UNITED KINGDOM
SEA
16 Oct 23. Thales in the UK has awarded Marshall Slingsby Advanced Composites a contract to develop and produce next-generation composite optronic mast fairings for submarines. Building on the successful delivery of multiple variants of optronic mast fairings for Thales over the last 25 years, the new project will support the delivery of the next-generation Dreadnought-class submarine programme by BAE Systems Submarines. Expected to enter service in the early 2030s, Dreadnought is the replacement programme for the Royal Navy’s Vanguard-class submarines, which maintain the UK’s nuclear deterrent. The mast fairings will employ the latest design and manufacture techniques, taking advantage of cutting-edge materials technologies and in-house production knowledge to achieve the quality requirements necessary for submarine environments.
EUROPE
LAND
16 Oct 23. Poland Orders Jelcz Trucks to Carry NSM Missiles, Mobile Bridges. On October 11 this year, in Nowa Dęba, the Minister of National Defense, Mr. Mariusz Błaszczak, approved the agreement regarding the acquisition of JELCZ truck chassis for the next two contracted Maritime Missile Units (MJR). The subject of the contract concluded between the State Treasury – Armament Agency and Jelcz sp. z o. o. is the supply of JELCZ car chassis and wheeled vehicles on which elements of the Naval Strike Missile system will be installed, which are part of the next two contracts contracted during the 21st International Defense Industry Exhibition in Kielce. The value of the order is approximately PLN 470 m gross. Vehicle deliveries will be made in 2024-2029. (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Polish Armament Agency; issued Oct. 11, 2023)
19 Oct 23. The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) has awarded contracts to Turkish manufacturers Otokar and Nurol Makina to purchase roughly 230 armored vehicles for a total of around €200m, or $211m, the agency announced. Deliveries are scheduled to begin next year as Tallinn is accelerating its military modernization efforts in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Estonian officials said that getting new rides as soon as possible was a key factor in deciding in favor of the Turkish offerings. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
19 Oct 23. Estonia awarded Otokar €130m contract for the supply of ARMA 6×6 Vehicles. The Estonian Centre for Defence Investment (ECDI) has awarded Otokar, the global land systems manufacturer of Türkiye, a contract for the supply of ARMA 6×6 Armored Personnel Carriers, at a value of around EUR-130m including maintenance equipment and training services, where the deliveries are planned to be initiated in the second half of 2024 and completed by 2025. The agreement was signed between Magnus Valdemar Saar, ECDI (Estonian Centre for Defence Investments) Director General and Sedef Vehbi, Otokar Military Cluster Head on October 18th, 2023 in Estonia.
13 Oct 23. Raytheon Integrated Defense System, Andover, Maryland, was awarded a $156,186,509 fixed-price-incentive contract for Patriot ground support equipment, spares and component procurement. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Andover, Maryland, and Romania with an estimated completion date of Oct. 13, 2027. Fiscal 2024 Foreign Military Sales (Romania) funds in the amount of $156,186,509 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-24-C-0003).
AIR
16 Oct 23. The Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces of the Czech Republic announced today the start of negotiations on potential acquisition of the new-generation multi-mission Embraer C-390 Millennium, a military transport aircraft. The decision to start negotiating towards possible purchase the C-390 was based on a market assessment and analysis prepared by Czech Republic’s Ministry of Defense, which identified the C-390 as the most suitable solution for meeting the requirements of the Army of the Czech Republic. Czech Republic intends to acquire two aircraft that will significantly increase its airlift capacity, allowing the Czech Army to perform missions such as air transport, air assault operations, aerial resupply, medical evacuation, humanitarian aid, air-to-air refueling and firefighting with these aircraft. Furthermore, the C-390 Millennium requires significant less maintenance than other aircraft, which translates into higher availability and lower life-cycle costs.
