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UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
19 Sept 24. Babcock, in partnership with Supacat, has been awarded a contract to build an additional 53 High Mobility Transporter (HMT) Jackal 3s for the British Army. The Jackal is the most versatile high-mobility weapons platform in its class, equally capable of reconnaissance, patrol and logistic tasks. It is designed by Supacat of Honiton; is British built and battle-proven in Afghanistan. This new contract for a 6-wheeled ‘extenda’ variant will be known as the Jackal 3(E). The additional axle enables greater load carrying whilst still maintaining exemplary off-road performance, capable of speeds up to 120km/h.
16 Sept 24. Kromek awarded £2.0m contract from UK Ministry of Defence. Kromek (AIM: KMK), a leading developer of radiation and bio-detection technology solutions for the advanced imaging and CBRN detection segments, announced that it has been awarded a contract worth £2.0m by the UK Ministry of Defence (“MOD”) for the supply of nuclear radiation detectors and ancillary products. The contract is to be delivered in the Group’s current financial year ending 30 April 2025. The contract, which was awarded after a competitive tender process, is for the supply of the Group’s D5 RIID, a handheld, highly-sensitive gamma and neutron detector, along with the Group’s Alpha Beta probe attachment and other associated products. Launched in November 2023, the Alpha Beta probe connects directly to the D5 RIID to enable alpha and beta radiation to be detected, allowing the single, small form factor upgraded device to detect all types of radioactive material.
17 Sept 24. NP Aerospace wins £71m UK MoD wheeled vehicle support contract – CVSSP. NP Aerospace, the global vehicle integrator and armour manufacturer, has today announced the award of a £71m wheeled vehicle support contract called the Conventional Vehicle Systems Spares and Post Design Services (CVSSP) contract. The contract, let by the UK MoD Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), was competitively tendered with bids submitted by major players across the UK defence industry. The contract duration is four years with two options to extend beyond that, of a further one year each. This is a joint announcement together with UK MoD that coincides with the DVD exhibition taking place at Millbrook, 18-19 September 2024. At DVD NP Aerospace are exhibiting on stand OR13 at the offroad area. The UK MoD CVSSP contract will see NP Aerospace deliver Post Design Services (PDS), Design Authority (DA) and Spares Procurement Services to a fleet of over 15,000 UK MoD core vehicles including: the entire Land Rover fleet; Pinzgauer fleet; protected Land Rover; RWMIK and the Lightweight Trailer fleet. The CVSSP contract consolidates and amalgamates former individual MoD PDS contracts providing a new single point of contact. Obsolescence management is a key challenge with some of the MoD’s ageing fleets and the CVSSP contract will ensure that vehicle fleet availability is maintained at the required levels to meet the operational and training needs.
SEA
13 Sept 24. The Ministry of Defence has awarded BAE Systems a £60m contract to upgrade the Royal Navy’s autonomous Sting Ray lightweight torpedo. The team will design and develop the Sting Ray torpedo upgrade over a four-year assessment phase, which will include the construction of prototypes and in-water trials. The upgrade will implement new technological features, including added deployment options, ensuring that Sting Ray continues to meet the challenge of emerging threats now and into the future. The torpedo is currently in-service with armed forces around the world, including the UK Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, with the latter announcing its selection as part of its future torpedo capability on Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft last November. Operational since the 1980s and designed to counter submarine targets of all types, Sting Ray can be launched from either ships or aircraft.
17 Sept 24. TVS SCS Awarded 7-Year Multi-Supplier Framework to Enhance Royal Navy Warship and Submarine Support. TVS Supply Chain Solutions (TVS SCS) is one of the suppliers that has been awarded a significant 7-year multi-supplier framework contract – MSS/141, by the Power, Propulsion and Auxiliaries (PPA) Team, a key part of Core Delivery within Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S). This prestigious contract will see TVS SCS providing critical systems spares and support, ensuring enhanced availability and operational readiness for Royal Navy warships and submarines worldwide. This framework has been designed to deliver agility in response to an increasingly unpredictable global environment, while ensuring the Royal Navy meets its demanding operational schedule. This contract also underscores the UK Government’s commitment to driving value for money in defence procurement.
