INDUSTRY NEWS: RW ARMS Surrenders Bump Stock Inventory
Fort Worth-based retailer, RW Arms, turned in its entire inventory of bump stocks to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on Tuesday, March 26, to be destroyed, in compliance with the Bump Stock Ban, after the BATFE changed the regulations and classified bump stocks as automatic firearms.
RW Arms transferred 73,000 bump stocks to American Shredder in Fort Worth, Texas, to be shredded and recycled under the supervision of ATF agents.
CZ-USA Headquarters Moves to Arkansas
CZ-USA, the U.S.-based affiliate of Czech firearms manufacturer Česká zbrojovka a.s. Uherský Brod (CZUB), announced in April plans to locate their North American Headquarters and build a new manufacturing facility on approximately 73 acres at the Port of Little Rock, Arkansas. CZ-USA plans to implement a two-phase approach with an investment of up to $90 million and create some 565 jobs over a 6-year period. CZ products are considered some of the highest-quality firearms in defense, competition and sport shooting around the world.
“As CZ looked to increase our presence in North America, it engaged in a multi-state search for the ideal location,” said Bogdán Heczko, CZ-USA Chairman of the Board. “The Arkansas workforce, culture, business climate and industry support cleared the way for us to choose Little Rock as our new home.”
In 2018, the Czech Republic imported some $2.6 million in commodities into Arkansas, and Arkansas exports to the country totaled roughly $8.2 million. Nearly 300 foreign-owned companies have operations in the state; however, CZ-USA is the first Czech company to have a presence in Arkansas.
“We are honored to have a world-renowned brand such as CZ call Arkansas home,” said Governor Asa Hutchinson. “The location in the growing Port of Little Rock, combined with the high-paying jobs created by the company, will improve the quality of life for all Arkansans.” Construction has begun, with initial start-up planned for March 2020. Production at the Little Rock facility will commence in two, 3-year phases.
“Little Rock is open for business, and we could not be more thrilled to have CZ-USA at the Port of Little Rock,” said Mayor Frank Scott Jr. “Improving Little Rock’s infrastructure is a top priority for me, which will ultimately lead to creating good-paying jobs, of which this is a prime example.”
Pulaski County Judge Barry Hyde said, “This is a huge victory for Pulaski County and the region. The City of Little Rock has been working to expand the Port for a number of years, and I’m glad to see the fruits of that labor. Through a partnership with the City of Little Rock, the County is developing the infrastructure to accommodate the new development within the expanded Little Rock Port.”
Boeing
Earns DOD Contract Modification for Foreign Military Munition Sales
The Boeing Co., doing business as Boeing Defense Space and Security, St. Louis, Missouri, has been awarded a firm-fixed-price modification (P00027) to previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract FA8213-15-D-0002 for Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) tail kits, spares, repairs and technical services. This modification provides for the extension of the contract for an additional 5 years and increases the contract ceiling by $6,534,283,787. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be complete by February 28, 2025. This modification involves foreign military sales to currently unknown countries. Fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019 ammunition funds; fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds; and Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $904,849,700 are being obligated for the Lot 23 delivery order at the time of award. This modification brings the ceiling of the contract to $10,044,715,284. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity.
Potential Foreign Military Sale to UAE
On May 24, the State Department made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates of Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) II All-Up-Rounds for an estimated cost of $900 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 24, 2019.
The Government of the United Arab Emirates has requested a possible sale of 20,004 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) II All-Up-Rounds. Also included is weapon support and test equipment, spares, technical publications, personnel training, other training equipment, transportation, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total case value is $900 million.
The Secretary of State has determined and provided detailed justification that an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to the United Arab Emirates of the above defense articles (and defense services) in the national security interests of the United States, thereby waiving the Congressional review requirements under Section 36(b) of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended.
This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of an important partner in the region. This sale is consistent with U.S. initiatives to provide key partners in the region with modern systems that will enhance interoperability with U.S. forces and increase security.
