UNITED KINGDOM
LAND
06 Oct 23. Smiths Detection, a global leader in threat detection and security screening technology, has been awarded an £88m contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (“MoD”) to develop and supply the next generation of toxic chemical threat detectors. The award is part of an MoD programme to replace and strengthen its chemical detecting capabilities, helping to ensure that areas are safe from toxic chemicals that could harm defence personnel or civilians. Smiths Detection will be responsible for all stages of the development and supply of the systems, including laboratory research, field testing, manufacture and supply, and ongoing service and support.
SEA
01 Oct 23. Babcock signs contract to support the next generation of nuclear submarines. Babcock, the international defence company, has signed a five-year contract with the Ministry of Defence to provide input into the detailed design for the new ‘Ship Submersible Nuclear AUKUS‘ (SSN-A) submarines, which will replace the Astute Class from the late 2030s. This is also the chosen design that Australia will use to build their new fleet, following the announcement from the Australian, United Kingdom and United States Governments regarding the optimal pathway for acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS pact. Working alongside the MOD and our Enterprise Partners, Babcock’s contract scope includes applying its extensive experience of complex submarine in-service support and maintenance, to build this into the design to maximise the submarines’ availability throughout its service life. This contract award builds on work Babcock has already been delivering during the previous Programme Definition and Design Phase.
01 Oct 23. The Ministry of Defence has awarded £3.95bn of funding to BAE Systems for the next phase of the UK’s next-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine programme, known as SSN-AUKUS. SSN-AUKUS will be the largest, most powerful and advanced attack submarines the Royal Navy has ever operated and will eventually replace the Astute class, which BAE Systems builds at its site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. The funding follows the AUKUS announcement in March by the leaders of Australia, the UK and the United States. This will eventually see Australia and the UK operate SSN-AUKUS submarines, which will be based on the UK’s next generation design, incorporating technology from all three nations, including cutting-edge US submarine technologies. Having started early design work in 2021, the £3.95bn funding will cover development work to 2028, enabling BAE Systems to move into the detailed design phase of the programme and begin to procure long-lead items. Manufacture will start towards the end of the decade with the first SSN-AUKUS boat due to be delivered in the late 2030s. The award will also fund significant infrastructure investment at BAE Systems’ site in Barrow-in-Furness, investment in its supply chain and recruitment of a more than 5,000 people.
29 Sep 23. The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Cambridge, Massachusetts, is awarded a $2,183,965,410 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for technical and engineering support necessary to maintain and sustain the Trident II Strategic Weapon System Mark 6 Guidance Subsystem and support the strategic guidance, navigation, and control research and development efforts required to enable follow-on, full-scale development of the Mark 7 Guidance Subsystem, Columbia/Dreadnought ship construction integration efforts, and reentry subsystem. This contract award also benefits a foreign military sale to the United Kingdom. Work will be performed in Cambridge, Massachusetts (80%); Pittsfield, Massachusetts (5%); Washington, D.C., (1%); Odon, Indiana (2%); Huntsville, Alabama (1%); Cape Canaveral, Florida (5%); St. Petersburg, Florida (2%); and various other locations (less than 1.0% each, 4% total). Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2028. United Kingdom funding in the amount of $5,180,553 will be obligated on this award. The remainder of the funding will be obligated subject to the availability of funds. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The dollar value of the contract, including all options, if exercised, is $2,183,965,410. This contract is a sole source acquisition pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1) and was previously synopsized on the Systems for Award Management website. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
29 Sep 23. L3 Harris Technologies Inc. – Interstate Electronics Corp., Anaheim, California, is being awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee $36,562,287 modification (P00019) to a previously awarded contract (N00003022C2001) for Trident II (D5) Flight Test Instrumentation systems support. This contract award also benefits a foreign military sale to the United Kingdom. Work will be performed in Anaheim, California (56%); Cape Canaveral, Florida (30%); Bremerton, Washington (1%); Kings Bay, Georgia (2%); Washington, D.C (7%); Silverdale, Washington (1%); and Barrow-in-Furness, United Kingdom (3%). Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2024. Subject to the availability of funds, fiscal 2024 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,263,477; and fiscal 2024 United Kingdom funds in the amount of $1,096,606 ,will be obligated. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $26,202,204 will be obligated on this award. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The total dollar value of the modification is $36,562,287 and the total cumulative face value of the contract, inclusive of all optional line items, is $242,442,229. This contract is being awarded to the contractor on a sole source basis under 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) and was previously synopsized on the System for Award Management online portal. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
29 Sep 23. Lockheed Martin Space, Titusville, Florida, is awarded a $1,200,310,015 fixed-price-incentive-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (PZ0001) to previously awarded and announced unpriced letter contract N0003023C0100 for Trident II (D5) missile production and deployed systems support. This contract award also benefits a foreign military sale to the United Kingdom. Work will be performed in Titusville, Florida (22.5%); Magna, Utah (18.8%); Denver, Colorado (14.7%); Kings Bay, Georgia (11.3%); Bangor, Washington (9.1%); Sunnyvale, California (4.8%); Camden, Arkansas (3.8%); Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (3.3%); and other locations (less than 1.0%) each, 11.7% total). Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2028. This action will be awarded subject to the availability of funds. No funds will be obligated under this action and no funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The maximum dollar value of the contract action, including all options, if exercised, is $1,200,310,015. This contract is being awarded as a sole source under 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) and was previously synopsized on the Systems for Award Management website. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
EUROPE
LAND
02 Oct 23. UK surveillance specialist Chess Dynamics has been selected by the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) to provide a Category 1 Target Location Error (TLE) vehicle-mounted surveillance system for its Observation Targeting and Surveillance Systems (OTAS) project. The project is a mast-mounted observation and surveillance system deployed from the Norwegian CV90 reconnaissance vehicle providing extremely accurate battlefield data to the end user including:
- Timely and accurate targeting data
- Persistent surveillance
- Wide-area situational awareness
- Radar detection and tracking
To meet these requirements, Chess developed the Hawkeye Modular Mission Pod (MMP) which consists of a thermal imaging camera, a high-powered daylight camera, a laser range finder (LRF) with a 30km+ range and a laser pointer. Combined with Chess’ advanced geo data algorithms, the system achieves Category 1 TLE rating, the highest standard of accuracy enabling it to observe, target and understand the battlespace out to ranges of 20km+.
