UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
14 Sep 23. Elbit Systems UK has announced an increase in Ministry of Defence funding for their Interim Combined Arms Virtual Simulation (Deployable) (ICAVS(D)). The uplift will mean the Land Warfare Centre will be able to offer more training events to units across the British Army to deal with the high demand for the service. This agreement comes after additional funding was previously secured to deliver a further 10 distributed training events via options in the overarching contract, for the Land Warfare Centre to meet the needs of units with a wide span of command. ICAVS(D) uses the latest high-specification hardware and Defence Virtual Simulation Software (DVS2) to deliver immersive virtual tactical training in the Army’s Battlecraft Syllabus, enabling regular and reserve units to get the most out of subsequent live field training exercises. The announcement follows the successful role out of the programme which has seen almost 100 training events to date this year. ICAVS(D) reached full operational capability in April 2022 and was deployed last November as part of CERBERUS 22, one of the largest Field Army exercises in Europe over the past decade. Other notable uses of ICAVS(D) include its application with British Troops in Estonia as part of Operation CABRIT, where it was used to increase NATO operational readiness. During this time, thousands of personnel have conducted the training, with nearly a thousand personnel receiving the training since April 2023. The amendment to the ICAVS(D) contract is a result of the high-quality training provided to the British Army by Elbit Systems UK’s platform, supported by the Director of the Land Warfare Centre to ensure our service personnel are combat-ready.
14 Sep 23. Roke, a UK-based Contractor, today confirmed it has signed a £40m contract to deliver the next two years of Project ZODIAC for the British Army. ZODIAC is the backbone of the Army’s Land ISTAR Programme, and will deliver an integrated Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) system, which will transform how the Army undertakes data-led decision-making in the Land environment to gain operational advantage. As the Prime Systems Integrator for the project, Roke will integrate sensors, deciders and effector systems to deliver a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) ISTAR system that will operate in the Degraded, Denied, Intermittent and Limited-Bandwidth (DDIL) communications environment of the modern battlefield. (Source: UKDJ)
SEA
15 Sep 23. Danish subsea engineering specialist EIVA a/s has been awarded a contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) with a total value of approximately €3.8m (£3.2m). The contract entails the delivery of a containerised remotely operated towed vehicle (ROTV) solution displaying data in NaviSuite software. When delivered, The ROTV, an EIVA ScanFish L, will be integrated into the Royal Navy’s seabed warfare system of systems. Capable of operating from different host platforms, this system will enable the simultaneous operation of multiple acoustic survey sensors and instruments.
Able to operate beyond the continental shelf the containerised ROTV solution provided by EIVA will be capable of performing various functions, including but not limited to:
- Pipeline inspection
- Large area searches and mine countermeasure (MCM) operations
- Site surveys and seabed mapping
- Cable route surveys
- High-resolution object detection
- Oceanographic data collection through the water column
This solution will provide integrated and enhanced operational capabilities for the Royal Navy, demonstrating both modularity in the ScanFish setup and flexibility of employment through the containerised solution.
14 Sep 23. Rohde & Schwarz has been contracted to deliver five additional integrated communication and control systems for the Type 26 Batch 2 Global Combat Ship as part of an agreement with BAE Systems. The system is based on NAVICS, which the company explains is the “central nervous system” of the Type 26 communications system. It is expected to provide integrated and reliable internal and external communication and processing capabilities for classified information, through wireless terminals for on-board communications that are slated to enhance mobility. (Source: Defence Connect)
AIR
12 Sep 23. MBDA’s SPEAR-EW moves to the next stage. MBDA has received additional funding from the UK Ministry of Defence to accelerate the development of the SPEAR-EW stand-in jammer. SPEAR-EW is a novel electronic warfare effector designed to confuse and suppress enemy air defence, protecting friendly forces and acting as a significant force multiplier. The additional Rapid Design Phase funding will accelerate SPEAR-EW’s development, maturing all its key sub-systems, and perform mission and planning evaluation.
