Leidos tapped for services as unconventional weapons gain prominance

Leidos Inc. was awarded a contract for scientific and technical services to support the Cooperative Biological Engagement program.

The contract award from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency was announced Monday by the Defense Department and enables Leidos to support multiple programs under the Cooperative Biological Engagement program.

The contract is valued at more than $33.6 million and does not include unexercised options, said the Pentagon press release.

The Cooperative Biological Engagement program grew out of the Cold War, when the former Soviet Union began work on becoming a biological superpower by transforming viruses and bacteria into weapons of war, according to the Pentagon.

The program, which is partnered with several other U.S. agencies, works to prevent the proliferation of "expertise, materials, equipment and technologies that could contribute to the development of biological weapons."

Work on the contract will occur in multiple locations around the world, and is expected to be complete in May 2019. If contract options are exercised, the period of performance will be extended to May 2022.

Weaponized biological and chemical weapons have gained international prominence recently, due to images emerging out of the Syrian war showing civilians being exposed to a chemical attack -- the United States along with other countries have pointed the finger at Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Last month, Russia has been blamed for using a nerve agent against a former Kremlin spy and his daughter in the United Kingdom.

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said it had confirmed that the Russian-made Novichok nerve agent was used against the former spy, Sergei V. Skripal, 66, and his daughter, Yulia Skripal, 33.

A Russian court convicted Skripal in 2006 for selling secrets to British intelligence. Skripal was a former colonel in military intelligence.

Skripal was released from prison in 2010 and sent to Britain in a spy swap between the United Kingdom and Russia.

In retaliation for using a nerve agent on British soil, United States and United Kingdom officials expelled Russian diplomats from their embassies. Russia responded by doing the same after expelling British and U.S. diplomats from Moscow.

Raytheon to provide Army with improved target acquisition systems
Washington (UPI) May 10, 2018 - Raytheon has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army for anti-armor target acquisition systems.

The deal, announced Wednesday by the Department of Defense, is valued at more than $8.9 million and will provide the Army with "logistics support for the Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wireless-guided Improved Target Acquisition System."

The tube-launched, optically-tracked, wireless-guided TOW weapon system, is used against anti-armor, anti-fortification and anti-amphibious landing weapon systems, according to Raytheon.

Work on the contract will occur in McKinney, Texas, and is expected to be complete in May 2019, the Pentagon said.

The total cumulative value will be obligated to Raytheon at the time of award -- the funds will be allocated from Army fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds.

Air Force adopts Army's Occupational Camouflage Pattern uniform
Washington (UPI) May 14, 2018 - The U.S. Air Force announced Monday it plans to adopt the Army's Occupational Camouflage Pattern uniform starting in October.

The branch said it will move to the new single combat utility uniform in response to requests from airmen.

"The uniform works in all climates -- from [Minot, N.D.,] to [Manbij, Syria,] -- and across the spectrum of missions we perform," said chief of staff of the Air Force Gen. David L. Goldfein. "It's suitable for our Airmen working on a flight line in Northern Tier states and for those conducting patrols in the Middle East."

The transition to the new uniform will be gradual, and will be fully implemented by April 1, 2021. More than 100,000 airmen already wear OCPs, or flight-suit equivalent.

The Air Force said leaders opted for the OCP after reports from airmen "that it is the best, battle-tested utility uniform available." It also eliminates the need for two uniforms, one for in-garrison use and one for deployments.

"We looked at all utility uniforms currently in our inventory to find the best-of-breed," Goldfein said. "We spoke to and listened to Airmen on this, and the OCP was the clear choice."

The Air Force said the airmen's OCPs will have "distinctive Air Force features," including the spice-brown color for name tape and letter, and tan T-shirts and belts. Airmen also will wear squadron patches.

"Unit patches express squadron identity and heritage -- something our Airmen are incredibly proud of and want to celebrate," Goldfein said.

The uniform comes in 20 female sizes and 37 unisex sizes.

"The Army has done considerable work to make the OCPs a better fitting uniform for female service members," said Maj. Gen. Bob LaBrutta, director of military force management policy, deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services.

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Marine Corps contracts for enhanced combat helmets
Washington DC (UPI) May 10, 2018
Gentex Corp. has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Marine Corps for enhanced combat helmets and related data reports. The deal, announced Tuesday by the Department of Defense, is valued at more than $45.2 million. The contract is a modification to a previous award under the terms of a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract. The contract, from Marine Corps Systems Command, enables Gentex Corporation to increase the quantity of helmets to 150,176 from 84,376, i ... read more