AIR
13 Sept 24. Spaceflux, a leading provider of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) solutions, has been awarded the “Infra-Red Sensor Technology Demonstrator System for Space Domain Awareness” contract by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), a UK Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) executive agency. The contract to design and build an infrared telescope testbed to de-risk the technology for ground-based surveillance and characterisation of satellites marks a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to advancing SSA capabilities and reinforces the firm’s position as a world leader in SSA. This project will be led by Spaceflux’s new innovation hub, Spaceflux Labs, a dedicated research division that will propel the future of SSA technology.
TECHNOLOGY
13 Sept 24. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has awarded SES a contract to deliver secure high-performance low-latency satellite services via its medium earth orbit (MEO) constellation, enabling global missions for NATO member government organisations, agencies and military. The MEO Global Services (MGS) award represents a three-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract valued at USD 200M, with two one-year options. This is the first award under the Global Commercially Contracted Satellite Communications Support Partnership (GCC SATCOM SP) established by the U.S. and Luxembourg under the auspices of NSPA in 2022, opening a new era of space cooperation within NATO. The MGS will be available to all NATO countries, including the U.S. and Luxembourg which are charter members of the agreement, and can support missions on SES’s global end-to-end commercial managed services network and national sovereign networks that will be deployed soon under this contract for O3b mPOWER services. The O3b mPOWER system, used for MGS, is the second-generation MEO constellation, featuring extensive global ground infrastructure and open architecture. The system allows for groundbreaking levels of interoperability, flexibility and government control, to include the capability to provide secure communications and networking solutions for tactical units.
EUROPE
LAND
19 Sep 24. Exail Secures Contract With Belgian Deminers to Supply Unmanned Demining Technologies. Exail, a global high-tech company specializing in unmanned demining solutions, announced today the signing of a new contract with the Belgian Combat Engineer platoons and the Engineering School to deliver eight Cameleon LG robots. These solutions are dedicated to demining applications, offering high maneuverability and stability in severe environments. This strategic partnership demonstrates the growing need for agile, robust and adaptable robots ensuring that human lives are protected while missions are executed with precision and confidence. (Source: ASD Network)
17 Sept 24. MilDef has been entrusted by the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO) to deliver rugged computers, switches and IT equipment to be integrated into Denmark’s new artillery system. Deliveries are scheduled for 2024-2025 and the order value amounts to SEK 27.5 m. MilDef has a long-term relationship with the purchasing organization DALO to which MilDef delivers tactical IT equipment, such as computers, monitors, network infrastructure and software. In addition to the actual ordering of uniquely developed hardware for e.g. artillery systems, MilDef’s involvement in both ground and air defense systems has deepened over the years.
18 Sept 24. Thales awarded v contract. As announced on the 17 September 2024 during the Conference on European Air and Missile Defense in Rome (Italy) by the French Ministry of Defence, Sébastien Lecornu, French Minister of Armed forces officialised a contract, through OCCAR-EA, to launch the serial production of seven additional SAMP/T NG sections for the French Air and Space Forces. The SAMP/T NG system is developed through a cooperation between Italy and France. Natively based on the capability to manage the munitions of the Aster family (A30 B1 and A30 B1NT), it will be able to offer a multilayer capability by integration and coordination of SHORAD and V-SHORAD assets. Each French SAMPT-NG section will be based on the Thales GF300, multifunction rotating active electronically scanned array radar and on the New Generation Engagement Module (ME-NG) produced by Thales. The ME-NG is the core of the system. It is developed through a cooperation between Thales and MBDA Italy. The ME-NG is based on a common core hardware and software architecture able to integrate specific national requirements and different radars, to coordinate or to integrate various weapon systems based on diverse munitions. This order is an additional step towards the renewal of the European Medium-Range Air Defence ground capabilities, following the SAMP/T NG development launched by the two Nations in 2021. The French Air and Space Forces will now benefit from eight SAMP/T NG.
