British MOD selects Ocelot for LPPV Light Protected Patrol Vehicle program. Photo: Force protection Inc.

Force Protection Europe Ltd (FPE), developer of the Occelot light armored vehicle, has been selected as the preferred bidder in U.K. Ministry of Defense (MOD) Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) program. According to FPE, the first Ocelot vehicles are expected to be available for the training of U.K. forces in 2011. The initial phase will require up to 400 new vehicles to be delivered by 2010-2011. FPE won this competition against the all British Supacat group, offering the Supacat Protected Vehicle (SPV) SPV-400.

Formal contract negotiations between FPE and the MOD are expected to begin shortly, to formulate final terms and vehicle quantities to be delivered. The Ocelot, proposed by FPE for the LPPV program was designed, developed and will be built in the U.K. by FPE and Ricardo plc. Other ‘Team Ocelot’ partners and main suppliers include Ricardo, Thales, QinetiQ, Formaplex, the U.K. MoD’s Defence Support Group and Sula Systems.

The vehicle has an approximate gross vehicle weight of only 16,500 pounds. Its cabin is made of a protective pod, made of advanced composite materials incorporating Formula One racing technology. Critical components such as the engine, fuel tank and transmission are contained in the V shaped armored ‘spine’ that deflects potential blast away from the pod, thus protecting the occupants and critical key components.

“The success of Ocelot in the United Kingdom’s LPPV program is extremely important to our corporate strategy of providing a broad range of survivability solutions, including in tactical wheeled vehicle programs” said Michael Moody, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Force Protection, Inc. “Internationally, Ocelot is expected to play a much larger role in providing potential customers a vehicle that incorporates not only a high degree of blast and ballistic protection but also superior mobility and maintainability – these levels are currently unequaled by any vehicle of its size on the battlefield. As such, we expect there could be significant demand for the Ocelot in the worldwide marketplace for years to come.”

Britain has been a loyal customer of Force Protection, buying hundreds of 6×6 and 4×4 Cougar vehicles, designated Mastiff (6×6), RidgeBack (4×4) and Wolfhound Tactical Support Vehicle (6×6).  Read more about the British armored vehicles acquisition here

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BAE Systems announced today the planned acquisition of three intelligence services companies, for a total investment of almost US$300 million. The companies to be acquired are SpecTal LLC, Advanced Concepts Inc., and McClendon LLC – all part of the L-1 Identity Solutions Inc.’s (L1ID) Intelligence Services Group. Following the completion of the acquisition expected by the fourth quarter of 2010, BAE will add more than 1,000 skilled information and security employees to its workforce. This acquisition reflects its global strategy to enhance and grow its business in the area of customer support and services, which includes cyber and security as well as readiness and sustainment activities focusing on four key customer missions – intelligence and counterintelligence, homeland security, law enforcement and support to military operations. For the six months to 30 June 2010, this area of the business generated 49% of BAE Systems revenues.

Focusing on its core security activities, L1ID itself is being acquired by the French Safran group. This move is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2011. L1ID provides Secure Credentialing Solutions, Biometric and Enterprise Access Solutions and Enrollment Services. These businesses are expected to have combined estimated Fiscal Year 2010 revenues of $486.0 million. The acquisition by Safran is expected to open international growth opportunities for L-1. According to Jean-Paul Herteman, Chief Executive Officer of Safran, the company plans to integrate L-1′s operations into its subsidiary, Morpho.

U.S. undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, Ashton B. Carter. Photo: DOD

U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics Ashton B. Carter announced yesterday new rules guiding the Pentagon’s $400 billion-a-year procurement process. These guidelines are expected to save $100 billion over the next five years without impairing warfighting capabilities and readiness. By implementing this strategic reform, the Pentagon expects future systems will become more affordable, reliable and supportable.

“Consumers are accustomed to getting more for their money — a more powerful computer, wider functionality in mobile phones — every year,” said Gates “when it comes to the defense sector, however, the taxpayers had to spend significantly more in order to get more. We need to reverse this trend”. One of the key elements in Gates’ new rules is for program managers set a new affordability target. “This target can’t be altered without authority from Carter. Managers must ensure the initial design is constrained by its ultimate schedule and cost.” Gates explained, adding that this guidance will make programs more affordable without sacrificing capabilities and prevent us from embarking on programs that will need to be cancelled when they prove unaffordable.