TECHNOLOGY
13 Sep 23. A consortium of UK SMEs has received a 4-year contract to develop a Field Army specific version of their decision support tool, FORGE. The group consists of Defence software enablers, Hadean, Simulation specialists, ST Engineering Antycip and Data analytics experts, Cervus. Leveraging their understanding of Army Experimentation and their natural synergies as disruptive and innovative SMEs, the companies will combine their expertise to offer a simulation toolbox that harnesses the transformative power of adaptive simulation, analytics and cloud native technologies. This builds on an initiative which was kickstarted by Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) funding in 2021 to develop a ground-breaking digital decision support tool, called ‘FORGE’, for the British Army. Empowering Front-Line Commands to make decisions at the speed-of-relevance, FORGE integrates Hadean’s metaverse platform, MAK’s VR Forces constructive simulation with the data analytics platform of Cervus, Hive, accelerating the exploitation of data sets. FORGE rapidly simulating the outcomes of over 42 courses of action, at the same time, with an actual run-time period 1512 hours of Schemes of Manoeuvre simulated in 15 hours, an efficiency gain of over 100%. FORGE was identified by Field Army’s Operational Research Branch (OR Branch) in the Land Warfare Centre in Warminster, early on in the DASA process, validating it as an effective exploitation path for the initial MoD investment of £300K. Over 4-years, through Dstl’s enabling framework, ASTRID, the OR Branch and the consortium will continue to focus FORGE as a ‘best-in-class’ Field Army-focused decision support tool to support experimentation and transformation. (Source: joint-forces.com)
EUROPE
LAND
14 Sep 23. GomSpace has received on order from Unseenlabs to deliver a first batch of our newest SDR (Software Defined Radio) referred to as SDR Mk3. The order value is 4,4 MSEK and delivery will be in December 2023. GomSpace has recently released this 3rd generation of the popular SDR platform and receiving this order from Unseenlabs is an important confirmation that this product has become even better. (Source: PR Newswire)
SEA
15 Sep 23. Eurosam and Thales signed a contract for the delivery and installation of four SMART-L MM/N long-range radars to be installed on two French and two Italian Horizon class frigates. The first SMART-L MM/N is scheduled for delivery in 2026. The replacement of the original S1850 long-range radar with the SMART-L MM/N provides a capabilities upgrade enabling the ships, in operation since 2007, to meet the latest threats. The fully digital AESA SMART-L MM/N is designed to provide long-range air & surface surveillance and target designation, capable of detecting a wide spectrum of threats, including ballistic missiles. The radar combines Anti Air Warfare (AAW) and Ballistic Missile (BM) defence in one mode by adaptable radar wave-forms for the various tasks in a single rotation. Today, the SMART-L MM/N is operational on four “De Zeven Provinciën” class frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy, together with the land-based version of the radar (SMART L/ MM F) for the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The Swedish Armed Forces also contracted the SMART-L MM/F earlier this year. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/)
AIR
14 Sep 23. CPI Vertex Antennentechnik, a subsidiary of Communications & Power Industries (CPI), has been selected to provide high-performance Ka-band antenna systems to SES for its O3b mPOWER communications system. These ground-based 5.5 meter Ka-band “plug and play” series tracking antennas will be used for O3b mPOWER Gateway systems. The O3b mPOWER system is SES’s second-generation medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite constellation. Based and built on the success of its current generation O3b system, O3b mPOWER is intended to deliver high-performance connectivity services to enterprises, telco operators, internet service providers, cloud providers, cruise operators, governments and institutions around the world, enabling them to complement their existing communications infrastructure. The O3b mPOWER system is expected to deliver the industry’s best throughput, predictable performance and highly available satellite networks, and is anticipated to be operational by the end of 2023. (Source: PR Newswire)
14 Sep 23. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a not-to-exceed $151,360,000 fixed-price-incentive (firm-target) contract for Bulgaria F-16 Block 70 production. This contract provides for the production of eight F-16 Block 70 aircraft. Work will be performed at Fort Worth, Texas; and Greenville, South Carolina, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2027. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to the Republic of Bulgaria. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount $68,072,000 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8615-23-C-6053).