AIR
13 Sep 24. Romania – F-35 Aircraft. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Romania of F-35 Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $7.2bn. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Romania has requested to buy thirty-two (32) F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) aircraft; and thirty-three (33) Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines (32 installed, 1 spare). The following non-MDE items will also be included: AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders (SKL); Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment, secure communications, precision navigation, and cryptographic equipment; Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD); multi-purpose missile equipment; ammunition and weapons components; aircraft and munitions support and support equipment; integration and test support and equipment; spare and repair parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; training aids and devices, and spare parts; major and minor modifications, maintenance, and maintenance support; integrated computer system; electronic warfare data and Reprogramming Lab support; Electronic Combat International Security Assistance Program (ECISAP) software support; aircraft engine Component Improvement Program (CIP) support; classified and unclassified software and software development, delivery, and integration support; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; classified and unclassified personnel training, and training gear and equipment; transportation, ferry, and refueling support; facilities and construction support; studies and surveys; Contractor Logistics Support (CLS); U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $7.2bn. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is an important force for political and economic stability in Europe. The proposed sale will improve Romania’s capability to meet current and future threats by further equipping it to conduct self-defense and regional security missions while enhancing interoperability with the United States and other NATO members. Romania will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, located in Fort Worth, TX. The purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor. (Source: ASD Network)
USA
LAND
19 Sept. 24. BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., is awarded an $87,621,018 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the production and delivery of 1592 radio frequency countermeasures and repair of muti-function test stations in support of the Navy and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Nashua, New Hampshire (40%); Elkton, Maryland (16%); Chatsworth, California (7%); Rosamond, California (4%); Dover, New Hampshire (4%); Rochester, New York (4%); Topsfield, Massachusetts (3%); Poughkeepsie, New York (1%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (21%), and is expected to be completed in March 2027. Fiscal 2024 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $24,024,657; fiscal 2024 procurement and ammunition (Navy) funds in the amount of $21,100,961; and FMS funds in the amount of $42,495,400, will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001924C0003).
16 Sept 24. goTenna, the world’s leading mobile mesh networking company, was awarded $15m through the Air Force’s Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) Program to provide enhanced Commercial Off-The-Shelf (CoTS) mesh capabilities. This award allows goTenna to develop and enhance the company’s already robust ecosystem of integrated, industry-leading CoTS communication equipment that enables connectivity in peacetime and wartime environments. goTenna’s solutions will directly contribute to the Department of the Air Force’s (DAF) Strategic Need for Resilient Information Sharing through hardware and software over mobile ad-hoc mesh networks. goTenna’s technology will increase coordination across all Joint Force assets and partner forces through assured communications and shared situational awareness. STRATFI is a joint initiative by AFWERX and SpaceWERX designed to assist Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) projects in bridging the challenging gap between development and full production. By providing a multi-year infusion of funds, this effort enables small businesses to attract necessary investors and continue their research and development efforts as they progress towards full-scale capability. (Source: PR Newswire)
16 Sept 24. Safran Defense and Space Inc., Bedford, New Hampshire, was awarded a $275,000,000 hybrid (cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price) contract for the acquisition of Laser Target Locator Module II systems, associated spare parts, and contractor logistical and maintenance support. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 15, 2034. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W91CRB-24-D-0005).
