DoD contracts: Cobra 'copter gets optics upgrade

30 Sep 2010

Major funding for night vision devices, electro-optic sensors and IR countermeasures in the latest raft of US defense contracts.

Cobra helicopter

Recent contract awards by the US military for projects or systems incorporating photonics technologies included the following announcements:

Sept 29: Boeing has been awarded a $15,692,832 contract modification to the C-17 Globemaster III sustainment partnership contract to retrofit aircraft with large aircraft infrared countermeasures; a mission-critical, laser-based countermeasures system required to defend mobility air forces aircraft against lethal heat seeking missiles. At this time, $30,805,888 has been obligated. 516 AESG/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8614-04-C-2004; PO0257).

Kollsman, Inc. of Merrimack, New Hampshire is being awarded a $45,478,845 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for procurement of night targeting system upgrades and associated line items for the for the AH-1W Cobra helicopter. The electro-optics system provides infrared and range finding capability to augment existing optical and radar sensors for the purpose of detecting and identifying asymmetric threats. Work will be performed in Merrimack, N. H., and is expected to be completed in September 2015. Contract funds in the amount of $2,389,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-10-D-JQ24).

Sept 28: L-3 Communications Corp., Electro-Optical Systems, Garland, Texas, is being awarded a $48,750,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for a clip-on night vision device, image intensification in support of the U.S. Special Operations Command weapons accessories program, being procured to provide U.S. Special Operations Command operators with a ruggedized sight that permits night-vision capability without the need to remove the day optic sight. Work will be performed in Garland, Texas, and is expected to be completed by September 2015. Contract funds in the amount of $100,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-10-D-JN69).

Sept 27: Lockheed Martin Corp., Archbald, Pa., is being awarded a $15,593,210 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of 5,095 enhanced laser guided training rounds. Work will be performed in Archbald, Pa., and is expected to be completed in March 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-10-C-0092).

Sept 24: Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Archbald, Penn., was awarded a $34,462,741 contract which will procure Paveway II laser guided bomb computer control groups (seekers) and GBU-12 air foil groups (tail kits). At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. OO-ALC-GHGKB, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8213-10-C-0082).

Oklahoma State University, University Multispectral Laboratories, Ponca City, Okla., is being awarded $44,182,872 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for research and development of electro-optical, radio frequency, and acoustic sensors, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles technologies. Work will be performed in Lawton, Okla. (60 percent); Ponca City, Okla. (15 percent); Stillwater, Okla. (15 percent); and Patuxent River, Md. (10 percent). Work is expected to be completed in September 2015. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a broad agency announcement. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, N.J., is the contracting activity (N68335-10-C-0279).

Insight Technology, Inc., Londonderry, N.H., is being awarded a $31,411,960 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the crew served heavy weapon aiming laser, utilized to enhance the operation of the .50 caliber machine gun. Work will be performed in Londonderry, N.H., and is expected to be completed by September 2015. Contract funds in the amount of $441,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with five offers received. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-10-D-JN57).