USA
LAND
11 Sep 23. BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., Fort Wayne, Indiana, was awarded a $64,786,234 firm-fixed-price contract for AN/ARC-231, AN/ARC-231A, AN/ARC-164A, MXF-4058, MXF-4059, MXF-4027, MXF-4027, and MXF-4032 radios with associated spare parts and ancillary training. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2028. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity (W91CRB-23-D-5000).
15 Sep 23. L3Harris Technologies Inc., Rochester, New York, was awarded a not-to-exceed $83,500,000 single award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Counter-Narcotics and Global Threats, L3Harris Radios and Communications Systems program. This contract provides for L3 Harris original equipment manufacturer brand name radios and communications systems; delivery of equipment, parts, spares, maintenance, and training support; and non-personal engineering services to meet national security objectives and improve the capability of U.S. and partner nation agencies’ endeavors to detect, deter, disrupt, degrade and defeat national security threats, including those posed by illegal drugs, trafficking, piracy, transnational organized crime, threat finance networks. Work will be performed within the U.S. and outside the continental U.S., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 14, 2028. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2022 and 2023 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $869,132 being obligated at time of award. The Air Combat Command Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, is the contracting activity (FA4890-23-D-0019).
12 Sep 23. Lite Coms LLC,* Victor, New York, is awarded a $500,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the purchase of Marine Corps Wideband Satellite Communication-Light and -Heavy (MCWS-L/H). This contract provides for MCWS-L/H test systems, and developmental testing and logistics effort to support a fielding decision, as well as production, testing, and delivery of systems to support the Marine Corps’ fielding requirements. The contract will also require delivery of the following, as ordered: technical data, logistics data, training data, training support, fielding support, and sustainment support, as well as any technology upgrades or engineering changes needed to maintain the relevance of the MCWS-L and MCWS-H systems. Work will be performed at Victor, New York, with an expected completion date of September 2028. The maximum dollar value, including all ordering periods, is $500,000,000. Fiscal 2023 procurement (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $7,753,632 are being obligated at the time of award. Contract funds in the amount of $7,753,632 will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the System for Award Management and Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment websites, with six offers received. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-23-D-2060). (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/)
12 Sep 23. Lockheed Martin Corp., Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded an Other Transaction Authority agreement with a ceiling of $311,979,039 for Stinger missile upgrades and replacement. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, with an estimated completion date of June 12, 2028. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $26,129,389 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W9124-P-23-900001).
12 Sep 23. Raytheon Co., Tucson, Arizona, was awarded an Other Transaction Authority agreement with a ceiling of $418,339,008 for Stinger missile upgrades and replacement. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of March 12, 2028. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $26,129,388 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W9124-P-19-90001).
SEA
12 Sep 23. BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., Nashua, New Hampshire, is awarded a $54,114,430 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the design, development, integration, testing, production, and delivery of the Dual Band Decoy countermeasure and associated assemblies for the Navy. Work will be performed in Nashua, New Hampshire (70.8%); Wenatchee, Washington (4.5%); Fremont, California (3.7%); Hopkinton, Massachusetts ( 2.8%); Newark, Delaware (2.2%); Keene, New Hampshire (2.1%); Wilmington, Massachusetts (1.7%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (12.2%), and is expected to be completed in December 2026. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,354,403; and fiscal 2022 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,542,457, will be obligated at the time of award, $5,542,457 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via an electronic request for proposal, two offers were received. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001923C0029).
15 Sep 23. General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a not-to-exceed $517,248,825 firm-fixed-price, undefinitized delivery order against previously issued basic ordering agreement N00024-22-G-4304, to provide unique parts and specialized material, including initial spares, for Virginia-class submarines. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut (90%); and Pawcatuck, Connecticut (10%), and is expected to be completed by September 2028. Fiscal 2023 working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $496,328,335 (96%); and fiscal 2023 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $20,920,490 (4%), will be obligated at time of award, of which $496,328,335 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1), only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-23-F-4318).
