UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
LAND
22 Jan 24. Nato orders 220,000 rounds of 155mm artillery ammunition. At a signing ceremony on 23 January Nato welcomed the procurement of 220,000 shells of 155mm artillery ammunition. Nato concluded contracts for the purchase of 155mm artillery shells, ordering 220,000 shells for $1.2bn through Nato’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) on 23 January 2024, in a move that will refill the stock of Allied nations as the international treaty organisation continues to support Ukraine. “Russia’s war in Ukraine has become a battle for ammunition,” said Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, at the signing ceremony for the new investment in artillery ammunition, highlighting the significance of procurement chains in Nato’s strategic concept. (Source: army-technology.com)
25 Jan 24. British Army battlefield mobility will be bolstered in a new £150m contract for military-grade general support bridges which will secure 300 UK jobs. British Army battlefield mobility will be bolstered in a new £150m contract for military-grade general support bridges which will secure 300 UK jobs. Stockport-based company KNDS UK (Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter), which has a long history of manufacturing military bridge systems, will deliver the support bridges based on their Dry Support Bridge design. Extending up to 46 meters – the length of five buses – and able to carry the weight of the Army’s future tank, the Challenger 3, the bridges can be used to cross both wet and dry gaps. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
22 Jan 24. UK Dstl awards Leonardo and QinetiQ new contract to protect armoured vehicles. The UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has placed a new contract through the Aurora Engineering Delivery Partnership (EDP) for a programme targeted to improve survivability and protection for British Army armoured vehicles. Under the EDP framework, QinetiQ is lead EDP partner, and Leonardo UK is the Principal Systems Integrator. Leonardo will lead a team of major defence companies, under the name of Team Minerva, which includes: Thales, CGI, Roke, Ultra Electronics and Frazer Nash. The programme is the successor to the Leonardo-led Icarus Technology Demonstrator Programme (TDP), which was concluded in July 2021. The new contract represents the second development phase of the UK Modular Integrated Protection System (MIPS) programme for the development of a new pan-fleet active protection system architecture for British Army vehicles, including tanks and armoured personnel carriers, to handle existing, new and future threats. Team Minerva will further develop the UK systems architecture standard that enables the configuration of active protection systems for a range of different armoured vehicle types. Targeting a range of threats from RPGs and guided missiles to small UAS, these layered, adaptable configurations provide the ability to reconfigure systems for diverse operational scenarios, thereby ensuring operational vehicles have the most effective protection tactics. In addition to development of the open architecture standard, this second phase of the programme is focused on developing the MIPS Controller to TRL7 (Technology Readiness Level 7). For more information: https://uk.leonardo.com (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
SEA
22 Jan 24. General Dynamics Mission Systems, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is awarded a $335,071,035 cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost-only contract N0003024C1005 for the Strategic Weapon System Fire Control Subsystem development, production, sustainment, modernization, repair, installation, training and technical engineering services support for the U.S. SSBN, UK SSBN, and SSGN fleets. The contract has options in the amount of $276,587,426. This contract award also benefits a Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom. Work will be performed in Pittsfield, Massachusetts (83%); Bangor, Washington (4%); Kings Bay, Georgia (4%); Loanhead, Midlothian, United Kingdom (3%); Cape Canaveral, Florida (2%); Groton, Connecticut (2%); and Quonset Point, Rhode Island (2%). Work is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2027. Fiscal 2024 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $33,582,999; fiscal 2024 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $53,181,724; fiscal 2024 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $19,150,942; fiscal 2024 weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,301,991; fiscal 2024 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,960,000; fiscal 2023 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $13,772,116; and fiscal 2023 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $13,275,007, are being obligated on this award. Fiscal 2024 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $19,150,942 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is being awarded on a sole source basis under 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1) and was previously synopsized on the System for Award Management online portal. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