16 Sept 24. Ultra Intelligence & Communications was awarded a $31.4m ceiling Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide engineering, repair, help desk, and software support to the United States Air Force for the Joint Air Defense Systems Integrator program. This five-year IDIQ continues Ultra I&C’s deployment of ADSI®, the premier Command and Control (C2) gateway for U.S. and allied forces. ADSI is newly modernized for combined, joint all domain command and control (CJADC2) that enables seamless coordination across concurrent, multi-theater support operations. (Source: PR Newswire)
SEA
16 Sep 24. Austal USA Awarded $450m Contract to Expand Submarine Module Production Capacity. Austal Limited (ASX:ASB) is pleased to announce Austal USA has been awarded a US$450m (approx. A$670m) contract by General Dynamics Electric Boat. The contract will enable Austal USA to expand production capacity at its US shipyard in support of the U.S. Navy Submarine Industrial Base (SIB). This contract award will fund Austal USA to enhance its existing infrastructure by designing, constructing and outfitting a new module fabrication and outfitting facility at its Mobile shipyard to support the U.S. Navy goal of delivering one Columbia-class and two Virginia-class submarines annually. Construction of the new building will start this US autumn and be complete in 2026. When fully operational, the building will support approximately 1,000 jobs and provide capability to fabricate, outfit, and transport submarine components. (Source: ASD Network)
13 Sept 24. National Steel and Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California, is awarded a $6,754,785,160 fixed-price incentive (firm-target), block buy contract for detail design and construction of eight T-AO 205 John Lewis class fleet replenishment oiler ships (T-AO 214 through 221). Work will be performed in San Diego, California (56%); Iron Mountain, Michigan (8%); Mexicali, Mexico (6%); Crozet, Virginia (4%); Beloit, Wisconsin (4%); Metairie, Louisiana (3%); Santa Fe Springs, California (2%); Chesapeake, Virginia (2%); Chula Vista, California (1%); Walpole, Massachusetts (1%); Houston, Texas (1%); Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1%); National City, California (1%); and other locations (less than 1% each, and collectively totaling 10%), and is expected to be completed by January 2035. Fiscal 2024 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $780,000,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(3) (industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services). Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-24-C-2301).
AIR
16 Sept 24. Griffon Aerospace LLC,* Lorton, Virginia (W900KK-24-D-0025); QinetiQ Inc., Lorton, Virginia (W900KK-24-D-0026); KBM Wyle Services LLC, Chantilly, Virginia (W900KK-24-D-0027); AEVEX Aerospace LLC, Solana Beach, California (W900KK-24-D-0028); and COLSA Corp.,* Huntsville, Alabama (W900KK-24-D-0029), will compete for each order of the $95,085,894 firm-fixed-price contract for the Aerial Target Systems 3. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 16, 2024. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity.
16 Sept 24. Capella Space Corp., an American space tech company with data and satellite solutions for government and commercial applications, today announced its selection for an AFWERX Ventures Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) award by the U.S. Air Force. The funding aims to accelerate private sector innovation to enhance U.S. Air Force capabilities and mission requirements. Capella Space will receive $15m in funding to mature, scale and extend its world-leading synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology. The STRATFI investment will accelerate Capella’s innovation roadmap, enabling the development and implementation of its next generation SAR sensor. This new sensor will deliver enhanced resolution, and key features requested by SAR users. New features include lower latency delivery via increased data downlink, and dual-polarization operation. SAR polarimetry will unlock enhanced feature detection and classification across a wide range of applications, including defense, agriculture, environment, geology, oceanography and disaster response. The development will also reduce latency and further enable mission utility for the U.S. Air Force, the Department of Defense (DoD) and a wide range of commercial customers. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
17 Sept 24. Intuitive Machines (LUNR.O) has bagged a navigation and communication services contract of up to $4.82bn from NASA for missions in the near space region. Shares of the space exploration company rose 52% to $8.21 in aftermarket trading and have more than doubled so far this year. As part of the contract, which has a base period of five years with an additional five-year option period, Intuitive will deploy lunar relay satellites and provide communication and navigation services to aid NASA’s Artemis campaign. (Source: Reuters)