AIR
08 Sep 23. The Boeing Co., Huntsville, Alabama, has been awarded a $70,554,525 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract, excluding one unexercised option, for the Glide Breaker Phase 2 program. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama (36%); Seal Beach, California (21%); St. Louis, Missouri (18%); Elkton, Maryland (14%); Buffalo, New York (4%); Gardner, Massachusetts (3%); College Station, Texas (2%); West Lafayette, Indiana (1%); and Minneapolis, Minnesota (1%), with an expected completion date of February 2027. Fiscal 2023 research and development funds in the amount of $8,169,311 are being obligated at the time of award. This contract is a competitive acquisition in accordance with the original Broad Agency Announcement HR001122S0036. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (HR001123C0044).
15 Sep 23. EO Solutions Corp., Las Vegas, Nevada; and Kihei, Hawaii, were awarded a $9,484,442 other-transaction-for-prototype contract for a Ground-based Active-Passive Space Surveillance System. This contract provides for designing and developing a prototype of a dual mode (active laser ranging and passive ranging), transportable, ground-based space domain awareness system capable of providing timely and accurate orbital metric data. Work will be performed at Las Vegas, Nevada; and Kihei, Hawaii, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 15, 2025. This contract was a competitive acquisition and one solicitation mailed (FA9451-21-S-0001) and 11 offers received. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $9,484,442 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (FA9451-23-9-0010).
08 Sep 23. LongShot Air-To-Air Combat Drone Bid Won By General Atomics (excerpt). The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has picked General Atomics to build an air-launchable uncrewed aircraft capable of firing air-to-air missiles as part of its LongShot program. General Atomics says that it hopes to begin flight testing this drone, which could give fighters and bombers new flexibility to engage aerial threats across longer distances, before the end of the year. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ The War Zone)
11 Sep 23. General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., Taunton, Massachusetts, was awarded a firm-fixed-price, fixed-price incentive (firm-target), cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a ceiling of $226,522,000 for Global Aircrew Strategic Network Terminal Increment 2, Block 1. This contract provides for the production of High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse and radiation hardened general area alerting, personal area alerting, and ultra-high frequency line of sight communications to aircraft at both fixed sites as well as dispersed locations. Work will be performed at Taunton, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 10, 2030. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2023 Air Force procurement funds in the amount of $10,957,773 are being obligated at time of award. The Nuclear Networks Division, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA8735-23-D-B004).
12 Sep 23. Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice and data satellite communications, today announced it has been awarded a five-year base Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with one five-year option by the U.S. Space Force for Iridium Certus® services. The multiple awardee contract is part of a U.S. Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) Satellite-Based Services award and includes multiple Iridium partners. Unique in the satellite industry, Iridium Certus is the only broadband service that provides highly reliable, truly global, weather-resilient connectivity for on-the-move internet and high-quality voice access. These features are critically important for the Joint All Domain Command and Control’s (JADC2) Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency (PACE) communications architecture. The award includes Iridium Certus™ terminals and service, which provide mission-critical broadband and midband capabilities to the modern warfighter. Iridium Certus terminals are low-profile and capable of maintaining broadband connectivity in fast-paced, unpredictable environments on land, at sea, and in the air — and can do so without landing communications in non-U.S. territories.
11 Sep 23. Lite Coms LLC,* Victor, New York, is awarded a $500,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the purchase of Marine Corps Wideband Satellite Communication-Light and -Heavy (MCWS-L/H). This contract provides for MCWS-L/H test systems, and developmental testing and logistics effort to support a fielding decision, as well as production, testing, and delivery of systems to support the Marine Corps’ fielding requirements. The contract will also require delivery of the following, as ordered: technical data, logistics data, training data, training support, fielding support, and sustainment support, as well as any technology upgrades or engineering changes needed to maintain the relevance of the MCWS-L and MCWS-H systems. Work will be performed at Victor, New York, with an expected completion date of September 2028. The maximum dollar value, including all ordering periods, is $500,000,000. Fiscal 2023 procurement (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $7,753,632 are being obligated at the time of award. Contract funds in the amount of $7,753,632 will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the System for Award Management and Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment websites, with six offers received. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-23-D-2060).
