Back to news

June 21, 2019 | International, Land, Other Defence

Nearly 40 percent lighter body armor coming to Marines in 2020

By:

The Corps is gearing up to field its new lightweight body armor plates, designed to be worn in the Corps' low intensity or counterinsurgency style conflicts.

On Friday the Defense Department announced the Navy awarded a nearly $216 million contract to Point Blank Enterprises for the purchase of up to 680,706 of the new lightweight plates.

Maj. Ken Kunze, a spokesman for Marine Corps Systems Command, told Marine Corps Times that the Corps expects to kick off fielding the new plates during the second quarter of fiscal year 2020 and complete by 2023.

The new body armor plates will protect “against the preponderance of likely threats while improving mobility” and will reduce the hard body armor weight burden on Marines by 38 percent, Kunze said.

The Corps has been in the hunt for lighter body armor as the force tries to reduce the weight burden and combat load carried by Marines and grunts, which a government watchdog report said can be as high as 117 pounds to 119 pounds.

One solution was to field a set a new set of armor plates that would provide commanders flexibility to match body armor with the threat in the region the Marines were operating in.

That means Marines don't always need to slap on the nearly 15 poundenhanced small arms protective, or ESAPI plates, while operating in low intensity conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan, where a lighter, more mobile armor plate would be sufficient.

The heavy ESAPI plates will still be important, especially as the Corps faces down near-peer rivals equipped with better and more capable weapon systems.

Nick Pierce, the armor team lead for infantry combat equipment at Marine Corps Systems Command, previously told Marine Corps Times that the Corps was seeking to shave the 15 pound ESAPI plate down to roughly 8.6 pounds for a medium-sized Marine.

Marines can shed a total of 8 pounds to 10 pounds from their combat load when the lightweight plate is used in conjunction with the Corps' new Plate Carrier Gen III system, Pierce explained.

The Corps is also looking at new polymer based ammunition and a lighter helmet for grunts to help shave the pounds carried by infantry Marines.

https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2019/06/19/nearly-40-percent-lighter-body-armor-coming-in-2020/

On the same subject

  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - October 10, 2018

    October 11, 2018 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - October 10, 2018