Gates and Carter outlined the 23 areas expected to be improved by the plan. Specifically, new contracts will address and mandate affordability to control cost escalation. By implementing these procedures the Pentagon plans to reduce 27 percent in a program where costs are projected to be more than $100 billion.

Some of the new programs to be started in the near future will put the new rules to the test. These include the next-generation ballistic missile submarine (SSBNX), long-range strike systems for the Air Force and Navy, and the Marine Corps presidential helicopter and the ground combat vehicle. The later was cancelled recently and the current pause will enable the PM and industry to ‘start on the right foot’, along with the new procedures.

Under the new policy companies will be required to provide more predictable cost estimations and meet those costs down the road. They will be rewarded for efficiency, consistently delivering affordable systems on time, and below budget. When costs increase happen, contractors will be required to share the burden. Prime contractors are likely to be most exposed to this new risk, but subcontractors could also find themselves vulnerable when required to take responsibility on delays they cause, far exceeding their share of a program. Therefore, the new regulation, although positive in theory, is likely to cause significant concern among second and third tier suppliers.

On its part, the government will examine processes to streamline the process, for example, by committing multi-year contracts over year-by-year acquisition. More competition and the encouragement of small business enterprises are also considered vital for cost reduction. As an example, the littoral combat ship program shifting from directed to competitive buys, is expected to save over $1 billion.

To increase affordability and reduce life cycle cost, the Pentagon will require the use of open-system architecture.

Another area where the defense sector fails to achieve the results of the open market is in outsourcing contracts, considered a significant money saver in the commercial market. Outsourcing services in general have grown dramatically in the past decade. “This area that has grown to become a $200 billion annual cost to the department,” Carter said. “Half of our costs are for services, and we’re performing worse there,” he said. Indicated this inflated outsourcing should be better managed. To improve control, the Pentagon is shifting back to in house contract management. In the past year the Pentagon has been hiring procurement officers in the thousands to handle the acquisition process outsourcing to industry in the past decade. Aware of the potential of bureaucracy they may add, Carter promised to weed out those ‘ unproductive bureaucratic processes’.

Carter added that he will oversee progress daily and will provide progress reports to Gates monthly. “To those who hesitate, to those who fear to go down this path, they need to consider the alternative: broken promises, cancelled programs, unpredictability and uncertainty that is bad for industry, erodes taxpayer confidence, and worst of all, results in lost warfighter capabilities,” he said.

MDT displayed the David Light Protected Vehicle in a new design, at the Eurosatory 2010 exhibition. This configuration offers good off-road mobility and enhanced protection from ballistic, mine and IEDs threats. Photo: Noam Eshel

Textron Marine & Land Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, and MDT Armor Corporation, a division of Arotech Corporation (Nasdaq GM: ARTX), today announced a teaming agreement to market, design and manufacture the Tiger Light Protected Vehicle. “The Tiger is a high quality, off-road vehicle in the light armor segment that meets the needs of a wide variety of potential customers. With our lean manufacturing expertise and the low lifecycle cost of the Tiger we feel like this is an excellent teaming opportunity,” said Textron Marine & Land Systems General Manager Tom Walmsley.


The Tiger is based on a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) Dodge RAM 5500 platform, offering a cost effective, light protected class all terrain vehicle. The Tiger comfortably transports six to nine soldiers in an armor protected cabin offering effective ballistic and mine blast protection. The vehicle is designed to accommodate add-on armor enhancing protection to meet evolving threats. The Tiger’s 8.8 ton Gross Vehicle Weight, including the standard armor package and 1.5 ton payload. It is powered by a Cummins 350 HP diesel engine, large wheels, and a 127-inch wheel base, Tiger offers exceptional all terrain capabilities. It is equipped with heavy duty off-road suspension to ensure comfortable ride for the crew and effective off-road mobility. The roof is designed to accommodate remote controlled weapon station, or man-operated turret. According to Jonathan Whartman, MDT Armor Corporation Executive Vice President, the Tiger was designed as an affordable platform. MDT developed the armor solution separate from the chassis it rides on. “Our unique encapsulated cabin allows easy access to all components, or dismounting the entire cabin from the chassis” said Whartman. The armored cabin can then be installed on a new platform, therefore extending the armored vehicle’s service life and ensuring low life cycle cost. Vhartman added that by utilizing Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) Dodge platforms MDT ensures widespread support and cost effective maintenance.

