Newfoundland-based Vector Aerospace has received four military overhaul contracts totalling C$32.5 million ($21.6 million). Its Acro Aerospace and Helipro International subsidiaries will refurbish the Venezuelan army's Agusta/Sikorsky AS-61Ds by March 2002; overhaul gearboxes for Tunisian Government Sikorsky S-61s; and refurbish Honduran Government Bell 412s and MD Helicopters MD500s. Vector will also overhaul turbine engines for the Colombian Government. Rockwell Collins is to supply the US Air Force with its HF Messenger to provide high-frequency e-mail capability to the SCOPE Command HF network. Ground and airborne tests are due from September, followed by installation on multiple platforms. Saudi Arabia has given a €140 million ($129 million) contract to Thales to support and upgrade defence systems. The group has also won a €50 million order for 15 Damocles navigation/targeting pods for French navy Dassault Super Etendards. The UK Ministry of Defence has signed a £42 million ($62 million) contract with Raytheon Systems UK for Enhanced Paveway II/III bombs which can be targeted using laser guidance or GPS. Newport News Shipbuilding has a $3.8 billion contract for detailed design and construction of CVN 77, the tenth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems will be responsible for the integrated warfare system. Northrop Grumman has won a $20.1 million contract for 23 Block 82 to 89a and six Block 89 to 89a EA-6B Prowler upgrade kits. Spain has awarded Boeing a $35.3 million contract to remanufacture two AV-8B Harriers to B+ standard. Sikorsky has been awarded a $13.7 million US Army contract for two UH-60L helicopters for 2003 delivery. Raytheon has won a pre-production contract for 18 Pagan anti-jam GPS satellite navigation systems for the Sikorsky Boeing RAH-66 Comanche helicopter. Cessna has received a US Army contract for two UC-35Bs.
Source: Flight International