EUROPE
LAND
23 Jan 24. Sweden purchases new simulators for Leopard tanks. The Swedish Armed Forces is procuring new Stridsvagn 122 (Leopard 2A5) tank simulators from KNDS to improve crew training. KNDS – a joint venture between Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Nexter – will be supplying the new simulators, replacing the trainers at the BTA 122 and TBTA crew training facilities, according to an announcement by the Swedish Armed Forces on 18 January. Along with this, the company is supplying simulators to the l19 Norrbotten and P7 South Skåne regiments as well as a single trainer for the P18 Gotland Regiment. Deliveries will take place continuously until 2029. The Swedish Armed Forces was unable to respond to Janes at the time of publication regarding technical specifications and the number of simulators being procured. According to the announcement, the new simulators will offer training for the whole tank crew, consisting of the commander, gunner, driver, and loader, across all stages. The new simulators will also be equipped with the army’s new command-and-control (C2) system. (Source: Janes)
25 Jan 24. Kromek receives £1.4m order to deliver D3M detectors for use in EU Stockpile. Kromek Group plc (AIM: KMK), a leading developer of radiation and bio-detection technology solutions for the advanced imaging and CBRN detection segments, announces that it has received an order in excess of £1.4m to supply D3M detectors and associated networkable solutions. The revenues are expected to be received within the current financial year. The detectors are intended for use in the rescEU stockpile, which is being developed by the European Commission to help safeguard citizens from disasters and manage emerging risks, including equipment to respond to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) risks. The order is fully funded by the EU, through the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations.
26 Jan 24. Hungary has framework agreement for Nurol Makina 4×4 vehicles. Hungary has a framework agreement for Nurol Makina vehicles, Janes learnt at Defence iQ’s International Armoured Vehicles (IAV) 2024 conference being held in London from 22 to 25 January. The agreement was signed in October 2023 for up to 600 Nurol Makina 4×4 vehicles, including the Gidrán version of the Ejder Yalç?n modified for the Hungarian Defence Forces (HDF) and different versions and sizes of the Turkish company’s NMS vehicle. The vehicles will eventually be manufactured in northwestern Hungary. Hungary has received two batches of 50 Gidráns each ordered in 2020 and 2022 respectively. Nurol Makina offers Ejder Yalç?n and NMS vehicles for combat, combat support, and combat service support able to be employed in rear areas, as well as for reconnaissance and surveillance on the front line. The first 10 Gidráns delivered to Hungary equip the HDF’s 2nd Special Operations Forces Brigade, with additional vehicles going to infantry battalions of the 5th Infantry Brigade, replacing ageing BTR-80 armoured personnel carriers, according to Janes World Armies. (Source: Janes)
25 Jan 24. Starting gun sounds for Germany’s advanced short- and very short-range air defence system – development contract awarded. Germany’s military procurement agency, the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), signed a development contract today with the Short- and Very Short-Range Air Defence System Consortium (ARGE NNbS) for the “Air Defence System, Short- and Very Short-Range”, or LVS NNbS. Set up in 2021, ARGE NNbS has three member companies: Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH of Bremen, Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG of Überlingen, and Hensoldt Sensors GmbH of Taufkirchen. The contract is worth around €1.2bn (including VAT), with Rheinmetall accounting for €607 m, Diehl for €339m, and Hensoldt for €284 m, reflecting their respective workshares. Making sure that Germany lives up to its role as NATO’s lead nation in ground-based air defence and the European Sky Shield Initiative, the introduction of the LVS NNbS is a decisive step, closing one of the Bundeswehr’s significant capability gaps. The core objective of the LVS NNbS development project is to optimize medium-range air defence as well as developing high-mobility air defence capabilities for protecting manoeuvre forces from aerial threats – even when on the move.