06 Oct 23. Slovakia to Buy M4A1 Assault Rifles Through US Foreign Military Financing Program. The MOD updated the Cabinet on the intention to procure M4A1 assault rifles with accessories through the U.S. Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme. The Cabinet took note of the informative document on the planned procurement of 5,000 U.S.-made Colt M4A1 Carbines chambered in 5.56 x 45 NATO. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Slovak Republic Ministry of Defence)
04 Oct 23. IDV, a company of Iveco Group, announces the signature of the second tranche of 1,107 military trucks with the Romanian Ministry of National Defence as part of the 2019 frame agreement for the delivery of more than 2,900 High Mobility Trucks. This important order follows the delivery of the first batch of 942 trucks that started in 2020 during the pandemic, which severely affected both Romania and Italy and the overall supply chain. The order for the second batch once again reaffirms the commitment of the Romanian Armed Forces to the long-term program launched in 2019 through which IDV established a solid industrial capability in Romania as a reliable supplier of tactical and logistic vehicles, and it further strengthens the relationship between the Romanian Ministry of National Defence and IDV. The frame contract includes four typologies of military logistic platforms based on IDV’s High Mobility Truck Range: the 4×4, 6×6, 8×8 and 8×8 Prime Mover, which can further be subdivided into16 different variants with approximately third of them equipped with an armoured cabin. Thanks to their Central Tyre Inflation System (CTIS), black-out lights, self-recovery winches and tactical axles, the High Mobility Trucks in their various configurations offer exceptional mobility, outstanding fording capability as well as secure C-130 air transportability, making them ready to provide reliable tactical support in any military scenario.
05 Oct 23. DoD/DSCA Notifies Congress of Possible FMS of PATRIOT Configuration-3+ Modernized Fire Units to Spain. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress that the Government of Spain has requested to buy four (4) PATRIOT Configuration-3+ Modernized Fire Units consisting of fifty-one (51) PATRIOT Advanced Capability (PAC) 3 Missile Segment Enhanced (MSE) missiles (includes one (1) Fly-to-Buy missile); twenty-four (24) PATRIOT M903 launch stations; four (4) AN/MPQ-65 radar sets; four (4) AN/MSQ-132 Engagement Control Stations; two (2) Information Coordination Central (ICC); eight (8) Antenna Mast Groups; four (4) Electrical Power Plants; and four (4) Energy Power Units. Also included is communications equipment; tools and test equipment; range and test programs; support equipment and services comprising Skids kits, telemetry kits, generators, publications, and technical documentation; training equipment; spare and repair parts; Repair and Return; personnel training; New Equipment Training (NET); Technical Assistance Field Team (TAFT) support; Flight Test Support and Targets; U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance, engineering, and logistics support services; Systems Integration and Checkout (SICO) and Battalion Demonstration; field office support; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $2.8bn. The prime contractors will be Raytheon Corporation, Tewksbury, MA, and Lockheed Martin, Dallas, TX. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale. (See Ukraine) (Source: glstrade.com)
06 Oct 23. Bundeswehr orders artillery ammunition. Rheinmetall has booked a major order for 155mm artillery ammunition following a second call-off under an existing framework order with the German government. The latter has contracted with the Düsseldorf-based tech group to supply the Ukrainian armed forces with tens of thousands of L15 rounds as well as conventional 155mm Assegai shells for the German military. The order is worth a figure in the lower three-digit million-euro range. Delivery is scheduled to take place in 2024. As recently as July 2023, Rheinmetall announced the signing of a new framework agreement for artillery ammunition with the Bundeswehr and the expansion of an existing agreement. The contracts encompass the delivery of several hundred thousand shells, fuses and propelling charges. The war in Ukraine has compelled the armed forces of numerous nations to replenish their ammunition stocks. In this context, Rheinmetall has already booked several large orders for artillery ammunition. The recently concluded framework agreement for 155mm artillery ammunition runs until 2029 and represents gross potential order volume of around €1.2bn. The first orders of service and practice ammunition came directly after the contract was signed. Among other products, Rheinmetall’s family of artillery ammunition includes the high-explosive DM121 shell, the DM125 smoke/obscurant projectile and (jointly developed with Diehl) the DM702 SMArt sensor fuse munition, plus the RH68 practice round and the range-optimized RH1901 an RH1902 smoke/obscurant projectiles. The Group’s portfolio also includes the versatile 155mm Assegai family from Rheinmetall Denel Munition, which encompasses insensitive ammunition and conventional HE shells as well as smoke/obscurant, illumination, infrared illumination and other projectiles. All Assegai artillery ammunition types have a maximum range of approximately 40 kilometres. Under the latest framework agreement, the tried-and-tested Assegai ammunition family will now be entering service with the Bundeswehr.