17 Sept 24. Pentagon awards rocket motor maker Ursa Major $12.5m. U.S. rocket propulsion startup Ursa Major said on Tuesday it was awarded a $12.5m contract to build out production and testing for new solid fuel rocket engines. The award, though small, is part of a bigger effort by the Pentagon to increase the number of rocket makers as stockpiles dwindle from supplying Ukraine and Israel in their ongoing wars. The agreement contains some of the first funds distributed from the Pentagon’s Office of Strategic Capital which are meant to seed investment in the defense industrial base’s supply chain. The Navy is also contributing to the $12.5m award that is being matched by Ursa Major, culminating in a $25m expansion of the company’s solid rocket motor capabilities. (Source: Reuters)
TECHNOLOGY
17 Sept 24. Carahsoft, Inc. Reston, Virginia, has been awarded a follow-on task order (HS002124F0076) in the amount of $284,226,178. This is a brand name, Department of Defense Enterprise Software Initiative delivery order to the sole supplier, Carahsoft Inc., for the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). Work will be performed at the contractor site Reston, Virginia, with an estimated completion of Sept. 16, 2029. Fiscal 2024 defense working capital and operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $34,882,374 were obligated at the time of award. The cumulative face value of the contract to date is $284,226,178. The DCSA Contracting and Procurement Office, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
16 Sept 24. The MITRE Corp., Bedford, Massachusetts, was awarded a $541,295,723 cost-reimbursement option contract for support to the Air Force from MITRE. The contract provides for MITRE to be administrator of the National Security Engineering Center Federally Funded Research and Development Center. Work will be performed in Bedford, Massachusetts; McLean, Virginia; and various locations inside and outside the continental U.S.; and is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2025. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to various countries. This contract was a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2024 research and development funds in the amount of $13,272,319 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA8702-19-C-0001).
16 Sept 24. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Linthicum Heights, Maryland, was awarded a $54,713,276 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the defense experimentation using commercial space internet. This contract seeks multi-band, satellite communications antennas capable of use on military aircraft. Work will be performed in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by March 16, 2027. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and 15 offers were received. Fiscal 2024 research and development funds in the amount of $10,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA2385-24-C-B040).
13 Sept 24. Palantir USG Inc., Palo Alto, California, was awarded a $99,164,685 firm-fixed-price contract for research and development for User Centered Machine Learning. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 12, 2029. Army Contracting Command, Adelphi, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W911QX-24-D-0024).
18 Sept 24. Palantir USG Inc., Palo Alto, California, was awarded a $99,804,561 firm-fixed-price contract for user licenses for the Maven Smart System AI tool, ancillary software support and hardware. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 24, 2029. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W911QX-24-D-0026).
19 Sept. 24. Science Applications International Corp. (NASDAQ: SAIC) has been awarded a new $229m contract by the U.S. Department of Defense to provide vital IT solutions under the NORAD/USNORTHCOM Information Technology Enterprise Services (NITES) program. (Source: ASD Network)
16 Sept 24. University of Dayton Research Institute, Dayton, Ohio, was awarded a $99,645,451 not-to-exceed, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for sustainment and combat readiness capabilities. This contract provides for accelerating technological advancement, reducing costs, and enhancing combat readiness by aligning pathways for change across various platforms, bases, and organizational entities. Work will be performed in Dayton, Ohio, and is expected to be completed by March 12, 2026. This contract was a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $ 33,960,943 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8684-24-C-B032).