25 Jan 24. Germany’s military procurement agency, the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), signed a development contract today with the Short- and Very Short-Range Air Defence System Consortium (ARGE NNbS) for the “Air Defence System, Short- and Very Short-Range”, or LVS NNbS. Set up in 2021, ARGE NNbS has three member companies: Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH of Bremen, Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG of Überlingen, and Hensoldt Sensors GmbH of Taufkirchen. The contract is worth around €1.2bn (including VAT), with Rheinmetall accounting for €607m, Diehl for €339m, and Hensoldt for €284m, reflecting their respective workshares. Making sure that Germany lives up to its role as NATO’s lead nation in ground-based air defence and the European Sky Shield Initiative, the introduction of the LVS NNbS is a decisive step, closing one of the Bundeswehr’s significant capability gaps. The core objective of the LVS NNbS development project is to optimize medium-range air defence as well as developing high-mobility air defence capabilities for protecting manoeuvre forces from aerial threats – even when on the move. Key objectives include achieving the necessary networking of individual components; integration of the medium-range IRIS T-SLM guided missile; assuring interoperability; and extending the intercept zone to include short-range threats. Networking will enable connection to the IRIS T-SLM fire units currently under procurement as well as to the Skyranger 30 ground-based mobile air defence system, to be procured in future. The project is in the hands of the German defence industry; ARGE NNbS is the German government’s contract partner. By bundling complementary core capabilities – including those of other German defence contractors – ARGE NNbS brings together the foundational knowledge, capabilities and expertise needed to meet the requirements. In the process, key technologies will stay in Germany, where they will be preserved and perfected. Rheinmetall and its Electronic Solutions and Vehicle Solutions divisions bring technological know-how and longstanding experience in the development and delivery of defence systems, especially in combat vehicles, communications and systems integration. Diehl Defence specializes in developing and fabricating guided missiles. Thanks to its advanced system solutions for ground-based air defence, it is established force in the international market. A supplier of key national technologies, Hensoldt brings to the working group its expertise and tried-and tested products such as radar systems. These products feature comprehensive commonalities based in part on product family concepts, primarily in airspace surveillance, classification and identification.
AIR
24 Jan 24. The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) ordered 42 new H145 helicopters at the end of 2023, on behalf of the Ministry of Interior, with deliveries set to start in 2024. Of these 42 helicopters, 36 are destined for the French rescue and emergency response agency, Sécurité Civile, while the French law enforcement agency, Gendarmerie Nationale, will use six. The contract includes an option for a further 22 H145s for the Gendarmerie Nationale and a range of support and service solutions from training to spare parts, as well as a complete initial support package for the aircraft.
25 Jan 24. Exolaunch, the Berlin-based global provider of launch mission management, integration, and deployment services, announced today that it has been awarded a governmental contract under the Small Satellite Initiative run by the German Space Agency at DLR on behalf of the German Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK). This novel initiative, aimed at providing wide-ranging launch opportunities for small satellites and payload manufacturers on European microlaunchers, marks a significant milestone in the fast-growing German commercial space industry. Under the terms of the contract valued at close to €18M, Exolaunch will coordinate and execute a broad and comprehensive range of launch services for the winners of the DLR competitions for small satellites and payload developers in 2023. This contract underscores Exolaunch’s status as one of the leading European and global space launch industry players, its proven success in advancing European small satellite missions, and highlights the Berlin-based company’s proven expertise in delivering reliable launch and deployment solutions. Exolaunch is responsible for more than eighty percent of Germany’s successful small satellite launches over the past decade, and has previously launched multiple DLR-funded missions. Among its lengthy roster of German clients are commercial customers such as Berlin Space Technologies, constellr, Vyoma and OroraTech; research institutions such as the Zentrum für Telematik, Würzburg University, Fraunhofer Society, University of Stuttgart, Jena University, and the Technical University of Berlin. (Source: ASD Network)
USA
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24 Jan 24. Avon Protection has received an additional delivery order worth $14.2m from the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency under the second-generation Advanced Combat Helmet framework contract announced in February 2022. (Source: ASD Network)
