Written by / Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
MSMF 2009 Volume: 2 Issue: 4 (August)
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible foreign military sale to the government of the Republic of Korea of 46 SM-2 Block IIIA Tactical Standard missiles, 35 SM-2 Block IIIB Tactical Standard missiles, 3 SM-2 Block IIIB Telemetry Missiles, 84 SM-2 missile containers and associated test and support equipment, spare and repair parts, training, training equipment, publications and logistical support for an estimated cost of $170 million.
Source: U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency
French Navy Award for Satellite Communications Systems
Orbit Technology Group announced the award of an order in excess of $4 million by the French Navy via DCNS. With this contract, Orbit will supply the French Navy with Ku-band (brand name OrSat) and C-band Marine Satellite Communication systems.
Orbit’s systems will provide the French Navy with continuous, high speed, two-way connectivity for reliable reception and transmission of voice, data and Internet connection, in harsh environmental conditions. The French Navy has selected Orbit for its extensive and proven experience in the field of satellite communications, its unique and advanced technologies, and its systems’ ability to provide continuous connectivity.
“Orbit is supplying those systems to the largest navies in Europe and Asia. We cannot disclose the specific names because there is no clearance to release it,” Elinor Behar, press relations, Oreet International Media, on behalf of Orbit Technology Group, told MSMF.
Naomi Azrieli-Saul:
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South Korean Aegis Training Center Opens
South Korea’s Navy has opened a state-of-the-art facility for training its sailors in the operation, maintenance and employment of the U.S. Aegis Combat System.
Located at the Naval Education and Training Command in Jinhae, about 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul, the Aegis Operation Management Training Center offers technical training courses designed to prepare individuals for assignment to operate the Aegis Combat/Weapon System to be installed on three 7,600-ton KDX-III destroyers. Two of the three Korean Aegis ships have been launched.
Source: South Korean Navy
Contractor Force Supports U.S. Navy Cooperative Development Activities
The U.S. Navy supports partnerships and cooperative efforts throughout its ballistic missile defense portfolio with a number of nations. An important enabler of the service’s successes with its international partners is the civilian contractor work force. Dan Thompson, staff vice president, General Dynamics Information Technology’s (GDIT) combat systems sector, provided insights on his company’s wide range of support for this mission.
The GDIT delivers competencies in a number of program management and system engineering areas including those in support of the Navy’s international BMD programs. “Aegis BMD has the largest cooperative development program with an ally in the DoD portfolio—that’s with the Japanese on the SM-3 Block 2 cooperative development,” Thompson said. He added, “We have other FMS cases with the Dutch and Australians. We work with NATO on the BMD effort and the list goes on. If it’s sea-based missile defense you can believe our experts are involved and closely support the government in those programs.”
The majority of the GDIT contractor force for Navy BMD programs is assigned to Navy facilities at Dahlgren, Va. While GDIT maintains a representative in Japan, other contractors are found at fleet concentrations areas, Huntsville and other locations.
“We also support each and every one of the tests that occur. Our people were on the ground at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) for the first two, Japanese live-fire tests [Japan Flight Test Missions (JFTM) 1 and 2],” Thompson said. And he noted one representative technical challenge his team encounters and addresses. “Although there is great similarity between the Japanese Aegis weapon system and our own, it is going into a different class of ship—the Kongo. We have to be very sensitized, so those are system engineered to work and work well, and we work with not only the Japanese but the constellation of Navy warfare centers and labs that provide that level of expertise.”
JFTM-3 is scheduled at the PMRF during the last week of October.
Shalina Warren: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it