    AIR FORCE United Launch Services, Centennial, Colorado, has been awarded a $967,000,000 other-transaction agreement for the development of a Launch System Prototype for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program. This award is part of a portfolio of three agreements that leverage commercial launch solutions in order to have at least two domestic, commercial launch service providers that meet National Security Space requirements, including the launch of the heaviest and most complex payloads. This agreement requires shared cost investment for the development of the Vulcan Centaur launch system. Work will be performed in Centennial, Colorado; and Decatur, Alabama, with launch facilities at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida; and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2025. This award is the result of a full and open competition. This agreement will be incrementally funded with fiscal 2018 through 2024 research, development, test and evaluation funds totaling a maximum of $967,000,000. Fiscal 2018 funds in the amount of $109,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Launch Systems Enterprise Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA8811-19-9-0003). Orbital Sciences Corp., Chandler, Arizona, has been awarded a $791,601,015 other-transaction agreement for the development of a Launch System Prototype for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program. This award is part of a portfolio of three agreements that leverage commercial launch solutions in order to have at least two domestic, commercial launch service providers that meet National Security Space requirements, including the launch of the heaviest and most complex payloads. This agreement requires shared cost investment for the development of the OmegA launch system. Work will be performed in Chandler, Arizona; Magna and Promontory, Utah; Iuka, Mississippi; West Palm Beach, Florida; Sandusky, Ohio; and Michoud, Louisiana, with launch facilities at Kennedy Space Center, Florida; and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2024. This award is the result of a full and open competition. This agreement will be incrementally funded with fiscal 2018 through 2024 research, development, test and evaluation funds totaling a maximum of $791,601,015. Fiscal 2018 funds in the amount of $109,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Launch Systems Enterprise Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA8811-19-9-0002). Blue Origin LLC, Kent, Washington, has been awarded a $500,000,000 other-transaction agreement for the development of a Launch System Prototype for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program. This award is part of a portfolio of three agreements that leverage commercial launch solutions in order to have at least two domestic, commercial launch service providers that meet National Security Space requirements, including the launch of the heaviest and most complex payloads. This agreement requires shared cost investment for the development of the New Glenn launch system. Work will be performed in Kent, Washington; Huntsville, Alabama; and Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, with launch facilities at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida; and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The work is expected to be completed by July 31, 2024. This award is the result of a full and open competition. This agreement will be incrementally funded with fiscal 2018 through 2024 research, development, test and evaluation funds totaling a maximum of $500,000,000. Fiscal 2018 funds in the amount of $109,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Launch Systems Enterprise Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA8811-19-9-0001). General Electric Aviation, Cincinnati, Ohio, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $250,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract (FA8650-19-D-2057) for Advanced Turbine Technologies for Affordable Mission-Capability (ATTAM) Phase I. The mission of the ATTAM Phase I program is to develop, demonstrate, and transition advanced turbine propulsion, power and thermal technologies that provides improvement in affordable mission capability. This approach extends to a range of legacy, emerging, and future military propulsion, power and thermal technology needs in multiple applications. Work will be performed in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is expected to be completed by October 2026. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 54 offers were received. No specific funds are obligated on the basic IDIQ, although in conjunction with the basic IDIQ award, the first task order (FA8650-19-F-2087) is incrementally funded with fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $25,000 at time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. . DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY US Foods Inc., doing business as US Foods – Lexington, Lexington, South Carolina, has been awarded a maximum $452,617,541 firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity with economic-price-adjustment contract for full line food distribution support. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a two-year base contract with one, one-year option period and one two-year option period. Maximum dollar amount is for the life of the contract. Location of performance is South Carolina, with an Oct. 9, 2023 performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2024 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-19-D-3205). Fairbanks Morse LLC, Beloit, Wisconsin, has been awarded a maximum $33,661,555 firm-fixed-price delivery order (SPRMM1-19-F-LK01) under basic ordering agreement SPRMM1-15-G-0901 for turbochargers. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a stand-alone order with the option to purchase an additional 24 units within 90 days from award. Location of performance is Wisconsin, with a May 11, 2020, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 Navy working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Fairbanks Morse LLC, Beloit, Wisconsin, has been awarded a maximum $33,661,555 firm-fixed-price delivery order (SPRMM1-19-F-LK00) under basic ordering agreement SPRMM1-15-G-0901 for turbochargers. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a stand-alone order with the option to purchase an additional 24 units within 90 days from award. Location of performance is Wisconsin, with a May 11, 2020, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 Navy working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Grand Prairie, Texas, is being awarded a $164,000,000 contract modification (P00034) to previously awarded, sole-source, cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed- fee, firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract HQ0147-10-D-0001 for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Field Support Contract (TFSC). This modification will increase the total ceiling value from $561,200,000 to $725,200,000. The contractor will continue to perform the same effort under the general scope of the TFSC, which includes logistics performance requirements, forward stationing for theater support, logistics information capabilities, post deployment software support, product assurance, safety, missile support, security and engineering services. This modification will also incorporate the International Engineering Services Program and Field Surveillance Program activity. The work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama; Sunnyvale, California; Grand Prairie, Texas; and Troy, Alabama. The ordering period remains from March 25, 2010, through March 31, 2019. This contract was awarded under the sole-source authority pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulations 6302-1, "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements." No additional funds are being obligated by this modification; fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019 operations and maintenance; and procurement funds will be obligated with execution of future task orders. No task orders are being issued at this time. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity (HQ0147-10-D-0001). (Awarded Oct. 9, 2018) ARMY AM General LLC, Auburn Hills, Michigan, was awarded a $121,257,443 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for engineering, logistics, and system technical support functions for all High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle Family of Vehicles. One bid was solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 9, 2023. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-D-0001). NAVY The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded $34,889,633 for firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order N6833519F0436 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-16-G-0001). This order procures hardware and retrofit kits/upgrades to replace obsolete components and software in the existing Servocylinder Test Stations and Electro-Hydraulic Valve Test Station for F/A-18 A-F and EA-18G aircraft. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri (50 percent); Chatsworth, California (40 percent); and Naval Air Station North Island, California (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in May 2022. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $34,889,633 are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. Teledyne Wireless LLC, Rancho Cordova, California, is awarded a $7,509,891 firm-fixed-price contract for the repair of the ALQ-99 system in support of EA-6B aircrafts. The contract does not contain a provision for an option quantity. Work will be performed in Rancho Cordova, California, and is expected to be completed by November 2021. Working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $7,509,891 will be obligated at time of award, and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One source was solicited for this non-competitive requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00383-19-C-D002). DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY Dawson D7, San Antonio, Texas, was awarded a five-year, $15,628,917, firm-fixed-price task order (HT001118C0031) through the Tribally-owned Small Disadvantaged Business participating in the Small Business Administration 8(a) Business Development Program. Place of performance is Falls Church, Virginia. This contract supports the Defense Medical Modeling Simulation Office in the requirements and implementation branch for the development of initial contracting requirements, cost estimates, and research. Services include using the Department of Defense procurement and acquisition process to ensure medical modeling and simulation products align with the services and across the enterprise. The base year of $1,614,917 is being funded with fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds. This award is a non-competitive direct 8(a) acquisition. Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, Virginia, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Sept. 28, 2018) *Small Business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1658771/source/GovDelivery/

  • How autonomous wingmen will help fighter pilots in the next war

    February 16, 2022 | International, Aerospace

    How autonomous wingmen will help fighter pilots in the next war

    '€œThere's enough technology in existence from programs that we've already conducted, it convinces me that's not a crazy idea,'€ Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said.

  • Turkish company reveals plans to develop a supersonic drone

    May 14, 2019 | International, Aerospace

    Turkish company reveals plans to develop a supersonic drone

    By: Burak Ege Bekdil ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey's state-controlled aerospace powerhouse, Turkish Aerospace Industries, plans to develop the country's first supersonic drone, company executives said. TAI showcased its “Aksungur” drone (“gyrfalcon” in English) earlier this month at the International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul. The Aksungur is a new drone that can reportedly reach a maximum speed of 180 kph. According to Temel Kotil, TAI's chief executive official, the Goksungur (“peregrine falcon” in English) will be a supersonic version of the Aksungur. The Goksungur is set to have a maximum speed of 380 kph. Kotil said TAI developed the Aksungur, a twin-engine-powered aircraft, in 18 months. The Aksungur has a maximum payload of 750 kilograms. He said TAI manufactured two Aksungur drones for test flights and will deliver them this year to the Turkish Armed Forces. After completing the Aksungur program, TAI engineers will set out to work on the Goksungur program. TAI designed, developed and built the medium-altitude, long-endurance Anka, Turkey's first indigenous UAV. It also developed the Anka-S, a satellite-controlled version. TAI manufactures aviation components for Airbus, Lockheed Martin and Boeing, with annual exports worth $500 million. It is a partner in the U.S.-led, multinational Joint Strike Fighter program that builds the F-35 fighter jet. The Turkish company also produces the T129, a helicopter gunship, under license from the Italian-British company AgustaWestland. TAI expects a 2019 turnover of $2.6 billion. https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2019/05/13/turkish-company-reveals-plans-to-develop-a-supersonic-drone/

All news