USA
LAND
18 Oct 23. WhiteFox Defense Technologies, an airspace management and counter drone solution provider, announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a SBIR Phase II contract in the amount of $1.25m focused on Scorpion 3, a light-weight, portable drone detection and mitigation solution to address the most pressing challenges in the US Department of the Air Force (DAF). Scorpion offers efficient and reliable situational awareness, in any dynamic environment. The intuitive user interface allows the operator to integrate authorized drones into secured airspace, detect unauthorized drones and defend critical assets. Simple to use, cost-effective, and feature rich, Scorpion-3 is a portable/person-carriable RF-based detection, early warning, tracking, and identification solution. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now in October 2023, WhiteFox Defense will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America. (Source: C-UAS Hub)
SEA
13 Oct 23. General Dynamics NASSCO, a subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today it was awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy for the maintenance, modernization and repair of USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) and USS James E. Williams (DDG 95). The contract for an initial $15.6m includes options that, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $753.8 m. (Source: ASD Network)
13 Oct 23. General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a not-to-exceed $216,510,000 undefinitized contract for long lead time material associated with the Virginia Class Submarines SSN 814 and SSN 815. Work will be performed in Minneapolis, Minnesota (24%); Spring Grove, Illinois (10%); York, Pennsylvania (6%); Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (5%); Florence, New Jersey (2%); Windsor Locks, Connecticut (2%); Warren, Massachusetts (1%); Salem, Ohio (1%); South El Monte, California (1%); Tacoma, Washington (1%); and other locations less than 1% (47%), and is expected to be completed by September 2034. Fiscal 2023 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $216,510,000 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. The statutory authority for this sole source award is in accordance with FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii) – 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 (N00024-24-C-2110).
17 Oct 23. HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that its Mission Technologies division was awarded a $244m task order to integrate Minotaur software products into maritime platforms for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard. HII was awarded this contract under the Department of Defense (DoD) Information Analysis Center’s (IAC) multiple-award contract (MAC) vehicle. IAC MAC task orders are awarded by the U.S. Air Force’s 774th Enterprise Sourcing Squadron to develop and create new knowledge for the enhancement of the Defense Technical Information Center repository and the research and development and science and technology community. Under the Naval Air Systems Command task order, HII will perform research, development, test and evaluation to facilitate the integration of Minotaur Family of Services products into the services’ maritime platforms to meet intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance warfighting requirements. Minotaur products support the warfighter by enhancing sensor performance and presenting data from multiple types of sensors, including radar and C5ISR equipment, into a single common operating picture and transmitting that data to other platforms and units during operations. HII has been the first and only industry prime developer of Minotaur since the program was first awarded to industry in 2020. The contract has a five-year period of performance, with work conducted at contractor facilities in various U.S. locations.
AIR
17 Oct 23. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has announced a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Technical Directions (TDI), a business unit within Kratos Unmanned Systems Division, and Boeing for the TDI-J85 turbine engine to provide propulsion for the Powered Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). Boeing’s Powered JDAM combines a 500lb ordnance and the conventional JDAM guidance kit, with a wing kit and a Kratos TDI-J85 engine to expand the potential range of the weapon system. In a 16 October release, Kratos stated the programme would also provide cost savings due in part to the “low cost turbine engine technology” developed by TDI. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
17 Oct 23. Vigilant Aerospace Systems, Inc., a provider of multi-sensor detect-and-avoid safety systems for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility (AAM), announced that it has been awarded a contract by the US Air Force to develop a detect-and-avoid system for the Air Force’s new long-endurance drone. According to the published project description, the objective of the project is to “integrate a mature detect and avoid capability on an existing long-endurance, Group V UAS platform for increased aircraft and pilot-in-the-loop operational awareness that leverages new and evolving C-SWaP sensors and sensor The project is sponsored by the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) and is an SBIR Phase II project through the SBIR program. The program seeks to bring dual-use technologies, which can help both civilian and military users, into the military, with a focus on high-impact, near-term implementations. FlightHorizon is detect-and-avoid and airspace management software that fuses data from aircraft transponders, radar, drone autopilots and live FAA data to create a single picture of the airspace around a drone. The software displays air traffic, predicts trajectories and provides avoidance commands to the remote pilot or to an autopilot. The system can be used on the ground or onboard the UAS and can be configured for any size of aircraft. The software is based on two licensed NASA patents and the company has completed contracts with NASA, the FAA and a project with the USAF’s 49th Operating Group’s MQ-9 Reaper fleet to track training flights. It is designed to meet industry technical standards and to help UAS operators to fly beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS).