The U.S. and Saudi Arabia are finalizing an arms package that shadows even the large arms mega-sales in the region. The packages worth about $60 Billion include mostly platforms produced by Boeing, including 84 F-15 fighter jets, replacing the Kingdom’s aging F-15C/D fighters, upgrading of existing F-15S strike fighters in service with the RSAF, supply of 70 new AH-64D attack helicopters and upgrading of existing Apaches, and delivery of 36 AH-6 Little Bird. The package also includes 70 Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk assault helicopters. the deal will also include various types of air/air, and air/surface precision guided weaponry. It is assumed that the quoted price ($60 billion) reflects the full life cycle cost over 10 years.

Other elements on the shopping list being discussed between Riyadh and Washington focus on missile defense, integrating both land-based and, potentially, ship borne elements – once the Saudis commit to an adequate platform. Such systems commonly include variants of the SM-3 or THAAD interceptors, and early warning and fire control systems including the TPY-2 radar or TPY-1 AEGIS BMD naval systems. Unlike other countries in the region, the Saudis preferred to invest in modernizing their airpower but delayed the upgrade of their Patriot air defense systems, which could provide limited ballistic missile defense capability.

In recent years Saudi Arabia has bought military hardware from Russia (main battle tanks, helicopters) the U.K., (Typhoon strike fighters). The kingdom is yet to improve its air defense systems (probably, an element in the new package) and naval capabilities. As other Gulf States, Saudi Arabia is bolstering its military power against the growing from Iran. Most of the investments made by the rich Gulf countries were in missile defense and airpower, trusting the U.S. presence in the Persian Gulf to deal with the Iranian naval forces. On the other side of the Gulf, Iran is constantly expanding its naval capabilities and ballistic missile reach, seeking strategic domination of the region, by conventional and unconventional means.

For Combat Search and Rescue, the AW101 can be equipped with window or door mounted guns, defensive aids suite and air-to-air refueling equipment. Photo: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland plans to compete for the U.S. Air Force’s planned replacement of HH-60G Pave hawk combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopter with over 100 ‘off-the-shelf’ platform. The European group is offering a version of the AW101 designated HH-71. Two years ago the company teamed with Lockheed Martin to offer the U.S. Air Force a similar search and rescue helicopter (CSAR-X program). Then they lost to the much heavier HH-47 Chinook, proposed by Boeing. Last month Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky announced their intention to offer the Air Force a modified version of the latest Black Hawk UH-60M tailored for CSAR missions.

A view from the cockpit of an AW-101. Photo: AgustaWestland

R. Scott Rettig, chief executive officer of AgustaWestland North America believes the HH-71, “has modern, stealthy capabilities are balanced out with the confidence of a mature, proven platform, as the full CSAR program requirements are developed.” Among the HH-71s’ attributes that could benefit its CSAR role are low acoustic signature, all-weather capability and effectiveness in austere environments such as sand and snow. The aircraft includes three engines providing aircrews the assurance that the mission can be safely completed, even under hostile or irregular warfare conditions. The spacious cabin space is wide enough to transport 35 seated troops or 16 stretchers for medical evacuations and room for on-board treatment – a significant capacity increase over the legacy platform. More than 155 AW101 helicopters were delivered to date, accumulating over 200,000 flight hours, some have been flying combat and support missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. For Combat Search and Rescue, the AW101 can be equipped with window or door mounted guns, defensive aids suite and air-to-air refueling equipment.

Other likely competitors for the US$1.7 billion program are the European NH Industries NH-90 or Eurocopter EC-725 Super Cougar, both proposed by EADS North America present a different possibility that could rely on one of the aircraft or a mix of both types. Boeing is also offering a mix of CH-47 Chinook and V-22 Tilt Rotor aircraft.

BAE Systems announced Sept. 8 that it will pursue the U.S. Air Force's Advanced Pilot Training Family of Systems with its most advanced fast jet training system, the proven Hawk Advanced Jet Training System. (Photo: BAE Systems)

BAE Systems plans to offer the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) for the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Pilot Training Family of Systems. Part of the US Air Force Advanced Pilot Training (APT) Family of Systems (commonly called the T-X system) APT aims to provide the training system for the next generation of operational pilots. It is expected to replace the aging T-38 trainers by 2017. BAE Systems intends to be the prime contractor for the program, based on its U.S. business unit. “We will pursue strategic partners in the U.S. to provide best value to the U.S. Air Force while investing in the U.S. industrial base” said Larry Prior, Executive Vice President of Service Sectors, BAE Systems.


