U.S. military orders massive resupply effort
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SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Wednesday, April 16, 2003
The U.S. military, completing four weeks of war in
Iraq, has ordered a massive resupply of munitions, missiles, fuel and
spare parts.
Over the last week, the Defense Department has signed a series of
contracts with U.S. firms to replenish depleted supplies in a range of
military hardware. The contracts were signed as the Bush administration
asked Congress for more than $75 billion to sustain the war effort in Iraq
and ensure that military operations can continue throughout fiscal 2003.
Many of the deals for the U.S. Army consisted of sole-source contracts
for such platforms as the Bradley Fighting Vehicles. The Pentagon awarded a
$197.3 million contract to United Defense for 35 M2A3 Bradley Fighting
Vehicles. The contract was an increment to a previous deal for 103 Bradley
vehicles.
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The army will also receive millions of rounds of artillery shells from
Armtec
Defense and Products Inc., based in Coachella, Calif. The $32.9 million deal
includes the supply of 155 mm M231 and M232 shells.
Alliant Techsystems Inc., based in Arden Hills, Minn., was awarded a $24
million contract for tracer and other ammunition. A similar contract was
awarded to General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.
The Pentagon also signed contracts to ensure airborne operations by the
army. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products was awarded a $6.2
million contract for 240 fuel tanks for the Black Hawk helicopter. Each of
the tanks can hold 230 gallons of fuel.
In addition, Ace Clearwater Enterprises, based in Torrance, Calif., was
awarded a $5.9 million contract for 830 heat-suppressors for the AH-64
Apache attack helicopter.
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