15 Jan 24. Orbit Communication Systems Ltd., a leading global provider of maritime and airborne SATCOM terminals, tracking ground station solutions, and mission-critical airborne audio management systems, has recently secured significant contracts totalling $36.7m, solidifying its position in the defence market. The company finalised an agreement with the Israeli Ministry of Defense for supplying advanced communication systems valued at approximately $16.6m. Additionally, a $16.5m frame contract was secured with the US Air Force for the upgrade, service, and maintenance of Orbit’s Airborne Digital Audio System (ADAS) communications management systems in KC-135 aircraft. This contract spans an additional 60 months, emphasising Orbit’s commitment to ensuring high-level maintenance and performance of advanced communication systems. In addition, Orbit received a $3.6m order from a leading European integrator for satellite communication systems for naval military platforms. The OceanTRx4 systems included in the order will provide continuous broadband satellite connectivity to a prominent European fleet starting in 2026. (Source: www.joint-forcescom)
25 Jan 24. Raytheon has secured a $154m contract to deliver Commander’s Independent Viewer (CIV) systems for US Army Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. The CIV comprises a second-generation forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera with electro-optical/infrared sight and sensors providing a wide view from mobility platforms during combat. Its 360-degree capability can be used for targeting and oversight operations across the battlefield. Work on the CIV production will be performed in McKinney, Texas. The US Army will receive the first tranche in June 2026. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/https://www.thedefensepost.com/)
SEA
19 Jan 24. NSW defence shipbuilder Birdon has been selected by the US Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory for development, testing, and evaluation of an advanced Heavy Landing Craft – H260 design. The H-260 long-range, shallow draft, independent vessel is expected to complete Marine missions involving littoral warfare, similar to the company’s proposed Heavy Landing Craft (LMV-H) for the Australian Army. In similar appearance to oil and gas offshore support vessels, but with integrated signature reduction features, the 260-foot-long craft features a payload of 440 short tons, deck space of 8,000 square feet, the ability to accommodate 72 Marines and 26 crew, a range of over 5,000 nautical miles, and a draft of 6.5 feet allowing it to access a far larger proportion of beach and riverine offload locations than similar-sized vessels. (Source: Defence Connect)
25 Jan 24. General Dynamics Mission Systems’ Progeny Systems announced today that it was awarded a $30,944,470 cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for engineering design, development and supporting procurement for submarine sonar subsystems. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $82,880,849. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia (85%); and Charleroi, Pennsylvania (15%), and is expected to be completed by July 2026. If all options are exercised, work will continue through January 2031.
25 Jan 24. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Moorestown, New Jersey, is awarded a $90,271,480 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract N00024-23-C-5325 to exercise options for MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems. This modification combines purchases for the Navy (97%); and the government of Spain (3%), under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey (31%); Indianapolis, Indiana (27%); Saginaw, Michigan (7%); Farmingdale, New York (6%); St. Peters, Missouri (3%); San Jose, California (2%); Radford, Virginia (1%); and various other locations (each less than 1%) (23% combined), and is expected to be completed by June 2027. Fiscal 2024 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $63,407,220 (70%); fiscal 2024 Defense-wide procurement in the amount of $23,604,223 (26%); FMS (Spain) funds in the amount $2,716,697 (3%); and fiscal 2023 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $543,340 (1%): and will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-23-C-5325).
AIR
22 Jan 24. Advanced Aircraft Company, a manufacturer of distributed electric propulsion tilt-wing and multi-rotor uncrewed aircraft vehicles, has been selected by AFWERX for a Direct-to-Phase II contract in the amount of $1.25m focused on its Hybrid Advanced Multirotor Unmanned Aircraft System (HAMR) to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force. The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer 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, Advanced Aircraft Company will continue its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America. AAC is developing HAMR to support the USAF Agile Combat Employment concept of operations. ACE is an operational approach that combines proactive and reactive strategies, all of which are executed within defined threat timelines. The primary objective is to ensure that Airmen are well-prepared for potential contingencies. This readiness allows them to operate effectively from a range of locations, each with varying levels of capacity and support. (Source: UAS VISION)
24 Jan 24. The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, is awarded a $102,729,951 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00015) to an order (N0001920F0647) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001916G0001). This modification exercises options for the production and delivery of ten P-8A increment three retrofit A-kits and provides for three retrofit kit A-kit installs, in support of anti-submarine warfare capabilities upgrades for the Navy. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida (79.6%); St. Louis, Missouri (10.9%); and Mesa, Arizona (9.5%), and is expected to be completed in November 2026. Fiscal 2024 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $102,729,951 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.
