Military transformation projects

$15 billion over 10 to 15 years A team led by Boeing Co. and Science Applications International Corp. won the role of lead systems integrator to develop the technology and network-centric concepts for a combat system that includes tanks and other armored vehicles that will be linked via a network. The two have been running competitions for subcontractors, and have picked 15 subcontracting teams representing more than 70 companies that will work on different design, development and testing projects for FCS. $6.9 billion over eight years Electronic Data Systems Corp. is leading an effort to connect 360,000 desktops to an integrated network with standardized software, hardware, telecommunications and security. $390 million Two unnamed contractors have won contracts, but more details, such as the length of the deals, have not been released because of security concerns. Some estimates push the value of the work closer to $1 billion. The Global Information Grid is used to collect, process, store, distribute and manage information among warfighters, policy-makers and support personnel. $9 billion over 18 years Boeing Co. is the lead systems integrator on the $2 billion, six-year design and development phase to build programmable radios that can provide voice, video and data communications. Several other procurements are being run under this program, with companies such as Harris Corp. and Rockwell Collins winning contracts. Other contracts yet to be awarded include development of airborne and maritime versions of the radios. At least $1 billion The contract falls under the Army Enterprise Infostructure Transformation program. The Army has awarded contracts to Dell Inc., GTSI Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp. to provide hardware and software. An award is pending for contractors to provide services. This program consolidates several contracts and will allow the Army to buy end-to-end solutions and standardize its approach to networks and desktop computing. $10 billion over 15 yearsThe Army plans to build a high-speed, high-capacity network for wired and wireless voice, data and video communications for soldiers on the battlefield. Lockheed Martin Corp. and General Dynamics Corp. are each working on phase 2. They will design the system, run models and simulations of the communications network and build equipment prototypes. By 2006, the Army will pick one of the two systems integrators to build the system. $200 billion for 3,000 aircraft, with $20 billion of IT work Lockheed Martin's team will build a new fighter to replace a variety of aircraft used by the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. The IT portion of the work will be significant, because the military wants to incorporate network-centric elements into the fighter's systems. The British air force and navy are expected to use the aircraft as well.Sources: Input Inc., Federal Sources Inc., Washington Technology