25 Sep 23. WiSPRevo CIS for the IRIS-T Ground Based Air Defense System. INTRACOM DEFENSE (IDE) announces a new area of co-operation with DIEHL DEFENCE, with the decision for the deployment of IDE’s WiSPR evolution as the main voice and data Tactical Communication and Information System in DIEHL’s IRIS-T Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) units. This decision was preceded by extensive evaluation by DIEHL, which proved the operational capabilities of WiSPRevo to fulfil the demanding requirements of IRIS-T GBAD for critical voice and data communication schemes, given the System’s robustness and adaptability, along with the flexibility to satisfy IP information exchange. These WiSPRevo attributes, together with its ease of integration and seamless interoperability with 3rd party systems, establish an effective solution, being the System of choice to support tactical communications for DIEHL’s IRIS-T GBAD deployments. This initial contract comes as another acknowledgement of IDE’s persistence and continuous investment in the engineering design, development and manufacturing of advanced technology systems for the most demanding tactical communication environments. (Source: ASD Network)
SEA
05 Oct 23. Thales to deliver the Combat Management System and sensor suite to Polish MIECZNIK Frigates.
- Thales has signed a contract with Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) to deliver the TACTICOS integrated combat management system (CMS), sonars, air-surveillance and fire-control radars and 360° infrared sensor to the MIECZNIK1 Frigate programme for the Polish Navy.
- It is a result of Strategic Cooperation Agreement signed in 2022 by Thales, PGZ and PGZ SW and will allow PGZ-MIECZNIK Consortium to deliver frigates within expected multirole capabilities.
Thales will equip the Polish Navy MIECZNIK frigates with the TACTICOS combat management system, sonars, infrared sensor and radars providing the warships with multiple functions for detection, identification, command and control and decision making. The first ship is expected to enter service in 2029 through a strategic programme, which incorporates a cooperation agreement between Thales and the PGZ-MIECZNIK Consortium (lead by Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa).
AIR
03 Oct 23. GKN Aerospace Receives Order for RM12 Engine Upgrade for the JAS 39 Gripen. The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has awarded GKN Aerospace a contract to develop and improve the RM12 engine, which powers the Swedish fighter aircraft JAS 39 Gripen C/D. The engine upgrade will be implemented in co-operation with FMV and SAAB. GKN Aerospace has built a 90-year strategic relationship with the Swedish Air Force and holds OEM-level scope of responsibility for the RM12 engine. The £2m (SEK 23.6m) contract is the last part of a development project that GKN Aerospace has been conducting since 2019. In addition to enhancing key components within the engine, the development work also involves updating the engine software in the aircraft system. This will be delivered in partnership with SAAB and with GE Aerospace who is also supporting the development work. Upgraded RM12 engine testing will take place at GKN Aerospace’s facility in Trollhättan, Sweden, with flight testing undertaken by SAAB and FMV. In addition to improved engine performance, the upgrade will also contribute to lower lifecycle costs for the users of the aircraft. The project will also strengthen the already world-leading engine capability within Sweden, ahead of the ongoing establishment of product support for RM16, the engine for the JAS 39 Gripen E/F. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ GKN Aerospace)
29 Sep 23. Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $746,266,081 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide program management, non-recurring unique requirements, and training in support of integration efforts for the government of Switzerland into the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program as a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customer. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (95%); Orlando, Florida (3%); and Greenville, South Carolina (2%), and is expected to be completed in December 2030. FMS customer funds in the amount of $746,266,081 will be obligated at 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 (N0001923C0060).