25 Jan 24. The U.S. Navy has awarded Data Link Solutions, a joint venture between BAE Systems and Rockwell Collins, Inc., a contract to provide small form factor (SFF) Link 16 radios, which will be fulfilled using BAE Systems’ FireNet™ Link 16 tactical systems. FireNet is a scalable, secure, and open system architecture communications solution with a unified tactical network to enable Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) operations. Warfighters today operate in network-centric, information-intensive environments that demand wide data bandwidth, network diversity, and constant connectivity. Large volumes of accurate, reliable information need to be exchanged in real-time to maintain situational awareness. The FireNet system delivers that edge with additional narrow, wide-band, and tactical data link capabilities. The FireNet system is Crypto Modernization 1 compliant and offers the highest transmit power available in a SFF radio for current and future fleets. The system addresses size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) demands and its applications can extend across rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned vehicles, maritime vessels, and space platforms. It enables additional line-of-sight voice, data, and network communications from very high frequency to S-Band. (Source: ASD Network)
25 Jan 24. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has been awarded a contract from the Space Development Agency (SDA) to demonstrate the capabilities of the company’s Optical Communication Terminals (OCTs) hosted on GA-EMS’ GA-75 (75 kilogram class) spacecraft while in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). GA-EMS is designing and building two OCTs to provide robust space-to-space communication in a degraded environment and establish and maintain links to meet SDA standards and requirements. The OCTs can support a vast network of satellites, data and information sharing, and collective on-orbit computing resources to support customer and mission requirements. The OCTs will be integrated on two GA-EMS GA-75 spacecraft. The GA-75 is a resilient, modular, and configurable half-ESPA bus design with capabilities to support a variety of communications and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) payloads and missions. The GA-75 is a commercially available platform that utilizes standard payload interfaces to enable seamless integration and mission-ready delivery times. It is also compatible with multiple launch vehicles and can package two spacecraft per ESPA port or fill a single ESPA port depending on mission payload size. (Source: ASD Network)
25 Jan 24. Lockheed Martin Corp., Sunnyvale, California (FA8807-24-C-B001); and The Boeing Co., El Segundo, California (FA8807-24-C-B002), have each been awarded a $66,000,000 fixed-price-incentive-fee (firm) contract for Mobile User Objective System Service Life Extension (MUOS SLE) 1. This Phase 1 contract provides for risk reduction and early design activities to reduce risk and uncertainty prior to entering MUOS SLE Phase 2. Work will be performed at the contractors’ facilities and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2025. These contracts were competitive acquisitions, and three offers were received. Fiscal 2023 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $23,000,000 ($11,500,000 per awardee) are being obligated at time of award. Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity.
24 Jan 24. Saab Boeing contract to produce T-7A aft fuselage systems. The order value for Saab is USD101.7m (approximately SEK 1 bn) and the order was booked in the fourth quarter 2023. The T-7A aft fuselage systems will be produced at Saab’s advanced manufacturing facility in West Lafayette, Indiana.