15 Sep 23. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $196,536,063 cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost reimbursable contract. This contract provides for the upgrade of the verification and validation systems being utilized in the U.S. Reprogramming Laboratory; and the Norway Italy Reprogramming Laboratory, in support of aligning with the upgraded Block Two and Five capabilities, as well as automating and accelerating the verification and validation process for mission data files for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. Work will be performed in Eglin, Florida (85%); and Fort Worth, Texas (15%), and is expected to be completed in June 2028. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test, and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $8,451,814; fiscal 2023 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,451,814; and non-U.S. Department of Defense participant funds in the amount of $96,320,719, 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 Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1(a)(2)(ii). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001923C0043).
15 Sep 23. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a not-to-exceed $100,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00002) to a previously awarded contract (N0001923C0009). This modification exercises an option to procure software licenses, prototypes, digital twins, and associated test hardware required to support F-35 Block Four early capability development for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and non-Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (60%); Nashua, New Hampshire (16%); Baltimore, Maryland (9%); Orlando, Florida (5.5%); El Segundo, California (2%); San Diego, California (2%); Torrance, California (2%); Buffalo, New York (1%); Clearwater, Florida (1%); Northridge, California (1%); and Tucson, Arizona (0.5%), and is expected to be completed in March 2026. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation (Air Force) funds in the amount of $3,687,689; fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,687,688; and non-DOD participant funds in the amount of $1,624,623 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
15 Sep 23. Lockheed Martin Corp., Huntsville, Alabama, was awarded a $104,698,553 modification (P00006) to contract W31P4Q-23-C-0008 for Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon ground support equipment. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2028. Fiscal 2023 missile procurement, Army funds; and fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $104,698,553, were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting authority.
12 Sep 23. Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded an $841,490,130 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-incentive-fee modification (P00003) to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N0001923D0010). This modification exercises options to provide non-recurring site activation, initial sustainment and associated administrative support, to include fleet management, support equipment, pilot flight equipment, post ejection survival training material, program management, and earned value management in support of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program of the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Foreign Military Sales customers, and non-Department of Defense participants. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California (52%); Orlando, Florida (44%); Fort Worth, Texas (3%); and Lancashire, United Kingdom (1%), and is expected to be completed in December 2029. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
12 Sep 23. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Melbourne, Florida, is awarded a $458,208,037 cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N0001923F2625) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001920G0005). This order provides for retrofit installation of the cockpit technical refresh and theater combat identification, to replace the current integrated navigation and controls and display systems and tactical mission computer and display systems on E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. Work will be performed in Melbourne, Florida (49.7%); Cedar Rapids, Iowa (17.3%); Bloomington, Maryland (15.7%); St. Augustine, Florida (2.3%); Rolling Meadows, Illinois (2%); Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (1.7%); Greenlawn, New York (1.6%); Falls Church, Virginia (1.6%); Woodland Hill, California (1.4%); Laval, Quebec, Canada (0.01%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (6.69%), and is expected to be completed in September 2028. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $66,517,434 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
08 Sep 23. Raytheon Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Connecticut, is awarded a $220,979,197 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract. This contract provides material and support equipment, program administrative, labor, supplies, services, planning, and unit level support equipment for F135 propulsion depot maintenance, non-recurring sustainment activities, and depot activations in support of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Military Sealift Command, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, and non-U.S. Department for Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in East Hartford, Connecticut (56.3%); Windsor Locks, Connecticut (8.9%); Cherry Point, North Carolina (7.6%); Indianapolis, Indiana (5.6%); Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (2.9%); Jacksonville, Florida (2.9%); Volkel Air Base, Netherlands (1.7%); Marham Air Base, Norfolk, United Kingdom (1.4%); Yuma, Arizona (1.2%); USS Kearsarge (1.1%); various locations within the continental U.S. (CONUS) (5%); and various location outside the CONUS (5.4%), and is expected to be completed in September 2026. Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $83,681,745; fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $81,029,721; fiscal 2022 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $521,960; FMS customer funds in the amount of $13,493,433; and non-U.S. participant funds in the amount $42,252,338 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 3204(c)(1). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0001923C0056).