04 Oct 23. Latvia revealed to be undisclosed customer of Cayuse Warrior light attack helicopter. Latvia is to field the MD Helicopters (MDH) MD 530F Cayuse Warrior light attack rotorcraft in a deal that was disclosed by neither the manufacturer nor the customer. First revealed by the scramble.nl aviation blog on 1 October, the order came to light in a US Army Contracting Command (ACC)-Redstone Arsenal notification for component repair and contracted field service in support of Latvian Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa spēki: LGs) MD 530F helicopters. This notification filed on behalf of the US Multi-National Aviation Special Project Office (MASPO) referred to four helicopters to be located at Lielvārde Air Base, with support work to run for a minimum of two years from calendar years 2026–27. While the ACC-Redstone Arsenal notification did not provide specifications for the helicopters to be provided to Latvia, it noted they will be armed. Neither the Latvian Ministry of Defence, ACC-Redstone Arsenal, nor MDH responded. (Source: Janes)
USA
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25 Sep 23. Africa Automotive Distribution Service Ltd., Gibraltar, was awarded a $66,000,000 single-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for J8 Jeep tactical vehicles. This contract satisfies recurring requirements for Jeep J8 tactical vehicles and related equipment, spares kits, special tools, ancillary equipment including recurring, and related training and services. This equipment will fulfil the requirements for tactical transportation of counter narcotics forces in support of selected partner nations teaming with the US in counter narcotics activities. The location of performance is the US Southern Command and Central Command areas of responsibility. The work is expected to be complete by Sept. 27, 2027. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2022 and 2023 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $5,000,000 are being obligated at time of award. Air Combat Command, Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, is the contracting activity. (Source: joint-forces.com)
03 Oct 23. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (OTS), a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today it was awarded a $218m initial task order for 155mm M1128 Load, Assemble, and Pack (LAP). The task order, awarded under a $974m multiyear firm-fixed-price U.S. Army contract awarded to OTS and another company, includes funding for M1128 facilitization and production at OTS’s operations in Camden, Arkansas. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (OTS), a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today it was awarded a $218m initial task order for 155mm M1128 Load, Assemble, and Pack (LAP). OTS was awarded a similar contract in February 2023 for M795 LAP facilitization of 20,000 rounds per month. Combined, the two awards support 50,000 rounds per month of new LAP capacity by 2025. (Source: ASD Network)
05 Oct 23. The U.S. Army awarded L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) full-rate Manpack and Leader radio production orders under the Handheld, Manpack & Small Form Fit (HMS) program. These orders, totaling more than $247m, deliver critical cryptographic modernized communications with resilient waveforms to help ensure the Army’s Integrated Tactical Network can survive in the modern battlespace. The L3Harris AN/PRC-158 and AN/PRC-163 radios leverage software-defined architectures and integrated cross-banding between waveforms. The radios include key software-defined capabilities that will incorporate satellite communications while on the move. (Source: ASD Network)
05 Oct 23. Oshkosh Defense Receives Order for Additional Rogue Fires. Oshkosh Defense, LLC announced today that the Marine Corps Systems Command has placed a $39.5m order for additional Remotely Operated Ground Unit for Expeditionary Fires (ROGUE-Fires) carriers and associated kits. Based on the Oshkosh Defense Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), ROGUE Fires is an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) that leverages the JLTV’s extreme off-road mobility, payload capacity and Oshkosh’s advanced autonomous vehicle technologies to support Ground-Based Anti-Ship Missile (GBASM) operations. The unmanned technology associated with ROGUE Fires allows the vehicle to operate in teleoperator or leader-follower mode. (Source: Defense-Aerospace.com/Oshkosh Defense)
03 Oct 23. QinetiQ Group plc has been awarded a 5-year $84m contract in the US for the testing and production of the Next Generation Advanced Bomb Suit (NGABS). The NGABS contract is a Program of Record where QinetiQ will deliver over 700 NGAB suits to the US Army. The new suit will replace the current 20 year-old bomb suit, and will provide enhanced protection to its users in their daily operations to identify, render safe, and dispose of improvised explosive devices and other explosive threats. The new suit will increase soldier survivability and readiness to respond to evolving threats by providing them with 360 degree ballistic protection and significantly increasing situational awareness with built-in technology enhancements. This contract win is a great example of our advanced sensor and data processing capability delivering success and growth in our US business (formerly MTEQ), taking products from prototype into full-scale production.
03 Oct 23. SMARTSHOOTER, a world-class designer, developer, and manufacturer of innovative fire control systems that significantly increase the accuracy and lethality of individual and Crew Served weapons, announced today that its U.S. subsidiary, SMARTSHOOTER Inc. was awarded a follow-on contract to supply additional SMASH 2000L fire control systems to the U.S. Army, including spares. Systems from the first Army award are now deployed for the purpose of defeating drones. The addition of this contract will outfit more troops for the same critical need.
SEA
05 Oct 23. Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) has been awarded a five-year, $34m firm-fixed-price indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) to provide Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) based airborne data recorder technology for use on U.S. and Australian manned and unmanned maritime aircraft. Under the agreement, Curtiss-Wright will provide and service Keyed Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Airborne Recorder (K-BAR) Network Attached Storage (NAS) solutions including chassis, docking stations, removable storage modules and lab cable sets.
