September 30, 2020 | International, Aerospace
COLOGNE, Germany — The German Defence Ministry wants to start fresh on a new heavy transport helicopter after finding that offers from American firms Boeing and Lockheed Martin for the Chinook and the King Stallion, respectively, were too expensive, officials announced Tuesday.
The surprise decision halts an acquisition race that was scheduled to a see a contract awarded in 2021. The two companies delivered their initial proposals for the program, aimed at replacing Germany's aging CH-53G helicopters, in January 2020. A request for a second proposal was expected by the end of this year.
The move comes as the budget implications of the coronavirus crisis are starting to materialize, despite leaders' pledges to keep military spending high. Given that context, other programs are also expected to be on shaky ground, according to sources in Berlin.
Officials canceled the helicopter race — locally known as Schwerer Transporthubschrauber, or STH — because the government deemed offers by the defense giants as “uneconomical,” a Defence Ministry statement read. The chance of meeting all requirements while adhering to the envisioned multibillion-dollar budget would be “unlikely,” officials wrote.
The STH program was initially planned to be a poster child for a no-frills, off-the-shelf purchase that's easy on the defense budget. But acquisition officials kept piling on requirements to such a degree that it surprised some industry executives associated with the bidders, Defense News reported earlier this year. Also included in the government's requirements was a decades-long maintenance scheme under which contractors had to guarantee certain availability rates.
Tobias Lindner, the Green Party's point man in the Bundestag for defense issues, called the helicopter program's a “bitter sign” for Germany's soldiers. He argued the Defence Ministry had been naive in its approach to the much-needed acquisition. “A new competition alone won't solve that problem,” he said.
March 11, 2022 | International, Aerospace
L’approvisionnement en titane représente le principal risque pour l’avionneur, dont les activités dans la défense connaîtront des retombées positives.
April 26, 2021 | International, Aerospace
Au préalable, la ministre des Armées, Florence Parly, a rappelé l'importance prise par l'espace pour notre défense nationale. Elle ne souhaite pas qu'il devienne un « véritable Far West ». Cette inquiétude justifie la politique volontariste engagée depuis 2017 avec la création en 2019 d'un Commandement de l'espace. Elle est également revenue sur l'arsenalisation de l'espace, la multiplication des débris, les capacités adverses développées visant à gêner, neutraliser ou détruire nos capacités spatiales. Face à la saturation de l'espace, le gouvernement entend « promouvoir des règles internationales de comportement responsable dans l'espace ». bfmtv.com, 22 avril
April 16, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land
Alexandria, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)—April 13, 2020 - VSE Corporation (NASDAQ: VSEC), a leading provider of aftermarket distribution and repair services for land, sea and air transportation assets in the public and private sectors, today announced approximately $90 million in contract and delivery order awards with the United States Department of Defense (“DOD”). These awards include the following: A five- and one-half-year contract, commencing in the 2nd Quarter of 2020, to provide procurement and technical support services for the Marine Corps Advanced Amphibious Assault (AAA) family of vehicles. This award represents an increase in contract value, scope and capabilities for work currently performed by VSE. Delivery orders to provide services under VSE's Foreign Military Sales contract with the Naval Sea Systems Command (“NAVSEA”) International Fleet Support Program Office. Under these delivery orders, VSE will provide maritime program support including logistics, planning, repair and maintenance, training and engineering support to allied countries of the United States. “Our Federal Services Group recently launched a multi-year business development initiative that seeks to grow bookings and funded backlog through increased penetration of both new and existing markets,” stated John Cuomo, VSE President and CEO. “While this initiative remains in its early stages, these new contract awards reflect progress under our recently appointed Federal Services Group president, Robert Moore.” “VSE has decades of field-tested expertise in maintaining mission-critical vehicles, ships and aircraft that help to ensure optimal performance throughout their service life,” continued Cuomo. “We are proud to partner with both the Marine Corps and NAVSEA in support of their continued operational readiness.” About VSE Corporation VSE is a global provider of aftermarket distribution and repair services for land, sea and air transportation assets in the public and private sectors. VSE is a recognized leader in delivering innovative solutions for vehicle, ship, and aircraft sustainment, supply chain management, platform modernization, mission enhancement and program management. VSE also provides energy, IT and consulting services. For additional information regarding VSE's services and products, visit www.vsecorp.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200413005426/en/ Investor Relations Noel Ryan 720.778.2415 investors@vsecorp.com View source version on VSE Corporation: https://ir.vsecorp.com/news/press-releases/detail/254/vse-corporation-announces-approximately-90-million-in