael Quam, 27, from Dubuque, Iowa, who wanted Vaseline for an Afghan friend whose wife just had a baby.

BAE Systems To Provide Transparent Armored Gun Shields For U.S. Warine

BAE Systems To Provide Transparent Armored Gun Shields For U.S. Warine

(NSI News Source Info) SANTA CLARA, California – January 30, 2009: Under a $9.9 million contract, BAE Systems will provide 442 Marine Corps Transparent Armored Gun Shield (MCTAGS) turret kits used to protect service members in close urban environments. “The proven design of our MCTAGS provides direct vision while providing protection against blast fragmentation and small arms fire to the crew while in the turret,” said Ann Hoholick, vice president Amphibious Vehicles & Armor Kits for BAE Systems. “To date more than 6,000 MCTAGS kits have been installed on various military vehicles to provide added protection for the men and women in uniform.” The kits will be shipped to a Marine Corps base by BAE Systems’ current workforce where they will be installed on High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) by the U.S. Marine Corps. Work under the contract will begin immediately in York, Pennsylvania and Santa Clara, California and activity for the initial delivery order is anticipated to be completed in June 2009. The contract is managed by the Marine Corps Systems Command. BAE Systems’ transparent armored gun shield units have been configured for a wide range of vehicles, including Bradley, M1 Abrams, M113, HMMWV, Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement, Logistics Vehicle System, Assault Amphibious Vehicle – Personnel and for the Stryker Common Ballistic Shield.

4,000th Humvee Transferred to Iraqi Government / Coalition Transfers 4,000th Humvee to Iraqi Government

4,000th Humvee Transferred to Iraqi Government / Coalition Transfers 4,000th Humvee to Iraqi Government

(NSI News Source Info) TAJI, Iraq - January 30, 2009: Coalition members transferred the 4,000th armored Humvee to the Iraqi government Jan. 25 as part of a program to provide mission-capable Humvees to Iraqi security forces and on-the-job training to Iraqi mechanics. The program, based at Camp Taji here, is managed by logistics personnel from Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq, with assistance from Army Materiel Command, Tank and Automotive Command, Multinational Corps Iraq and other coalition partners.

The program includes a complete refurbishment of Humvees for the Iraqi Defense Ministry, Interior Ministry and Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Bureau. The project employs more than 500 Iraqis with varying ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs.

The Humvees began arriving at the Retrograde Property and Assistance Team facility here in late 2007 for induction into the program, officials said. Production began in January 2008 with instruction and on-the-job training.

“Above all, this partnership demonstrates the cooperation between the U.S. government, our supporting contractors … and the [Iraqi government] to train and equip Iraqi security forces,” Army Col. Michael Sage, deputy chief of staff for the transition command’s logistics directorate, said.

The vehicles are refurbished to a mission-capable condition, then inspected by a joint U.S. and Iraqi team prior to transfer to the Iraqi government.

The first Humvees were fielded to the Iraqi army March 12. The production goals for the program included an initial delivery of 200 vehicles in March and 400 vehicles every month thereafter. The team is poised to reach its target of up to 8,500 Humvees by the end of 2009, officials said.

“It has been our pleasure to deliver over 4,000 Humvees to the [Iraqi government] in support of its security mission,” Robert Cini, a project manager, said. “The 522 Iraqi employees refurbishing the M1114 [Humvees] on this project are extremely proud of their contribution in keeping their streets and neighborhoods safe.”

Pentagon Giving 8,500 Armored Humvees To Iraqi Army / U.S. Forces Give Humvees To Iraqi Army

Pentagon Giving 8,500 Armored Humvees To Iraqi Army / U.S. Forces Give Humvees To Iraqi Army

(NSI News Source Info) CAMP TAJI, Iraq - January 17, 2009: As part of an ongoing effort to enhance the Iraqi army’s combat effectiveness, the U.S. military has turned over thousands of armored Humvees.

The program is a joint effort between the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force as part of Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq, with the intent to turn over 8,500 of the vehicles to the Iraqis by July, officials said.

Army Col. Michael Sage of the command’s supply division manages a $200 million contract to refurbish the vehicles before they are sold to the Iraqis.

The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Humvee) is a military 4WD motor vehicle created by AM General. It has largely supplanted the roles formerly served by the M151 1/4 ton MUTT, the M561 "Gama Goat", their M718A1 and M792 ambulance versions, the CUCV, and other light trucks with the United States military, as well as being used by a number of other countries and organizations.