03 Oct 23. General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Connecticut, was awarded a $967,185,528 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-20-C-2120 for lead yard support and development studies and design efforts related to Virginia Class submarines. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut (95%); McLeansville, North Carolina (3%); Newport News, Virginia (1%); and Newport and Quonset, Rhode Island (1%), and is expected to be completed by October 2024. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $110,000,001 (99%); and fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $1,000,000 (1%), will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Awarded Sept. 29, 2023)
06 Oct 23. The U.S. Navy selected Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) as its Integrated Combat System (ICS) Systems Engineering and Software Integration (SESI) agent. Lockheed Martin will design integrated warfare system architecture and capabilities so that software updates can be delivered in real time across the Navy’s surface fleet of Aegis destroyers, cruisers, and frigates, plus carriers and amphibious ships. Lockheed Martin continues to support the U.S. Navy’s vision to transform into a fully cohesive ICS by connecting multi-domain assets and driving to a common architecture across the surface fleet. (Source: ASD Network)
04 Oct 23. The U.S. Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) a development contract for the company’s newly designed 57mm guided high explosive ammunition. Designated for use with the Mk110 Naval Gun Mount, the company will test and mature the munition for qualification. The 57mm guided high explosive ammunition has the unique ability to continuously maneuver in-flight as it moves toward a designated target. Designed to defend against fast moving surface threats, drones and swarming threats, the guided 57mm ammunition features an on-board seeker to acquire moving targets and a fuze with the ability to self-select for either proximity or point-detonation mode to best engage and defeat the intended target.
04 Oct 23. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Rocket Center, West Virginia, was awarded a $178,000,000 firm-fixed-price undefinitized contract action for immediate expansion of the Naval Industrial Reserve Ordnance Plant, Allegany Ballistic Laboratory. Work will be performed in Rocket Center, West Virginia, and is expected to be completed by September 2026. Fiscal 2023 weapon procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $65,276,000 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(7) (public interest). Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Awarded Sept. 30, 2023)
29 Sep 23. Ultra Electronics Ocean Systems Inc., Braintree, Massachusetts, is awarded a $32,211,059 firm-fixed-price modification to previously-awarded contract N63394-19-C-0007 for production and spares in support of the Next Generation Surface Search Radar program. Work will be performed in Braintree, Massachusetts (90%); Wake Forest, North Carolina (6%); and Chantilly, Virginia (4%), and is expected to be completed by August 2025.Fiscal 2023 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $11,118,498 (34%); fiscal 2022 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,776,814 (21%); fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,640,310 (20%); working capital funds in the amount of $5,721,249 (18%); fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $898,888 (3%); fiscal 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $663,375 (2%); fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $271,300 (1%); and fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $120,625 (1%), will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
AIR
02 Oct 23. USAF Research Lab awards design contracts for nuclear powered spacecraft. Intuitive Machines, Lockheed Martin and Westinghouse Government Services won contracts from the Air Force Research Laboratory to advance technologies for nuclear powered space vehicles. The project is part of an AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate program called Joint Emergent Technology Supplying On-orbit Nuclear Power, or JETSON. The contracts were announced Sept. 29. All three contracts extend through December 2025. The three vendors were selected by NASA in June 2022 for phase 1 studies of fission surface power systems, small nuclear reactors intended to support later phases of the Artemis lunar exploration campaign. Each team received $5m for initial design studies. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Space News)
03 Oct 23. Comtech (NASDAQ: CMTL) announced today the company was recently awarded a $48.6m contract to deliver Enterprise Digital Intermediate Frequency Multi-Carrier (EDIM) modems in support of U.S. Army satellite communications (SATCOM) digitization and modernization programs. Under the contract, Comtech will design, develop, test, and deliver EDIM units and provide hardware, software, and sustainment services to support performance enhancements for EDIM solutions. Comtech’s EDIM modems are designed to support multiple satellite providers and will become one of the primary modems used for U.S. military SATCOM. Comtech’s EDIM modems will also replace the aging Enhanced Bandwidth Efficient Modem (EBEM) currently supporting Army, Navy, and Air Force SATCOM users with an advanced digital and software-defined platform.
04 Oct 23. The Space Force awarded Booz Allen Hamilton a $630m contract for engineering and integration services for the service’s missile tracking and surveillance, reconnaissance and tracking capabilities, the company announced Oct. 4. Under the seven-year agreement, the Virginia-based consulting firm and defense contractor will provide digital engineering, software development, cybersecurity and AI support to programs across the service’s space sensing portfolio, including Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared missile warning spacecraft and ground systems and the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, which provides weather monitoring capabilities. Booz Allen originally won the contract last year, but the deal was delayed due to protests from ManTech International and Science Applications International Corp., who both competed for the effort. SAIC was the incumbent on the contract. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/C4ISR & Networks)
05 Oct 23. LiquidPiston, a leading innovator of compact, efficient engine technology and hybrid power systems, announced today that it has been awarded a three-year, $35m contract to support hybrid power system development. The contract was awarded by AFWERX, a Technology Directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, in partnership with AFLCMC, the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. This award builds on an ongoing Phase II SBIR program supporting the 144th Fighter Wing, which is developing an Adaptive Basing Trailer to support rapid deployment of fighter jets. The new $35 m contract includes $15 m in SBIR funding from the prestigious STRATFI program, announced in June 2023. The funding reflects growing acknowledgment of LiquidPiston as a driver of smaller, lighter, more efficient engines and hybrid power solutions for military applications. With this award, LiquidPiston will design, develop, and qualify a 90+ horsepower heavy-fueled rotary engine, which will be incorporated into a modular Rotary Engine Hybrid Power System™. This engine and platform can serve as the “power pack” for a variety of applications of interest to the Air Force, including unmanned aerial systems (UAS) propulsion, human- and cargo-carrying Organic Resupply Bus (ORB) capabilities, mobile operating bases, and vehicle auxiliary power units (APUs).