TECHNOLOGY
08 Sep 23. POWER Program Selects Teams to Design Power Beaming Relays. DARPA is entering the first phase of the Persistent Optical Wireless Energy Relay (POWER) program, aimed at revolutionizing energy distribution through airborne wireless power transfer. Three teams — led by RTX Corporation, Draper Laboratory, and BEAM Co. — will design and develop wireless optical power relays. The program goals include demonstrating the key components necessary for a resilient, speed-of-light energy network. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/DARPA)
15 Sep 23. The MIL Corp.,* Bowie, Maryland, is awarded a $224,378,154 cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides engineering, technical, and program management services and associated supplies in support of cyber warfare requirements and operations for the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), Digital Analytics Infrastructure and Technology Advancement Group, and the Cyber Warfare Department. Work will be performed at Patuxent River, Maryland (60%); and various locations that will be determined at the task order level (40%), and is expected to be completed in September 2028. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was competitively procured as a small business set-aside; seven offers were received. NAWCAD Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0042123D0021).
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
08 Sep 23. Israeli Ministry of Defense Awards New Orders for Tank, APC. A big deal for the Ministry of Defense and the ‘Eshat Ashkelon’ factory: the procurement agency will purchase assemblies and spare parts for the Merkava tanks and the Tiger APCs for approximately NIS 218m ($56.7m) The Ministry of Defense’s backlog of orders for the plant, which employs about 440 workers from Ashkelon and the surrounding area, is estimated at about 1.6bn NIS. The Ministry of Defense, through the Tiger Vehicle Procurement Unit in Manhar and in cooperation with the Directorate of Vehicles and Tanks (MNTK), issued a new order in the amount of approximately NIS 218 m to the “Make Ashkelon” factory controlled by “Fimi,” for assemblies and spare parts for Merkava Mk 4 tanks and the Tiger APC. The order approved by the Director General of the Ministry of Defense, Colonel (ret.) Eyal Zamir, includes the production of suspension and drive kits for armored combat vehicles (ARVs) of the Merkava Mk 4 tank and Merkava APCs (NAMR) and their supply between the years 2024 and 2027. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Israel Ministry of defense)
15 Sep 23. South African defence company Paramount announced during the DSEI 2023 exhibition held in London that it has secured two orders for its 6×6 Mbombe 6 armoured vehicle, with 20 presently in production and deliveries under way. The company said these are the third and fourth customers for the Mbombe 6, with one of the others known to be Kazakhstan, where it is locally produced as the Barys 6. Paramount identified the new customers only as defence forces in Latin America and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional organisation that has 16 members that include the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Mozambique, which have placed recent orders for other Paramount products. Mozambique has been confirmed as the first customer for the company’s Mwari light-attack aircraft and the DRC is reportedly the second, with six on order. TheMozambique Defence Armed Forces (FADM) uses Paramount Marauder armoured vehicles, while the DRC has been revealed to be one of the customers for the company’s Maatla light armoured vehicle. (Source: Janes)
13 Sep 23. Turkish missile-maker Roketsan has won a contract to sell 108 Karaok anti-tank guided weapons to Malaysia, according to government and industry sources. This is the first export contract for the Karaok system, Turkish officials said. The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, did not formally confirm the deal because they were not authorized to speak to the media. One procurement official said Roketsan defeated three rivals to win the Malaysian contract, including contenders from South Korea and China. An industry source estimated the contract price at around $20m. Defense News has contacted Roketsan and the Malaysia Embassy in Turkey for further information