Since the current Hawk AJT meets the USAF requirements now, BAE Systems is confident it can achieve this goal. Hawk family aircraft are already serving as F-35 lead-in trainer for the U.S. Navy, Royal Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Hawk AJT now entering service with the Royal Air Force has evolved from the Hawk aircraft, of which over 900 aircraft were built and delivered across 18 countries, flying more than 2.5 million flying hours.

Warfare of the future is not just about flying the aircraft, but about understanding, processing and reacting correctly to the quantity of information available in the cockpit. To introduce the pilot to these advanced cockpit environment, the latest configuration of the Hawk integrates live jet training with a high-fidelity virtual environment to support the development of pilots. The system also includes advanced aircraft avionics, a fully integrated training environment, instructor debrief features and other capabilities enabling pilots to train effectively in a synthetic environment and allows them to train in the same way they fight, including multi-engagement scenarios, complex combat situations, intercepts, data-link operations and the use of synthetic sensors.

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The Australian Bushmaster armor and mine protected vehicle. Photo: Thales

Two companies the Australian subsidiary of Thales and U.S. based Textron Marine & Land Systems have confirmed as qualified for the next stage in the Canadian selection process for future acquisition of about 600 Tactical Armored Patrol Vehicle (TAPV), to replace the current RG-31, LAV-2 (Coyote) and some of the light protected G-Wagon utility vehicles.

Mobile Survivable Vehicle from Textrone Marine & Land Systems. Photo: Tamir eshel

Textron plans to offer the ‘Mobile Survivable Vehicle‘ – a special 4×4 wheeled armored vehicle specifically designed to provide survivability, mobility and versatility in full spectrum operations over the toughest of landscapes. A typical configuration was displayed last year at the AUSA annual meeting. The armored hull is shielding troops from roadside bombs and blasts while providing large power reserves for future electronics enhancements with an ergonomically designed interior for optimum comfort and payload.

“Our team has been working diligently to develop and test this modern combat vehicle for the Canadian military to achieve the highest possible level of crew protection while maintaining the mobility and reliability of our combat-proven Armored Security Vehicle,” said Textron Marine & Land Systems General Manager Tom Walmsley. “We are offering the Canadian military the ultimate balance of survivability, mobility and lethality in a modern, ergonomically designed platform. It is a cost effective game-changing solution for Canada’s national security requirements for the next 25 years.”

The combat proven Bushmaster family of protected mobility vehicles includes patrol, command, ambulance, surveillance and target acquisition, direct fire support weapons and mortar vehicle variants and provides solutions for a wide variety of mission roles and applications including logistical support. Bushmasters have been deployed to Afghanistan for the past several years, where they are operated by the Australian and Dutch forces. For the TAPV program Thales intend to offer the base vehicle with various weapon systems, such as a remote weapons station, sighting and vision systems and several C4I options.

Anticipating the significance of local workshare in the program, Thales has entered an exclusive teaming agreement with DEW Engineering and Development ULC, on the assembly of the Bushmaster. In addition, Thales will be looking at further maximizing its Canadian Content Value and will be meeting with potential suppliers across Canada over the next several months. Thales’ first official supplier sourcing session will be during DEFSEC Atlantic 2010, in Halifax, September 9 – 10, 2010.

Other teams that competed for the program included Oshkosh offering the M-ATV, and the French Nexter offered the Aravis. Although the Canadians were explicitly seeking ‘Military off the Shelf’ (MOTS) vehicles, two companies preferred to submit new vehicles – BAE Systems offered the South African designed RG-35 and L-3, teamed with Israel’s Hatehof and Elbit Systems offered the new Xtrem.

The Australian Bushmaster armor and mine protected vehicle. Photo: Thales

Two companies the Australian subsidiary of Thales and U.S. based Textron Marine & Land Systems have confirmed as qualified for the next stage in the Canadian selection process for future acquisition of about 600 Tactical Armored Patrol Vehicle (TAPV), to replace the current RG-31, LAV-2 (Coyote) and some of the light protected G-Wagon utility vehicles.