05 Oct 23. Near Earth Autonomy, Inc. (Near Earth) and Kaman Air Vehicles, a division of Kaman Corporation (NYSE: KAMN), announced today that they have been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army to demonstrate a resupply uncrewed aerial system (UAS) capable of moving loads with a minimum of 800 pounds and flying distances over 100 miles. This heavy-lift vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAS will take Soldiers out of harm’s way and supplement resupply trips through added uncrewed lift capacity. Today, the Army depends on smaller drones and heavier crewed aircraft for resupply missions. This practice significantly heightens the risk for Army aircrews, especially when operating in hostile regions. The Army’s heavy-lift Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) UAS program requirements match Near Earth’s expertise in autonomous flight technology and Kaman’s proven rotorcraft and uncrewed solutions capabilities. The joint effort aligns with Near Earth and Kaman’s shared commitment to advancing the capabilities of military UAS and the ongoing modernization of military logistics operations. Near Earth is the prime contractor and is responsible for the autonomy system which will provide mission assurance through responsive autonomy, enabling Soldiers to focus on their primary mission rather than on controlling the UAS. The autonomy features include navigation, obstacle detection, and manual override systems. Essential components are designed to fail safely and function even if other parts of the system malfunction. The UAS will be based on Kaman’s KARGO UAV, a purpose-built autonomous Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft that will meet the needs of the Army in both lift capacity and endurance while ensuring mission success even in contested environments. Built with the U.S. Armed Forces future operating concepts in mind, the KARGO UAV offers a rugged design for easy transport and is capable of carrying up to 800 pounds of payload. The UAS is designed for different missions by utilizing a common attachment system that will streamline configuration. This modularity supports Resupply/Contested Logistics, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Electronic Warfare (EW), Communications Relay (CR), and Search and Rescue (SAR). (Source: ASD Network)
04 Oct 23. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Space Systems Division, Redondo Beach, California, has been awarded a $235,000,000 not-to-exceed undefinitized contract modification (P00075) to previously awarded contract FA8810-18-C-0006 for Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Polar Space Vehicles 1 and 2. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $2,147,891,819. Work will be performed at Redondo Beach, California, and is expected to be completed by July 25, 2026. No funds are being obligated at time of award. Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity.
03 Oct 23. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) was awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy to evolve the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye cockpit and computing architecture with Delta System Software Configuration 6 (DSSC 6) through 2028.
- DSSC 6 modernization includes Hawkeye Cockpit Technology Refresh and Theater Combat ID.
- Once fielded, the new open mission systems architecture of DSSC 6 will enable rapid integration of new capabilities, including non-proprietary applications from industry partners.
- Entire Navy fleet will be retrofitted with updated cockpit, navigation technologies and mission systems, beginning in 2029 and throughout the 2030s.
30 Sep 23. National Security Innovation Capital funds capability development at Parallel Flight. The US DoD’s National Security Innovation Capital has awarded a USD1m contract to California-based Parallel Flight Technologies, Inc., to support further development and enhancement of its long-range Firefly hybrid UAS solution, aimed at emerging defence and commercial applications. The UAS embodies the company’s proprietary Parallel Hybrid Electric Multirotor (PHEM) architecture, which offers flight time gains at affordable costs. This contract is the first phase of an anticipated multi-part agreement, which will equip Firefly with a beyond visual line of site (BVLOS) communication system that enables the aircraft to fly autonomously via waypoints to the limit of its 280-mile range, and will validate time-between-overhaul targets. The primary market for this advanced prototype within DoD is blood and medical supply delivery in austere environments. However, following validation of this mission capability, the company foresees additional military applications with similar payload and range requirements. For commercial use-cases, high demand for PFTs UAS is expected across numerous verticals, including wildfire and land management, powerline, utility/infrastructure, medical/disaster logistics, agriculture, maritime operation and wind-turbine related missions. For more information: www.parallelflight.com (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
03 Oct 23. RTX (NYSE: RTX) has been selected by Boeing as a collaborator on the X-66A flight demonstrator, part of NASA’s Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project. Two RTX business units, Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace, will support Boeing with Pratt & Whitney GTF™ engines, and Collins nacelles and engine accessories. Pratt & Whitney and Collins will also support ground and flight tests, slated to start in 2028. The Sustainable Flight Demonstrator is part of NASA’s broader Sustainable Flight National Partnership, which is dedicated to developing the technologies needed to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions for commercial aviation. Boeing’s X-66A program is focused on developing the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing (TTBW) concept, which could enable significant improvements in fuel efficiency and reduced emissions for next generation single-aisle aircraft. (Source: ASD Network)