on those who bid for the contract, as well as the sale’s value. One Roketsan official said the Karaok system is capable of engaging and destroying armor and fortified bunkers at a distance of 2-4 kilometers (1.2-2.5 miles). The Karaok features imaging, infrared homing guidance. The weapon’s diameter is 125mm diameter, it weighs less than 16 kilograms (35 pounds), and the system incorporates an armor-piercing tandem warhead. It offers both direct and overhead strike modes with a fire-and-forget mode. The Karaok system will come with six missiles for each launcher — 18 launchers in total. The system will also include indoor and outdoor simulators as well as test equipment. Once in service, the Karaok system will replace the Soviet-era Metis-M currently fitted on four-wheel drive G-Wagen vehicles. The Karaok weapons will be deployed on Cendana Auto light armored vehicles. The Karaok is the Turkish equivalent of the FGM-148 Javelin guided anti-tank missile, jointly produced by Lockheed Martin and RTX. The American-made weapon has recently gained notoriety from its use by Ukraine as it fights off a Russian invasion. Roketsan began to develop the Karaok in 2016. The company showcased the system at the IDEF exhibition in Istanbul in 2019. The Karaok successfully completed its first guided test fire in 2020 and entered the Turkish military’s inventory in 2022. The Turkish Army has ordered 300 Karaok systems. (Source: Defense News)
AIR
11 Sep 23. Australian Army Awards Contracts for Development of Transport Drones. Having your next batch of ammo or rations arrive via drone could be no more than a couple of years away, after innovation contracts were awarded to develop tactical logistics uncrewed aerial systems. Contracts were awarded in August after companies successfully pitched their ideas at Army Innovation Day 2022. Jabriu Aircraft was selected in the medium-lift category with a coaxial quadcopter the company hopes will lift and deliver a 50kg load in an Army trunk. Two big, coaxial rotors give the design lift, while four small rotors at the side move the craft, all powered by a four-cylinder petrol engine. Jabriu Executive Director Michael Halloran said the design will grab a trunk’s handles, carry it up to 150km, then drop it off. But it could trade payload for range.
“If we want to go further, we can just take less payload and carry more fuel,” Mr Halloran said. He hopes the design will be inexpensive enough to be produced on mass and fly itself automatically between waypoints entered by an operator. They have flown proof of concepts and expect to fly a full-size prototype by the end of next year. Geodrones’ hybrid-powered coaxial design was one selected for development in the heavy lift category. Envisaged to weigh about 3t and lift up to 1000kg, it’s hoped to facilitate movement of heavy loads between units or ship to shore.
Concept design has just been finished and a demonstration with Army is about 18 months away. A radial engine provides power to get the 300km, but the craft can switch to electric propulsion. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/Australian Department of Defence)
06 Sep 23. Zen Technologies wins USD14.8m C-UAS contract from India’s defence ministry. India’s Zen Technologies Limited has announced an order from India’s Ministry of Defence for counter-UAS equipment valued at 123.3 crores (USD14.8m).
The company’s C-UAS portfolio of products includes:
- RF Based Drone detector (RFDD)
- Video based Drone Identification & Tracking (VDIT)
- RADAR
- Data fusion and Command Center (DFCC)
- Drone RF Jammer (DRFJ)
- Hard kill
“Kinetics based kill and a Net based drone catcher are the two options available in hard kill,” said the company’s website. “Kinetic based neutralization is supplied with a gun which can auto align to the target and fire bullets against the target to destroy the same physically. In order to capture the drone and land it at a safe place, net-based drone capture option can be employed. For this option, a dedicated drone with a hanging net will be launched to capture the rogue drone. This option is suitable for small rogue drones carrying potentially damaging explosives.”
For more information
https://www.zentechnologies.com/assets/uploads/files/zen-secures-order-from-government-of-india-123.3-crores.pdf (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)