"Our aim is to provide the Iraqi security forces, military and police, with a proven, reliable, and capable vehicle that will build their forces' capability and enable [them] to engage in the counter-insurgency fight," he said. The command’s mission is to generate, train, and help to sustain Iraqi security forces so they become capable and self-reliant.

Humvees destined for service in the Iraqi army or police force start the transition process at the Redistribution Property Assistance Team yard here, a few miles north of Baghdad. Once at Camp Taji, the Humvees face a rigorous validation process.

"The vehicles are cleaned, inspected and processed through a maintenance program that refurbishes the vehicles from the ground up," Sage said.

After that process, every Humvee receives a follow-up inspection, is repainted for the Iraqi army or national police forces, and undergoes a joint inspection by Iraqi and U.S. officials before it is accepted, the colonel added.

Mechanics of the 1538th Transportation Company, 165th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, conduct the initial inspection.

"It's a huge mission that involves players all over the country, and the whole thing is focused right here at Camp Taji," said Army Sgt. 1st Class Russell Hullaby, who heads up the inspection process. "Every Humvee transferred to the Iraqis comes through us. It's really something that my guys can be proud of."

The 536th Maintenance Company, 419th Combat Sustainment Support Brigade, 10th Sustainment Brigade, is a direct-support unit assigned to the 165th CSSB that assists in major repair work.

"We're equipped to fix minor problems on site," Hullaby said, "but major jobs like engine or transmission replacement have to be handed over to the 536th."

The Air Force-controlled Redistribution Property Assistance Team main office validates 50 cleared Humvees per week and assigns a batch number for transfer to the Iraqi Defense Ministry.

"Our program turns over armored Humvees only," said Maj. Sharon Ramp, on-site director of the Iraqi Humvee turnover program here.

Ramp said since the program's inception, it has transferred more than 3,000 Humvees to the Iraqis, averaging 400 vehicles per month.

AM General Wins $252M for Humvees / Pentagon Contract Announcement

AM General Wins $252M for Humvees / Pentagon Contract Announcement (NSI News Source Info) January 5, 2009: AM General, LLC, South Bend, Ind., was awarded on Dec. 30, 2008 a $252,202,191 firm/fixed/price contract to add 1,698 EA High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles to contract.

Work will be performed in Mishawaka, Ind., with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2009. One bid was solicited and one bid received. Tank and Automotive Command, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (DAAE07-01-C-S001).

DTN News: Humvee Remains Dominant Despite MRAP Craze

DTN News: Humvee Remains Dominant Despite MRAP Craze

(NSI News Source Info) NEWTOWN, Conn. - December 3, 2008: The international market for light wheeled combat vehicles remains a highly competitive and dynamic environment. In its annual analysis "The Market for Light Wheeled Vehicles" the Forecast International Weapons Group expects the market will produce over 71,300 light wheeled vehicles, worth in excess of $21.789 billion, through 2017.

Since 2005, the Forecast International Weapons Group has considered the impact of the AM General High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle on the light wheeled vehicle market.

Prior to the emergence of the global war on terror, the HMMWV served as essentially a utility vehicle, not a dedicated combat vehicle.

However, in the asymmetric warfare environment of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, circumstances are forcing the HMMWV to evolve into a light armored vehicle.

Dean Lockwood, a weapons systems analyst at Forecast International, notes that the HMMWV has a significant impact on the overall market. “As the market statistics clearly indicate, the HMMWV will utterly dominate the market during the forecast period," Lockwood said

"We expect the HMMWV will account for 67.76 percent of all light wheeled vehicle production worldwide, worth a commanding 34.18 percent of the market value, through 2017.”

Despite the dominance of the HMMWV, the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle program has emerged as the short-term star of the market. Through September 2008, the U.S. Department of Defense has placed orders for 15,197 MRAP vehicles, with deliveries to be complete in 2009.

The total value of all MRAP-related contract awards through September 2008 is nearly $12.406 billion. During the 2008-2009 timeframe, Forecast International expects the four primary MRAP contractors – BAE Systems, Force Protection Industries, General Dynamics Land Systems and Navistar/IMG – will combine to produce 11,590 MRAP vehicles in various configurations.

This level of production makes MRAP the second-most prolific program in this market, accounting for 16.24 percent of all light wheeled vehicle production worldwide, worth 28.85 percent of the market value, through 2017.

Forecast International, Inc., is a leading provider of Market Intelligence and Analysis in the areas of aerospace, defense, power systems and military electronics. Based in Newtown, Conn., USA, Forecast International specializes in long-range industry forecasts and market assessments used by strategic planners, marketing professionals, military organizations, and governments worldwide.