04 Oct 23. Sikorsky Aircraft, headquartered in Stratford, Connecticut, has clinched a contract worth $650m to propel the development of long-term capability upgrades for the HH-60W combat rescue helicopter. This move marks a stride toward enhancing the helicopter’s performance and mission-critical systems. This contract has a maximum ceiling of $650m, underlining the commitment to advancing the helicopter’s performance and ensuring its readiness for demanding missions. The initial delivery order, valued at $91.2m, signifies the commencement of this project. Sikorsky’s task involves developing and integrating several systems onto the HH-60W air vehicle and its associated training systems. Notable among these enhancements are the global positioning system anti-jam, mobile user objective system, and degraded visual environment systems. These integrated systems are poised to change the HH-60W’s operational capabilities, ensuring it can precisely navigate complex environments and challenging conditions. The development of these technologies represents a step forward in the evolution of search and rescue operations, aligning with the needs of the US Air Force. The HH-60W Jolly Green II combat rescue helicopter is a transport and utility helicopter. Between 2021 and 2022, the US Air Force received the delivery of eleven helicopters, according to GlobalData’s intelligence on the “US Defense Market 2022-2027“. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
28 Sep 23. Starlink’s Starshield wins $70m contract with U.S. Space Force. SpaceX has received its first contract from the US Space Force to provide specialized satellite communications to the military as part of the company’s new Starshield program. The company is competing with 15 companies for $900m in work orders through 2028. SpaceX launched Starlink Starshield internet service to support national security. Starshield won one contract from the U.S. Space Force to provide customized satellite communications for the military. The contract was awarded on September 1 and will last one year. It has a ceiling of $70m. (Source: Satnews)
TECHNOLOGY
04 Oct 23. CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI) announced today that it has been awarded a five-year contract, with a maximum ceiling value of $917m, to continue to provide complete life cycle software and systems engineering to improve battlespace awareness for the U.S. Air Force’s Research Laboratory (AFRL). The contract supports the performance, research, and gathering of data and information processing capabilities for the AFRL. Under the contract, CACI will implement Agile and adaptable processes to develop mission software and data analysis capabilities to advance and modernize command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C5ISR) programs. These capabilities will enhance information dissemination and decision-making across the Air Force and intelligence community, improve information security, and meet program mission objectives. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
04 Oct 23. QinetiQ Group plc (QinetiQ) is pleased to announce it has been awarded a five year $127m contract in the US from the Office of the Secretary of Defense Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO). QinetiQ will provide secure, technologically advanced services and products that will enable SCO to deploy new and enhanced capabilities in support of strategic operations. This contract builds on our existing work and strong customer relationship with SCO, generating incremental growth on previous work. The contract will support our customers’ mission to identify, analyse, and prototype disruptive applications of new systems, and implement emerging technologies to create operational effects that counter strategic adversaries. Following the $224m SDA contract award announced on 31 August 2023, this $127m SCO contract is a further demonstration of Avantus continuing to win significant programmes that underpin our target of greater than 10% annual revenue growth from Avantus.
03 Oct 23. The USAF awarded $39m to Raytheon, the defense business unit of RTX, on Oct. 3 to develop a prototype software system to command and control air base defenses against aerial threats like cruise missiles and drones. The prototype uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze threat information from sensors such as radar, then recommend to operators the best defense option, which could be missiles or other weapons. (Source: Google/https://www.airandspaceforces.com/)
28 Sep 23. Sarcos Defense, a subsidiary of Sarcos Technology and Robotics Corporation (“Sarcos”) (NASDAQ: STRC and STRCW), a leader in the design, development, and manufacture of advanced robotic systems, solutions, and software that redefine human possibilities, announced today that it has received a $13.8m USD contract from Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. The award results from an innovative AFWERX AFVentures opportunity for its Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) program. This contract will support development, integration, and validation of Sarcos’ artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) software framework, the AI Computational Service, for success-based reinforcement learning in the Sarcos Guardian® line of robotic systems. The goal of the Sarcos AI Computational Service is to enable robotic systems, specifically the Sarcos Guardian line of robotic systems and future iterations, to learn from experience using a success-based learning approach allowing robots to understand their environment, exhibit reasonable behavior in unforeseen situations, and quickly acquire new skills from new experiences. (Source: ASD Network)
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
05 Oct 23. The Government of Kuwait has requested the replacement of expiring limited life components and certifications testing in order to support an operational life of thirty (30) years for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles. Included in this potential sale are: test and repair of PAC-3 missiles; stockpile reliability testing and field returns; repair and return of classified and unclassified PAC-3 missile items and ground support equipment (GSE) component level parts; replenishment of classified and unclassified missile spares, GSE spares, and seeker spares; tools to improve the turnaround time of the repair and recertification efforts; air transportation services for missile processing; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support; training devices; organizational equipment; support equipment; test equipment; technical data and publications; personnel training and training equipment; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $150m. The principal contractor will be the Lockheed Martin Corporation, Camden, Arkansas. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: glstrade.com)
05 Oct 23. Spain, asked to send Patriots to Ukraine, cleared to buy missile system by US. Spain has been cleared to buy 3 batteries of Patriot air defence missile systems by the US State Department for $2.8bn. Spain, which has been a generous donor of military equipment to Ukraine as it defends itself from the invasion by Russia, has been cleared to buy additional Patriot missile defence systems from the US, it was announced 4 October by the US State Department. The possible Foreign Military Sale, worth $2.8bn, will supply Spain with all of the components necessary for three new batteries, including 51 Patriot PAC 3 missiles, 24 launch stations, four radar sets, eight antenna groups, and four electrical power plants and energy power units. (Source: army-technology.com)
