If You Hold Stock In Any Of These Defense Companies, It's Time To Buy Yourself Something Nice
Even with a shrinking budget, the Pentagon is constantly updating the military's arsenal of weapon systems and technology across the branches.
We went through all of the military contractors who were recently awarded contracts by the Department of Defense.
Here are this week's big winners, with details about the most advanced military tech in development and who's getting it.
Running Interference
This was a pretty big week for cryptography work — and we're not even talking about that virus that hit Iran — with two huge contracts going out to Sierra Nevada Corp and Northrop Grumman Technical Services.
Sierra Nevada was awarded a quarter-billion dollar contract to procure the rugged, handheld devices that allow commanders in the field and analysts at home to access and upload encrypted information, very complex machines called Simple Key Loader devices. The $250 million will go toward developing and delivering the secure machines for the Army — the devices are used by every branch of the military, as well as the NSA and CIA — as well as repair, spares, and tech support.
Northrop Grumman will receive $108 million to modify and upgrade the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) program's cryptographic protections. That cybersecurity contract comes in the wake of a wild week in hacking and virus, with fears about China's potential to hack weapons systems reaching a fever pitch.
Threat From The Air
Scoring big procurement contracts in the aerospace sector this week are two familiar faces, Boeing and L-3 Communications. These contracts both involve building birds to go overseas, though, as part of the Department of Defense's Foreign Military Sales. Here's where these planes and choppers will end up:
Boeing was awarded just over $97 million to procure Apache AH-64D attack helicopters. This is an additional buy based off of an initial December 2011 procurement of 30 Apaches for Taiwan — that contract for $143 million — so it looks like the order may be increasing for the Republic of China. Boeing was the sole bid for the contract.
L-3 was awarded $321 million to get 10 C-27J aircraft to Australia. They'll also be responsible for logistic support and software reports. The C-27J is a medium-lift (max 25,000 lbs) aircraft designed for cargo delivered over intra-theater distances, so these planes will stay in the South Pacific.
Technical Assets
General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp. was awarded $117 million, the latest of seven additions to a 2010 contract wherein the corporation will continue to conduct advanced research and development of advanced submarine tech. The contract covers a huge umbrella of research possibilities, including reliability, hull integrity, performance and safely. The goal is to develop the next generation of submarines for the Naval Sea Systems command, with the intention of improving and replacing the Ohio-class nuclear submarines. Work will be done in Groton, Connecticut and Newport News, Virginia.
The Winner of the Week
The largest defense contract awarded this week goes to Huntington Ingalls Inc., which will build the U.S.S. Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship which will be the second in the America-class of ships. The U.S.S. America, also developed by HII, is nearing completion. The purchase is worth $2.4 billion, and you can read about the specs here.
Now See: The 25 biggest defense companies in America >
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