Mobile Survivable Vehicle from Textrone Marine & Land Systems. Photo: Tamir eshel

Textron plans to offer the ‘Mobile Survivable Vehicle‘ – a special 4×4 wheeled armored vehicle specifically designed to provide survivability, mobility and versatility in full spectrum operations over the toughest of landscapes. A typical configuration was displayed last year at the AUSA annual meeting. The armored hull is shielding troops from roadside bombs and blasts while providing large power reserves for future electronics enhancements with an ergonomically designed interior for optimum comfort and payload.

“Our team has been working diligently to develop and test this modern combat vehicle for the Canadian military to achieve the highest possible level of crew protection while maintaining the mobility and reliability of our combat-proven Armored Security Vehicle,” said Textron Marine & Land Systems General Manager Tom Walmsley. “We are offering the Canadian military the ultimate balance of survivability, mobility and lethality in a modern, ergonomically designed platform. It is a cost effective game-changing solution for Canada’s national security requirements for the next 25 years.”

The combat proven Bushmaster family of protected mobility vehicles includes patrol, command, ambulance, surveillance and target acquisition, direct fire support weapons and mortar vehicle variants and provides solutions for a wide variety of mission roles and applications including logistical support. Bushmasters have been deployed to Afghanistan for the past several years, where they are operated by the Australian and Dutch forces. For the TAPV program Thales intend to offer the base vehicle with various weapon systems, such as a remote weapons station, sighting and vision systems and several C4I options.

Anticipating the significance of local workshare in the program, Thales has entered an exclusive teaming agreement with DEW Engineering and Development ULC, on the assembly of the Bushmaster. In addition, Thales will be looking at further maximizing its Canadian Content Value and will be meeting with potential suppliers across Canada over the next several months. Thales’ first official supplier sourcing session will be during DEFSEC Atlantic 2010, in Halifax, September 9 – 10, 2010.

Other teams that competed for the program included Oshkosh offering the M-ATV, and the French Nexter offered theAravis. Although the Canadians were explicitly seeking ‘Military off the Shelf’ (MOTS) vehicles, two companies preferred to submit new vehicles – BAE Systems offered the South African designed RG-35 and L-3, teamed with Israel’s Hatehof and Elbit Systems offered the new Xtrem.

Karrar drones seen at the final assembly line. The red paint indicate use for testing or as an aerial target. The green drone is in final assembly and hasn't been painted yet. While tracing its origin to aerial drones, Karrar is designed for aerial recce missions and deep strike, possibly extended range anti-ship and anti BMD missions. Photo: FARS News Agency

Iran has this week unveiled a new type of turbojet-powered drone designated ‘Karrar’ (striker in Farsi), described by Iranian officials as capable to perform long-range reconnaissance and attack missions. Iranian Defense Minister, Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi announced on Sunday that the country’s first home-made long-range Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) named ‘Karrar’ has a flight-range of 1,000km.

Karrar is described as capable of operating at long range, and in ‘great operational depth’, at high or low altitudes. According to Iranian reports, on reconnaissance missions the Karrar can record images flying over targets of interest and transmit them back to the ground control as it re-establishes communications. The drone can also carry weapons, two configurations were displayed – carrying a unitary bomb (what seemed to be a 1,000 or 500 lb weapon) on the centerline, or carrying two smaller weapons (assessed by their shape and size, these weapons could be the Kowsar (C-701) anti-ship missiles).

According to Iranian reports, on reconnaissance missions the Karrar can record images flying over targets of interest and transmit them back to the ground control as it re-establishes communications. The drone can also carry weapons, two configurations were displayed – carrying a unitary bomb (what seemed to be a 1,000 or 500 lb weapon) on the centerline, or carrying two smaller weapons (assessed by their shape and size, these weapons could be the Kowsar (C-701) anti-ship missiles).

In today’s analysis feature, Defense-Update speculate on several operational options available with this drone.  Overall, similar to other Iranian platforms, Karrar is based on a 1970′s technology and is unlikely to possess advanced cruise-missile capabilities.  The first question to be asked would be – whether it is an unmanned aerial vehicle (operated as a reusable asset) or is it a ‘one way only’ cruise missile? As it is based on a target drone, Karrar could perform both missions successfully and affordably.

read more on today’s Defense Update analysis of the Karrar drone.