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
17 Sept. 24. Ondas receives USD8M order to counter drones in live security operations. Ondas Holdings has received an USD8.0m purchase order directly from a military customer to supply multiple Iron Drone Raider systems. The order includes Raider systems, associated elements and infrastructure, and supporting services for aerial protection against hostile drones. This is Ondas’ first major order for the Iron Drone Raider system intended for live security operations. The Raider drone launches from a designated protected storage pod, which can host up to three drones, keeping them ready for quick deployment. During flight, the Raider uses integrated on-board sensors to locate, track and hunt the hostile drone supported by the integration of on-drone AI-based intelligence. Ondas has trained the Raider algorithms to recognise different types of drones under various operational conditions. Once positioned for mitigation, the Raider intercepts the target drone via operator command by deploying a designated ballistic net. The net can be outfitted with a parachute to reduce collateral damage if operating in densely populated areas. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
SEA
13 Sept 24. LIG Nex1 selected for South Korea’s reconnaissance USV programme. South Korean defence systems company LIG Nex1 has been selected as the preferred bidder in the country’s programme to develop an unmanned surface vessel (USV) that can be deployed for naval reconnaissance operations. This selection was made by South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) on 11 September, the company announced in a statement released the next day. LIG Nex1 was selected after obtaining high scores across all criteria that were used in evaluating potential bidders, the company said in its statement. With the selection, LIG Nex1 will now undertake a research and development programme and produce two 12 m USV prototypes by 2027. Besides surveillance and reconnaissance operations, these USVs must be able to respond rapidly to incidences along the country’s forward operating bases and major ports, LIG Nex1 added in its statement. (Source: Janes)
AIR
16 Sept 24. The U.S. State Department said on Monday it approved a possible foreign military sale to Taiwan of spare parts valued at about $228m, which Taiwan’s military said will help maintain combat readiness in the face of China’s grey zone intrusions. The return, repair and reshipment of spare parts will be transferred from U.S. Government stock, the State Department said in a statement, adding that Taiwan’s military will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces. (Source: Google/Reuters)
18 Sept 24. The Indonesian Air Force has placed an order for four Airbus H145 helicopters as part of its training modernisation programme. The order was announced during the Bali International Airshow taking place this week. Under the agreement between the Indonesian Air Force and PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), Airbus will deliver the five-bladed H145s to PTDI, who will manage the reassembly and completion of the mission equipment and other customisation work at its facility in Bandung, Indonesia, for final delivery to the air force. These multi-mission helicopters will be deployed for military training and light search-and-rescue missions
16 Sept 24. Airbus announced today it has been selected by MDA Space Ltd. (TSX:MDA), a leading provider of advanced technology and services to the rapidly expanding global space industry, to supply solar arrays for MDA AURORA TM, the software-defined satellite product line enabling constellations to extend communication networks to every corner of the world. Airbus will supply more than 200 Sparkwing solar arrays that will be built on a designated line at Airbus’ high-capacity production facility in Leiden, the Netherlands. The solar array is the largest Sparkwing to date, consisting of two wings with five panels each and providing a photovoltaic area of well over 30 sqm. The MDA AURORATM supply chain will help support product deliveries for anchor customer Telesat’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation Lightspeed, an innovative, advanced global network that will bring enterprise-class connectivity to customers worldwide.
13 Sept 24. Japan – KC-46A Aerial Refueling Aircraft. The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of KC-46A Aerial Refueling Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $4.1 bn. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Japan has requested to buy up to nine (9) KC-46A aircraft; up to eighteen (18) PW4062 turbofan engines; up to sixteen (16) AN/ALR-69A radar warning receivers (RWRs); up to thirty-three (33) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure (LAIRCM) Guardian Laser Turret Assemblies (GLTAs); and up to eighteen (18) LAIRCM system processor replacements. The following non-MDE items will also be included: missile warning sensors; Cartridge Actuated Devices and Propellent Actuated Devices (CAD/PADs); control interface units; User Data Module (UDM) cards; electronic warfare database support; KIV-77 crypto modules; KY-100 crypto terminals; AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders (SKL); AN/APX-119 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders; communications equipment; Computer Program Identification Numbers (CPINS); integration and test support and equipment; aircraft components, parts, and accessories; support and support equipment; spare parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; training aids, devices, and spare parts; minor modifications and maintenance support; instruments and lab equipment; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; facilities and construction support; unclassified publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; jet fuel; transportation and airlift support; warranties; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $4.1bn. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region. The proposed sale will improve Japan’s aerial refueling capability and passenger transport operations, which will contribute to enhanced deterrence of current and future threats in the region. Japan already has KC-46A aircraft tankers in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractors will be Boeing Corporation, located in Everett, WA; Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, located in East Hartford, CT; RTX Corporation, located in Goleta, CA; and Northrop Grumman Corporation, located in Rolling Meadows, IL. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: ASD Network)