05 Oct 23. The Government of Oman has requested to buy three hundred one (301) Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wireless-Guided (TOW) 2B, Radio Frequency (RF) Missiles (BGM-71F-7-RF) (includes 7 “Fly-to-Buy” Missiles). Also included are U.S. Government and contractor technical, program, logistics, and engineering support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $70m. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missiles & Defense, Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. (Source: glstrade.com)
05 Oct 23. Rheinmetall has again been awarded a contract to supply automated reconnaissance systems to Ukraine. The order was placed by the German government. Rheinmetall has again been awarded a contract to supply automated reconnaissance systems to Ukraine. The order was placed by the German government. SurveilSpire is a drone defence system designed to reconnoitre and engage hostile drones. The reconnaissance systems include mobile surveillance towers with day and night vision camera equipment, autopiloted mini-drones and a command and control system. Transport vehicles are also included in the scope of delivery. The systems are used in particular to monitor sections of terrain with as few personnel as possible. The system can also provide a 5G network. Rheinmetall is cooperating on the project with the Estonian company DefSecIntel. The order value is in the lower double-digit m euro range. Delivery has already begun. Made by Estonia’s DefSecIntel, the SurveilSPIRE surveillance towers can be loaded onto trailers and quickly transported to their area of operation. Assembly requires three personnel; operation is fully automated. The system includes wireless links (4G and Starlink) for video transmission to a mobile command post. Solar panels enable sustained operation without power cables or a fuel source. The system relies on autopiloted reconnaissance drones that conduct patrols and mission-specific flights. This enables inspection of detected threats and lets the operator initiate necessary countermeasures. Rheinmetall is already taking part in several projects in support of Ukraine. These include deliveries of Marder infantry fighting vehicles, ammunition of various calibres, field hospitals, military trucks and, soon, a LUNA Next Generation reconnaissance system. Furthermore, Rheinmetall is a partner in multiple multilateral “Ringtausch” transactions. This procedure, developed by the German government, is designed to support the Ukrainian war effort in cooperation with Germany’s European neighbours and NATO partners. Here, NATO member nations transfer Soviet-era equipment to Ukraine in exchange for surplus Western-made systems.
28 Sep 23. Zen Technologies to provide C-UAS and driving simulators to Indian Army. Hyderabad-based Zen Technologies secured two contracts worth INR2.27bn (USD27.3m) and INR1.2bn from the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) in September to provide counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UASs) and driving simulators to forces. An industry source told Janes on 27 September that under these two contracts, Zen Technologies will supply at least 20 units of its C-UAS, named the Zen Anti-Drone System (ZADS), as well as 69 driving simulators for the Ashok Leyland Stallion range of trucks to the Indian Army. Delivery of both the C-UAS and the driving simulators will commence from March 2024, the source said. Company officials have previously told Janes that ZADS includes a radio frequency (RF) detector, a jammer, antennas for the jammer and detector, and a video-based drone identification and tracking (VDIT) system. The system has a detection range of 5 km and a jamming range of 4 km. (Source: Janes)
SEA
04 Oct 23. Australian Precision Technologies (APT) has received a contract from Kongsberg Defence Australia to manufacture components for the KONGSBERG Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Launchers to be delivered under Project SEA 1300. The NSM will replace the Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile currently on the Royal Australian Navy ANZAC class frigates and Hobart class air warfare destroyers. APT will manufacture highly complex precision-machined components utilising state of the art manufacturing technologies and lean management best practises, according to a statement. The components will be manufactured in the company’s Berwick, Victoria facility and will present new job opportunities in project management, quality assurance and advanced manufacturing applications. The contract will also enable APT to invest in more advanced CNC machining technologies and quality control equipment to ensure the high standards of quality are achieved. (Source: Google/https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/)
AIR
04 Oct 23. Israel Aerospace Industries sells spy satellites to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan’s space agency, Azercosmos, acquired two multi-spectral electro-optical spy satellites from Israel Aerospace Industries as part of the Azersky-2 program. The Azeri Agency and the Tel Aviv area-based company did not disclose the satellite model or value of the contract in announcing the deal, but both have previously said the agreement is worth about $120m, and Defense News learned that the model is the OptSat-500. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/C4ISR & Networks)
29 Sep 23. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Melbourne, Florida, is awarded a $150,000,000 cost reimbursable contract modification (P00076) to a previously awarded contract (N0001918C1037). This modification provides for the production and delivery of long lead parts for five E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft in support of the government of Japan. Work will be performed in Syracuse, New York (25.06%); Rolling Meadows, Illinois (9.52%); Woodland Hills, California (5.87%); Menlo Park, California (5.08%); Greenlawn, New York (3.33%); Aire-sur-l’Adour, France (2.02%); Owego, New York (1.79%); Edgewood, New York (1.41%); Melbourne, Florida (1.35%); Marlboro, Massachusetts (.73%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (43.84%), and is expected to be completed in February 2029. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $150,000,000 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.