Tag: Defense Contractors

C-40 Clippers Are a New Upgrade for the Marines

Marines Get New Hardware
Marines Get New Aircraft

The U.S. Marine Corps is turning to GSA listed suppliers for an upgrade to their 1970s-era transport planes. Boeing’s C-40 Clipper is the USMC’s choice to replace two of its C-9B Skytrain executive transports.

C-40 Clippers are also expected to take over for C-9s currently in operation with the U.S. Naval Reserve and U.S. Air Force. Here’s a look at this 737-based aircraft and where it fits in with military programs.

Overview of C-40 Clippers

C-40s in use by the military come in three different models:

The C-40A is a Navy aircraft created by adding a larger cargo door along with stronger wings and landing gear to a 737-700C frame. Its robust navigation system is an advantage in Third World airports with older ground systems.

The USAF’s C-40B has superior technological capabilities, serving as an “office in the sky” for military and government leaders. Its primary feature is a Connexion system that provides secure in-flight broadband connectivity.

The C-40C, another USAF aircraft, is a counterpart to the Navy’s C-40A. Both models can serve as all-passenger, all-cargo or passenger/cargo combination transports.

USMC Order for C-40 Clippers

The USMC’s order for two C-40 Clippers comes amid concerns about continued durability of their aging C-9 aircraft. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is supporting a survey conducted by the USMC to find a supplier for the C-40s. While NAVAIR is expressing willingness to consider used aircraft, experts believe Boeing will ultimately receive the order.

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Made in America – Meets National Security Needs for Department of Defense

Made in America - Meets National Security Needs for Department of Defense
Made in America – Meets National Security Needs for Department of Defense

Following a push for “Buy American,” the Trump Administration has rolled out another executive order regarding the sourcing of defense equipment from domestic manufacturers. Soon, contractors may be required to source made-in-the-USA materials from a DoD equipment supplier whenever feasible.

A more thorough analysis of what we know so far about the new DoD equipment supplier requirements has been made by Inside Government Contracts. Among the takeaways:

> The manufacturing order is intended to assess the military’s procurement methods as well as to boost the country’s defense manufacturing industry.

> The Secretary of Defense must complete a report by April 17, 2018, detailing the “resiliency and capacity” of the defense industrial base, so exact laws and regulations will be clearer around that time.

> Requirements to buy American products will most likely impact purchases for products that are already made or could be made domestically, and are not prohibitively more expensive than foreign-made alternatives.

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DJ Products is based out of Minnesota, and our material handling solutions are made in the USA. Rest assured that our DoD contractor equipment will satisfy any kind of domestic procurement law that may affect your operations in the near future.

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Are There Ways to Better Manage Department of Defense Spending?

Magnifying Glass – Questions
Are There Better Ways to Handle Military Budgets?

While President Donald Trump’s proposed budget includes a significant increase in defense spending, many feel that it’s still not enough to make up for what was viewed as years of underspending. Center for American Progress, an independent bipartisan think tank, suggests the following ways for the Pentagon to manage funds more efficiently.

1. Downsize Administrative Staff

The Pentagon staff has grown by 38% since 2001. A recent report found that personnel cuts would produce $125 billion in savings over the next five years.

2. Reduce Cost Overruns

In 2015, multinational consulting firm Deloitte issued a report stating that overruns for major acquisition programs amounted to a staggering total of $468 billion.

3. Re-Examine Aircraft and Ship Spending

Senator John McCain, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, has recommended maintaining a more fiscally responsible number and mix of military vehicles, including aircraft carriers and combat ships.

4. Prioritize Nuclear Spending

Former Defense Secretary William Perry and Gen. James Cartwright, former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have proposed that the government cancel the land-based missile and air-launched cruise missile parts of the ongoing multibillion-dollar nuclear modernization program.

5. Authorize a Round of Base Closings

No Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commissions have been held since 2005; some sources suggest there’s up to 30% excess base capacity.

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The Data’s In, Here Are the Top Defense Contractors for 2016

Swiss military men
Defense Contracting

When President Dwight Eisenhower, a legendary leader of the armed forces, coined the phrase “military industrial complex,” even he couldn’t have anticipated their stunning accomplishments of military research and development. Here are today’s top defense contractors based on data compiled by the US General Services Administration.

1. Lockheed Martin

A staggering $30 billion has been committed to contracts with Lockheed Martin. The company is currently fulfilling a $528 million project to build interceptors for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), which is designed to provide protection from ballistic missile attacks.

2. Boeing

More than 12,000 contracts have been awarded to Boeing, including one for nearly $900 million for airborne electronic attack kits such as the “Growler,” which creates tactical jamming and electronic protection for the military.

3. Raytheon

The principal project among Raytheon’s 10,000 contracts is production of 464 Excaliburs, which are the longest-range and most accurate cannon-fired projectiles in the world.

4. General Dynamics

General Dynamics is hard at work building the DDG 51 Class Destroyers for the Navy. This state-of-the-art ship includes advanced systems to defend against submarines as well as against missiles launched via land, air or water.

5. Northrop Grumman

Controversy has surrounded Northrop Grumman’s $55 billion contract to produce the Long-Range Strike Bomber, replacing the Air Force’s dated fleet.

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