15 Sept 24. India has issued tender to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of 97 LCA Mark 1A fighter jets, worth over Rs 65,000 crore. This will make it the largest order for domestically produced military equipment by the Indian government. The tender, recently issued to HAL by the defence ministry, provides a three-month window for response. The acquisition program aims to replace or phase out existing fleets of MiG-21s, MiG-23s, and MiG-27s from the Indian Air Force, according to government officials. Backed by both the defence ministry and Air headquarters, the indigenous fighter aircraft program is anticipated to significantly promote indigenisation efforts and bolster business for small and medium enterprises in the defense sector nationwide. The decision to acquire 97 additional LCA Mark 1A fighter jets was earlier announced by Air chief marshal VR Chaudhari during a visit to Spain. Following a comprehensive review meeting of the indigenous fighter jet program involving all stakeholders, including HAL, the decision to purchase 97 more aircraft was finalized. The initial order for 83 LCA Mark1A aircraft is nearing completion, with delivery expected to commence shortly. The LCA Mark 1A represents an advancement over the original Tejas aircraft, boasting enhanced avionics and radar systems. (Source: Google/https://www.msn.com/)
13 Sept 24. Innovaero wins contract to accelerate OWL B development. The Australian government and Innovaero have signed a contract to accelerate the development of the company’s One-Way Loitering B (OWL B) precision munition. The contract, which Innovaero announced on 12 September at the Land Forces 2024 defence exposition in Melbourne, Australia, will move the OWL B programme “into a third phase in the development”, according to the company. The defence show was held from 11 to 13 September. This phase comprises the manufacturing, testing, “and evaluation of the capability to further refine [the OWL B’s] performance, reliability, and interoperability with existing Australian Defence Force (ADF) assets”, the company said in a press release. The third phase is expected to build on a series of live-fire tests that Innovaero, Australian agencies, and the Australian Army oversaw in 2023–24. During this testing, the system “completed successful flight tests and payload integration”, the company said. According to Innovaero CEO Marcus Colman, the “new phase builds on these successful tests and positions us to deliver a combat-ready system that meets the evolving needs of modern warfare”. The third phase is also expected to accelerate the OWL B programme “towards operational readiness”, according to Innovaero, which added that the phase would involve the “rigorous testing of new units”. The electrically propelled OWL B can be launched by catapult or pneumatically, when stored, with wings folded in a 2 m canister. Images of the loitering munition released by BAE Systems (which is a shareholder in Innovaero) shows that the munition is powered by a T Motors AT7215 KV220 brushless motor, weighing 565 g. (Source: Janes)
17 Sept 24. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a $99,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification (P00007) to a previously awarded contract (FA8682-19-D-0013) to increase the ceiling value for Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile Foreign Military Sales production support and sustainment. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract is $198,000,000. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 13, 2029. This contract involves unclassified Foreign Military Sales to Finland, Poland, Netherlands, Japan, and Australia. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.
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*Your Trusted Partner for ITAR-Free Infrared Camera Modules, Lenses, & Decision Support
*Low-Risk Supplier
*For more than 40 years, Teledyne FLIR has met production-scale delivery with the highest performance standards.
*SWaP-Optimized for any Application
*Excel with SWaP-optimized MWIR and LWIR camera modules with factory-integrated lenses, industry-standard interfaces, and intelligence at the edge.
*Seamless Development
*Simplify development with an ecosystem of infrared imaging technologies, AI-powered thermal perception, and world-class technical support.
* Airborne and Ground Intelligence Reconnaissance & Surveillance (ISR)
* Tracking and Targeting
* Remote Weapon Station
* Light Armored Vehicles (LAV)
* Soldier Systems
* Military & Defense UAS
* Border Surveillance
* Perimeter Security
* Search & Rescue
* Navigation
* Commercial Drones (sUAS)
* Industrial Inspection
* Fire Control Systems
* Thermography
* Aerospace and Astronomical
* Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
THE TELEDYNE FLIR ADVANTAGE
Integrating Teledyne FLIR thermal camera modules is now easier with our library of how-to-videos, application notes, and our comprehensive support center with product drawings, datasheets, and more!
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