Defense Technology International - October 2007 - (Page 10) AROUND THE WORLD NEWS BRIEFS THALES CONFIRMS OMAN ORDER At last month’s DSEi exhibition, Thales formally announced what the defense industry has known since June: It will provide Oman with combat systems for three new ocean-patrol vessels. The order to equip the 1,700-ton Khareef-class warships has an initial value of almost €90 million ($ 127 million). It covers the Tacticos combat-management system, Integrated Communication System, Smart-S Mk 2 multi-beam air- and surfacesurveillance radar, Vigile 400 ESM system, Sting EO Mk 2 radar/electrooptical fire-control tracking system and TDS target-designation sights. The equipment will be delivered to prime contractor VT Shipbuilding in 2008 and 2009. The first ship will be handed over to Oman in mid-2010, and the second and third in 2011. Though old news, the announcement was significant because the main sensor in the Omani deal, the Smart-S Mk 2, is being offered to the Royal Navy for its medium-range radar replacement program—a major business prospect to radar suppliers since it entails replacement of some 20 Type 996 radars on surface warships by a new 3D radar. Competition for the program is expected from BAE Systems, EADS and Israel Aerospace Industries/ELTA. Thales expects a long selection process, with a down-select of one or two candidates by the end of the year, and contract negotiations through most of 2008. If successful, Thales will likely start a production line for the Smart-S Mk 2 in the U.K. Thales UK facilities in Crawley and Leicester are possible locations. I THALES ITT PLANS TO ACQUIRE EDO ITT Corp. announced on Sept. 17 that it is buying EDO Corp. in a deal valued at $1.7 billion. The purchase is scheduled to close early next year. White Plains, N.Y.-based ITT will gain access to EDO’s technologies in electronic and undersea warfare, intelligence, integrated systems and structures, and professional and engineering services. EDO, which is based in New York, has been racking up impressive growth. Secondquarter revenues were up 61% over the same period last year, and first-half revenues increased 84%. Key programs include CREW 2.1, an anti-IED jamming device, for which the Pentagon has placed 7,450 orders, with options for more. The company has revised its 2007 revenue projections to $1.1-1.5 billion. Revenues U.S. NAVY TOUGH TRUCKS The first MRAP II contracts are to be awarded in January. Round two will field vehicles with superior protection against explosively formed penetrators (EFP). Current manufacturers are expected to offer refined versions of MRAP I trucks. There are new contenders, too. Thales and partner Oshkosh are proposing the Bushmaster 4 X 4 (photo), used by Australian and Dutch forces in Afghanistan. Oshkosh, Ideal Innovations and Ceradyne are pitching the 6 X 6 Bull, to cost around $500,000. They are mum on design details. Craig Arndt, Ideal’s chief technology officer, claims the vehicle “will be the most survivable ever fielded.” Six- and 10-passenger versions are planned. Ideal has been working on the Bull’s armor system since 2005. It teamed with Ceradyne in 2006 to assist with armor development. Oshkosh is to provide the chassis, a modified standard Medium Tactical Vehicle replacement design. The Bull passed Army testing at Aberdeen in March and “meets all current EFP threats,” says Arndt. Ceradyne says the Bull “can be configured as a logistics vehicle,” or used for ambulance and robotics missions. I DAVID AXE/DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL last year were $715 million. The ITT deal is somewhat ironic since EDO chief James M. Smith said earlier this year that acquisition was integral to the company’s growth (DTI May, p. 46). EDO has made 11 acquisitions since 2000. I 10 DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL OCTOBER 2007 www.aviationweek.com/dti http://www.aviationweek.com/dti
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