TECHNOLOGY
17 Oct 23. Amentum has been awarded a five-year contract with a maximum value of $326.9m by the U.S. Army to continue its important work on command, control, communication, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems. Amentum will engineer, integrate and test advanced prototype technologies and systems. The Army is managing the program out of the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. Under this contract, Amentum will provide technology and engineering solutions for prototyping projects executed by The Prototyping, Integration and Testing Division (PI&TD). These engineering modernization and integration projects directly support emerging technical needs of the warfighter. PI&TD provides support to several military program management offices including DEVCOM, Warfighter Information Network Tactical (WIN-T), Mission Command, Radars, DCGS-A, Special Operations Command, and Marine Corp (USMC). (Source: ASD Network)
13 Oct 23. Crystal Group, Inc., a trusted designer and manufacturer of rugged high-performance edge compute solutions, secured a multim dollar contract with a major defense contractor to deliver rugged Crystal Group servers for deployment in advanced radar systems used by United States Armed Forces and foreign allies. Crystal Group rugged servers will be deployed in two radar systems used to detect incoming missile and artillery attacks, as well as attacks from unmanned, rotary or fixed wing aircraft. Both radar systems are essential to the protection and safety of U.S. soldiers and civilians around the world. Crystal Group was selected to replace the contractor’s existing rugged compute provider for this program because of its industry-leading manufacturing quality. When lives are on the line, reliability is paramount, and Crystal Group’s rugged product line is the most trusted available in the market. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
17 Oct 23. KBR (NYSE: KBR) was awarded a $75m, five-year recompete task order to perform research and analysis to address the Department of Defense (DoD) critical technology areas of advanced materials, trusted artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy, and renewable energy generation and storage. KBR was awarded this task order under the DoD Information Analysis Center (IAC) Multiple Award Contract (MAC) vehicle. This is a significant recapture of Project Manager Transportation Systems (PMTS) Family of Vehicles (FoV) Analysis IAC MAC contract. This win substantially strengthens KBR’s growth initiative focusing on ground vehicle systems and represents more than 80 percent growth from the previous task order. Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide research and development for engineering, new product design and development, logistics and reliability improvements, and obsolescence and diminishing sources of manufacturing and supply.
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
16 Oct 23. Australia Picks Lockheed Martin for Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS). Lockheed Martin Australia has been announced as the strategic partner for Defence’s multi-m-dollar Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS), which will deliver the core command-and-control architecture for the Australian Defence Force’s growing Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) capability. The announcement marks the start of a new phase for Australia’s IAMD capability. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Australian Department of Defence)
17 Oct 23. Savox Communications’ Asian Success Continues with a 5m Euro Order for Trics Hub and NC-100 Headsets. Savox Communications, the leading provider of mission-critical hearing protection and communication solutions, is delighted to announce yet another milestone in our ongoing success in the Asian market. As the premier provider of these hearing protection and communication solutions, we take pride in sharing that we have recently secured a substantial order worth m euros. This order encompasses Savox tactical communication solutions, specifically the Savox Trics communication Hub and Savox NC-100 Headsets. This reaffirms our commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology that supports professionals working in high-stakes environments.