TECHNOLOGY
24 Jan 24. The Department of Defense announced today the award of two contracts totaling $49m to revitalize advanced packaging capabilities and made through the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program to Micross Components and the government of Osceola County, Florida. These awards, which focus on low-volume/high-mix production of secure 2.5 and/or 3D advanced packaging solutions, include options for further expanding the advanced packaging ecosystem and associated technologies. They are part of DOD’s Re-shore Ecosystem for Secure Heterogeneous Advanced Packaged Electronics (RESHAPE) efforts, and directly support the National Defense Industrial Strategy’s strategic priority of building resilient supply chains. RESHAPE is an advanced packaging manufacturing capability initiative to revitalize a critical packaging manufacturing ecosystem in the U.S. for use across the defense industrial base (DIB) and commercial markets. The effort focuses on multi-supplier “back-end-of-line” processes for 300mm wafer diameter capabilities. It is aimed at pure play, low-volume, high-mix, and secure manufacturing capabilities that all DIB-supporting companies can design into for their next generation applications. This ensures access and availability to a U.S. microelectronics ecosystem that enables a secure, comprehensive component, and reliable system integration. In 2023, the Innovation Capability and Modernization (ICAM) office, which manages the IBAS program, made awards totaling nearly $700 m. ICAM is part of the ASD(IBP)’s Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) directorate, in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Resilience. For more information on MCEIP, please visit: https://www.businessdefense.gov/ibr/mceip/index.html About the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (OASD(IBP)) The OASD(IBP) works with domestic and international partners to forge and sustain a robust, secure, and resilient industrial base enabling the warfighter, now and in the future.
23 Jan 24. DOD Awarded More Than $55m for Base Energy Efficiency Projects. Administration officials have announced more than $55m in new federal grants for Defense Department projects aimed at improving energy efficiency and resilience at installations across the globe. The funds will support eight projects at Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Washington headquarters services bases throughout the U.S. and at the U.S. Army Garrison in Wiesbaden, Germany. The DOD initiatives are among 31 projects across 11 federal agencies to receive more than $104m in total funding under the first phase of a Department of Energy program to assist federal facilities with the implementation of energy conservation technologies. (Source: U.S. DoD)
23 Jan 24. CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI) announced today that it won a five-year, single-award task order valued at up to $382m to provide technology to the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Engineering and Systems Integration Directorate (ESID) Trojan Engineering and Systems Integration (ESI) Advancement of Trojan Systems (EATS). This work is part of the One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (OASIS) indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle. CACI will provide advanced software and full life cycle support for the Trojan family of systems across the Army military intelligence enterprise at all echelons. CACI will deliver and enable cutting-edge intelligence collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination (CPED) capabilities through dynamic data fusion and adaptable software solutions to ensure information advantage for multi-domain operations. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
23 Jan 24. CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI) announced today that it was selected for a five-year, single-award, task order worth up to $526m to provide network modernization and sustainment technology to the U.S. Army Program Executive Office Command Control Communications-Tactical (PEO-C3T). The Global Enterprise Network Modernization (GENMOD) task order is part of the Alliant 2 indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle. Under GENMOD, CACI will deliver a one-stop-shop for vertical integration to create a robust, reliable, and high-speed network modernizing the Army’s enterprise IT infrastructure and facilities across the Pacific and Southwest Asia. CACI will also integrate technologies to transform classified and unclassified networks, audio and voice, data fabric, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) storage, commercial solutions for classified (CSfC) for secure and flexible remote access, and command center capabilities. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
22 Jan 24. Kyrus Tech Inc., Sterling, Virginia, is being awarded a maximum ceiling $200,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (HDTRA1-24-D-0001) with a five-year base ordering period and an additional five-year optional ordering period. The contract allows for firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee type task orders. The contract provides for research, development, test, and evaluation in support of counter proliferation to combat weapons of mass destruction. Work will be performed in Sterling, Virginia; and Centennial, Colorado, and is expected to be complete by Jan. 21, 2034. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2024 research, development, test, and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,957,442 are being obligated under the first task order at the time of award. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
REST OF THE WORLD
LAND
24 Jan 24. Edge announces large UAE order for armed UGVs. The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE’s) Edge Group announced on 24 January during the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference (UMEX) 2024 show held in Abu Dhabi that the UAE Ministry of Defence had placed an order for unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) made by its Milrem Robotics subsidiary. Edge said in a statement that the contract covers 20 tracked robotic combat vehicles (RCVs) that it did not identify and 40 THeMIS UGVs. It added that the RCVs will be armed with 30 mm Mk44 cannons, the combat variants of the THeMIS UGVs will have 30 mm M230LF cannons and indirect-fire systems, and the surveillance and reconnaissance THeMIS variants will have radars, cameras, and shot detectors. Milrem will also provide training for the UGVs and lead an experimentation and trial programme to integrate them into the UAE Armed Forces. Edge did not give a value for the contract but said this represents the world’s largest combat robotics programme. (Source: Janes)
SEA
25 Jan 24. The Ministry of Defence of India signed a contract with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) on 24 January 2024, for the construction of 14 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) for the Indian Coast Guard. The contract is valued at Rs 1070.47 crore ($128.9m). These vessels will be designed and built domestically with a delivery schedule spanning 63 months, (by mid 2029). The primary functions of these vessels will include surveillance, anti-smuggling operations, search and rescue missions, and anti-piracy measures, and the acquisition is part of an effort to bolster the capabilities of India’s Coast Guard while underscoring the Indian government’s focus on maritime security. The FPVs will incorporate a range of technological features, including multipurpose drones, a remotely controlled water rescue craft lifebuoy, and artificial intelligence capabilities. (Source: naval-technology.com)
25 Jan 24. Indonesia awards contract for 45 Atmaca anti-ship missile rounds. Indonesia has awarded local defence company PT Republik Defensindo the contract to procure an initial batch of Atmaca anti-ship guided missiles from Turkey, Janes has been informed by multiple sources close to the matter. This contract, which covers the procurement of 45 missile rounds and associated launcher units and user terminals, paves the way for the Indonesian Navy to be the first export customer of the Turkish-developed guided weapon. Atmaca (Hawk) is Turkey’s first indigenously developed anti-ship guided missile that was first conceived to reduce the Turkish Naval Forces’ reliance on the AGM-84 Harpoon. It is jointly developed by Turkish defence companies Roketsan and Aselsan and turbine engine manufacturer Kale Arge. Work on the programme began in 2009, and PT Republik Defensindo is the local intermediary for the weapon system in Indonesia. Each Atmaca round weighs 750 kg, and it comprises a 5.2 m missile airframe with a 1.4 m wingspan and a 220 kg high-explosive warhead. (Source: Janes)
AIR
26 Jan 24. Edge Group to supply 200 rotary-wing UAVs to UAE MoD. The United Arab Emirates’ (UAE’s) Edge Group signed a contract to supply 200 HT-100 and HT-750 unmanned helicopters to the country’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) during the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference (UMEX) 2024 show held in Abu Dhabi from 23 to 25 January. In a statement issued on 25 January, Edge Group said the deal is the largest order for unmanned helicopter systems from the UAE MoD. The rotary-wing unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) will be manufactured by Switzerland-based Edge entity, Anavia, which specialises in the development and manufacturing of autonomous aerial capabilities, the statement said. Both HT-100 and HT-750 are characterised as being multirole rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed and developed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and logistics missions. The HT-100 is a rotary-wing UAV that can carry a maximum payload of 65 kg for up to four hours 10 minutes at a speed of 120 km/h. The UAV is equipped with a 15 kW shaft turbine and utilises Jet A1 fuel. HT-100 has a length of 2.82 m, a width of 0.72 m, and a height of 1 m. (Source: Janes)
25 Jan 24. India is actively procuring the Drishti-10 Starliner, a version of the Hermes 900 medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV, jointly manufactured by Elbit Systems Ltd and Adani Defence and Aerospace. GlobalData’s latest report, “The Global Military UAV Market 2023-33,” highlights that India is set to invest $12.8bn in various categories of UAVs, with a substantial 70.4% earmarked for the MALE segment. The ongoing procurement signifies a strategic move by India to promote indigenisation and empower domestic private players in the defence sector. GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, emphasises that this approach responds to the escalating threats posed by neighbouring China and Pakistan. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
22 Jan 24. Saab and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Defence have signed a contract and Saab has received an order regarding in-service support for the GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) solution. The order value is approximately USD 190m with a three-year contract period that runs until 2026.