AIR
13 Oct 23. Babcock Australasia has signed a $150m contract with the South Australian government to provide two new Bell 412 helicopters to support the state’s police and ambulance services. This new $150m contract will see two new State Rescue Helicopter Service (SRHS) helicopters online before the end of 2024, four new dedicated pilots and an extra available line of flying for emergency response. The investment will also see four additional pilots hired to provide a third line of flying for 24/7 operations, meaning three helicopters can be airborne at once if required. This mitigates operational impacts associated with regulations relating to flying multiple aircraft types and provides more operational capability. (Source: Defence Connect)
18 Oct 23. Armscor has placed a support contract with GKN Aerospace for the maintenance of the South African Air Force’s (SAAF’s) Gripen engines, meaning both engines and airframes are now fully supported for South Africa’s fighter jet fleet. According to an Armscor presentation delivered to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (PCDMV) in mid-September, Saab as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has an airframe support contract for the Gripen in place from September 2022 to end August 2025, worth R650m (of which R476m is funded). It took some time for the contract with GKN Aerospace to be finalised for Gripen engine support – this contract is now in place and covers the period from August 2023 to end July 2026. It is worth R327 m, of which R145 m is currently funded. Armscor originally aimed to have the engine support contract in place with GKN by 1 December 2022. South Africa has been operating the Gripen C/D since 2008 and is Saab’s first export customer for the type. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
17 Oct 23. Korea Aerospace Industries selected L3Harris Technologies to provide surveillance and targeting systems for the Republic of Korea’s new Marine Attack Helicopter. The L3Harris WESCAM MX-15D electro-optical/infrared targeting and designating system will provide advanced, battle-tested capabilities for the currently-in-development helicopter, enhancing the RoK’s air, land and marine operations. The highly configurable WESCAM MX-Series EO/IR sensors integrate seamlessly with the helicopter’s target acquisition and designation sights, enabling increased situational awareness. Under the new agreement, L3Harris will provide KAI with WESCAM MX-15D EO/IR units for its first development helicopters. L3Harris already provides WESCAM MX-Series EO/IR systems for KAI’s Surion utility helicopters flown by the National Police Agency, Korean Coast Guard and the 119 Fire Fighting Corps. L3Harris also operates a WESCAM Authorized Service Center in South Korea to support its customers locally. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ L3Harris)
19 Oct 23. The Republic of the Philippines Department of National Defense announced the acquisition of three new C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical airlifters from Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) through a Direct Commercial Sale. In choosing the C-130J, the Philippines joins 21 other nations that rely on the Super Hercules to support tactical airlift mission requirements. The tactical mission profile requires a proven aircraft that delivers known operational results and capabilities when operating in challenging environmental and geographic conditions. The C-130J-30 provides these attributes and more to the Philippine Air Force (PAF), which will operate these new Super Hercules. All three aircraft are scheduled to deliver in 2026. The Philippines is a long-standing C-130 operator, receiving its first Hercules in the early 1970s. The PAF currently operates a mixed fleet of legacy C-130s to support critical humanitarian, military and natural disaster relief missions throughout the Indo-Pacific region. PAF crews will operate the C-130J-30, the stretch version of the C-130J that
17 Oct 23. MBDA has received a contract from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the integration of the Mistral ATAM anti-air missile system on the Korean Marine Attack Helicopter (KMAH). Mistral ATAM is based on the Mistral short-range anti-air missile, known for its fire-and-forget engagement mode, ease of operation and unrivalled kill probability. The ATAM system includes two launchers per helicopter, each carrying two missiles. Man-portable Mistral air defence systems are also in-service with Republic of Korea’s Armed Forces.
19 Oct 23. Saab has secured a contract to supply its latest MAW 400 missile approach warning sensors for integration into Hanwha Systems’ self-protection system that will be used on Republic of Korea Air Force C-130H Hercules transports. Saab said the contract came about after the company participated in Hanwha’s Direct Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) system development. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
17 Oct 23. Thales has been awarded a contract by Korea’s Aerospace Industries (KAI) to equip FA-50 fighters for Poland with its highly successful Scorpion® Helmet Mounted Display (HMD). Under the terms of this contract, Thales is responsible for adapting, integrating, and qualifying the Scorpion® HMD onto KAI’s FA-50 Fighting Eagle, as well as installing production systems, to support the Republic of Korea’s FA-50 contract with Poland. With its digital cockpit, digital flight control system, and impressive array of precision-guided weapons, the FA-50 is well-equipped for all-weather combat operations day and night. Scorpion® is a perfect match as it offers a modern, digital platform that equips pilots with enhanced situational awareness. The highly accurate Scorpion® HMD features full-color symbology, zero-perceived latency, and a single display module for both day and night operations – all at reduced life-cycle costs. Motion-tracking accuracy, using Scorpion’s precision Hybrid Optically-based Inertial Tracker (HObIT™), is also significantly improved over competing systems. Thales expects this contract is just the start as the FA-50 is made available to customers worldwide. Scorpion® is well-suited to also be easily adapted onto the T-50 Advanced Jet Trainer and TA-50 Lead-in Fighter Trainer, as HMDs are becoming integral to most current and future combat aircraft